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Anniversary surprise & dilemma

Fire and Ice

Fire and Ice

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jan 5, 2006
Messages
139
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I''ve been a member for a long time and joined after an unfortunate incident with my original wedding set which I posted about https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/jeweler-lost-stones-what-now.59575/. Fast forward more than 3 yrs later and DH surprised me with a new e-ring for our anniversary.

My DH is an amazing man and clearly put a lot of thought into surprising me. I love this man! I love the brilliance of the center stone but the ring just does not make my heart go pitter patter.
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I kept wearing it and staring at it in hopes that I would grow to just love it but it hasn’t happened. He did say it was ok if I didn''t like it and wanted to change the ring or the stone so I''m really hoping that is true. I''m going to post pictures to get your opinions and see if you all can help me.

The cut is very good but I’m not wild about the setting. Mainly because of the gaps between the pear side stones and the center stone. It was a stock setting from blue nile btw.

The center stone stats:

RB 1.22 ct
6.80 6.83 x 4.24 mm
F
SI1
Cut Excellent
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Very Good
No Fluorescence


Depth: 62.2
Table: 56
Crown: 34.5
Pavilion: 40.8
Cutlet: 0

The cut is very good and clearly sparkles like mad because of it. Oh, and the F color from the side is like looking through clear water!
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He knew I like Keleigh''s rings and Leon settings so I think he was trying to duplicate something like that. But the 1.22 size is a little small for our situation. Most of the people around me are wearing fairly substantial rings. We live in an area where this is pretty normal. I’m also not a new blushing bride anymore and this ring looks like a first ER - just my perception maybe.

We spent a lot of time looking at rings after my originals were no more and this ring is not in the same league. We found a beautiful 3ct + OEC at a local jeweler that just made me swoon!
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(I used to have pics but they have been lost in one of our hard drive crashes)
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It was a RB center for tapered baguettes on the sides. We paired it with an antique looking eternity band they had in the case. DH loved it too but we knew it wasn’t in our budget - at least not with the local mark up. What I wouldn’t give to find an OEC like LittleGreyKitten did https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/say-hello-to-my-not-so-little-friend.84530/ ! That’s in our budget and would have hit the spot! I’m not sure I’ll ever be lucky enough for a find like that though. ;)

So here I sit not knowing what to do or how to fix the situation to have a ring I really love to look at every day. Do I drop in color to get a larger stone but have it set in the BN setting hoping that it will fill the gap? Do I get two fabulous eternity rings to flank it and hope I don’t notice the ER once they all fill my size 5 finger? Send it back and start over with a new stone and a setting to match?

If you had a budget of say $10,000 what would you do? Or is this a really great ring for that price and I should just stick with it?
 
Here are pics and more info from the GIA report:

GIA report_2.jpg
 
It looks much bigger in the box than on me. *pout*

DSC_5143.jpg
 
Well if you want to upgrade then you want to upgrade! Who acan argue with that!
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First off I would look into the secondary market to see what you can get for your 1.22ct diamonds. The color and specs are good so I bet you can get a decent price. Seems diamonds that size run about $7000 online, so maybe you can get $4k. Better if you shop around and find the right buyer.

Then you will have a budget of $14000, which could get you a 2ct J SI1, larger if you can find a clean si2. I assume you are ok with lower colors since you like LGKs ring.

That is what I would do!

ETA Wait, are you still in the return period for this ring? The timeiline is a little unclear you me.

If you can return it I would do that and just get a bigger diamond if that is what you want. For 10k you can get a 1.7ct j si1 non-H&A.
 
This is a good shot that shows the side profile of the setting. You can clearly see the gaps here between the center stone and the side stones. Excuse the smudges on the plat....I was too busy trying the prop it up and get a decent pic to notice until the picture was this big.
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DSC_5171.jpg
 
Dreamer - Yes, I''m still in the return period and I''m beginning to think that is the best thing to do in this situation. Although I love a bright white diamond, I think I would be fine with a lower color as long as I don''t notice tint. As it''s been said many times on PS, it''s all about the CUT!
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Which I totally believe after looking at all of the great rings here. I just wish some of the local B&M had cuts to look at in multiple colors for me to get a good feel.

Here''s a shot of the ring on my hand from as far away as I could get. Please pay no attention to the lack of buffed nails. Two kids and a puppy to not equal pretty hands.

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DSC_5145_2_2.jpg
 
Here''s a hand shot showing the gap I was referring to.

DSC_5153.jpg
 
And here''s a close up of the gap. The way I am always looking at it.
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DSC_5158_2.jpg
 
I would return it asap. It already bugs you and it''s not going to go away. If your husband is supportive I say both of you go looking to find something that makes you happy. It looks pretty from the top though!
 
Yeah, if after so long you''re still not happy with it I doubt you ever will be. Return it and start over again. Can''t wait until you pop back with your *real* dream anniversary ring!
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Echo the other replies. If you don''t love it now you won''t love it later. If DH is ok with a setting change go for it. My DH said that he cared more about me keeping the diamond than the setting when we discussed my reset. Good luck!
 
You might consider having the prongs shaved, that might help - but probably not, as it's the overall look that doesn't thrill you. Ditto to returning and starting over, you don't have to settle for something you don't love and it sounds like your DH is supportive of this
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I do think expectations were too high here - a stock piece will never match up to a piece made for your stones by a skilled artisan.
 
Date: 5/31/2010 1:17:07 PM
Author: yssie>


I do think expectations were too high here - a stock piece will never match up to a piece made for your stones by a skilled artisan
Click to expand...


Yes, which is why I''m kind of surprised he chose the stock setting after everything we had looked at together in stores and when I kept showing him pics on here and pics of Leon''s work. I just don''t think he realized the difference would be that great. Although, he was so sweet and said he just wanted me to have something to replace my original and that didn''t mean we couldn''t upgrade again sometime down the road. But that will be a long time coming since we have two kids that are young and we will need to send them to college. ;) So I kind of feel like if I don''t get something I like now, I might be living with a ring I''m not in love with for a long time.

Thank you all for the feedback and the understanding. I do think a simple return is best in this situation and I look forward to designing a ring I will cherish for years to come! Thank you all for sharing you knowledge and being so kind. It''s because of you that DH & I knew so much more about cut this time around.
 
Date: 5/31/2010 12:47:31 PM
Author: Bella_mezzo
It is pretty, but if you are in the return period, and your DH is ok with it, I would return it and get something you love. I''d get this JbEG that was already recommended. and if you have more $ left in your budget I''d also get the awesome new french cut eternity band she has for sale, or I''d set the diamond with pear sides and get a plain band.


http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-diamonds/223ct-Old-European-Diamond/12118762_pEzdt#861411798_P5ftS
Click to expand...

I love that french cut eternity band!
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I think it only comes in a size 6 or up though and I''m a 5. I wonder if I couldn''t find something like it though. The OEC is closer to the size of the ring we found a couple of years ago. It says it faces up like a K but there is a lot of color from the side. Would it be possible to mask that with the right setting? I wish I could find the paper with the stats on the one we found because I don''t remember the color.
 
I think your best bet is to buy a round from a vendor with an excellent upgrade policy in a simply solitaire -- not BN. I too am color sensitive and would not go lower than a "high J"/"borderline I" diamond as described by a trusted vendor. I have owned F, G, J, and K color stones and K was too tinted for me. A setting will not hide the color, you need to love the diamond for exactly what it is!
 
Thank you Dreamer!

You have confirmed my suspicions that I might be color sensitive. I always thought so but wasn''t really able to "prove" it if that makes any sense. I have seen stones I don''t like on other people but certainly don''t want to grab their hand and say "Hey! What color is that?"
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LOL!

I have seen some great pics here of I & J s. You make a great suggestion.

So now who wants to help me look for the rock?!
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I think that you should do whatever makes you happy. 10K is a fantastic budget and I'm sure that you'll be able to find something that you will LOVE.
 
I am a firm believer that you should always get what you want, because otherwise you will be annoyed and live in the "what if" moment.
 
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