Radiant Cut Stone with Tycoon Semi-Mount..Lots of Questions

[harmon]

I am working on a new ring. I found a beautiful semi-mount that is made by tycoon. From what I understand usually you can''t buy their mounts without the tycoon cut diamond in the center, but this one was for sale with no tycoon cut center. Anyway, when I was in the store I loved the semi-mount, but now I want to see it again and I can''t find any pictures. It is a split-shank pave platinum (also comes in 18K yg) with a square halo and detail work around the head/basket. I''m very new to this so I don''t know if this is the right terminology. Has anyone seen anything like this? Does the tycoon company do nice work? The price seemed really great, that''s why I''m interested in this particular mount as opposed to some of the other pave settings that I love (Michael B, Daniel K, etc)

Also, I am strongly considering a radiant cut for the center stone. Size around 1.5 carats. I don''t feel confident in picking a good radiant stone. What''s the most important thing to look for with radiants. One jeweler told me there were no clear cut standards for radiants regarding proper cut. I feel confident to pick out a quality round, but need some advice on radiant. What would you think if a jeweler told you the stone was SI1 J but it faced like an H. What does this mean? Also are radiants a good chioce. I love them when I see them in stores, but I''ve never seen one in a ring in real life? Any thoughts? I just don''t want to go wrong. Would love advice! Thanks.

 

[coda72]

I can''t help you with the tycoon semi-mount, having no knowledge of this company. As far as radiants go, your jeweler was correct in that there are no standards for radiants. The originators of the cut, Original Radiant Cut diamonds seem to have some of the best examples of this cut. If you''ve never seen a radiant in real like you might want to take a look at an Original Radiant. Go to radiantcut.com to see if there''s a store in your area that sells these. If not, go into a store and look at some radiants. They might have some good examples of them. Radiants are best judged in person anyway. But if you are buying online, I like both the depth and table to be in the low to mid sixties. Radiants like this seem to be difficult to find sometimes.

If a jeweler told me a J faced up like an H in a radiant cut, I wouldn''t believe him or her. I personally think radiants show more color than a well-cut round, and I wouldn''t purchase an H colored radiant, let alone a J one. If you''re color sensitive, look for a G or higher color. Clarity isn''t as critical. I''ve seen some eyeclean SI2''s. The crushed ice look of radiants seems to hide inclusions better sometimes. But as with everything else, this also needs to be judged in person.

Here''s a couple of radiants I found on a search that looked good to me. The first one is a square, the second is rectangular. I didn''t know which you preferred.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2094/

http://www.abazias.com/database/NewDiamondInfo.asp?stock=31375087&flag=ps

 

[Gypsy]

Is there a reason you can't just go to the store and look at it there? If you love it, and you can get it without the diamond I'd just go for it and buy it-- then go from there. If you love the look of radiants then you should definitely get one. It's love'm or hate'm with radiants because they have such a distinctive look-- very subjective so I don't think anyone can advise you on whether or not you should get one because well, you're the one who is going to be wearing it and you have to love it.

 

[harmon]

Thanks for your responses.


Coda-There are no places close to here that sell the original radiant cut. I have tried to track one down. The radiants I looked at were beautiful. Very sparkly and they were from a reputable jeweler who we have worked with before. ( NOt the one who told me a J would face like and H). Thanks for the links. THat gives me a good comparison. I really like the look of rectagular ones best-that is what i looked at in person. Any thoughts on the difference between rec. vs. square? Any advantages of one over the other?


Gypsy-The reason I can''t go look at it again, is because we live about 2 hours from the jeweler. I will be able to go soon. just not immediately, and I can''t get that setting out of my mind, so I wanted to have a picture of it to obsess over! Does that make sense? I do think you''re right about buying it and going from there. I think I''m going to get it as soon as I can get my husband to take off and go with me!

 

[coda72]

Date: 7/24/2006 11:22:25 AM
Author: harmon
Thanks for your responses.

I really like the look of rectagular ones best-that is what i looked at in person. Any thoughts on the difference between rec. vs. square? Any advantages of one over the other?

There''s no real advantage of a square one over a rectangular one. The only difference may be that the rectangular appears larger for the same carat weight. It''s all a matter of preference. Some people prefer square stones; some people prefer rectangular ones.