Alexandrite Help - Engagement Ring

[LD]

Have just looked at ones I would go for:

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/zx162ag/&930512007 It's a pear but the colour change is exceptional. A very very nice looking gem that will elongate the finger.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax547aa/&930512007 Again a pear but the daylight green colour from this mine (on good stones) is probably the best.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax658ad/&930512007 An oval - this has a long skinny window but because it's skinny I reckon it would minimise in a setting. Have you spoken with David about this one?

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax658af/&930512007 An oval - better cutting that the one above. Good strong colour change. Good size considering the carat weight because it's a 6 x 4

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax658ag/&930512007 An oval - same comment as the one above.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax658ab/&930512007 An oval - why have you not considered this one? Lovely lovely cutting and again, a great colour change and face up size.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax645aa/&930512007 An octagon - OMG! Love this. Again, it has a window but will close up. I have an Emerald ring exactly like this (with a window) BUT it's just lovely.

If you're interested in any of the above, I'd ask David to take videos and if possible photograph all of them together on the back of a hand.

 

[Darkwind]

David's off for the weekend (or tired of me) But a couple of those stones you listed LD I've already requested handshots, just waiting for them. Randomly stumbled on the silky alex, just curious what it would look like. Didn't care for the greyish look of the vstbG 5/3 stones. Agreed about the pear shapes, he does have some nice ones.

 

[minousbijoux]

Have just looked at ones I would go for:

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/zx162ag/&930512007 It's a pear but the colour change is exceptional. A very very nice looking gem that will elongate the finger.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax547aa/&930512007 Again a pear but the daylight green colour from this mine (on good stones) is probably the best.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax658ad/&930512007 An oval - this has a long skinny window but because it's skinny I reckon it would minimise in a setting. Have you spoken with David about this one?

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax658af/&930512007 An oval - better cutting that the one above. Good strong colour change. Good size considering the carat weight because it's a 6 x 4

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax658ag/&930512007 An oval - same comment as the one above.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax658ab/&930512007 An oval - why have you not considered this one? Lovely lovely cutting and again, a great colour change and face up size.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax645aa/&930512007 An octagon - OMG! Love this. Again, it has a window but will close up. I have an Emerald ring exactly like this (with a window) BUT it's just lovely.

If you're interested in any of the above, I'd ask David to take videos and if possible photograph all of them together on the back of a hand.

I am stunned, just stunned! I spent some time looking on his website yesterday for Gordon yesterday and do not recall seeing any of these - perhaps I limited it to stones of >1 carat. Anyway, there are several amazing candidates on this list. I wish I could gush here, but I don't want any lurkers to walk off with the stones...so I'll just speak in generalities.

LD has done a great job and they are all quite good. I was all set to love the pears - and they do seem to exhibit a strong color change - but I think you said that shape is not for your gf. So that leaves the ovals and the octagon. It would be great if you could keep them all in the running for now, and get additional information on each of them. While I have a favorite and a runnerup, most of them are close and at least from his side by side photos, they all look like they exhibit strong color change (but keep in mind that it seems that sometimes his photos are a bit more intense than they are in real life). If I were going to knock one out, I would probably knock out the one with the long thin window, though, as LD says, that one is likely to close up. But I'm not objective about windows so you don't want to hear me go off on them!

I know the octagon is a different shape than what you are considering, but I would definitely want to know more about that one. I can't remember what you decided about side stones now, but I could see that octagon with two smaller octagonal/radiant/rectangular side diamonds...swoon; lovely, just lovely!

Edited for grammar errors...

 

[chrono]

LD has suggested quite a few stones with great potential. Am looking forward to the hand shots or videos.

 

[Darkwind]

Here's the handshots I received this morning, which include a couple stones in LD's list. Thoughts?

 

[LD]

Ok, so you really want an oval and based on that my preference is for the one on the left which I think is this one I linked to?

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/yax658af/&930512007

It has good cutting with hardly any window or bowtie (which are very common in ovals). You can also see that because of the cutting (and bear in mind with Alex you normally get poorly cut stones), it enhances the colour change and therefore in the incandescent photo, you clearly see that most of the gem has the red/purple. The larger oval has a bowtie and it's in a cross shape (which some people may find undesireable because of religious connotations or may love it precisely because of that). Because of the bowtie, you lose some of the colour change and so this stone won't be as impressive overall. Also, if you think a bowtie will drive you nuts (and some people can't stand them) then the one on the left is better.

Personally, I like the octagon but I know that you're looking for an oval so ............... the one on the left!

Do you have videos of them?

 

[michellechan2211]

Just saying, but I think the octagon is stunning. The one on the left is lovely too.

 

[minousbijoux]

I think I have to sleep on it and look at them in the morning. I haven't assessed the others yet, but I looked at the octagon and have questions for you to ask about it, if you are interested. At this point, I have concerns which may or may not be legit but can be addressed tomorrow. Fresh eyes and all that!

 

[Darkwind]

Hi LD, I don't have a video of them unfortunately and I'm not sure if I'm going to ask either. David's last e-mail was pretty curt and dismissive.

Ok Gordon, One more shot. Then I give up. We also have many other stones to shoot. Thanks DW

I'm e-raging over here. Am I doing this guy a huge favour wanting to buy a gemstone from him? If I walked into a jewellery store, was shown two stones that weren't to my liking and then asked to be shown two more and received this response I'd take my business elsewhere. Regardless if David has all the alexandrites on the planet, the customer service and pr is somewhat lacking at this point. I've been very polite during our e-mails and expect more tools/resources in order to make my pick so I can get helpful feedback from members of this forum. Gosh I'm mad right now!

 

[LD]

I understand why you're annoyed BUT David has actually gone a lot further than many Vendors do. If you look at your points abovve, you're not actually asking to see other items, you're actually asking for him to do more work with the others you want to see. The photos on the website are usually what people buy from (rather than other media).

In terms of customer service, many other vendors won't provide any additional shots or videos - so it's basically "buy if you like". Please don't take this the wrong way because it's certainly NOT meant to be rude but the amount of this sale is actually very small and I understand that customer service is customer service irrespective of the value of the sale BUT if we're honest, it does make a difference. I suspect that David does his best but will often watch people walk away after he's bent over backwards to help them (the same goes for many other Vendors also) so this is probably why there comes a point where his time is not best used in helping one customer. I'm not defending David but simply stating what we see on this forum ALL the time. As I said, David's gone further than lots of other vendors.

Multicolour have a good returns policy so perhaps it might be worth pulling the trigger on the one that appeals to you most? That way, at least you get to see an Alex in real life and maybe it will be "the one". BTW, which one are you leaning towards? If not, you simply send it back.

If you feel jaded by the experience then it's time to walk away and maybe try somewhere else or another gemstone. You'll have to make that decision though.

 

[chrono]

Out of the three new ones, my top pick will be the step cut as the change is fabulous and the colour-ways on both sides are so pretty. But since you prefer an oval, then the far left will be my choice due to the cutting and colouration. The middle stone has cut issues which affects the oval look compared to the other two.

As mentioned way back on page 1, alexandrites are not easy to find nor easy to purchase, requiring more in-depth inquiries and pictures / videos. Most vendors would just leave you with extra pictures only and nothing else. Some do not even provide additional pictures. At this point, I would pull the trigger but that is your call whether you are ready or if you feel this still isn't the right one.

 

[Darkwind]

Thanks for giving me some perspective LD, suppose I'm over-reacting. Caught me by surprise but I guess extra pictures/video are the exception. Had the girlfriend take a look, the emerald caught her eye the most surprisingly. Assuming you guys and gals don't see any huge issues with it, going to pull the trigger on it. Thoughts? Will that window close up likely? Also would I be best getting it sent to a gem lab before buying it?

 

[chrono]

I'm so glad the GF selected the step cut as it is the best of the lot. It should be no surprise that it caught her eye the most. Congrats! The window will be minimized but not totally eliminated. With such colouration, the eye will very focused on the colour rather than the cut and the cut isn't all that bad to begin with. With MC, a lab report isn't necessary but as this is an e-ring, it is a good thing to have because your insurance company will require it.

 

[LD]

It already has an AIGS report so there's no need to get anything additional.

Good luck!

 

[erinl]

I have been following this thread and I cannot wait to see which stone you pick and how you set it! So excited for you both!

 

[minousbijoux]

Hi LD, I don't have a video of them unfortunately and I'm not sure if I'm going to ask either. David's last e-mail was pretty curt and dismissive.

Ok Gordon, One more shot. Then I give up. We also have many other stones to shoot. Thanks DW

I'm e-raging over here. Am I doing this guy a huge favour wanting to buy a gemstone from him? If I walked into a jewellery store, was shown two stones that weren't to my liking and then asked to be shown two more and received this response I'd take my business elsewhere. Regardless if David has all the alexandrites on the planet, the customer service and pr is somewhat lacking at this point. I've been very polite during our e-mails and expect more tools/resources in order to make my pick so I can get helpful feedback from members of this forum. Gosh I'm mad right now!

Surprised by this sentiment. I know you've calmed down a bit since you wrote this, but I want to set the record straight for other buyers. I know your question was rhetorical, but NO, you are not doing him a HUGE favor. He sells tons of stones. He is well known with a great reputation. Other trade vendors swoon over his alexandrites. A sale of a $3K - or whatever it is - stone is not a big deal for him, otherwise he wouldn't stay in business. He has provided you many extras - not saying it like you should feel guilty, just to put it in perspective. I also think vendors like this know that when someone starts asking many questions and appearing to change their mind a bit, its sometimes a warning that the buyer has cold feet or is very particular and it starts making them nervous, because there is a greater likelihood the stone will be returned.

Now, have you decided?

 

[erinl]

Did you purchase both the octagon and the stone on the left? Those would be my two choices.

Just to cut multicolour and David Weinberg some slack, there has been in recent months, quite a bit of talk about how their pictures are not representative of their stones, and when people speak of their stones, there is a lot of talk about asking him for handshots, asking him for videos, etc. I know that I have asked him for videos of stones, as I cannot get any idea of what the real stone looks like based on what I consider odd, flat, photos. I have asked for a couple videos, he has posted them, and then I haven't purchased based on the videos (yes, that is a window I thought I saw in the picture etc etc).

I don't think these requests for extras photos or videos are outrageous, but if lots of people on pricescope are doing this and not buying, multicolour suddenly has a lot more work. I think this cuts down on returns, but if he is suddenly posting tons of videos without increased sales, he is probably a little frustrated.

 

[FrekeChild]

I've been following this a bit, and now that I've seen the photos of the three stones under different lighting, I think the octagon is freaking beautiful and I'm hoping that you've snatched it up!

 

[Darkwind]

Hi minousbijoux, yes I've calmed down somewhat. I've asked the mods to remove that post. I've been pretty excited about this project, and it have it shut down so abruptly I was quite surprised and a momentum killer. The handshots and video were a way of getting feedback from members of the forum here without necessarily revealing the stone and as I was/am such a newbie at this I considered it invaluable, you guys and gals have been great.

LD's post helped me gain some perspective. He runs a very popular and vast online gemstone, much of his day is probably spent typing e-mails and answering the phone taking inquires. David was kind enough. However, I was expecting a bit more patience on his end, perhaps that was unrealistic. Let's leave it at that.

In brighter news we've made our selection, or rather my girlfriend has - we're going with the octagon emerald cut gem. I think I need a beer she's going through different settings now...

 

[FrekeChild]

Eeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!! It's GORGEOUS!!!!!!

ETA: Maybe a couple of beers....

 

[LD]

I think you'll be overjoyed with this one. It's a phenomenal stone and has been my favourite since I posted it. It knocks spots off the ovals BUT you were intent on an oval. However, this happens quite a lot when the right gemstone comes along, everything else goes out of the window. I hope your G/F loves it. Please will you come back and update us when you get it?

 

[AprilBaby]

I can't wait to see the finished ring, the step cut was the prettiest to me!

 

[chrono]

If you don't get it, I am likely to consider it myself.

 

[Darkwind]

If you don't get it, I am likely to consider it myself.

It's been ordered

 

[Niel]

That stone you picked is oitstanding! Im so jealous

 

[Darkwind]

Hello again, the stone's enroute looking forward to seeing it in person. I must say thank you to all those writing helpful comments and feedback, feeling pretty good right now

If possible I do have a few other questions moreso onto rings now. My girlfriend has selected a ring style which is called Lucida which will be similar to this style:

http://pinterest.com/pin/562668547164460055/

She has a preference for a thicker band but didn't want to take away from our main stone which is 6.3mm by 4.4mm. We were wondering if a 4mm ring would be ok? Thoughts? She was originally thinking a 5mm ring band but we want to show case the stone better.

A question about accent diamonds... funny how things are changing but when we went to the jewellery store today she liked them.

When we first thought we wanted a 5mm ring band, the local jeweller suggested at least 3mm princess cut diamonds to be places similar to the photo above - 3 shoulder stones on each side (so 6 total) at a cost of $3125 for the diamonds. A couple questions about this:

1. By going with a 4mm ring band would it be reasonable to go with 2mm accent diamonds? I know very little about this but I assume it would decrease the cost a fair bit.
2. Is that price reasonable? From the little bit of searching I've done it seems quite inflated. Would I be better off buying them from an online vendor myself and if so a few suggestions as to some trusted ones would be handy.


Also have a question about ring material/durability concerns. But will save it for another post and will read up on it first

 

[chrono]

The Lucida setting is classic but I feel that the channel set princess cut diamonds make it look dated. My design taste is likely to be different but I would not go too wide so that the stone stands out a little more. Will there be a wedding band? If so, will they be worn together? Just something to consider so that the set does not end up being 8 mm thick.

If going with a 5 mm band, then 3 mm stones are fine. If going with a 4 mm band, then 2 to 2.5 mm stones might look more proportionate. Not knowing the colour and clarity of the stones, I cannot say how inflated the melees are. You can purchase them online yourself but the challenge is to make sure they are well cut and well matched in size. Not only that, if any damage occurs with those tips, you are on your own whereas if sourced by your jeweller, he will be responsible for it.

I dislike princess cuts because the pointy tips are prone to damage, sometimes during the setting process which you don't realize until the stones are reset. In addition, if poorly done, channel settings can be a pain to resize and cause issues.

 

[slksapphire]

hi darkwind,

congratulations on your alex -- excellent choice. i love step cuts.

on the setting, i'm gonna have to agree with chrono (as usual!) i generally don't like channel settings but adore this one with french cuts. look on leon's website (artofplatinum.com) for the video with a much better side view of the setting.



eta: i recently went through the process of making a custom setting and i strongly suggest that you rely on your ringmaker to source the diamonds. in fact, many will insist on it. it can be very difficult to match multiple, tiny side stones but getting good ones can be the difference between a stunning setting and a blah one.

 

[FrekeChild]

I'd do carre cuts instead of princesses. They'd go with the step cut better.

Attaching a pic of my tourmaline ring with channel set carres.

 

[LD]

Not a fan of princess cut sides for all the reasons stated above. If you HAVE to have square side stones then I'd go for carre or french cuts as well. I also wouldn't have a wide band because the stone you've got isn't huge and you don't want to dwarf it with metal.

What I suggest you do is cut out a piece of paper the size of the alex and then cut out a 2mm wide piece of paper, 3mm, 4mm and 5mm and you'll soon see what work best. Personally I'd have a thin band and then either octagon cut sides or two rounds and leave it at that.