Just inherited Mom''s engagement ring

[caratsappeal]

Hello.

I just inherited my mom's engagement ring (round brilliant 1.1 D IF) Not married, no significant other at the moment, but I still want to wear the diamond.

I was thinking of setting the diamond as the center stone of a 3 diamond pendant and since I still have some bonus money left, I've been looking at some smaller diamonds to flank the larger diamond.

I found these diamonds using the Cut Quality Search here:

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http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4180/

Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 0.38ct
Color: D
Clarity: IF
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
AGS Light Performance: Ideal
Optical Symmetry: Superior
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: 2.00%
Culet: None
Lab Report: GIA
Lab Report #: 16957870
In House: Yes
Width: 4.63mm
Length: 4.68mm
Depth: 2.88mm
Table Percentage: 56.54%
Depth Percentage: 61.77%
Crown Ú: 34.64‹
Crown Depth: 14.92%
Pavilion Ú: 40.75‹
Pavilion Depth: 43.05%
Upper Girdle Ú: 42.58‹
Lower Girdle Ú: 41.91‹
Policy: Lifetime Guarantee

Price: $2,256.30
(Bank wire price: $2,180)

HCA = 1.1

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http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4055/

Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 0.47ct
Color: D
Clarity: IF
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
AGS Light Performance: Ideal
Optical Symmetry: Superior
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: 1.26%
Culet: None
Lab Report: GIA
Lab Report #: 14622177
In House: Yes
Width: 5.02mm
Length: 5.05mm
Depth: 3.07mm
Table Percentage: 55.43%
Depth Percentage: 60.91%
Crown Ú: 34.30‹
Crown Depth: 15.03%
Pavilion Ú: 40.83‹
Pavilion Depth: 43.04%
Upper Girdle Ú: 42.50‹
Lower Girdle Ú: 41.98‹
Policy: Lifetime Guarantee

Price: $2,920.56
(Bank wire price: $2,821.80)

HCA = 1.3

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The combination would fit in my budget and allow enough money to get a pendant made.

What are your impressions of the quality of the stones? It was somewhat confusing to see how well they matched because the site had different reports for each of the diamonds so it was hard to compare apples to apples. For example one diamond had the Diam X Ray whereas the other had the Aset image. They look similar but not exactly the same.

Another thing I noticed is that one of the diamonds is 9 points smaller than the other. I know for a 1 carat diamond the difference of 9 points is not that much but I'm concerned that for these smaller diamonds it would be noticeable; however, if they are flanking a 1.1 carat diamond, the size difference may not be that noticeable. What do you think?

Since these are going to be side diamonds rather than the center stone, I'd rather go with a smaller size and higher quality stone.

Thanks for your advice and opinions. The diamond I inherited is a really nice stone and has a lot of sentimental value and I'd love to set it in a piece of jewelry that I love.

 

[Gypsy]

I would be concerned about pairing your diamond with an ideal cut since it doesn''t sound like you don''t know about the cut quality of your mom''s ring. (If you do, ingore this post!) Right next to ideal cuts, a non-ideal might look noticably overshadowed-- especially when it''s dirty. I would think about having your mom''s diamond independantly appraised, and then matched.

 

[arjunajane]

Ditto what gypsy said, also no neec to get IF clarity - most people consider IF as kind of "overkill" in that the concept is nice for an ering, but the price isn''t ! and also you can find something with VS clarity for alot less $$
just mho

 

[caratsappeal]

Thanks Gypsy.

The ring is being appraised as we speak. The paperwork from 1956 listed the grade as excellent but its unclear whether that referred to the cut. The diamond looks quite sparkly to my naked eye although I know that a lot of the diamonds from that time period are not of a very good cut quality.

I do want to avoid the look of a single round diamond on a chain. If the appraisal comes back with the cut grade of less than ideal, I''m wondering whether it would be worthwhile to match the diamond with two flanking diamonds of a similar cut quality? (whatever cut quality the diamond turns out to be)

 

[Gypsy]

If that were the case I would maybe flank it with a different cut? Like two princesses, kite set in bezels? Or two pears? Or halo it (prong set) in a necklace on a DBY chain? There are a ton of options!! I'm sure it's a beautiful stone... I can't wait to see it set in it's permanent home! I ditto the overkill for the IF. VS is more than fine!

 

[caratsappeal]

Thanks arjunajane.

D IF are the specs of the center stone I am trying to match which is why I searched for D IF specs on the side stones. So far the total prices of the two stones (if this is indicative of prices of D IF stones in this size) seems well within my budget so I''m not so much worried about the price right now, but I am more concerned about making a good match for all three stones.

 

[Gypsy]

I think what arjun is saying is that you aren't going to be able to SEE any difference between a D IF and a completely eyeclean D VS. At all. Except with a loupe. So a VS stone WOULD actually be a great match visually.

 

[caratsappeal]

Date: 4/16/2008 2:03:13 AM
Author: Gypsy
If that were the case I would maybe flank it with a different cut? Like two princesses, kite set in bezels? Or two pears? Or halo it (prong set) in a necklace on a DBY chain? There are a ton of options!! I'm sure it's a beautiful stone... I can't wait to see it set in it's permanent home! I ditto the overkill for the IF. VS is more than fine!

Excellent ideas Gypsy about the different shapes! I love pears but hesitated because it seems that pear cuts are harder to judge than rounds. But if the diamond appraisal comes back with less than an ideal cut appraisal for the center stone then maybe a couple of flanking pears would be just the thing to set it off.

If the center stone comes out ideal or excellent cut, do you think would the stones I mentioned above be good flanking stones?

[edited to add: we must have cross-posted. I would prefer to get a grade higher than where it would be necessary to start calling people over the phone and asking their opinions of whether the stones are eyeclean-As I said the prices on these two IF stones are not prohibitive so I'm fine with this price range but if a stone with a VVS or VS1 clarity grade is a better visual match then all the better.]

 

[Gypsy]

I think I would try to see them next to your diamond. You can ask GOG to send them to your appraiser for evaluation and take your diamond in. You can pay for them, have them sent to you, and see what you think, and if you don't like them use the return policy. You can go to GOG or another (local to you, if there is one) PS vendor and have stones reserved for you to see. Or alternately, you can send the diamond to the vendor, and ask them to match it for you. GOG for example has a very good eye. So do many of the PS vendors.

ETA: Off to bed for the night. Will check in tomorrow night. Best of luck and WELCOME TO PS!

 

[caratsappeal]

Date: 4/16/2008 2:19:37 AM
Author: Gypsy
I think I would try to see them next to your diamond. You can ask GOG to send them to your appraiser for evaluation and take your diamond in. You can pay for them, have them sent to you, and see what you think, and if you don''t like them use the return policy. You can go to GOG or another (local to you, if there is one) PS vendor and have stones reserved for you to see. Or alternately, you can send the diamond to the vendor, and ask them to match it for you. GOG for example has a very good eye. So do many of the PS vendors.

ETA: Off to bed for the night. Will check in tomorrow night. Best of luck and WELCOME TO PS!

Thanks for the warm welcome Gypsy! Luckily GOG is local to me and they have these two diamonds in house. But I don''t know whether I will get the stone back from the appraiser in time.

 

[isaku5]

I hope the reason for the inheritance was not your mom''s death.

 

[Dogmom]

What a great way to use your mom''s diamond! How about using your favorite colored gemstone as sidestones? That would eliminate any issue with matching color, cut, etc.

 

[Cachette]

I agree with Dogmom.

I would set it next to a couple of sapphires, either in a pendant or better still, a right hand ring.

Sounds like you inherited a beautiful diamond.

Cachette

 

[triple]

Hello Caratsappeal,

I understand why you want to keep all the stones the same color and clarity. I am the same way, It just won''t feel right if it''s not. I hope you have a lot of fun building this ring, I will be looking forward to the pics.

 

[isaku5]

Date: 4/16/2008 11:10:39 AM
Author: isaku5
I hope the reason for the inheritance was not your mom''s death.

On re-reading my post, I sound like a nosy brat

. I''m so sorry, it''s none of my business.

 

[caratsappeal]

Date: 4/16/2008 6:37:47 PM
Author: isaku5

Date: 4/16/2008 11:10:39 AM
Author: isaku5
I hope the reason for the inheritance was not your mom''s death.

On re-reading my post, I sound like a nosy brat

. I''m so sorry, it''s none of my business.

Not at all, Isabel. I thought your post was very touching. Yes my mom did die but its been a couple of years. Thanks for your sweet thoughts.

This is the pendant at Whiteflash that really inspired me.

http://www.whiteflash.com/golden-wardrobe/zoom.aspx?ItemCode=WF-4117

I think it looks so classy and doesn''t have that ''I once was a wedding ring'' look to it. I love rings but I always lose them but somehow I keep pendants forever.



That''s a great idea about using colored stones to flank the diamonds. I love sapphires and emeralds but I think they look really dark next to diamonds. Maybe a colored diamond? The only problem with colored stones then is that I wouldn''t be able to wear the pendant with everything.

Our estate executor said the appraiser scanned the diamond to get the angles, is that normal? I don''t know how long this will take. He''s appraising all the jewelry at once and is giving us one report with everything itemized.

I''m very much a newbie when it comes to all of this. I have a feeling this is not going to be the quick and simple project I thought it was going to be.

 

[Heidi137]

I would go for a RHR with a diamond of that quality but I do like the pendant you posted.

 

[Logan Sapphire]

Just wanted to add a note of encouragement if you are still interested in making your mom''s stone into a ring. My ring has a non-ideal center, E color, and side stones that are H&As, H color. I really can''t tell a difference, though I''m sure more experienced PSers can, in terms of cut. I can see a slight color difference but only if I stare.

These pics aren''t the best and I''ve cropped to try to show you more detail.

 

[Logan Sapphire]

Blurry side view. The stones aren''t cloudy at all.

 

[Jelly]

I love the idea of a three stone tandem pendant-like the one from WF that you showed us. It''s a classic look that will never go out of style.

I agree that you can probably go down in clarity without notice, but I have no problem matching ideal cut diamonds with non-ideal. You can''t go wrong with beautiful rounds (my favorite!)

I can''t wait to see the neck shots!