Hi, I wanted to show everyone my 30th anniversary present, a 2.50 Old Mine Brilliant stone (H , VS1) set in an ERD hand-forged HW style setting. The stone is 8.41 x 7.51 x 5.14mm, GIA, polish and symmetry Very Good. 50% table, 68.4% depth, large culet. The setting contains .72 of round brilliant diamonds, and includes two small “secret” sapphires inside the shank (the sapphires are to commemorate our two wonderful sons…I tried to capture them in the pictures). The size is 5.75.
Both the stone and setting were purchased from ERD. I discovered Mark when I came across the magnificent ring he created for KristyDarling:
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...nd-forged-halo-setting-by-mark-at-erd.174860/
I had the chance to visit Mark in NY, and had two stones to choose from. After settling on this one, Mark and I discussed the setting. I requested that the ring be set like KristyDarling’s, but with sapphires in the band. A couple of weeks later…voila, my treasure was on the way.
A few words about Mark. Mark is an outstanding professional. He really knows his stuff and was great at calmly steering us through what could have been a nervewracking process. He is extremely…warm and trustworthy, and not the least bit pushy. As soon as we met him, we knew that we were in good hands. My husband and I were slightly wary going in, as we had a terrible buying experience a few years ago (not with a PS vendor, though). Mark just inspires confidence. He was also very accessible and responsive, answering emails/returning calls promptly, even after I received the ring. It’s too big (I was sized locally), and Mark has graciously offered to size it. I’m so impressed by his follow through.
As to the ring: it is EXQUISITE! The setting is just lovely, and very strong. My favorite part is how delicate the setting is (the shank is 1.88 mm), yet the stone looks very substantial in the halo (Mark calls the halo a “decoration”). I agonized over whether to halo it or not, and I’m glad I did. The twinkling halo gives the ring a great presence and makes it appear a lot bigger (it IS a lot bigger; the frame measures 11.3 x 10.2 mm). The ring is very highly polished and beautifully crafted. I’ve gotten more compliments than I can count. I’ve been wearing it alone on my left hand (with a bandaid for sizing), and fielding questions about when I’m getting married (funny to me, since it’s been 30 years)!
A number of pictures are below. We aren’t great photographers, and the pictures don’t really capture just how gorgeous and wonderfully crafted the ring is (or the beauty of the stone). It is simply beautiful. I very strongly recommend Mark and would go back to him for future purchases without any hesitation (31st anniversary, anyone?). It appears that you just can’t go wrong with ERD. Thank you, Mark! And thanks to PS for serving as such a terrific resource.
Both the stone and setting were purchased from ERD. I discovered Mark when I came across the magnificent ring he created for KristyDarling:
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...nd-forged-halo-setting-by-mark-at-erd.174860/
I had the chance to visit Mark in NY, and had two stones to choose from. After settling on this one, Mark and I discussed the setting. I requested that the ring be set like KristyDarling’s, but with sapphires in the band. A couple of weeks later…voila, my treasure was on the way.
A few words about Mark. Mark is an outstanding professional. He really knows his stuff and was great at calmly steering us through what could have been a nervewracking process. He is extremely…warm and trustworthy, and not the least bit pushy. As soon as we met him, we knew that we were in good hands. My husband and I were slightly wary going in, as we had a terrible buying experience a few years ago (not with a PS vendor, though). Mark just inspires confidence. He was also very accessible and responsive, answering emails/returning calls promptly, even after I received the ring. It’s too big (I was sized locally), and Mark has graciously offered to size it. I’m so impressed by his follow through.
As to the ring: it is EXQUISITE! The setting is just lovely, and very strong. My favorite part is how delicate the setting is (the shank is 1.88 mm), yet the stone looks very substantial in the halo (Mark calls the halo a “decoration”). I agonized over whether to halo it or not, and I’m glad I did. The twinkling halo gives the ring a great presence and makes it appear a lot bigger (it IS a lot bigger; the frame measures 11.3 x 10.2 mm). The ring is very highly polished and beautifully crafted. I’ve gotten more compliments than I can count. I’ve been wearing it alone on my left hand (with a bandaid for sizing), and fielding questions about when I’m getting married (funny to me, since it’s been 30 years)!
A number of pictures are below. We aren’t great photographers, and the pictures don’t really capture just how gorgeous and wonderfully crafted the ring is (or the beauty of the stone). It is simply beautiful. I very strongly recommend Mark and would go back to him for future purchases without any hesitation (31st anniversary, anyone?). It appears that you just can’t go wrong with ERD. Thank you, Mark! And thanks to PS for serving as such a terrific resource.
Your setting and amazing stone are just stunning (though of course I'm a teeny bit biased!) and I love the symbolic sapphires in the band. Wish I had thought of that! 
300x240.png)