CBianco's Eye Candies

[Autumn in New England]

Some pieces simply don't have a bad side, @CBianco!

 

[CBianco]

My latest purchase is a 1.6ct unheated padparadscha sapphire ring by one of my favorite designers Kat Florence. The pad is from Luc Yen, quite an uncommon origin, with 1.54ct of D flawless diamonds. The pad looks to have a small window (which most pads do anyway), but seems to mostly disappear on hand. It's my personal ideal color for pads and the price was very good. I'm so so excited but it won't be in my hands for another 6-8 weeks as they're resizing it for me. I'm not quite sure how they'll do that as the diamonds go all the way around the shank, but I guess I'll find out soon enough. Won't even be surprised if they'll have to remake the setting. Meanwhile I'm "trading" several of my rings for it (obviously not my jedi) and won't be eating for the next couple of weeks Ahh I can't wait!!!

 

[Autumn in New England]

What an interesting ring design! And D, FL diamonds... yes, please. The sapphire is set so well in this mounting that it literally looks like a part of it. That's a sign of quality, if I've ever seen one. Another lovely addition to your collection! I'll have to check out that designer now.

 

[CBianco]

What an interesting ring design! And D, FL diamonds... yes, please. The sapphire is set so well in this mounting that it literally looks like a part of it. That's a sign of quality, if I've ever seen one. Another lovely addition to your collection! I'll have to check out that designer now.

Definitely check her out! Her designs are very different from most, they are typically big stones and all have a diamond encrusted look. Makes a lot of other rings look cheap lol! Possibly not the most convenient to wear (especially for small hands like mine) but absolutely the best eye candy, I always get such a kick going through her insta and website. She only uses D FL diamonds and melees too. My jedi ring is actually inspired by her designs! Unfortunately I already sold my purple sapphire ring and my mahenge will need to go too. Tight budget means compromises but I'm sooo excited, it's been a dream of mine to have one of her rings.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Definitely check her out! Her designs are very different from most, they are typically big stones and all have a diamond encrusted look. Makes a lot of other rings look cheap lol! Possibly not the most convenient to wear (especially for small hands like mine) but absolutely the best eye candy, I always get such a kick going through her insta and website. She only uses D FL diamonds and melees too. My jedi ring is actually inspired by her designs! Unfortunately I already sold my purple sapphire ring and my mahenge will need to go too. Tight budget means compromises but I'm sooo excited, it's been ones of my dreams to have one of her rings.

Out with the old and in with the new, my friend! When I decide I want to "upgrade," the first thing I do is list an old piece for sale. It's all about trade-offs, as you said. At this point, I try to sell something for every new gem/piece I buy (which I don't do much of these days anyway). It's not only about money, but also room!

 

[CBianco]

Out with the old and in with the new, my friend! When I decide I want to "upgrade," the first thing I do is list an old piece for sale. It's all about trade-offs, as you said. At this point, I try to sell something for every new gem/piece I buy (which I don't do much of these days anyway). It's not only about money, but also room!

Same here! I've also realized that I'd rather have a very very small collection that makes my heart flutter everytime I look at it (the jedi and mansin pink cushion does that every single time) than to just have many pieces in my jewelry box. Not that my other pieces aren't high quality because they are, I'm just more attached to some than others

 

[Autumn in New England]

Same here! I've also realized that I'd rather have a very very small collection that makes my heart flutter everytime I look at it (the jedi and mansin pink cushion does that every single time) than to just have many pieces in my jewelry box. Not that my other pieces aren't high quality because they are, I'm just more attached to some than others

100%. I'm really a rockhound at heart, and collect gems more than I do the jewelry itself. Though I would like to set them all, because I think it brings the best out of the stones (and I love creative color combos). However, to "economize" a bit, I only allow myself one of each gem I'm interested in. Like I have several spinels, but in all different colors. So I attempt to buy the best I can of any particular gem and move on. That's how I (try to) keep things reined in!

 

[CBianco]

100%. I'm really a rockhound at heart, and collect gems more than I do the jewelry itself. Though I would like to set them all, because I think it brings the best out of the stones (and I love creative color combos). However, to "economize" a bit, I only allow myself one of each gem I'm interested in. Like I have several spinels, but in all different colors. So I attempt to buy the best I can of any particular gem and move on. That's how I (try to) keep things reined in!

That's a great way to economize, having one of the best of each particular gem/color. Meanwhile I have way too many pinks! I have a blue sapphire and emerald on my wish list, but it won't be for a while as I'd want the best specimen too and need to save up

 

[Autumn in New England]

That's a great way to economize, having one of the best of each particular gem/color. Meanwhile I have way too many pinks! I have a blue sapphire and emerald on my wish list, but it won't be for a while as I'd want the best specimen too

You do love your pinks! And I love admiring them!! Well you're in for some fun blue sapphire shopping. Enjoy it. I had a ball browsing when I bought mine. Ultimately, I went with Inken Krause at Enhoerning Jewelry. It was a fantastic experience from start-to-finish. She even donated proceeds from the sale to Ukrainian relief efforts. How's that for class?

With emerald shopping, however, I found it much more tricky. It was a bit stressful with that one, as I typically find buying to be a very enjoyable experience. Sourcing top color, good clarity, and a decent weight within budget, and then worrying about treatments and lab reports, was a little taxing. But once you find "the" one, it's all worth it. If I could do it all again, though, I'd go bigger. It's a 9x7mm emerald cut, but only 2ct. The good thing about beryl is that it has a low density, so crystals are larger than their weight might imply. All things being equal, a 2ct. emerald will appear larger than diamond, sapphire, and spinel of the same weight, to name a few. Anyway... I'm rambling!

 

[CBianco]

You do love your pinks! And I love admiring them!! Well you're in for some fun blue sapphire shopping. Enjoy it. I had a ball browsing when I bought mine. Ultimately, I went with Inken Krause at Enhoerning Jewelry. It was a fantastic experience from start-to-finish. She even donated proceeds from the sale to Ukrainian relief efforts. How's that for class?

With emerald shopping, however, I found it much more tricky. It was a bit stressful with that one, as I typically find buying to be a very enjoyable experience. Sourcing top color, good clarity, and a decent weight within budget, and then worrying about treatments and lab reports, was a little taxing. But once you find "the" one, it's all worth it. If I could do it all again, though, I'd go bigger. It's a 9x7mm emerald cut, but only 2ct. The good thing about beryl is that it has a low density, so crystals are larger than their weight might imply. All things being equal, a 2ct. emerald will appear larger than diamond, sapphire, and spinel of the same weight, to name a few. Anyway... I'm rambling!

Thanks for sharing your experiences! I think I remember your burma sapphire from Inken and am glad to hear you had a fantastic experience with her! My mahenge is from her and had a great pleasure working with her as well.

There are a few vendors I'd be interested in working with for emeralds, muzoemeralds from IG being one of them. Sorry to hear that you had a more stressful experience sourcing it, I also had a similar feeling while looking for jedi, passed on so many stones and with vendors giving crazy quotes. Hopefully I'll get to enjoy my hunt for sapphire and emerald when the time comes.
I don't think I've seen your emerald yet! And "only" 2ct, that's huuuge for me

 

[Autumn in New England]

Thanks for sharing your experiences! I think I remember your burma sapphire from Inken and am glad to hear you had a fantastic experience with her! My mahenge is from her and had a great pleasure working with her as well.

There are a few vendors I'd be interested in working with for emeralds, muzoemeralds from IG being one of them. Sorry to hear that you had a more stressful experience sourcing it, I also had a similar feeling while looking for jedi, passed on so many stones and with vendors giving crazy quotes. Hopefully I'll get to enjoy my hunt for sapphire and emerald when the time comes.
I don't think I've seen your emerald yet! And "only" 2ct, that's huuuge for me

I didn't know that spinel was from Inken! Oh how cool... you know I love the jedi (and just the entire ring as a whole), but that mahenge is also stunning.

Yes, I purchased my emerald from George at muzoemeralds! He can pretty much source a quality emerald for just about anyone's budget. He was great to work with... the stressful part was really what led up to that point. lol Some disappointments and unpleasant surprises for sure!! But that's just the nature of the beast. I would have had a larger budget if I were buying now, which bugs me a bit, and why I said I'd have gone larger. But you are right to put quality over quantity (weight), and it's also why you have such a beautimous collection! However, your stones are certainly NOT small. And you have such teeny fingers. hee hee Anyway, here's the emerald.

 

[CBianco]

I didn't know that spinel was from Inken! Oh how cool... you know I love the jedi (and just the entire ring as a whole), but that mahenge is also stunning.

Yes, I purchased my emerald from George at muzoemeralds! He can pretty much source a quality emerald for just about anyone's budget. He was great to work with... the stressful part was really what led up to that point. lol Some disappointments and unpleasant surprises for sure!! But that's just the nature of the beast. I would have had a larger budget if I were buying now, which bugs me a bit, and why I said I'd have gone larger. But you are right to put quality over quantity (weight), and it's also why you have such a beautimous collection! However, your stones are certainly NOT small. And you have such teeny fingers. hee hee Anyway, here's the emerald.

Drooling over this emerald! Can just imagine the glow in person. You have my dream stone If you ever decide to upgrade lmk

Awesome to know George was great to work with, I'm following his page and he has an amazing inventory.

Haha my stones aren't too small all 1ct+(with demantoid as the exception), but still snot sized compared to what others have on here

Here's a little "real life" perspective of how the jedi ring looks on my finger

 

[Autumn in New England]

Drooling over this emerald! Can just imagine the glow in person. You have my dream stone If you ever decide to upgrade lmk

Awesome to know George was great to work with, I'm following his page and he has an amazing inventory.

Haha my stones aren't too small all 1ct+(with demantoid as the exception), but still snot sized compared to what others have on here

Here's a little "real life" perspective of how the jedi ring looks on my finger

OMG... your HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop it. And the neon pink against those ebony tresses - stunning. I can't. You're beautiful.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

OMG... your HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop it. And the neon pink against those ebony tresses - stunning. I can't. You're beautiful.

Thank god you said it first, I didn't want to be weird
It's true though, absolutely ridiculous.

 

[CBianco]

OMG... your HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop it. And the neon pink against those ebony tresses - stunning. I can't. You're beautiful.

Thank god you said it first, I didn't want to be weird
It's true though, absolutely ridiculous.

Oh you guys are making me blushThank you

 

[Autumn in New England]

Thank god you said it first, I didn't want to be weird
It's true though, absolutely ridiculous.

My weirdness is unbridled at this point! I am also unapologetically a woman's woman.

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

My latest purchase is a 1.6ct unheated padparadscha sapphire ring by one of my favorite designers Kat Florence. The pad is from Luc Yen, quite an uncommon origin, with 1.54ct of D flawless diamonds. The pad looks to have a small window (which most pads do anyway), but seems to mostly disappear on hand. It's my personal ideal color for pads and the price was very good. I'm so so excited but it won't be in my hands for another 6-8 weeks as they're resizing it for me. I'm not quite sure how they'll do that as the diamonds go all the way around the shank, but I guess I'll find out soon enough. Won't even be surprised if they'll have to remake the setting. Meanwhile I'm "trading" several of my rings for it (obviously not my jedi) and won't be eating for the next couple of weeks Ahh I can't wait!!!

I love Kat Florence, and this is a stunner!!! Your collection is one of my favorites.

 

[CBianco]

I love Kat Florence, and this is a stunner!!! Your collection is one of my favorites.

Thank you, I'm flattered

 

[CBianco]

Just a little update for anyone that's following, unfortunately after much thought yesterday I decided to cancel my Kat Florence order. I just think it's financially best for me to save up right now and not be under so much stress (thanks inflation). I absolutely love the ring design, and I'll be honest the price was $6995 which is extremely fair. 1.6ct unheated pad with 1.54ct D flawless diamonds? Don't really think you can buy loose stone and custom setting for that price. Their customer service was fantastic to work with, and very understanding of my situation. I would love to work with them again in the future when I'm more financially stable. Still dreaming of my first kat florence piece!

Meanwhile with the money I "saved" and downsizing my collection as well, I'm thinking of setting my Mansin pink cushion (hopefully sometime soon) similar to the kat florence ring. I think my spinel might even be a better performer than that pad with no windowing. It's my ideal favorite color, hot pink with a tinge of purple when comparing to my jedi. It's doesn't have as cool of a fluorescence effect as jedi in the sun, but just color wise I actually prefer the mansin. And although I love my jedi and wouldn't trade it for the world, this just shows how trade ideal doesn't mean everything and personal preference is just as important.

This is how I'm imagining to set my cushion, in between these 2 designs. Love the pears of the top view on first pic and the gallery of the second one.




My cushion which I've post plenty times before lol:

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Just a little update for anyone that's following, unfortunately after much thought yesterday I decided to cancel my Kat Florence order. I just think it's financially best for me to save up right now and not be under so much stress (thanks inflation). I absolutely love the ring design, and I'll be honest the price was $6995 which is extremely fair. 1.6ct unheated pad with 1.54ct D flawless diamonds? Don't really think you can buy loose stone and custom setting for that price. Their customer service was fantastic to work with, and very understanding of my situation. I would love to work with them again in the future when I'm more financially stable. Still dreaming of my first kat florence piece!

Meanwhile with the money I "saved" and downsizing my collection as well, I'm thinking of setting my Mansin pink cushion (hopefully sometime soon) similar to the kat florence ring. I think my spinel might even be a better performer than that pad with no windowing. It's my ideal favorite color, hot pink with a tinge of purple when comparing to my jedi. It's doesn't have as cool of a fluorescence effect as jedi in the sun, but just color wise I actually prefer the mansin. And although I love my jedi and wouldn't trade it for the world, this just shows how trade ideal doesn't mean everything and personal preference is just as important.

This is how I'm imagining to set my cushion, in between these 2 designs. Love the pears of the top view on first pic and the gallery of the second one.




My cushion which I've post plenty times before lol:

A smart decision is a smart decision. You could easily incorporate both elements into the design and it will make for a beautiful showcase for your spinel. It'll be exciting to go through the design stages to get the tweaking right!

 

[maru8888777]

Just a little update for anyone that's following, unfortunately after much thought yesterday I decided to cancel my Kat Florence order. I just think it's financially best for me to save up right now and not be under so much stress (thanks inflation). I absolutely love the ring design, and I'll be honest the price was $6995 which is extremely fair. 1.6ct unheated pad with 1.54ct D flawless diamonds? Don't really think you can buy loose stone and custom setting for that price. Their customer service was fantastic to work with, and very understanding of my situation. I would love to work with them again in the future when I'm more financially stable. Still dreaming of my first kat florence piece!

Meanwhile with the money I "saved" and downsizing my collection as well, I'm thinking of setting my Mansin pink cushion (hopefully sometime soon) similar to the kat florence ring. I think my spinel might even be a better performer than that pad with no windowing. It's my ideal favorite color, hot pink with a tinge of purple when comparing to my jedi. It's doesn't have as cool of a fluorescence effect as jedi in the sun, but just color wise I actually prefer the mansin. And although I love my jedi and wouldn't trade it for the world, this just shows how trade ideal doesn't mean everything and personal preference is just as important.

This is how I'm imagining to set my cushion, in between these 2 designs. Love the pears of the top view on first pic and the gallery of the second one.




My cushion which I've post plenty times before lol:

What a beautiful stone! I think you'll create a gorgeous ring.

 

[CBianco]

What a beautiful stone! I think you'll create a gorgeous ring.

Thank you

 

[Autumn in New England]

Can I be honest? Although I LOVE the KF mounting, I think your spinel has the sapphire beat by leaps and bounds. I can't wait to see what you do with it!

Along those same lines, I've put quite a bit of $ into a new black opal purchase. The vendor is at the mine as we speak, and we'll see what he comes up with. As beautiful as his supply is, I sort of wish I'd waited. I told myself I wouldn't buy any new stones, because I have so many I want to set. But the money's already been wired, so I'm locked in. I'm not usually impulsive, but I jumped the gun a bit on this one. *sigh* I admire your self control... smart, as @ItsMainelyYou said.

 

[CBianco]

Can I be honest? Although I LOVE the KF mounting, I think your spinel has the sapphire beat by leaps and bounds. I can't wait to see what you do with it!

Along those same lines, I've put quite a bit of $ into a new black opal purchase. The vendor is at the mine as we speak, and we'll see what he comes up with. As beautiful as his supply is, I sort of wish I'd waited. I told myself I wouldn't buy any new stones, because I have so many I want to set. But the money's already been wired, so I'm locked in. I'm not usually impulsive, but I jumped the gun a bit on this one. *sigh* I admire your self control... smart, as @ItsMainelyYou said.

Full honesty is always appreciated here

I think we all have impulse purchase problems to a certain degree lol! Jewelry jail is a very real thing

Hoping your black opal purchase will turn out to be worth it!

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Can I be honest? Although I LOVE the KF mounting, I think your spinel has the sapphire beat by leaps and bounds. I can't wait to see what you do with it!

Along those same lines, I've put quite a bit of $ into a new black opal purchase. The vendor is at the mine as we speak, and we'll see what he comes up with. As beautiful as his supply is, I sort of wish I'd waited. I told myself I wouldn't buy any new stones, because I have so many I want to set. But the money's already been wired, so I'm locked in. I'm not usually impulsive, but I jumped the gun a bit on this one. *sigh* I admire your self control... smart, as @ItsMainelyYou said.

I was thinking the same thing about the sapphire vs spinel. The sapphire didn’t appear very ‘pad like’ to me because it seemed to be more purplish and I wasn’t seeing any orange. It was pretty but maybe wouldn’t be what you really wanted. I think you made the right decision.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Can I be honest? Although I LOVE the KF mounting, I think your spinel has the sapphire beat by leaps and bounds. I can't wait to see what you do with it!

Along those same lines, I've put quite a bit of $ into a new black opal purchase. The vendor is at the mine as we speak, and we'll see what he comes up with. As beautiful as his supply is, I sort of wish I'd waited. I told myself I wouldn't buy any new stones, because I have so many I want to set. But the money's already been wired, so I'm locked in. I'm not usually impulsive, but I jumped the gun a bit on this one. *sigh* I admire your self control... smart, as @ItsMainelyYou said.

I almost impulsively bought a $1600 Jedi spinel yesterday and then I just couldn’t do it without being completely sure it’s a good one. I also came across a thread about the vendor that wasn’t so great so I’m glad I hesitated!

 

[Autumn in New England]

I almost impulsively bought a $1600 Jedi spinel yesterday and then I just couldn’t do it without being completely sure it’s a good one. I also came across a thread about the vendor that wasn’t so great so I’m glad I hesitated!

Slightly O/T: You know where I think impulsivity comes from sometimes? We may have had an experience in the past where we waited and lost out on a gem/piece. So it can make you sort of quick to jump sometimes. But whether we're spending $500 or $50,000, we need to do our homework and think it through. Because, more likely than not, if we have doubts in the beginning, they'll only be magnified down the road. Just my two beans.

 

[CBianco]

I almost impulsively bought a $1600 Jedi spinel yesterday and then I just couldn’t do it without being completely sure it’s a good one. I also came across a thread about the vendor that wasn’t so great so I’m glad I hesitated!

Would you be okay to share which vendor it's from? Is it on IG? Just be patient and you'll find the right stone evantually. I also got very frustrated during my jedi search but found my "one" after a long search. I had to have a Namya under budget, and had to compromise and decide which factor was most important for me, which ended up being color. I was very lucky the stone was a great candidate for a recut as well, which drastically improved its performance and its now my perfect stone.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Would you be okay to share which vendor it's from? Is it on IG? Just be patient and you'll find the right stone evantually. I also got very frustrated during my jedi search but found my "one" after a long search. I had to have a Namya under budget, and had to compromise and decide which factor was most important for me, which ended up being color. I was very lucky the stone was a great candidate for a recut as well, which drastically improved its performance and its now my perfect stone.

It was Higems on IG. I’m just worried about spending that kind of money and finding out there are inclusions that could be a problem or that the color isn’t quite right. This one was .99ct and 5.68x5.35 and eye clean.

But honestly I really don’t want to spend/risk more than $1000 anyway (unless I’m convinced it’s a good one or it’s easily returnable) and I just don’t know if that’s possible for a decent stone at least 5.5mm.

 

[CBianco]

It was Higems on IG. I’m just worried about spending that kind of money and finding out there are inclusions that could be a problem or that the color isn’t quite right. This one was .99ct and 5.68x5.35 and eye clean.

But honestly I really don’t want to spend/risk more than $1000 anyway (unless I’m convinced it’s a good one or it’s easily returnable) and I just don’t know if that’s possible for a decent stone at least 5.5mm.

Both my cushion and jedi are from HiGems. I wouldn't rule him out, he has a very good inventory and prices are quite fair, with lots of stones not listed on his page. His color descriptions are very good, but you do have to ask a lot of questions about everything (would be the same with most vendors I guess). I had the gems sent to Lotus and if they didn't come back as "Vivid" saturation I wasn't going to buy it. It's still a big risk though, I completely understand your decision and it's good to not impulse buy anyways.

Top color jedi's are honestly very expensive especially for Namya, I was quoted $12-15k for clean stones, $9-10k for well cut but included. All in 1-1.5ct range. These pricing were from like 4 different vendors so I can't even say one is trying to screw me over. $4-5K were cut wonky or had some other major flaw, or color wasn't top. Mine was apparently cut from a rough Higems owned so the pricing wasn't outrageous and it was much cleaner than other gems in that price range. Mansin are definitely more fairly priced and for sure the best way to go for you. Good luck in your search!