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.33 HS1''s of .35 IVS2

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butterfly 17

butterfly 17

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 17, 2005
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Sorry, my title didn't come out right.
I wish I knew how to do a poll. My anniversary is coming up and I need some help picking out settings and stones for a 5 stone ring.
First the stones. Would you go with .33 HSI1 H&A's or .35 IVS2 H&A's. The stone sizes and prices are very similar, but I can't decide on color really. I currently have an H colored stone.

Do you think it matters if I get H&A's (these would be BGD's or ACA's) or does it not really matter as long as they are ideal cut since the stones are not going to be that big. I got a quote from IDjeweler's and they could give me non certified F/G Si1 stones about 40 pointers, for about $1000 less than if I go with BGD or ACA diamonds of lower color. I can't decide if the price difference would be worth it.

Next would you get a U-prong type setting, a trellis type setting or a low set shared prong.

I love the following rings- Neatfreak's trellis, Kcourselle's U-prong and Bliss's low set shared prong.

All three I would not mind having, but I can't have all three so I need help deciding.

Lastly, should I go with platinum or rose gold? I want something different and seem to have a lot of white metals, but I have always loved rose gold and when I saw Queen Mum's Grace in rose gold, I was in love.

Thanks in advance!

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1. would go with 0.35 Is over higher colours. Reason is I like all my diamonds to "match" my engagement diamond, and when you go smaller in size diamonds look "whiter" than their actual colour so I'd go with ~0.3 Is to "match" the bigger engagement H diamond.

2. would go with U-prong, but that's just preference
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3. it seems like you're leaning a bit toward rg? Which would be just gorgeous
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I would go for higher color because you can see it and in those sizes will not see clarity very easily.

I actually don''t think you need branded H&As in that size. Ideal or excellent cuts, surely, but branded not necessary. The subtle differences that you might see with an H&A versus non H&A are not easy for the eye to detect in diamonds of that size, the facets are so small that your eye mostly picks up on white light with less contrast pattern etc. Not saying cut doesn''t matter, but rather that I doubt you would see the difference between a non-H&A ideal cut and a branded H&A. I am not sure about stones without certs... perhaps ID can send you one stone to look at and you can have a better idea of their performance?
 
I would choose
H SI, because the color will match your current stone,

Trellis, because the profile is so pretty,

Platinum, because it is so durable and would really set off the diamonds

But what you want is what really matters.

Whatever you choose is going to be beautiful so please post pics.
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Date: 3/24/2010 1:14:06 AM
Author: dreamer_d
I would go for higher color because you can see it and in those sizes will not see clarity very easily.

I actually don''t think you need branded H&As in that size. Ideal or excellent cuts, surely, but branded not necessary. The subtle differences that you might see with an H&A versus non H&A are not easy for the eye to detect in diamonds of that size, the facets are so small that your eye mostly picks up on white light with less contrast pattern etc. Not saying cut doesn''t matter, but rather that I doubt you would see the difference between a non-H&A ideal cut and a branded H&A. I am not sure about stones without certs... perhaps ID can send you one stone to look at and you can have a better idea of their performance?
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but, if B17 decided to buy from BGD then all stones above .30ct will be H&A with AGS report.
 
My person opinion, BDG or ACA, VS2, and ANY color. That's my advice.
 
On the one hand I have earrings that are not set with superideals and they don't bother me a bit. But they are earrings. My 7 stone which has decent cut on it is fine as well, but they are ten pointers at max, but... I have to keep them SUPER clean else they don't look that great, and the setting style lets a lot of light in on the side, which also helps.

I would get certed branded super ideals at 30 points for a ring. I think it will make a difference, personally. As for setting style... I've seen all the styles you mentioned and they are all lovely in their own way, I think you just need to try on some bands and see what you like.

And I would go for color over clarity, assuming all is completely eye and mind clean for you.
 
Thank you so much everyone!

I was planning on starting this project sometime in May and contacted a few companies just to get prices. I don't want to waste anyone's time, but I also am very picky and want the stones as close in size (weight and diameter wise), color and clarity, as much as possible. Example, don't want one.31 FSI1 and one .33 GVS2, I would prefer both be the same carat, color and clarity.
IDJeweler's wanted $5500 for GIA certed F/G SI1 .37's in platinum and I thought that was a bit much considering they would not be branded H&A's. Then they told me that if I got non-certed F/G SI1 .40's, I could get the ring for $2400 in 18 kt. gold. Huge difference in price.
I figured getting BGD/ACA diamonds would definitely be unobtainable since the prices for the IDjewelers was so much.

But when I called Leslie, just to get prices she happened to mention that they happen to have a set of I VS2's perfectly matched all basically the same diameters(4 are .35's and one is .347) , and I was surprised that the prices were considerably less than the IDJeweler's GIA certed diamonds. Of course the color would be lower on the BGD stones, but I was still excited that I could get BGD stones within my price point.

So, they also currently have .33 HSI1's, but only three. They do have some .33 ISI1's, so I could get 3 H's and 2 I's and make it a set, but again, would prefer all the same everything.

I don't think the diameter size makes a difference since we are talking .33 to .35 and I don't mind the SI clarity, the stones will be small, so I am sure I won't notice anything.
Maybe I should wait and see if more stones pop up since I don't actually want ths until June (my anniversary is June 3rd and it will be my 17th anniversary).
 
Yssie,
I won''t be wearing this ring with my e-ring since I already have the matching band. I will mostly wear this as a right hand ring. I know that H&A''s tend to look "whiter" to begin with, but just nervous that it won''t be "white" enough in my mind.

Dreamer D,
I don''t mind the lower clarity, I think it''s more of a matchy thing for me since all the I''s are the same size, etc., whereas with the H''s, I only found three. Plus, the I''s are a tiny bit bigger, not by much, but still bigger. I do get what you say about the clarity thing not being an issue on stones this small.
Leslie told me that Brian has gone completely crazy about clarity and doesn''t pick any BGD''s with any black inclusions, so no worries there.

SeattleSweetheart, thanks! Your opinion is very helpful.

DFire,
Not necessarily, I do have the option of buying ideal cut not H&A''s from Leslie, but at least if I went with the BGD''s, I would not worry about cut at all. I only considered not buying them because I wanted to stay in a certain price point, but if I get the stones mentioned, then I am still in my price range. I am sure if I did get non BGD''s they would be super as well, since they would be picked by the best.

IMdanny,
Thanks! I think I am more of a clarity nut than a color nut, but since the stones are not gigantic, I think I could get away with SI1''s.

Gypsy,
Thank you! As I mentioned above, Leslie did say that Brian has gone crazy about clarity and won''t purchase any BGD''s with black inclusions, so thank goodness, I don''t need to worry in the clarity department.
I kind of also like the idea that the BGD stones would come with a life time upgrade policy, although I am positive these stones I would keep in this setting since over 30 pointers are pretty big in a 5 stone ring. I want a 5 stone with enough oomph to be a stand alone ring and when I was Bliss'' ring, I was floored. It also helps that she has awesome camera skills.
As far as settings, it''s really hard to decide since it seems that not many people carry the settings that I am interested in. Most stores just have generic settings and not much difference in detail that I see.
 
I'd get the BGDs in that swoopy trellis setting in rose gold, for sure!
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Before I found my antique five stone, I was looking into a five stone OEC in the rose gold trellis setting. I inquired at ID and other vendors about getting a similar swoopy setting and I have to say BGD has the best price on it, and most vendors can't get anything so fluid, low set and swoopy. WF offered me a better price on the setting, but if you aren't using their diamonds, then there is a setting fee per stone
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that adds up fast in a five stone ring!

I will say, with WF, and probably BGD, if you want to trim your budget a little, you can get that ring made with .25 ACA or H&A melee F/G VS2 and it is amazing, and suprisingly afforable.

if you want the bigger diamonds, I'd get the matched set of Is at BGD.
 
I'm biased, but I'd go trellis setting. It's deliciously swoopy and low. I'd also shoot for higher colored diamonds, but the perfectly matched I/VS set sounds really nice!
 
Date: 3/24/2010 8:18:52 AM
Author: butterfly 17

DFire,
Not necessarily, I do have the option of buying ideal cut not H&A''s from Leslie, but at least if I went with the BGD''s, I would not worry about cut at all. I only considered not buying them because I wanted to stay in a certain price point, but if I get the stones mentioned, then I am still in my price range. I am sure if I did get non BGD''s they would be super as well, since they would be picked by the best.
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B17...be sure to compare the price with his H&A signature cuts,cuz the prices aren''t that much apart.
 
Well if the price is better with BGD then go that route. You will have guaranteed cut quality. And too funny about the inclusions... I think that is a good policy to adopt. My diamond has a little black inclusion though
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Must be from before Brian went crazy
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I love EB''s/Neatfreak''s trellis, it is by far my vote... though Bliss''s setting is stunning as well.
 
HI Everyone,
sorry I haven''t replied. I have been so busy with school and work and I honestly have not spoken to Leslie either!
Okay, so I still haven''t decided. I am definitely going with the trellis as I really just like the design more.
I can''t decide on the stones. I wish I could find all the same size, color and clarity, but it doesn''t seem to happen all the time. The three .33 HSI1''s are still available at BGD, but it looks like they sold the two .33 ISI1''s, so if I do go with the H''s, I have to wait a while for more stones.

I looked on the JA and WF websites, but they just don''t have anything in stock that I like either.

Also, I can decide if I should go with rose gold or platinum. I like the idea of rose gold and it looks great on my skin.

IF I do go with the I''s, I can get rose gold and not worry since the lower color with probably be masked by the rose gold anyway.

I am not sure.
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The BGD stones will be so top knotch
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in Brian''s lovely trellis setting..yum! Call Lesley asap and see if she can get you more stones!!
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What about buying the Hs that BGD has and then waiting for more in the future? I can''t imagine it would be more than a couple months, probably less, for more diamonds with those specs to come in.
 
Date: 4/1/2010 8:50:36 AM
Author: butterfly 17
HI Everyone,
sorry I haven''t replied. I have been so busy with school and work and I honestly have not spoken to Leslie either!
Okay, so I still haven''t decided. I am definitely going with the trellis as I really just like the design more.
I can''t decide on the stones. I wish I could find all the same size, color and clarity, but it doesn''t seem to happen all the time. The three .33 HSI1''s are still available at BGD, but it looks like they sold the two .33 ISI1''s, so if I do go with the H''s, I have to wait a while for more stones.
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B 17...are these from his signature collection?
 
I think either H or I diamonds would be fine. I would also get H&A stones if possible. I am having a five stone ring made by BGD, and they are using their signature noncerted H-I stones. But the stones I''m having are only 0.2 carats each, so I don''t think they issue certs for stones that small.
 
Hi Everyone,
Well, I went ahead and put those I VS2s on reserve! Yay! Did I mention that I love the number 17 and all the AGS certs for the I''s have the number 17, either in their dates or in their AGS numbers. Two are dated on the 17th and the other three actually have the number 17 inscribed in them.
Leslie assured me that they would look white and I do have a T&Co. I color solitaire that does look white to me, although it does have medium florescence (SP?). Plus I have an I OMC and it doesn''t show color, so I am crossing my fingers on these stones.
Today she asked me if I knew the background on the stones and she told me that these I''s were special ordered for another customer and it took about 6 weeks to get them and then she could not purchase them, so maybe it was meant for me to buy them?
I am weird about things like that.

wsblue430, I am sure it will be beautiful. She did say if I wanted to wait, she would probably get a few more in a couple of weeks. But Leslie said I would be very happy with these stones, so I am going to trust her.
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Dreamer,
I thought about that and inquired about it, but if I honestly had to chose between clarity and color, I would say hands down I am definitely a clarity nut. I am having them take pictures of the diamonds side by side so I can see how they all look together.

DF, all the stones are BGD diamonds, so they will be true H&As and upgradable, but truthfully, I don''t plan to trade them in.
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Coda,
Your ring sounds delicious. I wanted to try to go as big as I could without going over a certain amount, but I think 20 pointers are a perfect size. I love Demelza''s ring but to me, the stones were a tiny bit too big for me, but I think the .30 to .35 pointers would be perfect. I think Gypsy posted a thread on what we wanted this year and I think that I mentioned I wanted about .25 to .30 pointers. I currently have a 7 stone with 8 pointers in a shared prong open gallery setting, so I wanted to make sure this 5 stone will be noticeably larger and it had a different setting.
 
So, since I am pretty much set on the stones and the setting, I still have to decide platinum or 14 karat rose gold.

If I go with the rose gold, should I get the prongs in rose gold or white gold.

Also, I want to make my ring a bit unique. What can I do to it to call it my own. I was thinking about having two bezeled BGD on either side placed in rose gold if I get the platinum setting or something more subtle like what kristie did and putting my birthstone and my husband''s birthstone inside the band?

I don''t know, what do you think?
 
I found out something that may help you out. BGD basically can order for you diamonds in that size range in whatever color or claroty combo you want. You may have to wait a couple weeks to get them all, but if you wanted 5 .33ct H SI1s, for example, they would just round them up. You don''t need to watch what is on their inventory.

And after seeing waxinglyrical''s 5 stone with rose gold, I would for sure go *all* rose gold in the trellis, and leave it at that. No extra embellishments. Let the rose gold and the diamonds speak for themselves. Actually, I really liked the warmth of the J stones in the rg, so I might go with Is!
 
Rose gold would be fun. . .if you have a lot of white metals, may be a great time to create a ring that is different AND stands out presenting itself as a milestone in your years of marriage
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Date: 4/13/2010 5:52:36 PM
Author: dreamer_d
I found out something that may help you out. BGD basically can order for you diamonds in that size range in whatever color or claroty combo you want. You may have to wait a couple weeks to get them all, but if you wanted 5 .33ct H SI1s, for example, they would just round them up. You don't need to watch what is on their inventory.


And after seeing waxinglyrical's 5 stone with rose gold, I would for sure go *all* rose gold in the trellis, and leave it at that. No extra embellishments. Let the rose gold and the diamonds speak for themselves. Actually, I really liked the warmth of the J stones in the rg, so I might go with Is!
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Thanks Dreamer!

I have a confession though, I just ordered the ring on Monday! lol. I kept going back to Kcoursolle's and E B's thread and Orbaya's and Lindsey's thread and of course, waxinglyrical's thread.

I went ahead and ordered the 5 matching I VS2s. I did have BGD send me a picture of the five diamonds lined up, I will post a picture and a five diamond band with .34 IVS1/2s size 9 on Brian's hand.

I kept watching the 3 HSI1s and they slowly got purchased, so from the previous two ISI1s and the three HSI1s that I was thinking about, only one stone is left! This happened within two and a half weeks of my thread.

Luckily, I had already reserved the 5 Is, so no one scooped them up.

I ordered Neatfreak's trellis, I asked the diamonds to be set slightly higher, like Demelza's five stone ring, so I could see more of the diamond from the side.

I ordered in platinum. I know, while I love rose gold and all, I wasn't loving how the rose gold brought out the warmth of the stones. To me, they looked more tinted and I didn't want that since I was already hesitant about I's.

Thanks! I can't wait to get this ring!
 
Date: 4/13/2010 7:39:31 PM
Author: MC
Rose gold would be fun. . .if you have a lot of white metals, may be a great time to create a ring that is different AND stands out presenting itself as a milestone in your years of marriage
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Click to expand...

Thanks MC, but I decided to go with the platinum instead. While I love rose gold, I did not like the tint it brought out in the stones on the other thread.
I guess I am not that adventurous after all!
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But on a side note, since this is for my 17th anniversary, all the diamonds do have the number 17 on their certs, they add up to a total carat weight of 1.763, when you add up 1763, you get the number 17 and I am having D&M 17 inscribed into the ring, for 17 years of marriage.

I was going to have 06/02/93 inscribed at first, but since I am getting it this year, not in 1993, I thought it did not make sense.

I also added a tiny BGD melee to the inside, don''t know why, but I like the way it looked in Lindsey''s ring. lol!
 
Okay, here is the picture of the five stones on someone''s hand.

5Stones2.jpg
 
Pretty, butterfly!!



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Thanks yssie! Can''t wait to see your upgrade and setting!
 
Those are gooorgeous! Wow it will be lovely.

.33 is my perfect size for a five-stone, I think. Just right on the finger coverage. And those I''s look steely!
 
Ohhhhh...
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Date: 4/14/2010 2:19:36 PM
Author: cara
Those are gooorgeous! Wow it will be lovely.

.33 is my perfect size for a five-stone, I think. Just right on the finger coverage. And those I''s look steely!
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Ditto! I too think .33 is the perfect size for a five stone!
 
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