justginger
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- May 11, 2009
- Messages
- 3,712
Just kidding, I'm not really old - but I am considering this to be a 30th birthday present to myself. I'm only 28 now, but I figure it will take 18 months for me to replenish my savings through overtime, so it's close enough. 
I'd rather have it on my finger sooner rather than later, so I can enjoy it in the meantime.I've had a few other threads regarding getting a large antique stone, and this ring is the fruit of that search. It was sourced for me by Adam at Old World Diamonds and the entire process was a delight. Adam was kind and attentive, and had that delicate balance of business versus friendly banter down pat. I never felt as if I were inconveniencing him, despite the fact that I was extremely indecisive and must have given him a terrible headache more than once!
The stone is an antique cushion, 4.65 carats, a very, very clean SI1. The color is up for debate, I suppose. Adam had it tentatively pegged as an L (perhaps EGL standards?), Neil appraised it as an O/P, and my eyes split the difference at about an N. Face down. Face up, gorgeous ecru. Eggshell. Rice white.
One of those chic names for off-white. I would grade it similar to my engagement ring, which is a J/K face up. On white backgrounds it definitely shows its warmth, and I really enjoy seeing how the color changes in different lighting. I have seen it as low as O/P face up, but I've also seen it as white as my G earrings. The light play from the stone is excellent - it is 'on' all the time. It produces more white light return than my engagement ring antique cushion, but doesn't disappoint in the fire category either. A very well-balanced stone.The setting is a CAD/cast platinum rough replica of the ever-famous "Boston Jeff." Adam's bench had this CAD/cast/finished/set for me in 3 business days. It was absolutely remarkable, and the workmanship is still brilliant. Every spot of the ring is gorgeously silky polished, the prongs are far finer and delicate than the pictures show. There is absolutely no sign that the setting was rushed. I don't imagine that I'll ever reset this little darling.
I must admit that, to my own eyes, the photos make the stone look too large for my hand. When I first tried it on, I had my doubts. Thankfully I've experienced the fastest case of DSS ever known, and in the 2 hours I've been wearing it, it has shrunken down to just perfect.
In real life the diamond does look different - especially since the black of the camera seems to always worm its way into my photos. Regardless, here are a few I snapped just now in the hotel room. The weather outside is dismal (we are in London!), overcast with lots of gray. That's the lighting by the window. There's also a shot near an incandescent lamp.
Gah! I can't stop staring at my hand!!
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