Picking Center Stone for Three Stone w/Pear Sides

[Ellsbebc]

After dating six years, I am looking to tie the knot with my high school sweetheart. She wants absolutely no involvement with the engagement ring process and has "complete confidence" with anything I choose and wants it to be a total surprise. My attention was immediately drawn to three stone rings because it matches her classic, elegant style. I was torn between round or pear sides, I have opted for pear sides after I saw lage's masterpiece ([URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/steven-kirsch-reset.185445/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/steven-kirsch-reset.185445/[/URL]).

My initial budget was $10k for both stones and setting because she is open to a future upgrade; however, I know that is complete hogwash and she will become emotionally attached to the stone. My new budget is approximately $15k all in so this is a lifelong keeper.

Desire for center stone:
- Ideal/excellent cut
- G-J color
- "Eye clean" from 6-8 inches
- 1.4ct+ size

What are your thoughts on this 1.85ct J stone I stumbled upon this recently? No GIA certification is available because it is currently not in-house. Charles ensured me it was "eye clean" from 6-8 inches. If I decide to put it on reserve, I will have them compile a video to determine how the J color faces up.

Here's the link (while I figure out how to upload photos): http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10563/

I would look to pair with with .4-.5ct pear sides and a setting very similar to Lage; however, I do not care to pay the premium for a hand forged piece from SK. Anyone know double claw setting similar to hers?

 

[Niel]

i would go with engagment rings direct. they make lovely rings and a lot more budget friendly.
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/amber-classic-pear-shape-diamond-engagement-ring-bpid-283-15.html



also, did you mean .4tcw or .4 ct each? because as you can see, .4 each would have to be fore a much larger stone. but .4 tcw would be nice!


and as for the stone, as long as its eye clean (which it seems like) looks amazing to me!

 

[Ellsbebc]

i would go with engagment rings direct. they make lovely rings and a lot more budget friendly.
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/amber-classic-pear-shape-diamond-engagement-ring-bpid-283-15.html



also, did you mean .4tcw or .4 ct each? because as you can see, .4 each would have to be fore a much larger stone. but .4 tcw would be nice!


and as for the stone, as long as its eye clean (which it seems like) looks amazing to me!

Ah, yes. I had found a similar setting but lost the link. That ERD option is what I had in mind.

I was thinking .8ctw for the pears. If I settle for this 1.85ct stone, maybe GOG/ERD can help me with different ctw pear sides to see if I prefer .4, .6, or .8 ctw sides. I thought it was recommended to keep everything (stones and setting) all in on house?

 

[Niel]

I like that stone you found from gog. If ERD cant find you one similar, its not the worst thing in the world to buy it and have them send it to ERD to set it. I know getting the stone and setting from the same place is ideal, but its not required. I mean, look at all the people here who reset there old stones with leon mege or Victor Canera....

as for the pears though, let ERD pick those. show them that picture you like of the SK one you like and ask if they can find you stones to match the ratio, im sure they could tell you what size pears would match the stone you pick.

Id give them a call instead of email, they are super friendly and im sure they could help. And, if you pick that GOG stone, im sure they can tell you what there process is to have it sent to them for your setting

 

[tweeter8177]

Niel's suggestion to try ERD is a good one. I am in the process of getting this same ring style with pear side stones. I purchased the diamond through ERD and it has been a very good experience, although I went out to NY to actually view the diamonds. But, I am sure they can help pick the best diamond for you in your price range and send pictures. I worked with Chris but I know many PSers have worked with Mark and have been happy.

You may want to go look at diamond colors in person at a local jewelery store to make sure you are comfortable with a color J. To keep the cost down, I and J is a good color. However, I was sensitive to the tint of the J color and chose I. Some people aren't comfortable with I.

As far as pear side stones, keep in mind that they will add to the cost of the ring and the bigger you go the more it will cost (yes I guess that sounds obvious), but I was a little surprised. As another point of reference for picking the size of the side stones, I am getting .85 total carat weight (.4 a piece) with a 3.25 carat stone based on the recommendation of SK who is designing the ring. I wanted to go bigger but he didn't recommend it.

Good luck!

 

[tweeter8177]

I should mention that the J color will still face up white...my issue was with the tint I saw from the side view. If the setting is low enough with less of a side view, then J may be less of an issue.

 

[Ellsbebc]

Thanks Tweeter. You have a gorgeous ring in the works. (My preference was the elongated .85ctw over the chubbier 1.0ctw pears for yours)

I have seen a few I stones and one J stone. There was a partial tint to my eye but that be due to the J stone being EGL USA certified. I will visit another jewelry store and even downsize in exchange for an I diamond for comfort reasons.

 

[Niel]

did you only see the one EGL one? if so you're right thats not a good judge. If you're concerned, you can ask ERD to find you some with florescence, that would certainly help in a lot of lights.

 

[Ellsbebc]

did you only see the one EGL one? if so you're right thats not a good judge. If you're concerned, you can ask ERD to find you some with florescence, that would certainly help in a lot of lights.

Correct. I've only seen EGL certified J stone. Perhaps I will even look for the stone through ERD to keep everything with one company. Otherwise GOG might be able to take photo/video comparables to the J stone in OP.

 

[Niel]

I'm sure they could, they actually already have a similar video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vI3Tkd3VQU

I also found this one particularly helpful, sense I am looking for a k myself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziZ1S8ZlZEE

 

[tweeter8177]

Thanks, I hope I am happy with my pear side stones! One additional thought, I know you don't think your girlfriend will ever want to upgrade but it something to consider in your purchase. I thought the same thing, but 2 upgrades later.... One thing I liked about ERD is that they offer a trade-up policy but also a 'buy back' policy (65% money back I believe). However, this is only on stones that are color I and above and SI1 and above. I am not sure on GOG as I didn't consider them (only because I was limited in time on my NY trip and I wanted to see diamonds in person).

I don't want to scare you away from a J, I would actually consider one in exchange for size depending on shape and ring style.

 

[Ellsbebc]

You haven't made me question a J stone Tweeter. In fact, I put the 1.85ct J on hold today and GOG will have their gemologists examine it in person and take comps against I color stones for me.

 

[Niel]

i cant wait to see how this turns out!

 

[Ellsbebc]

Turns someone sniped the 1.85 JS1. Charles was kind enough to bring this 1.8 JS1 in house for me. It only scores a 3.5 HCA but it scores excellent on all tests performed by GOG. The HA image also appears awfully included. GOG informs me this is an excellent stone and I should not be worried about the HCA nor HA image. They are obviously in the market to sell stones, but I want to trust their expertise. Any advice on this stone?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10659/

I am visiting another local jeweler tomorrow to reassess color sensitivity for H, I, and J color.

 

[04diamond<3]

If you don't end up being color sensitive, I'd suggest this:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.76-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-184065

You can put it on hold and request an ideal scope image from JA. They also offer PS members a discount if you don't know already.

To answer your question about the above diamond you posted. I don't like it at all. The table's too big and the clarity looks bad. Not worth the price tag IMO.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would personally much rather have an I color and around 1.5 cts for the center stone:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10535/

And the .4 ctw side pears for this one if you went with the ERD setting.

But, I would ask Good Old Gold on a quote on the Vatche platinum setting with side pears, because it is fine quality and would be my second choice if you don't use Steven Kirsch.

http://www.dvatche.com/index.php?page=collection&catID=2,9&id=100 (style 310)

Plus it is much better when you can have the diamond vendor have the stone set.

 

[Ellsbebc]

I would personally much rather have an I color and around 1.5 cts for the center stone:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10535/

And the .4 ctw side pears for this one if you went with the ERD setting.

But, I would ask Good Old Gold on a quote on the Vatche platinum setting with side pears, because it is fine quality and would be my second choice if you don't use Steven Kirsch.

http://www.dvatche.com/index.php?page=collection&catID=2,9&id=100 (style 310)

Plus it is much better when you can have the diamond vendor have the stone set.

Thanks DS. I eyeballed that 1.5 ISI1 last week and was trying to convince myself I could get away with J color. My mind would be at more ease with an I and the stone you linked looks gorgeous. Call that a reasonable price?

I will inquire about a quote for the Vatche setting you linked also.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would personally much rather have an I color and around 1.5 cts for the center stone:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10535/

And the .4 ctw side pears for this one if you went with the ERD setting.

But, I would ask Good Old Gold on a quote on the Vatche platinum setting with side pears, because it is fine quality and would be my second choice if you don't use Steven Kirsch.

http://www.dvatche.com/index.php?page=collection&catID=2,9&id=100 (style 310)

Plus it is much better when you can have the diamond vendor have the stone set.

Thanks DS. I eyeballed that 1.5 ISI1 last week and was trying to convince myself I could get away with J color. My mind would be at more ease with an I and the stone you linked looks gorgeous. Call that a reasonable price?

I will inquire about a quote for the Vatche setting you linked also.

Yes, I think the price is fine for a top cut quality stone. It seems like they may do a little discount on either the stone or the setting if you buy both from them, so do ask. I can't remember. The great thing is that the Vatche setting will come with the right size matched diamonds which makes that process SO much easier! I don't think you'll ever regret going for a high quality stone!

 

[Ellsbebc]

With DS's suggestion, the 1.51ct ISI1 is the front runner ($11.3k): http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10535/

GOG sent two other possibilities I may want to examine.
- 1.32ct HSI2 ($8.7k): http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10582/
- 1.36ct ISI2 ($8.5k): http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10670/

The 1.36ct looks to perform well. Assuming its eye clean, do I have any real worries with the SI2 rating? To my basic knowledge, the 1.51ct and 1.36ct are both top notch and it depends if I want to pay the $3k premium for the 1.51ct.

 

[Niel]

That 3 k could go toward a SK or VC setting....so its worth considering.

 

[Ellsbebc]

That 3 k could go toward a SK or VC setting....so its worth considering.

Our friend is having her setting hand forged and the SO was adamant for me to not pay the premium for a custom ring. Stock is perfectly acceptable, in fact, desired.

I should say I don't want to write off the 1.32ct HSI2 but it only scores a 3.5 HCA. That isn't end all, be all but it has me concerned. That's why I'm focusing on the two I's

 

[Niel]

Good old gold does lots of tests. If all the other ones say it performs well, that trumps the HCA.

If she doesn't want you to get a custom setting, I say put your money toward the larger I

 

[Ellsbebc]

Placing both the 1.36 and 1.51 on hold. Will think about it overnight. Oh the decision

 

[heididdl]

DS is the quality queen and I totally agree with her suggestion and 1.50 is nothing to sneeze at . Also going with a setting that is in proportion and with the same vendor is the way to go.....good luck so exciting

 

[Ellsbebc]

Looks like I am siding with the 1.36 ISI2. I did not anticipate the Vatche setting to cost $4k+. There it goes to show my ignorance with setting prices.

Charles sent me a comparison picture between the 1.36 and 1.51 but I am incapable of uploading photos

 

[Niel]

Well for that price is see if this was eye clean
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.407-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104064594001

And pair it with this
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/grace-3-stone-pears-platinum-5557p