bar01
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2004
- Messages
- 622
Some of you may remember me under the screen name of bar01 (with a robot), but I decided to change my avatar and tag to something a little more interesting two weeks ago.
Well it has been many months since I found PriceScope and I am so grateful I did. The result of much education and research led me to create the Three Stone Sapphire & Diamond E-Ring for my gal shown below. I proposed before Christmas in St. Thomas at the top of Paradise Point in the wedding gazebo – fun story about that.
The E-Ring is based on a Tiffany E-Ring we saw when we were on our third date (hmmm guess I knew then…) I love the simple elegance of Tiffany designs but I did not want to pay the Tiffany 50-100% markup - so I was faced with several challenges. Finding a fine, round, 1 ct “+” untreated blue Sapphire. Finding two perfectly matched super ideal diamonds. Many months were spent on this project – learning about sapphires and diamonds, details on sizes and proportions, settings, and so much more.
Okay – on to the ring specs
Sapphire – Confirmed Untreated, 1.27cts, 6.19 X 6.26 x 4.05mm, 65.1% Depth, Crown Height 12%, Table Width 53%, and Pavilion Depth 42%, Ratings: Hue - Pure Blue (GIA B), Tone - Medium Dark (GIA 5/6), Saturation - Strong (GIA 5), Clarity - Eye clean (GIA Type 2 VS). Origin - Sri Lanka strongly indicated. Sapphire purchased from cherrypicked.com
Diamonds – 2 perfectly matched 0.41ct, G, Eye Clean SI-1 H&A ACA’s from WhiteFlash. Link to Specs and ideal scope Images Side Diamond 1 and Side Diamond 2
Setting – Classic Tiffany Platinum Three stone – Completely custom made – whiteflash.com
Now to the “real gems” – the people. Anyone who thinks buying on the internet isn’t a personal experience is nuts. I want to thank the people who provided the gems, the ring, and the appraisal on this special creation.
- Richard Orbach from www.cherrypicked.com The web site is just fabulous as are the colored gems they sell. Their cherry scores/grading scales turned out to be very reliable predictors. Their “compare feature” allowed me to look at all stones (sold and available) which was very helpful. Richard was a first class act- and he told me – “We give the same attention and service to customers who are buying a $3000 gem as those buying an $80,000 gem” - and he was right.
- Whiteflash Spectacular diamonds at great prices. Their selection of “smaller” AGS certified diamonds (ACA’s) was wonderful to find. Very fast, high quality custom ring process (maybe too fast!) and of course - Bob Hotchkins who helped get everything together (true Texan Good Old Boy). Brian also was nice enough to talk with me when I had some concerns on the setting and Bob wasn't in.
- Richard Sherwood. I learned much from his posts, his responses to my emails, and private messages - before and after my purchase. His appraisal and lab report was extensive, informative, and really part of the experience of the ring. I often find myself re-reading his report for enjoyment. It was invaluable to have an independent advice along the way. Realistic appraisal costs too (internet, low retail, high retail).
There were also Several Vendors I who shopped and talked with during my initial search that were pleasant and helpful – Robin and Todd at NiceIce, Wink Jones at winkjones.com, and Michael Arnstein over at www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com
In addition I would like to individually thank several PS users who shared their opinions and advice in their posts or in their responses to my personal messages – katbadness, BlueEyes, nswartzb, strmrdr, JohnQuixote, quaeritur, innerkitten, cflutist, valeria101, aljdewey, Feydakin, Magok, Richard Hughes, Dave Atlas, Gary and others.
Of course a big thanks goes out to Leonid – who without this site – I (and many others) would have never learned all that I have, or been able to create the ring I have, for the price I paid. Lenoid – thanks for not asking for my credit card number to use this site – LOL!
And finally and most importantly, to my Gal, for inspiring me to go completely nuts and spend many months obsessing about the perfect gems for her E-ring. Do other guys do this? Okay that’s done – so - can I start obsessing about a “super ideal” wedding bands/ceremony/honeymoon/marriage/home theater/SUV/dog/kids/retirement now???
Deeeeeepppp Breath…..
Thanks everyone!
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