alpackie
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2014
- Messages
- 146
I decided to make a new thread since you lovely scopers settled the initial questions! Here's the old thread.
So the BF and I just got back from looking at sparkly things!! This is going to be a really long post so please bear with me!
My overall impression of the experience was fabulous. We spoke with Leslie from this Seattle-area B&M store. She's been around the industry for 30+ years and is blunt and honest (just my style)! I didn't get any sort of snobby uptight vibe from her at all--especially since my BF and I are more of the nerdy outdoorsy type rather than the luxury jewelry type. The store itself is a fortress; it felt super secure being inside and knowing that if you leave your stuff there for cleaning that it's safe.
Simplest things first: the setting! They didn't have a sample of the specific Danhov setting (CL140) that I was looking for, but they had the 4-prong version of it. I tried it on and apparently I'm a ring size 6.5. Regarding the setting:
-the width of the setting was perfect
-petal prongs looked delicate but substantial
-cathedral shanks were connected to the actual prongs for added security of the diamond
-Leslie mentioned that someone with a similar setting brought in their ring to be cleaned recently and they were not able to get all the way around the diamond. The diamond was set too low and too close to the metal, so the brush couldn't get in. (What's the point of buying a diamond if it can't be cleaned properly right?) Aesthetically, Leslie said that the setting was squashed and should set the diamond higher up on the finger (BF agreed wholeheartedly
). Also reassured me the minute difference she's suggesting wouldn't make the diamond any more prone to me banging it around 
She also said 8 prongs would be overkill (6 prongs would be plenty) and suggested that she contact Danhov to make the necessary adjustments. I expressed some concern about getting a "custom" setting that would not be covered under an warranty, but she said not to worry about it and that she'd take care of it.
-They quoted a price similar to the online price, but seemed like there was wiggle room, AND seemed interested in what JA will quote me for.
As for the diamond! I already knew my eyesight was bad, but not THAT bad. Keeping in mind we were in an indoor jewelry store setting, I seriously could not spot any major differences in either color or clarity. Things that have been decided on:
Cut: H&A. (she hasn't heard of HCA)
Carat: 1.23 (+/- .2)
Fluor: faint/none (Leslie doesn't even accept any med/strongs from her suppliers. Apparently she's really against fluor!)
Things in question!
Color: G/H/I??? She showed me a couple of H's and I couldn't even tell the difference between G and H! They quoted me a $700/c difference between G/H.
*****Question 1: Would I be able to tell the difference between a G/H/I in sunlight?
Clarity: VS1-2/SI1-2??? (whichever clarity, must be eye-clean) I was staring at some SI2s with various inclusions and I could see them under the i-scope but to the naked eye I couldn't see anything beyond the sparkle! (Although the BF's eyesight is way better and he said he could tell). And in what situation is anyone (even me) going to have the diamond half an inch from their eye tilting it back and forth (ON A HAND) trying to look for inclusions?
*****Question 2: How does the appearance of a diamond change as it is worn for longer and accumulates more oils/grime? (I.E. Does an "H" diamond look more yellow? Are previously unseen inclusions more prominent?)
One of the rocks she showed me:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0cE_e-CRLmDUW9ybnhoZGFXNlE/edit?usp=sharing
Lazare Kaplan (I guess that's a really big deal, and the price reflects that)
1.22c
H
SI2
GIA Excellent
HCA: 1.6
$8341
Feeling a bit overwhelmed with the whole situation (in a good way), and feeling REALLY nice that my eyesight isn't super sharp
Will add more to the thread as it comes to me!
ETA: Leslie didn't want any deposit from us for her to go out and get some stones with the specs we were looking for. So we aren't "locked-in" with buying from this specific vendor.
So the BF and I just got back from looking at sparkly things!! This is going to be a really long post so please bear with me!
My overall impression of the experience was fabulous. We spoke with Leslie from this Seattle-area B&M store. She's been around the industry for 30+ years and is blunt and honest (just my style)! I didn't get any sort of snobby uptight vibe from her at all--especially since my BF and I are more of the nerdy outdoorsy type rather than the luxury jewelry type. The store itself is a fortress; it felt super secure being inside and knowing that if you leave your stuff there for cleaning that it's safe.
Simplest things first: the setting! They didn't have a sample of the specific Danhov setting (CL140) that I was looking for, but they had the 4-prong version of it. I tried it on and apparently I'm a ring size 6.5. Regarding the setting:
-the width of the setting was perfect
-petal prongs looked delicate but substantial
-cathedral shanks were connected to the actual prongs for added security of the diamond
-Leslie mentioned that someone with a similar setting brought in their ring to be cleaned recently and they were not able to get all the way around the diamond. The diamond was set too low and too close to the metal, so the brush couldn't get in. (What's the point of buying a diamond if it can't be cleaned properly right?) Aesthetically, Leslie said that the setting was squashed and should set the diamond higher up on the finger (BF agreed wholeheartedly
). Also reassured me the minute difference she's suggesting wouldn't make the diamond any more prone to me banging it around She also said 8 prongs would be overkill (6 prongs would be plenty) and suggested that she contact Danhov to make the necessary adjustments. I expressed some concern about getting a "custom" setting that would not be covered under an warranty, but she said not to worry about it and that she'd take care of it.-They quoted a price similar to the online price, but seemed like there was wiggle room, AND seemed interested in what JA will quote me for.
As for the diamond! I already knew my eyesight was bad, but not THAT bad. Keeping in mind we were in an indoor jewelry store setting, I seriously could not spot any major differences in either color or clarity. Things that have been decided on:
Cut: H&A. (she hasn't heard of HCA)
Carat: 1.23 (+/- .2)
Fluor: faint/none (Leslie doesn't even accept any med/strongs from her suppliers. Apparently she's really against fluor!)
Things in question!
Color: G/H/I??? She showed me a couple of H's and I couldn't even tell the difference between G and H! They quoted me a $700/c difference between G/H.
*****Question 1: Would I be able to tell the difference between a G/H/I in sunlight?
Clarity: VS1-2/SI1-2??? (whichever clarity, must be eye-clean) I was staring at some SI2s with various inclusions and I could see them under the i-scope but to the naked eye I couldn't see anything beyond the sparkle! (Although the BF's eyesight is way better and he said he could tell). And in what situation is anyone (even me) going to have the diamond half an inch from their eye tilting it back and forth (ON A HAND) trying to look for inclusions?
*****Question 2: How does the appearance of a diamond change as it is worn for longer and accumulates more oils/grime? (I.E. Does an "H" diamond look more yellow? Are previously unseen inclusions more prominent?)
One of the rocks she showed me:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0cE_e-CRLmDUW9ybnhoZGFXNlE/edit?usp=sharing
Lazare Kaplan (I guess that's a really big deal, and the price reflects that)
1.22c
H
SI2
GIA Excellent
HCA: 1.6
$8341
Feeling a bit overwhelmed with the whole situation (in a good way), and feeling REALLY nice that my eyesight isn't super sharp
Will add more to the thread as it comes to me!ETA: Leslie didn't want any deposit from us for her to go out and get some stones with the specs we were looking for. So we aren't "locked-in" with buying from this specific vendor.
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