luvmysparklies
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2003
- Messages
- 708
I thought that I would share with PSers (and lurkers too) a project, a find and a peek at some sparkly eye candy.
1) The project: I am helping a family member with her engagement ring. She and her boyfriend had gone shopping, bought an engagement ring setting and were preparing to get married using wedding bands until they could afford a stone. She gave me her ring to look at because there was confusion as to what part of the ring was platinum and which part was gold. Also, she had my grandmother’s ring, which held a 1.30 round diamond and the salesperson said that the stone would definitely fit into the current prongs. The salesperson assured them that the prongs were platinum, “because that’s where you need the strength” and that the shank was gold. However, when I looked at it, I could tell by the yellow tinge of the prongs that they were gold and that they were too small to hold my grandmother’s stone (of which my Mom is not ready to part with, which is no problem). I called Wink so that I could send the ring and have him verify one way or the other. Turns out that I was right on both counts, so I asked about switching out the prongs for platinum ones and ultimately-he is going to have prongs custom made into fine (Mege-type) claws.
2) The find: In talking with Wink, I asked if he had any stones around the one carat range (to see if at a lower price point, they might be able to swing a diamond, but not sacrifice on quality). I explained that the local jeweler was pushing stones in the 10 – 16K range, but there was no way that was possible for them. He told me that he had just put together his “Value Select” line and that I could be sent one for their inspection. He sent a 1.04 F I1 diamond from this line and when I opened the package, I was blown away! He included an H&A viewer, stone holder and loupe so that we could really examine. I first took pics of the stone (which I will include here) and emailed them to her. Then they came by and were oohing and ahhing over it. I explained that it was smaller than our grandmother’s stone, but that it was very, very well cut. They had been shown higher clarity stones, but once I explained that it is OK to have inclusions (within reason and for ID purposes) I showed them the stone under the loupe. We all agreed that this stone’s inclusions (surprisingly at an I1) were a complete non-issue. All that is seen at normal viewing is sparkle/rainbows/scintillation.
3) Peek at sparkly eye candy: As much as they loved this stone, their budget was too tight. I am very close with this family member and she had admired my ring for so long. So, I privately let her know that I had a stone (approximately 1 and a quarter ct. G, sold to me as a VS1) that I would give her. It was larger than the stone Wink sent (not as well cut as his, but still blingy) and she was so happy. So, that’s the backstory. I am getting great joy from being part of this process and they can look forward to having a beautiful ring – ALL platinum with a sparkly stone.
What I am going to share are the pics I took of Wink’s stone. I will also include a Youtube link that Wink was gracious enough to make of my personal stone. If there is someone out there looking for beautiful stones cut to H&A specs but need a lower cost alternative, in my opinion you should check out Wink’s Value Select line. Personally, I am seriously eyeballing that 83 pointer for a pendant!
Now, I have got to get to the barbecue grill..Happy 4th to all and enjoy the fireworks!
Link to my stone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qSIi5IkJK4
1) The project: I am helping a family member with her engagement ring. She and her boyfriend had gone shopping, bought an engagement ring setting and were preparing to get married using wedding bands until they could afford a stone. She gave me her ring to look at because there was confusion as to what part of the ring was platinum and which part was gold. Also, she had my grandmother’s ring, which held a 1.30 round diamond and the salesperson said that the stone would definitely fit into the current prongs. The salesperson assured them that the prongs were platinum, “because that’s where you need the strength” and that the shank was gold. However, when I looked at it, I could tell by the yellow tinge of the prongs that they were gold and that they were too small to hold my grandmother’s stone (of which my Mom is not ready to part with, which is no problem). I called Wink so that I could send the ring and have him verify one way or the other. Turns out that I was right on both counts, so I asked about switching out the prongs for platinum ones and ultimately-he is going to have prongs custom made into fine (Mege-type) claws.
2) The find: In talking with Wink, I asked if he had any stones around the one carat range (to see if at a lower price point, they might be able to swing a diamond, but not sacrifice on quality). I explained that the local jeweler was pushing stones in the 10 – 16K range, but there was no way that was possible for them. He told me that he had just put together his “Value Select” line and that I could be sent one for their inspection. He sent a 1.04 F I1 diamond from this line and when I opened the package, I was blown away! He included an H&A viewer, stone holder and loupe so that we could really examine. I first took pics of the stone (which I will include here) and emailed them to her. Then they came by and were oohing and ahhing over it. I explained that it was smaller than our grandmother’s stone, but that it was very, very well cut. They had been shown higher clarity stones, but once I explained that it is OK to have inclusions (within reason and for ID purposes) I showed them the stone under the loupe. We all agreed that this stone’s inclusions (surprisingly at an I1) were a complete non-issue. All that is seen at normal viewing is sparkle/rainbows/scintillation.
3) Peek at sparkly eye candy: As much as they loved this stone, their budget was too tight. I am very close with this family member and she had admired my ring for so long. So, I privately let her know that I had a stone (approximately 1 and a quarter ct. G, sold to me as a VS1) that I would give her. It was larger than the stone Wink sent (not as well cut as his, but still blingy) and she was so happy. So, that’s the backstory. I am getting great joy from being part of this process and they can look forward to having a beautiful ring – ALL platinum with a sparkly stone.
What I am going to share are the pics I took of Wink’s stone. I will also include a Youtube link that Wink was gracious enough to make of my personal stone. If there is someone out there looking for beautiful stones cut to H&A specs but need a lower cost alternative, in my opinion you should check out Wink’s Value Select line. Personally, I am seriously eyeballing that 83 pointer for a pendant!
Now, I have got to get to the barbecue grill..Happy 4th to all and enjoy the fireworks!
Link to my stone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qSIi5IkJK4
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