The settting is bland and the cushion has a bow-tie!

[Robert Culet]

Greeting fellow Pricescopers. Long time reader, first time poster. So I finally did all of my homework on my potential partner''s e-ring. I bought the diamond on blue nile. Great diamond -- a large cushion, l/w of 1.2, very good cut (highest BN has apparently for cushions...), very good polish/symmetry, table of 59, depth of 63, no flour, very small culet... This took forever to find to my liking -- it was ''mind clean'' for me, b/c it was exactly what I wanted... BUT... When they delivered it today, I noticed two huge problems:

1) A MAMMOTH bow-tie effect on the cushion cut -- totally demoralizing and something I just can''t live with.
2) The setting is pure boredom.

Now, obviously I must return the ring b/c I am not pleased. If a diamond is forever, then displeasurement is forever. It gets returned.

OK, so two questions for you guys:
1) My potential partner requested a ''thin, simple, platinum band''. Well guess what, that bores me to tears. It looks like I''ve skimped on the band. The setting itself is a yawner. How can I fix this? Is it possible to get a customized setting, but still get a thin, simple, platinum band? Looking for something classic and tasteful -- not gaudy or flashy, or too contemporary. Ladies, will this be going against my partner''s wishes?

2) What are people''s thoughts on the bow-tie on the cushion? Can I avoid this by getting no culet in the diamond? I''ve read that a greater depth helps eliminate bow-ties as well. Alternatively, I could simply ask the Blue Nile people to examine the next one before shipping it to me...

Thanks Folks,
Robert Culet

 

[JulieN]

Date: 12/4/2008 2:20:19 PM
Author:Robert Culet
Greeting fellow Pricescopers. Long time reader, first time poster. So I finally did all of my homework on my potential partner's e-ring. I bought the diamond on blue nile. Great diamond -- a large cushion, l/w of 1.2, very good cut (highest BN has apparently for cushions...), very good polish/symmetry, table of 59, depth of 63, no flour, very small culet... This took forever to find to my liking -- it was 'mind clean' for me, b/c it was exactly what I wanted... BUT... When they delivered it today, I noticed two huge problems:

1) A MAMMOTH bow-tie effect on the cushion cut -- totally demoralizing and something I just can't live with.
2) The setting is pure boredom.

Now, obviously I must return the ring b/c I am not pleased. If a diamond is forever, then displeasurement is forever. It gets returned.

OK, so two questions for you guys:
1) My potential partner requested a 'thin, simple, platinum band'. Well guess what, that bores me to tears. It looks like I've skimped on the band. The setting itself is a yawner. How can I fix this? Is it possible to get a customized setting, but still get a thin, simple, platinum band? Looking for something classic and tasteful -- not gaudy or flashy, or too contemporary. Ladies, will this be going against my partner's wishes?

2) What are people's thoughts on the bow-tie on the cushion? Can I avoid this by getting no culet in the diamond? I've read that a greater depth helps eliminate bow-ties as well. Alternatively, I could simply ask the Blue Nile people to examine the next one before shipping it to me...

Thanks Folks,
Robert Culet

1. Leon Mege's classic solitaire. Seriously gorgeous.

2. Culet doesn't make a difference. Greater depth tends to eliminate bow-ties, but I'm very surprised that you call it a bow-tie, unless your cushion was quite long (almost ovally?) because I would think most cushions have kind of a roundish contrast pattern. By the same reasoning that greater depth decreases bow-tie (or contrast,) it also INCREASES leakage, so my advice is to not buy from BN again, because there isn't anyway to know if you have too much bow-tie, too much leakage, or it's just right.

 

[Kaleigh]

You should contact Mark Turnowski at www.engagementringsdirect.com He is known as the cushion king atround here.

He does custom settings too. You could put some ummph into the setting and give her a classic platinum band for her wedding band. Seems that''s what she wants. I''d listen to that....

 

[swingirl]

Another option is to purchase from another vendor who is known for stocking good cushions. If you were able to see photos first you''d have seen the bow-tie before you purchased but I don''t believe BN offers that. They do offer a good return policy, though.

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/

 

[mrssalvo]

Mark Morrell is another one I would consider even is plain solitaire are very far from "plain."

Leon and Mark both will require a few weeks to make the settings though.


mark's website is www.mwmjewelry.com

ETA: ditto using Mark T for getting you the cushion....Goodoldgold would be another vendor I'd suggest.

 

[geckodani]

I ditto or thritto contacting mark for your cushion.

As for the setting - why not try something like one of these? Still a simple platinum band, but with a little interest in the head and prongs:

WF Legato Sleek Line: http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/-Legato--Sleek-Line-Diamond-Solitaire_1118.htm

WF X-Prong Trellis: http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/-X-Prong--Trellis-Diamond-Solitaire_977.htm

Scott Kay with Surprise Diamonds (I'm biased, since I have this setting and love it): http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/scott-kay-jewelry/rings/169U1/

WF Full of Surprises: http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Full-of-Surprises--Diamond-Engagement-Ring_1345.htm#

 

[neatfreak]

Cushions CANNOT be bought by the numbers. BN is the worst place to buy cushions because you have literally NOTHING to go on.

As others have said Mark at Engagement Rings Direct or Good Old Gold is the way to go. They hand pick them and will make sure you truly are getting a fabulous stone.

 

[purrfectpear]

Boring to you may be exactly what your FI sees as fabulous. I would stick with a classic Tiffany style setting myself. You won''t be wearing it, and neither she, nor her friends will think you "skimped" on the setting. It''s what she''s requested.

 

[Robert Culet]

A quick update -- I did in fact return the ring and haven't had any trouble from Blue Nile. I have sought out a friend of my partner and asked her for her opinion on settings/rings. She also thinks that my partner will prefer the simple, thin ring. This boggles my mind. So my question for you ladies is this -- what about the ring do ladies actually look at? Is it ONLY the diamond? Is it MAINLY the diamond? If so, then I feel a little better about getting a simple platinum ring to go with a very nice diamond. I don't trust my instincts on this topic, since I'm new to the game. That is why I am reaching out to you here.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Robert Culet

 

[Deelight]

Date: 12/4/2008 2:24:29 PM
Author: JulieN

Date: 12/4/2008 2:20:19 PM

Author:Robert Culet

Greeting fellow Pricescopers. Long time reader, first time poster. So I finally did all of my homework on my potential partner's e-ring. I bought the diamond on blue nile. Great diamond -- a large cushion, l/w of 1.2, very good cut (highest BN has apparently for cushions...), very good polish/symmetry, table of 59, depth of 63, no flour, very small culet... This took forever to find to my liking -- it was 'mind clean' for me, b/c it was exactly what I wanted... BUT... When they delivered it today, I noticed two huge problems:


1) A MAMMOTH bow-tie effect on the cushion cut -- totally demoralizing and something I just can't live with.

2) The setting is pure boredom.


Now, obviously I must return the ring b/c I am not pleased. If a diamond is forever, then displeasurement is forever. It gets returned.


OK, so two questions for you guys:

1) My potential partner requested a 'thin, simple, platinum band'. Well guess what, that bores me to tears. It looks like I've skimped on the band. The setting itself is a yawner. How can I fix this? Is it possible to get a customized setting, but still get a thin, simple, platinum band? Looking for something classic and tasteful -- not gaudy or flashy, or too contemporary. Ladies, will this be going against my partner's wishes?


2) What are people's thoughts on the bow-tie on the cushion? Can I avoid this by getting no culet in the diamond? I've read that a greater depth helps eliminate bow-ties as well. Alternatively, I could simply ask the Blue Nile people to examine the next one before shipping it to me...


Thanks Folks,

Robert Culet

1. Leon Mege's classic solitaire. Seriously gorgeous.

Ditto, I have one (but it is 6 claw not 4 claw) and it is so simple, sleek, fluid and understandably beautifully elegant and timeless, I will love this ring as much now as I will in 50yrs time.

I can assure it does not look like my FI skimped on the setting at all, the look is really cohesive.

ETA: I look at the whole ring but the diamond does take central focus for me, hence why I like simple settings as they allow the sparkler to shine.

 

[LGK]

I think there's ways of getting exactly what she wants, and making it not-boring. I think that a plain Leon Mege solitaire is lovely; it's understated and simple, but the perfection of workmanship is obvious and lovely.

Mark Morell is also a great idea. I think you could perhaps even get a surprise diamond or two or a bit of decoration on the basket and still be perfectly within your GF's parameters... MM makes a beautiful solitaire with a plain band that has teensy diamonds in the basket and is amazing; the Torchiere I think? I'm too lazy to look it up!

Also the Vatche Swan setting comes to mind- also a plain band solitaire but has a few details and diamonds on the basket.

There are some other great suggestions too.

Myself, I don't like the look of a plain solitaire on me; I can see how pretty they are on others, but not my cup of tea or style. I like a lot of ornate detailing, and antique or antique style; every woman's style is different. Luckily my DH has my same taste in jewelry, so it's never been an issue that he doesn't like what I like. I don't think there's anything wrong with deciding a plain four prong is blah and looking for something a little snazzier... it is totally possible to do that and still get what she wants IMHO.

I like looking at the ring as a whole; yeah the diamond is the focus but I want a setting I enjoy looking at too, and I like interesting details especially on the side.

Good luck!

 

[neatfreak]

I would always choose simple and classic over ornate and over the top. Simple and classic does not equal boring to me.

 

[mrssalvo]

well, I had simple and classic and got board with it and changed to ornate and now I want to go back to simple/classic. For me it''s more of a lifestyle decision as I have 3 children and am active and a fancy setting just isn''t practical. I want to be able to enjoy and wear my rings so that''s why I want to go back to something simple. However, like the links is this thread, some designers make gorgeous solitaire settings that are anything but boring.

 

[CrookedRock]

Robert, sorry to hear about your dissapointment with the first stone. Being a cushion owner myself I know how difficult they are to find, but when you find the right one you will know! Believe me!
I echo everyone else in saying this, but Mark at Engagement Rings Direct is fantastic. He picked out my stone for me and I couldn''t be happier. He has the eye for them!
As far as the setting goes, well... I couldn''t agree with you more. I don''t love the solitaire, I do understand why people do and I do see it as timeless, no question about that, but it just doesn''t excite me. Unfortunately, it sounds like your girl is a fan of them. So I would recommend getting something along those lines. Please look at Mark Morell''s settings, as far as solitaires go I think he outdoes the rest. He also has a bunch of options to make them a little more interesting.

Personally I look at my setting and my diamond probably equal amounts. Although my setting is pretty intricate.
I think you should be able to find a solitaire setting with enough flare to satisify both of you!

Keep us posted! And Good Luck!

 

[Robert Culet]

Thank you guys very much for all of the advice, this is great. Let me give you another quick update -- I bought another loose stone today on BN with the following stats:
2.14ct
8.18x7.35x4.70
F
VS2
EX/VG
Depth: 67.6
Table: 53
8 mains / pavilion facets
Small culet
Medium Blue Fluorescence
crown angle >40

After going around and around, I decided that I wanted something that approximated the old mine cut, with a smaller table, steeper crown angles and some type of culet. Was very pleased to have found this one, and can''t wait to see it.

Once I get it and approve it (hopefully won''t have to return it to BN again...) I''ll be sending it to Leon Mege for a classic solitaire setting. Unfortunately that takes a little bit of time, but hopefully it will be worth it.

 

[vintagelover229]

Date: 12/18/2008 3:20:56 PM
Author: Robert Culet
Thank you guys very much for all of the advice, this is great. Let me give you another quick update -- I bought another loose stone today on BN with the following stats:
2.14ct
8.18x7.35x4.70
F
VS2
EX/VG
Depth: 67.6
Table: 53
8 mains / pavilion facets
Small culet
Medium Blue Fluorescence
crown angle >40

After going around and around, I decided that I wanted something that approximated the old mine cut, with a smaller table, steeper crown angles and some type of culet. Was very pleased to have found this one, and can''t wait to see it.

Once I get it and approve it (hopefully won''t have to return it to BN again...) I''ll be sending it to Leon Mege for a classic solitaire setting. Unfortunately that takes a little bit of time, but hopefully it will be worth it.

I''m not trying to harp on you at all...but as OP stated, you CANNOT judge a cushion on numbers AT ALL EVER! Contact Mart at ERD or jonathan at GOG.

If you MUST buy something "Site unseen" at least buy from a vendor that can be your eyes for you. BN drop ships their diamonds, so they can''t even tell you what it really looks like.

Here is one from GOG
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5276/

Here is another "older" looking one with chunky facets.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4989/



At least here you have pictures, ideal images, etc so you can SEE what your getting in the mail.

Please save yourself the shipping costs, i''m not saying the BN stone that''s shipped to you is a dud cuz you don''t have it yet, I am saying that you could have 8 diamonds shipped to you and possibly none of them be what you want.

 

[Savvymon]

I agree 100% with Red Rose!

 

[Savvymon]

Ooops meant to add this link by Rhino at GOG about cushions:

http://vimeo.com/2515784

I found it very enlightening!