Lurker needing help

[fansynancy]

My 2.1 carat F colored VS2 AGS certified triple 0 ideal cut A Jaffe engagement ring with two side trillions and a scored platinum band was stolen. Unfortunately it was not insured (long story about that, but I''ll save it for another time). I am not over the grief, but I am ready to move on.

This is going to be a really expensive stone/ring to replace. Since I am in so deep, I figure I may as well upgrade. I would really like a 3 carat stone, but my budget does have a limit. I would like to spend no more than 40K out the door with the stone set in platinum. I spoke with Sheerah at WS who is lovely and sent me some stone choices.

Here are the in-house options I have found:
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-71007.htm#
3.29ct I SI2 A Cut Above H&A **Eyeclean from 8 & 25cm**
PS Bank Wire: $36,300.00

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-71343.htm
3.12ct I VS2 A Cut Above H&A
PS Bank Wire: $41,613.00

Here are the selections from our virtual inventory:
http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-361765.htm#
3.02ct G SI1
PS Bank Wire: $36,195.00

http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-71873.htm#
3.15ct H VS2
PS Bank Wire: $42,028.00

I really like the second stone, but it is a big out of my range and I would still have to set it.

I have read all of the excellent and kind advice you all have given to others. What an awesome board! DO you think you cold advise me what you would do in my situation?

I love the brilliance and fire of ideal cut stones, but if I can''t get a great big stone in RB, I think I really do love the cushions as well.

Any help/thoughts would be so appreciated. My husband says get a new ring ASAP so that he can see me smile again.

Nancy

 

[shminbabe]

Oh, what a painful loss. I, too, was the victim of an uninsured 1 ct oval engagement ring theft. Not nearly the ring that yours was but I loved it nonetheless.

Well, I''m no expert in helping you select, so, I''ll say, as long as your husband is saying, "get another ring so he can see you smile," then I''d pick the biggest, best one I can find! Take your time and have some fun with it, too.

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome

I am so sorry about what happened to your other ring, it must be a terrible feeling. You have some fab diamonds listed and the first looks like a great SI2 and an ACA to boot - in that size it can be more difficult to find an eyeclean diamond of that clarity, but it looks good! Depending on your individual vision, is the definition of eyeclean given by the WF rep ok with you? Also I would stick to in house diamonds, unless WF find any good virtual diamonds, that way you know what you are considering with all the cut analysis and expert inspection being done for you.

Also going from an F to an I and with a size leap, you may find that an I is not quite as crisp a white as the F, but it will still be plenty white to many! You may notice a very slight tint from the side, but there is nothing wrong with that, plenty of people are fine with it! The second ACA has med blue fluorescence which might be a nice complement to the I colour, the good folks at WF may be able to advise you if it is helpful to the I colour in this case. One of our posters has a huge over 4 ct round from WF which is a perfectly clean SI2 and I colour, which she is delighted with, so this ' recipe' of colour and clarity with the superb ACA cut could be a great way to go! Also these carat sizes are rare, so having a choice of 2 ACA diamonds is fantastic and I don't think you can go wrong with one of those!

 

[Regular Guy]

#3 could be worth closer consideration...almost regardless of why it got the AGS1 (can you find out why?). If it''s for like polish, all the better. Lots of dreck on the cert for inclusions...but that may be good, when actually seen. I''d say...if that one looks reasonable to you...have them call it in. It may be a hands down favorite over #1. Alternately, as Lorelei says...maybe #1 is swell.

 

[Ellen]

I''d agree with Lorelei, that going from an F to an I might be a bit of a problem, at that size. I''d shoot for that G. Great color, (no drastic change), and the price is good, leaves a nice amount for your setting, and you could come in at budget! (assuming eyeclean of course)



p.s. And what a sweeitie your husband is, to only want to see you smile again!

 

[fansynancy]

Another option for me is this ring:


r890
Description: Style name*: Ring Three-stone “Pave”
Ring with 3.00 ct white princess diamond;
This ring is available for a purchase.
Price upon request.

Center stone: Princess 3.00ct F VS1 GIA 8.12x7.47x5.76, Table: 74%, Depth 77.1%, Girdle:Med, Flourescence: MB.

Side stones: HM 0.82ct F VS

Platinum ring w/ 0.39cttw melee
Head: Plain
Shank: Pave
Metal: Platinum

the link is here: http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=342


It is a Princess cut (which I know nothing about) but the setting, color, clarity and carat weight are so great that I''d consider it.
I am having trouble finding a G colored stone 3 carat ideal cut in my price range.
Thank you everyone for your help. I do so appreciate it.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 10/23/2007 8:55:23 AM
Author:fansynancy

I love the brilliance and fire of ideal cut stones, but if I can''t get a great big stone in RB, I think I really do love the cushions as well.

There are actually cut guidelines for Princesses to characterize them as "ideal," per AGS. If you would choose a shape for which this kind of science has already been applied, it would be a shame to not take advantage of it...i.e., pick one classified as ideal per AGS.

Just a thought...

 

[fansynancy]

I will ask to see the certificate for the Princess Cut diamond from the Art of Platinum. Other than the color, clarity and carat weight of that stone I don''t know much. I just thought it was beautiful.

Nancy

 

[aljdewey]

Nancy, I've seen the 3.29 I, SI2 stone in person.......and it's ENORMOUS and GORGEOUS. And I do recall it being eyeclean as well.

I wasn't at all bothered by the color, but I'm not above-average sensitive to color, either.

If you are, then I'd also consider the 3.12 G stone; the cut grade of 1 may just be polish/symmetry.

 

[fansynancy]

I am glad that you saw the 3.29 stone and can vouch for its beauty. That means alot. I live in PA, about 90 miles from Philly. Maybe I should get the sone and take it to David Atlas.

These are the specs on the Leon Mege Princess ring:

Measurements: 8.12 x 7.47 x 5.76 mm
3.00 carat weight
Depth: 77.1%
Table: 74%
Girdle: Medium
Culet: none
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Clarity VS1
Color Grade F
Fluorescence: med blue

Again, many thanks to all!

 

[fansynancy]

I think I am going to break down and get one of the two stones from WF, possibly the VS2. I am now looking at the setting.

If I have WF set the stone it would be either the Micropave Legato, the Harmony or the Trois Brilliant 3 stone ring.

Any opinions on these settings or a suggestion for a setting from another vendor would be great.

Nancy

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 10/23/2007 1:42:54 PM
Author: aljdewey
Nancy, I''ve seen the 3.29 I, SI2 stone in person.......and it''s ENORMOUS and GORGEOUS. And I do recall it being eyeclean as well.

I wasn''t at all bothered by the color, but I''m not above-average sensitive to color, either.

If you are, then I''d also consider the 3.12 G stone; the cut grade of 1 may just be polish/symmetry.

Oh, man!!! I would SOOOOOOOOO take that diamond in a nano-HEARTBEAT if I was diamond shopping and it was in my budget, which unfortunately I''m not and it isn''t...

and for that I shall be eternally heartbroken!

 

[fansynancy]

Lynn-

I searched back on your posts and saw your ring. It is GORGEOUS!!! I think we have similar taste. If you had my budget would you buy the big honking stone or would you get a 2.5 ish and go up on the color and clarity?

Can I be crass and ask what you paid for yor setting?

BTW- your stone looks HUGE!! I LOVE IT!!!

Nancy

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 10/23/2007 7:42:45 PM
Author: fansynancy
I think I am going to break down and get one of the two stones from WF, possibly the VS2. I am now looking at the setting.

If I have WF set the stone it would be either the Micropave Legato, the Harmony or the Trois Brilliant 3 stone ring.

Any opinions on these settings or a suggestion for a setting from another vendor would be great.

Nancy

I see you''ve re-posted about this, added another, removed some...

I''d encourage you to slow down your process, and go step by step. Since you''re considering WF, have a conversation with them. They will bring in the G for you, and on the basis of that, have more info for you. If you choose none from them, there is a financial consequence...but it would be modest...under $100. Talk about these options with them, and explore how they can help you consider their options, where you take advantage of their expertise to help you.

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 10/23/2007 9:44:17 PM
Author: fansynancy
Lynn-

I searched back on your posts and saw your ring. It is GORGEOUS!!! I think we have similar taste. If you had my budget would you buy the big honking stone or would you get a 2.5 ish and go up on the color and clarity?

Can I be crass and ask what you paid for yor setting?

BTW- your stone looks HUGE!! I LOVE IT!!!

Nancy

Thanks for compliments on my rings, Nancy. I do love them!

To answer your questions... would I go for size, color or clarity?! Haha! It''s obvious you haven''t been around here very long yet

because EVERYONE here knows my answer to that! Assuming a KILLER CUT (always my first priority), as long as the diamond isn''t visibly "tinted" (no yellow AT ALL!

) and as long as it is eyeclean (even under close scrutiny) - I am all about *SIZE*, babeeeee!

I wanna put my $$$ where I can *SEE!* it!

Like I said, I would get that I/SI2 stone from WF in a MINUTE! Yum, yum, yummmmmm!

To answer your other question... honestly, I don''t remember what my set cost... it''s been well over a year ago and the old memory just ain''t that good!

Plus, with plat and diamond prices going up! up! up! like they have been, you''d be best served getting a fresh quote from WF, anyway. But, what I DO remember is that it was a whoooooooole lot less than the MB Petite Princess style it is modeled after!!!