Size OR cut/quality???Advice??

[arjunajane]

Hey everyone,
Urgently in need of some input here...
I''ve got my heart set on the PoH from GOG at the moment, however I''m having a dilemma deciding whether to go with a 0.5 with G colour and good clarity, or go bigger (bout 0.8-0.9ish), and then go down a couple levels in colour and clarity (like a J, SI1 or 2). Personally, I''m not a "bigger is better" type of gal, and from the pics of PS''s with I and J stones, I think i actually prefer them a lil over the D-H colours..so if i was getting a solitaire, that would probably answer my own question.
However, all the settings I''m going for are a little more detailed, I absolutely Love the signature A Jaffe stuff, and may have something custom made, simliar to below:
(obviously with some changes, to accomodate the square stone).

So what do you guys think? will half ct not cut it in such a ring? Can i get away with 0.75 or so, or do I need to head up to the 8''s and 9''s ?
Thanks!

 

[Ellen]

I think with a setting of that nature, I''d go as large as possible. Love the POH btw.

 

[Lynn B]

Personally (but I am a shameless SIZE girl!

) I would get as BIG a stone as possible, dropping color and clarity to get there (but never compromise on cut!) DSS sets in really quick... and honestly, I am not sure that anyone here on PS has ever said, "Gosh, I wish my stone was smaller..." but we sure get a lot of Upgraders!!!

I have a beautiful AGS-0 2.36 J/SI2 that is blazingly white and completely eyeclean. But it's a RB; I'm not sure about a PoH. I love the slight *warmth* of a lower colored stone, but I wouldn't want any tint of *yellow*, however small. So I don't know how *looooow you can go* with a PoH. Regarding clarity, thankfully I don't have too much of an issue with "mind clean", as long as I cannot see it with my naked eye (even up very clooooose!), it ain't there!

I do have every confidence that you can count on (and trust) Jon's eyes at GOG. I would say that you could tell him that you want a killer stone, totally eyeclean, no yellow at all, with as much ***SIZE*** as the budget allows... and he will fix you right up.

Have fun and keep us posted!

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 1/26/2008 8:05:34 AM
Author: Lynn B
Personally (but I am a shameless SIZE girl!

) I would get as BIG a stone as possible, dropping color and clarity to get there (but never compromise on cut!) DSS sets in really quick... and honestly, I am not sure that anyone here on PS has ever said, ''Gosh, I wish my stone was smaller...'' but we sure get a lot of Upgraders!!!

I have a beautiful AGS-0 2.36 J/SI2 that is blazingly white and completely eyeclean. But it''s a RB; I''m not sure about a PoH. I love the slight *warmth* of a lower colored stone, but I wouldn''t want any tint of *yellow*, however small. So I don''t know how *looooow you can go* with a PoH. Regarding clarity, thankfully I don''t have too much of an issue with ''mind clean'', as long as I cannot see it with my naked eye (even up very clooooose!), it ain''t there!

I do have every confidence that you can count on (and trust) Jon''s eyes at GOG. I would say that you could tell him that you want a killer stone, totally eyeclean, no yellow at all, with as much ***SIZE*** as the budget allows... and he will fix you right up.

Have fun and keep us posted!

Thankyou, Ellen and Lynn both for your opinions..I think thats probably sealed it, as I was leaning towards bigger..(while trying not to bust the budget!).
Lynn, I totally agree with you on the warmer colour without any yellow, and I used to be stuck at not wanting to go lower than VS2, but since seeing so many PS''s great stones in SI2 that look totally great, I''m not that fazed by "mindclean"anymore.
Just with the setting, any more thoughts? And you can be as honest as you like! the reason i ask is i''m so indecisive, i''m torn between so many different styles.
here is another style I''m loving, by Eddie Sakamoto - my concern with this style though (and with a bigger stone), is I have pretty small hands and short fingers - I can''t remember my exact ring size, but I''m pretty sure its 3-4. Will these styles and a 1ct look "overdone" do you think?

Also, last Q I promise, what size stone do you think would be Minimum to have diamond prongs ?(a la Tierhog''s ring - sorry, don;t have link, but will post photo below). I was thinking these would be a smart lookinh way to disguise any inclusions?
Thanku again for ur thoughts, keep em coming!

 

[arjunajane]

Here''s that pic of the ring Tierhog got-I adore it-Royal asscher and that setting is perfect!
But on my tip, what about the diamond prongs? overkill? will they swamp a 0.75-0.85 ish stone.
Oh, and with re to jonathan at GOG - he''s a total Champ! I''m actually posting from Australia, and he''s already been so helpful - infact i''m waiting for a call from him tonight to discuss my options! (I say tonight but its like yesterday morning there, such a trip!)

 

[Ellen]

Well I''m far from a setting expert, but my own opinion is, I''d go with the first setting with such small fingers. I think the second may overwhelm it.

As for the prongs, I''ll definitely leave that to them. I haven''t seen any setting with different size stones and diamond prongs in real life to say. I''d just be guessing there.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 1/26/2008 8:51:55 AM
Author: Ellen
Well I''m far from a setting expert, but my own opinion is, I''d go with the first setting with such small fingers. I think the second may overwhelm it.

As for the prongs, I''ll definitely leave that to them. I haven''t seen any setting with different size stones and diamond prongs in real life to say. I''d just be guessing there.

Thankyou gain for ur posts ellen!
I hope some others chime in!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/26/2008 9:55:16 AM
Author: arjunajane

Thankyou gain for ur posts ellen!
I hope some others chime in!

I''m sure they will, but it gets kinda slow on the weekends, so be patient.

And you''re welcome!

 

[mrssalvo]

I have small hands, I wear a 3.5. I honestly think the first setting you posted with the larger POH would be the direction I''d go.

 

[Jenn5504]

Date: 1/26/2008 8:04:21 AM
Author: Ellen
I think with a setting of that nature, I''d go as large as possible. Love the POH btw.

Ditto!

I should add, I very much AM a bigger is better as long as CUT is not compromised. Best cut, lower color/clarity= WIN WIN for me! If you have already liked the look of H-I-J stones you''ve seen, then I think you''ll be happier going with bigger, just don''t take anything than the BEST cut.

 

[bee*]

Date: 1/26/2008 12:13:57 PM
Author: Jenn5504

Date: 1/26/2008 8:04:21 AM

Author: Ellen

I think with a setting of that nature, I''d go as large as possible. Love the POH btw.

Ditto!


I should add, I very much AM a bigger is better as long as CUT is not compromised. Best cut, lower color/clarity= WIN WIN for me! If you have already liked the look of H-I-J stones you''ve seen, then I think you''ll be happier going with bigger, just don''t take anything than the BEST cut.

totally agree with this.

 

[bem3231]

Date: 1/26/2008 8:05:34 AM
Author: Lynn B
Personally (but I am a shameless SIZE girl!

) I would get as BIG a stone as possible, dropping color and clarity to get there (but never compromise on cut!) DSS sets in really quick... and honestly, I am not sure that anyone here on PS has ever said, ''Gosh, I wish my stone was smaller...'' but we sure get a lot of Upgraders!!!


I have a beautiful AGS-0 2.36 J/SI2 that is blazingly white and completely eyeclean. But it''s a RB; I''m not sure about a PoH. I love the slight *warmth* of a lower colored stone, but I wouldn''t want any tint of *yellow*, however small. So I don''t know how *looooow you can go* with a PoH. Regarding clarity, thankfully I don''t have too much of an issue with ''mind clean'', as long as I cannot see it with my naked eye (even up very clooooose!), it ain''t there!

I do have every confidence that you can count on (and trust) Jon''s eyes at GOG. I would say that you could tell him that you want a killer stone, totally eyeclean, no yellow at all, with as much ***SIZE*** as the budget allows... and he will fix you right up.

Have fun and keep us posted!

Totally! Any stone that Jon sells you will be great, so if you''re happy to go down a bit on color and clarity, max out on the size.

 

[arjunajane]

Hey Salvo, Jen, Bee and Bem (think i got that right0..thanku all for your opinion - i think that settles it then bigger definately
is better!

And I am definately leaning toward the first Jaffe setting - just any opinions though, ven if I do a "white" J for example, to put that yellow gold and yellow diamond halo around it, will this bring out any "bad" or yellow colour in my centre stone? I asked Marie at GOG, but she said she doesn''t know as they''ve never done such a setting..
I''m also trying to decide between the Jaffe style, ans something a bit more "traditional", which is totally different. This ones Scott Kay - any opinions? Keeping in mind everyone, this is actually for a RHR, not and e-ring (already have one of those!)

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 1/26/2008 12:13:57 PM
Author: Jenn5504

Ditto!

I should add, I very much AM a bigger is better as long as CUT is not compromised. Best cut, lower color/clarity= WIN WIN for me! If you have already liked the look of H-I-J stones you''ve seen, then I think you''ll be happier going with bigger, just don''t take anything than the BEST cut.

Jenn,
I think we were twins separated at birth!!!

Lynn

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If it is for a rhr, I would go with the Jaffe split shank ring. The Scott Kay is clearly an engagement ring. However, if I were making a right hand ring with an under one carat stone, I would definitely put it in a halo setting such as Maytal Hannah, Leon Mege, or Beverley K.

 

[sera]

Date: 1/26/2008 3:52:06 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
If it is for a rhr, I would go with the Jaffe split shank ring. The Scott Kay is clearly an engagement ring. However, if I were making a right hand ring with an under one carat stone, I would definitely put it in a halo setting such as Maytal Hannah, Leon Mege, or Beverley K.

Ditto! Though maybe I'm biased since I have a PoH that is going into a Maytal setting.

For a RHR, I would probably want something less solitaire-engagementy.

My PoH is an SI2 and you can't see a thing. Like has already been mentioned, if you like the look of the lower color, go for the bigger stone. I would really expect them to face up very white anyway (maybe not like a RB, but since it sparkles like a RB, that's just kinda what I would think).

One thing to keep in mind... depending on the prongs/setting, you might lose the shape of the PoH- it may look more cushion or princess-like. That may not matter to you, but personally, I love that it has cut corners, so I'm going with a bezel halo to not lose that. Also, very large prongs on a smaller stone may overwhelm it.

If you're wanting very thin, I tried on some Jaffes and if I recall correctly, they were not super delicate (like say a Ritani or some of the Simon Gs... or like Maytal or Leon's).

A halo with split shank would be gorgeous!

 

[Diamond Confused]

i think going down to an I would be a perfect middle ground. I still looks icy white. Not to mention... with the gold halo of the style you are looking at, the whiteness of the diamond will stand out even more. Go with an I since it's still considered near colorless.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 1/26/2008 5:52:05 PM
Author: sera

Date: 1/26/2008 3:52:06 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
If it is for a rhr, I would go with the Jaffe split shank ring. The Scott Kay is clearly an engagement ring. However, if I were making a right hand ring with an under one carat stone, I would definitely put it in a halo setting such as Maytal Hannah, Leon Mege, or Beverley K.

Ditto! Though maybe I''m biased since I have a PoH that is going into a Maytal setting.

For a RHR, I would probably want something less solitaire-engagementy.

My PoH is an SI2 and you can''t see a thing. Like has already been mentioned, if you like the look of the lower color, go for the bigger stone. I would really expect them to face up very white anyway (maybe not like a RB, but since it sparkles like a RB, that''s just kinda what I would think).

One thing to keep in mind... depending on the prongs/setting, you might lose the shape of the PoH- it may look more cushion or princess-like. That may not matter to you, but personally, I love that it has cut corners, so I''m going with a bezel halo to not lose that. Also, very large prongs on a smaller stone may overwhelm it.

If you''re wanting very thin, I tried on some Jaffes and if I recall correctly, they were not super delicate (like say a Ritani or some of the Simon Gs... or like Maytal or Leon''s).

A halo with split shank would be gorgeous!

Thankyou all for you input..It has realy helped my decision. Thanks diamonseeker for the ideas on designers, I''m checking them out now!
I''m so glad you chimed i Sera, as your stone is one of my favourites on here! thanks for the input on Jaffe - as I''m in australia, i won''t have a chnace to see anything in person before the finished product - and I prefer the chunkier/bolder rings (not so super delicate), so i appreciate u letting me know that about the jaffe!
I''m not sure what to do though - all the jaffe settings are shown w RB''s - does anyone know if they customise for square shapes?
Also, am I better off purchasing a Jaffe and having GOG set it, or having GOG make something custom from scratch? which will be more expensive? (i''m presuming paying for the Jaffe name will be pricier?)

And just for an update..I may have founs my stone..its a little over 1ct PoH, J colour..I''ll post more when I''ve made up my mind!
Love the input..keep it coming!

 

[arjunajane]

Oh and I just wanted to attach this other jaffe setting for scrutiny, Its one that I''m tossing up between (obviously i''m very indecisive, thats why i love the YG and WG together!)

 

[arjunajane]

Actually, I couldn''t resist, I need some advice on this stone!

Its a 1.01 PoH from GOG, J colour, with med fluor....but there''s the only thing holding me back, its I1. Now, I''ve been reading the threads about I1 clarity, and seeing some pics of stones that are I1 that look great to me, then some that are not so hot.
Before doing all this research, I thought I''d never go below a VS2 - now my opinion is that SI1/2 is totally acceptable (especially in my price point.)
However, seeing as I won''t get to see the stone and its inclusion in person, I''d love your advice - ie. is it big, will it affect the light performace etc?
Jon said its a "good" I1, thats its a transparent inclusion, and i totally trust him.
It''s just that this makes it possible for me to move to 1ct - its still WAy over what i intended to spend..but oh wel! hopefulle Jon will be kind enough to do me a deal!
Would just really like some input on if its an "acceptable" inclusion.

Unfortunately I can''t attach the cert as its way too big , i''ll try with the microscope image

 

[arjunajane]

micro x 10

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/26/2008 11:42:25 PM
Author: arjunajane

I''m not sure what to do though - all the jaffe settings are shown w RB''s - does anyone know if they customise for square shapes?
Also, am I better off purchasing a Jaffe and having GOG set it, or having GOG make something custom from scratch? which will be more expensive? (i''m presuming paying for the Jaffe name will be pricier?)

I would get a quote from them on a custom piece, you might find it to be less. Jaffe isn''t the most expensive I''v seen, but they''re not cheap either.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 1/27/2008 8:14:42 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 1/26/2008 11:42:25 PM
Author: arjunajane

I''m not sure what to do though - all the jaffe settings are shown w RB''s - does anyone know if they customise for square shapes?
Also, am I better off purchasing a Jaffe and having GOG set it, or having GOG make something custom from scratch? which will be more expensive? (i''m presuming paying for the Jaffe name will be pricier?)

I would get a quote from them on a custom piece, you might find it to be less. Jaffe isn''t the most expensive I''v seen, but they''re not cheap either.

Thanks Ellen, thats what I''m leaning toward, as I''m not Totally content with any one Jaffe - I think I wanna "mix and match " features from a couple diffe designs.
Just a question though, how exactly does it work if GOG doesn''t carry the line you want? Do you get them to get it straight from jaffe? or do I buy it from Jaffe and have GOG set it, if i decide not to go custom that is.? Sorry, just wondering, as bit confused to the process!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/27/2008 10:36:39 PM
Author: arjunajane

Thanks Ellen, thats what I''m leaning toward, as I''m not Totally content with any one Jaffe - I think I wanna ''mix and match '' features from a couple diffe designs.
Just a question though, how exactly does it work if GOG doesn''t carry the line you want? Do you get them to get it straight from jaffe? or do I buy it from Jaffe and have GOG set it, if i decide not to go custom that is.? Sorry, just wondering, as bit confused to the process!

You''re welcome.

I am not sure on how that works exactly. When I got my stone from GOG, I also got a Vatche settiing, which they carry, so they sent the stone to Vatche, they set it, sent it back to GOG, and then they sent it on to me. Some designers want to set the stone themselves. If they don''t, and GOG doesn''t carry that line, I''m "guessing" you would order the setting and have it shipped to GOG to have them set the stone. (I think you have to get a setting approved first, to make sure they will set the stone in it)

Just ask Marie about all that, she handles the settings. You''ll get it all figured out!