shape
carat
color
clarity

Flora, 5.62ct KVS1 OMB

lavenderdragonfly23

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Sep 10, 2022
Messages
868
Finally.

After two years of researching, budgeting, an insane amount of OT and alot of help from a some incredible members, I finally found my stone ❤️

It came down to these three beautiful true antique cushiony shaped old mines
5.22 KVS1, medium fluor (top)
5.62 KVS1, faint fluor (middle)
6.82 LVS1, faint fluor (bottom)

The faceting on the 5.62 stole my heart. She’s perfectly pillowy, faces up so white, has a tiny 47% table, and faceting that blew me away. She was sadly out of our budget with the vendor we met with. On a whim I reached out to Yekutiel from ID Jewelers. To my surprise, he answered my Christmas wish, secured the stone and made my dreams come true.

For the setting, I wanted something old world. Edwardian, platinum and if there was enough left over in the budget, hand-forged. After hours of scrolling through Christie’s and Sotheby’s archives, I fell in love with Flora Sassoon’s (1859-1936) engagement ring and her story. Flora was an incredibly brave woman for her time. She wasn’t your needle point, tea party, housewife whose main role was to support her husband. She shattered the ceiling and broke the mold. She was an incredibly successful, educated businesswoman, philanthropist, famed hostess, and Jewish scholar. She wasn’t afraid to operate a business during a time that was mainly controlled by men. It was said of her that she “walked like a queen, talked like a sage and entertained like an Oriental potentate.”

I reached out to David Klass to see if he could recreate the setting. He had his uber bench hand-forge the setting and used JK antique single cuts for the melee.

Thank you to everyone who helped me along my journey, especially to @lulu_ma and @maryjane04 … thank you for taking me under your wing, words cannot express how grateful I am to both of you. Thank you for answering my endless questions and for always steering me in the right direction. You have taught me so much, I would have been lost without your help.

To @newtojewels, @Mreader, @lala646, @oldcutclubmember thank you for being a sounding board and for helping me look over DK’s cad, you helped ease my worries through all this.

And to the many others here, who cheered me along these past couple years…. Thank you for your words of encouragement, for welcoming me into this wonderful group and making me feel at home. ❤️


**********
Without further ado, it brings me great pleasure to introduce to you, my very first diamond, Flora. She is a 5.62ct KVS1 old mine brilliant. She was set by DK in a very special, hand-forged inspired recreation of Flora Sassoon’s 9ct edwardian diamond ring from 1910 - I included photos below of Flora and her ring.

May we all have the courage to break our own molds, not only for ourselves but for future generations to come. If Flora could do it over 100 years ago, so can we ❤️

David Klass’s video
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2135.jpeg
    IMG_2135.jpeg
    295.4 KB · Views: 222
  • IMG_3564.jpeg
    IMG_3564.jpeg
    419.9 KB · Views: 203
  • IMG_3995.jpeg
    IMG_3995.jpeg
    142.7 KB · Views: 190
  • IMG_3854.jpeg
    IMG_3854.jpeg
    179.9 KB · Views: 194
  • IMG_3853.jpeg
    IMG_3853.jpeg
    116.9 KB · Views: 190
  • IMG_3852.jpeg
    IMG_3852.jpeg
    153.9 KB · Views: 202
  • IMG_4075.jpeg
    IMG_4075.jpeg
    161.3 KB · Views: 205
  • IMG_4076.jpeg
    IMG_4076.jpeg
    160.3 KB · Views: 216
  • IMG_4074.jpeg
    IMG_4074.jpeg
    158.7 KB · Views: 225
Last edited:
Omg I've been waiting for this for what felt like eternity. I'm so glad you have the prettiest omc and she's all yours. Congratulations on your anniversary and getting your first diamond. It was well worth the wait! I feel like this is kinda like baby K's twin or maybe even triplets with @sweetpea&babycorn haha the 5ct+ omc club hahaha. Anyway I can't wait for hand pics because they are seriously the best.
 
Oh my word! Now this is a first diamond!!!

Please post many more pictures & hand shots! It is breathtaking - those facets are perfect!

Huge congratulations on your journey!
 
Thank you! I will definitely be posting hand shots when she gets here :D

We are actually planning on renewing our vows with her sometime this year or early next year! She was technically a 20 year anniversary gift, but because it took so long to save and find her, she’s more like a 23rd anniversary gift, lol!

So if anyone comes across an old MARCH 23rd dated band, please post it here… I’m looking :pray:

I will attach some pics of the dress… I’ve lost 60ish pounds, 15 more to go! ❤️
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4066.jpeg
    IMG_4066.jpeg
    168.5 KB · Views: 103
  • IMG_4063.jpeg
    IMG_4063.jpeg
    258 KB · Views: 103
  • IMG_4065.jpeg
    IMG_4065.jpeg
    369.3 KB · Views: 91
  • IMG_4064.jpeg
    IMG_4064.jpeg
    291 KB · Views: 100
Last edited:
Just gorgeous! Congrats on a beautiful ring as it looks to be worth the journey for sure!!
 
Your ring is stunning! The setting is gorgeous and I look forward to hand shots.
 
Just gorgeous! Congrats on a beautiful ring as it looks to be worth the journey for sure!!

Oh this means so much to me, thank you! I feel like I’ve learned so much from reading your posts over the past couple years. I’m so glad you like her :kiss2:
 
Last edited:
Time to do your nails, moisturise your hands, get a new phone if needed. Maybe order some flowers or pick some for props. You're going to be doing a lot of photography work next week haha oh wait you have a hubby that could do that for you lol.
 
It is incredible and so worth the wait! I’m so thrilled for you. Flora is stunning. I really enjoyed your narrative too. Definitely post a ton of photos when you get it!
 
That ring is STUNNING. I missed the journey but it sounds so thoughtful and purposeful. Creating a setting with such a lovely meaning makes that gorgeous diamond stand out even more. Congratulations on your anniversary and enjoy the reminder of your journey each time you see the ring. Can’t wait to see the hand shots!
 
Spectacular! Congrats on your anniversary and wear your gorgeous ring in good health.
 
Stunning!! Happy anniversary! What a way to celebrate! Love the faceting and your choice of setting. So beautiful!
 
It is incredible and so worth the wait! I’m so thrilled for you. Flora is stunning. I really enjoyed your narrative too. Definitely post a ton of photos when you get it!

Awww…. Thank you! I’m so glad you love her, that means so much. It was initially three times the length and a super tear jerker full of way too much personal info before I paired it down, lol! I will definitely be updating with pics when she comes!
 
That ring is STUNNING. I missed the journey but it sounds so thoughtful and purposeful. Creating a setting with such a lovely meaning makes that gorgeous diamond stand out even more. Congratulations on your anniversary and enjoy the reminder of your journey each time you see the ring. Can’t wait to see the hand shots!

Thank you!❤️

My journey…
When my hubby and I made the decision to start looking for my ring, my first thought was a 1ct, maybe 2ct classic round six prong solitaire from Tiffany’s. So we went to Tiffany’s. Very pretty, but something was off. My heart didn’t leap.

I started a deep dive to find out why… I found PS and spent hours, weeks, months researching. At some point I stumbled into the antique forum, and finally felt like I was on the right track. I always loved antiques- even in college with no money to spend, I would frequent antique shops, and antique glassware shows and fall in love with seeing the history in old things. With a ton of guidance from a couple incredible members on here, I went from wanting a modern round brilliant, to a transitional, to an oec to an old mine… and from looking at a 2ct… to well, something a little bigger, lol! So I started picking up a ton of OT and stashing away everything I could for a bigger stone. I fell for a couple stones along the way, I was heartbroken when they slipped through my fingers. Everything happens for a reason.

And then one day, it happened.

The second I saw her, I knew.

We had a family vacation planned for NY already and we made plans to go see her, and two other potential candidates. This girl who had never owned a diamond, walked into the NY diamond district, excited and completely terrified. :lol:

And as they say… the rest is history lol
 
Stunning!! Happy anniversary! What a way to celebrate! Love the faceting and your choice of setting. So beautiful!

Thank you so much! It feels very surreal still at this point. 20+ years ago I married the most incredible man I have had the pleasure of knowing. He’s the most kind, respectful, loving human being, I have ever known. Just yesterday, when I was working a text came through from him:

“ hey just wanted to let you know, I stopped by over by lunch today and fill your car up with gas, ran it through the car wash and change the oil.”

For no reason… I never asked ❤️

We have been through a lot for the last 20 years, a lot of very difficult times and wonderful fabulous times - and I’ve always felt very fortunate to have my best friend by my side. Having a diamond was always on my wish list, a big dream, but it was something that was always on the back burner cause in the end what mattered most was that I got the guy. Now I have the guy and the diamond and it was so worth the wait :kiss2:
 
I love this SO MUCH! The story, the research, the trip, the diamond, the setting - just EVERYTHING! I am so happy for you!

Flora is an extraordinary ring, and I hope you'll share many more photos when she is on your hand!
 
Spectacular! Congrats on your anniversary and wear your gorgeous ring in good health.

Thank you so much Lisa! I keep pinching myself… I’m so ready to cut back my hours at work now, lol! Just a couple shifts left to go and I drop down to part time for the summer… and try to talk my hubby into keeping it that way :lol:
 
What a beautiful and delightful story!
Flora is sublime. I’m so very happy for you!
 
I love this SO MUCH! The story, the research, the trip, the diamond, the setting - just EVERYTHING! I am so happy for you!

Flora is an extraordinary ring, and I hope you'll share many more photos when she is on your hand!

You are so sweet! This brought tears to my eyes, I’m so happy you love her too! I will definitely post lots of pics when she comes home… thank you for your message :kiss2:
 
@lavenderdragonfly23 what a piece to call your first diamond - wow!

Really love the inspiration behind Flora and cannot wait to see her on your hand :kiss2:
 
@lavenderdragonfly23 what a piece to call your first diamond - wow!

Really love the inspiration behind Flora and cannot wait to see her on your hand :kiss2:

Thank you! It was quite the ride to get to this point and I couldn’t have done it without the support of Lulu and Mary Jane. The two of them basically held my hand for the past 18 months. I need to send their families a thank you card for stealing so much of their time, lol! They taught me so much and countless times redirected me towards great stones.

They have inspired me to take the GIA diamond classes this summer so hopefully one day I can pay it forward and help someone here…. And apply for my dream job and move out to CT and work for Andria Barbone in their new boutique surrounded by old cuts everyday :kiss2::lol-2:
 
Congratulations on finding your perfect antique diamond and creating this superb ring! I admire the inspiration, your journey, and the result. May you wear your stunning ring in happiness and good health.
 
Omg I've been waiting for this for what felt like eternity. I'm so glad you have the prettiest omc and she's all yours. Congratulations on your anniversary and getting your first diamond. It was well worth the wait! I feel like this is kinda like baby K's twin or maybe even triplets with @sweetpea&babycorn haha the 5ct+ omc club hahaha. Anyway I can't wait for hand pics because they are seriously the best.

My bling sister! I adore you! :kiss2:

2027 OMBAS, we gotta go!
 
Congratulations on finding your perfect antique diamond and creating this superb ring! I admire the inspiration, your journey, and the result. May you wear your stunning ring in happiness and good health.

Thank you so much! :kiss2:
 
Flora is so absolutely stunning! Congratulations on such an incredible jewel with your incredible journey to find her. I am so honored to have been even a tiny tiny part of your setting process :) I can't wait to see 20 million more photos.

That dress is stunning too, by the way, and perfectly suits Flora!
 
Absolutely stunning ring and perfect pillowy OMC indeed! Your patience paid off. The thought that even went into your posts speaks volumes about who you are - a warm congratulations on this spectacular first diamond ever! Gonna be hard to top this one ;)
 
Absolutely stunning ring and perfect pillowy OMC indeed! Your patience paid off. The thought that even went into your posts speaks volumes about who you are - a warm congratulations on this spectacular first diamond ever! Gonna be hard to top this one ;)

You are so sweet, thank you ❤️

I love that we both bounced around until we found our perfect old mine. I hope your beauty is still making you smile everyday… I still remember seeing your post with your beautiful omc ring and your big smile.
 
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Top