Possibly resetting and using inherited ring.

[devientdrow]

I liked #3 the best as well. Maybe you could take that one out for the appraisal and see what they have to say about it. I think all of them look beautiful though, the women in your family have been pretty lucky!

 

[randomName]

My photography probably doesn't do any of them justice and it didn't help that I had to do it sneakily in the bathroom but I liked #3 from the beginning. Possibly because it's in a setting that I would have picked out until I got a feel for my girlfriends tastes or possibly because the cut seems better than the others. All of the stones looked 10x better after being cleaned though. I was so hesitant to use them in the beginning because they honestly didn't look good but now it's really going to be a tough decision.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/22/2007 10:09:56 AM
Author: randomName
My photography probably doesn''t do any of them justice and it didn''t help that I had to do it sneakily in the bathroom but I liked #3 from the beginning. Possibly because it''s in a setting that I would have picked out until I got a feel for my girlfriends tastes or possibly because the cut seems better than the others. All of the stones looked 10x better after being cleaned though. I was so hesitant to use them in the beginning because they honestly didn''t look good but now it''s really going to be a tough decision.

If you''re still taking them all in to be looked at by someone, have them professionally clean them first. I received an heirloom ring from my mom, and thought it looked pretty good after a few hot sudsy baths. After being sent off to a jeweler to be checked out, I could tell they had cleaned it when it came back, it looked even better.

 

[mercoledi]

Lucky you!! What a fun dilemma.

Plese don't pick #2, I love that set, it would be sad to hear of it dismantled!

From the pictures I'd have to agree that 3 looks best, but pictures can be decieving. Are you going to have someone look at them?

Also since your GF knows that you're looking around and is semi-involved, it might be nice to let her pick the stone then set it the new setting you both like best.

 

[Jenn5504]

Not that pictures are a good way to pick.....but stone #3 caught my eye most also.

 

[randomName]

I''m giving Fuller Assoc. a call today to try and set up an appointment to get some basic specs and opinions on the stones. I''m going to ask for approximate CT, dimensions, color, and quality of cut, and an estimation of value. Any other specifics I should be looking at knowing that the stones are already set?

 

[randomName]

Well, no luck with the phone call. I called at 4 and their answering machine said they were closed but listed the hours as 10 to 5 Tu - Friday with appointments on Saturday. I sent them an email instead and will call again tomorrow.

It''s so hard to be sneaky when there''s so much to do!

 

[randomName]

Is it tough to get in touch with Martin?

I called today and yesterday and no one answered, today I didn''t even get the answering machine I just got a voice saying I was being connected to the receptionist. Ten minutes later I was still hearing "you are being connected to the receptionist". I didn''t get a response on my email yet either but I guess with a reputation like theirs I''m sure they''re busy.

 

[ericad]

Oh dear, that antique set (#2) is just stunning as-is, so I secretly hope you don''t choose that one, cuz I think it should be left in that beautiful setting. I think all 4 look lovely and I love the idea of using the inherited diamond and choosing the most fantastic setting she could ever dream of!

 

[ericad]

Here are pics of the Tacori rings you posted about that she liked. HALO HALO HALO! It will make the center stone look positively humongous

 

[ericad]

Next

 

[ericad]

Next

 

[randomName]

Ericad, thanks for putting up those pics. I found this Kirk Kara setting which I actually really like and she LOVES. http://www.kirkkara.com/#section=gallery&productid=6761-R I can't seem to track down a price on it but there's a B&M that carries them about 30 miles from here. I'll have to call and see if they have it. Knowing how much my GF likes pave and antique looking rings she would absolutely pick 2 if she were to pick one.

I've read some mixed reviews on the Tacori settings and have some concerns on the warranty. I couldn't find any policy on the Kirk Kara site but hopefully the White & Ivory place will be able to provide some details.

My next concern is would putting a less than stellar stone in such a nice setting make the stone look even worse? I know we could always upgrade the stone years down the road but... that's year's down the road. If I have to buy the nice diamond now I most likely won't be able to get the settings I've been looking at.

 

[FireGoddess]

I like the idea of showing them all to her and letting her pick. I''d love that if it were me! I would wear #2 as is!!!! I hope that one doesn''t get dismantled either.

 

[ericad]

Oh it''s beautiful! I think that the diamonds you are considering are lovely, but the appraiser will verify some of the stats and will hopefully put your mind at ease. It may not be cut per the strict hardcore super ideal stats (of which I know very little) but don''t get too caught up in that. The diamond has an amazing history and sentimental value and your eyes will tell you if they are pretty or not. Do the stones sparkle and shoot fire? Is the color of the diamond pleasing to your eye? I am an antique diamond nut so to me, the statistics that many people worry about are less important than what my eyes tell me. If your girlfriend is into antique looks, perhaps one of your 4 choices is an OEC/OMC cut (I couldn''t tell from the pics)? Those cuts of stones have a pretty big following and if your GF loves antique styles, she may go nuts for it

On a personal note, when I was shopping for my diamond I had to choose between a 2.09 carat K color OMC with a mildly chipped girdle (no biggie - many antique diamonds are chipped/worn - the sucker''s over a hundred years old, so I cut it some slack but I did factor it into my decision) versus a smaller (1.25-ish) higher color stone of excellent cut for the same price range. It was no contest - give me the warm colored oddly shaped OMC any day, hands down

My point is that to many, there is intrinsic value in a given diamond far more important than stats. Plus, your GF would score a ton of MIL points by wearing a family heirloom - and that can''t hurt

 

[Jenn5504]

Date: 8/23/2007 5:00:45 PM
Author: ericad
Here are pics of the Tacori rings you posted about that she liked. HALO HALO HALO! It will make the center stone look positively humongous

Ooooh, that first Tacori WOULD look amazing with one of those stones!!!!!

 

[ericad]

Upon closer inspection it looks like the ring with green sides may be an OMC as I can see the open culet and perhaps a cushion-like shape? And the one I love, #2 in the individual pics set in the antique set, has the flowery facets of an OEC. Love the idea of letting her choose one to be set into the setting of her dreams, or give her the option of a brand new stone. You should proceed with appraisal though, just to know the general condition of all 4 before you do anything.

 

[iheartscience]

I''m with the others who said you should let her choose which ring she likes the best-I love that idea! And if she wants to go for a modern setting, she can choose the simplest one and reset it. (I think #3?) I personally LOVE the second one. The setting is gorgeous and I love the wedding band, too! I hope you let her choose...because I think she might just choose to keep the second one!

 

[randomName]

So I found the Kirk Kara setting on one store that had a price, the Richter & Phillips Company. http://www.richterphillips.com/ It was $5300

but if I'm saving on the diamond....


Anyone have any advice on getting the best price on a Kirk Kara setting? I've emailed the local authorized retailers asking for information but haven't heard back yet. Do you think they will all charge the same price?


Also...

WE looked at the 4 rings tonight. She loved the one with the wedding band and liked the diamond in the picture under 3rd like I did. I'm still leaning towards resetting the heirloom diamond into a modern setting with a vintage look though. I do think the one with the emeralds is probably an OMC (old mine cut - i had to look this up) but hopefully Martin will be able to shed some light on all of them soon.


Keep the advice coming and thanks to those who have already posted!

 

[DMBsGirl]

I absolutely love that Tacori setting with the halo! The last tacori setting is also gorgeous. If my memory serves me right, didn''t MamaBear have that setting? Try to do a search, she took some amazing pics of her diamond in that setting. I would get the diamonds apprased and based on that and each diamond''s performance I''d make a decision. Personally, she will love what you pick because it''s from you, and you have an idea of what settings she likes so you can''t go wrong. I know for me, I would want to get proposed to with the finished ring so I can start wearing it, and not have to chose a stone and THEN get the ring after the proposal.

 

[risingsun]

I love the second wedding set--just the way it is! I would leave that one intact and choose another diamond. The second set truly looks like an heirloom and should be preserved for someone who will love it for itself

 

[shminbabe]

Date: 8/22/2007 12:19:12 AM
Author: randomName
Individual pic

I too agree that the second ring should be left intact for someone to love as is. The others do lend themselves to a reset. It''s nice to wear a family heirloom in its original setting. I just inherited my grandmother''s wedding ring. The diamond itself is not very good (per the jeweler) but I don''t care. He rhodium-plated the white gold ring and it looks brand new and the ring is so sweet and is probably 80 + years old. I love it! I have another ring that my mother inherited from her mother that she had reset twice, most recently last fall. So when my mom died

recently I inherited that and am wearing it in the 18k yellow gold setting she had just selected but probably in the future I will reset that. For now, it''s comforting to wear it as my mom''s ring. For your g/f, I like the idea that surfgirl proposed (er, no pun intended!): wrapping them all up and letting her choose...the settings you/she likes are lovely and I''m sure you will end up with a cherished treasure in the end. When will all this take place?

jeannie

 

[randomName]

I was able to find a price for this one: http://www.tacori.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SRCH&Product_Code=2565RD9&Category_Code=ENGAGEMENT&Store_Code=TACORI&Search=A&offset=0&filter_cat=4&PowerSearch_Begin_Only=&sort=&range_low=&range_high=%20&srch_srcha=1

$2975

 

[randomName]

I'm going to White & Ivory today in Leesburg to look at some Kirk Kara settings. Hopefully they have a few in stock.

I'm really interested in these two settings right now:

Kirk Kara - 6761
Tacori - 2536RD65

If any of you could sleuth out some places that sell them and a price or any info really that'd be awesome!


I've seen different e-tailers with different prices for the same ring, is that common? How much shopping should I have to do and what's the best plan to get a good deal on one of these settings?

 

[Gypsy]

I love that second Tacori posted... I''ve seen it in person and it''s really delicate and lovely. Had a nice matching band too. But I agree that the halo would make the stone look bigger.