E-ring Anniversary Upgrade (JA EC)

[chrono]

A modest upgrade but it's been a long time coming. I have not upgraded this one for more than 5 years, spending more time and effort on my love for antique diamonds and coloured gemstones. With help from many PSers in RT, especially Karl and later Gypsy, I narrowed down my crazy options of more than 10 down to 2. The three were of very different carat weights but strangely enough, all share the same face up measurements due to the cut (depth and girdle). Fortunately for me, the nicest one is also the least expensive. Then came the time to decide on the setting.

Moving away from my much loved Mark Morell inspired EW setting (setting for the stone prior to the upgrade), I opted for the more traditional NS setting. I waffled back and forth between something simple (single prong or double prongs), bezel and a halo. In the end, I went for simplicity because nothing spoke louder to me than a solitaire to allow the beautiful steps to shine through. Perhaps when the right setting comes along, I will switch it out but for now, this is perfect.

 

[motownmama]

sounds perfect!!

 

[chrono]

Sorry for the long delay. I just remembered to take pictures of the package and all.

Despite the busy holiday rush typical in December, JA was able to keep their committed dateline of shipping by 12/10. I was pleasantly surprised by the presentation box. It is a lovely touch which I have not seen with other PS vendors I've purchased from in the past. Once open, I easily found the GIA memo, which is the right one, JA's appraisal which makes it easy for those who don't have an appraiser lined up for insurance purposes (although obviously there is a conflict of interest) and a thank you letter restating the generoud 60 day return policy for any reason.

Please excuse my yucky office carpet. Any shadows seen is all me too. Gotta work with 4 measly skinny CFLs. Make that 3 since one of them refuses to light up.

 

[chrono]

Let's get into the good stuff!

 

[chrono]

These are not the best pictures. Totally inartistic plus I am out of compressed air so I could not properly dry the EC last night and ended up with water spots. I think my diamond was actually cleaner looking before I cleaned it. These are taken in my office so the lighting condition is the worst ever possible scenario.

 

[motownmama]

totally dreamy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[chrono]

Hand shots are up next. I think I was too generous with the sizing. I wanted it at 4.75 to play it safe for summer time swelling but it is spinning like crazy. If not careful, it will spin 180 degrees and end up palm-side. I should have stayed with the usual 4.5 since it works fine most of the time in the summer except right after I workout.

Stats:

1.04 ct GIA I VS1
Surprisingly very white. It is not icy but blindingly white which I attribute to the fantastic cut helping it face up colourless. My previous EC is an E VS1 so I have a good base comparison. My initial concern is that I will see some tint and it will bother me but my doubts are assuaged. It is still very white when viewed from the side against a sheet of white printer paper. Any specks you see is either dirt or water spots or both. The clarity diagram is very clean except for a 2 feathers which I cannot find at all.

Polish Ex, Symmetry VG, no fluorescence
I wish it has fluoro because I love that effect but beggars can't be choosers since well cut fancies are SO hard to come by. Guess this is a good excuse to get fluoro on the next upgrade.

Table 64%, Depth 63.1%, medium to thick culet
Unbelievable that I was able to get an EC under 65% depth, a girdle that is not too thin or thick AND with a very good ASET.

Measurement 7.07 x 5.03 x 3.17 mm with a traditional 1.41 ratio
Because the lower depth and not overly thick girdle, this EC faces up as big as many other 1.2 ct ECs that I looked at!

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

Soooo beautiful.... Horrible office lighting? Doesn't matter! Your diamond looks amazing! Those steps are Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!

 

[chrono]

Thank you Motownmama and YayTacori! You two ladies are always so sweet and kind. I know not many PSers (or non participants) are fans of fancies.

These were taken last night in my bathroom so you will see tint from the reflection of the walls.

 

[chrono]

Still in the bathroom but I'll be out of there soon enough.

 

[chrono]

With patience and a steady hand, I was able to take a very sharp and focused picture of the steps on my iPhone no less.

 

[rosetta]

Beautiful and classic Chrono!

 

[ksmom]

Beautiful diamond Chrono! And I love the setting you chose for it- as elegant and timeless as the diamond itself. It looks stunning on your finger- many congrats!

 

[chrono]

Even though it looks its worst under CFLs, it doesn't mean that it looks dull and dead. ECs can still show a ton of fire as evidenced below.

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

Love this one. It looks like it wants to burst out of its shell and sparkle like crazy!

 

[chrono]

Thank you Rosetta and KSmom. I think ECs should have a simpler setting to showcase its unique beauty without competing with it too. I still would like to find a more permanent setting for it, preferably something with double claw prongs.

These are taken in my bedroom which has LED lights. It tends to show the most contrast here because LEDs are very directional based, not spreading or diffusing well.

 

[motownmama]

curious if you'll be wearing a band with your new lovely

 

[chrono]

Love this one. It looks like it wants to burst out of its shell and sparkle like crazy!

You bet! I actually had to try to shade it to limit the amount of light shining onto it so that it'll have less light to reflect back.

 

[gem_anemone]

It's stunning! Congrats on the upgrade!

 

[chrono]

curious if you'll be wearing a band with your new lovely

Motownmama,
I actually don't have a wedding band but DH has one. Culturally, I only get a single ring but I have many 22K gold bands which DH has gifted to me. Because of the softness of high karat gold, I will not be wearing those bands with this EC. I do have a 7 stone wedding style band from Signed Pieces which I can pair with this and may do so from time to time.

 

[chrono]

Thank you Gem Anemone.

The fire fest continues. In the meantime, I stepped outside briefly a short while ago to attempt some sunlight photography. I'll have to resize those first before posting.

 

[Ally T]

Oh... Chrono.... It is simply breathtaking. I absolutely LOVE the simplicity

Next to the pear cut, the EC is my favourite, and having seen this beauty I think I will have to get working on an anniversary present that incorporates one. Not that i am in the market for anymore diamonds for a while - I've only just had my pear re-set

Would love a profile shot if you have any?

Congratulations

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Wow, it's gorgeous!!! I had looked at EC's last year when hubby and I were upgrading my ring, I went with an oval but really love the look of a nice emerald.

 

[chrono]

Alex,
Thanks for the compliment. Nothing more complimentary to me than being called an enabler. I don't think I've taken any profile pictures although the next few might show hints of it. It's a very simple 4 prong integrated "basket" setting without cathedral shoulders.

DiamondDana,
Thank you to you too. I could not have done it without the help of Pricescopers in RT. I thought I knew what to look for but it turns out that I knew very little after all. This new EC outperforms my other EC which I purchased many years ago locally on my own with guidance from PSers. Thank goodness for ASETs since my eye isn't well trained yet.

ETA
Took one profile picture at my desk just for Alex.

 

[chrono]

You can tell me to quit posting if you've seen enough. I can't seem to stop today. These are by the window in the conference room since it is too chilly to venture outside.

 

[chrono]

Two modest fire pictures

 

[chrono]

Two pictures taken in the shadows.

 

[chrono]

The finale ends with in your face fire. You can all breathe a huge collective sigh of relief that Chrono is done with hogging her own thread.

 

[madelise]

YAY, Chrono!!! Congratulations on the upgrade! Haha, I'm so used to knowing you as a CS-er, so I was silly to wonder, "what kind of stone is that?!" when I saw the photo of the ring box. HAHAHAHA. I'm an idiot, and it's early for me.

 

[Laila619]

So elegant and classy! Love it! It looks super white, too.

Congrats Chrono!