This is a botched HW/micropave, right?

[TinoGt3]

Hi, all. I've been lurking for a bit, but this is my first post. The site has been very helpful.
In any event, I purchased a tiffany legacy replica from excel diamonds some years ago. It is a 1.7ct cushion cut, I color. Against my better judgment, someone convinced me to let a local jeweler try to make a HW micro pave replica out of the stone. This is the result:



I paid the jeweler a small fee for his labor, but ultimately rejected it and took the stone back. What do you guys think? I personally thought it looked terrible. Was it the stone? The setting? The jeweler? It looked nothing like the rings I've seen from ERD and others on this site.

To my uneducated self, the stone looks very white in person, but can look "warm" in some pictures. Here is better picture of the setting, and it looking a bit yellow in photo:



Looking for some opinions at what I should do. I originally thought I would trade it back to excel per their upgrade policy, send the new stone to ERD, and be done. But it's been 3 weeks and it seems they aren't interested in the upgrade, or are just really busy. So I'm now thinking I send my current stone to ERD or other micropave specialist, and have them make it for me. Can I make a nice HW replica from this stone? While it looks a bit yellow in some pictures, it's nice in person and from certain camera angles.

Any advice greatly appreciated. BTW, I'm a guy and girl is getting antsy!

Thanks all!

 

[msop04]

It's hard to tell much about the workmanship by the photos, but it's easy to tell that the halo is not in proportion to the size of the stone, making it look clunky. Also, you can see a lot of metal as well -- not very HW-esque. You should consider Brilliantly Engaged (formerly ERD) if you like the HW styles -- they do a lovely replica.

 

[TinoGt3]

Thank you for the feedback. Do you think it is worth upgrading the stone? Any opinion on whether the stone would make a nice HW replica?

Thanks again for the response.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

ERD will most certainly be able to make a much better halo. That said, I do think your stone is a bit tinted even compared to the halo you have now. If you are really going for the Harry Winston look I think it might be best to go to G color to get closer. Can you return the diamond to excel and do the whole thing through ERD?

 

[retrogamer]

There are plenty of quality vendors here who could make you a delicate Harry Winston halo. These folks won't steer you wrong.

 

[TinoGt3]

I guess my question is do I upgrade the diamond, similar size, higher olor (current stone 1.7ct, I, was about 7.5k, which means I'd be at $15kish for diamond), or have ERD set the current stone?

 

[Gypsy]

WOW. That's a 1.7 carat stone? It is positively dwarfed. Can you post the dimensions and the depth and table?

And yes, the jeweler was not successful in executing the style.

As for the stone... if you have an upgrade policy on it -- be a pest. Who cares if they aren't hot to trade it in. You have it as part of your contract. Call them and be firm.

Also, mention you've already posted on PS about not hearing from them. Excel hates bad press on here. They'll do what's right.

 

[MollyMalone]

Tino, do you still have your original paperwork from your purchase of the diamond some years ago from Excel? You may need to send them documentation re your purchase since they don't seem to be offering any kind of lifetime buyback policy to current customers (I'm not seeing that advertised now on their website), so give them a call (they have a toll-free number) to discuss it with them. With Valentine's Day coming up, this is a very busy time for diamond & ring vendors, but I'd think you would have heard back from them by now.

Also, if you post the stats from the GIA or AGS lab report (or the report itself) you received back then, that could help folks offer you more particularized feedback re your question as to whether to upgrade.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If this diamond was bought for another girl, then yeah, I would absolutely start over with a better cushion. But are you saying their upgrade policy means spending double the original cost? If so, that is awful.

The sad thing is, I think there aren't many jewelers who can make an outstanding pave setting. There's no way I would even consider doing one locally. So I am happy for you that you were able to return the other setting. If Excel won't work with you on trade-in, I would see if BE/ERD might buy it from you and help you with a new stone and setting.

 

[TinoGt3]

Thanks again all for the input!

The GIA report specs are:
cushion modified brilliant
6.68x5.8x4.59
1.7 ct, I color, SI1 clarity
Total Depth: 69%
Table Size: 66.5%

I really don't think the pics do it any justice - to my, layman eye, it looks very nice in person.

In any event, I contacted the guys at ERD/Brilliantly Engaged and they have been a pleasure to deal with. We agreed I would fed-ex it to them and they would give me their opinion. Within 10 minutes, I had fed-ex label emailed to me and it went out the next day for review.

And yes, the last I spoke to them, the upgrade was double the original cost, which I was willing to do, but can't seem to get it done. I'm not trying to bash them at all. To be fair, I sent them 4 or 5 different stones which they said were all no good. Fair enough. I asked for some guidance and maybe some suggestions and that's were I think communications broke down. Maybe I'm to blame. If ERD says they don't think it'll work, then I will pursue the upgrade with excel. I agree they are good guys.

 

[Gypsy]

Emails sometimes get overlooked.

Give them a call one morning/afternoon (their time), during the week (weekends are busy). And work it out.

 

[momhappy]

Do you know what color melee they used in the halo? If the jeweler didn't choose melee within a color grade (or two) of your center stone then it can bring out more warmth in your center stone.
For what it's worth, I agree that the halo is not dainty enough and it really takes away from your center stone (it's hard to believe it's a 1.7 carat stone ). I'm glad to hear that you are sending it to ERD - they did my round halo and I couldn't be happier. You may not even need to upgrade the center stone if they can execute the entire ring properly Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[mrs-b]

6.68 x 5.8 is extraordinarily small for a 1.7ct stone. I've done a bit of looking and i can find NOTHING at that carat weight in that size - even looking at old cut cushions, which are notoriously deep, and smaller because of it. I wonder if a mistake has been made somewhere? What is the depth of the stone? That would tell us a lot. Anyway, because of this, I would definitely upgrade the stone and try for something with a little more spread. I would perhaps go up a color grade also.

At that point, you might not wish to do a halo. But if you do - definitely a different jeweler!