Stuck in Baghdad.... Back with more questions!!!

[Deadgame]

Hello all, Yes it''s me Brad and I am back in the states again. Thanks to everyone who answered my posts before. Here''s an update on my situation... I returned home in March from Iraq, went to Hawaii with the family and have been home ever since. I wasn''t able to work the new E-ring with D''Vatche due to the rep who said he would give me my setting at cost and work me a deal on my diamond left D''Vatche for some reason. AT THE LAST MINUTE! Too bad, I really liked the setting. Well, I am going back to Hawaii with the wife in November for our 8th anniversary. No kids this time. We are going with another couple so it should be fun. I was thinking it would be a perfect time to do the ring thing again. I am back to ask more questions. Here is the setting I am looking at right now. I need a cushion cut stone for it. By the way, my jeweler said he would give me the setting and wedding band for $6,000. Is that hi or low? So, I am looking for a stone for about $5500 or less . Cushion cut, around 1.3 ct. of course, the most bang for the buck. You know. Basically the best and biggest I can get for the money. Please help...

JB Star (pg 2 on their website--engagement section)
SET-1485-020
Center: 1.36 ct. ( Cushion Cut)
Side: 0.41ct. (Marquis)
1.10 ct. tw. (Round)
*PATENTED FOREVER ROSE

 

[solange]

I remember your original posts from some time ago. I am so happy that you are home sefely.
I know you put in a great deal of tme and effort based on the promise from D''Vatche. Under the circumstances, one would think they would stick to the agreement even if the rep is no longer there, particularly in your case where you are serving our country.
I hope someone else can help you find what you really want. Welcome home and best of luck.

 

[Deadgame]

Okay, $6000 for a cushion cut between 1.25 and 1.3ct Can anyone suggest a few???

 

[mrssalvo]

Hi. I did a quick search on the home page with the size specs you gave and a whole bunch popped up within you budget. I don''t know a lot about cushions but several people here have purchased gorgeous ones from GoodoldGold and also from Mark at Engagement rings direct. If I were looking for a cushion I would begin my search with them.

 

[Scintillating]

Welcome back!

Personally - I think that $6000 for the setting and wedding band is a little much.
It's a JB Star setting, with some of their proprietary cuts in the head, which accounts for the designer price tag.
Any thoughts on going the custom route for the setting?
IF IT WERE ME, I'd put a greater percentage of my money into the center stone.

Folks isn't there some unwritten rule about the amount of $ in the center stone versus the setting?
Setting shouldn't be more than 30% or something? - Please someone help me out with this.

Scintillating...

 

[mrssalvo]

so you can get the setting for 6k and have $5500 left over for the stone??

you should do just fine. check out some of the stones using the search..

i think if she loves the setting and you can get the stone size she wants, there's nothing wrong with spending $6 on the set. i asked that same question when i was thinking of having a custom setting done by Leon. his setting would be about the same price as my stone. most people said to get what you love if you can afford it.

 

[Scintillating]

Date: 9/21/2005 2:55:28 PM
Author: mrssalvo
so you can get the setting for 6k and have $55000 left over for the stone??


you should do just fine. check out some of the stones using the search..

He said $5500

 

[allycat0303]

Well if there's a rule about the setting being 30% then I broke it

. Mine was 70%. However, it all depends on what you want, some people like elaborate settings, while others want a big center stone. That JB star setting is gorgeous though, $6000 for both? I think it sounds ok, but I don't know much about settings. I had mine custom made, but I think that was easier because I didn't have a particular designer ring in mind (Therefore less room for letdown

)

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 9/21/2005 2:57:38 PM
Author: Scintillating

Date: 9/21/2005 2:55:28 PM

Author: mrssalvo

so you can get the setting for 6k and have $55000 left over for the stone??



you should do just fine. check out some of the stones using the search..

He said $5500

yes, i realized my typing error and corrected it.

 

[LadyluvsLuxury]

I don''t think there is any right or wrong to price for setting vs. price for stone. It''s a personal choice, there are PSers who purchased very elaborate settings and put CZs in it b/c the setting is something that was very personal and sentimental to them. I say, to each his own. If you/your wife loves that setting then go for it. I also agree with the vendor recommendations given, also I believe there was a PS member very recently who purchased a GORGEOUS cushion from Whiteflash. You might want to check them as well. Goodluck and welcome home!

 

[ame]

I thinkif you know she''s going to love that, there''s no price too high.

 

[Scintillating]

Deadgame,
What are you looking for in a cushion?
Square or more rectangular?
Do you want an older chunkier one or a more modern brillant one?
Do you know what facet pattern you are looking for?
Do you know what color range you want to look in?

I was looking around:

Dirt Cheap Diamonds - they have some nice cushions that COULD fit the bill.

Cushions are difficult to look for. You can''t really go by the numbers and know what you''re going to get.
I suggest that you look at some of the threads of cushions, like oh and a thread on modern cushions.

Cushions can look SO different. I hope these give you a better idea of what exactly you''re looking for in a cushion. The best way would be to go out and look at some cushions, and then work with someone to bring in exactly what you''re looking for. I agree with whoever suggested Mark Turnowski (sp?) at Engagement Rings Direct, he seems to be the CUSHION MAN!

Goodluck! Let us know what happens.

Scintillating...

 

[Maya Moonstone]

Hi

I totally agree with Scintillating! You have to decide what you want and then see the cushion in person before you know if you will like it or not. (I am a very good example and the first two threads she posted are about my cushion quest.)

I would highly recommend that you contact Mark at Engagementringsdirect.com. He is a Cushion Wizard! He is also helping me to get a Dvatche setting for my cushion and gave me a VERY reasonable quote on the setting - I have looked and could not get a better price, as well as a Dvatche custom-made wedding band!!!

There is of course other good cushion cut vendors out there as well. I was fortunate to have been nudged into Mark''s direction by another PS''er and I found My Lovely after looking at less than five stones (the others were at Mall store and a lot more expensive!)

PM me if you want to know more.

Maya

 

[Deadgame]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I am looking for a newer style cut cushion. Color wise, I think a G would be my limit. And I guess I don''t want it to be very square or too rectangle. The pic in the I REALLY like Maya''s. My jeweler is going to show me 3 that they had sent in tomorrow. But if I could get a bigger stone online for the same price, that would be great.