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ť Five Hundred Miles, Fifteen Months, Two Countries, Many Frequent Flyer Points..

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Five Hundred Miles, Fifteen Months, Two Countries, Many Frequent Flyer Points..

P: 11/3/2003 1:19:35 AM
canadiangrrl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 787 Last Post: 3/19/2008 Member Since: 6/10/2003	...and one imperfectly perfect ring. I am now officially engaged to the kindest, brightest, wittiest guy I've ever known. Mr. Canadiangrrl (his new title, heh heh) and I have been weathering the long-distance thing (the 500 miles) since the outset of our relationship (the 15 months. And I will stop with the parentheses now.) It has been expensive and grueling and I don't recommend it, but having said that, he is just so worth it. We had been planning on becoming officially engaged this weekend for the past month or so. So it was a let down when Mr. Canadiangrrl called me last week and said that he didn't yet have my ring. He explained that he hadn't yet received it from Rich Sherwood, who was doing the appraisal. He told me that it wouldn't arrive until after I'd departed. Lies, I tell you, lies. I was rather disappointed as I won't see him again until Thanksgiving. Turns out that Mr. Canadiangrrl just wanted to surprise me. I am the pragmatist, he's the romantic, so I should have seen it coming. We spent Friday night handing out candy to the hordes of kids who came by his house. I had asked him ahead of time to put aside some Tootsie Rolls from the loot he'd purchased to hand out to the trick-or-treaters, as they're my all-time favourite candy. After the last of the kids came by, we headed to the kitchen. Mr. Canadiangrrl said that he had a little something for me for Hallowe'en. This did not set off my radar because Mr. Canadiangrrl is forever doing kind and thoughtful little things. He handed me a handmade card and a little ceramic cup filled with Tootsie Rolls. He had written me a very moving letter inside the card. Once I finished reading it, he said, "How 'bout a Tootsie Roll?" So I took the top one out of the little cup. It seemed oddly shaped, and I said, "Gee, quality control just isn't what it used to be." I unwrapped it and lo and behold, there was my ring. Forgot to answer Mr. Canadiangrrl's "Will you marry me please?" because I had simultaneously begun laughing and crying. What a trip. My ring is completely and utterly gorgeous. It is icy, fiery, and bright, and I see arrows, which is cool. It is a size 5.5, which used to be my ring size, but it's slightly too big right now. I am running quite a bit at present and have a hard time keeping weight on when I am in this mode, so I guess my finger shrunk too. Not sure if I should get it sized or not at this point? We elected to go with Dirt Cheap Diamonds out of Maryland, and I cannot say enough good things about both Jim Schultz and Joshua Cales. Mr. Canadiangrrl expressed trepidation about purchasing an engagement ring online, and it helped that DCD is only an hour outside of DC, where he resides. Also, the nature of his job is such that he's often travelling, and so he had neither the time nor the inclination to research diamonds on the internet. So I made it my mission to become somewhat educated about diamonds. After searching online, asking questions, viewing diamonds in person, and pestering Rich Sherwood, God Among Appraisers, I came to the following conclusions: 1) I wanted a stone that was F or better in colour. Nothing against warmer stones, but I found after viewing stones in person that I really like the icy, complete absence of colour in the D-E-F range. 2) I wanted a thin, platinum six-prong setting, and I liked the fact that DCD's settings are 900 PLAT/10 Iridium. From what I've read, this combo seems to maintain its lustre fairly well. 3) Clarity was no biggie. In fact, I kind of like some inclusions, just as long as they're not black, and the stone is reasonably eyeclean and doesn't scream "Hey, I'm horribly included!" from a foot away. 4) It had to be well cut. It had to score 2 or better on the HCA. 5) I had to please Mara, and go for size. It had to be over a carat, which to me, is plenty big. 6) It could not be hideously expensive. Mr. Canadiangrrl is a spender. Canadiangrrl is an inveterate saver. The twain meet somewhere in the middle. This was the stone I found at the beginning of my search back in July, and after all of the ensuing research, it's the one we ended up with. It's a 1.18 AGS certed RB, F colour, I1 clarity, and it scored 1.8 TIC on the HCA. There is a tiny white imperfection to the side of the girdle that is now pronged, and a feather under the table that I swear I cannot see. I have tilted it back and forth under various lighting conditions, and while I am blinded by the rainbows this thing shoots off, I cannot see the feather. Before we purchased the stone, Jim Schultz visually evaluated it and gave it a thumbs up. It was then sent to Rich Sherwood, Giant Among Gemologists, for appraisal. Rich also gave it a thumbs up. He did a bang-up appraisal, and then sent it on to Mr. Canadiangrrl. I would like to thank a whole bunch of contributors to this forum for their thoughtful feedback to my questions. Mara, Giangi, Garry, Rhino, you're all amazing. Leonid, thanks for creating this venue - if I hadn't stumbled across it this past summer during my research phase, I would be far less knowledgeable about diamonds than I am now. Jim and Josh at DCD - thanks for selling us a gorgeous rock and a beautiful setting. DCD's customer service is really top-knotch, and we recommend them unreservedly. And Rich - thank you so much for patiently answering all of my questions - you were really and truly a huge help to us, and really, I don't hold the fact that you're from Texas against you. Much. And...thanks most of all to my blue-eyed Southern boy, who came along to remind me that integrity, brains, loyalty, and manners still exist in the realm of 'dating'. Not a day goes by that I don't mentally fall on my knees and thank the powers that be for putting you in my path. On our very first date in Jacksonville, Florida, I knew in my bones that I'd marry you someday. Thanks for playing "Stupid Answers to Stupid Questions", thanks for indulging my love of hairy, massively-shedding, drooling dogs weighing 150 lbs., thanks for singing along with Cake in the car, thanks for only slightly gritting your teeth when you hear "Do you like the name (fill in the blank) for a girl?" for the hundredth time, thanks for making me completely dissolve in laughter at least three times per week...just thanks. Will post some eye candy for the troops as soon as it's available from the digital. Sursum Corda! Mess with Texas.
Posted: 11/3/2003 1:19:35 AM

There are 32 replies to this message. There are 30 replies on this page.

P: 11/3/2003 2:29:52 AM
valeria101 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,048 Last Post: 4/30/2006 Member Since: 8/29/2003	Hi! I'm speechless! You, holder-of-awesome-happiness you! All the best from this side of Pricescope! Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian]
Posted: 11/3/2003 2:29:52 AM

P: 11/3/2003 3:13:53 AM
AGBF Ideal Rock Total Posts: 8,041 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 1/26/2003	This is a wonderful vignette, canadiangrrl! Thank you for sharing the story. I have to know more about the 150 lb drooling dog, though. I have a tiny (110 lb) drooling dog named Biscuit. Does Cake happen to be your dog's name? Do you know the Henry and Mudge books? (If not, rush right out and buy them! Whether or not you plan to have children.) And which names do you like for a girl? Good luck!!! A Girl's Best Friend
Posted: 11/3/2003 3:13:53 AM

P: 11/3/2003 3:23:08 AM
DancinGirl Cut Rock Total Posts: 424 Last Post: 10/4/2005 Member Since: 2/24/2003	AWESOME STORY - Congrats Congrats!! We look forward to seeing your beauty!!! ~~ Dancin Girl ~~ "I get up ~ I walk ~ I fall down. Meanwhile, I keep dancing."
Posted: 11/3/2003 3:23:08 AM

P: 11/3/2003 9:14:13 AM
canadiangrrl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 787 Last Post: 3/19/2008 Member Since: 6/10/2003	Thanks everyone. I cannot stop smiling. AGBF, what kind of pup is Biscuit?? We won't be getting a dog of our own until next summer, but I have always loved the sweet and benevolent Newfie, so that's the 150 lbs. dog that I'm referring to. Mr. Canadiangrrl had never met a Newf up until last year. He has always owned dogs who are somewhat smaller and relatively non-shedding. We went to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto last November, and his frozen expression of shock upon seeing SIX GIANT NEWFIES romping together was absolutely priceless. Cake is actually the name of one of our favourite bands. I've never read or heard of the Henry and Mudge books, but I'll look them up. As for names for a girl - Molly, Ella, Nora. Sursum Corda! Mess with Texas.
Posted: 11/3/2003 9:14:13 AM

P: 11/3/2003 9:29:40 AM
DiamondLil Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,405 Last Post: 6/1/2006 Member Since: 6/8/2003	Congratulations, Canadiangrrl. What a great story!! Can't wait to see pictures!! Diamondlil DiamondLil ________________ "Diamonds are nothing more than chunks of coal that stuck to their jobs."
Posted: 11/3/2003 9:29:40 AM

P: 11/3/2003 11:34:31 AM
fire&ice Ideal Rock Total Posts: 7,827 Last Post: 3/30/2009 Member Since: 7/22/2002	---------------- On 11/3/2003 1:19:35 AM canadiangrrl wrote: ------------- This statement speaks volumes. Congrats to your fiance & Best Wishes to you. A heart warming post. THANKS!
Posted: 11/3/2003 11:34:31 AM

P: 11/3/2003 1:00:44 PM
Giangi Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,530 Last Post: 10/29/2006 Member Since: 1/23/2003	Wow Canadian!!!!!!! I'm so happy for you and thanks for mentioning me!! It sounds like you got a super stone... Gotta tell you... I love good I1s... They cost a bunch less but are just as beautiful, if you don't care about a little speck or, even better, if you can hide it under a prong. You definitely made a wise choice! (And got an EGL E/SI 2 ) _____________ Omnia Mea Mecum Porto. Giangi
Posted: 11/3/2003 1:00:44 PM

P: 11/3/2003 1:24:36 PM
Mara Ideal Rock Total Posts: 27,912 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 10/30/2002	Congratulations!!! I love his surprise, it's low key but still so very romantic--fav candy and all. I love the quality control comment--I would have thought the same thing about the funky shaped candy. The stone sounds incredibly lovely and you probably more than met your reasonable-$$ requirements with the I1 clarity--and finding one that is eye clean to you is so very cool--way to maximize the budget. I can't wait to see how long it takes for shrinkage to set in...because IT DOES! I'm SOOO flattered that I was a # on your list of requirements and I wasn't the last one either!! Wooo. Pictures! ________________________________ "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." -Albert Einstein
Posted: 11/3/2003 1:24:36 PM

P: 11/3/2003 1:34:04 PM
AGBF Ideal Rock Total Posts: 8,041 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 1/26/2003	---------------- On 11/3/2003 9:14:13 AM canadiangrrl wrote: Thanks everyone. I cannot stop smiling. AGBF, what kind of pup is Biscuit?? We won't be getting a dog of our own until next summer, but I have always loved the sweet and benevolent Newfie, so that's the 150 lbs. dog that I'm referring to. Mr. Canadiangrrl had never met a Newf up until last year. He has always owned dogs who are somewhat smaller and relatively non-shedding. We went to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto last November, and his frozen expression of shock upon seeing SIX GIANT NEWFIES romping together was absolutely priceless. ---------------- Biscuit is a Lab. He just happens to be much bigger than the breed standards :-). His head is in one spot and his tail is knocking things down in another room. It's the tail that never quits :-). I would give anything to see six bounding Newfoundlands! That would be a great home video, too! Deb A Girl's Best Friend
Posted: 11/3/2003 1:34:04 PM

P: 11/3/2003 2:18:31 PM
pqcollectibles Ideal Rock Total Posts: 3,441 Last Post: 6/18/2005 Member Since: 2/23/2003	"Will post some eye candy for the troops as soon as it's available from the digital." In Tootsie Roll wrappers??!! What a story! Many Congrats! Looking forward to the pics! Why use a big word when a diminutive word would be succinct! ____________________________________________________________ Just a regular person trying to be helpful. Consult a Pro prior to purchase!
Posted: 11/3/2003 2:18:31 PM

P: 11/3/2003 2:27:12 PM
lop Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,651 Last Post: 9/7/2009 Member Since: 6/14/2003	What a great story! Congratulations! a holloween to rembember
Posted: 11/3/2003 2:27:12 PM

P: 11/3/2003 5:33:09 PM
Fuffi Cut Rock Total Posts: 432 Last Post: 9/17/2006 Member Since: 5/29/2003	What a great post- CONGRATULATIONS !! I wish you both the very best and hope you'll always be as exceedingly happy as you are now. Fuffi, G.G., A.J.P.
Posted: 11/3/2003 5:33:09 PM

P: 11/3/2003 5:36:28 PM
fire&ice Ideal Rock Total Posts: 7,827 Last Post: 3/30/2009 Member Since: 7/22/2002	---------------- On 11/3/2003 1:19:35 thanks for making me completely dissolve in laughter at least three times per week...just thanks. blockquote> I tried to edit my post. This is the statement that speaks volumes! We want pics!
Posted: 11/3/2003 5:36:28 PM

P: 11/3/2003 5:40:17 PM
DP Rough Rock Total Posts: 30 Last Post: 11/3/2003 Member Since: 6/17/2003	Good story Canadiangrrrl - congratulations. Must be something about the ladies of that country - my fiancee has bee going 'grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr' at me for years and now I'm joining in!
Posted: 11/3/2003 5:40:17 PM

P: 11/3/2003 7:55:14 PM
canadiangrrl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 787 Last Post: 3/19/2008 Member Since: 6/10/2003	I am really lousy with the digital (as you can tell by this pic) and I've only just started to use the macro...so this isn't the greatest shot on earth, but here it is. Sursum Corda! Mess with Texas.
Posted: 11/3/2003 7:55:14 PM

P: 11/3/2003 8:00:42 PM
Mara Ideal Rock Total Posts: 27,912 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 10/30/2002	The ring or the fiance? Hee ________________________________ "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." -Albert Einstein
Posted: 11/3/2003 8:00:42 PM

P: 11/3/2003 8:03:58 PM
canadiangrrl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 787 Last Post: 3/19/2008 Member Since: 6/10/2003	Mara, I pm'd you. BECAUSE I AM A MORON, THAT'S WHY. RELP! Sursum Corda! Mess with Texas.
Posted: 11/3/2003 8:03:58 PM

P: 11/3/2003 8:15:43 PM
canadiangrrl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 787 Last Post: 3/19/2008 Member Since: 6/10/2003	The picture above is indeed of (a rather somber looking) Mr. Canadiangrrl. And it's there until I can get Leonid to remove it. Glad I didn't mistakenly load some other, uh, shots. Let's try this again, shall we?? Sursum Corda! Mess with Texas.
Posted: 11/3/2003 8:15:43 PM

P: 11/3/2003 8:18:22 PM
canadiangrrl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 787 Last Post: 3/19/2008 Member Since: 6/10/2003	Will try improve with the digital shots, I realize these aren't great. Here's one on my scarily white hand. Sursum Corda! Mess with Texas.
Posted: 11/3/2003 8:18:22 PM

P: 11/3/2003 8:26:57 PM
Mara Ideal Rock Total Posts: 27,912 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 10/30/2002	Beautiful setting! The diamond looks very big (drool) which is always a good thing! ________________________________ "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." -Albert Einstein
Posted: 11/3/2003 8:26:57 PM

P: 11/3/2003 8:58:42 PM
canadiangrrl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 787 Last Post: 3/19/2008 Member Since: 6/10/2003	Thank you Mara. It's funny, because I was thinking that it might look smaller than its carat weight because of the small table (54.2%, taken from the appraisal.) But it sure doesn't. Here are the rest of the specs from Rich's appraisal: Depth - 61% Crown - 34.0 average angle, 15.4% average height Pavilion - 40.8 average angle, 43.1% average depth Girdle Thickness - Extremely Thin to Medium, Frosted Culet - None Polish - Excellent Symmetry - Excellent Light Return Analysis - Very Good (0.99 & 0.98) Non-Leakage Analysis - Very Good (1.01 & 1.02) Light/Dark Constrast - Very Good (1.02) Non-Fisheye effect - Very Good (1.00) I wish I could post the diffused lighting picture and the Ideal Scope picture, they're really cool. The Ideal Scope pic is dark red and black, no white. Sursum Corda! Mess with Texas.
Posted: 11/3/2003 8:58:42 PM

P: 11/3/2003 9:23:35 PM
Colored Gemstone Nut Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,267 Last Post: 10/1/2009 Member Since: 11/21/2002	Congrats & what a nice story........ Josh Rioux Haines, Alaska The Colored Gemstone Nut
Posted: 11/3/2003 9:23:35 PM

P: 11/3/2003 10:07:29 PM
Mara Ideal Rock Total Posts: 27,912 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 10/30/2002	Nice numbers!! Why can't you post the other pictures? I'd love to see the IS image! ________________________________ "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." -Albert Einstein
Posted: 11/3/2003 10:07:29 PM

P: 11/3/2003 11:01:09 PM
canadiangrrl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 787 Last Post: 3/19/2008 Member Since: 6/10/2003	Mara, the IS & diffused lighting pics are on paper. I'd take a digital pic of them, but Mr. Canadiangrrl (thanks for removing his pic, Leonid!) is in possession of the camera. The diffused lighting pic shows the lovely dark arrows. I don't have a scanner or I'd scan them in for you. AGBF, I just re-read your post - and speaking of pics, we must see one of Biscuit, the Steroid Lab. I love Labs almost as much as Newfies (I love swimming and adore water-loving dogs) but they're just not big enough and they don't drool 24/7. Your big guy sounds terrific, though. Sursum Corda! Mess with Texas.
Posted: 11/3/2003 11:01:09 PM

P: 11/3/2003 11:30:10 PM
Richard Sherwood Ideal Rock Total Posts: 4,879 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 9/25/2002	----------- And Rich - thank you so much for patiently answering all of my questions - you were really and truly a huge help to us, and really, I don't hold the fact that you're from Texas against you. Much. ----------- HEY! You can talk about my momma, you can talk about my papa, but don't you be talking about my Texas. IdealScope photo and diffused white light photo follows... Rich, Independent GG Appraiser Sarasota Gemological Laboratory
Posted: 11/3/2003 11:30:10 PM

P: 11/3/2003 11:32:13 PM
Richard Sherwood Ideal Rock Total Posts: 4,879 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 9/25/2002	Diffused light photo... Rich, Independent GG Appraiser Sarasota Gemological Laboratory
Posted: 11/3/2003 11:32:13 PM

P: 11/3/2003 11:58:52 PM
Mara Ideal Rock Total Posts: 27,912 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 10/30/2002	Wow I love the idealscope picture!! Very pretty! Discriminating eye! ________________________________ "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." -Albert Einstein
Posted: 11/3/2003 11:58:52 PM

P: 11/6/2003 2:56:33 PM
glitterata Ideal Rock Total Posts: 3,364 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 4/17/2002	Wow, I would never in a million years have guessed that that's an I1. Was it hard to find a beautifully cut I1? Did you look at others?
Posted: 11/6/2003 2:56:33 PM

P: 11/6/2003 4:48:33 PM
canadiangrrl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 787 Last Post: 3/19/2008 Member Since: 6/10/2003	I began searching for a diamond at the end of June, when I realized that Mr. Canadiangrrl wasn't going to stop talking about this "getting married" bit. Began doing some online research and stumbled across Pricescope. Did the usual P'scope searches - had no idea what I was looking for. One of the stones that I came across was this one. I emailed Josh Cales at DCD about it, and about another stone. Both were held by the same broker. The broker pulled both stones and examined them. One of the stones he didn't recommend, and one of the stones he highly recommended - this one. The fact that the broker and the vendor were NOT willing to recommend one of the two stones helped to bolster my confidence. I searched for other stones online, still having zero clue as to what I really wanted in terms of carat weight, colour, or clarity. All I knew is that I wanted something very well cut. Viewing actual stones & trying on rings in B&M stores was the real key in helping me determine my priorities. We didn't set out to find an I1. I've realized that I'm not overly hung up on clarity, so long as it passes my eyeclean test - the inclusions needed to be very, very difficult to locate (and I have 20/15 vision, thank you LASIK.) This one just happened to meet our specs in terms of cut, colour, size, and clarity, and the price was terrific. I think we happened to get lucky, 'cause I've seen some I1's that I definitely would not have bought. I feel like the human I1 media kit. Go I1's!!! Sursum Corda! Mess with Texas.
Posted: 11/6/2003 4:48:33 PM

P: 11/6/2003 5:02:16 PM
Mara Ideal Rock Total Posts: 27,912 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 10/30/2002	I want to see your presenation on I1's on my desk within the hour, CG! ________________________________ "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." -Albert Einstein
Posted: 11/6/2003 5:02:16 PM

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