I''ve been browsing the site as a visitor off-and-on for months, and I''d like to start by thanking all the experts for their generous donations of time and expertise!
I am now actively in the market, and I have a pretty good idea of what I am trying to create. Based on the intelligence gathering of my (hopefully!
) future wife''s closest friends, I have a pretty good idea of what she would ideally love to have:
3 stones, radiant or cushion cut, with the middle stone "at least 2 carats". She''s also interested in square (or very close) stones, but *not* princess cut.
Based on my initial exploration of this site, online retailers and a few dealers on 47th st, here is what I am realistically thinking I will be able to afford without sacrificing quality:
A middle stone in the 1.7-1.9 ct range and side stones ~.65-.70 ct.
I''m leaning toward radiant over cushion based on my own visual preferences, but I can be convinced otherwise since she is indifferent and whatever makes her happy is what I want. I''ve learned that G-H color works for me, and VS2/SI1 clarity is generally okay. I don''t mind minor inclusions that are only/mainly visible from the bottom or sides, but am very put off by any clouding. I also learned how important a reasonable (sub-68/69%) table is to me in terms of the overall fire of the stone, especially when viewed on an angle. I am planning to go with a platinum setting. My soon-to-be fiancee has tiny hands and fingers, so I''m leaning toward a lower setting.
I''m a methodical shopper but inexperienced with diamond/jewelry shopping, and I am definitely starting to feel that I am bogging myself down and overwhelming myself with information overload.
My (initial) questions for the group:
1) My biggest challenge so far is the seeming limited availability of square radiants. Is there a particular source I should explore that may carry more of this apparently uncommon variety?
2) I was initially thinking larger side stones (.80-.90 ct), but stones that size seem to detract from the center stone, and ~.70 ct seems to work better. My question is, at that size and considering they are side stones, should I even consider uncertified stones? My inclination is to dismiss the notion out of hand, but I''d love to hear the group''s opinions. Is it possible to find attractive uncertified stones that size? I am willing to spend the time if it is, but I am not willing to sacrifice quality for price (beyond the general parameters above).
3) This is probably a silly one, but how does one properly pronounce "ASET"? I''ve searched the FAQs unsuccessfully, so I apologize if the answer is there somewhere. (I feel like I''ve invested a lot of time getting to know what I''m talking about at at least some low level, and I''d hate to blatantly tip my novice hand on such a simple issue!)
Thank you so much, and sorry for the wordy post!
I am now actively in the market, and I have a pretty good idea of what I am trying to create. Based on the intelligence gathering of my (hopefully!
3 stones, radiant or cushion cut, with the middle stone "at least 2 carats". She''s also interested in square (or very close) stones, but *not* princess cut.
Based on my initial exploration of this site, online retailers and a few dealers on 47th st, here is what I am realistically thinking I will be able to afford without sacrificing quality:
A middle stone in the 1.7-1.9 ct range and side stones ~.65-.70 ct.
I''m leaning toward radiant over cushion based on my own visual preferences, but I can be convinced otherwise since she is indifferent and whatever makes her happy is what I want. I''ve learned that G-H color works for me, and VS2/SI1 clarity is generally okay. I don''t mind minor inclusions that are only/mainly visible from the bottom or sides, but am very put off by any clouding. I also learned how important a reasonable (sub-68/69%) table is to me in terms of the overall fire of the stone, especially when viewed on an angle. I am planning to go with a platinum setting. My soon-to-be fiancee has tiny hands and fingers, so I''m leaning toward a lower setting.
I''m a methodical shopper but inexperienced with diamond/jewelry shopping, and I am definitely starting to feel that I am bogging myself down and overwhelming myself with information overload.
My (initial) questions for the group:
1) My biggest challenge so far is the seeming limited availability of square radiants. Is there a particular source I should explore that may carry more of this apparently uncommon variety?
2) I was initially thinking larger side stones (.80-.90 ct), but stones that size seem to detract from the center stone, and ~.70 ct seems to work better. My question is, at that size and considering they are side stones, should I even consider uncertified stones? My inclination is to dismiss the notion out of hand, but I''d love to hear the group''s opinions. Is it possible to find attractive uncertified stones that size? I am willing to spend the time if it is, but I am not willing to sacrifice quality for price (beyond the general parameters above).
3) This is probably a silly one, but how does one properly pronounce "ASET"? I''ve searched the FAQs unsuccessfully, so I apologize if the answer is there somewhere. (I feel like I''ve invested a lot of time getting to know what I''m talking about at at least some low level, and I''d hate to blatantly tip my novice hand on such a simple issue!)
Thank you so much, and sorry for the wordy post!
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