My Blingathon Pick me Up at Joe Escobar

[Gypsy]

Ever just have one of those weeks where nothing is going your way? Well, I have the cure!

I went into Joe Escobar today to check out some settings before I pulled the trigger on my custom setting for my OEC and ended up having the BEST afternoon thanks to the always wonderful Eric.

I ended up spending 2.5 hours trying on every piece of jewelry that caught my eye and had a blast!

Best part? I have PICTURES to share! (cell phone pics, but still!)




So first up is the setting I loved in person for an old cut. The craftsmanship was INCREDIBLE and I SO very much wish it looked better on my my hand, but ultimately (and the pictures really helped with this) it just needs someone with slimmer and longer fingers than I have. Plus at 3K in platinum-- total bargain IMO for the quality of work. I need finger liposuction.


Following that is a 2 carat E SI antique cushion (new diamond in an old cut, similar concept to the AVC) in a vintage style setting. The stone was BEAUTIFUL and had very similar faceting to an AVC but without a distinct Maltese cross (it was there, but not in your face KWIM?). The setting was by the same manufacturer as the one I fell in love with and suited the cushion very much.

The cushion is also on their website apparently here :http://www.escobardiamonds.com/showcase.aspx?showcaseid=14

I saw every ONE of these pieces and examined the antique/vintage style ones on here http://www.escobardiamonds.com/showcase.aspx?showcaseid=3 and frankly they looked even better in person.

 

[Gypsy]

Next thing I noticed ( I was like a hummingbird going from display to display) was the VATCHE rings. I've never seen them on display before at a vendor and I was amazed that I thought that they were even MORE (much, much more) beautiful in real life. In the pictures on the web they always look very solid but not as flowy as the Leon's or the BGD pieces. In real life they were strong but delicate and just stunning.

I absolutely fell in love with the skinny shank X prong I tried on. As you can see from the pics it didn't love my pudgy fingers back, but I still love it. My finger is a 6.5 and the princess is 6x6 and the prongs are not finished as the settings are set with CZs as temps for display. LOVED this setting because I was amazed how it REALLY showcased a 6 mm stone to its best advantage.

The following ring is a pave with a squiggle bar that allows for a close fit band. I ADORED this one (some of that is, admittedly, vanity as this one actually looked good on my hand). It's set with a 6 x 6 cushion CZ which I thought looked great with it. I *think* it is this setting-- http://dvatche.com/index.php?page=collection&catID=2,18&startRow=6&id=156&alt=1 Prongs are also unfinished on this one as it is set with a CZ for display only.

 

[Gypsy]

These next series of pics was a result of me wondering what it was like to be Pheonix. LMAO.

5 carat F round brilliant and ADORED having it's picture taken and some crazy amount of carats cushion bracelets set with a ton of marquises and one pear.

It was fun to pretend to be our Phenix and, yes, it felt a little (in a good way) obscene.

 

[Resonance.Of.Life]

I am drooling.... have any more pics?

 

[Gypsy]

Next I went over to THE COOLEST DISPLAY -- I am not generally a colored diamond girl but Joe Escobar has managed to make what would normally be mutlicolored frozen spit GORGEOUS.

This was my FAVORITE piece, a fact that surprised me, of the day. It's by a designer called Kifani and it is a pink/brown rose cut center set with two yellow/orange rose cut sidestones in a rosegold white diamond halo.

It UNFORTUNELY didn't photograph great, so you will have to take my word for it, but I did download the pics from the website, since they are better than mine and I didn't want you all to think I was smoking crack.

 

[Resonance.Of.Life]

and that first setting... *drool* I don't recall if you had picked out an actual setting for your oec yet... care to remind me if you did?

 

[Gypsy]

I am drooling.... have any more pics?

As a matter of fact, yes I do. I was like a kid in a candy store.


First are a FABULOUS pair dangle earrings set with rose cut (not opaque for these) clear as a bell pear diamonds set with super fine pave all around.

Second an UNBELIEVABLE clover/alhambra shaped pendant with high carat gold and diamonds set in a black rhodium frame on a black rhodium chain with high carat gold pieces. JUST AMAZING craftsmanship. I didn't want to let it go, and I don't wear yellow gold!

And finally a cute tiny necklace with a small flower made of tiny clear rose cuts. Very cute and elegant.

 

[Gypsy]

Next is another shot at pretending ot be Pheonix.

I think this one is a 5 carat pear set in a single prong setting on 20(ish) pointers-- oval is an I color and had a very well blended barely there at all bowtie. AND I had to add a flipping amazing bracelet, just because!

After that is a 3 carat emerald cut in a halo.

 

[Gypsy]

For the colored gemstone crowd here is a beautiful heated blue sapphire long oval set in a very nice split shank setting for amazing finger presence. Also pictured is a blue (slightly violet) heated fat oval pendant with a diamond halo. Both were very nice native cuts with no window at all.

Below that is a HUGE lively oval in a gorgeous bezel with the finest row of milgrain lining the inside edge and really great bright cut pave for the shank. I dislike ovals and it is still couldn't resist taking this one for a test drive.

 

[Gypsy]

FINALLY at the end I wanted to see a couple of cute pendants in one of the MANY displays they have.

The first is a custom designed pear-shaped drop with openwork and pave by Joe Escobar and I REALLY wish I'd gotten a neck shot of this one as it had great presence and if I didn't already own two pendants I would have put this one on my Christmas list in a heart beat. My picture doesn't do it any justice.

The second is a very simple antique style pendant by Simon G. I have seen Simon G in person before and yet I'm surprised each time I do at how much I like their pieces. I think this one is missing something in the center and I suggested onyx but Eric one upped me handily with black diamonds as the solution. I think he's right!

Which reminds me that DARN IT, I forgot to try on the pieces in the black diamond display! Especially as there was a pair of TO DIE FOR black diamond drop earrings. Oh well next time!


AS ALWAYS, impeccable customer service from Erik Carlson (I spelled his name wrong above) who LOVES what he does and is great at it. Plus, he cleaned, checked and polished my rings in the time I was flitting around the store, which is just the icing on a very delectable cake.

 

[Gypsy]

and that first setting... *drool* I don't recall if you had picked out an actual setting for your oec yet... care to remind me if you did?

I have decided on a custom design, I just hope it looks good on my hands. They are very swollen recently because of RA so I was feeling anxious and wanted to see if I could find something locally, the off chance, and Joe Escobar has BY FAR the best selection of every style imaginable (with the exception of Van Craeynest types, which I didn't want for this project anyway).

I really do love the custom design Circe helped me figure out, so I am hoping I'm right and it will work for my hands. Fingers crossed.

The design is in this thread: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wanna-vote-on-possible-settings.166774/page-3']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wanna-vote-on-possible-settings.166774/page-3[/URL]

Do you have an update on your setting??? You know I'm on pins and needles!

 

[movie zombie]

Next I went over to THE COOLEST DISPLAY -- I am not generally a colored diamond girl but Joe Escobar has managed to make what would normally be mutlicolored frozen spit GORGEOUS.

This was my FAVORITE piece, a fact that surprised me, of the day. It's by a designer called Kifani and it is a pink/brown rose cut center set with two yellow/orange rose cut sidestones in a rosegold white diamond halo.

It UNFORTUNELY didn't photograph great, so you will have to take my word for it, but I did download the pics from the website, since they are better than mine and I didn't want you all to think I was smoking crack.

that is one fab ring and my fav of the lot....and it looks GORGEOUS on you! perfect for your skin color!

 

[mitsui4]

WOW, is so lovely~! You have a nice day spent

 

[Gypsy]

For the colored gemstone crowd here is a beautiful heated blue sapphire long oval set in a very nice split shank setting for amazing finger presence. Also pictured is a blue (slightly violet) heated fat oval pendant with a diamond halo. Both were very nice native cuts with no window at all.

Below that is a HUGE lively oPal in a gorgeous bezel with the finest row of milgrain lining the inside edge and really great bright cut pave for the shank. I dislike oPal and it is still couldn't resist taking this one for a test drive.

Sorry guys. I mean OPAL not oval. Confusing as it is an oval opal.

 

[Gypsy]

Next I went over to THE COOLEST DISPLAY -- I am not generally a colored diamond girl but Joe Escobar has managed to make what would normally be mutlicolored frozen spit GORGEOUS.

This was my FAVORITE piece, a fact that surprised me, of the day. It's by a designer called Kifani and it is a pink/brown rose cut center set with two yellow/orange rose cut sidestones in a rosegold white diamond halo.

It UNFORTUNELY didn't photograph great, so you will have to take my word for it, but I did download the pics from the website, since they are better than mine and I didn't want you all to think I was smoking crack.

that is one fab ring and my fav of the lot....and it looks GORGEOUS on you! perfect for your skin color!

MZ I was shocked by how much I loved this piece-- included diamonds, slightly *ahem* nipple shaped, and brownish pink to boot. Doesn't SOUND like it should be so beautiful, but it really was. Plus the proportions were very well done and the pave was beautiful. It was 11K though, so unfortunately considerably out of budget for a RHR for me but I will have a fun time looking back at the pics and seeing in my dreams.

 

[slg47]

wow gypsy, some amazing pieces...thanks for sharing the pics!!

 

[Gypsy]

These next series of pics was a result of me wondering what it was like to be Pheonix. LMAO.

5 carat F round brilliant and ADORED having it's picture taken and some crazy amount of carats CUSTOM bracelet set with a ton of marquise and one pear.

It was fun to pretend to be our Phenix and, yes, it felt a little (in a good way) obscene.

Old McGypsy had some typos and didn't proofread soon enough... and a typo here, and a typo there. Here a typo, there a typo ... everywhere a typo!

In this case the correct word is custom. There are no cushions in the blingtastic bracelet.(I also need to bleach my arms or wax them, damnit).

 

[Gypsy]

wow gypsy, some amazing pieces...thanks for sharing the pics!!

It was like a bling Disneyland with no waiting for the rides so I thought I'd share with my fellow bling addicts!

Mitsui, it was a great time!

 

[Laila619]

Gorgeous pics!!

I'm surprised by how big the 6 x 6 princess looks!

 

[rosetta]

I've fainted. Somebody revive me!

 

[Skippy123]

THOSE PIECES ARE AMAZING When I read about PS'ers going to that jewelry store I had to make a stop there!!! They are the NICEST PEOPLE!!!!! I didn't try on large stones (I wish), I was too shy but I did get to try on a few fun pieces.

thanks for sharing those beauties!!

I think you need those earrings you have in your ears!

 

[yennyfire]

Wow Gypsy! What a fun way to spend an afternoon! I love that you pretended to be Phoenix! There are worse things to imagine!

I too, love the colored diamond ring and am a bit suprised by that! Thanks for sharing all of that gorgeous bling! I love those rose cut diamond earrings too! Just amazing!

 

[SB621]

Gypsy!!!!!!!! It looks like you had so much fun!! I don't suppose you remember the price tag for those Rose Cut pave earrings- they were to die for!

 

[ame]

I died. I seriuosly just died.

I am SHOCKED at how much I love that first setting. But you lost me at the V word. Lol

 

[rubybeth]

So fun! Thanks for sharing, Gypsy. When I've had really bad weeks, my husband has indulged me with a loooong visit at my favorite local jewelry store. I really wish there were a Vatche dealer in my state, because I'd love to see some of the designs up close. I'm glad to hear you say they are beautiful in person, because I'd love one for my eventual upgrade or a RHR someday.

 

[Clairitek]

I recognize every single one of those pieces! I was just there on Saturday with B.E.G and Star Sparkle. Star Sparkle had to drop off her ring to get reshanked.
(her ring is here... one of the most gorgeous antique e-rings I've ever laid eyes on... [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-soon-to-be-lang-antiques-e-ring.166523/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-soon-to-be-lang-antiques-e-ring.166523/[/URL]).

I even found my 5th and final antique stone for my 5-stone ring project! Eric served us as well and he is truly wonderful as his job. Completely understood the bling fetish and is extremely knowledgeable. Sweet, sweet man.

Glad you enjoyed your visit to Joe Escobar! I can't wait to go back and get a quote for my 5-stone setting.

 

[ForteKitty]

That second bracelet made me faint. So did the ring in that same picture. I NEED to visit that store!!!

 

[Phoenix]

These next series of pics was a result of me wondering what it was like to be Pheonix. LMAO.

5 carat F round brilliant and ADORED having it's picture taken and some crazy amount of carats cushion bracelets set with a ton of marquises and one pear.

It was fun to pretend to be our Phenix and, yes, it felt a little (in a good way) obscene.

He he, just saw this. You're too funny, sweetie! But you do know that I don't have a 5ct, right!

I LURVE that big cuff bracelet. It's divine!! Actually, their/ his prices are surprisingly affordable, or at least not as expensive as I'd have thought. Lovely lovely yummy pieces. Thanks for sharing.

 

[swingirl]

Those pieces are all gorgeous! I was just there Monday and am going back on Friday to pick up a resized ring. I love that place and I want to marry Eric! He's my man. Sounds like you had great fun and I am excited to see what you will be doing with your new custom setting! I am in love with OECs and wonder if I had seen those before my asscher...?

 

[pregcurious]

You made me laugh--we know you're not smoking crack. There's something about yellow gold that I'm starting to like again with all the high end YG pieces that have been coming out in the last few years.

Thanks so much for sharing these lovely pieces with us.