I think I found it. What do you think?

[Need Help123]

Well, after months and months of looking and sifting through posts on this message board, I think (and hope), I finally found what I''m looking for. Just as a recap, I was looking for an engagement ring with a center diamond and side sapphires. So many of you helped and showed me examples. It was a tremendous help, but I just wasn''t comfortable buying online. Luckily, I found a local jeweler that had the following.

White gold setting that I loved
Center diamond - Leo diamond, graded by IGI, G color, SI1, .69 cts.
Side sapphires - Genuine, AAA grade, combined .63 cts.
Total for everything - $3,200

I know it''s hard without an image of the setting and the stones, but what does everyone think?

 

[chrono]

Leo diamonds are generally a decent cut. However, it is a branded cut and you usually pay a premium for the name. If you are looking for a well cut stone at a decent price from a local jeweller, I''d stick to non-mall type stores. Your local mom & pop type jewellers can find you diamonds of your specifications.

As for the Leo, do you have the cut information?
Depth, Table, Crown, Pavilion, Girdle, Symmetry, Polish, etc?

Are the sidestones blue sapphires?
Are they heat treated?
How is the blue? Bright? Inky?
There is no such thing as AAA grading in the coloured gemstone trade. AAA is just a grade set by the local jeweller, thus it could mean anything.
What is the shape and physical dimensions of the sapphires?

 

[Need Help123]

It is a mom-and-pop type store and I felt very comfortable with the General Manager. He made a special trip to meet with me and was incredibly accomodating. I'm very confident with the center as well. I put it up to an ideal cut .75 ct stone and the .69 Leo actually looked larger. The sapphires were not heat-treated and were a wonderful shade of blue. The sapphires are round.

 

[Jenn5504]

I love the idea of the saphire side stones in a while gold setting! Very beautiful and timless IMO. I thought Leo diamonds were only sold at Jared''s and Kay Jewlers? Is it a consignment/resale piece that this "mom and pop" shop acquired?

 

[Need Help123]

I''ve attached more information on the Leo. I''d love to hear everyone''s opinions. I''ll work on attaching some photos of the ring as well.

 

[Need Help123]

Picture 1.

 

[Need Help123]

Picture 2.

 

[Need Help123]

One more piece of info about the diamond.

 

[chrono]

It looks like no cut measurements were given, so there's no way I tell about the cut. What also concerns me is the split grading. Your diamond could well be a H SI2. Nonetheless, the picture of the diamond and side sapphires look good.

 

[Need Help123]

Date: 10/19/2007 12:45:27 PM
Author: Chrono
It looks like no cut measurements were given, so there''s no way I tell about the cut. What also concerns me is the split grading. Your diamond could well be a H SI2. Nonetheless, the picture of the diamond and side sapphires look good.

How frustrating. Just when I thought I had found "it." I''m beginning to have second thoughts myself now.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Have you looked at the inclusions with a loupe? With it being an IGI SI1-SI2, it is probably either an SI2 or I1. In addition, the color may be lower than they are saying. I think the design is lovely, and you could easily get the same thing with a better diamond.