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help for a newbie: e-ring selection dilemma

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minxesq

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 18, 2006
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Hello to all: I''m a longtime lurker (too embarassed to acknowledge myself as a LIW). Since my wonderful fiancee proposed to me last weekend, I finally feel like I can reach out and ask you for some help (without jinxing the engagement). I very much appreciate the education and advice that you''ve all made available through this forum, and I hope a few of you are willing to offer a little input on my e-ring dilemma.

My fiancee opted to propose without a ring and then work together to find/design the ring afterwards. He knows me well and figured that it would be best for me to have input on the shape of stone and setting. [I have to say that lack of the e-ring didn''t take away from the proposal at all. It was lovely and elaborate -- He chartered a 54-foot sailboat to take just the two of us on a sunset sail down the Hudson River, proposing in front of the Statue of Liberty, with a return trip under the sparkling light of full moon.]

To get to the point, we''re shooting for a 2 carat stone, focused on the following:

-- My longtime dream: Asscher cut (1920''s cut with fewer facets, rather than Royal Asscher), set in a replica of the original Cartier setting with four delicate split prongs (although the Leon Mege settings that everyone here knows and loves would be such a dream).
-- My fiancee''s preference: A classic round brilliant in the classic 6-prong Tiffany-style setting. He thinks it is elegant and timeless.
-- Alternative: Emerald cut, set in something similar to an elegant Harry Winston setting also with four split prongs.

Even though we live in NYC, very near the diamond district, we have had a heck of a time finding Asscher cuts. Nobody seems to have them in stock, and they seem to be reluctant to go out looking for them. The Staten Island jeweler that my fiancee trusts and prefers to use also is trying to discourage us from getting an Asscher. He says that they are a fad and will lose value. He''s strongly steering us to a RB (although I have a suspicion that it is because it''s less of a hassle for him) or, if I really have my heart set on a step-cut stone, an emerald cut.

So here''s where I could use your help:

My fiancee likes the RB because it''s a classic, and also because a 2 carat RB faces up much larger and more sparkly than a 2 carat Asscher or emerald. I find the RB a little too "blingy" and conventional/ordinary. BUT I agree that an Asscher or an emerald of the same size appear much smaller. Given how hard it is to find an Asscher and/or a well-cut emerald, plus the risk that these stones (at least the Asscher) could go the way of the pear and marquise in a few more years, I''m somewhat resigned to the idea that I should just go with the RB, perhaps with a more interesting setting.

Your thoughts and suggestions on either of the three cuts and/or possible settings will be greatly appreciated -- and could help my relationship/future marriage, as my dear fiancee just wants get this all over with (making sure, of course, that I am thrilled with the ring) and just not have to think about it anymore!!

Thanks in advance for your time and help!!
 
Here''s the dream combo: Asscher in the classic 1920''s Cartier setting -- although clearly a 2 carat Asscher won''t have the same effect as this lovely 5 carat monster!

Classic Asscher 1922.jpg
 
And more inspiration for the Asscher setting... Lovely Daniel K

Daniel K rosebud2.JPG
 
Similar to the Daniel K above, a Dimend Scaasi setting.

Dimend Scaasi Blooming.JPG
 
Another view of the Dimend Scaasi setting. (Sorry for the multiple posts - I can''t seem to find a way to attach more than one photo at a time.)

Dimend Scaasi  Blooming2.JPG
 
If I had to go with a RB, I think the following Ritani might make for a more interesting setting than your standard (and kind of busy-looking) six-prong tiffany setting:

Ritani Small.JPG
 
Congrats on your engagement! The proposal sounds like it was fabulous!

I say get whatever will make you the happiest. You have to wear the ring for the rest of your life and look at it each day. I do NOT think asschers are a fad. They have been around for a very long time and I think they are quite timeless. As far as losing value, well you aren''t planning on selling this e-ring, are you? I wouldn''t look at this as a chance to get the best investment, because diamonds are not wise investments.

A round diamond is so different from an asscher or an emerald cut. You really have to know what it is that you like. Step cuts may not be as sparkly as brilliant cuts, but they have a very different allure.

Also, an interesting and unexpected setting can make a diamond cut very new or timeless. Case in point; here is my marquise ring:

whatII.jpg
 
Just reading the way you describe the asscher ring, it sounds like the one for you. That jeweler just wants to sell you what he has or what he can make the most $$ on. You say yourself, it is your dream ring. Go for it!

And find a new jeweler! If you contact a few of the online vendors and tell them what you are looking for, they can start looking for an asscher for you. Others around here who have asschers can recommend some great vendors to work with.
 
Jazmine, your ring is just gorgeous! WOW! Thanks for the pics. Did you have that done by Whiteflash? (I thought I saw a faint watermark in the corner.) I''ve heard good things about Whiteflash, so maybe that''s a better option for us than my fiancee''s local jeweler, who seems to want to sell the stones he has and build the settings that he''s comfortable with.

Just for more eye candy/brainstorming, here are some round brilliants in settings remain classic-looking but still have a little flair. (Apologies in advance to anyone whose ring I''m using without asking -- I don''t remember enough to give credit to the owners, but several of these are Pricescoper''s rings.)

collage of rounds.JPG
 
the funny thing is, i can tell you the owner''s of the rings you posted, i think I''m on here way to much lol
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. anyway, I agree with jazmine...hello, the cartier you posted is from 1920 andasschers are a fad?? no way, that is just as timeless and classic and a round. You need to get what you love and would love looking at everyday. You''re not too far from Jonathan at Good Old Gold who has supplied some amazing asschers around here. definitely worth the short drive to meet with him.
 
Yes, it''s a WF ring. Thanks for the compliment...I still vote for the asscher for your ring.
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If your long term term dream is an asscher go for an asscher. He purposely didn''t get you a ring so YOU could be involved picking out the type of stone and the kind of setting you want. I''d take this opportunity to get what YOU want. Can''t go wrong with either, but if an asscher makes your heart sing, then listen to your heart!!!
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Heehee...you''ve got to lose that jeweler!! Asschers are NOT a fad...

I''m SO partial to asschers over RBs!!! I do understand, I guess, being attracted to RBs because they face up bigger for their carat weight...but to me there''s no contest. RBs are everywhere...asschers are not, and probably never will be.

JM2cts
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Thanks to you all for your advice! I feel more encouraged to keep on trying to find an Asscher, rather than just take the (comparatively) easy way out and go for a RB.

With respect to the fad/trend issue, I still don''t see tons of women walking around wearing Asschers, so I don''t think it''s automatically going to date my ring 10 years from now. And as Jazmine''s knockout ring shows, a stone can always be set in a new way that is fabulous and au courant.

As for the investment issue, I suppose our Staten Island jeweler was trying to offer helpful advice when he told us that an Asscher would not hold its value in the long term. He mentioned a story about a favorite customer of his who wanted to resell her ~1+ carat marquise cut to him, and he could only offer her $1500 -- but if it had been an RB, he would have been able to give her $7,000 to $8,000. But it seems like most Pricescopers agree that you shouldn''t buy a diamond expecting it to be a good investment. So it seems we shouldn''t be overly focused on preserving resale value.

I think we''ll try to check out Good Old Gold, since they''re not too far from us. Hopefully, we''ll be back soon with a happy update on our progress. Thanks again to all!
 
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