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This is so hard I want to puke

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Allison, I agree. [Neatfreak, I hope you don''t mind my posting this..............................] but what about a gorgeous sapphire asscher like neatfreaks? It''s gorgeous, it''s an asscher, it would be different and maybe larger than a diamond asscher and it certainly would call attention to itself!

neatfreakssaph01.jpg
 
Date: 2/12/2008 2:38:19 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
If his total for the ring is $2500, I don''t think a custom setting is in the picture. But that Greenlake setting is very pretty!
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I agree, DS I didn''t mean to suggest that he should go with an elaborate custom setting; only that it was possible to find a way to make a setting unique.

In some cases instances, stock settings can be slightly altered without making it a ''custom'' setting.
 
Allison, Diamondseeker, Upgradable, Catmom, and others I can''t remember ... thank you so much for your help. It is truly appreciated.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with the best jeweler I could find in my city. He''s going to show much 2 aschers alongside some brilliant round diamonds. I only had the courage to ask him to do this because of the encouragement you all helped to impart! thank you.

I have to say that barring some dramatic shift in opinion created by tomorrow''s appointment, I''m going to get an Ascher. Although I can''t afford it, I will find a way to pay whatever extra (within reason, I hope) to accomplish getting an ascher that shines and stands on its own.

In addition to the settings posted above (dolphinlady''s ring and the solitaire someone posted which was BEAUTIFUL to me) I like these below. With those tastes in mind, any suggestions? Any comments on which of the stones I initially posted is the best, if any? Any way to get the ring part (what''s it called again, the band ... or is that what you get after you get married? why do you end up getting two anyway?) without paying an extra $2,000. Do any places let you finance 1/2 or 1/3 of the cost on reasonable terms?

Again, I can''t thank you all enough. Right now, I feel excited rather than frustrated. That feeling will come back, I''m sure, as I struggle to decide which style I like better tomorrow, but in any event, thanks for the ear and the kind words. Again, I promise I''ll post the whole affair once it happens, for those who care.


http://www.billbarnes.com/product.asp?product=11620

http://www.uniondiamond.com/jewelry/jewelry.php?item_id=967&action_type_id=2&pic_name=AS_JEA1076P_th.jpg&shape_id=5
 
Date: 2/12/2008 4:50:25 PM
Author: danny0927
Allison, Diamondseeker, Upgradable, Catmom, and others I can't remember ... thank you so much for your help. It is truly appreciated.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with the best jeweler I could find in my city. He's going to show much 2 aschers alongside some brilliant round diamonds. I only had the courage to ask him to do this because of the encouragement you all helped to impart! thank you.

I have to say that barring some dramatic shift in opinion created by tomorrow's appointment, I'm going to get an Ascher. Although I can't afford it, I will find a way to pay whatever extra (within reason, I hope) to accomplish getting an ascher that shines and stands on its own.

In addition to the settings posted above (dolphinlady's ring and the solitaire someone posted which was BEAUTIFUL to me) I like these below. With those tastes in mind, any suggestions? Any comments on which of the stones I initially posted is the best, if any? Any way to get the ring part (what's it called again, the band ... or is that what you get after you get married? why do you end up getting two anyway?) without paying an extra $2,000. Do any places let you finance 1/2 or 1/3 of the cost on reasonable terms?

Again, I can't thank you all enough. Right now, I feel excited rather than frustrated. That feeling will come back, I'm sure, as I struggle to decide which style I like better tomorrow, but in any event, thanks for the ear and the kind words. Again, I promise I'll post the whole affair once it happens, for those who care.


http://www.billbarnes.com/product.asp?product=11620

http://www.uniondiamond.com/jewelry/jewelry.php?item_id=967&action_type_id=2&pic_name=AS_JEA1076P_th.jpg&shape_id=5
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Hey Danny, great to see that you are finding some clarity about this issue, even if it's only temporary!
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I'm sure that seeing those stones tomorrow will really help a lot. When you see them, make sure to ask about the cut rating of the round brilliants. For the "best" comparison of how an asscher compares to a round brilliant, you'll want "ideal" or "excellent" cut round brilliants.

To answer your questions I highlighted in your above post: 1) It is really hard to judge the quality of an asscher without seeing it in person, so that may be why no one has chimed in about the pictures you posted. There are numbers you can follow, but it is still ver ysubjective. For rounds, you can pretty much go by the numbers and know whether it is nice or not, it is a very mathematical process. But for asschers and other fancies, there is something more subjective to the process of judgeing the stone, and so the final decision can really only be made when you see the stone in person. Some will just SING to you. Maybe you will see this first hand when you see the two asschers your jeweler shows you? I know when my hubby and I picked my emerald cuts, we compared a few sets and the ones we bought just made our jaws drop! So you'll need to either see the asschers in person and then just let your gut decide, or else choose someone known to be an asscher expert (there's been some recommended people in earlier posts, like GOG) who can be your eyes and pick some winners for you to see video or pictures of. 2) my wedding band is white gold, 2mm wide and cost $80, and I love it! So you definitely don't need to break the bank getting your band!

And I like the halo setting you posted the best, but it is Ritani so it probably costs about 3000 bucks. I think that whiteflash also has a similar style that you could get made to fit an assher and their prices would be much more reasonable price, maybe arounf $1500 for white gold... http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Halo-Prong-Ring-by-WF_941.htm

Good luck and please please let us know how it goes!

DD
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Date: 2/12/2008 3:23:45 PM
Author: Allison D.

Date: 2/12/2008 2:38:19 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
If his total for the ring is $2500, I don''t think a custom setting is in the picture. But that Greenlake setting is very pretty!
Click to expand...
I agree, DS I didn''t mean to suggest that he should go with an elaborate custom setting; only that it was possible to find a way to make a setting unique.

In some cases instances, stock settings can be slightly altered without making it a ''custom'' setting.
Click to expand...
Sorry, Alj, I think I didn''t say that as well as I could have! I knew you knew this...I just wasn''t sure Dan would. True about altering stock settings!
 
Dan, what size ring does your girlfriend wear? The Pearlman's rings are mostly size 6, and some may not be able to be sized.

The engagement ring comes first, and the wedding band is given in the wedding ceremony. So no, you do not have to buy the wedding band now assuming the source assures you the rings will still be available when you need to order it.
 
Asshers are fancy shape, and fancies are hard to judge by the numbers alone. A cheesy sports analogy: Its like trying to tell how well a running back runs by his height and weight alone - 6' 200 lbs is a better bet than 5'10" 125 lbs, but you have no idea if the bigger guy moves at all. Same thing with the diamonds you posted. We could rule out stupid ones (125 lb running backs!) but can't tell a pretty one from a dog if the numbers are vaguely in the right ballpark.

You need pictures!!! Post them here, and people will give you good advice.

That's why people haven't commented on the stones you posted - no pictures = not enough info. You shouldn't buy an asscher without pictures (or eyeballing it), and vendors like blue nile aren't going to go to the trouble of taking pictures for you. You need a vendor willing to take pictures, and preferably a vendor with good "eyes" that will filter out the poorly cut asschers and only show you ones with pretty windmills.

And most vendors don't have a large supply of asschers lying around, because they aren't as popular as rounds. This is why you need to work with ONE vendor. Establish a relationship. Tell them what you are looking for, have them call in stones from their suppliers, and post the contenders here.

Last, given your budget and choice of asscher-shape, I strongly strongly recommend that you put almost all your money into the stone. By the biggest, most well-cut asscher you can find and afford and put it in a simple 4-prong white gold setting. I know you are sentimental, but be sentimental about the getting a worthy stone and you can change out the setting later if you prefer. You simply don't have the funds to get a decent-sized asscher AND a halo/custom/pave setting. Focus on the asscher.
 
Date: 2/12/2008 4:50:25 PM
Author: danny0927

Tomorrow I have an appointment with the best jeweler I could find in my city. He''s going to show much 2 aschers alongside some brilliant round diamonds.
Click to expand...
Danny, I''m truly happy to hear this. I think this is the best thing you can do.....to actually look at stones and compare.

One suggestion....make sure you see the diamonds in various kinds of lighting. Jewelry stores are typically chock full of lights to make stones look amazing. Ask to see them in diffused light, natural daylight (near the windows of the store), see if there is a dark corner too (under a table, etc). See them and move them to see how they respond to light.

Can''t wait to hear what your impressions are.....do come back and tell us how your visit goes.
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Aye, I definitely want to hear how it goes too. I''ve never seen an asscher in person but I love the photos of them too, so I can''t wait to hear what you think!
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Asschers = GOG.
just my 2c
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Wow man. I just found this website today, and your sentiments relate to mine so much, your post was the one that drove me over the edge and convinced me to register and make my first post. I''m in the same boat. I know how much I want to spend, know what shape I want, and I know that I want it to shine like the roof of the chrysler building. Like you, I also am equating my search for a ring to the fact that I want it to represent what I think of her. The cut and size (to an extent) of my choice is going to be paramount, more so than the color and clarity. SI1 is good enough for the naked eye, so that''s good enough for me. As long as you can see the thing across a room sparkling on her finger, and I''ll be the happiest guy around.

So far, I think i''ve narrowed it down to approx 1ct, H or G color, SI1/SI2 clarity, and vg or ex. cut. I''ve learned a lot just looking around here today, and at other sites I''ve found on here. I was thinking of going to the diamond district in the city for mine, but I''m so intimidated by buying things like this, I''m not sure. I need to see how the prices compare to the reputable online dealers.
 
Fisrt things first....... Do I really look like a duck?


Anyhow, I woke up early, sped to work, worked fast, and sped howm to find out how you did today on your stone hunt. Did you love the aschers? Did you change your mind to the rounds? Did you take pics for us? Tell me everything.

You know, I would have never signed up for this if I knew how addicting this was. I am hoping all of you find that perfect stone in that perfect setting... I have even taken a hiadus from my diamond search to keep up with all of you - and my honey comes home in 5 sleeps to find out what I have picked out for myself.

Hurry up danny - what did you find out???
 
So talk to us Danny! Did you get to the jewelers and see the diamonds? What did you think? I was thinking that all the diamonds in the pictures on the sites make them look a lot bigger than when you see them in person and wondered what you thought of the sizes of the diamonds. I have to say I would go with the round brilliant for flash and all. Let us know what you found out!
 
Hey new best friends!!!! you''ll be disappointed in my report, but it the adventure definitely amped up my head case status. I left work right at 5 to get to this place. Traffic getting out of downtown out to this shop was horrible! I drove, and drove, and stopped, and drove, and called for directions, and drove some more. I COULD NOT find the place, and I am NOT directionally "challenged". Wherever this place is its well hidden, like in a guy''s garage or the back of his van or something. I called, and I will try to come in tomorrow over my lunch hour or, perhaps more likely, saturday. truly, guys, the whole time i''m drivin'' around and traffic is jammin me up, i''m just getting more and more angry, thinking to myself, "why in the heck don''t i just bail out and get some mall ring". But DAMN YOU PRICESCOPE, I''m in too deep!!!! I gotta do it the right way or as best i can anyway.

Remember the new goals:
1. A halo with a tiny ring (some halos have all kinds of stuff going on with em, i like the only that just have a plain "band" (??) with the halo on top with the stone ...
2. The revised budget is $3500 (I''m in the market to sell a used kidney if anyone needs another ... make an offer).

But, just to keep you pulled in and continuing to help me, i tried to post a picture of my gf. it said the file size is too large for the pics i tried, so sorry about that ...
 
Thanks for the update ... sorry it didn''t work out today but I''m glad you still have your sense of humor.
You''re so silly ... made me laugh.
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Hey ... You''re heading in the right direction!
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Hi! So I went in today over a very long lunch and look at two aschers and 3 brillaint rounds. to be honest, based on the opinions i had read, i thought the rounds would be much more sparkly than they were compared to the aschers. both styles seemed to sparkle to me, although i could tell the difference.

I don''t remember all of the info on the stones, but the aschers were .71 and 1.09 respectively, both were SI1 and I believe E and F colors respectively. The rounds were .79 and 1.06. The smaller round was a SI1 (may have been VS2, can''t remember), D color, ex/ex cut. The fifth round was a .67, but i don''t remember anything about it. except for the .79 stone all I remember about the cuts were that they were all combinations of vg and ex, none was ex/ex. I did not see them under a big spot light nor did i ask to see them in a dark setting. i saw them in "normal" office ligthing, i guess.

I also looked at settings, and learned a little more. I found out that not only do I like halos, i specifically like halos with "beveled" edges AND halos with no (shit i forgot the name, is it girdle? where there nothing on the sides below the ring for decor of structural support??) i''m pissed i forgot the right term.

Anyway, what most alarmed me were the prices. The 1.06 round was around $6900, the 1.09 ascher $6100, the .79 round $3990, and the .71 Ascher $3190. This is WAY more than I''ve seen online for stones that by the numbers appear better.
DO THESE PRICES SEEM RIGHT??

ALSO, the guy talked about how the dimensions of the stone have to be known when thinking about a setting?? Right now, it''s likely I''ll get each from a different vendor, because i LOVE the halo ring posted just above this post (the very first link on the post just above). But I probably will get my stone through one of the jewelers you all have recommended. how to get these things to coordinate?
 
I really kinda disagree with the people on here who want to convince you not to look at fancy cuts. If you want something different, understated, and beautiful, an asscher is a fine choice. So is an Emerald cut, or a cushion... Basically, it''s all about preference and all diamonds sparkle, they just all sparkle differently. Yes, something like 75% of all engagement rings sold are rounds, but that doesn''t make rounds the only logical choice. Not by a longshot. So I say if you want your girlfriend to wear a signature piece that''s beautiful and different from what all her friends have, go for that gorgeous, well-cut asscher.

And if I''m to insert my opinion about the stats, you can still safely slide down to G/H and VS1/VS2, stick with a well cut stone and perhaps go a little larger. I know you said you''re not particularly worried about the size, but showing the unbeatable drama and depth of a step-cut stone is only magnified by the largest (well-cut) stone you can get for your budget.

Just my two cents. Good luck in your search!
 
ALSO! One of my best friends has a .71ct asscher set in a pave diamond setting and even though the diamond is not HUGE, you know that it''s something different, something special - and after two years I still cannot stop oogling at that thing.
 
Danny those prices seem right for an B&M store, which tend to be like double what you pay online! Sounds like you are getting closer. It''s interesting what you said about the difference between the rounds and the asschers, since my impressions were different when I compared them, but I''m glad you made the comparison!

I only have one little thing to add: for the extra $2000 (the price of the setting you like) you could get a waaaay bigger stone! I know you love halos (me too!) but I would love a bigger diamond even more, know what I mean?
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Keep us posted!

DD
 
Yup, those prices look right for a brick and mortar (B&M) vendor. Online vendors are of course cheaper.

While it''s easier to get the setting and stone from the same place, buying them from different places isn''t the end of the world. You just have to talk to them, and arrange for either the stone or setting to be mailed to the other one.

I''m glad you like the ring I posted. Keep in mind that it''s pictured with a 2 carat stone. With a .7 carat center, the halo will look larger by comparison and less delicate. Still, it''s a lovely ring, and $2000 is a good price for a pave halo setting.
 
dreamer --- but the difference b/t a way bigger stone isn''t as important to me as is the look, the style, of the ring as a whole. there''s an ags cert ex/ex .87 si1, F, on union diamond, for 2300. based on what i saw today that seems like it would be big enough to stand out on its own. If i can get a nice halo setting for 1-1200 +/- and a stone like that, then i think i will.

my problem now is i don''t see any ascher halo settings that look like the round setting posted above that i love. someone posted an ascher halo with a beveled edges that looked nice (and was affordable), but the stupid website didn''t have a side view!! i want the side to be simple, i.e. not hide the stone. (WHAT IS THE DAMN WORD FOR THAT - PAVILION? IS THAT PART OF THE SETTING???? SOMEONE ... PLEASE!)

thanks again to all ...
 
Hi Dan!

If your interested here is a side view of my ring. Also, mine was custom and was right around your budget with diamond and everything.

kmasscherside22.jpg
 
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