Going non-Tiffany!

[clanalois]

I am a regular poster at Purseforum, where you can see most of my Tiffany rings (which I will eventually upload here!). A member pointed me to this site, so I am new here and would love your help and expertise!!!

Disclaimer: I know most of you are really nice; I absolutely LOVE Tiffany, so please do not make snarky remarks about Tiffany rings. Thank you for your understanding.

*****
As a girl whose jewelry collection is 95% Tiffany (save for a few LV items and a David Yurman), I''m starting to feel tempted to look elsewhere for my next diamond ring. I have a gorgeous, generously sized Tiffany round brilliant solitaire and I have no plans to upgrade.

However, I''ve started to discuss my next diamond ring with my hubby (*smile*), which I want to be a complete departure from a Tiffany solitaire. That is, a massive center stone, tapered side stones, engraving, and an overall antique look. I also want a fancy square shape - the princess or asscher. Perhaps emerald cut, but I''m leaning towards the former two and especially the princess for its scintillation.

I don''t want stones all the way around, and I want the focus to be on the center stone -- I''m thinking about 3-4 carats and a tapering down the side...no "sticking out" stones! I suppose I am really looking for another engagement ring!

So far I''ve found some interesting settings by Ritani - the Romantique with engravings of leaves. I looked at other sites like Diamond.com and Bluenile.com, but they only had stones I liked, not settings. I did like this one from Diamond.com, but I''d prefer the main stones closer to my finger as well as engravings. http://www.diamond.com/customer/product_detail.jsp?product=200234510

So I''m asking you a favor...for a girl who has had eyes for only Tiffany so far and no experience looking in diamond districts, where can I find an exquisite antique setting that can be paired with a big center stone? Online vendors, Chicago vendors, anything you''ve got.

Pictures would be great too -- vendors, or your ring. Thanks!!!!!

Center stone requirements: At least 3.5 carats or more, G color (or F at best), eye-clean. Where can I find my princess?

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome!

Please don't worry - we respect anyone's preference to shop where they will, some do indeed prefer the blue box and of course that is fine! We are passionate about cut quality here, and try to educate newbie shoppers towards finding a beautiful diamond which can be done with the fantastic inventory and expertise of many online vendors if they prefer that route.

Personally when you get into the larger carat weights, I feel an Emerald Cut or Asscher are the more elegant, also they seem to be easier to obtain than Princess. What I would do is to contact a couple of vendors such as Jon at Good Old Gold, the team at Whiteflash, Mark at Engagement Rings Direct, Jim at James Allen or Wink Jones, tell them what you are looking for and let their expertise work for you with sourcing some contenders. Also if you can't find the exact setting you want, maybe custom may be a good route for you.

Check out this thread too for inspiration - rings with 3 carat centre diamonds

See vendors list here https://www.pricescope.com/dealers.asp

 

[mrssalvo]

definitely check out Pearlmans Jewelers and Art of Platinum > for some of the most gorgeous rings you'll ever see. Pearlmans has one of the largest online designer inventory's and artofplatinum is custom work by Leon Mege who has made many celebrity rings including Ashley Judd...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/11/2007 12:08:29 PM
Author: mrssalvo
definitely check out Pearlmans Jewelers and Art of Platinum > for some of the most gorgeous rings you'll ever see. Pearlmans has one of the largest online designer inventory's and artofplatinum is custom work by Leon Mege who has made many celebrity rings including Ashley Judd...

Thanks MrsSalvo, I meant to add Pearlmans and missed adding Bill, he would be a great place to look!

 

[angeline]

A couple of antique-y looking designers _ Beaudry, who you can see on Pearlman''s website, and Jack Kelege, jackkelege.com.

Looking forward to pics of your collection! and welcome

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Kirk Kara also has beautiful antiquy rings.

 

[Ty Cobb]

well if you want a departure from a tiffany solitare, why not go with a legacy ring. Just a suggestion.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Welcome! Besides the tips you already have been given, I would encourage you to look at radiants as well. I liken the appearance of the faceting of my stone to a kaleidoscope (vs crushed ice) and it has wonderful scintillation (sparkles like mad).

At any rate, if you have time, check out the longrunning/ongoing ring thread at the top of the Show Me The Ring (SMTR) forum. Plenty of eye candy, stones of all shapes and sizes and delicious settings.

cheers--Sharon

 

[Clio]

Personally when you get into the larger carat weights, I feel an Emerald Cut or Asscher are the more elegant, also they seem to be easier to obtain than Princess.

Even though I love princess cuts, and my engagement ring is a princess, I agree with Lorelei here. In the larger sizes, emerald and Asscher cuts do look so very elegant.

 

[Gypsy]

I'd look at Beaudry or Michael Barin or Durnell as the designers for what you are looking for. Can't wait to see pics! As for square ish stones. a Modern Cushion Brilliant of even a square Radiant would be nice too. Or depending on the budget.. a MASSIVE asscher.

 

[clanalois]

Lorelai: Why is an asscher or radiant more elegant and easier found than the princess? I must admit that I love the asscher almost as much as the princess right now, but my mind can change.

Ty Cobb: I already have a Legacy (but in aquamarine), check it out on my Show Me the Rock post! BTW, my favorite ring of Tiffany''s that I can see myself wearing one day is the Lotus you have in your avatar. I have the little squre diamond book and that page has been bookmarked and scanned into my computer so I can look at it from time to time. It is my dream Tiffany piece. I still haven''t seen it in person yet, not even at the NYC store.

Everybody else: Thank you so much for the links and suggestions. I have spent the better part of my workday (hehe) browsing Leon Mege, now I am making my way through Pearlman''s. I am definitely lovin'' the Leon Mege creations so far!

I am trying not to think about my next ring in terms of "budget," but in terms of what looks best on me that I can wear on a regular basis. I can''t fathom the idea of a ring that is so large and expensive that it will likely stay in my safety deposit box and not adored daily. Anyway, my idea of "massive" is a 3-4 carat stone, and I don''t think larger ones suit my hand and my overall style at this point in my life (I''m 25 and about to become a 1st year doctor). I am not ruling out anything over 5 carats later on, however! *grin!*

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/11/2007 9:11:22 PM
Author: clanalois

Lorelai: Why is an asscher or radiant more elegant and easier found than the princess? I must admit that I love the asscher almost as much as the princess right now, but my mind can change.

Ty Cobb: I already have a Legacy (but in aquamarine), check it out on my Show Me the Rock post! BTW, my favorite ring of Tiffany''s that I can see myself wearing one day is the Lotus you have in your avatar. I have the little squre diamond book and that page has been bookmarked and scanned into my computer so I can look at it from time to time. It is my dream Tiffany piece. I still haven''t seen it in person yet, not even at the NYC store.

Everybody else: Thank you so much for the links and suggestions. I have spent the better part of my workday (hehe) browsing Leon Mege, now I am making my way through Pearlman''s. I am definitely lovin'' the Leon Mege creations so far!

I am trying not to think about my next ring in terms of ''budget,'' but in terms of what looks best on me that I can wear on a regular basis. I can''t fathom the idea of a ring that is so large and expensive that it will likely stay in my safety deposit box and not adored daily. Anyway, my idea of ''massive'' is a 3-4 carat stone, and I don''t think larger ones suit my hand and my overall style at this point in my life (I''m 25 and about to become a 1st year doctor). I am not ruling out anything over 5 carats later on, however! *grin!*

Some have the opinion which I share that once you get into the larger carat sizes, EC''s and Asschers, Radiants are the more elegant because they lend themselves to a larger spread or size more gracefully it seems. A 3- 4 carat Princess would be fine, it is just that I personally prefer a different shape once you hit the heavier weights. Also cutters tend to maximise the final yield of the rough diamond by cutting into a shape which will do this, it seems that a Princess cut isn''t chosen as much as other shapes for some reason once you hit these sizes - I could be wrong though as this is my observation.

Once piece of advice I can give you is to perhaps take your time and shop carefully if a larger Princess is what you want - you mention scintillation and you want to make sure your Princess is cut well to give you lots of sparkle.

 

[mikebzt]

A suggestion in regards to stones would be to check out the vendors here. WF or any other are fantastic to deal with. I am glad to hear tha tyou have changed your tiffany way (at least for this ring) you will see that there is much more out there

 

[clanalois]

I am currently loving on this Leon Mege:

It has the type of stone I want, with claws elegantly holding the stone in place as well as pave and "pseudo engraving" of a leaf design in micropave and milgrain. Does anybody know the catalog number for this one? I wish there was a side view, I''d love to see the "basket" (is that the right term?)! After doing a bit more research on Leon Mege settings, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Leon Mege is affordable (at least to me and my husband)! Under $5k for such stunning and bespoke work? I''ll take it!!! WOW! That means we can spend more money on the center stone...

Lorelai, the look of a large asscher or radiant is just as stunning to me right now as a large princess. I''ll have to look at several stones in person before I make any sort of decision! Anyway, how do I find the best proportions for these square-ish stones? Is there an HCA available for these stones?

Of course I''ve tried to sort stones at diamond.com, but I don''t know if I can trust their gradings (from Fair to Ideal); I''d rather educate myself about proportions and make my own grading if I can.

 

[mrssalvo]

snapdragon has the Leon ring above: here''s the side view:

as for asscher specs...you might want to start a new thread saying something like need help finding the perfect 3+ carat asscher or whatever size you want. that way the asscher experts will be sure to see it...stormrider and decodelighted are 2 of the best when it comes to being able to judge asschers but most agree that seeing them in person and having as many pics as possible is important.

 

[risingsun]

clanalois~I just wanted to welcome you to PS and wish you well in finding a beautiful new ring. I''m a fellow tPFer

 

[Lorelei]

Lorelai, the look of a large asscher or radiant is just as stunning to me right now as a large princess. I'll have to look at several stones in person before I make any sort of decision! Anyway, how do I find the best proportions for these square-ish stones? Is there an HCA available for these stones?

Clanalois, with fancy shapes it is difficult to judge them by the numbers and there isn't a HCA for these shapes or similar at present, although this may change in time. If you are hunting for an Asscher, StrmRider is your man who posts here, he has a special interest in the shape, also Jon at Good Old Gold has sold some stunners in this shape. What I would do if it was me, is to contact Good Old Gold or possibly Engagement Rings Direct to begin with ( ERD is right in the NY diamond district), tell them your budget and what you are looking for and let them source some stones for you, as you are considering an important sort of diamond, I would let these guys have a hunt around for you, and also to use their expert eyes as a screening tool to help you choose.

Also cut analysis technologies such as ASET and Idealscope images can help you with the selection process, the former helps to judge light performance in a diamond, the latter light leakage, so these can be of value.

 

[Lorelei]

"Of course I''ve tried to sort stones at diamond.com, but I don''t know if I can trust their gradings (from Fair to Ideal); I''d rather educate myself about proportions and make my own grading if I can.''

Clanalois, also I don''t know if you have come across this section on the site yet, at the top of the page you will see Knowledge, click on that then the advanced tutorial comes up. That has everything you need to know about diamonds, cut, colour, clarity etc right there and it is a wonderful resource. Also use the search tool for our archives and you can find a ton of info there, everything you need to know is right here on Pricescope!

BTW - I LOVE that Leon setting you posted!!