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Help my brother find a setting/diamond

FightGravity

FightGravity

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Mar 26, 2015
Messages
240
My brother just announced that he is ready to propose to his girlfriend, and I need some help to help him out!

He wants it to be a surprise, but I've strongly encouraged him to propose without a ring (or with a temp), or at the very least for him to do some sleuthing into what she wants if he really wants to do it without her..

She currently wears only delicate, modern, rose or yellow gold jewelry. I sent him a bunch of ideas, ranging from 6 prong solitaire to 5 stone to moi et toi to 40s vintage, and he was most enthusiastic about a plain solitaire. I'm guessing from her style that she might like something a little more unusual, but I'm having trouble figuring out what that might be.

Her mom gave him several pieces of her family's jewelry to potentially use stones from, but he has no idea on carat weight/color/clarity of the stones. All are rounds (I think RBs though some may be OEC/trannys). Over FaceTime they looked in the .5-1ct range. I already talked with him about getting an appraiser to take a look and see if any of them are decent color/clarity, and then considering a recut if so.

Total budget $3-$5k, preferably on the lower end. Obviously this is easiest if one of the stones he has is workable (I don't think he would spend the full amount on just a setting). If the stones are crap, and he can't figure out what cut she wants, I suggested sticking with a round or cushion.

What am I forgetting to tell him? And any suggestions for:

1. Ideas for settings or stones for a mid 30s tech hipster seattleite?
2. Good appraiser/jeweler in Seattle who could give him decent info on the stones he has?

Thanks!
 
Gypsy, these are gorgeous. Right on the money (I think, anyway. I don't know her *that* well.) Thanks so much, I'll send him this direction.

Keep the ideas coming!
 
I forgot to mention that he is open to preloved/vintage too. So if anyone comes accross anything good in the <$5k range, I'd love to see!
 
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/custom-work/80ct-vintage-marquise-cut-diamond-gia-h-si1-bezel-ring#.VtUHLearJLM

This: http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00/1-04ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-j-si1#.VtUHhearJLM In a 300 Stuller solitaire.

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/under-1-ct/99ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-j-vvs1#.VtUHyOarJLM or http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/under-1-ct/94ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-h-si1#.VtUH3-arJLM In this setting: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/lola-sholdt-18k-yellow-gold-5341y18 but with a sandblasted finish (Erica might be able to work with Sholdt directly, so you may not have to go through BGD).


Slightly over budget:
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/rings/95ct-old-european-cut-diamond-solitaire-egl-h-vs1#.VtUIL-arJLM

Love: http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/1-02ct-est-old-european-cut-diamond-ring-l-m-vs1/

http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/1-02ct-est-old-european-cut-diamond-ring-l-m-vs1/ With a 300 stuller setting.
 
 
Thanks gypsy! I think these are all spot on. I'll run them by my brother and see what direction he wants to go. The e-w bezel marquise looks the most like her of all the things I've seen, but I feel like that's a risky bet without knowing for sure that she is into Marquises...

Which stuller would you suggest, if he goes that route?
 
Marquise Madness. But every time I try to summon a fire ball... nothing. So sadly, the answer is no. (tongue firmly in cheek) 8)


Stuller settings I like for her:

http://www.stuller.com/products/123055/?groupId=193637 I really like this one, honestly.

http://www.stuller.com/products/122415/?groupId=122309 Basic, all purpose, nice lines. Order through Grace (or vendor) and make sure that the prongs are finished in small pointy claws.

http://www.stuller.com/products/123054/?groupId=193626 Feminine. Just make sure from Grace that the prongs will not overtake the stone.


14kt yellow gold. Should be in the 300-400 range for these. But you'd have to double check them.
 
Make sure any stone that is put in a prong setting (instead of a bezel) has a safe girdle. This would not be an issue with most stones. But with a vintage stone, make sure to check with the vendor that the stone's girdle is safe for a prong setting.
 
If he wants to hit a carat he can with a marquise:
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Marquise/GIA-Certified-1-0-Carat-E-Color-SI1-Clarity-Diamond-7X8KRC That's a nice stone and would look fantastic in this either the other marquise setting of Grace's that you saw above or this one: http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/custom-work/1-10ct-antique-marquise-cut-diamond-bezel-ring-gia-l-vvs2#.VtZ_buarJLM (but with the profile of the other one, the cathedral, so that she can wear a flush fit band).

To me that would just be a fabulous combo. And since the stone is 3k. I doubt the setting is going to cost more than 1100. He gets out the door with 4100. Which, for a 1 carat E SI1 solitiare in a custom setting is a steal.

I would see if there is a way to get her opinion on these two pictures:

_36558.jpg

80ct_vintage_marquise_cut_diamond_gia_h_si1_bezel_ring_1.jpg
 
Gypsy, thank you so much for your help with this! You have gone above and beyond :)

I'll check back in as soon as I have more info!
 
Hi there, I found a much better looking marquis diamond and a prettier and more delicate looking setting. This marquis is set the exact same way (horizontally) but this is a much better looking option. This is by a designer based in N.Y. named Kamni Verma. I have worked with this designer before for other fashion pieces and I follow her on Pinterest and Instagram. I really like the way this diamond sits in the setting. Very delicate, dainty, and beautiful

https://www.instagram.com/p/BCXgnk6gBZP/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/401453754264253178/

Good luck on your search !!!
 
Thank GOD he decided to involve her in the process, because it turns out she wants a platinum Art Deco dinner ring. Which I definitely, definitely did not see coming.

I'm encouraging him to get the 2 family stones at ~1ct each evaluated for recut, but he's reluctant since he wants the ring ASAP.

Thanks for all the help! I'll post up the final product.

_999.png
 
Well you did say she was a hipster.


It actually fits.

Well, it will be one of a kind and exactly what she wants.
 
Thanks gypsy! Sorry for leading you on a wild goose chase...
 
It was fun. No worries.

I would recommend he had David Klass to do the setting.
 
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