So I have the center stone covered....now what?

[Haywood74]

Ok, so Good Old Gold hooked me up with this little fireball Solasfera, http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4423/ My future Mrs. has known what I have been up to with the whole e-ring project and I told her to get whatever she wanted for a setting. She has decided on a 3 stone setting, so now it's back to shopping for diamonds....AGAIN...

So I would like some opinions on the side stones. We checked a somewhat local B&M store, and surprisingly they had some super-nice H&A ideal cuts in both .25 and .33 sizes. Personally, I like the way things look with the .25's, but both sets looked good. So here is where it gets confusing to me a bit and would like some objective thoughts on...

1. Should I go with "ideal cut" H&A or should I go with Solasfera cut side-stones? Price difference for them is pretty substantial, almost 40%.

2. Would there be a noticible difference in type of cut (H& v Solasfera) in such small diamonds?

3. If I go with H&A cut sides, should I search out certified stones online or should I pick them up locally with no certs? Price is fairly comparable and I am sure that the local place will come down since they are uncertified stones.

all thoughts and comments welcomed!

 

[Skippy123]

I would talk to Jon at GOG and see what he thinks? Or if he could show you a picture of your stone by 2 h&a to make sure you like the look with the Solasfera. It probably wouldn't be noticeable. Sounds like a lovely project

 

[Haywood74]

I took the center stone to the local B&M place and saw it next to the H&A cuts first-hand already. It looked good to me, but my knowledge is on here, not looking at it myself and having the keenest of eyes to make that sort of a call. I am fairly sure of going with the H&A cuts as I already blew my budget with the Solasfera center. Just not sure to search out cert stones or go with the local stuff.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 6/4/2008 11:59:37 PM
Author: Haywood74
I took the center stone to the local B&M place and saw it next to the H&A cuts first-hand already. It looked good to me, but my knowledge is on here, not looking at it myself and having the keenest of eyes to make that sort of a call. I am fairly sure of going with the H&A cuts as I already blew my budget with the Solasfera center. Just not sure to search out cert stones or go with the local stuff.

I understand, okay, if you want to tell us your budget we will help you look for 2 side stones. Make sure you find well cut stones as cut is king and it really effects the sparkle.

 

[lesco]

I will go with certified stones just for peace of mind especially since you are saying that prices are fairly comparable.
I always though uncerted stones are less pricey.
Asking GOG seems like the best idea ....

ETA: Maybe you can do the same and ask the vendor doing the setting to source the stones for you
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-tapered-baguette-sidestones.85436/

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 6/5/2008 12:34:24 AM
Author: lesco
I will go with certified stones just for peace of mind especially since you are saying that prices are fairly comparable.
I always though uncerted stones are less pricey.
Asking GOG seems like the best idea ....

I agree for Hearts and arrow stones.

 

[Haywood74]

Thanks for the replies... Here''s what I know as far as H&A options...

The local place had what they had listed on the parcel as "Ideal H&A H-I color, VS1 clarity" When they were dropped into a setting next to the Solasfera, they held their own. They weren''t dogs by any means. .32-.33 carats at $600 each (SEVERAL to choose from).

Now I did a cut quality search and found AGS cert stuff around the same money. JA had 2, AGS0 G VS1 .30 that scored 1.2 and 1.3 respectively on HCA and were listed at $590 each delivered.

Should I present this to the B&M place and hope they come down or just go with the ones I found at JA if I decided to go with H&A''s?

As far as asking Jon at GOG, they told me they could get the .25 Solasfera cut sides, so I am assuming that they don''t have them in store. I don''t want them to go through the expense of getting them on my "maybe" if you know what I mean. I will try and contact Jon and see what he has to say about the whole idea though.

Thanks again for the kind replies!

 

[Gypsy]

I would prefer smaller sidestones with a .7 center. And I''m a symmetry freak. I would either go with the Solasfera sides from GOG. Or with a different shape. Like pears. But I''d be most likely to do the Solasfera.