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Harry Winston... About to buy but torn.

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WhiteSox

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 18, 2005
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33
I originally put this as a comment but I think I should just start a new topic =)

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Hi. This is my first post on this site.
I''m in the process of getting an e-ring for my soon to be fiance and I am almost dead set on an HW ring.
However, I have no idea if I should even be looking at the GIA report at a place like HW because I''m no expert and I am told they pic nice stones.
Wouldnt even really know where to start in looking at this thing... I''ve scoured this site and still a bit clueless.
I''ve also been told that a new cut grading system will be released by the GIA in 2006 and that I will get a grading later... another variable i know nothing about -.-;;;
I''ve visited them several times and I have almost decided on a 1.50ct F VS2 round brilliant with tapered baguettes.
The symmetry and polish are both very good and upfront it looked really nice to me.
Would it be ok to assume their stones are good to go... in that case, I should just focus on the price. The sales associate has told me that their rings appraise for the purchase price (legally it must) so I again assume I shouldnt worry about the appraised value.

Just very confused.


The last thing I''m confused about is... I was pretty set on this (of course a 1.5 will be smaller^^)
10_diamond-03.jpg

However, the square emerald cut looks really good and I''m frankly torn. It also looks a lot bigger on harlowqueen''s hand.
Size does matter sometimes =)
Harlowqueen''s Ring found on this site...
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If I can pay a little extra and get that ring, I think it would be good too...
Any suggestions? There seems to be so many people with more experience than I. Any help would be most appreciated... btw, the people at HW were extremely nice and very patient with me. I was a bit intimidated at first but now I love being in there with the 1 on 1 attention.
The sales associate I had was very pleasant and had character.

WS



 
Don''t know what to tell you WhiteSox - the round and sq. emerald are both beautiful, it just depends on her. They are different looks. What would she like? Did she help pick it out?

HarlowQueen mentioned that they negiotiated Harry Winston down, I think she said 30% (?)
So make sure you do some negotiating on the price.
I think the prices were actually fairly competitive (when negotiated),
at least that''s what Kayla (Butterfly17) said when she compared it with what she paid at a PS vendor.

Let us know what you''re thinking, and what you decide.

Scintillating...
 
Hi, WhiteSox!

Have you looked at ECs next to rounds in the weight you''re considering? I think the rounds tend to "look" bigger face up because of the nature of the cut. That being said, I''m wildly biased in favor of ECs! Harlow''s ring is gorgeous!!
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I have a very hard time imagining HW being competative with online vendors...and suspect you''ll be paying a premium for one of their pieces. I happen to be one of those people who would be thrilled to have a Harry Winston diamond. I think a label like that is in fact worth something.

I''m a little confused about the cert...are you saying that the 1.5 stone you''re considering does not currently have a GIA report? Seems highly unlikely to me...

I imagine some experts will jump in here and be more help..

Good luck...and keep us posted on your ering adventure!

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Well... I just got an update from HW. They say the round does tend to look bigger and that for my price target (mid $20K), I could do a 1.7 square solataire.
"Please remember that the square emerald cut will appear smaller than a round brilliant of the same carat weight. The round brilliant shape tends to look larger than it is due to the brilliant faceting." So, if I have a 1.5 round and a 1.7 square, I figure they will look around the same size.

I was told a 2 ct would be close to 40K so good job on your buy harlowqueen. Btw, do you have small hands because that thing looks huge =)
This quote seemed a little weird to me though as they showed me a 1.9 ct emerald solataire (not square) and it was about $29,000. Perhaps they want to squeeze me into the 1.5 ct because that is in stock... i dont mind it since I think it looks great but.

I read that they negotiate on this site but didnt think it would be very suave to say "cut this about 30% and you got me". =)
However, they were pleasant enough to accommodate me a few thousand bucks without me asking. This probably depends on the stock that they are carrying. I felt they would be less like to discount anything that they would have to source.

The round does have a GIA report but I didnt take a real good look because I didnt really understand it all that well. The slight inclusions were all on the girdle and the sym/pol were both very good. Supposedly, I will get a new cert when the new grading system comes out in 2006.

So now it seems I have a design dilemma more than anything. I havent told my future fiancee much... I''m telling her that I am looking at HW for a smaller stone (around 1 ct.) and I want to surprise her with something bigger... she seems to be leaning on me to drop the brand and get her a 1.5 ct round or emerald. Cant wait to surprise her with a HW of the size she wants =) I dont know about u but giving makes me feel better than getting... I''m psyched.

WS
 
So you're almost dead set on a HW....so it's not too late for me to talk you out of it hehehehe
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... I hate to go on about a diamond is a diamond is a diamond because I do understand the need for designer goodies at times...I just would never do that for a diamond. Once it's on the hand, who can tell it's a HW..Well, you and your spouse will, and if that's what's important, than so be it. But I don't agree that you can assume anything about cut quality.

Either way, I'm sure it will be a beauty and best of luck!
 
That IS exciting. I have been in their store in NYC and got to try on a bunch of their rings. They were lovely. Keep us posted on what you choose. And you have to post lots of pics for us!!! Good luck.
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Wow! That's a gorgeous stone!!! And it's colorless AND internally flawless AND 2.47 ct!

Can't wait to see pics of whatever you get!!!
 
that does look awesome =)
however, I think my mind is almost made up.
She would never expect anything like this and all her friends are getting 2 carat emerald cuts now... so, I dont think I can differentiate myself in size so I would like to make her feel a little more "special" (if that is the right word for it) with a brand that she has probably written off the board.
However, I''ve seen some of the rocks on this site and they are amazing!

So, what do you think =) ? 1.5 Round with baguettes or 1.7 square solataire.

WS
 
I''m a size girl and I LOVE round brilliants. I love ec''s as well and have one as a right hand ring. But as an engagement ring, I just love the look of a round. Either one will be exquisite. If you say all her friends are getting 2 ct ec''s, then maybe one way to distinguish yourself would be to get a round??
 
I''m with Demelza, if her friends are getting emerald cuts, I''d get her a round.
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Square EC....all the way!!! Tell her to get new friends! JUST KIDDING!
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Seriously...does your GF prefer one over the other? They are so different, most girls do have a perference...

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I love the rounds with the baguettes
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She seems to like both. In order to keep it different from her friends I wanted to go either round or Square since the others were EC.
So hard.

The square emerald that harlowqueen has looks so classic but then so does the round. If only money weren''t an issue =)
Honestly, that 2ct looks HUGE on her finger. I remember seeing the standard 2 ct there and I wasnt impressed but I think it was my mistake not to ask someone to try it on.
 
I vote the round. I like Emeralds but I like them more when they are rectangular, and they look far bigger when they are rectangular. The round looks awesome, love the side stones.

I think your idea of surprising her with a 1.5ct HW is a cool idea.
 
seriously, you can''t go wrong w/either. I love the square emeralds, but it''s such a personal thing. If she likes either, I might go for the round, since it looks bigger... ?!
I would die if my FI gave me a HW piece - of joy, of course...
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Sure it''s a premium, but hey - why do we buy brand names?!
 
Well if the square is between 1.7and 1.9 and the round is 1.5, I think the round would look smaller perhaps. Not sure... dont have any experience in this.
The round shines greater thought right? (newb).
In this case, would you still go with the round. Damn you harlowqueen =)
I was so set until I saw her ring.
 
Will you get to see the rounds and EC side by side? You should be able to... and hopefully the decission between them will ebcome very simple. It is likely that 1.5 round and 1.7 EC wll be comparable in size overall. This is why these fancies are a bit cheaper per carat - so that diamonds of comparable size (not weight) end up with similar prices. Rounds may be relatively large for the weight, but not for the money
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Would buying somewhere else give you more or better options? Thinking that the setting would take around 1.5-2k for something at least as finely made as the solitaires at HW... ? I am not sure what the premium is in this case.
 
Yes, a round will sparkle more than an EC -- well, a different kind of sparkle. With an EC you get mirror-like flashes whereas with a round you get more twinkle and scintillation. They''re very different, but equally beautiful. It''s a tough choice, I know, but you really can''t go wrong (probably doesn''t feel like that at this particular moment). Can''t wait to see what you pick!!!
 
I wont be able to put them side by side any time soon because I live so far away. I may walk into Tiffany''s and ask them to show me something for comparisons sake.
WS
 
When in doubt, get ''em both I always say.
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{{{When in doubt, get ''em both I always say}}}
he he , I like the way Madame Bijoux thinks!

I always feel like my answers aren''t very helpful, because I see both sides, but anyway, here goes:

I have a RB, and have often thought of getting just baguettes on the sides, somewhat like the first option. A lady I know has one (from the 1940''s I think), that I just LOVE. Very classic.

Having said that, in the pictures above, I love Harlowqueen''s EC ring - it is stunning! And at least in the picture, I like it much better than the round with baguettes. For some reason that picture just doesn''t do much for me, whereas Harlowqueen''s hand shot as I said is gorgeous.

BUT, one is a hand shot, the other not. I would have to see both in person on your fiance''s hand! Hence, I am never much help, and it''s also why I have so much trouble buying a good setting - because I see stuff I like in pictures or on others, but I can''t really tell what I want until I can wear it!

Lastly, if all her friends have EC''s, does she like to be unique or to join the crowd? If unique, get the RB; if join the crowd, the EC. One thing about a RB is it is so timeless and versatile and sparkly, but then again, so are EC''s in another way.

The good news is, you probably can''t go wrong. They will likely both be gorgeous.
 
I love the round with the baguettes you posted...those double claw prongs are a nice touch!
 
I like how everyone says I cant go wrong =)
but I dont want to "not go wrong"... I want to go "right"...
I hope I make the right decision... HW is looking for Square ECs for me now.
Maybe they will make it simple by giving me something out of my range =)
I dont know if the Square EC will look as gorgeous as Harlowqueen''s if it is smaller than a 1.8 or so.

WS
 
My vote would be the round. With the round, it has much more dispersion from all those facets. I like the square emerald cut too; it''s a very classic and elegant piece but the deciding factor for me was when I tried them on and compared the two. I feel in love with the round immediately. I think you will have a better idea once you visit Tiffany''s and try a few on or have the salesperson try them on for you.

Whatever you decide, I''m sure she will love it.
 
From reading your posts, you are leaning towards the EC or square EC. Go with your gutt.
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That said you can't go wrong with either of them, but that doesn't help you much does it?? Tough choice. Can't wait to see what you go with.
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i agree with kaleigh. it sounds like your leaning toward the square emerald cut. if your doubting the round so strongly i think it's wise to find out everything about the SQ EC. Either would be beautiful and classic. you know your gal, go with the one you think she'd be blown away to have. Rounds with bagettes are classic, beautiful and much more common. if you think she'd like something just as classic but a little less common go with the EC. I hope i haven't confused you even more..i can't make up my mind chosing my own setting let alone someone elses
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I like the round with baguettes.
 
Personally, I 100% urge you to go with a square emerald cut from Harry Winston. For these reasons ...

1) Her only objection to HW seemed to be missing out on the 1.5-2ct mark

2) IMO rounds will never be "unique" - they are ALWAYS "the standard". Not that they aren''t the standard for good reason (generally more sparkle, more brilliance, big look)... but if it''s "unique" you''re looking for - un-uh!

3) YOU seem to have fallen in love with Square Emeralds the moment you laid eyes on ''em. Something about the round/baquette had you hesitating & now all of a sudden you''re have them search out more SE''s to see. That says ALOT.

4) I do think the HW name will add a little panache to your purchase over a lifetime, will give you both a kind of "luxury feeling" about it that judging from your comments seems to appeal to you. ( If I could afford the size I want in a Luxury Brand -- I''d def. be tempted by HW or Daniel K or the like)

Can''t wait to see what you choose ... BTW, which one reminds you of HER the most?
 
Well, I''ve just been told that they have done a search and the two things that fit are the 1.5 round and the 1.71 square emerald.
I loved Harlowqueen''s ring but I''m not sure it will have the same effect with .3 cts less =(
Both are F VS2.
They are both mid $20K. Virtually same price.
Are they the same value?
So difficult.

WS
 
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