Weekend trip to NYC Diamond District - The One??

[decodelighted]

Have been completely absorbed by Pricescope for the last couple months and have found the information here amazing and the people very supportive/encouraging/helpful. Armed with my new knowledge and a file full of pix & ideas, I braved NYC''s Diamond District this weekend in the hopes of actually seeing some fancy cuts in person & judging size, settings etc on my sadly huge mitts. (size 10+!!). Though I swore, swore, swore this was an "info only" trip, I kinda sorta fell in love with not only a stone but a stone on a certain setting. I don''t have pictures of either (sorry!!) but I did put a small deposit down to hold them both & now am working on having the setting made in platinum instead of the 18K white gold it came in.

The stats:

GIA cert
Asscher (Sq. Emerald Cut)
6.66 x 6.39 x 4.26
1.5 ct.
Depth 66.7
Table 67%
Girdle Medium to Slightly Thick
Polish VG
Sym VG
Clarity VVSI
Color H
Flor none

The stone took my breath away when it was placed on my setting of choice ... even my best friend/style guru, who is not an Asscher lover, and who all day had been campaigning for my 2nd choice (cushion), thought "that''s it". I had the same feeling as I did when I saw my house for the first time: I was giddy, didn''t want to leave ... Ring: giddy, wouldn''t take it off. Stayed there almost an hour just staring at it. Suprisingly it was a more traditional, classic look than I''d ever considered - no halo, but it still looked large enough for my hand because the band was substantial & had a sweeping line of tapered channel set diamonds leading up to the center stone that created a fabulous optical illusion - at once making the center look larger & my finger look smaller. Also, the prongs were substantial and served to square-out the stone a bit, giving an overall larger look while maintaining the amazing octagonal step pattern interior that I love so much.

Okay ... so the table is 2% larger than I''d wanted, it made the stone look huge - like 1.7''s I''d just seen. I didn''t notice a lack of brilliance or fire because of it - step cuts aren''t so "fiery" anyhoo. The clarity was amazing ... I''d been looking at VS1-S12, and seeing this VVS1 one looked super, super clean even at the highest magnification (getting bettter at the loops!).

I was even more convinced that this was "it" after looking at more stones the next day ... including a stunner in a larger size (1.76) & exactly the setting I''d THOUGHT I''d wanted upon my arrival in NYC. It was $6000 more than my first choice and was still my 2nd choice. This stone was a slightly different & facinating cut ... cut-cornered square brilliant (looked kinda cushiony, kinda regent) and it was in the octagonal halo split shank pave setting of my dreams (perfect for sausage fingers like mine!!) - BUT NO ... I wanted my perfect budget, perfect color/size ratio, deco-delightful, more classic setting/stone from the first day. This one I can even wear with a band, or two - 1 on each side.

Also - the price ... very reasonable according to Pricescope comparisons & right, exactly, to the penny almost, what we were hoping to spend.

I think I know the answer - but couldn''t decide for sure without some genius Pricescopers input -- If I love it, will the 2% table issue bother me in the long run? Will it not perform in other light environments? Though Strmvr says tables over 65% are always dogs (I think he said "barkers") ... how come I love it so??

Thanks for any input

p.s. (I plan to write up a more comprehensive report about my DD experience for anyone curious about the experience)

 

[belle]

it sounds like you have found ''the one''!

obviously we can get compulsive with the numbers around here, but as you''ve found out it''s not just about the numbers. trust your eyes. you''ve done your research and compared different stones, if this is the one you dream about don''t second guess yourself.
and don''t worry about what strm says, he won''t be wearing the ring!

 

[RockDoc]

I would suggest you visit the following folks in NYC.

David at Diamonds by Lauren ( he''s on 47th St.) I''m not sure of his website,phone and address, but you can get it on the member section of the forum.

Mark Turnowsky - www.diamondengagementrings.com

and last but certainly not least....

Jonathon at GOG. ( he in the Long Island area ) www.goodoldgold.com ) call and set up an appointment with him.

I would particularly make it a point to see the diamonds at GOG, as he has a vast selection of square, cushion and rectangular diamonds, that you probably won''t get a chance o see elsewhere.

Hope this helps,

Rockdoc

 

[diamondlil]

IMO, if it takes your breath away, it IS the one. I agree with Belle. We tend to get too wrapped up in numbers. The numbers are a good way to narrow the field, but use your own eye and good instincts to choose the right one. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder after all.

Love the papillion -- my favorite pup.

 

[widget]

Date: 7/27/2005 1:45:04 PM
Author: belle
it sounds like you have found 'the one'!

obviously we can get compulsive with the numbers around here, but as you've found out it's not just about the numbers. trust your eyes. you've done your research and compared different stones, if this is the one you dream about don't second guess yourself.
and don't worry about what strm says, he won't be wearing the ring!

I TOTALLY agree with Belle!!!! Especially the part about us sometimes getting cumpulsive with numbers around here!

Feelings, gut reactions, and visual impact are SO IMPORTANT when choosing a diamond! Just curious: can you actually "see" the 2% table issue? Or is it mental because maybe the table "should" be 2% smaller? (Big quote marks around "should")

I say...Grab that baby!! ...and then of course, post pics!

widget

 

[valeria101]

Date: 7/27/2005 1:35:56 PM
Author:decodelighted

... I wanted my perfect budget, perfect color/size ratio, deco-delightful, more classic setting/stone from the first day. This one I can even wear with a band, or two - 1 on each side.

If I love it, will the 2% table issue bother me in the long run?

I don't even know why the respecive number is a problem. Chances are I'd barely make that kind of difference between two tables without some tool.

Obviously this thing left an impression. Anything you might want and this ring does not have ? Give it a thought - from your description I can't figure any reason why not to go for it. Of course, one can always make a case for more choice, but you need the ring !

My hunch is that the setting made the greatest impact there and there might be a nicer stone elsewhere for you. But this could be just hearing things from my part - after all, Asschers should be rather fiery and you describe this stone as somewhat not quite... but I have not seen anything of what you have so, how could I tell ?

The good part is that now you know what kin of setting would work wonders on your hand and an asscher. Was it anuthing like these:

from Precisionset


'Guess there is just one way to detter you from this stone

book a 'diamond cut grading lesson' at GOG. Of course they do not call an appointment like this, but the content described by former customers around here deservs the call, IMO. The shop might own some paragon of an Asscher as well. There is always some danger that a nicer thing pops up from around the corner.

Diamondsbylauren does not let customers in their office, it is a net only business - or so they say. Hopefully this policy will have changed by the time of my next visit to NYC...

It would be nice to see a 'Royal Asscher' too - don't know if Engagementringsdirect has them, but for some reason I remember this. It would be worth investigating. After all, the stones are definitely worth seeing even thought many other types of square step cut have competing appeal.

Just some random thoughts. I am not much of an enabler perhaps. But then, your post is so enthusiastic I didn't think there is need for one

 

[strmrdr]

congrates!!!

 

[decodelighted]

''My hunch is that the setting made the greatest impact there and there might be a nicer stone elsewhere for you. But this could be just hearing things from my part - after all, Asschers should be rather fiery and you describe this stone as somewhat not quite... ''

Hi Valeria! ... The setting did make a big impression - but I did love, love, love the stone too. I may have a while to decide for sure about the stone too because having the setting made in platinum will take up to 8 weeks!! I love the settings you posted but the one I''m stuck on was very different than anything I''ve seen around here - it reminded me of my great-grandmother''s art deco ring with triangular sapphires on either side of a round stone ... the channel set stones kind of sweep up to the center stone, gradually get larger and larger, like a ribbon of ice. On either side of that ribbon are bead-set (?) pave tiny round stones. The prongs come up in a dramatic, modern looking V, and there are a row of tiny round stones visable when looking at the bottom side viewt (I forget what that part is called, under the basket).


''Guess there is just one way to detter you from this stone --book a ''diamond cut grading lesson'' at GOG.''

it''s so funny ... I''ve been working with GOG already & was scheduling time to go out there with a different LI friend. Before I called in some stones over there I wanted to have a good idea what size would work. I was originally thinking 1.3 but found 1.5 & up much better on my hand. & now that I don''t need so much $ for the setting (halo = $$), I can look at slightly larger center stones.


''It would be nice to see a ''Royal Asscher'' too -

Oh yes ... that was a big priority for me as well on my trip into the city (I''m in the Hudson Valley, 90 miles north). I went over to Fortunoff and saw 1ct & 1.7 ct. Royal Asschers there. NOT impressed. At that carat size I found the stone really "busy" looking, messy, somehow darker looking -- and the big one was $24K or more. They also look noticably smaller than comperable carat weights of "generic asschers" or other shapes - I guess because of the depth.

Thanks for the thoughts!!! I''m probably going to visit GOG soon ... you know ... just to be sure

 

[Kaleigh]

Congratulations!!!!!

 

[SquareCut]

I agree with you about the royal asscher. The setting you describe sounds spectacular. Where did you see it?

 

[RockDoc]

Oops

Forgot someone

Barry or Judah at www.superbcert.com or www.exceldiamonds.com

They are now selling fancy shapes as well as the SuperbCert line.


Sorry,

Rockdoc

 

[valeria101]

Date: 7/27/2005 3:01:55 PM
Author: decodelighted


... the channel set stones kind of sweep up to the center stone, gradually get larger and larger, like a ribbon of ice.

Now I'm curious !!

anything close to this ?

Any chace the jeweler would take pitty on Pricescope and offer a glimpse of the wonder ?

 

[widget]

Author: valeria101

Author: decodelighted

... the channel set stones kind of sweep up to the center stone, gradually get larger and larger, like a ribbon of ice.

Now I''m curious !!

anything close to this ?

....or like this? (Only with baguettes getting longer at the top?)

 

[decodelighted]

et,

This is actually the closest I''ve seen to a picture of it., not sure if the pix will show up for me ... but the 2nd one you posted V.

It''s very, very similar, but perhaps a little beefier overall and more squared off prongs with a slight nubby texture on top of them.

Any chace the jeweler would take pitty on Pricescope and offer a glimpse of the wonder ?

I wish!! I am going through withdrawl ... I''ve been emailing pix to people of "maybe" candidates for two months and now that I''ve found something I might actually get ... no pix!!!! I know the Jeweler in question is in the process of becoming an internet vendor, as he took my best friend in the back & made her evaluate the new website pages for layout & design ... but it''s still in process and not much is posted yet. But I guess it can''t hurt to ask!! Stay tuned!

 

[MissAva]

That setting is perfect....I love it! Was it comfy? What sort of wedding band would you wear with it?

 

[decodelighted]

Hi Matatora!

It''s a challenge for me to truly "try on" setting or rings of any kind because of my ring size ... (10+, ouch!). But on my pinkie finger it was very comfortable & I got a good idea what it would look like on my ring finger with some cagy positioning & having my friend try it on as well. It was much, much more comfortable than many of the pave type rings I did try on including one 3.08 ct. L color whopper with the scratchiest darn setting I can ever imagine. I encouraged that jeweler (who is not the one I''m currently working with BTW) to "try again", because someone would have to be crazy to buy it that way. (It was pretty impressive to see a 3ct L color that looked pretty white because it had medium blue flor - I even took it outside & looked at in in daylight - white!) I never seriously considered that one even though the $ wasn''t too bad (16K for 3ct VS1 L??) because even on my giganto-hands it just looked too big to be real. I also think at that size the Royal Asscher probably kicks "assh" - the 3 or 4 steps ended up being so large they didn''t really fill out the look of the stone. It was "ice cube"-ish, not fiery and dynamite like you''d think a 3ct monster would be.

FYI - to the folks curious for a peep at "the goods" - I''ve spoken to MY DD jeweler & may end up being able to post a picture of "THE ONE" - or at least the white gold version with a similar center stone, as my platinum version is probably 8 weeks away. As Drudge says ... DEVELOPING ...

Decodelighted

 

[belle]

oooohh...i hope we will get to see it!

 

[hearts set]

oops!!

I love your ring so much that I replied to the wrong thread!!

Let me quick give your ring serious props in SMTR thread!