- Joined
- Jun 5, 2011
- Messages
- 2,150
diamondseeker2006|1344053181|3245756 said:Demelza|1344051801|3245745 said:Dreamer_D|1344051051|3245741 said:diamondseeker2006|1344048915|3245719 said:Ahhh, I so love these!
Demelza, would you please tell us how you feel about your H&A stone compared to the antique stone? If you could only keep one, would you give up the H&A stone?
I'll let Demelza answer you, but since it looks like I got my kids in bed before she got her kids in bed I will give you this hint about Dem's feelings about her RB compared to our old cuts: When we were taking pics of the two oldies, she said, "Well I guess we better get this loser in there too" referring to her RB Now, she has a dry sense of humour, but I think her opinion is plain
Only on PS would the 2.35ct G VS2 be the "loser" haha! We got a good laugh out of the ridiculousness of that joke.
Right on both counts -- Dreamer got her kids to sleep before I got mine down AND I do prefer my OEC. Of course I was being silly by referring to my MRB as a loser, but I have to admit that the more splintery facet pattern simply doesn't appeal to me as much anymore. I've had that diamond for 6 years and it's always been very mind clean for me. It still is -- I love the color and the clarity and the "perfection" of the cut. But that's more psychological than it is a true aesthetic preference. I've thought very seriously about selling it since diamond prices have gone up quite a lot since 2006 and it feels a bit redundant to have two such similar sized round diamonds, but I do worry I would regret it. It's a beautiful diamond and I would not be able to replace it. But to answer your question, DS -- if I could only have one, I would absolutely give up the H&A, but not without a heavy heart.
I have always loved old cuts, but I unfortunately have seen few in person. I have to have a well cut stone with good light return, and as you know, you and Dreamer kind of lucked out on that since they aren't common! As I just told Dreamer, I probably will just order an AVR to really be able to compare an ideal cut mrb with a new ideal cut OEC. It's driving me kind of nuts and I need to get it figured out! I intend to have two rings, but not two solitaires. I'll probably do a three stone and a solitaire, but I have to figure out which diamond I want MOST in the e-ring (even though I am totally happy with the ring I have now).
It looks amazing with that band!Demelza|1344056598|3245777 said:As requested, here's a side view of my ring. It's a pretty setting, but doesn't wow me. And it's more than a bit rough around the edges.
Enerchi|1344302147|3247109 said:Demelza!!!! those are both OUT OF THIS WORLD perfect for your diamond... but YIKES! just a tad pricey - wow! Um, yah, I think they are gorgeous but I would not be able to comfortably spend that much on a setting, personally.
they are stunning tho! I love the "petal" around the YG and the detailed engraving on the bezel . Tough call....
Mara|1344488098|3248354 said:Loovvveee the pics!!! Fantastic job on the photos. Both stones are absolute beauties, but Dem your stone faceting is the cats meow for me.
And I know the Q was for Dem on if you could only have one, RB or OEC and my answer is OEC! Don't regret selling my RB one bit and it was stunning.
Demelza|1344616401|3249196 said:Happy news to report! I found a setting and my stone has already been reset! I just have to say how much I love Craig Evan Small in Los Angeles. I called them up on Tuesday and asked if they had any authentic vintage mountings that would accommodate my stone. I spoke to the owner, Craig, who said he would look around for me and set some aside. I went in later that day and was shocked when the first one I saw was exactly the sort of thing I'd been looking for and for MUCH less than I thought I would have to spend. On top of that, they offered me a very good price for my old mounting which basically cut the price in half! And they didn't even charge me for setting and sizing. The ring was done a day earlier than promised and I picked it up last night. Needless to say, I was very nervous about how it would turn out, but it was even better than I had hoped for! The mounting is a very simple platinum 6 prong cathedral with a little detail around the basket and 4 single cut diamonds down each side. I only have some not so great iphone pics for now, so I might wait to post photos until I can get some really good ones. I'm so happy! Now I just need to find a vintage band to go with it.....
TravelingGal|1344617536|3249211 said:Demelza|1344616401|3249196 said:Happy news to report! I found a setting and my stone has already been reset! I just have to say how much I love Craig Evan Small in Los Angeles. I called them up on Tuesday and asked if they had any authentic vintage mountings that would accommodate my stone. I spoke to the owner, Craig, who said he would look around for me and set some aside. I went in later that day and was shocked when the first one I saw was exactly the sort of thing I'd been looking for and for MUCH less than I thought I would have to spend. On top of that, they offered me a very good price for my old mounting which basically cut the price in half! And they didn't even charge me for setting and sizing. The ring was done a day earlier than promised and I picked it up last night. Needless to say, I was very nervous about how it would turn out, but it was even better than I had hoped for! The mounting is a very simple platinum 6 prong cathedral with a little detail around the basket and 4 single cut diamonds down each side. I only have some not so great iphone pics for now, so I might wait to post photos until I can get some really good ones. I'm so happy! Now I just need to find a vintage band to go with it.....
Yeah, they have a lot of nice stuff and go on the hunt for settings a lot. I found Craig nice, but he wasn't that great with follow up but since I didn't actually care to get a setting from them (I was in there to get pricing on selling a brooch and was referred to by 23rd street), that didn't bother me. I did kind of find it slimy though, that I was referred to him specifically by another jeweler to see if he'd buy a brooch (and was told this) and he told me they use the same bench and he could make the setting for less if I could get him a picture.
The other lady who works there is nice too though. I've mentioned them here on PS as a possibility for custom work if what they say is true (same benches as Singlestone and 23rd for "less.") They also have beautiful jewelry and a nice selection of antique stones/settings.
Look forward to seeing your beauty in its new home!
Demelza|1344631228|3249341 said:TravelingGal|1344617536|3249211 said:Demelza|1344616401|3249196 said:Happy news to report! I found a setting and my stone has already been reset! I just have to say how much I love Craig Evan Small in Los Angeles. I called them up on Tuesday and asked if they had any authentic vintage mountings that would accommodate my stone. I spoke to the owner, Craig, who said he would look around for me and set some aside. I went in later that day and was shocked when the first one I saw was exactly the sort of thing I'd been looking for and for MUCH less than I thought I would have to spend. On top of that, they offered me a very good price for my old mounting which basically cut the price in half! And they didn't even charge me for setting and sizing. The ring was done a day earlier than promised and I picked it up last night. Needless to say, I was very nervous about how it would turn out, but it was even better than I had hoped for! The mounting is a very simple platinum 6 prong cathedral with a little detail around the basket and 4 single cut diamonds down each side. I only have some not so great iphone pics for now, so I might wait to post photos until I can get some really good ones. I'm so happy! Now I just need to find a vintage band to go with it.....
Yeah, they have a lot of nice stuff and go on the hunt for settings a lot. I found Craig nice, but he wasn't that great with follow up but since I didn't actually care to get a setting from them (I was in there to get pricing on selling a brooch and was referred to by 23rd street), that didn't bother me. I did kind of find it slimy though, that I was referred to him specifically by another jeweler to see if he'd buy a brooch (and was told this) and he told me they use the same bench and he could make the setting for less if I could get him a picture.
The other lady who works there is nice too though. I've mentioned them here on PS as a possibility for custom work if what they say is true (same benches as Singlestone and 23rd for "less.") They also have beautiful jewelry and a nice selection of antique stones/settings.
Look forward to seeing your beauty in its new home!
That's really fascinating that they supposedly use the same bench as 23rd Street and Singlestone (I didn't realize 23rd St and SS use the same bench). I'm curious what prompted them to say that? I have wondered if there were maybe just a few really good benches downtown that all the top-end LA jewelers use. I would consider Craig Evan Small to be one of the best vintage jewelry stores in LA in terms of quality and overall selection rivaled only by Singlestone, but I never would have thought of them for custom work. When I was there looking at settings, they told me that they could do a replica of any of the rings in the case for anywhere between $1500 to $3,000. That was surprisingly low given that I was quoted 3k for that simple gold/plat solitaire from Singlestone which, frankly, was surprisingly high. I'm not really much for custom work these days so I didn't pursue it further, but they did a lovely job setting my stone. I'm hoping to go back tomorrow to look at bands.