Decided on Cushion Need Help with Setting

[ambition]

Hello all-

My girlfriend and I went browsing this past weekend to try and figure out what shape and size diamond she preferred (for an engagement ring). We decided on cushion and I believe I will be purchasing a GOG Signature Old Mine Cushion from Jonathan, hopefully in the next month or so. We want to have the setting designed and I had a few questions for you all.

1) Does anybody have any suggestions for designers? I''ve seen Leon and Mark thrown out there; other options? She likes aspects of the Tiffany Nova combined with some of the detail work on the Legacy. I was looking at some Tacoris that I liked.
2) Do I need to wait until a diamond is procured to begin talking to a designer or should I contact them asap? I would love to have the finished piece sometime in the November time frame. Between now and purchasing the diamond, I will be able to give the designer a general feel for the specs it will be.
3) Once I buy a diamond, should I have it appraised by a 3rd party and then sent to the designer? Sending it to an appraiser first would allow me the opportunity to inspect it in person before sending it off to the designer. 4) Do I need to buy insurance the second I purchase the stone or should I wait until it is set?

Thanks for all the help. I''m sure I''ll be posting cushion options as they come my way for you guys to help me pick one!

 

[D&T]

You could start on browsing for design ideas, and have what you want, most of these custom pieces that you are interested in commissioning by Leon or Mark will probably take 6-8 weeks time. If you have the specs (dimensions), ring size, and metal choice they will need this in order to get you the correct quote.

Yes to your question about insuring your loose stone while it is being worked on.

You can probably orchestrate with John at GoodoldGold once you have purchased the diamond to send the stone to whomever you want to work with, or you can work with your local appraiser to do all the handling of the stones and to receive the completed ring.

When I contacted Mark Morrell about a ring, I was going to go through my local appraiser for him to inspect the diamond, ship the diamond and receive the ring back from Mark as well as appraise it all.

ETA: also Whiteflash and Brian Gavin Diamonds is also recommended, and I have worked with them as well for custom designs.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 9/8/2009 5:27:27 PM
Author: D&T
You could start on browsing for design ideas, and have what you want, most of these custom pieces that you are interested in commissioning by Leon or Mark will probably take 6-8 weeks time. If you have the specs (dimensions), ring size, and metal choice they will need this in order to get you the correct quote.

Yes to your question about insuring your loose stone while it is being worked on.

You can probably orchestrate with John at GoodoldGold once you have purchased the diamond to send the stone to whomever you want to work with, or you can work with your local appraiser to do all the handling of the stones and to receive the completed ring.

When I contacted Mark Morrell about a ring, I was going to go through my local appraiser for him to inspect the diamond, ship the diamond and receive the ring back from Mark as well as appraise it all.

ETA: also Whiteflash and Brian Gavin Diamonds is also recommended, and I have worked with them as well for custom designs.

CAD/CAM people can do things much more quickly 3 - 4 weeks is more than enough time for WhiteFlash or Mark Turnowski at ERD. MT did my HW micropave in under 3 weeks.

Leon and other hand made could be 5 weeks - 3 months depending on their schedules and the complexity of the design.

Leon certainly will not want to discuss much until he has your stone in hand, most designers cannot do any serious design work until they have the stone in hand but you can get a price quote and basic information once you send detailed pictures and a description of what you want.

Many PSers have sent several pictures and highlighted the elements they wanted to incorporate. You can start planning the design now, send them you design file and then get quotes beforehand. But if you have the GIA certificate you can also send that with your design file.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 9/8/2009 4:47:48 PM
Author:ambition
Hello all-

My girlfriend and I went browsing this past weekend to try and figure out what shape and size diamond she preferred (for an engagement ring). We decided on cushion and I believe I will be purchasing a GOG Signature Old Mine Cushion from Jonathan, hopefully in the next month or so. We want to have the setting designed and I had a few questions for you all.

1) Does anybody have any suggestions for designers? I''ve seen Leon and Mark thrown out there; other options? She likes aspects of the Tiffany Nova combined with some of the detail work on the Legacy. I was looking at some Tacoris that I liked.
2) Do I need to wait until a diamond is procured to begin talking to a designer or should I contact them asap? I would love to have the finished piece sometime in the November time frame. Between now and purchasing the diamond, I will be able to give the designer a general feel for the specs it will be.
3) Once I buy a diamond, should I have it appraised by a 3rd party and then sent to the designer? Sending it to an appraiser first would allow me the opportunity to inspect it in person before sending it off to the designer. 4) Do I need to buy insurance the second I purchase the stone or should I wait until it is set?

Thanks for all the help. I''m sure I''ll be posting cushion options as they come my way for you guys to help me pick one!

Also I''d suggest looking at these three designs they would be amongst my favourite for a GOG OMC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xRNc7_BOpI
http://www.vimeo.com/6401615
http://vimeo.com/4630802

Good luck,
CCL

 

[CharmyPoo]

1) Does anybody have any suggestions for designers? I''ve seen Leon and Mark thrown out there; other options? She likes aspects of the Tiffany Nova combined with some of the detail work on the Legacy. I was looking at some Tacoris that I liked.
Based on what you described, I would also suggest Maytal Hannah. She does a great job with Legacy like designs and also has made several Novo like settings.

2) Do I need to wait until a diamond is procured to begin talking to a designer or should I contact them asap? I would love to have the finished piece sometime in the November time frame. Between now and purchasing the diamond, I will be able to give the designer a general feel for the specs it will be.
You are bordering the busy season. It doesn''t hrut to start talking to a designer about what your thoughts are and estimated cost - this will allow you to budget. Some designers like Leon Mege will not start working with you until you have a diamond but he will still give you a quote. It doesn''t hurt to start a month earlier.

3) Once I buy a diamond, should I have it appraised by a 3rd party and then sent to the designer? Sending it to an appraiser first would allow me the opportunity to inspect it in person before sending it off to the designer.
I think it is a good idea to send it to an appraiser before getting it set. Once your stone is set, you won''t get an as accurate appraisal.

4) Do I need to buy insurance the second I purchase the stone or should I wait until it is set?
I personally have not purchased insurance until the stone is set. I am not sure if this applies to everyone but my understanding is that your stone will be covered by the vendor until it is shipped. When it is in transit, it will be covered by the postal carrier insurance. Once it is in the hands of the appraiser or setter, it is covered under their insurance. I am not sure if all setters will cover the diamond under their insurance but I worked with Maytal Hannah and she covered it.

 

[ambition]

Thanks for the suggestions everybody! I''ve got a good number of designers/places to check out now. I''ll probably get quotes and try and chat with a few folks and decide from there.

Does anybody have appraiser suggestions for the Philadelphia area? I''ve seen David Atlas'' name; has anybody used him?

Thanks again!

 

[D&T]

Date: 9/9/2009 8:16:56 AM
Author: ambition
Thanks for the suggestions everybody! I''ve got a good number of designers/places to check out now. I''ll probably get quotes and try and chat with a few folks and decide from there.

Does anybody have appraiser suggestions for the Philadelphia area? I''ve seen David Atlas'' name; has anybody used him?

Thanks again!

He is a Pricscope regular poster here, I think you will be in fine hands.