Engagement Ring Help, PLEASE!

[kweckman]

Dear Pricescopers,

I am on the hunt for a diamond that will fit my needs but I would love some guidance along the way if you would be so kind!
So far I’ve determined the following:

• I am in love with the Anne Marie setting at Victor Canera so the plan is to have him set the stone I find. Hopefully he says yes.

• I’m looking for a 3.5 – 4.0 (9mm x 9mmish) cushion cut but am open to others depending on price and quality. Recently I’ve started to really love the OEC and OCM cuts. The large facets really compliment the Anne Marie, I think.

Here is a perfect example of what I am trying to replicate. It really seems to align with exactly what I am looking to achieve. Thanks Anne!
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/introducing-my-3-92ct-oec-victor-canera-split-shank-halo.168492/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/introducing-my-3-92ct-oec-victor-canera-split-shank-halo.168492/..[/URL].

• Budget for the stone is around 35K give or take. With this I understand I’ll probably be in the J range SI1 or lower but we’ll just have to see.
Here are my questions:

• During my search it seems that modern cushions are far smaller than OEC when you actually look at the dimensions and not the carat. For example this stone is a 3.46ct Old European Cut Diamond GIA M, VS1. But it has huge dimensions! Measures 9.22 x 9.67 x 5.19mm. I've seen 4ct moderns that don't even come close to that size. Just curious why that might be?

A good comparison is this OEC - 9.22 x 9.67 x 5.19mm
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/3-01-ct-and-up/3-46ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-m-vs1.html#.VICzRDHF-Gc

With this modern - 8.98x8.58x5.86
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6384933-4.08-carat-Cushion-diamond-J-color-VS2-clarity.aspx

• When I look at a lot of the OEC they seem to typically be lower on the color scale. I am okay with this because I honestly think the OEC above looks amazing and that’s an “M”. What does everyone else think? Will something like this be too yellow? I know it comes down to preference but again, I can’t tell unless it’s literally next to another diamond of higher color.

Also, one assumption I made (which could be wrong) was that if I choose a stone with a lower color such as J or even and M OEC, that victor could align the halo diamonds around it with diamonds of a similar color. But when I asked him about it he replied -

“We don't have melee that are below about G color because lower colored melee aren't exported to the U.S. in anything approaching good cut and charities. These would be termed "Commercial" quality melee and they're almost not suitable to use in decent quality jewelry.”

Any thoughts on this!? I don’t want to have a yellow-ish stone and really white ones on the Halo! It will look really odd, don’t you think?

Lastly, victor suggested one of his Canera Antique Cushion. I know they are amazing but I am having a hard time paying 35K for this:

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/3-01-ct-and-up/3-46ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-m-vs1.html#.VICzRDHF-Gc

When I can pay 27K for the OEC cushion above. Again, when I look at the pictures on the site and the video it’s pretty amazing and far bigger. But maybe I am missing something and you folks can help!

Thanks in advance, Kyle

 

[LLJsmom]

If you're worried about the look of higher colored melee with a lower colored stone, you should find these stones to see IRL. When you do, I think you'll discover how extremely differently old cut (original or newly cut "old cuts") reflect light from a modern round brilliant. In many lighting scenarios, I could not see the body color of old cuts, even L-O's.

I consider myself a person who is color sensitive. MRB is over 2.5 carats and an F. My stud earrings are G&F. My bracelet stones are F's. However, when I look at old cuts (admittedly, I've seen only beautiful ones), I don't see color the same way. I've seen J-N, and they look plenty white enough for me. In fact, I would say they are "multicolored" if you want to compare the actual "color" to an MRB. The chunkier facets reflect broad flashes of light of its environment. That's the best way I can describe it. When I saw old cuts in halos, I never noticed the difference in color of the center and the melee because the light reflection of the melee is so different from the center stone.

I am not an expert about cuts or how to choose a stone. I am just relating to you what my eye sees. I'll post a few pictures from a ring that I thought was stunning from SingleStone in LA. They specialize in vintage and vintage inspired rings/jewelry.

And I do love Victor's Anne-Marie. If I was going to do a halo, that would be my choice. However, I have an MRB, and when I visited him, I chose a non-halo setting because I really wanted my stone to pop. His work is amazing. You will have a jaw-dropping ring when he's done.

 

[LLJsmom]

Sorry in advance if these are all turned around. I think the stone was a GIA K. Not positive. And the OEC was a little over 3 carats.

These are all the same stone, but I just posted more pics so you can see it in different lighting.




I have couple with it right next to my MRB. You can compare how differently they reflect light so you can see why higher colored melee would not be an issue. And given melee give off small pinpricks of light and old cut reflect broad flashes, it's almost like comparing apples and oranges.

 

[LLJsmom]

Comparison with my F MRB. Totally different. And from different angles. (MRB has side stones.)

 

[LLJsmom]

Also, I remember this one being an N, also from SingleStone. Even as a picky F colored MRB person, I could find nothing to dislike about the color of this stone.

 

[liaerfbv]

In fact, I would say they are "multicolored" if you want to compare the actual "color" to an MRB. The chunkier facets reflect broad flashes of light of its environment. That's the best way I can describe it. When I saw old cuts in halos, I never noticed the difference in color of the center and the melee because the light reflection of the melee is so different from the center stone.

+1. It's a totally different light show. My OEC is a M? N? (I can never remember) and my halo melee is H/I (single cuts). In regular life I cannot tell a difference.

 

[kweckman]

OMG you are so nice and helpful LL!

Alright, I think its go time... Adam sent me a pretty amazing diamond but I really need some feedback / warm fuzzy comfort about this thing.

Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mFv0YKok5w&feature=youtu.be

Here are my concerns:

1) It's not graded
2) I have not seen it in person. Should I fly out and see it? This scares me...
3) Will it be too big in the victor Canera Anne Marie Halo? My GF is 5'9 so not a tiny person. I still have to get her fingers sized but overall
would you say its a bit much? I wanted to go big but this is HUGE!

Thoughts?

HELPPPPPPP! PLEASEEEE!!

 

[LLJsmom]

OMG you are so nice and helpful LL!

Alright, I think its go time... Adam sent me a pretty amazing diamond but I really need some feedback / warm fuzzy comfort about this thing.

Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mFv0YKok5w&feature=youtu.be

Here are my concerns:

1) It's not graded
2) I have not seen it in person. Should I fly out and see it? This scares me...
3) Will it be too big in the victor Canera Anne Marie Halo? My GF is 5'9 so not a tiny person. I still have to get her fingers sized but overall
would you say its a bit much? I wanted to go big but this is HUGE!

Thoughts?

HELPPPPPPP! PLEASEEEE!!

I'm no expert! But there are a lot of old cut experts that would weigh in. It would help everyone greatly if you could provide the specs of the stone, and the size of your SO's ring finger. I would say from just looking at the video, it's a pretty amazing stone! And other other BIG thing. I would NEVER buy a 4+ carat stone that is NOT graded. I just noticed that. I would ask that it be sent to GIA, so that you can have a unbiased opinion of it's clarity and color, if nothing else. It's a lot to spend, I'm assuming. Others may disagree with me. And yes, if you are ok with the price after receiving a GIA report, I might go out and actually see it. I understand there is a return policy with OWD, but not sure what it is.