Hopefully my last post/question. Rate these diamonds?

[valeria101]

Date: 11/30/2004 7:47:44 PM
Author: Christmas Eve Proposer


Here''s something you guys might think is cool (I think it''s fun)...
I''m messing with Susanne a bit...

What if she has been browsing PS all this time !!! ?

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 11/30/2004 8:19:39 PM
Author: valeria101

Date: 11/30/2004 7:47:44 PM

Author: Christmas Eve Proposer



Here''s something you guys might think is cool (I think it''s fun)...

I''m messing with Susanne a bit...

What if she has been browsing PS all this time !!! ?

LOL! Naaaaaa....I''d have seen it in her face. She''s not like me, she can''t lie/fib/fool. She''s too good of a person.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 11/30/2004 8:16:29 PM
Author: Christmas Eve Proposer

Date: 11/30/2004 7:59:35 PM

Author: goldengirl

Beautiful!

And yes, trillions are the triangle-shaped sidestones.

I just did a search on Google for: ''Diamond, Pear, 1.7, F, SI2'' just for fun (Yes, I''m getitng a great deal!!) and found a site with a similar setting. They were spelled ''Trilliants'' there???

Also...Is this kind of setting also called a ''Penelope''??



And I''m wondering...How could I find similar settings (Just for fun)? I''ve looked through all the vendors here, and no one has one. Blue Nile is it.

Link to the "Trilliants"

 

[orbaya]

CEP, everything sounds so wonderful! She is going LOVE hearing what you went thru to get her the most perfect ring. Are you going to show her this thread once you are engaged?? I bet she''d enjoy it. You should print out this entire thread and put it away...it would be great fun to read years down the road!

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 11/30/2004 8:38

5 PM
Author: orbaya
CEP, everything sounds so wonderful! She is going LOVE hearing what you went thru to get her the most perfect ring. Are you going to show her this thread once you are engaged?? I bet she'd enjoy it. You should print out this entire thread and put it away...it would be great fun to read years down the road!

Yeah...I've bookmarked all these. I'll probably show them to her...Maybe not. Only because I don't want her to see how I "Struggled" over what stone to chose. It's hard to explain...I just don't want her to see how I've "Settled" on this or that based on price...If that makes sense.

I'm keeping a journal and have been since the day I decided I was going to ask her to marry me (Since I knew I would be doing this all alone, but wanted to share it with her). I make notes about how it's been hard to keep my mouth shut, how much of a stuggle it's been, going from the Shane Company, to here, to the jeweler, and back to here...She's called me a few times when I've just been FREAKING about all this, and wanted to "Chit-Chat"...And I have to switch gears all of the sudden. Or how she's called when I've been at the jeweler, and I had to lie and say I was somewhere else...Goofy stuff like that. Things she'll be able to remember...Then she'll know what I was REALLY thinking/doing at the time.


And she'll know what I've been through anyway. She knows I'm not interested in jewelry, let alone diamonds. But, I'll be able to bust-out the lingo all of the suddden!!

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 11/30/2004 8:45:27 PM
Author: Christmas Eve Proposer

And she''ll know what I''ve been through anyway. She knows I''m not interested in jewelry, let alone diamonds. But, I''ll be able to bust-out the lingo all of the suddden!!

"Bust out the lingo??"

My friend, by now you could deliver a singing thesis, standing on your head, to cause applause and huzzahs from the staunchest of curmudgeons.

Please come back to let us know how you dazzled her with your LINGO and your BLING-O!

 

[day_lily_me]

CEP you remind me of that commercial where the guy shots I LOVE THIS WOMAN!!!!!! We''re all on the edge of our chairs. I can''t wait till Christmas either! Keep us posted, PLEASE!

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

I''ll be sure to keep you updated. Afterall, you''re the only people, outside of the vendors, that I''ve told about this...


Now for an important update!!


I''m about an hour away from ordering this thing!! I''m going to be ordering the ring and the setting, and having it sent complete to an appraiser in Chicago. They''ll receive it, do the appraisal, and hold it for me to pick-up next Thursday...Along with the earrings and bracelet I''ve ordered.


It seems like all will go well...We''ll see!!


I''m wondering...Where can I pick-up a loop so I can inspect this thing about a bazillion times between next Thursday and Christmas Eve??

 

[cflutist]

Otto Frei sells them (and sells tools/findings to the trade). They can be found here

 

[reena]

CEP, i am so freakin'' excited for you! i feel like i know you! i can''t wait to hear about how thrilled and surprised she is.

did you decide to go platinum (or WG?) with trillions?

 

[orbaya]

YAY!!!!!
This is so exciting!! So are you going with the setting with trillants?? It''s hard to keep it all straight! She is absolutely going LOVE the ring!

You had BETTER post pictures if you know what''s good for you!

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 11/28/2004 9:56:37 PM
Author: Christmas Eve Proposer
Everyone....

I just got real happy!! I found that Trillion setting with the price. And it''s only 1600!!! Definately within budget! And it features the ''Something Different'' I''m looking for...Those side stones!!

Here it is with a 1.7...

Here is the diamond...

Link

Stock number: LD00219380

Carat weight: 1.70

Cut: Very Good

Color: F

Clarity: SI2

Depth %: 60.9%
Table %: 64%

Symmetry: Good

Polish: Good

Girdle: Slightly thick to very thick, faceted

Culet: None

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 9.93x6.76x4.12 mm

Length/width ratio: 1.47



Total cost on the stone is $8,741.00 on their standard site...I''m assumming I can get that down a bit if I search through PriceScope...Hopefully right at, or below 10 grand!!


Opinions??

It''s this ring...Platinum!!

This ring, thanks to Reena, of course!!

 

[reena]

oh, good CEP. She is going to LOVE it!

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Took a while, but I got here!!

Thank you so much!

And thanks to everyone else who helped!!

Now, all is left is breaking the bad news to my jeweler. Hopefully a hundred bucks will make it easier for him to take!!

 

[RockDoc]

RE: Purple Stones

There are many vairieties of purple stones. One of the most fascinating I''ve found is Sugilite ( also known as Lavulite and Royal Azel ).

This is a very rare stone in the finest qualities. Most stones for sale are not the finest quality stones. They are opaque while the very best is translucent.

The very fascinating characteristic is a color change depending on the light. In daylight it is blueish purple in incascent light it changes to a "blast off", intense magenta.


You might want to check that out.....


Rockdoc

 

[JokerWatts]

If you go with a stone that is between an F-H, you should be very happy with the color. I like H color stones, because they give the best look at the best price...the more important issue is the clarity! If you are spending over $5,000 on a ring, then you want the clarity to be a Vs2 or better! It is the clarity that will make the stone pop and sparkle! Don''t worry too much with the other details of depth of girdle, etc.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 12/1/2004 1:10:19 PM
Author: JokerWatts
If you go with a stone that is between an F-H, you should be very happy with the color. I like H color stones, because they give the best look at the best price...the more important issue is the clarity! If you are spending over $5,000 on a ring, then you want the clarity to be a Vs2 or better! It is the clarity that will make the stone pop and sparkle! Don't worry too much with the other details of depth of girdle, etc.

This brings up a good point...

As many of you my know, I've been set on an "F" because I liked how "White" it was. Well, I've since found out that F had florecence in it!! And obviously, I shouldn't be basing my VERY limited opinion on THAT!!

So...I've been thinking about that, and this post got me thinking a little more...

Would you please check out the following stones and give opinions on which is best? (I know, I know...I thought this was all over too!!! But, I've still got an opportunity to get the best ring available, and I've got to take it!! I trust all the judgements here, and since I don't have any experience in REALLY seeing an "F" versus and "H", I've got to ask for help.)






First one (The one, as of right now, I'm settled on...No link since I've got it on hold at Blue Nile and it doesn't appear anywhere else)...

Stock number: LD00219380

Carat weight: 1.70

Cut: Very Good

Color: F

Clarity: SI2 (I've been told this stone is "Eye Clean", but I've got no reason to believe the people telling me this)

Depth %: 60.9%

Table %: 64%

Symmetry: Good

Polish: Good

Girdle: Slightly thick to very thick, faceted

Culet: None

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 9.93x6.76x4.12 mm

Length/width ratio: 1.47

$8,741.00









Second one ( Here is a link to this one )

Item #9321202

Shape: Pear

Carat weight: 1.69

Color: H

Clarity: VS2

Depth %: 61.4

Table %: 62

Symetry: Very Good

Polish: Good

Girdle: -

Fluorescence: N

Measurements: 10.96X6.64X4.08

$8224.00




Here are my thoughts...

I am liking this VS1 talk! I really am!!! And both stones are graded by GIA, so we know they're both good.

I guess I'm asking...

If an "H" is truly "Colorless" (Or at least very close to an F), why not go up TWO grades in Clarity and get that "Fire" eveyone talks about??


I'll be honest...I'm leaning towards changing my mind and going with the second one. I just need a little more help. (I got thinking about this when I noticed the trillions in the setting I like are "H").

Thanks AGAIN!!!

 

[reena]

hi CEP:

well, clarity has nothing to do with "fire". that being said, looking quickly at the second stone it looks very nice, too! you''re really getting the hang of this!

note that the two stones do have different length to width ratios--1.47 for the first and 1.65 for the second. so they will look different in terms of shape. and i believe that the second stone will actually appear a bit larger to your eye, plus it has VG symmetry.

i guess the main question i would have is, is the SI2 really truly eyeclean? if so, then some might say that going up in clarity is a waste of $$$ that you could spend getting the color you originally wanted. if not, then the second stone might be better.

i should reiterate that im no pear expert. maybe cflutist will chime in with her expert opinion?

 

[reena]

okay so here''s what the two stones would look like shape-wise. very different. which do you prefer?

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 12/1/2004 2:39:44 PM
Author: reena
hi CEP:

well, clarity has nothing to do with ''fire''. that being said, looking quickly at the second stone it looks very nice, too! you''re really getting the hang of this!

note that the two stones do have different length to width ratios--1.47 for the first and 1.65 for the second. so they will look different in terms of shape. and i believe that the second stone will actually appear a bit larger to your eye, plus it has VG symmetry.

i guess the main question i would have is, is the SI2 really truly eyeclean? if so, then some might say that going up in clarity is a waste of $$$ that you could spend getting the color you originally wanted. if not, then the second stone might be better.

i should reiterate that im no pear expert. maybe cflutist will chime in with her expert opinion?

Renna,

Thanks for the quick follow-up...And again, I''m sorry that I''m changing my mind again, but here we are....I guess Emerald at Blue Nile shouldn''t have been at lunch when I tried to call and order a little while ago...


Anyway...Who knows if it''s really "Eye Clean". She said somone in New York told her it was.

And yes...I saw (And do understand now) the differences in sizes. The second is a whole milimeter longer!! (Seems the first one is a bit "Thick" compared to other pears).


I''ve got a call into Abazias right now to see if they can get the Blue Nile setting. (I''m NOT changing my mind on THAT!! Thank you Reena!!)

The other people who list the same stone are...

USA Certed

Dirt Cheap Diamonds

Jewelry Zone.


I''ve heard good things about Dirt Cheap Diamonds here, but Abaizas is the only one on the list I''ve spoken with...So, I''m leaning their way (Unless someone steers me elsewhere). Plus, they''re the cheapest.


Thanks again for the help!! I really am leaning towards a last minute change of mind! Just because I''ve learned SI1s are "Ify". And stepping all the way up to a VS2 is very appealing, being a novice in all this.

I can tell you this much....

If one truly can''t tell the difference between an F and H, it''s a done deal, I''m going with the second one (The VS2)!!!

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 12/1/2004 2:48:48 PM
Author: reena
okay so here''s what the two stones would look like shape-wise. very different. which do you prefer?

Reena...You are SO nice to me!! I''ll be thankful forever!! (Literally)...


Personally, I don''t have an opinion (Me being a novice and all). So really, it''s not an issue. (Unless someone who knows about such things can steer me).

BUT!!

The new one looks "Bigger" due to being longer, so all things being equal, it''s that one without a doubt!!

But as always...I''m open to suggestions from here!!

 

[Hest88]

Personally, I like the table/depth combo of the 2nd one better than the 1st. I''d love to see a Sarin, though, to check out the crown height. The better clarity is also a plus. The H may be bad to someone as color-sensitive as you, but I''d bet neither she nor anyone else will be able to tell the difference. H is still pretty darn white, especially if you don''t hold it next to a D---and in real life you''re not going to get many chances to hold one diamond next to another.

 

[solange]

As far as I have always been told, clarity has nothing to do with sparkle unless the ring is so heavily included, e.g. an I2 or I 3, or the inclusion is in an area where it would interfere with the light.
Mara has a recent post on clarity and appearance of the stone and she explains it much better than I can.

She prefers SI stones if they are eye clean because they are the best value. That, of course, is up to you. If you want a VS1 by all means go for it. But don't do so because you think it will improve the brilliance of the stone.

Perhaps if you decide buy from someone other than Blue Nile, they will permit you to have the ring sent to an appraiser before you pay. If you have them send it to someone like David Atlas or Richard Sheridan, you probably do not have to see it and can just rely upon what they say about the stone.
Vendors who have this accommodation take care of all the details and you just have to pay for the appraisal and shipping it back for setting.

If the person at Blue Nile did not have the stone in hand, it is probably not in their inventory. I bought a large SI2 from Whiteflash but they called the stone in and Brian the cutter examined it and discussed it with me at length and it is definitely eye cleanfrom all angles. If Blue Nile did not call in the stone, do you know if they are just drop shipping it without ever having seen it? This is not the best way to buy.

Also, any stone on the Pricescope multiple listing is available to other vendors who do not have it listed. I would avoid buying a stone that is being drop shipped and deal with a vendor who will send for it for inspection before they send it out. They will probably speak to the dealer first and get an honest description of the stone before they go to the expense and trouble of having a probable reject shipped back and forth and ultimately returned.

My engagement ring(a replacement because the point broke off) is a pear shape. I think the second one has a fuller, more substantial look and the first is longer and skinnier.

I still think that if you have changed your mind again, you would be best off calling one of the very reputable vendors on hereand ask them which is the best pear shaped stone you can get that fits into your price range and requirements. They may have access to stones that are not listed and get new listings several times a week. My stone was not listed on the multiple listing. Lesley found it as soon as the listing came in. I know I am confusing you again but this is what I did when I bought my ring and I bought the first one Lesley suggested.

I have no affiliation with Whiteflash except as a satisfied customer and there are several other vendors who also have excellent reputations. I never dealt with Abazia but I have heard goo things about them as well as GOG, Engagement Rings Direct, Nice Ice, etc. I know GOG has two prices--one for a stone that is drop shipped and they have not seen and an extra charge if they have it brought in and inspect it before sending it out. I would not buy a stone that is drop shipped. I am probably confusing you more than ever so just ignore this if it does not fit in with your plans.

 

[reena]

well, you might be able to tell the difference between an F and an H CEP. you seem to be pretty color sensitive, so. i''m not saying that to dissuade you but i just don''t want you to get the stone and be disappointed. i personally think an H color would be great, but im not you!

i wish there was some way to know whether the SI2 is truly eyeclean. "someone in New York said it was" isn''t really convincing me, either.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 12/1/2004 2:56:18 PM
Author: Hest88
Personally, I like the table/depth combo of the 2nd one better than the 1st. I''d love to see a Sarin, though, to check out the crown height. The better clarity is also a plus. The H may be bad to someone as color-sensitive as you, but I''d bet neither she nor anyone else will be able to tell the difference. H is still pretty darn white, especially if you don''t hold it next to a D---and in real life you''re not going to get many chances to hold one diamond next to another.

Cool! A vote for the new one!!

And Hest, just so you know...

I don''t know about this "Me being color-sensitive" thing...

1) My eyes suck! I just recently had to start wearing those reading glasses. And...I get confused on colors a lot...Blues and blacks often look the same. (Probably just the standard male color-blind thing).

2) The F I saw had florecence, I''ve found out!! So...That''s got me thinking my idea of color grades is skewed!!

3) during my last visit at my jewelers, he lined up a bunch of different colors...And I couldn''t see any difference. (Although we were rushed and I didn''t study them like I would have liked).


So...

Here we are...Me second guessing. I guess it comes down to better value? Up two in clarity versus up two in color.

What I''ve learned is making me lean towards the up two in clarity!!

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

And hey...You all know what?

I''ve got enough credit card to bring these both in. Of course I''m running out of time (Especially since I''m out of town next week), but that''s what they make Next Day Air service for! And, I''d have to take a vacation day to get them both appraised in Chicago, but, that''s doable too...


I''m still leaning towards that second one, even if it''s more of a hassle!! Gotta do what''s best for Susanne!! What''s one stupid vacation day when we''re talking about Forever??

 

[reena]

oh, yes--by all means look at them both in person if you can!!! then you will DEFINITELY know.

 

[Hest88]

Oh yes!!! Bring them both in!!! In fact, go order yourself an Ideal-Scope NOW too so you have it when the stones come in and you can show us pictures of it under the IS.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Well...Here''s a twist (Not a deal killer, because I''ll buy just the setting from Blue Nile if I have too)...

Talking with Oscar at Asbsaz (Or whateverthehell it is!!)...

He says the trillions on the Blue Nile setting are very small (Yeah, yeah, yeah, stop "Selling" me Oscar!!). They''re .38 combined.

He can make me a setting with the following total carats...

.42 = $1455.00 = I Color and VS2 Clarity

.55 = $1650.00 = H Color and SI1 Clarity


Let me make one thing CLEAR...I DON''T CARE ABOUT THE PRICE DIFFERENCES ON THE SETTINGS!

The Blue Nile one is $1600.00 and that''s FINE!

Oscar says the Blue Nile trillions are too small due to the size of his stone (The new one, the VS2). I suppose that could be true...What do you guys think?

The bottom line is...I LOVE the Blue Nile setting and don''t want to change unless two things...

1) The trillions are too small with my new stone (Personally, I don''t see much of a difference between the Blue Nile at .38 and Oscar''s at .42...So that''s got me saying "Bullshit" a bit).

2) The one Oscar can make is at least as good as the Blue Nile one


Oscar is sending me a picture of his setting..I''ll post it ASAP....

 

[valeria101]

Small trillions often look like small shards of glass... not that Abazias''s are huge, but you really have no choice if those at BN turn up less than nice. With a smaller shop, there is more leeway, IMO. Basically, Oscar is a salesman but he has a point. Let''s see the rings!