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E-ring: Pave band + cushion vs. round

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ryankimura

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 17, 2010
Messages
10
Hi,
First time poster here... I value all of the great knowledge here. I have read so much... too much really!

My vision for this ring is: (likely a custom CAD ring) solitaire with pave/French pave/micropave with either a brilliant cut or a cushion cut somewhere in the 1 to 1.5 carat range. If it is brilliant cut, I value size and cut (branded or unbranded H&A, HCA < 2), and am willing to sacrifice clarity/color to get better size and cut. However, I tend to like the broad flashes and the white look that a cushion offers, even if that may mean smaller visual impact per carat (exemplified by scarlet16's now epic ring below).

For the band, I like pave’s that do not appear patterned like a channel set, but more of a blended look between stone and individual settings. She has narrow hands (4.75), and I’d like to have a ring that is delicate, but strong enough to withstand accidents. Based on that criteria, I think .9 Platinum .1 iridium makes sense. For the setting, I prefer a low profile, but also something that allows clearance for a wedding band.

These are the 3 rings I like best, and plan to use as models:

Scarlet16's gigantic ring -https://www.pricescope.com/forum/download/file.php?id=169062
Tiffany Novo - http://www.tiffany.com/Engagement/Item.aspx?GroupSKU=GRP10015#f+0/0/2004/0/0/2004
http://www.micropave.com/index.php/engagement/solitaires/solitaire-401.html

I have 2 questions:
1. Based on these styles, is there a particular PS vendor that specializes in this type of ring? Also, are there any other recommended vendors besides Dimend Scaasi in Chicago? I have an appt with them tomorrow, and if it does not go well, will probably be giving ERD a call.

2. (Squared) Cushion vs. Round in this band/context - I know these cuts come down to preference (of course), but I wanted to understand if there was a significant reason to choose between the two cuts. It seems that 6 prong + round accentuates the roundness while a 4 prong accentuates the cushion.

I'm also under a bit of a deadline. I'd like to have this ring by the 12/17/10.

Thanks! Look forward to hearing from this great community...
 
 
I'm not sure how "custom" you are talking but if your timeline is pretty tight. I think you will need
to find the stone very soon and talk to some vendors like BGD or Jewels by Erica Grace. Actually I would
go ahead and contact them and see what they say about your timeline.
 
Those are great ideas. I did not see JbEG (it seems the general consensus points in broad fashion to the list of online retailers here https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sources-for-diamonds.152295/#post-2766179#p2766179)

Budget is 10k. I do really like that Sophie, but with a band and setting that is perhaps more squared off (feel like that ring is quite round).

Reading more posts, I'm getting the feeling I'm similar shoes, and should just use the Novo design as the starting point.
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...y-ring-worth-it.123192/#post-2155146#p2155146
 
Wow that link for GOG was super helpful. That video shows my decision... high quality round (appears larger per ct) vs. broad flash cushion.

And thanks for the advice on the timeline! Sounds like GOG, JbEG or ERD are the way to go.

I've read lots about people being satisfied by Mark at ERD picking out cushions and a little bit about Jon at GOG. What about JbEG? Any experiences to share? Not sure that I'm super happy about the 3 day return policy, but beggars can't be choosers...
 
Jbeg is very popular on PS. They do beautiful work and have some beautiful settings. I also hear they are delightful to work with.

Here are a few post. You can do a search and find more.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/yay-its-done-my-jbeg-julia-thank-you-grace-and-erica.150745/?hilit=jbeg']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/yay-its-done-my-jbeg-julia-thank-you-grace-and-erica.150745/?hilit=jbeg[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/jbeg-dream-ring-sophie.150738/?hilit=jbeg']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/jbeg-dream-ring-sophie.150738/?hilit=jbeg[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-ring-is-done-check-out-the-glam-shots-from-jbeg.150196/?hilit=jbeg']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-ring-is-done-check-out-the-glam-shots-from-jbeg.150196/?hilit=jbeg[/URL]
 
ryankimura|1290178072|2772819 said:
Wow that link for GOG was super helpful. That video shows my decision... high quality round (appears larger per ct) vs. broad flash cushion.

And thanks for the advice on the timeline! Sounds like GOG, JbEG or ERD are the way to go.

I've read lots about people being satisfied by Mark at ERD picking out cushions and a little bit about Jon at GOG. What about JbEG? Any experiences to share? Not sure that I'm super happy about the 3 day return policy, but beggars can't be choosers...[/quote

Just a note-GOG does not do custom settings but they have several stock pave bands including some Novo replica settings that are quite nice. If you wanted a custom setting then you could still get a stone at GOG but would need to go elsewhere to set it (JBeG, WF, BGD, ERD all do custom settings). You would probably have time for a CAD setting but not a handmade setting (so no Leon).

Did you decide to go with the round or the cushion?
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the info. I think I'm going to go with my gut and do the cushion. I see all the others that faced this same dilemma.

Now on to finding the stone. Hopefully I'll hear back from ERD soon. Visiting Dimend Scasi this afternoon.
 
Good luck! Hope they have some beautiful stones for you to see!
 
Ditto the JbEG recommendation! I just got a ring made by them. They got it to me on an even tighter time line than yours. Erica was great to work with, very responsive and helpful.
 
Ok that is great to know. I need to give her a call and have a backup for ERD.

Didn't go so well with finding locally available cushion brilliants / old mine etc around Chicago (basically anything that is NOT crushed ice). Everything is cushion modified.

Thanks!!
 
that's a lovely diamond :)
 
hi ryan,

welcome to the club -- i was in your boat about 6 weeks ago. some thoughts from someone in your perspective (as opposed to a diamond expert, like many of the contributors here are):

1) Good Old Gold AVCs are incredible. I looked at a few different options and ended up with one. My now fiancee gets complimented on the diamond constantly. They are just so unique in their chunky, bright flashiness. I am very glad I paid the premium.
2) The setting you seem interested in is available from high-quality "stock" or non-custom vendors. GOG can help you with that if you choose. Many people on here are very pro-custom, probably with good reason. I didn't go that route so I can't say anything about it. All I can say is I personally chose a simple pave "stock" setting from a reputable manufacturer and I was very happy with it, and my fiancee is happy with it too. I'm sure getting a custom setting has benefits. But when it came down to it, I chose to spend extra on the stone, because I felt the very simple pave setting I wanted was available by reputable "stock" vendors. It's up to you which way you go, but I'm personally of the opinion that not *every* setting needs to be custom. You can get a very special setting that's stock.

Good luck! I know it's a big decision and I hope you can rest assured that no matter what you get, she's going to love it!!!
 
GOG also carries some designer setting that could be nice :)
 
Thank you slg47 & tonkatsu, I've been browsing those settings on GOGs site. I didn't see any particular setting that was Tiffany Novo-like (smooth integration of melee stones with band - so that they look like one, squared edges instead of rounded, 4 prong setting that emphasizes stone), but also might have some clearance for a wedding band.

Thanks to your help - this is almost a game of narrowing down the options, since there are so many.

And, yes like you said tonkatsu - you kinda can't go wrong with something sparkly. I'm sure she'll enjoy whatever I end up on. More to come when I hear back from these guys...
Ryan
 
This might be a question for ChunkyCushionLover who seems to be good at judging these sorts of "newbie wants a cushion, learns about the amazingness in chunky cushions, trying to learn enough to buy" situations.. :tongue:
 
ryan I am afraid CCL has decided to leave pricescope.

do you prefer one vs other? Do you have pics? (all I see in the video is sparkle). Perhaps if you are really undecided you could get both shipped out to you and look with your own eyes, or take them to an appraiser.
 
For the first, here is the ASET and pic from the top, not the easiest to see.





I'm under a bit of a tight deadline (19th of dec)

top view.jpg

aset.jpg
 
I think the ASET looks good. I'm no expert though. To me the old mine cut video makes the sparkle look a little less chunky and a little more pinpointy. Some people like that look, but most prefer the chunkier feel of the AVC. (And I could be wrong -- it was just my impression on the video.)

BTW GOG should be able to get the AVC set in a Tocari band within your timeframe. I think Tocari has nice pave style bands. James Allen also sets diamonds that you ship to them. Its turnaround is pretty fast. Is this something like what you're looking for?
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-White-Gold-Pave-Set-4-Prong-Ring.html
 
Can someone explain to me how the erica grace diamonds are so cheap in price???
 
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