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New here! Lots of questions! (Canadian Diamonds, Different Cuts, and Tension Settings!) HELP!

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StarSpun

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Oct 17, 2006
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Hello everyone!

I''m new here *waves*
Been lurking for a few days....learning everything I could, but that doesn''t mean I still can''t be confused
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I''ve been researching hour upon hour. Last night, I dreamed all night about DIAMONDS and rings....what a nightmare! HaHa!
Bryan and I have been planning on getting married for quite some time, and recently decided to do it much earliar than planned.
This means, we need to find the perfect diamond/ring that can hopefully be available in the next 2 months or so, since our date is this coming April!
6.gif


After much research and thought, we want to go with a Canadian diamond, for more reasons than one. I''ve been emailing every Canadian Diamond seller I can find, trying to find my perfect stone.
If anyone has more ideas of where I can order, that would be great!

I''m looking for:
-Canadian Diamond, preferably with an AGS cert as well
-0.60 to 0.80ct or so, and the more on the larger end, the better. (but under 0.90ct)
-Color D, Clarity F or IF if no external blemishes
-table between 58 -62%
-depth between 59 - 62%
-A thin girdle but thick enough to do the tension setting method

Those are the basics. I have a few questions....

I''ve been reading about the different cuts, and there are so many! Can someone explain this to me? I don''t think I understand which is suppossed to be the ''best'' if there even IS such a thing....
Ideal, Hearts and Arrows, Hearts on Fire, Eighternity, Antwarp cut/perfect cut etc? Which is the best, or your favorite?
If you can post a picture with your answer, even better!


Another question is about the tension setting. I''ve attached the file of the setting I want....
I''ve heard from one jeweller in Antwarp that despite what people say, this is a dangerous thing to do, and it''s a very high chance the stone will be lost. He also said that jewellers will only say it''s safe because they want to be able to sell you a second diamond. But as far as I can tell, doesn''t a company like Steven Kretchmer accept diamonds from elsewhere, so that would not be a motive?

Also, with this design, I''d be interested in getting two small (TINY) stones put on either end on the outside. Does anyone have experience with Steven Kretchmer in doing something custom work like this? Would also be interested in getting something engraved on the ring as well....any experiences with that on a tension ring?

Then there is the debate with titanium vs. platinum for this kind of setting. I know titanium is supposed to be lighter....is it stronger? Do they both have a different finish? (Is one shinier?) Does one last longer?

And one last question. Concerning a wedding band for this type of setting, I''ll have to get it custom! Does anyone know of a place that will do this?

Thanks so much for reading....and thanks in advance. Any help would be soooo appreciated....we''re falling short of time!


~cAt*

catsring.jpg
 
Date: 10/20/2006 1:21:51 PM
Author:StarSpun
Hello everyone!

I'm new here *waves*
hey starspun
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welcome to ps!


Date: 10/20/2006 1:21:51 PM
Author:StarSpun

Been lurking for a few days....learning everything I could, but that doesn't mean I still can't be confused
9.gif
i've been here for 2years and i'm still confused!
37.gif
9.gif

it happens.


Date: 10/20/2006 1:21:51 PM
Author:StarSpun

I've been researching hour upon hour. Last night, I dreamed all night about DIAMONDS and rings....what a nightmare! HaHa!
Bryan and I have been planning on getting married for quite some time, and recently decided to do it much earliar than planned.
aaaahhhh.....diamond dreams!
30.gif


congratulations on the upcoming marriage!


Date: 10/20/2006 1:21:51 PM
Author:StarSpun

This means, we need to find the perfect diamond/ring that can hopefully be available in the next 2 months or so, since our date is this coming April!
6.gif
we better get chopping then!
26.gif



Date: 10/20/2006 1:21:51 PM
Author:StarSpun

After much research and thought, we want to go with a Canadian diamond, for more reasons than one. I've been emailing every Canadian Diamond seller I can find, trying to find my perfect stone.
If anyone has more ideas of where I can order, that would be great!
www.craftedbyinfinity.com has canadamark diamonds.


Date: 10/20/2006 1:21:51 PM
Author:StarSpun

I'm looking for:
-Canadian Diamond, preferably with an AGS cert as well
-0.60 to 0.80ct or so, and the more on the larger end, the better. (but under 0.90ct)
-Color D, Clarity F or IF if no external blemishes
-table between 58 -62%
-depth between 59 - 62%
-A thin girdle but thick enough to do the tension setting method
besides searching the infinity site, you can do a 'pricescope your diamond' search at the top of this page


Date: 10/20/2006 1:21:51 PM
Author:StarSpun

I've been reading about the different cuts, and there are so many! Can someone explain this to me? I don't think I understand which is suppossed to be the 'best' if there even IS such a thing....
Ideal, Hearts and Arrows, Hearts on Fire, Eighternity, Antwarp cut/perfect cut etc? Which is the best, or your favorite?
If you can post a picture with your answer, even better!
the 'best' is what looks best to you!
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a sparkly, well performing diamond comes from a *great* cut.
'ideal' is a term that is used widely in the diamond industry and doesn't have a specific and standardized meaning. this results in diamonds of various cuts all being labled as the same thing, when they may be very different in looks and performance. take the term 'ideal' with a grain of salt until you can determine exactly what it means for each stone.
heats and arrows (h&a) refers to the unique optical symmetry achieved by the particular facet arrangement of some diamonds. many, myself included, prefer the organized symmetry produced with such a cut. h&a is not a brand, but many brands happen to show this optical symmetry. hearts on fire (hof) and eighternity are two brands of h&a. like anything else, the branded stones are priced higher than unbranded h&a cuts. some people feel safer with the brand recognition, others find there is great value in unbranded diamonds of the same or higher quality. it's a personal preference.
my personal favorites are any well cut h&a diamonds. i have purchased all of my diamonds from www.whiteflash.com they sell their own brand of h&a which is known as 'a cut above' (aca) as well as non branded h&a's.
here's my picture for my answer
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my3stonewprong.JPG



Date: 10/20/2006 1:21:51 PM
Author:StarSpun

Another question is about the tension setting. I've attached the file of the setting I want....
I've heard from one jeweller in Antwarp that despite what people say, this is a dangerous thing to do, and it's a very high chance the stone will be lost. He also said that jewellers will only say it's safe because they want to be able to sell you a second diamond. But as far as I can tell, doesn't a company like Steven Kretchmer accept diamonds from elsewhere, so that would not be a motive?
all diamonds are at risk of being lost. that's what insurance is for. i truly do not know what the statistics of losses due to specific settings are but reputable jewlers that make tension settings would not still be in business if diamonds kept falling out.
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Date: 10/20/2006 1:21:51 PM
Author:StarSpun

Also, with this design, I'd be interested in getting two small (TINY) stones put on either end on the outside. Does anyone have experience with Steven Kretchmer in doing something custom work like this? Would also be interested in getting something engraved on the ring as well....any experiences with that on a tension ring?
i know it can be done https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/allergy-ordeal-grinds-to-halt-with-lovely-ending-pics.51648/
you can inquire with stephen kretchmer's company or any other to find out if the engraving can be done. i don't see why it couldn't.

Date: 10/20/2006 1:21:51 PM
Author:StarSpun

Then there is the debate with titanium vs. platinum for this kind of setting. I know titanium is supposed to be lighter....is it stronger? Do they both have a different finish? (Is one shinier?) Does one last longer?
i will leave this up to the tension experts. i don't have any personal experience with tension rings whatsoever.


Date: 10/20/2006 1:21:51 PM
Author:StarSpun

And one last question. Concerning a wedding band for this type of setting, I'll have to get it custom! Does anyone know of a place that will do this?
any competent jeweler can make a custom setting. i would inquire when you purchase the ring.


best of luck to you!! let us know how everything works out!
 
Belle: Off topic and crazy, but about a year ago, I went crazy looking for a pic of your rings because I was so intrested in knowing what a person who knows SO much about diamonds has for herself. I searched posts and posts (and you have alot) in any case, if that is your ring, it''s beautiful. I should have just asked and saved myself the hours.

Starspun: Well I think the setting you picked is beautiful, and unique. In terms of custom work, you need to inquire with the vendor, personally I would stick with someone that has done a lot of tension-type settings, just because I feel that they are a little harder to execute then more standard settings. Welcome to PS by the way.
 
Starspun, congratulations, how exciting!

Lots to do in the coming months... I looked into tension settings a lot. It is not risky, any more than teensy tiny prongs holding your stone in. Definitely go to only a well-known tension manufacturer, Kretchmer, Gelin & Abaci, and also Niessing are 3 I know of, I don''t know the Ti companies. (try www.niessing.com - they have some amazing designs. If you like them I know a great jeweler you can work with). Titanium has enough natural ''springiness'' for want of a better word to hold the stone in. Platinum and other metals have to worked on or treated in some way if used in a tension setting. Platinum is heavier (and more expensive) than titanuim. I don''t know about the finishes on them. I am pretty sure engraving is fine (get it done by the manufacturer)

All these companies take your diamond to be set so I don''t know what that person in Antwerp was going on about. It generally has to be SI1 or higher, but sounds not an issue as you''re looking at F, IF.

Ummm.... get insurance any way and you''re good to go!

Good luck and keep us updated!

a
 

Just some thoughts.


I also like the high clarity and color stones.


I am getting a .82 E VVS1 tomorrow from Whiteflash.



I had to trade up 3 times to find this stone.


What you are looking for may be challenging to find.


There are not many D IF stones.


Next cutters and sellers like to cut to the 1.0 carat weight, and it makes it hard to find stones near .9 carat.


Next if you are like me and insist on the best cut it narrows your choices.


Next it has to be Canadian.


Next you are in a hurry.



You may have to compromise some one or more of your requirements.



I went with a platinum tension setting from Gelin Abaci.


I am very happy with it.


When the stone pops out I just push it back in.


Just kidding – actually there is more metal protecting the stone in a tension setting than with prongs.



They can give you whatever finish you want.


Here’s my baby:


tr005x1.jpg



onfinger.jpg

 
Date: 10/20/2006 3:01:38 PM
Author: allycat0303

Belle: Off topic and crazy, but about a year ago, I went crazy looking for a pic of your rings because I was so intrested in knowing what a person who knows SO much about diamonds has for herself. I searched posts and posts (and you have alot) in any case, if that is your ring, it''s beautiful. I should have just asked and saved myself the hours.
you crazeee girl! you should have asked! as you found, i have been totally remiss and there is no thread. i just need to get my butt in gear and get more pics and then i will get the much needed thread posted. i am hoping for sooner rather than later.
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thank you very much for the compliment on my ring, it''s nice to know that other people like it as much as i do!
1.gif
 
Date: 10/20/2006 7:47:16 PM
Author: belle

Date: 10/20/2006 3:01:38 PM
Author: allycat0303

Belle: Off topic and crazy, but about a year ago, I went crazy looking for a pic of your rings because I was so intrested in knowing what a person who knows SO much about diamonds has for herself. I searched posts and posts (and you have alot) in any case, if that is your ring, it''s beautiful. I should have just asked and saved myself the hours.
you crazeee girl! you should have asked! as you found, i have been totally remiss and there is no thread. i just need to get my butt in gear and get more pics and then i will get the much needed thread posted. i am hoping for sooner rather than later.
2.gif

thank you very much for the compliment on my ring, it''s nice to know that other people like it as much as i do!
1.gif
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Hi Belle!

Thank you for your response and kind words!
I''ve emailed Crafted By Infinity, and a few others as well, thank you for suggestion!
I didn''t even know there was a search for diamond area on the site....thank you again!


Now I understand the whole hearts & arrows thing....I had no idea what was a cut and what was a brand....LOL
The ring you have is GORGEOUS!
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I''m drooling!
It looks so 3D and sparkly, I am so jealous:D

Anyhoo, thanks for the reply....I''ve been emailing people like mad....now looking at Gelin Abaci....might go with them!

:-)

~cAt*
 
Thank you everyone for replying....it has helped so much!
Kenny, your ring is so pretty, I do love that setting too. The diamond looks soooo good like that!


Off to do more research:D ARG!
 
Date: 10/20/2006 7:47:16 PM
Author: belle
Date: 10/20/2006 3:01:38 PM

Author: allycat0303


Belle: Off topic and crazy, but about a year ago, I went crazy looking for a pic of your rings because I was so intrested in knowing what a person who knows SO much about diamonds has for herself. I searched posts and posts (and you have alot) in any case, if that is your ring, it''s beautiful. I should have just asked and saved myself the hours.
you crazeee girl! you should have asked! as you found, i have been totally remiss and there is no thread. i just need to get my butt in gear and get more pics and then i will get the much needed thread posted. i am hoping for sooner rather than later.
2.gif


thank you very much for the compliment on my ring, it''s nice to know that other people like it as much as i do!
1.gif
Sorry, a little off-topic again.... but Belle can you please start a thread on your ring? I''m considering 3-stone and I''d love to know the specs on your stones cos the proportions look just sweet to me!

a
 
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