Tell me how much I overspent

[kruler2113]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread, delighted you asked your soon-to-be fiancée's opinion and delighted with your choice, that step-cut is beyond delightful. Also can't wait to see how you set it, and also can't wait to hear that the whole saga with BE is resolved. What absolutely appalling behaviour from them, I hope you negatively review the heck out of them.

Thanks for the kind words. Agreed, getting my money back will be the perfect bookend to this thread!

 

[T L]

I don’t remember seeing the carat weight of the step cut tsavorite, how many carats is it?

 

[kruler2113]

I don’t remember seeing the carat weight of the step cut tsavorite, how many carats is it?

It’s 1.57 carats and 8.75x5mm

 

[T L]

It’s 1.57 carats and 8.75x5mm

You may have to get a custom setting because that isn’t a calibrated size. 9x6 or 8x5 are the closest calibrated sizes. I’m not sure who your jeweler is, but David Klass comes highly recommended and his pricing is fair. The stone really deserves a special ring.

 

[kruler2113]

You may have to get a custom setting because that isn’t a calibrated size. 9x6 or 8x5 are the closest calibrated sizes. I’m not sure who your jeweler is, but David Klass comes highly recommended and his pricing is fair. The stone really deserves a special ring.

That’s something I wasn’t aware of, I will be sure to look into that. I haven’t decided on any jewelers just yet. Considering Bruce is based out of Arizona as well, perhaps he could have some local recommendations for me.

 

[MollyMalone]

Considering Bruce is based out of Arizona as well, perhaps he could have some local recommendations for me.

That's a terrific idea!

I don't know her ring size, but to give you some idea of the proportions, here's an 8.75 x 5 mm stone, with 2 mm ring band, on size 6 finger:

You might also ask Bruce if he has recommendations for the ring setting itself, e.g., does he think a standard prong setting will be A-OK or would he urge you two to consider a more protective one, such as tab corner prongs or a bezel (full or partial). I think a split-shank ring -- with or without pave -- could be smashing & provide a bit more finger "real estate" coverage, while still being understated. E.g., something like this (but fabricated more nicely):

Of course, her preferences mean more than mine Has she tried on a variety of rings? I'm not the only woman who discovered that a couple of styles I'd thought I would really like didn't please me nearly as much in real life on my hand & I ended up selecting a ring that was unlike the ones I'd believed were the front runners. Would you consider proposing with just the stone & then make the setting selection a collaborative project? I know surprises are more popular now than "back when" in my circle of family and friends, but I thought it was a very romantic experience (we also had some laughs in the course of our shopping!) to select the ring and our wedding bands together as a couple & I still smile fondly over those memories.

 

[JPie]

Dolly (xothebijouxbox on IG) recently posted this emerald that is also an elongated shape. I think it looks divine with the baguettes on the side.



If your girlfriend wants more pizzazz, you could do a delicate halo similar to this:

 

[kruler2113]

Hey guys, my gf has told me that she would like to have just a simple paved band just like the first ring molly posted, only with diamonds on the band.

Edit: I will be sure to ask Bruce for recommendations.

 

[T L]

Well no matter what you decide, you owe us lots of pictures of the loose stone and the final ring

 

[kruler2113]

Well no matter what you decide, you owe us lots of pictures of the loose stone and the final ring

Definitely! It’s the least I could do after everyone’s help.

 

[2Neesers]

Congratulations on finding your perfect stone! I’m so happy you asked your girlfriend what she would prefer AND she loved the Tsavorite! I’m looking forward to seeing your pictures .

 

[kruler2113]

Update time!

I have reached terms with Bruce on the step cut tsavorite.

..and he agreed to send a personal note signed to my gf with the stone.

...and he has two highly trusted goldsmiths in my area he recommends.

AND the the icing on the cake, Brilliant Earth agreed to give me a full refund!

I’m very happy and just blown away by Bruce’s customer service and willingness to help me. I will be littering the internet with positive reviews of him.

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

Yay! I'm so happy for a happy ending! Congrats on your amazing Tsav coming! Can't wait to see the ring!

 

[2Neesers]

Great news all around! What a relief you are getting your refund . I can’t wait to see your pictures of the stone and finished ring!

 

[Lykame]

That's just wonderful wonderful news, delighted for you! So glad about the BE Saga being sorted, too. I suspect a new sentence will be going into their policy to explicitly state no refunds. They're idiots, their behaviour has been ridiculous and I'm glad you're out of that sticky trap and are having such a positive experience with Bruce. Sounds like it's been a great juxtaposition.

We are all looking forward to the next part of this journey!

 

[JPie]

I’m so glad BE did the right thing and refunded you! Looking forward to seeing how the ring turns out.

 

[PreRaphaelite]

How relieved you must be! Wonderful news. It’s also great that you found a better stone and someone to make your ring!

Thanks for sharing your experience here - that will save many others from being trapped by BE and hopefully that fact will offset some of the hassle for you in your memory of this whole adventure.

 

[LemonMoonLex]

Ive gone through and read the whole thread and even though emerald is my favorite gemstone and I have an emerald engagement ring (which took 2 years to search for and purchase the perfect emerald), as soon as I saw the step cut tsavorite I thought that it sounded like everything your honey was looking for, so I was hoping for that stone!

Also glad that ridiculous company came to their senses. They had no leg to stand on and were acting like ruffled toddlers angry you didnt want to play with their toys. I will now never be able to recommend them because their return policies are ludicrous and Id worry about anyone I send there being treated poorly.

Yay for happy endings! Please post many pictures of the unset and set gem! We all love a happy ending here!

 

[kruler2113]

Ive gone through and read the whole thread and even though emerald is my favorite gemstone and I have an emerald engagement ring (which took 2 years to search for and purchase the perfect emerald), as soon as I saw the step cut tsavorite I thought that it sounded like everything your honey was looking for, so I was hoping for that stone!

Also glad that ridiculous company came to their senses. They had no leg to stand on and were acting like ruffled toddlers angry you didnt want to play with their toys. I will now never be able to recommend them because their return policies are ludicrous and Id worry about anyone I send there being treated poorly.

Yay for happy endings! Please post many pictures of the unset and set gem! We all love a happy ending here!

I was pleasantly surprised that my girlfriend loved the tsavorites. She even said she wanted it over the emeralds I had shown her! Maybe when I’m a richer man I’ll look to get her an emerald (anniversary earrings?).

 

[kruler2113]

Now I start the journey of designing a perfect setting. Bruce says this goldsmith is relatively affordable, but I don’t know just how affordable. My budget for the setting is $1500, my girlfriend will pick out her own wedding band after we’re engaged. Here’s my starting point:

- Platinum over white gold for less maintenance.

- The band will be paved with diamonds, we talked on this thread about 1.8-2mm width. I want the pave to go down half the ring.

- She’s not fond of bezels, but she did give me the ok for a small halo (see image A and B). She doesn’t want the ring to be bulky, but I’d like it to protect the stone relatively well. I don’t know what it’s called, but I prefer the structure underneath the halo like in image C.

- A final idea for flair. I could find 2 small princess cut tsavorites for a peekaboo. See image D.

A

B

C

D

 

[voce]

Now I start the journey of designing a perfect setting. Bruce says this goldsmith is relatively affordable, but I don’t know just how affordable. My budget for the setting is $1500, my girlfriend will pick out her own wedding band after we’re engaged. Here’s my starting point:

- Platinum over white gold for less maintenance.

- The band will be paved with diamonds, we talked on this thread about 1.8-2mm width. I want the pave to go down half the ring.

- She’s not fond of bezels, but she did give me the ok for a small halo (see image A and B). She doesn’t want the ring to be bulky, but I’d like it to protect the stone relatively well. I don’t know what it’s called, but I prefer the structure underneath the halo like in image C.

- A final idea for flair. I could find 2 small princess cut tsavorites for a peekaboo. See image D.

A

B

C

D

oooh, this will look gorgeous! So happy for you two!

 

[strawrose]

I had a variation of D’s stuller setting. It’s nice and sturdy.

 

[JPie]

Sounds like you have a good idea of what she wants. I'd suggest keeping the profile as low as possible to reduce the changes of the ring getting caught on something.

 

[T L]

Sounds like you have a good idea of what she wants. I'd suggest keeping the profile as low as possible to reduce the changes of the ring getting caught on something.

...or chipping.

 

[kruler2113]

Sounds like you have a good idea of what she wants. I'd suggest keeping the profile as low as possible to reduce the changes of the ring getting caught on something.

I will make sure it’s low!

 

[tara3056]

I read this thread a bit breathless after I saw that step cut tsavorite, forcing myself not to skip ahead to the end to see what you picked because I wanted to read the whole thing! That step cut tsav was STUNNING to me, though, and I was rooting for it the whole time, so I'm so glad you picked it and so happy the great posters here steered you to Bruce. I have bought 2 tsavorites from Bruce myself, and he is the epitome of helpfulness, kindness, and trustworthiness. I've just adored the ease and conviviality of my dealings with him. He has access to untold riches of tsavs, and does some very high-dollar dealings at Tucson and everywhere else, yet he always made my relatively small $ purchases feel like they were still high priority for him. You did GOOD!

 

[kruler2113]

I read this thread a bit breathless after I saw that step cut tsavorite, forcing myself not to skip ahead to the end to see what you picked because I wanted to read the whole thing! That step cut tsav was STUNNING to me, though, and I was rooting for it the whole time, so I'm so glad you picked it and so happy the great posters here steered you to Bruce. I have bought 2 tsavorites from Bruce myself, and he is the epitome of helpfulness, kindness, and trustworthiness. I've just adored the ease and conviviality of my dealings with him. He has access to untold riches of tsavs, and does some very high-dollar dealings at Tucson and everywhere else, yet he always made my relatively small $ purchases feel like they were still high priority for him. You did GOOD!

Thank you for the kind words! I feel exactly the same so far about Bruce. My $2,300 purchase is surely at the low end of the pieces he sells, yet he communicates as if I’m buying something worth a fortune!

Edit: Would you happen to have any photos of your tsavs? I’m sure myself and the others in this thread would love the eye candy!

 

[lovedogs]

Op: do you have your money back from BE yet? You know why I'm asking

 

[kruler2113]

Op: do you have your money back from BE yet? You know why I'm asking

Not yet. I’ve been communicating with them all week. They are about to finish writing up our settlement agreement.

 

[T L]

I’m not a lawyer, but a settlement agreement?? Realty??

They are about to finish writing up our settlement agreement.