Finally going to introduce myself!!

[Schafenm]

Hi everyone

I first came to pricescope about 2 months ago to learn some information on asschers!! I haven't really posted very much because I figured I wouldn't become this obsessed with this website.. hehe So I have been on at least 3 times a week and have been reading up on stories, looking at the bling, and just trying to educate myself. I know my ff will never really do the research because he is a guy and does not care that much about jewelry. I'm lucky in that he doesn't mind that I am making most of the decisions on the stone and ring, ultimately he is just going to be getting the bill.. lol. Although I want him to pick out multiple stones so that he gets the final say in which one we go with. I figured since I have been lurking I better speak up since I will be a LIW until my next birthday (next april). That is our timeline that we agreed upon.

I feel like I am doing this process all backwards. I know exactly what kind of setting I want: white gold with tapered baguettes. Something simple to amplify the center stone. We are meeting with a jeweler this Friday whoo hoo!! I am so excited. The only thing is I am still undecided on is the center stone shape. I am finally writing here because I think SO is starting to get a little tired of constantly hearing me go back and forth. He just told me he loves me and he will give the guy the budget and I can pick whatever I want. I started out wanting an asscher, but I tried on a cushion in the setting I want at a local store here in new orleans and fell in love. They are completely different styles and I am so confused as to what I want now. If it is this difficult to pick out a ring, I can only begin to stress about wedding planning. We are waiting until I get done with nursing school before we get married. Talk about substitute one stress for another.. haha.

Well thank you so much for letting me vent a little on my indecisive nature. I look forward to getting to know all of you a little more and cannot wait to see all of your rings when you finally get them!!

 

[pandabee]

Welcome!! It is nice that you have a timeline and a good idea of what you want, even if it is just between the 2 different shapes. Have you tried asschers on? I think either would look amazing with tapered baguette sides!! Keep us updated on Friday, and I'm sure you will be on here more than 3 times per week soon.

 

[star sparkle]

Welcome!! Exciting news about Friday, that's awesome! At least you have it narrowed down to two shapes, some gals start the process with absolutely zero clue about what they want! I think when you find "the one" for you, whether it's an asscher or a cushion, you'll know it.

 

[Phdecorate]

Hi and welcome!

I love that the LIW list is getting longer behind my name! I looked at cushions for awhile myself. There are some beautiful cushion rings posted on here. They face up smaller than RBs, so I changed my mind. (I was married once before and had a pear which, being long and skinny, faces up bigger too so I was really conscious of that. It should be bigger and look bigger this time right? ) I think the asschers are so unique though, but a very different look in how they are cut. I will be curious to hear what you think after Friday. There is also something called a Quadex (am I right RSG?), maybe you can check that out too!

 

[Schafenm]

Pandabee- I have tried an asscher on, but it was in a halo setting. Even though I think they are very pretty its just not my style. So I havent judged an asscher on size of the diamond alone. I am sure you are right. I am done with finals this week, but I start again on Monday for summer school. This is my favorite procrastination website.

Star Sparkle- Thank you! I hope when I see the one I will know it also.

Phdecorate- My aunt has a pear and I absolutely love it! I totally agree with it being bigger, in diamonds you cannot go wrong with a nice big pretty rock

I found this setting today, which I have kind of fallen in love with. It almost makes me almost consider a RB. I think they are gorgeous, my diamond studs are RBs; it is just they are so popular. Probably because they are so pretty. I was just trying to find something that was not as common. Here is the link to a ritani setting that I am drooling over. This really makes me consider the RB (I know all over the place )


http://www.ritani.com/diamond_engagement_rings/item/564/in_collection/5

 

[maebelle]

Welcome! Very pretty profile on the Ritani, I bet you could find something *very* similar for a cushion!

 

[pandabee]

the Ritani setting is pretty! I think for that particular one though, the prongs look so pronounced and square that a cushion or asscher (or even the quadex! you should check that out on BGD http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/brian-gavins-quadex/) would look better with the square lines of the baguette sides! I think I have seen other settings (maybe the Cartier classic ones?) where the round looks good with baguettes but for that particular setting I vote a more squarish shape! regardless, I think if you went with a RB the baguette sides definitely set it apart from the usual RB settings so that would be unique as well!

however, I do hope you get to try on an asscher solitaire (or at least 3 stone) sometime soon to see if you still like it! it's such a unique shape.

 

[Schafenm]

Maebelle- thank you for the welcome

Pandabee- I hope I love the asscher as well... I just hope if I do it will look good with a setting like that. I also found this leon mege setting with an asscher in the middle. The asscher is a 2.0 carat, but we are looking around 1.75 so I think it would look similar.

http://www.artofplatinum.com/vault/custom-engagement-ring-Asscher-diamond

 

[gatorblue]

Hi Schafenm!

Glad to hear you guys are meeting with a jeweler this week, very exciting!
I love both settings you linked to. I'll admit I don't know much about diamonds, but I really like the uniqueness of the asscher cut.

And yay for a fellow April birthday - happy belated to you

 

[madelise]

Welcome!

If you're meeting with the jeweler, be sure to come back and show us pics of everything you try on! I need to live vicariously, since I ran out of things to spy on in SMTB :p

 

[Magpie09]

Welcome!

If you're meeting with the jeweler, be sure to come back and show us pics of everything you try on! I need to live vicariously, since I ran out of things to spy on in SMTB :p

Welcome Schafenm Definitely bring pics from the jeweler!

Join us in the screen name thread.. all I got is something to do with sheep?? But I could be way off

That is some feat Madelise!

 

[audball]

Welcome!

Exciting news about Friday!! Make sure to try tons of sizes and shapes to get an idea of what looks good. I know many people have asschers and eventually get underwhelmed by the sparkle since it's different than RB. A lot of people mitigate this with a halo of melee, but if halos aren't your thing (which is fine), you may want to just give it a tad extra thought to make sure you'll be okay with its performance in the long run.

Best of luck!

 

[Mico]

Maebelle- thank you for the welcome

Pandabee- I hope I love the asscher as well... I just hope if I do it will look good with a setting like that. I also found this leon mege setting with an asscher in the middle. The asscher is a 2.0 carat, but we are looking around 1.75 so I think it would look similar.

http://www.artofplatinum.com/vault/custom-engagement-ring-Asscher-diamond

ooooo pretty!!!
LOVE!

p.s. welcome

 

[audball]

That's a gorgeous Leon!

 

[sweetpea&babycorn]

hi and welcome! it's definitely not unusual to change your mind about what you want. it's great you have time to decide on what you really want. my previous engagement ring was a gorgeous modern cushion which i still think about from time to time, but now that I'm in a new relationship, I've been exploring a different cut, and I've been falling in love with older cuts, especially OECs.

If after your shopping trip you are still unsure, you could think about getting a CZ ring in the design you think you want, and wearing that for a while, and seeing whether you can see yourself wearing it forever, or if you want to try other options.

Best of luck in finishing nursing school! I'm also still in school, and I've gotta say, I would MUCH rather stress about wedding planning than stress over exams and evaluations!

 

[Schafenm]

Thanks guys for all the support. The CZ idea is ingenius.. I might have to try that. Although I am nervous now to go meet with the jeweler. He called today to confirm and I mentioned to him that I wanted to look at other cuts but he insisted he was only going to bring asshers tomorrow since that is what I was initially drawn to. I was trying to be polite because my uncle is a friend of his and gets all of my aunt's jewelry from him. He then proceeded to repeat that he was going to ring 1.5 and 1.75 specifically. Thanks to the help of pricescope, I just told him it didnt have to be exactly one of those weights because if we were going to look at asshers cut, clarity, and color were more important to us than carat weight. I think I might have offended him because he proceeded to tell me that all of his diamonds are GIA certified and he is bringing in asschers from belgium for us to look at. (I dont really know what that means). He also said if we were looking for a lower quality diamond than he is comfortable selling then he just wouldn't sell to us. This really upset me because I wasn't trying to offend him. I was just trying let him know what was important to us, everyone has different standards they are looking for. My aunt said I sounded like a know it all, but SO said I just sound like an informed buyer. Which with such an expensive purchase you want to be.

Opinions please, did I say the wrong thing or am I overreacting and should just go in there tomorrow like nothing happened

 

[pandabee]

Thanks guys for all the support. The CZ idea is ingenius.. I might have to try that. Although I am nervous now to go meet with the jeweler. He called today to confirm and I mentioned to him that I wanted to look at other cuts but he insisted he was only going to bring asshers tomorrow since that is what I was initially drawn to. I was trying to be polite because my uncle is a friend of his and gets all of my aunt's jewelry from him. He then proceeded to repeat that he was going to ring 1.5 and 1.75 specifically. Thanks to the help of pricescope, I just told him it didnt have to be exactly one of those weights because if we were going to look at asshers cut, clarity, and color were more important to us than carat weight. I think I might have offended him because he proceeded to tell me that all of his diamonds are GIA certified and he is bringing in asschers from belgium for us to look at. (I dont really know what that means). He also said if we were looking for a lower quality diamond than he is comfortable selling then he just wouldn't sell to us. This really upset me because I wasn't trying to offend him. I was just trying let him know what was important to us, everyone has different standards they are looking for. My aunt said I sounded like a know it all, but SO said I just sound like an informed buyer. Which with such an expensive purchase you want to be.

Opinions please, did I say the wrong thing or am I overreacting and should just go in there tomorrow like nothing happened

I don't think you said the wrong thing, I think that most jewelers don't expect people to be as educate as you (and we) are to know that size is not the most important "C" and that you know how to evaluate the other qualities of a diamond yourself instead of leaving that all up to the jeweler. I think you should just go in tomorrow with an open attitude and see what happens, but don't back down if he is trying to push something that you don't think fits you! good luck!!!!

 

[audball]

I mostly agree with pandabee. I don't think you did anything wrong. This SCREAMS as an example as to why we ALWAYS recommend NOT going through a friend of the family. You either look like a jerk for being specific or something like that. It always ends bad. Always always always.

Go in with an open mind. Be polite, but that doesn't mean not asking questions. Not all GIA stones are created equal. ANYBODY can get a stone GIA certified. It's what the cert SHOWS that is important. Just because GIA evaluated doesn't mean it's good. Honestly, if you don't feel comfortable, GO ELSEWHERE. The process gets more stressful as you get into it and if you're not working with someone who UNDERSTANDS that you ARE and educated buyer, it'll just get worse. There are SO MANY PS vendors that love working with us since we do not what we're talking about.

Seriously. And don't be afraid to price shop. Just because he's a friend of the family doesn't mean he'll have the best price on a stone. In fact, most posters find that they can get a better deal online.

Good luck. It's a tough position to be in. At least your BF saw that you were just being an informed consumer and not a pain the butt. The two of you are the only opinions that count. Remember that.

 

[Schafenm]

Pandabee and Audball--- Thank you so much for putting my mind at ease.. I will let yall know how it goes tomorrow.

 

[audball]

So?! How'd it go?

 

[Mico]

Thanks guys for all the support. The CZ idea is ingenius.. I might have to try that. Although I am nervous now to go meet with the jeweler. He called today to confirm and I mentioned to him that I wanted to look at other cuts but he insisted he was only going to bring asshers tomorrow since that is what I was initially drawn to. I was trying to be polite because my uncle is a friend of his and gets all of my aunt's jewelry from him. He then proceeded to repeat that he was going to ring 1.5 and 1.75 specifically. Thanks to the help of pricescope, I just told him it didnt have to be exactly one of those weights because if we were going to look at asshers cut, clarity, and color were more important to us than carat weight. I think I might have offended him because he proceeded to tell me that all of his diamonds are GIA certified and he is bringing in asschers from belgium for us to look at. (I dont really know what that means). He also said if we were looking for a lower quality diamond than he is comfortable selling then he just wouldn't sell to us. This really upset me because I wasn't trying to offend him. I was just trying let him know what was important to us, everyone has different standards they are looking for. My aunt said I sounded like a know it all, but SO said I just sound like an informed buyer. Which with such an expensive purchase you want to be.

Opinions please, did I say the wrong thing or am I overreacting and should just go in there tomorrow like nothing happened

um, sounds just like our "friend of family" that sent horrible high color high clarity stones that were not the best cut. after my millions of questions he finally gave up on me. and things are still ok.

Didn't trust him for the world though - so I didn't want to buy my ring through him

 

[Schafenm]

Hey everyone, sorry I didn't post back yesterday. Went and had some drinks with friends after and New Orleans nightlife kind of got the best of us!!!

OMG it went better than expected. I wanted to go in there and not like this guy, but he was so nice and friendly in person. I'm thinking he may not be an over the phone type of guy. He also had a surprise for us once we got there. He had pulled one stone to show us. It was a 1.74 I vs2 asscher. It was stunning, we looked through the loupe and it was completely symmetrical. I am kind of OCD ab this part. Then he proceeded to tell all about the C's and we politely sat there and listened.

Next he told us this 2nd stone just came into his possession about a week ago after our very first initial conversation. A lady owned a 2.21 H vs1 asscher and was trying to sell it. He showed it to us just like the one before and it also was extremely symmetrical. I looked at SO and thought, there is no way this diamond was in our price range. I don't know the whole story behind the diamond, but the lady wants to sell for whatever reason. It turns out that the 2.21 is only $300 more than the brande new 1.74. He explained that it's at this price because it was previously owned and not a brand new diamond. Also the seller is motivated. I'm not one who believes in bad juju, if I was New Orleans is not the place to live. the idea of someone else owning it does not bother me at all.

SO and I both secretly felt like we hit the luck lottery. I also like the idea of using something that's being recycled in a sense than buying a new product. We both got in the car and weighed the pro's and cons and I left the choice up to him. They are both GIA certified, so I really think he is going to go with the lady using our jeweler to sell her diamond. We went home and told my aunt everything that had happened yesterday (she is my mother figure in my life). This is when I was hit with another surprise. I already own a piece of jewelry from this man. Seven years ago my sister was diagnosed with cancer, and we held a benefit for her. It had a silent auction. I fell in love with this aquamarine necklace there, and my aunt bid on it for me and gave it to me when I graduated from high school. A week later my sister lost her battle, I wear the necklace whenever I miss her. To me this is a sign, and some might think I'm crazy for that but I thinks it's meant to be.

And that is my incredibly long winded story about yesterday. SO said I am no longer involved in the process and I just have to sit back and relax. Haha yeah right. This is going to kill me, but I'm so excited that I don't have to stress about it anymore.

 

[Phdecorate]

Hey everyone, sorry I didn't post back yesterday. Went and had some drinks with friends after and New Orleans nightlife kind of got the best of us!!!

OMG it went better than expected. I wanted to go in there and not like this guy, but he was so nice and friendly in person. I'm thinking he may not be an over the phone type of guy. He also had a surprise for us once we got there. He had pulled one stone to show us. It was a 1.74 I vs2 asscher. It was stunning, we looked through the loupe and it was completely symmetrical. I am kind of OCD ab this part. Then he proceeded to tell all about the C's and we politely sat there and listened.

Next he told us this 2nd stone just came into his possession about a week ago after our very first initial conversation. A lady owned a 2.21 H vs1 asscher and was trying to sell it. He showed it to us just like the one before and it also was extremely symmetrical. I looked at SO and thought, there is no way this diamond was in our price range. I don't know the whole story behind the diamond, but the lady wants to sell for whatever reason. It turns out that the 2.21 is only $300 more than the brande new 1.74. He explained that it's at this price because it was previously owned and not a brand new diamond. Also the seller is motivated. I'm not one who believes in bad juju, if I was New Orleans is not the place to live. the idea of someone else owning it does not bother me at all.

SO and I both secretly felt like we hit the luck lottery. I also like the idea of using something that's being recycled in a sense than buying a new product. We both got in the car and weighed the pro's and cons and I left the choice up to him. They are both GIA certified, so I really think he is going to go with the lady using our jeweler to sell her diamond. We went home and told my aunt everything that had happened yesterday (she is my mother figure in my life). This is when I was hit with another surprise. I already own a piece of jewelry from this man. Seven years ago my sister was diagnosed with cancer, and we held a benefit for her. It had a silent auction. I fell in love with this aquamarine necklace there, and my aunt bid on it for me and gave it to me when I graduated from high school. A week later my sister lost her battle, I wear the necklace whenever I miss her. To me this is a sign, and some might think I'm crazy for that but I thinks it's meant to be.


And that is my incredibly long winded story about yesterday. SO said I am no longer involved in the process and I just have to sit back and relax. Haha yeah right. This is going to kill me, but I'm so excited that I don't have to stress about it anymore.

Sounds like you had a great experience after all! Great to hear! And that is a nice twist about the necklace too! I believe in signs....

 

[pandabee]

aww I'm glad it was a happy ending!!!! I believe in signs too, so I love that you were able to make that connection. It really does sound like everything worked out the way it was supposed to be for you!!! Can't wait. How soon do you see a proposal happening?

 

[Schafenm]

Thanks you guys!!!! I'm still trying to pinch myself. It seems too good to be true, but I'm rolling with it. I don't expect anything until after the first of the year. I have 1 year and a half left of school and i don't want any pressure to plan anything while I'm still in school. This just means I get to hang around this forum for a while and participate in all the fun topics.

 

[Mico]

Thanks you guys!!!! I'm still trying to pinch myself. It seems too good to be true, but I'm rolling with it. I don't expect anything until after the first of the year. I have 1 year and a half left of school and i don't want any pressure to plan anything while I'm still in school. This just means I get to hang around this forum for a while and participate in all the fun topics.

yay!!! I'm glad things worked out better than expected!

 

[madelise]

Thanks you guys!!!! I'm still trying to pinch myself. It seems too good to be true, but I'm rolling with it. I don't expect anything until after the first of the year. I have 1 year and a half left of school and i don't want any pressure to plan anything while I'm still in school. This just means I get to hang around this forum for a while and participate in all the fun topics.

wow that was quick! i'm happy you get to get that off your shoulders! did you guys already purchase it?

ETA: Don't worry about it being "preloved". All diamonds are old. And who can really guarantee the diamond a jeweler is selling us is really a "newer" one? They can just recut and repolish old diamonds for us, and we'd have no idea. And who doesn't love a good bargain, anyway? You seem to have lucked out!

 

[Magpie09]

So glad you had a better experience this time around

Sorry to hear about your sister. And it doesn't sound crazy at all.

 

[Chewbacca]

Hello! I'm new too, though you are way further down the LIW path than I!

The ring you describe sounds beautiful, I love the tapered baguettes.

It sounds as though you will have a honking great diamond too, what terrific luck at the jewellers! You and your SO must be over the moon.

 

[Md123456789]

Hi! I really really don't want to be a negative belly but this story rings really close to home and raises some warning flags for me.

We had the EXACT same story given to us by a family jeweler about an estate sale where we were able to get a diamond bigger than planned for slightly more money. It turned out to be very poorly cut and not face up like it's carat weight.

Are you able to see the certificate before? Can you post them both on here for the experts?

I know not everyone is going to have a bad experience with a family jeweler but it seems more often the case than not so I would make sure you know exactly what you are getting so you have no regrets.