veronaitalia
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2012
- Messages
- 18
I have been quite the journey to finally find the right engagement (and wedding) ring for my fiance and hope I don't poor you to tears about my journey (no doubt you will go straight to the photos if I do). It all started with getting mesmerized with GOG AVCs, which led me to eventually purchasing a 8 main cushion diamond from James Allen. I am documenting my insanity below, and the reason for my heading from a Grateful Dead song… its been long, strange twists, but ultimately, profoundly rewarding!
Round 1
I got caught up in halo-mania with cushions and live close by to Victor Canera, visited him, and saw his sample of the Emilya. No doubt gorgeous, but the height of the basket didn’t appeal to me, and the thinness of the shank with pave (though captivating and utterly amazing!), concerned me as not too practical. Although the diamond was nice, I wasn't enthralled with it. Back went the diamond to James Allen.
Round 2
Next I got caught up in the GOG Octavia. The asscher cut was appealing and unique. I put a diamond on hold. I wrestled with the decision, considering different ring options but none appealed to me enough, and combined with the small spread of the Octavia I decided to release the Octavia so now again back looking for the next big thing.
Round 3
I had seen a ring on Leon Mege's website. Actually from even before Round 1 started, and after a conversation with Peter at Leon Mege, had the ring, five stone emerald, sent to me. It was a beautiful ring, but felt that the spread of the diamonds and the price didn't feel right, so back it went to Leon. (As a side note, I mistakenly thought we were splitting the cost of shipping, so consider this option carefully as it cost me over $300 in FedEx charges just to look at the ring.. .not recommended!).
Round 4
Wouldn't you know it, but after months being on GOG site, I never looked at AVRs? Probably because I wanted a stone more unique than a round diamond. I knew about Old European Cuts, but was never even curious enough to open up one of the pages with AVRs on their site, since I had a special foundness for the AVCs. But lo and behold, when I finally looked at them, I was blown away! And more enthralled than I had been with the AVCs.. I thought the AVCs were gorgeous but maybe too pricey for me, and not completely in love with the Maltese Cross in the middle. But those AVRs...are absolutely perfect! The facet pattern is AMAZING, and a flower pattern in the middle... who could ask for anything more? So now I seemed to have found the diamond cut! I considered various options and my budget and ended up with a 1.76K SI2. The diamond has a crystal that reflects, but only picked up by a microscope or loop. I was looking more for SI1 but without much other options, pulled the trigger on the diamond.
Round 5
Now, what was I going to do with this beautiful AVR? I found a Beaudry setting that I thought would go perfect with it, and purchased it in the wee hours of the morning online. Since the side stones were E-F I had some concern with a K color diamond center, so wrestled with that and in the end, returned the setting (I know, I am insane, anyone up to Round 5 likely qualifies for this!).
Round 6
Now I have to give kudos to Dreamseeker2006, as it was her postings a while ago turned me on to the Van Craeynest 484. She likely also introduced me to the AVRs... I honestly don’t remember how I stumbled upon those. So the AVR with the 484 seemed like a match made in heaven, and it was actually one that DS has considered seriously as well. I didn't hesitate as I'm from California, love Art Deco period that this ring is from, and have a great appreciation for quality, craftsmanship, and now the virtually lost art of die struck rings. I did likely get one of the last sets of 484 engagement rings/wedding bands made in San Francisco, as when I ordered it a few weeks ago wasn't sure of the interruption that would occur with the move. The pair arrived then end of last week and I couldn't be happier.
Observations
As info, we did see a 484 with 1 carat at Emerson & Farrer and I didn’t like how the combination well. Having said that, I was somewhat concerned after I order the rings (484 and matching wedding band), that maybe the 1.76ct was too large. When I got the ring back here is what I think. The top view of the ring hides the first 2 side stones more than I would like, but the diamond's diameter spreads the claw prongs setting out wonderfully, and the overall look and feel of the ring is smashing! I am thinking the sweet spot for this ring may very well be around 7.5m (mine is 7.75m), but I don't think my fiance will argue that the diamond is too big
As for the AVR, I am amazed on how white the K color is in most lightning environments. I had it appraised by Patrick Davis, and he thought it was a J, which he said it looks like because of the medium flouresence. It just goes so well with the platinum ring. I asked Larry at VC about putting a K color diamond into the 484 platinum and he recommended it. In his words, "K color is pretty white." Sometimes reading threads here you get a much different perspective. So those considering K or J, I think many will be happy with the color if wanting a "white" diamond. One other thing I should mention is that when the lightning is low, the diamond has an amazing champagne color to it. I actually like that look the best in this antique setting, it's really wonderful!
So for your viewing pleasure, a few poor quality photos I took with my camera, as unlike the rest of you pricescopers, not sure how to take close up photos like I have seen your do so well on this site…hopefully they look good enough and I did the diamond/ring justice.
Round 1
I got caught up in halo-mania with cushions and live close by to Victor Canera, visited him, and saw his sample of the Emilya. No doubt gorgeous, but the height of the basket didn’t appeal to me, and the thinness of the shank with pave (though captivating and utterly amazing!), concerned me as not too practical. Although the diamond was nice, I wasn't enthralled with it. Back went the diamond to James Allen.
Round 2
Next I got caught up in the GOG Octavia. The asscher cut was appealing and unique. I put a diamond on hold. I wrestled with the decision, considering different ring options but none appealed to me enough, and combined with the small spread of the Octavia I decided to release the Octavia so now again back looking for the next big thing.
Round 3
I had seen a ring on Leon Mege's website. Actually from even before Round 1 started, and after a conversation with Peter at Leon Mege, had the ring, five stone emerald, sent to me. It was a beautiful ring, but felt that the spread of the diamonds and the price didn't feel right, so back it went to Leon. (As a side note, I mistakenly thought we were splitting the cost of shipping, so consider this option carefully as it cost me over $300 in FedEx charges just to look at the ring.. .not recommended!).
Round 4
Wouldn't you know it, but after months being on GOG site, I never looked at AVRs? Probably because I wanted a stone more unique than a round diamond. I knew about Old European Cuts, but was never even curious enough to open up one of the pages with AVRs on their site, since I had a special foundness for the AVCs. But lo and behold, when I finally looked at them, I was blown away! And more enthralled than I had been with the AVCs.. I thought the AVCs were gorgeous but maybe too pricey for me, and not completely in love with the Maltese Cross in the middle. But those AVRs...are absolutely perfect! The facet pattern is AMAZING, and a flower pattern in the middle... who could ask for anything more? So now I seemed to have found the diamond cut! I considered various options and my budget and ended up with a 1.76K SI2. The diamond has a crystal that reflects, but only picked up by a microscope or loop. I was looking more for SI1 but without much other options, pulled the trigger on the diamond.
Round 5
Now, what was I going to do with this beautiful AVR? I found a Beaudry setting that I thought would go perfect with it, and purchased it in the wee hours of the morning online. Since the side stones were E-F I had some concern with a K color diamond center, so wrestled with that and in the end, returned the setting (I know, I am insane, anyone up to Round 5 likely qualifies for this!).
Round 6
Now I have to give kudos to Dreamseeker2006, as it was her postings a while ago turned me on to the Van Craeynest 484. She likely also introduced me to the AVRs... I honestly don’t remember how I stumbled upon those. So the AVR with the 484 seemed like a match made in heaven, and it was actually one that DS has considered seriously as well. I didn't hesitate as I'm from California, love Art Deco period that this ring is from, and have a great appreciation for quality, craftsmanship, and now the virtually lost art of die struck rings. I did likely get one of the last sets of 484 engagement rings/wedding bands made in San Francisco, as when I ordered it a few weeks ago wasn't sure of the interruption that would occur with the move. The pair arrived then end of last week and I couldn't be happier.
Observations
As info, we did see a 484 with 1 carat at Emerson & Farrer and I didn’t like how the combination well. Having said that, I was somewhat concerned after I order the rings (484 and matching wedding band), that maybe the 1.76ct was too large. When I got the ring back here is what I think. The top view of the ring hides the first 2 side stones more than I would like, but the diamond's diameter spreads the claw prongs setting out wonderfully, and the overall look and feel of the ring is smashing! I am thinking the sweet spot for this ring may very well be around 7.5m (mine is 7.75m), but I don't think my fiance will argue that the diamond is too big
As for the AVR, I am amazed on how white the K color is in most lightning environments. I had it appraised by Patrick Davis, and he thought it was a J, which he said it looks like because of the medium flouresence. It just goes so well with the platinum ring. I asked Larry at VC about putting a K color diamond into the 484 platinum and he recommended it. In his words, "K color is pretty white." Sometimes reading threads here you get a much different perspective. So those considering K or J, I think many will be happy with the color if wanting a "white" diamond. One other thing I should mention is that when the lightning is low, the diamond has an amazing champagne color to it. I actually like that look the best in this antique setting, it's really wonderful!
So for your viewing pleasure, a few poor quality photos I took with my camera, as unlike the rest of you pricescopers, not sure how to take close up photos like I have seen your do so well on this site…hopefully they look good enough and I did the diamond/ring justice.
Be sure to get the ring insured or put it in a safe deposit box in the meantime!
Will try to do that soon! I know that there are so many amazing diamonds and rings on this site and can see them in your posts to me (in your profile picture) so it makes your comments that much more special.
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