Wait or Upgrade later?

[clop]

Hi!

Just curious, would you wait for the perfect stone, or get a very good one with the intentions of upgrading later? (very good subject to debate)

I purchased a nice stone (not kicken) with the intentions of upgrading at a later time (year from now, whenever a kicken one came along). I was quoted a price for BostonJeff''s setting - beautiful beautiful ring!!, from Leon Mege, who advised not to have the ring reset as it was a custom piece, Asschers had different dimensions etc.

Do I get a more inexpensive setting? Return the stone and wait etc? I was in a rush - had been looking for months, and formal engagement/wedding will take place this summer. I do love the patterns and the shape, the table is a bit dark. Completely my fault, the experts here gave fair warning. I haven''t seen it yet in person, am hoping it is fine.

Opinions welcome! Thanks

 

[cutey TT]

If it were me, and I knew that I was going to upgrade the stone in a year, I would absolutely not spend the $ on a Leon Mege setting. I would get a temp setting in white gold and get the Leon later, once I had the stone I knew for sure that I was going to keep (at least for a while).

I don''t know much about asschers, but from what I''ve read here, it seems the "kicken" ones are hard to find. Which vendor are you working with? Have they exhausted all options in your size and price range? If so, and since it sounds like you''re in a rush, I guess you could use the stone you bought with the intent to upgrade in a year...but I would definitely not spend a lot of money on the setting.

If you don''t think your gf will mind, you could always return the stone and present her with something else at the formal engagement as a placeholder while you wait for that perfect stone...? Not sure how sentimental she is...but then again, if she is the sentimental type, then I wouldn''t see her wanting to upgrade in a year either.

Anyway, just my $0.02. Good luck!

 

[Allison D.]

If you want to upgrade the stone in the future, I''d hold off on committing to an expensive designer setting.

Instead, I''d choose an inexpensive ''temporary'' setting to house the stone you''ve purchased for now. When you find your dream stone, then I''d look into a more elaborate "home" setting for it.

 

[clop]

Thanks cutey TT! lol I am the gf. My bf thinks I am being too picky... In his defense, we''ve seen so many unpleasant ones, this one caught his eye. We purchased it from GOG, apparently there is nothing else out there in the vast inventories. My friends aren''t much help, GOG posted a video, comparing this to one with worse optics, darker etc. They all said the other was nicer (it was bigger).

Yes, thanks Allison D, I''m leaning towards that - but now I have to find one Was hoping this was a one time process - am getting bogged down with wedding details etc, wished the ring was all set.

 

[Jenn5504]

Please don''t invest in a Leon until it''s the stone you plan to keep awhile! By all means, when you find "the" stone, run, don''t walk, to Leon. His work is by far the most beautiful work I''ve ever seen!

I''m sorry you''re not thrilled with your current stone.

GOG is awesome, have them keep looking for "the" stone.

 

[LegacyGirl]

Considering I want a 3ct leon..... I''m upgrading

I will keep my original stone and setting though. The stone will go in a necklace and the setting will get an emerald set into it.

I already have it all planned out and I''ve only had my ring 2 days!! I''m so bad!

 

[clop]

Ooh not a bad idea LegacyGirl! if budget were not a concern, the current stone would go into a pendant, and I''d have an upgraded ring lol. Congrats on your ring! Will search for pics.

Thanks Jenn, I''ll be following that advice. I''m not sure what I''d do with the temporary setting... better have that left over than a Leon! Yes GOG has been really great, very patient. On the one hand, I know they are making a sale, but on the other I don''t believe they would sell a stinky stone. Too bad I had time constraints and there''s nothing else out there.

Thanks everyone for the advice, I don''t mean to be so whiny or indecisive, just wanted some reassurance I guess, which I''ve gotten. Thanks again!

 

[cutey TT]

Date: 3/25/2008 12:06:39 PM
Author: clop
Thanks cutey TT! lol I am the gf. My bf thinks I am being too picky... In his defense, we''ve seen so many unpleasant ones, this one caught his eye. We purchased it from GOG, apparently there is nothing else out there in the vast inventories. My friends aren''t much help, GOG posted a video, comparing this to one with worse optics, darker etc. They all said the other was nicer (it was bigger).

Sorry clop, my bad! If you have GOG searching for you, you''re in good hands! Don''t worry about being indecisive. It''s a big purchase...it takes a lot of people a lot of time to make decisions they''re going to be happy with well into the future.

As for a temp setting, have you talked to GOG about their options? I don''t know the answer to this, but can you sell back gold? I remember before I re-set my original e-ring stone in the Ritani, I sold back my old platinum Scott Kay setting as scrap. Just something to maybe ask about...?

 

[swingirl]

You don''t want to upgrade AFTER you''ve spent the time, money and effort on a custom setting. If you get a custom piece done make sure it is with a stone that is worthy and one you''ll want to keep forever.

 

[arjunajane]

Hello Clop,
I''m in a similiar situation to you at the moment, although thankfully not stressing out for an ering! I''m currenly also purchasing a stone from GOG, and although its fantastic imo, it could be a lil bigger

I had my heart set on getting a designer/custom setting after seeing all the gorgeous ones on PS etc, but had to realize in the end that this may not be the wisest move if I plan on upgrading the stone in a year or two..
I am getting a simple, reasonable priced 18k solitaire cathedral setting from GOG - and its great as we''ve found out they can do it in rose gold for me which is what I wanted from the start

I would encourage you to either see if Jon can find you another stone - he has access to more stones than are listed on the site, and is happy to search for u!
Or, just purchase a simple setting that you can have re set with a gemstone in the future, and save the expensive designer setting to house a stone you love!
I''m not sure of your tastes, but there are some great designer settings out there that aren''t too pricey if you''d like another option - beverley K is my fave, you can see their stuff on Pearlmans site.
I hope u can find what u really want