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My GOG experience (and musings on DSS)

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divergrrl

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Dec 9, 2002
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for those of you who know me, I''ve been on PS since 2002 when I first was looking to reset my diamond.

My hubby bought my stone from a back alley broker, and I had a whole host of problems surrounding how I felt about it. (steep & deep, was chipped during original setting, etc etc )

I forget which PSer has the signature about it being harder to find a Mind Clean stone, but that could not have been truer for me. My OLD stone was not mind clean. It bothered me every time I looked at it. I reset it 3 times to try and find a way to live with it.

Finally it rests in the current halo setting, the halo''s intent to distract me from what I did not like about the diamond. (and also to amp up the size, since husband was adamant that I never upgrade for sentimental purposes)

In November, I noticed my stone was badly chipped/gouged. As it is insured, I was able to get a replacement.

I pondered the possibility of upgrading the size of my stone, possibly going to a round brilliant and a new setting, but I''d have to spend thousands I don''t feel right spending right now to get the size, etc. I''d want.

And to be honest, I really like my setting.

So, in a financially responsible moment, I decided to just replace my stone and not spend any extra right now.

My only caveat is that it had to be a preferred PS vendor and have an upgrade policy in case I decide in a few years to upgrade. (having options is a lovely thing)

Enter Good Old Gold.

I contacted Charlie & gave him the rundown, and Stone Cold on PS had found a stone for me that fit my setting and budget.

Charlie''s excitement over the cut quality of the stone was enough for me.

The stone I received is such an obvious improvement over my old stone, that I''m just blown away by it every time I look at it.

The F color really makes a difference to me (my old was was an I) and the cut is on fire. I can''t see the SI1 inclusions with my naked eye, (I could see my SI2 plain as day in my old stone) and I get a ton of compliments on it.

I did go down in carat weight, from 1.11 to 1.02, but you could never tell, because my old stone was all depth. This stone faces up exactly the same size. It''s simply cut better.

Dealing with Good Old Gold was as easy as can be. I sent them my old setting and they took out the old stone, sent it to my insurance company, reset the new stone into my bezel set halo, polished up my ring BEAUTIFULLY and got it back to me in a timely manner. Actually, rather quick once the insurance company cut them the check.

I used to have severe DSS (diamond shrinkage sydrome) and I was wondering when it would set in with the new ring.

Funny thing though, it''s been a month and I''m still not feeling the DSS. Could it be quality trumps size for me? Could it be having a "mind clean" stone was all I needed to scratch that diamond itch?

I am so happy with my stone. Having an Ideal Light Performance Princess cut from GOG is a special thing indeed. I don''t feel any buyer''s remorse over opting not to upgrade in addition to the insurance settlement. (I''m sure my hubby appreciates me not spending any money right now too-LOL)

Perhaps someday I will tire of my halo setting and choose to upgrade, but I honestly don''t forsee that in the near future. My stone is so beautiful, and it makes me smile to look at it. I enjoy all the compliments I get on it, and I love telling my admirers here on the West Coast that its a Long Island rock...:-)

Many Thanks to Charlie and Darren at Good Old Gold for taking the time to work with me, and for their careful resetting of my stone into my ring. (Was that Marie? Thank you too!)

I will definitely use them if I need anything in the future.

(note: my avatar is my old stone in current setting, I need to update the picture)
 
I am so happy to hear you are thrilled with your new diamond! Now get us a picture with the new stone?
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yay Diver! Can''t wait to see pics!!!
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Congratulations diver on finding a stone that you love!! That makes all the difference doesn''t it?
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Yes it does Catmom.

The lesson I take away from all this is cut, cut, cut.

Cut can make all the difference in the appearance of size, clarity, and color. I''ve seen some well cut J''s (Mara''s absolutely gorgeous stone, I got to try that baby on in person!) that were very white looking, and a well cut stone faces up nicely and sparkles like crazy.

I also used to feel that a 1 carat stone was "small". Now I realize, a 1 carat stone is special, its big, and I''m damn lucky to be able to have one.

I just really feel that in the whole scope of the 4 C''s, the place to start (and end) is cut quality. The other aspects are negotiable to me. (I don''t mind inclusions if I can''t see them, color is negotiable as long as I can''t see warmth) but the cut, well, that is what makes or breaks the stone in my opinion.
 
I have had a similar experience with DSS. I always wanted bigger bigger bigger but when I recenly went up to a G color from my previous K, I am totally happy with the size I have. Funny.
 
Amen Divergrll to cut, cut, cut!

Dreamer, So glad that you are happy with your new stone and the "freckles" don''t bother you!
 
Sounds great. I, too, prefer color and cut to size. Glad you are happy with the new stone, and GOG is indeed awesome.

Looking forward to more pictures.
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Great review of your experience with GOG. I am so pleased you are happy with your new diamond.. and you have the option to upgrade later on if you want to. It sounds to me like you won''t want to change it.. but you never know!
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Maisie: Ha! Never say never...hee hee. But seriously, I love my setting. It suits my style and taste perfectly, its chunky and delicate at the same time, vintage and modern at the same time...I get so many compliments on it, which I never tire of.

But if I tire of the halo (I am a PS freak you know) I''ll just pop a colored gemstone into this setting and trade up with Good Old Gold.

However, its nice to know that I don''t have to do that either. I LOVE having quality on my hand. Feels so good.

Another bonus on good cut? I haven''t cleaned it (I know! Blasphemy) since I got it a month ago and its still not "dirty" looking.

Now that''s a sign of something fabulous if you ask me. My old stone would get all dark & yellow if it didn''t hit the ultrasonic 2 or 3 times a week.
 
Date: 1/12/2010 4:38:19 PM
Author: Bella_mezzo
Amen Divergrll to cut, cut, cut!

Dreamer, So glad that you are happy with your new stone and the ''freckles'' don''t bother you!
Well, I didn''t say that
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, just that I am totally happy with the size.
 
It''s so great to hear that you''re completely happy after so many years
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Your ring is beautiful.






Your observations on the dreaded DSS are interesting, too. A stone with fantastic light performance probably looks a little bigger - could that also be contributing? Or maybe DSS is sometimes just an expression of lack of mind-cleanliness in other aspects.. Either way you sound totally thrilled
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diver, your ring looks fantastic with your new stone. I''m so glad the process went so smoothly. I haven''t had the chance to work with GOG yet but hope to at some point in the future. Jon has always been so helpful and quick to reply to emails when I''ve contacted him from time to time.
 
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