What would PSer do? Don''t want JTV colored stone e-ring offer...

[l0v3lif3]

The DBL is lovely, but we just looked at bands in the 1000-1500 range, that''s not our budget. I don''t want to push it. It''s not that he doesn''t have the money to buy me a several thousand dollar ring, if I REALLY REALLY wanted it. It''s a question of opportunity cost. We are going to need that money. We are trying to save for a condo in an expensive real estate market, I''m going to need a new car in a year or two, etc. I can''t believe I''m saying this, but there just more important stuff to think about for us. Still, it would be nice to have something small and pretty.

Those loose stones are awesome. Is it much more expensive to have him do a custom cut?

 

[E B]

Date: 10/21/2008 1:33:47 AM
Author: l0v3lif3

Those loose stones are awesome. Is it much more expensive to have him do a custom cut?

Not that I know of. You just let him know what size/shape/color you''re looking for, and he''ll tell you if he can cut it!

 

[l0v3lif3]

Wow, that''s really cool. I feel like a kid in a candy store. A slightly more expensive candy store. (but a bargain compared to diamonds)

 

[E B]

Date: 10/21/2008 1:49:45 AM
Author: l0v3lif3
Wow, that''s really cool. I feel like a kid in a candy store. A slightly more expensive candy store. (but a bargain compared to diamonds)

Oh, definitely. I can''t wait until I can get him to cut something for me!

Here''s an "archive" of stones he''s cut and sold, but it''ll give you an idea of different cuts he offers:

Gemstone Archive

Spinels are good for engagement rings with a hardness of 8 (diamond is 10, sapphire is 9).

 

[l0v3lif3]

Total n00b question: A round stone will be easy to set. How do I know what setting will fit a cushion, radiant, or ascher (sp) cut?
It doesn''t look like it could go in one the lowest price point settings on WF.

 

[E B]

Date: 10/21/2008 1:55:59 AM
Author: l0v3lif3
Total n00b question: A round stone will be easy to set. How do I know what setting will fit a cushion, radiant, or ascher (sp) cut?

It doesn't look like it could go in one the lowest price point settings on WF.

James Allen sells its settings separately, but they ask that you have the shape/measurements of your stone beforehand so they can make the head to fit it. For example, this setting...

18k Common Prong Engagement Ring

...can be made with a head to fit a round, cushion, radiant or asscher, apparently.

Not all of their settings can be made for any shape stone, but each setting lists what it can accommodate.

 

[l0v3lif3]

Oh good. This is way more fun than I thought I''d have looking at everything. And instead of being bummed out with a small budget, it''s like a game to put together something I like for as little money as possible. That''s how it''s going to be for the wedding too.

I was in Ben Bridge the other day, and between the rings, stones and settings everyone has been kind enough to link me to, I know I can definately to better than I could there.

 

[Kelli]

Date: 10/20/2008 4:48:53 PM
Author: mercoledi
If you like pink, I can''t believe this is still not taken: 1ct pink tourmaline. How about a yummy fat orange garnet or a massive minty tourmaline? There are a lot of options.

I think the DBL three-stone is nice too. If you do want a diamond, you could also always look at OEC/OMC, some of those are cheaper. I''ve had my eye on this one for a while.

(Gecko, what if she does have a spinel asscher, wouldn''t that be embarrassing?)


ETA: You''re not a size 4.75 are you?
0.32 in a 5.5. Cool citrine in yg for cheap.

ETAA: I''m probably just being annoying now, but I''d have something cheap custom cut to fit in this lovely and be that much closer to a three stone. This might fit. If you like radiants. Which you may not.

That''s so funny marcoledi, that one has been saved in my favorites for a while too! Don''t worry though, I won''t be diamond buying anytime soon!

 

[l0v3lif3]

^^ I won''t be either

I am a 5.5. I have fat knuckles though.

 

[l0v3lif3]

Does anyone have an opinion as to whether they'd have Daniel Stairn Jr do a custom cut or go through this site:
http://www.ajsgems.com/gemstones-Spinel-2046340460.html
They have reddish spinel, which I like.

If you send a stone to James Allen can they set it?
WF told me they could as long as I had an appraisel for what I sent to them.

 

[geckodani]

Date: 10/21/2008 2:08:51 AM
Author: l0v3lif3
Oh good. This is way more fun than I thought I''d have looking at everything. And instead of being bummed out with a small budget, it''s like a game to put together something I like for as little money as possible. That''s how it''s going to be for the wedding too.

I was in Ben Bridge the other day, and between the rings, stones and settings everyone has been kind enough to link me to, I know I can definately to better than I could there.

So glad you''re having fun now!

FYI - danforthdiamond.com is having a sale right now, and some of their settings are quite nice. I have no idea if they set outside stones though.

 

[geckodani]

Date: 10/21/2008 4:06:33 AM
Author: l0v3lif3
Does anyone have an opinion as to whether they''d have Daniel Stairn Jr do a custom cut or go through this site:
http://www.ajsgems.com/gemstones-Spinel-2046340460.html
They have reddish spinel, which I like.

If you send a stone to James Allen can they set it?
WF told me they could as long as I had an appraisel for what I sent to them.

I would absolutely go with Daniel Stairn, just based on the stones people have purchased.

I was just over there drooling over his latest spinel:

 

[geckodani]

Here''s my current fave off of danforth, and it''s only $360!

 

[geckodani]

Helps if you attach the pic. I need more coffee.

 

[mercoledi]

Date: 10/21/2008 4:06:33 AM
Author: l0v3lif3
Does anyone have an opinion as to whether they'd have Daniel Stairn Jr do a custom cut or go through this site:

http://www.ajsgems.com/gemstones-Spinel-2046340460.html

They have reddish spinel, which I like.


If you send a stone to James Allen can they set it?

WF told me they could as long as I had an appraisel for what I sent to them.

The easiest way to find out is to just email Dan, he's great over email. I would guess that if that spinel is listed on AJS and not on Dan's site, then you'd have to buy it from them. I would email Dan, link to the stone you like and ask if there's anything similar in the pipeline. He hasn't been doing much in the way of red spinels lately (true reds are the most valuable spinel) but his garnets are also lovely.

JA at least used to set stones from other vendors. There's usually a setting fee, maybe $100-150 in the size you're looking at. JA is also quite good over email, and sometimes if you call you get James himself. WF requires an appraisal for insurance reasons while they have your stone; I don't know what the usual cost/protocol is for getting appraisals on colored stones.

I would also call Wink, he has a new benchman who's doing beautiful work, they may be able to out-bid JA on a simple setting

Don't be shy about putting feelers out, these guys all understand the process. Talk to a few vendors and see who resonates for you and hits your price point.

I'm glad you're having fun with it! Just choose something unique; your MIL will understand in time.

ETA: From what I've seen here and with my DS stone, Dan takes those photos under a strong light source, the stones are always richer/darker/more saturated than they look on his site. Freke has a few that demonstrate that nicely, and someone has a new pink barion that looked pale in Dan's pic but is the color of pink candy in hers. My asscher is a rich purple/blue most of the time, not that soft light blue that he posted. He's sent Freke hand shots in the past to get an idea of color and performance.

 

[geckodani]

Date: 10/21/2008 8:39:55 AM
Author: mercoledi

Date: 10/21/2008 4:06:33 AM
Author: l0v3lif3
Does anyone have an opinion as to whether they''d have Daniel Stairn Jr do a custom cut or go through this site:

http://www.ajsgems.com/gemstones-Spinel-2046340460.html

They have reddish spinel, which I like.


If you send a stone to James Allen can they set it?

WF told me they could as long as I had an appraisel for what I sent to them.

The easiest way to find out is to just email Dan, he''s great over email. I would guess that if that spinel is listed on AJS and not on Dan''s site, then you''d have to buy it from them. I would email Dan, link to the stone you like and ask if there''s anything similar in the pipeline. He hasn''t been doing much in the way of red spinels lately (true reds are the most valuable spinel) but his garnets are also lovely.

JA at least used to set stones from other vendors. There''s usually a setting fee, maybe $100-150 in the size you''re looking at. JA is also quite good over email, and sometimes if you call you get James himself. WF requires an appraisal for insurance reasons while they have your stone; I don''t know what the usual cost/protocol is for getting appraisals on colored stones.

I would also call Wink, he has a new benchman who''s doing beautiful work, they may be able to out-bid JA on a simple setting

Don''t be shy about putting feelers out, these guys all understand the process. Talk to a few vendors and see who resonates for you and hits your price point.

I''m glad you''re having fun with it! Just choose something unique; your MIL will understand in time.

Great advice!

 

[mercoledi]

Oh crap! Someone bought that pink tourmaline since yesterday! I hope it goes to a good home. I love the shape on that one.

( Mornin' Gecko! )

 

[geckodani]

Date: 10/21/2008 8:51:46 AM
Author: mercoledi
Oh crap! Someone bought that pink tourmaline since yesterday! I hope it goes to a good home. I love the shape on that one.

( Mornin'' Gecko! )

 

[mercoledi]

One last suggestion, Finewater Gems has a pretty red spinel. If you like that kind of thing.

 

[l0v3lif3]

Now for the hard part, talking to FI and letting FMIL down easy.

 

[jmtomaui]

As you have appreciated, your MIL has made a lovely offer to use one of her gemstones. And you don''t want to hurt her feelings. Is there a compromise you could work out?

I was wondering if she had any blue stones that you liked? Not to be used as an engagement stone but could you mount it in a nice setting for a right hand ring? Or as a pendant? Or a charm to a bracelet? You could wear either of them as your "something blue" at the wedding. And create a hand me down memory by "borrowing" it to all of the daughters or DIL''s that will bless your family in the years to come?

That way, the stone would not have to be as "perfect" as you would like in an e-ring but still be a memorable way to honor your MIL''s offer.

Best wishes with all of your decisions...

Julie

 

[l0v3lif3]

That''s a great idea. It would be a gracious way of accepting her offer. thanks for suggesting it.

Date: 10/21/2008 12:37:39 PM
Author: jmtomaui
As you have appreciated, your MIL has made a lovely offer to use one of her gemstones. And you don''t want to hurt her feelings. Is there a compromise you could work out?

I was wondering if she had any blue stones that you liked? Not to be used as an engagement stone but could you mount it in a nice setting for a right hand ring? Or as a pendant? Or a charm to a bracelet? You could wear either of them as your ''something blue'' at the wedding. And create a hand me down memory by ''borrowing'' it to all of the daughters or DIL''s that will bless your family in the years to come?

That way, the stone would not have to be as ''perfect'' as you would like in an e-ring but still be a memorable way to honor your MIL''s offer.

Best wishes with all of your decisions...

Julie

 

[l0v3lif3]

Stone first or setting first? Stone first, right?

 

[E B]

Date: 10/21/2008 5:12:17 PM
Author: l0v3lif3
Stone first or setting first? Stone first, right?

Stone first, for sure. That way, you can have a ring made with a head to fit your dream stone, rather than having to find a stone to fit into a setting.

 

[l0v3lif3]

Date: 10/21/2008 2:08:51 AM
Author: l0v3lif3
Oh good. This is way more fun than I thought I''d have looking at everything. And instead of being bummed out with a small budget, it''s like a game to put together something I like for as little money as possible. That''s how it''s going to be for the wedding too.

I was in Ben Bridge the other day, and between the rings, stones and settings everyone has been kind enough to link me to, I know I can definately to better than I could there.

Never mind. He really wants to use his mom''s stones, since we have them at our disposal. He doesn''t see the point of buying something when we already h ave so much to choose from. I called him over to look at few neat pics and he was like, "yeah that''s nice. I''m sure we have something just like that."
Oh well. I had a fun couple of hours lookin at stuff online.

 

[l0v3lif3]

Even if I don''t love what he picks out for me, I love him and this is important to him. I may not wear it very often, but I don''t want to make a big deal about getting exactly what I want here. I chose my battles, you know?

I just decided to make my own piece of jewelry. Probably not a ring, becasue it would be a little passive-aggressive. But I can pick out a pretty stone and set it in a pendent. I''ll just end up checking myself out in the mirror instead of looking at my hand.

Thanks for all your feedback and support.

 

[CharmyPoo]

So I was thinking about a cost effective but nice setting, then I remembered the Tacori line that QVC carries. I never ordered one but they look beautiful on the website and they are pretty cheap (under $100). Ok so it is sterling silver covered with platinum and fake stones but they still seem pretty well made. You can replace the center stone with one of your MIL's stones.

http://www.qvc.com/cgen/render.aspx?qp=class|L040&term=tacori

I love this design - http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.J10014.desc.Tacori-Epiphany-Diamonique-Bloom-Cut-Fancy-Gallery-Ring

 

[E B]

Date: 10/21/2008 8:04:52 PM
Author: l0v3lif3

I just decided to make my own piece of jewelry. Probably not a ring, becasue it would be a little passive-aggressive. But I can pick out a pretty stone and set it in a pendent. I'll just end up checking myself out in the mirror instead of looking at my hand.

l0v3, I'm so sorry. Is there any way you can negotiate with him? An engagement ring is an important piece of jewelry (the second most important piece you can receive!), and it should be something YOU should love.

The spinel is not going to be the biggest cost...a nice, well-cut spinel can be pretty affordable, many under $200. The setting is going to be the majority of the cost, which you're going to have to purchase anyway.

I hope he changes his mind.

 

[Kelli]

I''m sorry to hear that too. Can you explain to him (without your FMIL around) what the difference is and why this is important to you? I''m not saying a person should demand an engagement ring out of their budget, but you can get a BEAUTIFULLY cut stone well within your means. He doesn''t need to tell her that her stones are no good (although someone should before she spends any more money!

), but if he understands that they really are no good, he should understand. I certainly hope he will change his mind!

 

[velogrrrrl]

what about this 6.7 mm sapphire from daniel starr? $510 and a gorgeous color and cut (but i am partial to blue-green)

http://www.dansstarrgems.com/Sapphire-Cut-Stones.html