BGD or Whiteflash for in-person fancy shape shopping

[leukolenos]

William noble is worth the trip over. We are in southlake so I understand the hike. Not sure what carat weight you are looking for, but he has lots of things in the 3+ range. Again, I think it's good to try if you are narrowing down shape still. Keep us posted!!

Oh my goodness we are practically neighbors!

Definitely sounds worth a trip. I think 3 is probably about my sweet spot. I'm excited for a field trip!

 

[SandyK]

I would pick BGD. I've seen Brian pick a LOT of really nice fancies for people here on these boards. Some of them truly spectacular.

And I've spoken to him about ovals myself. So if you are looking for an oval. He gets the Gypsy vote. For whatever that's worth.

Great-thank you, Gypsy! Your vote is worth its weight in gold I totally trust your opinion.

I don't relish the idea of paying sales tax on such a big purchase (who would?), but it's worth it to me if they can source some great contenders that I can look at in real time.

I *think* I want another oval- I just love the shape of my first one, but I don't want to be boring so I'm thinking I should try on some different things too.

If you think you might want something other than an oval but still want the elongated look, check out the pear in the video below - this is by far one of the prettiest rings I've ever seen! I love it and it is kind of making me reconsider my decision to get an oval. And 3 carats so in your size range too

http://www.laurenbjewelry.com/diamonds-engagement/engagement-rings/lepozzi-3-02-ct-pear-shape-two-tone-engagement-ring.html

 

[leukolenos]

If you think you might want something other than an oval but still want the elongated look, check out the pear in the video below - this is by far one of the prettiest rings I've ever seen! I love it and it is kind of making me reconsider my decision to get an oval. And 3 carats so in your size range too

http://www.laurenbjewelry.com/diamonds-engagement/engagement-rings/lepozzi-3-02-ct-pear-shape-two-tone-engagement-ring.html

That is lovely! I think I've narrowed down the field to either a replacement oval or a rectangularish cushion. I keep trying pears thinking I'm going to like one, but it just hasn't happened yet... I think I crave more symmetry? Or maybe all the ones I've seen are just in terrible settings. Not sure. How's your search coming?

 

[SandyK]

Yeah I know what you mean w/the symmetry - maybe I will get a pear as a RHR someday I love the look of elongated cushions too - tough call!

I think my main problem right now is deciding on 1) the color v. carat price tradeoff, and 2) the right budget for the stone - I don't want to end up putting my husband through this process again in a few years haha.

I want a rose gold setting, which makes me think it might not make sense to go any higher than a G in color. But after comparing D and E colored stones to a G, I think the difference would unfortunately bother me. I'm fine with an eye clean SI1 or SI2, but I want something 2.3+ carats (preferably closer to 2.4) so I don't know if my original 23k stone budget is realistic. And as you noted, the sales tax is definitely a factor so I think I'm back to using an out of state vendor that will make videos. I figure I can always spend a couple hundred on a plane ticket to NY to confirm the stone in person before pulling the trigger.