Initial thread is here: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cad-help-please.233900/
An engagement ring is a big purchase on numerous levels, and I wanted to get the perfect ring for my soon-to-be fiance (spoiler alert: she said yes--woo!). PS was an incredible resource, and I wanted to show the final results and give some positive feedback for Chris at Brilliantly Engaged. Chris did a stellar job, both with the education process and the final product.
Regarding the process, I had a rough budget and a good idea of what I wanted based on feedback from my girlfriend and a similar ring that BE made in the past. She loves rose gold and "vintage" looks, and I thought a cushion cut diamond would really make her happy.
Chris spent 3-4 hours over 3 separate meetings teaching me how to look at diamonds and the differences in the various cushion cuts, showing me diamonds, and he helped me set reasonable minimum parameters for color and clarity (I imagine like most, I wanted to maximize carat at lowest acceptable color and clarity). He also walked me through the economics of diamond pricing, how they make their money and a comparison of BE's mark-up vs. an online retailer like Blue Nile or James Allen.
My subjective conclusions?
1) Being located in NYC is a big advantage. BN, JA, etc., are great resources, but if it works for you geographically, I would encourage going in person. A video is no substitute for holding a diamond and seeing it with your own eyes. BE (and others) are sourcing the same diamonds, so you'll probably end up paying less for the same diamond as well.
2) If you're looking at cushion cuts, Crushed Ice < Cushion Modified Brilliant < Cushion Brilliant. It wasn't even close. To my layman's eye, crushed ice diamonds paled in comparison, and the 8-main cushion brilliant had so much more sparkle to it. I didn't look at any old mine cuts. The trade-off, I understand, is that cushion brilliants are somewhat harder to find and cost more. I thought the premium was more than worth it.
Constructive feedback?
I appreciate Chris is busy servicing a number of clients simultaneously, but I do wish he would have been more proactive with status updates. I have my own clients with my job, and I find people really appreciate a proactive status update without them having to ask. Often I was the one reaching out, and when I did Chris was prompt with information. In the end it worked out perfectly, and there were no issues with getting the ring before the estimated completion date.
OK, enough blabbering...the ring! It's a 2.32 ct, I-color, SI1 center stone, with two rows of pave on the halo. I was extremely pleased with the finished product. Infinitely more important, she LOVES it. She said she looks at it every day and can't believe how beautiful it looks. She has olive skin and the rose gold is very flattering, and the sparkle, especially in sunlight, is really impressive. Photos below. Feel free to post or PM me if you have further questions.
Jamie
An engagement ring is a big purchase on numerous levels, and I wanted to get the perfect ring for my soon-to-be fiance (spoiler alert: she said yes--woo!). PS was an incredible resource, and I wanted to show the final results and give some positive feedback for Chris at Brilliantly Engaged. Chris did a stellar job, both with the education process and the final product.
Regarding the process, I had a rough budget and a good idea of what I wanted based on feedback from my girlfriend and a similar ring that BE made in the past. She loves rose gold and "vintage" looks, and I thought a cushion cut diamond would really make her happy.
Chris spent 3-4 hours over 3 separate meetings teaching me how to look at diamonds and the differences in the various cushion cuts, showing me diamonds, and he helped me set reasonable minimum parameters for color and clarity (I imagine like most, I wanted to maximize carat at lowest acceptable color and clarity). He also walked me through the economics of diamond pricing, how they make their money and a comparison of BE's mark-up vs. an online retailer like Blue Nile or James Allen.
My subjective conclusions?
1) Being located in NYC is a big advantage. BN, JA, etc., are great resources, but if it works for you geographically, I would encourage going in person. A video is no substitute for holding a diamond and seeing it with your own eyes. BE (and others) are sourcing the same diamonds, so you'll probably end up paying less for the same diamond as well.
2) If you're looking at cushion cuts, Crushed Ice < Cushion Modified Brilliant < Cushion Brilliant. It wasn't even close. To my layman's eye, crushed ice diamonds paled in comparison, and the 8-main cushion brilliant had so much more sparkle to it. I didn't look at any old mine cuts. The trade-off, I understand, is that cushion brilliants are somewhat harder to find and cost more. I thought the premium was more than worth it.
Constructive feedback?
I appreciate Chris is busy servicing a number of clients simultaneously, but I do wish he would have been more proactive with status updates. I have my own clients with my job, and I find people really appreciate a proactive status update without them having to ask. Often I was the one reaching out, and when I did Chris was prompt with information. In the end it worked out perfectly, and there were no issues with getting the ring before the estimated completion date.
OK, enough blabbering...the ring! It's a 2.32 ct, I-color, SI1 center stone, with two rows of pave on the halo. I was extremely pleased with the finished product. Infinitely more important, she LOVES it. She said she looks at it every day and can't believe how beautiful it looks. She has olive skin and the rose gold is very flattering, and the sparkle, especially in sunlight, is really impressive. Photos below. Feel free to post or PM me if you have further questions.
Jamie
congrats on your engagement!
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