Think I found the diamond jeweler showed me - on PS

[markahaden]

Hi all,

I''ve really enjoyed learning from this site and forum as I''ve narrowed down my diamond shopping as of late. I am working with a local jeweler who is making me the exact setting my girlfriend has just gone goo goo over (attached pic of the style I''m going for). We saw it in a retail shop, and it''s made by one of the big designers. Anyway, it''s a cushion center, surrounded by a pave "halo" and paves on front, back and side of the setting/band. It''s gorgeous.

So, the local jeweler is quite good and is making the setting for me (my attempt to save a bit on the cost). My jeweler showed me a loose cushion the other day (1.50 H VS2). It was beautiful (at least to my untrained eye). But, it DID look yellow to me, which was a big turn-off. He kept having me take it outside, where the yellow wasn''t noticeable...but that''s another story. He faxed me a copy of the EGL-USA cert later in the day.

I went home and looked on PS for similar diamonds. Guess what? I found the SAME exact diamond (at least all figures were the same, including exact dimensions) - for about $1,500 less than what my jeweler was quoting me. PS had this diamond referenced through Abazias.

I called Abazias, and they could not find the diamond in their system. The lady I spoke to speculated my jeweler had it "on hold", so it wouldn''t show up on these lists. I called my jeweler, and he said there was "no way" I found the same diamond. He also said there was "no way" it was available at the cost PS quoted - again, $1,500 less than he was quoting me.

Anyway, since that happened, I''ve now made up my mind to shop on PS and source the cushion separately on my own. I have found a few on Abazias that are in the 1.5 ct range, with F or G color....still for less than my jeweler''s price on an H color. So, I have told my jeweler this, and he seems supportive if that''s the direction I go. He said "I''ve already commited to you that I''d make your ring....if you can get a better deal on the diamond, go for it."

I''ve attached a picture of the "style" he''s making me. Now, picture the center stone as 1.5 ct-ish, and without the patented crisscut center cushion (it will be normal cushion). I think she''s going to LOVE this ring!

 

[Ellen]

Hi mark,

May I suggest, if it's a cushion you're after, please contact Mark at Engagement Rings Direct. He is THE cushion guy, you won't do any better.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 8/12/2007 10:02:51 AM
Author: Ellen
Hi mark,

May I suggest, if it''s a cushion you''re after, please contact Mark at Engagement Rings Direct. He is THE cushion guy, you won''t do any better.

Ditto. You really can''t choose a cushion by looking at certs. Let Mark pull a few for you and send you pictures. I''d also trust Jonathan at Good Old Gold to do this as well. In fact, Mark has made some gorgeous settings as well. I''d certainly compare prices for the setting, too.

 

[markahaden]

I appreciate the lead with Mark. I have pretty much already committed to my local jeweler for custom making the ring. But, I''m open on the diamond itself. Although Mark''s cushion cut diamonds appear to be very nice cuts, the price point was well above what I''ve found on Abazias or Whiteflash. I think I''m going to go with one of those online brokers, making sure of course to have them inspect the diamond before I buy.

Thanks again - I''ll let you know how it goes!