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ASET advice - 1ct cushions

L

Levitation

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 14, 2012
Messages
21
First, a huge thanks to Gypsy, EB, and everyone else who helped me in my first thread. Your expertise is immensely appreciated.

I submitted 3 cushions to JA for ASET and gemologist advice. They recommended against one, saying it wasn't eye clean and has possible structural issues. Here are the other 2:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1513327.asp

JA comments: "(item #: 1513327) was the gemologist top pick of the three due to it having very good light performance and is perfectly eye clean. The fluorescence in this diamond is causing a very slight oily appearance but the gemologist feels that an untrained eye may not be able to pick up on it."

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1465429.asp

JA comments: "The next best option was the 1.04 carat-E-VS1 (diamond #: 1465429) because it also has very good light performance and faces completely eye clean as well. The gemologist also said that the fluorescence does not affect this diamond negatively in any way."

The "oily" comment on the first scares me a little...

Thanks!

1513327.jpg

1465429.jpg
 
WOW. Those are FREAKING AMAZING ASETS!!!


I'm with you on the 'slightly oily' thing. I'd take the second one in a heartbeat (the E). It's a GORGEOUS stone.
 
Okay so that leaves us with settings.

Here's my opinion, for what it's worth. James Allen is working hard to bring on a new collection of settings, which is a great thing because for anything other than a round or a halo, their settings are underwhelming. UNFORTUNATELY, those settings are not available right now (at least that I know of). And the ones they have are well... not great.

SO-- the good news is they can custom make any setting you like for you.

Here are a few suggestions, to that end:

I adore this setting style (it will work for your size stone). http://www.stuller.com/products/121872/?groupId=110520 Beautiful cathedral setting. Beautiful integrated head and basket design. Would look perfect for her stone. Have them do the shank at exactly 2mm in platinum for you. It will allow for a flush fitting wedding band as well, which is always a bonus. Have them do those prongs as 'claw prongs' for you as the finish detail-- with your size stone it will be a single prong.

ETA!!! Here's the same setting, but made for a 5x7 emerald cut, so you can get an idea of what it looks like with a stone closer to the size of yours: http://www.stuller.com/products/121856/?groupId=110471 AND GREAT NEWS: They can order this EXACT ONE for you actually, as it allows you to customize the size of the center. THAT'S 100% what I would do. Ask them to get THIS setting for you-- if you like it.
 
Wow, great news about the ASETS! I thought they looked good based on what I've read, but very glad to have you verify it for me. The 2nd option above is going to be my choice for sure.

I like the settings you've linked as well. My goal is a very simple, clean setting and those fit the bill. What is your opinion on a cross prong setting like this? I like these, but not sure if those work with non-square cushions.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/images/classicjewelry/Vatche%20Files%20w%203%20view%20large%20file/100%20X%20PRONG%20ROUND/100%20x%20prong%20round%20ctr%20large%20view.jpg
 
Levitation|1345744462|3256013 said:
Wow, great news about the ASETS! I thought they looked good based on what I've read, but very glad to have you verify it for me. The 2nd option above is going to be my choice for sure.

I like the settings you've linked as well. My goal is a very simple, clean setting and those fit the bill. What is your opinion on a cross prong setting like this? I like these, but not sure if those work with non-square cushions.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/images/classicjewelry/Vatche%20Files%20w%203%20view%20large%20file/100%20X%20PRONG%20ROUND/100%20x%20prong%20round%20ctr%20large%20view.jpg
Click to expand...
I like the ones Gypsy suggest better. How many mm is the band on the one you like? I also think if looks
Like its more for a modern stone....although I'm sure a cushion would look fine in it. Just wouldn't be my
First choice.
 
I had one of those for my asscher, which was of similar size to your cushion. My stone was dwarfed by the setting. They really overpower the center stone in those sizes unless you can get a thin version. The nicest thin version I've seen is by H Levi -- the Lattice Thin Comfort Shank: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/lattice-thin-comfort-shank-platinum-5681p.... You can ask your JA Rep if they can get it in for you. If they can't you can order it from BGD and send your stone to them for setting (you would need to insure it first).

If that's the style you want, that's the setting I would recommend.

Second choice in that style is this one (by BGD themselves). I don't like it as much as the other but it is still a nice thin one and it is slightly less expensive, which might be a consideration: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/x-prong-platinum-5436p

There are a lot of X-prong/Lattice style settings out there. And for the most part, I would not recommend most of them for your stone as they would be too thick/too overpowering. But these two are nice.

One caution though, part of the reason I changed my setting from an X-prong to what it currently is was that I had a LOT of trouble finding a band I liked to go with it. The style does not allow for a flush fit straight band (which the one I linked to you before does allow for), so if that's something that's important to her you might want to look at a different style.
 
Great feedback as usual :) Love this forum!

I've gone through what feels like a thousand cushion solitaire images and message threads and keep coming back to Gypsy's recommendation. I emailed my JA rep and he said they can definitely do it, but it would be "custom non-refundable" which would be the case for any non-JA setting I'm guessing.

I'm verifying a couple more things, but it looks like this will be my choice. I'll post again when I've made the order :)

Thanks Gypsy! I've taken your recommendations throughout this process.. you've been a great help!
 
You are welcome. I hope she adores it! Did they give you a price on that setting (just curious).

ETA: Make sure you tell them you want the prongs on your setting finished as "claw prongs" and for that to actually be put in your order (along with the specific Stuller setting #- then make sure it's the right number to the right setting).
 
They need a size before they can quote me - going to verify that tonight!
 
Setting quote (platinum) = $575 + $50 for the claw prong customization. Ordering today!
 
Levitation|1346088026|3257951 said:
Setting quote (platinum) = $575 + $50 for the claw prong customization. Ordering today!
Click to expand...


Woot, Woot...pics when you get it!
 
Levitation|1346088026|3257951 said:
Setting quote (platinum) = $575 + $50 for the claw prong customization. Ordering today!
Click to expand...


What a steal! Seriously!

Make sure you tell them to finish the prongs as 'claw prongs' and that they write that down and understand the request!
 
Will do! Thanks again Gypsy :)
 
Pictures of the finished ring (and handshots when you propose) are the thanks I need! I'm so happy for you. It's going to be such a lovely, classy ring!
 
I was all set to order but when I received the invoice, they priced the diamond over $1000 higher than it was listed on their site, making it $1300 more than my close 2nd choice, the 1.05 with SBF. I even have an email quote from the rep showing the original price (although he quoted me the non-PriceScope price), but he said the email price was a typo. This set off all sorts of alarms in my head, so I challenged them, now the rep is supposedly doubting it was a typo and is going to get with a manager to see what happened, which will take a day or so.

This is really frustrating as I've been ready to pull the trigger on this ring for 3 days now. Is it possible they re-priced the diamond after examining it closely and getting a nice ASET? That seems shady.
 
Just hang tight until they get back to you. How much is the new quote and how much was the old price?
 
Email quote: $4950 (does not include PriceScope discount)
Invoice price: $5970
Revised Invoice price after I complained the first time: $5640

I'm patient and don't mind waiting for them to look into it. Their customer service has been excellent and I really don't think this is intentional.
 
This happened to another PSer recently but I don't recall the vendor. Every online dealer has terms and conditions for misquoting. If I were you, I would show JA the B2C link JulieN posted below and see if that helps them to provide you a quote closer to the original.

I don't think it's fishy, just a massive inventory and mistakes happen.

From their website: http://www.jamesallen.com/about-us/term-of-use.html
James Allen does not warrant that product descriptions or other content are accurate, complete, reliable current or error free. While James Allen makes every effort to ensure that our products are described and priced accurately, in the event that an item is deemed to be priced incorrectly, James Allen reserves the right to refuse sale that item. If the pricing error is discovered after payment has been finalized, James Allen reserves the right to cancel the sale and refund the transaction in full. If a product offered by James Allen is not as described, your sole remedy is to return it in unused condition.
 
Heard back and the higher price is the price :( It must have been a price mistake originally because there's no way I would have compared 2 diamonds with a ~30% price difference.

Julie's link is for my #2 choice, which I asked about. I want 100% verification that the listed price is the actual price and that it is available since it's marked "unavailable" at the moment, but I think that's because I had it reserved for the ASET. I sent the manager Julie's link since it is cheaper, but I'd rather work with JA since I have the setting arranged.

As mentioned above, I'm a bit worried about the "oily" comment from the gemologist, but feel semi-confident since this diamond was the gemologist's first choice based on performance. I'm also looking at other vendors again.

Thanks for the replies!
 
Oh, I'm so sorry!!! Hmm. Not sure what to advise. Yes, the gemologist did recommend the other. Hmm. I would ask them if they will allow you another 3 ASETs, as a courtesy (that way we can see if they have another stones for you).
 
Levitation|1346192051|3258813 said:
Good idea about asking for more ASETS.

On a side note, just got this video from GOG for an eye clean 1.08ct Vintage Cut Cushion Brilliant D color, SI1 clarity, 1.18:1 ratio, MBF $5345
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bww5MEQQCtk&list=UUEV7slr-i-VduBBnfv9MxhA&index=3&feature=plcp

Price seems high compared to similar offerings from JA. Still waiting on the rest of the specs & ASET.
Click to expand...


Branded diamonds cost more than unbranded. The JA stones are great unbranded ones (the ones we've been looking at, not every stone they carry). The good thing about the branded stones is dependability and consistency. They are all AGS 0 for light return, have precision faceting and have very nice upgrade and trade in policies. For that, you pay more.
 
Gypsy|1346193044|3258822 said:
Levitation|1346192051|3258813 said:
Good idea about asking for more ASETS.

On a side note, just got this video from GOG for an eye clean 1.08ct Vintage Cut Cushion Brilliant D color, SI1 clarity, 1.18:1 ratio, MBF $5345
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bww5MEQQCtk&list=UUEV7slr-i-VduBBnfv9MxhA&index=3&feature=plcp

Price seems high compared to similar offerings from JA. Still waiting on the rest of the specs & ASET.
Click to expand...


Branded diamonds cost more than unbranded. The JA stones are great unbranded ones (the ones we've been looking at, not every stone they carry). The good thing about the branded stones is dependability and consistency. They are all AGS 0 for light return, have precision faceting and have very nice upgrade and trade in policies. For that, you pay more.
Click to expand...

The one in the video is unbranded. The GOG rep brought it in from their supplier because she thought I'd like it.
 
GOG can be expensive-- because they provide you with videos and a bunch of other 'perks' in customer service, and their business model is very different from JA's (they are a brick and mortar store in NY so there is, arguably,more overhead). And antique faceted cushions are harder to find so they cost more.

I would expect them to price match the Stuller Setting though.

I'm going to reserve judgement till I see the pics and the ASET, sometimes videos are helpful but this one seemed kind of jerky and rushed in parts so I will wait for the stills to see what they show.
 
After thinking long and hard about all my options, I've decided to go with my #2 choice (the first ASET posted here). I think the positives outweigh the possibly "oily" look, especially the fact that it was the gemologists top choice.

I'm planning on proposing in roughly 2-3 weeks so getting the ring ordered now is important so I can have it before we leave for a trip. They said it would take 8 days to manufacture. This doesn't leave much time to look at more ASETs.

Now it's time for some thank yous! :bigsmile:

Julie - they pricematched your link, so thanks for saving me some cash!
Gypsy - you've been an enormous help this whole time.. from stone to setting. Thank you!!!

And a big thanks to everyone else who helped on this thread and my previous one. You guys are awesome! You turned my uneasy confusion into a purchase I feel confident about.

I'll post pics when I receive it (as well as hand shots when she (hopefully) says yes!) :mrgreen:

P.S. Gypsy, they have this in the order confirmation regarding the claw prongs:

Item # Custom - Note
File prongs at an angle to look like "claw" prongs
Price: $50
 
Great. Can't wait to get pics! (You are going to have pics for us right??).
 
Gypsy|1346267760|3259323 said:
Great. Can't wait to get pics! (You are going to have pics for us right??).
Click to expand...

Definitely!!
 
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