My Pad Fieldtrip to NSC in NYC :)
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by MakingTheGrade » March 11th, 2009, 12:21 pm
So now I have decisions to make! I can buy the unheated half carat stone from nsc that I saw today (for 400$)
Or the .7 carat heated one from CS (in a setting, for 1100). I''m a little worried the color may be a bit too strong and vivid since it''s heated, so I''m going to get it shipped to me. I must say though that Jill Underhill is simply WONDERFUL, with amazing customer service and a gorgeous selection of settings! The downside of going with the NSC stone, is that I''ll probably want to look for a separate setting since I didn''t really like the selection at NSC. I attached some pictures. The NSC stone doesn''t have any lavender or purple in it, in fact, it''s a really bad picture in terms of showing the real color, in reality it''s a nice peachy pink. I have no idea what to think of the CS stone, it looks more orange, but the jeweler says it''s a even split of orange and pink so it might just be bad photos. I''ll probably have to have it shipped so I can see it in person. I''d love to hear thoughts on the pads/prices. This is my first project, don''t know much about anything (other than what I think is pretty, haha). Thanks for the help!
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Hi MTG
 First of all, I am so glad you had such a wonderful time at NSC. Secondly, I am shocked that Steven is not there anymore. I truly wonder what happened. Last time I spoke with him, he told me he would be with the company, until he dropped. He had been there for years and years. I will miss him. I really wanted to see him, when my DH and I went to New York. That is strange too, that they show lavender pads on their website. I really don''t know what to tell you, the choice has to be yours and what color you really are happy with. Maybe you should wait until you see this stone in person, then you will be able to decide which is best for you. |
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I vote the half carat one that you''ve seen and like. Plus it''s unheated (is there are a cert?) Price is right and you think it''s a pretty stone.
Personally, I''d rather have an unheated (although I wouldn''t scoff at a pretty heated one, believe me!) - I just like it''s just a tad more special. Thanks for the great report and pics!! |
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Glad you had a good time and played with all the lovely gemstones!
In terms of pricing / colours etc. Do you prefer the more pink or peach tones? The stones you''ve pictured above are very different. As for price, it''s very difficult to compare because you''re looking at one stone that''s heated and one that''s not. If you went for the unheated one from NSC you may end up paying more once you have found a setting. Of course if you compromise on the setting then the two rings might end up at the same cost. Did you see this at NSC? http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Sapphire-Jewelry/Sapphire-Rings/Jewelry=J1527 It looks like a mixture of the two you''ve pictured! |
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Yeah, I''m honestly leaning towards the small half carat from NSC. Even though it means more of a hunt for the setting. After seeing how much variation and nuance there is to the pad colors, I think I"ll go with this one. Seriously, out of the 15 or so stones/rings I saw, this was the only one that jumped out at me as having a color that I really liked. And it''s unheated, which does make it a little more special, lol.
LovingDiamonds, I actually saw the ring you linked me to, and surprisingly , it IS slightly lavender in person, lol, and more pink than the picture shows. Sigh...now I have to find a setting.. :/ I might brave the jewelry district in Philly, but I''m really scared I''ll be taken advantage of because I''m young and new to the city. Still, I do love adventure! Thank you guys for all your help! |
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That's exactly what buying a stone should be about. Forget whether it's heated / not heated / a traditional Pad colour / non traditional / too pink / too peach / too anything else! How it makes you feel is THE criteria! I think you've cracked it! |
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MTG, I am sure the picture you posted of NSC is more beautiful then the picture expresses. I do wish they had their old photographer back. He was excellent and took true pictures of the stones. The stones they show now, almost look like they are "painted". You saw it in person, and I am sure it is gorgeous. And Yes, unheated stones are more special and worth more in the long run. That is why I love my unheated pads. There is just something special about them. They came out of the earth that way. Nature created them that way. It is truly amazing. |
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It''s not nearly as pink in person, it''s a very mellow peach pink. I put it next to a pale pink sapphire ring and the difference was immediately noticeable. I don''t really mind heat except that it tends to darken the stone and I"m looking for something with a light-medium tone and a soft look to it. |
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Linda,
I really agree, it was AMAZING some of the differences in color between the real thing and the pictures we were seeing on her monitor. Some of them were just entire color hues apart! So while this was a great company, I would definitely see their stones in person before buying, lol. The stone I looked at isn't certified (probably because it's so small), but NSC has a good reputation, so I'm not worried about that. Their reputation is probably more important than scamming me, lol. If you guys have any suggestions for where to look for settings, I"m all ears. I browsed through LOGR, but they seem to be geared towards 1ct+ sz stones. :/ |
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They should hire their old photographer back ha ha ha. He took real pictures of the stones. Good Grief, whoever takes them now sucks. If Steven still worked there, I would tell him too. How are you supposed to tell what color the actual stone is. Geez.
What kind of setting do you prefer? A three stone, a little halo?? |
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MTG I wholeheartedly agree with LD''s comments. It just so happens that the stone that jumped out at you was un-heated, win win! I''m looking forward to hearing the next instalment in your story. Great report btw! |
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Yeah, not sure why Steve left, but he doesn't seem to work there since he was referred to as "the older gentleman who used to work here" when we were talking about the vanishing pad. I think I'd like to get a delicate setting. Aside from that, no clue. But the stone is only 5mm in diameter, so I don't want to overpower it.. I"ll post more pics when I get the stone, that's right, I made a decisions! YAY! (never thought you'd see the day huh? haha). THANKS GUYS! |
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Haha, well Livia was quite young and attractive... In terms of setting, I like clean and simple :) like: Setting I think I want something delicate/organic looking but clean for this ring since the stone shade is so soft and delicate. |
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It sounds like you are making the right decision - I really think with colored stones it is so much about what speaks to you, in person. |
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So I've learned! :) I really love this but my stone is too small  It's really pretty though I think and shaped like a lotus!lotus setting or pretty setting |
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Got the a response from them, and no, they don''t make them small enough to accommodate a 5mm stone I may just wait till the weather is warmer and just go walk around the jewelry district. |
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So the setting you want should be
- delicate - simple - not overpowerring - and organic (I like to list people''s thoughts written so far, when giving advice). I have to ask you a few questions, answers to which you might find useful. Do you plan on wearing the ring 24/7, or only when you dress up? If the later is your answer, that gives you much more options, as you can use materials you normally wouldn''t like in a ring. Do you like mostly modern designs or you wouldn''t mind something with an antique feel to it either? I''m asking this cause I thought of a ring with a seed pearl halo. It can often be seen in antique jewellery, especially when center stones are moonstones and things like that. So if you could live with wearing the ring only occasionally, that is something that would fit all your design criteria. It certainly wouldn''t overpower the stone (seed pearls can be as small as 1 mm), it would be simple, a bit romantic (great with a stone of such a delicate color) and I can''t think of anything more organic than pearls. They can be white, but also pink or peach to compliment the stone. Pink coral beads would also work great, but I don''t think you could find them so small. Another thing about seed pearls, even if you''re not crazy about a halo, you could use them as small side stones (say, those of 2-3 mm in size). Other than that, I think marquise cut white diamonds would be great side stones for your pad. If you incorporate them into the shank (so that they look like an extention of it) they won''t overpower, and they will bring a floral theme into your design (pad being the flower, diamonds being the leaves or petals). Round brilliant diamonds could steal the show from your stone, ovals would be hard to mix with a round center, hearts or trillions are quite flashy (sparkly) and cuts with straight sides (princess, radiant etc.) just seem too formal for a small pastel stone IMO. Pears or cushions might work, but marquises seem more delicate and gentle than pears to me (for a stone of this color), while cushions also tend to sparkle a lot, so would maybe overpower. But whatever you do, make sure the side stones are not too big, especially if they''re diamonds. Hope this helps. |
