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Something Sparkly & Something Shiny

G

gnirlos

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 4, 2012
Messages
15
After perusing the forum for a couple of months and searching the preferred vendors for options, I'm ready for specific and focused advice in my search for an engagement ring.

I'm breaking this down into the two parts of the search - something sparkly (the diamond) and something shiny (the setting). I have a budget between $7,000 and $7,500, so my current plan is to split that down to ~6,000 for the sparkly and ~1,500 for the shiny. I don't have a date in mind for the special day (although I do have the plan for how it's going to be done), necessarily, but would like to complete the purchase within the next 4 to 8 weeks.


SPARKLY
Of the two (sparkly vs shiny), choosing which type of diamond to focus on is the hardest for me. The girlfriend said, "I like rounds and asschers. I don't like princess cuts...and don't even consider odd shapes like ovals or hearts.". So, I've been looking at both asschers and rounds, with, perhaps, a little more focus on asschers, since they're a little more unique. After examining over 40 Asschers and 75 rounds, I've found these (prices are before PriceScope discount):

Asscher:
(+) 1.04 ct, g, vs1, $5,391 @ WhiteFlash - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut-loose-diamond-2619556.htm
(+) 1.02 ct, f, vs1, $5,150 @ JamesAllen - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Very-Good-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1526360.asp
(+) 1.01 ct, g, vs1, $5,730 @ JamesAllen - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Very-Good-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1518477.asp

Round:
(+) 1.14 ct, i, si1, $6,000 @ JamesAllen - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Very-Good-Cut-Round-Diamond-1497914.asp
(+) 1.01 ct, h, si1, $5,902 @ BrianGavin - http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.010-h-si1-round-diamond-gia-40344030
(+) 1.03 ct, h, si1, $6,280 @ WhiteFlash - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2842259.htm


SHINY
The girlfriend likes halos. She has three rings from David Yurman, two of which have a halo of some sort (pictures available, if needed, to show the kinds of rings she likes). She also has made it clear that she prefers when the stone is flush with the setting and not sticking out/up too much. Her newest Yurman ring has a split and twisted shank. She didn't think she would like that, but, after wearing it for a month, has said that it doesn't bother her like she thought it would. The other key point is that it has to be 18kt white gold. "NOOOO!!!! platinum," I've been told. With that criteria, I like these:
(+) WhiteFlash double halo, "selene", $1,750 - http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/selene-solitaire-engagement-ring-1591.htm
(+) JamesAllen twisted shank halo, $1,600 - http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...alo-and-twisted-shank-solitaire-11196w14.html
I know that both of these are for rounds, but I couldn't find a comparable one for an Asscher and would appreciate any pointers.


Two more data points - She wears a size 8 ring. I also live in Central Texas and could make a run down to Houston and checkout BGD and WF in person, if people think that would be beneficial.


Any thoughts/opinions/help appreciated. I apologize if this feels disjointed or rambling. I literally just got back from the hospital from nasal turbinate reduction surgery and am still drugged up, but wanted to get this in the hands of the forum while the girlfriend isn't paying attention to what I'm doing... :saint:

Thanks.
 
Re: Somthing Sparkly & Somthing Shiny

Rounds and asschers... just so different! A really different kind of movement in the two cuts. There was an asscher craze on PS a few years ago, and now that the dust has settled, I would have to say Octavia (a specific type of asscher) or a round.
 
Asschers usually face up smaller than a round because it is deep. I think with a halo it is not going to be as big of a difference, but if size does matter to her, and she might want to upgrade her ring in the future, the round is a better bet (some vendors don't accept fancies as upgrades if that matters to her).

For asscher settings, you might want to check out Gabriel & Co:

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER4242W44JJ
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER3980W44JJ

These are meant for princess cuts (there is no asscher option on their website) but I think it's possible for them to alter the setting to fit an asscher. They might also be able reduce the cost by just having diamonds along the shank instead of all 3 sides. Give Yekutiel at ID Jewelry a call, they are vendors who carry the brand and are willing to work with folks on a budget.

Another option for asscher settings is Beverly K, which Pearlman carries:

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/beverley-k-jewelry/rings/
 
I can't comment on asschers as I don't know much about them. Octavia is gorgeous, but you won't be able to get any Octavia over a carat within your budget.


I don't like the round from James Allen. You should stick with GIA excellent or AGS ideal cut grade.
The two others are virtual stones. They don't have those stones in house.
If you live close to BGD and WF, why don't you pick their in-house stones and go see them in person?
 
Good luck on your journey- very exciting stuff ahead for you!!

If I had the luxury of meeting with both WF and BGD... I'd be screaming 'START THE CAR' and on my way, in a heartbeat!!! I just had the opportunity to meet with 3 PS vendors (IDJ, DBL and Leigh Jay Nacht) while in NYC, and it was fascinating! I learned a lot and saw so many lovely items --- it was amazing! The advantage for you to make an appointment and visit with them, is to see some of the best stones, in 'action' and perhaps the concept of an asscher either is ruled out or reinforced. Worth the drive if you can do it! I don't think BGD is set up as a storefront, per se, but you could call and set up a time and ask them to view a few settings and stones. Both vendors would be wonderful to work with and respectful of your budget.

On the "sparkly" aspect - is it you or your FFI that is interested in the asscher? Some people love them , some... not so. Be really certain she's in love with them as they do have very different optics than a RB stone would. If you are the one who loves them more, I'd be careful about that as an ering... she is the one wearing it for life. Maybe an asscher later as an anniversary present? (All that's only if she's not the one requesting that fancy cut)
 
Hello fellow Central Texan!

I think good old gold has an octagonal h/a stone (web diva has one). That might give you the interesting shape and nice optics?

Rounds and asschers do different things. You may spend some time if you can looking at these IRL. I looked at a couple of them when we were ring hunting and though they are interesting, didn't want one for an e-ring. For sparkle, I don't think you'll beat a round.

If she likes the idea of interesting but sparkly you could also look at an AVR which is an optimized modern version of an antique cut stone.

I noticed one of the stones you were looking at was "very good" cut and with rounds you
Want to stick with AGS 0 or GIA XXX cuts in your search parameters.
 
Let me second the thought to start the car and head down to see Brian Gavin and WF .

It sounds like your GF knows what she likes and has specific preferences regarding rings. Could she come along on this trip ? You could still surprise her with something she'd love.
 
Asschers can't be bought by the numbers. Must be bought by picture and scope images.
 
Here are the asschers I think are worth asking about at JA. You get three ASETs so chose them carefully.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Very-Good-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1542206.asp if eyeclean, worth getting an ASET. Verify if eyeclean first.


Others worth investigating.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS1-Very-Good-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1465420.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Very-Good-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1542205.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1411826.asp might have p3 issue.

Setting; http://www.elizabetajewelry.com/products/beverley-k-diamond-engagement-ring-semi-mount-center-stone-not-included-number-9022-slash-65ac

I would also ask JA if they can customize this one for an asscher: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-twisted-shank-solitaire-11196w14.html
 
I don't like any of the asschers you've picked. The tables are way too big and they may wind up looking glassy instead of sparkly.

Of the settings, I prefer the Selene - it'll be a much more classic look and more versatile when it comes to wedding bands. I'm sure they could make it for an asscher.

onthinice|1354307315|3319497 said:
It sounds like your GF knows what she likes and has specific preferences regarding rings. Could she come along on this trip ? You could still surprise her with something she'd love.
Click to expand...

Yesss... you could surprise her by telling her you're going to Houston for some random thing, and then surprise take her to Whiteflash for engagement ring shopping, having called ahead and had some good asschers and rounds ready with some sample setting options.
 
Enerchi|1354305363|3319456 said:
is it you or your FFI that is interested in the asscher?
Click to expand...
It was the first type of cut that she mentioned. I didn't even know what an asscher was when this journey started. I think they're interesting, but I personally don't have a preference for one over the other.

distracts said:
onthinice|1354307315|3319497 said:
It sounds like your GF knows what she likes and has specific preferences regarding rings. Could she come along on this trip ? You could still surprise her with something she'd love.
Click to expand...
Yesss... you could surprise her by telling her you're going to Houston for some random thing, and then surprise take her to Whiteflash for engagement ring shopping, having called ahead and had some good asschers and rounds ready with some sample setting options.
Click to expand...
I have agreed to taking her out ring shopping locally in the next couple of weeks, because she wants to have the shopping experience, but I don't want to do the trip to Houston as part of it. I'd like to leave some mystery in the whole process.

Gypsy said:
Here are the asschers I think are worth asking about at JA. You get three ASETs so chose them carefully.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'll look at them in the morning. I guess I need to re-read those asscher threads. I know that I was looking for colors between f and h, so I didn't see the d and e's.
 
Gypsy|1354308952|3319523 said:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Very-Good-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1542206.asp if eyeclean, worth getting an ASET. Verify if eyeclean first.
Click to expand...
I just chatted with a CSR. She said that this diamond has to be purchased before they can do an inspection on it. I don't remember reading any threads that mentioned purchasing diamonds before inspection, but maybe I just glossed over them. She did send me a magnified image of the diamond and said, "Looking at the lab certificate, and then looking at the magnified picture the inclusions on this diamond will blend nicely. Look at the picture at the bottom of the item page. I cannot see any inclusions there and that is still a magnified image."
 
After a two month hiatus, I'm back and looking for a ring again in earnest. Some things happened during the holidays, including a trip to two jewelry stores and multiple discussions about the ring, that helped solidify the parameters of my quest.

So...now I'm definitely looking for a 1.00+ ct asscher in a halo setting. The budget is still the same - ~$7,500 for both the shiny and the sparkly.

I'm going to spend the evening looking online, but would appreciate any help/pointers the PS community has to offer...

Happy, Happy New Year!
 
What are your parameters for color and clarity...I noticed before that you were looking at some JA and WF stones, but I just got an asscher from GOG and found the videos (and Jonathan) to be very helpful. It was important to me to have a lot of extra info because I think asschers are very difficult to pick sight unseen
 
Diamondseeker also got an asscher from GOG, hers is the H (second stone if I remember correctly) in the video. You can also contact them, give them your budget and other parameters, and Jonathan will pull stones for you. The stone in my avatar is an L...very low in color for some people, but in person it faces up SO white!!! I'm not nearly as knowledgeable as some others on here when it comes to asschers, so I enlisted Jonathan's help to get the perfect stone for me. Hopefully some others will come back to help (Gypsy comes to mind :)) ) and can help you select from other online inventory if you also want to look at JA or WF or others

ETA...one of the other things I like about GOG is that most of the stones already have a ton of reports (ASET included) on their site so you don't have to necessarily request them for each stone you're interested in. They will also make you a custom comparison video of stones if you ask.
 
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/10362/

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/10363/

Here's a couple more in a higher color...I'd want to see videos too since I didn't see a Fire Trace report for these (GOG could probably do one though). I like to go down in color to get more size, because when they are well cut they still face up white. There's not a ton more on the site that fits your budget, but they have access to a lot of inventory that is not listed online if you contact them.
 
Has anyone purchased an Asscher from Whiteflash? All of the ones that I saw on their website today were all "sample image". Since picking an Asscher is highly visual, this leads me to believe that I cannot get one from them.

Thoughts?
 
Can you post the links to the individual stones, I like to see the pictures.

Numbering is after cutting out two other stones.

From the video, I like #3. #2 is nice but seems like there isn't as much action right in the middle under the table. #1 was interesting, it sparkled more than flashed, I think it might be leaky; nice enough now, but get it a little dirty and it might suffer.
 
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