Need advice on a 1.7 ct elongated cushion!

[TwinMom]

Hi all,
This is my first time writing!! I need some expert help -- I am looking at an elongated cushion from James Allen, and wanted to get people's thoughts...My ring size is a 4.5, and I am looking into some delicate pave halo settings from Steven Kirsch.


(1) Thoughts on the stone? All comments welcome!

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.74-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-280723

It's elongated, and I wanted to have a 1.8 mm shank and 1.5 halo to offset the stone. Supposedly the gemologist says it sizzles -- I have the ASET but don't know how to post it!!



(2) Thoughts on the setting-- what is a good design to have more delicate halo and shank to showcase the ring, but to have some durability for everyday wear?

Should I just get a pave band, no halo, and let the stone speak for itself??

Thanks so much in advance!!! Need all the advice I can get!!

Mary

 

[Gypsy]

The stone is a nice one. It's not as super bright as the best of the best, but it's only a smidge less in terms of performance. Mainly at the edges of the table. It does have a TINY bow tie.

Over all I'd give it an A-/B+

Did you use all your ASETs (you get three at JA) or just the one?

Elongated cushions are hard. It's a pretty stone. It's got great spread. And the performance aside from the two issues I posted, is lovely. Maybe you can get it in person before setting and see if you love it? Because that's what I'd strongly recommend.

As for settings. You can do a plain shank halo. That's what I have.


My halo is by Steven. And it is very durable. Mine is made with 1/2 point melee which gives it a VERY delicate appearance. But since your stone is larger you can do one point melee.

Or as you mentioned, you can do a pave shank with no halo.

Have you considered a split shank? I love split shanks settings for elongated cushions.

This is what I'd get:








The pave style is bright cut. Steven would do 1/2 pointers (approximately) on the actual split, going down to one pointers (about) on the merged shank.

And you'd get a bright cut bad to match it.

Steven would do a fabulous job on this style. And it is just so elegant.

Bright cut is the most durable of pave.

And you don't have to go full eternity on the shank or the band. Just go 1/2 and leave the bottoms of the rings plain metal for durability (also will allow you to size up or down one size, which is good).

 

[TwinMom]

Gypsy,

You are SO great!!!!!! thanks so much for responding!!! we have the stone on hold, and I loved the split shank idea. your halo is SO beautiful and delicate.

There is one more stone that came up today, which wasn't there before -- it is a smidge smaller but is square, which I THOUGHT i preferred until you mentioned the split shank ring!!

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.72-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-297241

The ASET is attached as well...

They seem fairly similar, according to the gemologist report, regarding brilliance.

What is your opinion?

 

[TwinMom]

And I will definitely look at whichever stone I choose before setting, that makes total sense!

 

[Gypsy]

Um, I perfer the elongated one to that. What's your budget...

This one would work in the Daniel K setting. But the spread is not as great as that one (that first one has great spread, so you'd have to decide if the trade off on the performance is worth the spread, it might well be). http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12062/ Or this one which has much better spread, http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12063/ (also has slight bowtie).


Here's a vendor photo of that split shank. It doesn't show how amazing and beautiful that ring is. I've seen that Split Shank in person and tried it on, and it's just swoon-worthy. Still if you do decide to do that setting, this image will help Steven because it shows all the details he will need. So make sure to send this to him if you decide on this design. You can do less pave on the profile (like keep it on the basket, but remove it from the prongs) for durability.

 

[TwinMom]

Hi Gypsy --

The budget (total) is around $15-17K. The second stone is more in line with budget at $11K, the first one is almost $13K -- as I was hoping to have a VC or SK setting, to really showcase the stone nicely...

So while I love the ones you sent, esp this one http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12062/ I would like to stay lower in terms of budget to get a nice setting as well.

You're like a fairy godmother lol! Thank you! All input welcome.

 

[Gypsy]

Fairy godmother. That's the first time I've been called that. Thank you.

I think you should get the JA elongated stone and see what you think of it in person. If you have the ability to (or you have a good local appraiser you can send the diamonds to without paying anything more than shipping). You can get the GOG I for comparison: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12063/

And see what you think. Where are you located? If you are near a good appaiser, I'd just pay shipping for both stones to be sent to an appraiser (or buy the JA stone and have just he GOG stone shipped to the appraiser) local to you and see what you think of them in person. Because that's the key IMO. And you can also decide of what you think of the I color.

 

[kenny]

Elongated cushions are hard.

All diamonds are hard … mohs 10 actually.

 

[TwinMom]

Gypsy, what grade would you give the second stone for performance?

TIA,
Mary

 

[Gypsy]

Performance wise it is about the same as the elongated. Same issue under table with mush at the corners of the table and for some reason the mush on this one bothers me more than the other one. It doesn't have the contrast zones the other one does either The video shows the mush, but the crown facets are lovely.

ANd you can do the split shank for the square too. Here it is with a square (an asscher but a square):
[img[https://www.pricescope.com/files/images/galleries/rsc10005-829.preview.jpg[/img]

 

[TwinMom]

Gypsy,

After I read your posts and thought about it, I decided to keep looking for a stone. I'm scoping one out now and will know more about it shortly! So thanks for the advice -- i decided I wanted to go for a better ASET after I thought about it.

If this stone works out, I'm thinking of doing a setting like VC's Alaria. Is it worth going to hand forged for that? I just feel like that his settings (and SK) look just a bit more delicate than all the others, and they make the whole ring look better.

Thanks!!

Mary

 

[Gypsy]

Anything with Pave is worth going handforged in my opinion. It will be gorgeous!

 

[TwinMom]

Hi Gypsy --

I ended up going with this stone -- a good spread, I liked the F color, and rectangular shape. The ASET is not perfect, like the last stones I showed you, but I thought that since I am going for a halo setting, there will be plenty of sparkle...It's F SI1, eye clean, 7.82 x 6.95 x 4.27.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.72-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-285887

With your advice, I'm going for Victor Canera for a pave setting! Probably the Emilya halo.

Thanks so much for your advice!! Hope you approve of this stone

Mary

 

[Gypsy]

I'm just here to make sure you make an knowledgable stone and end up with something you love. Very clearly, that's what happened here! So I am thrilled for you!

I do hope you will post hand shots when you get that beautiful ring back from Victor!!

 

[TwinMom]

Hi Gypsy,

Hope you are doing well and enjoying the summer! Haven't gotten the ring yet, but wanted to give you an update.

After thinking about what I really wanted, I decided that I wanted Victor to design a setting that he thought would be appropriate for the stone, and then decide if I liked it. Ultimately, although I love his pave work, the reality is, I wouldn't be able to wear the ring everyday, just based on my lifestyle.

He came back with a three cushion stone design, with side stones total weight 0.75 cts. The setting he proposed is a tri wire shank cathedral trellis setting.

I had seen some of his platinum work on his website, and loved it, so I felt this was a perfect design for me - pretty, but sturdy, and also with Victor's artistic input incorporated into the piece. I am hoping the ring will be done by end of July, although we are just getting started.

I do still love his pave, a band may be the next project in a couple of years...but I'm excited to have something designed just for this stone, which I can wear everyday and enjoy all the time.

Will post pics when it's done!

Are you working on any projects?

Mary

 

[Gypsy]

I LOVE cushion three stones!

What a lovely and classic choice!

One thing, do you want a flush fit band? Make sure that any wedding band you get is going to fit against that the way you want.

I can't wait to see it!!!

Thanks so much for the update!

As for me. No, we are going through some tough financial times, and I'm more likely to sell my jewelry than buy anything new right now.

What I need is some dust for good news on the financial front right now.

I get to live vicariously through you all though, and that fills the jewelry craving!

 

[TwinMom]

Gypsy --
posted the ring today. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!!

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/victor-canera-the-vine-three-cushion-stone-ring.204257/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/victor-canera-the-vine-three-cushion-stone-ring.204257/[/URL]

Mary