shape
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Ready to buy an E-Ring

floyd13

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 9, 2012
Messages
30
We are shopping for an engagement ring and this site seems to have a wealth of knowledge. The style we want is very traditional solitaire with old european cut round diamond. She tried 'blingy' jewelry but insists on under one carat stone.

The most important thing for us is quality that will last a lifetime. With this kind of diamond it's hard to compare apples to apples. We have received a diamond option from a highly regarded pricescope jeweler. It is graded I color and VS2 clarity. What do you think?

Do you think we're starting at the right place? Is is best to choose the diamond first and then the ring? Appreciate your help and thoughts.

photo2.jpg
 
It looks to be a nice stone. I like the faceting pattern. Can you tell me the depth of the stone?
 
Hard to read the certificate.

Polish Good
Symmetry Good
Fluor None
Table 53%
Depth 43.7
Cutlet Slight Large
Girdle Very thin - medium
 
I am just reading that the highly regarded Pricescope jewelers may not work with an under 1 carat diamond. Is there any size minimum required? She really wants under 1 carat and said she thought half a carat was great.
 
What are the dimensions? Who is the certificate from? And how does she want to set it (that very thin on the girdle is very common with old cuts, but it does come with some setting restrictions).
 
Gypsy|1341889845|3231371 said:
What are the dimensions? Who is the certificate from? And how does she want to set it (that very thin on the girdle is very common with old cuts, but it does come with some setting restrictions).
GIA Diamond Dossier - not taking any chances with an off-brand
Dimensions are 5.97 x 6.08 x 3.84
Carat weight 0.88

Didn't know about the setting restrictions for old cuts! Just reading about the Good Old Gold August Vintage is AGS legit?

Settings at the store don't have old cuts. She definitely does not want a brilliant cut. She reads this forum and likes these setting styles.
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/elegance-18k-white-gold-5415w18
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-leon-mege-engagement-ring.117303/
 
Are you sure about that depth? Are you sure that's not the pavillion angle?
Yes, AGS is very legit.

What is the price they are asking for this stone?

Setting restriction is not on the cut. It's on any stone with a very thin girdle regardless of shape or cut.
 
Gypsy|1341891676|3231401 said:
Are you sure about that depth? Are you sure that's not the pavillion angle?
Yes, AGS is very legit.

What is the price they are asking for this stone?

Setting restriction is not on the cut. It's on any stone with a very thin girdle regardless of shape or cut.

The depth could be a number other than 42.5, I'm really not sure because I can't read the blurry certificate. I would have no chance to spot inclusions! The numbers are written in the diagram across the table and in the vertical depth area. Price is $4k.

I have been warned against non-GIA but the lifetime policy makes me consider the store. http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8839/ What about this?
 
If that is the depth it is very shallow but I suspect Gypsy is correct. Can you get a better copy or call
the jeweler and get the right depth?

It is common for old stones to have thin girdles that need protecting but not all old stones do.
 
tyty333|1341892809|3231411 said:
If that is the depth it is very shallow but I suspect Gypsy is correct. Can you get a better copy or call
the jeweler and get the right depth?

It is common for old stones to have thin girdles that need protecting but not all old stones do.

I'll get the depth number confirmed - glad you know what to look for. Would the setting suggestions be ok with this stone or any old stone? Do you think the settings would suit an old cut?
 
floyd13|1341892262|3231405 said:
Gypsy|1341891676|3231401 said:
Are you sure about that depth? Are you sure that's not the pavillion angle?
Yes, AGS is very legit.

What is the price they are asking for this stone?

Setting restriction is not on the cut. It's on any stone with a very thin girdle regardless of shape or cut.

The depth could be a number other than 42.5, I'm really not sure because I can't read the blurry certificate. I would have no chance to spot inclusions! The numbers are written in the diagram across the table and in the vertical depth area. Price is $4k.

I have been warned against non-GIA but the lifetime policy makes me consider the store. http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8839/ What about this?

That is a lovely stone. AGS CERT is on par with GIA. Better in some aspects. No worries there.

Also, many old stones are graded by EGL. This is common. I would not eliminate an old cut because it is not GIA. You just have to
take into consideration that the COLOR/CLARITY might not be as high as stated. There are so many variables with old stones. Its not
like comparing round brilliants.
 
That's a beautiful setting but I personally wouldn't put an old stone in it. Not any stone with a very thin girdle unless the gemologist
said if was a very tiny area and said it would be ok. That setting looks more modern to me which in my mind doesn't go with an old
stone but what I think doesn't really matter if you love it.
 
That dimensions of the stone are 6x6 (about). Which is on par with a well cut round diamond of 88 points with a table in the 50's and a depth around 60. There's no way that the depth on that stone is in the 40's with that spread. Which is a GOOD thing in this case. If the depth had been in the 40's there would have been something wrong with that stone, in all likelihood. As it is, from the picture, the faceting is gorgeous the measurements are right where they should be and the stone is a GIA graded I (hard to find in True Vintage).

The girdle is a 300 fix at maximum. Brian Gavin, who you are looking at for the setting, has rehabbed 3 European Cut stones for me to date for girdle issues, and one for a good friend of mine. Each project has been successful beyond my expectations. The only thing it takes is time because it needs to be sent to Antwerp for the work so it takes 3 weeks about. You can send the stone to them, and by within a month they would have the complete ring for you.

Personally I would prefer a 6mm stone to a 5mm stone from GOG. It's a BIG difference. It has nothing to do with AGS or GIA and everything to do with how much difference a full milometer makes in stones of this size. HOWEVER, with the GOG stone you would have NO girdle issues and could set it however you want.

At 4000 for the stone, I would ask the vendor if they would give you a price break to help you fund the girdle rehab and send it to BGD and call it a day. I think the stone you are looking at is a very lovely one.

You other option is to see if she might consider a bezel setting like either of the two below. In which case no rehab will be needed for the stone.

64017_350673388311158_100001054981028_1060933_594395103_n.jpg

957918233_d2ocd-m.jpg

957918192_2rizz-s.jpg

957918186_bgess-m.jpg
 
Thank you Tyty and Gypsy this is so useful with such an important decision. The quality of the piece is the most important factor for us above price and diamond size.

I have contacted two pricescope vendors to find a diamond. Thought it would be safe to assumed they'd only recommend stones suitable for the ring style we're interested in. I know she would prefer the traditional prong or cathedral prong setting over bezel. She will look great in any size diamond.
 
I just wanted to chime in and say that bezel setting Gypsy posted is SO beautiful it brought tears to my eyes!!!!!!!!!!
 
Agree - Gypsy has incredible taste, both those bezels are amazing and thank you for making the effort to find the OEC style. I think the bezel really suits the old cut too. The second one with the detail underneath is incredible - is it from a Pricescope vendor?

For her e-ring I always pictured a classic prong style and that's what we've talked about. The prongs help the diamond appear smaller too which is what she likes. I haven't heard back from the first jeweler about the stone depth - seems like my timing is poor with a few Pricescope vendors on summer vacation.
 
Today I got a second diamond recommended, I love this one. This time I can read the GIA report fine print. The price is a bit less than the other stone but not enough to influence the decision. I don't have a photo yet.

0.71 carat 5.71 - 5.76 x 3.40
F
VS2
Good polish and symmetry
No fluoro
Table 53%
Depth 59.3%
Large cutlet
Extremely thin - medium girdle (jeweler will determine suitability to set)

Regarding the other stone (0.88 I VS2) I realised I can easily calculate the depth myself just by dividing the depth by width measurements so it's depth is about 63% (duh).

High marks to two pricescope vendors for outstanding service so far. I feel more confident choosing vendors whose work is all over the boards.
 
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