fountainfairfax
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2005
- Messages
- 1,199
(For anyone interested this is the 2nd part of my story regarding my inherited omc (which I refer to as wabi-sabi, since I find it beautiful inspite of its flaws) and my desire to get that sucker appraised for my own curiosity
)
It finally happened & I had such a great experience! On St Pat''s day I had the pleasure of taking my stone to Barry Block @ The Jewelry Judge''s (TJJ for typing ease) corp headquarters here on Long Island. The hell with crazy traffic, insane housing prices and a gazillion grumps- I''m so greatful to have experts like Mr Block, his associate Joesph, and GOG within driving distance, it almost makes living on LI bearable!
I had found TJJ here on the PS list of appraisers and learned that a co-worker had recently had her new eternity band appraised there as well. After reading about the TJJ philosophy I made an appointment, had GOG take my stone out of it''s old mounting and counted the days. I was so nervous, not just about what I feared could be ugly specs or that a potential problem w/the stone that might prevent me from having it become my future e-ring, but also about dealing with an "expert" in person. I am easily intimidated and am an enthusiastic but very new member of the PS community. I was definitely feeling butterflies, afraid that I would make a huge fool of myself and might even be wasting everyone''s time by having it appraised!
My actual experience was nothing short of amazing!!! For the good part of an hour I got to interact, ask questions, learn and observe..I was treated as both a valued customer and student- I could not have asked for a better mix of service, knowledge and kindness. Mr Block was even so kind as to allow me to take out some photos I had brought of Buena Girl''s beautiful inherited stone, since Buena and I have been sharing our diamond experiences here on PS, and calculated her table % and gave his thoughts on the oec vs transitional question we have had regarding her stone (which is still up in the air until she too has hers appraised.) I wish I had been taking notes, there were so many things I would like to remember- when I go back after my stone is set I''ll be sure to write everything down!!! I also have to add that he & Joe were most kind in complimenting my stone and in encouraging me towards understanding and appreciating my omc''s unique beauty & characteristics.
As for the specs, well I had be realistic- I had a very good idea that the color would be very low (which I have been obssessing over,) I knew it had inclusions and I was always concerned that the cut would be considered poor....I thought the weight to be around 2 cts...here''s what you''ve been waiting for...
Old Mine Cut
8.21 x 7.47 x 5.45mm
2.21 ct
SI-1
M
Faint Blue Fluorescence
Depth 69.5%
Table 52.3%
Culet Large
Girdle Extremely Thin to Medium
Polish Good
Symmetry Good
Cut Medium Good
Although my heart did sink when he took out the grading set and pulled out D through O, I did recover when the final grade was M, and he explained that there was twinning which resulted in the SI-1, so it was rather close to VS-2. He said it was very nicely cut, which was a suprise to me and that it actually showed little wear (I was afraid that there may have been girdle chips.) When our conversation turned to what I hope will be the setting (vatche x-prong in plat) he smiled and said something along of the lines that he was glad I was going to keep it simple and that I shouldn''t be afraid to set it in platinum (I think it does face-up whiter than an M)
I also left there with a huge smile because both Barry and Joesph spoke with me regarding the field of gemological appraising and Joe suggested that I should consider attending their next GIA alumni meeting as a non-member, so guess what I''m going to do this Monday night?
I think it will be a great opportunity to learn more and to rub elbows with the experts!
Thanks to everyone for giving me the chance to share my experiences here on PS, hugs to Buena Girl for her support and help, and thanks again to Barry Block and Joseph (sorry, I left his last name at my office) for an amazing appraisal experience!!!!!!
It finally happened & I had such a great experience! On St Pat''s day I had the pleasure of taking my stone to Barry Block @ The Jewelry Judge''s (TJJ for typing ease) corp headquarters here on Long Island. The hell with crazy traffic, insane housing prices and a gazillion grumps- I''m so greatful to have experts like Mr Block, his associate Joesph, and GOG within driving distance, it almost makes living on LI bearable!
I had found TJJ here on the PS list of appraisers and learned that a co-worker had recently had her new eternity band appraised there as well. After reading about the TJJ philosophy I made an appointment, had GOG take my stone out of it''s old mounting and counted the days. I was so nervous, not just about what I feared could be ugly specs or that a potential problem w/the stone that might prevent me from having it become my future e-ring, but also about dealing with an "expert" in person. I am easily intimidated and am an enthusiastic but very new member of the PS community. I was definitely feeling butterflies, afraid that I would make a huge fool of myself and might even be wasting everyone''s time by having it appraised!
My actual experience was nothing short of amazing!!! For the good part of an hour I got to interact, ask questions, learn and observe..I was treated as both a valued customer and student- I could not have asked for a better mix of service, knowledge and kindness. Mr Block was even so kind as to allow me to take out some photos I had brought of Buena Girl''s beautiful inherited stone, since Buena and I have been sharing our diamond experiences here on PS, and calculated her table % and gave his thoughts on the oec vs transitional question we have had regarding her stone (which is still up in the air until she too has hers appraised.) I wish I had been taking notes, there were so many things I would like to remember- when I go back after my stone is set I''ll be sure to write everything down!!! I also have to add that he & Joe were most kind in complimenting my stone and in encouraging me towards understanding and appreciating my omc''s unique beauty & characteristics.
As for the specs, well I had be realistic- I had a very good idea that the color would be very low (which I have been obssessing over,) I knew it had inclusions and I was always concerned that the cut would be considered poor....I thought the weight to be around 2 cts...here''s what you''ve been waiting for...
Old Mine Cut
8.21 x 7.47 x 5.45mm
2.21 ct
SI-1
M
Faint Blue Fluorescence
Depth 69.5%
Table 52.3%
Culet Large
Girdle Extremely Thin to Medium
Polish Good
Symmetry Good
Cut Medium Good
Although my heart did sink when he took out the grading set and pulled out D through O, I did recover when the final grade was M, and he explained that there was twinning which resulted in the SI-1, so it was rather close to VS-2. He said it was very nicely cut, which was a suprise to me and that it actually showed little wear (I was afraid that there may have been girdle chips.) When our conversation turned to what I hope will be the setting (vatche x-prong in plat) he smiled and said something along of the lines that he was glad I was going to keep it simple and that I shouldn''t be afraid to set it in platinum (I think it does face-up whiter than an M)
I also left there with a huge smile because both Barry and Joesph spoke with me regarding the field of gemological appraising and Joe suggested that I should consider attending their next GIA alumni meeting as a non-member, so guess what I''m going to do this Monday night?
Thanks to everyone for giving me the chance to share my experiences here on PS, hugs to Buena Girl for her support and help, and thanks again to Barry Block and Joseph (sorry, I left his last name at my office) for an amazing appraisal experience!!!!!!
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