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Cehrabehra

Cehrabehra

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jun 29, 2006
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Hi everyone, newbie here... I''ve been reading around for a couple days, but I really like interaction so I''ll go ahead and post an intro and maybe someone can offer assistance or advice...

... I''m 36 years old, just celebrated my 15th and STILL waiting for my engagement ring! lol It''s looking like it''s about time to take the plunge... Years and years ago before I married I visited a jeweler in the bay area who spent TWO HOURS educating me, but it''s been years and things have changed.

I''ve always loved oval diamonds, but I can''t find much info on what an EXCELLENT oval constitutes. Advice?

Also... is there a list anywhere of what is important in the order of importance? Cut these days seems to be #1, even over clarity... but maybe I''m mistaken?

I''m thinking I would like a diamond somewhere between .75 and 1c and g-i color that is definitely eye-clean (especially if I do go with the oval), probably vs2. My husband is a dear in many ways, but he sees diamonds as clear pebbles that are horrendously overpriced... If anyone has a website that is simple that can teach him about *value* that would be so helpful!

Any questions, ask away!
 
Welcome to PS
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Here is a chart that will help you to assess the cut of oval diamonds:

http://www.gemappraisers.com/oldcutgraderules.asp

Cut is the absolutely most important thing so you are right about that. Cut is what makes a diamond sparkle, fire, and scintillate. After cut, color, clarity, and carat weight are up to you. Everyone has different values here. In terms of clarity, many people do not like to pay for things they cannot see. Therefore, I would look for something in the VS2-SI2 range. Diamonds in this range can be very eye clean and look just as good as a VVS diamond. This will also save you alot of money.
Ovals can be a difficult shape to work with. While I would definitely use that chart, they really need to be seen to be evaluated. Just because that chart says a diamond has a great cut does not necessarily mean it will be beautiful. You must check for a bow tie as well.

I don't know about teaching your husband value but both of you would be doing yourselves a big favor by reading the tutorials under knowledge found at the top of this page.
 
That''s a great link, very basic and simple, thanks!
One thing... I thought ALL ovals, marquis etc had a bow tie effect - are you saying that I may be able to reduce or eliminate that?
 
Also... thanks for the advice on the tutorials... I''ll keep an eye out for them :) I already viewed the video tutorials on whiteflash after reading they were a good site... is there a list of good sites out there? I found this site after doing a search on Shane co because my husband wanted to go there and I wanted to see what I was up against there... I still might take him, only so that he has a comparison. He is concerned about purchasing something online.
 
Date: 6/29/2006 5:37:22 PM
Author: Cehrabehra
That''s a great link, very basic and simple, thanks!
One thing... I thought ALL ovals, marquis etc had a bow tie effect - are you saying that I may be able to reduce or eliminate that?
Click to expand...
Well, to an extent the elongated shapes will have some sort of bow tie. But some are much worse than others. Some of these diamonds have bow ties that are rarely visible, maybe just under certain lighting.
 
Thanks you guys :) I haven''t been lurking long but I''ve already learned SO MUCH!! I really want my husband to pick my stone, but I need to be able to give him clear parameters. I''m seriously rethinking the oval... I have a gorgeous oval amethyst... I might just stick with that for my oval :D Or wait until really clear standards are set for fancy cuts, maybe some superior cutting ideas on how to make an oval really pop!
 
I like you already! If you are the research branch of the couple... I think that not going with an oval is a good idea. ALTHOUGH, if you really want one. The best thing to do is to work with one vendor... WF, Engagement rings direct, or good old gold would be my prefered for ovals.James Allen is good too. This way you can give your husband guidlines (I can help you with that... I''ve been ogling ovals for a while now and learning about them) and these are vendors that I would be comfortable saying, "this is my budget, these are my guidlines... find me the nicest stone you can." And well... they would. And have for others. You can minimize bow tie... and these vendors have eyes I would trust when they say, "this is beautiful and has minimal bow tie."

One reason I wouldn''t give up on ovals so quickly though is they are SPREADY. They face up much larger (in terms of mm size) much bigger than many cuts (rounds, pears and marquise do too)... AND they are cheaper per carat than rounds. By a lot. But rounds are the easiest to buy online of the ''spready'' shapes. And with your carat size/budget... you could get ALOT more with an oval than you could with anything other than a pear or marquise (which are just as hard... if not harder) to shop for. Personally I''m a big fan of ovals.
 
Thanks Gypsy! It''s good to be liked! :)

I am indeed the research branch - sort of. It all filters through me and then has to filter through him. I insist on him making this choice for long-awaited personal reasons! lol Right now I have a gold band that was my great grandmothers which I LOVE, it''s very plain, an antique gold (more mercury I imagine), but thick and 3mm. I also have a channel set anniversary band which goes well with it, but no solitare yet! I''ve decided that while I love those two, I will wear them on my right hand and just get the freaking ring of my dreams for my left. One ring that rules them all, so to speak haha!

I always liked platinum but lately I like the warmer tones of white gold (but will do a platinum setting). If I went with a round (I''m not fully educated on cut so I won''t even mention that yet though I''ve listed it as #1 importance) I''d probably do something VS2-SI1 (I really don''t want inclusions so that''s my #2, but I don''t need perfection either - it would depend on the individual stone for sure) then H-J, with a size anywhere from .8 to 2 carats. Really would depend on the stone and how much my dh decides he wants to spend when it''s his turn LOL!

I do love ovals though... they are so elegant and relatively unusual, yet simple. I just cannot find enough good information on them
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It would be good if they were cheaper because I like the look of larger ovals better... where as if it is round almost all sizes are nice.

I''m not a huge fan of marquise diamonds. They''re not even in the top 5 or 10 cuts I''d choose. I like emerald cuts also but they''re not really me... just nice to look at. I saw a radiant and thought that was pretty nice though... I could dig on that lol.
 
WF, Engagement rings direct, or good old gold would be my prefered for ovals.James Allen is good too

This information is awesome! Thank you! I''d discovered WF already, but I''d really like to check out a few others.
 
Okay... well if your budget is flexible. THAT's a different matter...lol. Rounds are the sparkliest, easiest to buy and they face up big. But they are relatively common. On the other hand, depending on your setting... it would be uncommon. AND they are common because they are classic. Ovals are rarer and face up big... aren't as sparkly but still have great sparkle. Cushions (Mark at engagement rings direct--hereinafter ERD-- has the nicest cushions I've ever seen) have a little of the classy look of ovals, are just stunning and unique as well. Downside... buying one would also have to be a matter of working with a vendor and trusting them (ERD is prefered for cushions). EC's and asschers are a personal choice-- and as you don't seem to have a personal attachement... I'd skip those.

Do you like square stones? Princesses are getting much easier to shop for? And Flanders, though proprietary with a premium, are very well priced-- IMO-- and are so beautiful (a little like Tiffany's Lucida). Square Hearts and Arrows has the same facetting as a round... but with a square shape (cut corners). Lots of choices!

I would definitely look into different shapes/cuts FIRST. Good Old Gold (GOG) is fabulous for information-- their tutorial on the 4 C's is a must read. AND in their diamond search they have a LOT of shapes-- with pictures of each... so you can get an idea of what the shapes look like.

I don't like their cushions though... personally.

Do a search for Moremoremore's cushion three stone (or just her center cushion from Mark at ERD) and you'll see some of the nicest cushions I've ever seen.

For research I'd recommend GOG. For shapes I'd recommend GOG. For customer service I'd recommend GOG. For Asschers and rounds I'd recommend GOG. For working with one vendor to find you what you want... I'd recommend GOG. GOG also has great policy of giving you IS, Sarin and other crucial information. GOG's upgrade policy is not as broad as other's though.

For cushions and ovals I'd recommend ERD. Customer service there is very good from what I've received personally (but do a search for all these vendors-- vendor review search-- to see who you are comfortable with). Mark has a great eye. For working for one vendor for cushions or ovals I'd recommend ERD. Don't know the upgrade policy.

For rounds I'd recommend WF. Many people have been happy with their diamond purchases through them. They are very knowledgeable... and provide you with all the pics and things you need-- reports and so on. Don't know many who have purchased other cuts/ shapes with them or worked with them to find a particular stone though... so can't say. WF has a nice upgrade policy from what I've heard.

James Allen I haven't dealt with personally. Do a vendor search for them... I know they have a good rep on here though. And a nice upgrade policy, though.

GOOD LUCK!
 
bahahaha - just real quick before I read any more I have to say that my husband probably has some budget in mind but I don''t want to know what it is lol! (he innately thinks they''re overpriced clear pebbles lol - I''d insert a "men" here if there weren''t so many male experts posting here! ha!)
 
As for the sparkle difference between the rounds and the ovals, I''m guessing (I could be wrong) that if I were more attracted to "broad flash" over "pin flash" it wouldn''t be such an issue, and I think I am. Sort of. They''re both nice! lol Those are two of my new vocabulary phrases today :D
 
I think you nailed my taste with the mention of the cushion... it''s have to be a long one and not a square one though... food for thought!
 
Okay, I''ll be good now and address the rest of your post in ONE more of mine lol

Very good advice on the ERD for cushions... I''m going to look into them more, they might be a good option for me. We''ll see...

Asschers look cool but I don''t think I''m that cool LOL I''m waiting to see what Storm says about them in the thread I just made ;)

As for the Flanders - I couldn''t find one to look at up close and I can''t appreciate the cut... but I''m curious...

No, I''m not big on square stones. Probably for the same reasons I like but couldn''t love an emerald cut. So yeah, no princess cuts and definitely no marquise! lol The cushions I''ve seen on ERD are square... but I know I''ve seen long cushions... should I look for another name?

The only company on your list I''ve really exhausted is the WF site. I''ve got the GOG site up but haven''t fully absorbed it. What is moremoremore? One thing''s for sure... I''m not thrilled with their settings. But that''s another story! lol How reliable and thorough would you rate the WF site? They seem on the ball, but I''m new at this.

Upgrading is a non-issue. I want this ring for life, period.
 
Will have to address the rest of your post tomorrow. Bed time. But quickly...

Here is a thread with lovely rocks. PS rocks all of them... I think all the cushions on there are squares... but YES you can definitely get long cushions. That isn''t an issue... just personal taste.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/admit-it.46093/=

Longer cushions:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-cushion-is-here.30597/=

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-cushion-cut-ering.11629/=

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/mayas-cushion-finished.34850/=

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pictures-of-my-cushion-cut-e-ring.19200/=


You just have to tell the vendor what style you are looking for and what length/ width ratio you want with cushions.

Also... Flanders:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond.php?d=573&shape=64&inHouse=3&resultsColumns=268451855&singleResult=1

Finally-- the only downside with cushions is the lack of spread... they have about the same spread as asschers do.

And as for settings. Well WF does custom work (do a search for the threads) and can replicate anything just about.Also can get Adwar and Stuller settings in (not designers... but the do designer copy settings without the diamonds in them and WF will finish the settings). As for GOG... they have extensive contacts for custom... and their online selection of settings is underwelming-- I agree...lol. But they do work with some designers... and actually one designer Richard Landi who I was considering a setting from. He actually does a lot of antiquey settings (that''s what''s posted on his site)--- but apparently does contemporary settings too (mine was contemporary and beautiful) just doesn''t post them on his site. But GOG does carry the line.

My thread on the Richard Landi setting I love. Scroll through the antiquey stuff if it''s not your thing... my setting is the only contemporary one on there.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/found-possible-setting-wanted-advice-on-safety.47220/=

Pearlman''s is a great site for settings and setting ideas. www.pearlmansjewelers.com
 
You''ve been awesome, Gypsy, Thanks!
I''m going away for the weekend but I will find this thread when I get back... it''s bookmarked :)
The custom info is very helpful! Oh, and those "antiquey" designs are exactly what I''m looking for. Since I will be wearing it alone, I wish it to have some side imprinting or something... not sure. Your ring is very elegant... when do you get your stone?
 
LOL... I have my diamond already... I''m re-setting it. And while I adore that setting... I am getting a different one because it will make my diamond look bigger! And that one won''t. Have fun this weekend.
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Gypsy did a terrific job outlining a few vendors, but I''d like to add confirmation on GOG for rounds as well. No one does more analysis of the stones than they do. But I''d buy a round stone from either GOG or WF. They both carry excellent quality. But I have found that GOG has spent more time helping me find the right stone for me!

Incidentally, I am a lot like you in that I am also narrowing the selection for an anniversary ring so that my husband can decide between 2, I hope!
 
What kind of stone are you looking for?

I haven''t gotten the instant gratification at GOG that I have at WF and the others I haven''t really looked into yet (busybusy) but wow, I can see how this becomes an obsession for some!!! lol
 
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