It''s Here! My James Allen 0.93/G/SI2 Upgrade! WHOOT!

[steph72276]

I think it looks HUGE on your tiny finger. Beautiful pics! Enjoy!

 

[lumpkin]

Date: 2/9/2008 9:29:00 AM
Author: erica k
there''s nothing like a halo for finger coverage, but personally, i prefer a simple solitaire setting that really draws attention to a beautiful stone! i''m so jealous of your tiny ring size. if only a .93ct looked like that on my hand, my husband would be ecstatic!

Agreed!

Your upgrade is beautiful and it does look bigger than the other. It''s a pretty significant size difference and the diamond is gorgeous by itself where I think the half carat one looks better in the halo. They are very different looks, both really beautiful, and you are going to have a devil of a time deciding which one to wear every day! Not such a bad problem!

 

[Catmom]

Ooooo, Metro, that is one gorgeous stone! I really hope you decide to keep it. Congratulations on a great upgrade!

 

[3shebabes]

I''d keep the upgrade stone! (It''s absolutely gorgeous, by the way!) -- Though the smaller stone with halo gives more overall finger coverage, the larger single stone appears to have way more drama and sparkle to my eye. Plus -- in the future, as an anniversary treat perhaps, you could possibly add a halo of small stones around your new stone (if you find you miss the halo) -- and then just imagine the size impact!

I''d definitely keep the new stone. It really does looks like a fabulous stone -- just my 2 cents...

 

[rainydaze]

ooooo, your new stone is GORGEOUS! your halo is beautiful but seeing them together the solitaire is just stunning and has more impact (and this is coming from someone who is has a halo herself). add me to the list of ''keep its!''

 

[Skippy123]

Wow, gorgeous! It looks huge, love the arrows!

 

[bunniesoup]

Those pics are really heavenly. It''s beautiful!

Which setting did you choose?

 

[surfgirl]

Great, now I have to hate your little fingerness too? Size THREE fingers? Are you serious? Do you know how lucky you are? Metro, seriously, it looks lovely on your hand and shots 4,5 are awesome! Can you fill me in on the story of this? Is it an upgrade from your original halo? Congrats and wear it with much health and happiness!

 

[violet3]

I agree that the .93 looks bigger than the diamond in the halo. Both are very very beautiful, but if my fingers looked like that with a solitaire on them, i am pretty sure that is what i would wear! Absolutely lovely.

 

[Maisie]

Why don''t you set the new stone in a halo?

 

[guylian]

beautiful upgrade!! i love the simple setting

kinda like mine x''cept i have a princess cut.

it does look massive on your tiny finger!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I am a little confused! You said in the title that the stone is from James Allen, and then somewhere you said Bob at WhiteFlash commented on the cloud? Also, are you trading in your old diamond, or is this just an extra diamond?

One reason I am asking is that a couple of people suggested keeping this stone and upgrading it later. If it is from WF, that''s great. But if it is from JA, they have a very restrictive upgrade policy.

I love the new stone, but I wouldn''t keep it unless there is a good upgrade policy since you already feel that it is not large enough.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 2/9/2008 11:58:17 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I am a little confused! You said in the title that the stone is from James Allen, and then somewhere you said Bob at WhiteFlash commented on the cloud? Also, are you trading in your old diamond, or is this just an extra diamond?

One reason I am asking is that a couple of people suggested keeping this stone and upgrading it later. If it is from WF, that''s great. But if it is from JA, they have a very restrictive upgrade policy.

I love the new stone, but I wouldn''t keep it unless there is a good upgrade policy since you already feel that it is not large enough.

DS, when you say JA have a restrictive upgrade policy, is it because they require the new purchase to be 2 x the value of the old purchase? (whereas WF doesn''t place a minimum value on the ugraded stone?). Thanks.

 

[Gemma12]

Metro, that stone is G*O*R*G*E*O*U*S!

I see what you mean in the comparison-but a solitare is veeeery versatile and I think it will have a different presence on your hand.

Are you keeping the halo or trading in? Is the .93 an ering stone?

Beautiful, beautiful stone!

 

[susi]

It''s really pretty, Metro....is the setting a Stuller? I was thinking....you could always set this new stone in a halo at some future time if you still wanted a big big sparkle look.

As it is now tho, it''s beautiful in it''s classic 4 prong mount. Could you wear both rings at the same time? One on each hand would dazzle anyone within 100feet!

 

[ButterBean]

I do see your point, metro. Have you considered putting the new stone into a halo ?

 

[Rhea]

I think it''s beautiful! I love the classic look of the solitaire and it looks very nice on your hand.

I do think that the .93 looks the same size as the haloed ring, halos just add so much size but the solitaire is so classic.

 

[metro]

I tried all weekend to reply to all your comments!

Saturday, I had my post all ready to go, and when I hit the submit button, I got an error! GRRRRR!! I didn''t have time to retype it all out so I attempted again yesterday. I had a lengthy post ready to go and when I walked away from the computer, DH closed out the internet

.

Now that I''m at work, hopefully I won''t have interruptions....

First off, thank you all so very much for you lovely comments!

I can''t say enough about this beautiful diamond and the awesome setting and customer service I received from James Allen! I dealt with Dave and he was GREAT! The setting really surprised me, as I got the most inexpensive setting since I intended it to be a temp setting. It''s so dainty and delicate! If you''re in the market for a great little solitaire setting - you gotta look at this setting from James Allen - it''s perfect!

I know you are all right in stating that the halo is throwing me off in comparing the two diamonds in size. I''ve looked at them both all weekend. The 0.93 is 6.25 - 6.30 x 3.88 and my 0.52 is 5.14 - 5.11 x 3.26.

I know there is at least 1mm difference. It''s just hard for me to see that difference. Since JA has a 30-day return policy, I am looking at a little larger stone in I/J color.

Gosh, I''d hate to send this beauty back to get something I''m not happy with in return - she''s so perfect! UGHHH!

Now on to your questions....

bunniesoup - the setting is from James Allen and it''s the 2.5mm knife edge 4-prong solitaire setting. It''s gorgeous! If you want something thin and dainty, this is it!

surfgirl - thank you for you sweet comments.

The story - well, I''ve wanted a 1-carat and I just happened to stumble on this shy 1-carat one night while perusing. Being that this beauty was totally clean for a SI2, well, I couldn''t pass it up! So some begging DH and a 46" Sony Bravia 1080p LCD later, I got the diamond!

Maisie - My original plan take the halo off my original ring and have it modified to have the new stone put in. I was then going use my original stone in a pendant or right-hand ring. But of course, I starting thinking (why did I go start doing that

) why not do something totally different and go for a new setting all together and do vintage style, what I''ve always wanted!

diamondseeker2006 - I contacted Bob at Whiteflash to see what he could do with my original stone. When he asked about what I was replacing my original stone with, I gave him all the James Allen info. He confirmed that I made a great choice but said I could have come to him for the same deal. Who knew?! The reason why I went with James Allen was because I found the stone on their site and I knew if I purchased from them, I''d be saving on tax as I live in Houston.

The JA trade-up policy is the main reason why I want to get this squared away so quickly. If I knew I could trade-up at anytime without paying 2X the amount I spent, then I''d totally keep this diamond w/o any question! But since I''m sure I won''t have that money anytime soon with kids college to save for and all the other more important stuff - I better get something I''m happy with for the LONG time.

Plus, with the setting I''ve decided on, I won''t be able to change out stones.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....

With all that said, here''s my plan.

I''m goign to WF on Wednesday. Bob is going to show me an I and J diamond. I should know upon viewing them if I''d be happy with the color. If so, then I''ll try to find something in the 1.20 range in an I/J.

If I''m not happy with the color, then I''ll stick with my little gem and proceed to getting her into her permanent home.

I''ll be sure to keep you all posted!

 

[AmberGretchen]

I agree with the others that the .93 looks lovely on your delicate hand, but I can see where you are coming from with the halo and finger coverage, etc...

I think your plan is very sensible - and I think you''ll be pleasantly surprised by the I-J stones. I have a G e-ring and was a little worried getting I color ACA studs from WF, and I love them so much I wish I''d gone down in color to get more size on my e-ring

Can''t wait to hear how it works out for you (and see pics!!)

 

[tberube]

It''s gorgeous! If you liked the way your old halo made your .5ct look, why not get a halo for the .93??

 

[metro]

Thanks, AmberGretchen! I''m really looking forward to seeing a J stone! I''ve read so many raves about them, it''s just a matter of being able to find the right J/SI2 in a 1.20 range that meets my price. That seach might take time, which means...waiting...searching...waiting....

And returning the pretty that I have and HOPING I find something that I love just as much (just bigger).

I know what you mean, tberube. Why not just get the halo on the new stone? That''s the logical answer...Well, I really want a repro vintage-styled ring! I''ve fallen head-over-heels for an awesome 0.77 I/VS OEC ring in a 1920s plat. setting, that at a near by fine jewelry antique dealer, but she wants 2K more than my budget allows. So I''m going to have WF recreate the setting for my new stone - whatever stone that may be. Though I am very happy with the halo, I thought I''d change it up for new stone!

 

[LegacyGirl]

Oh that''s so pretty. It seems there is always a delay in Memphis, they almost lost my diamond because of it

 

[metro]

Holy cow, LegacyGirl! I was so worried about Memphis as they had the horrible storm roll through and my diamond was "delayed" in transit! I was on pins and needles on Friday - waiting for it to show up!