WHOA... shocking new development!!!

[FireGoddess]

OMG I love that family ring! It does look OECish to me. Just divine - I would call that mine, setting and all, in a second!

Congrats on being so close, and getting to be involved in the process!!

 

[MissAva]

Yippee! I think it is very sweet that he tried and wanted to make things prefect for you. I also think you are very lucky to have him be a strong enough man to invite you into the process and be interested in your thoughts after he made such a fuss about wanting it to be a surprise. Go ring shopping, enjoy and the giddy feelings that are to come with knowing your man is about to propose! Congrats!

 

[ephemery1]

OK, for anyone interested... the appraisal of the "family" ring:

round brilliant
dimensions: 7.07-7.18x4.38mm
table : 58%
Depth: 61.4%
crown angle: 38
Culet: very large (that''s bad)
Girdle: extra thin to thin
polish: good
symmetry: fair
clarity: VS2
color: J-K
est. weight 1.36 ct

side diamonds - 4 old european cut totalling .24 ct, symmetry: fair - poor, polish: good, clarity: SI1-I1, color: H-J

estimated at $8500 in 1997.

So a little bigger than 1.3, as Mara predicted. According to my BF''s mom, it was estimated more recently that the color is actually better than listed on that original appraisal. Oh, and he added the "that''s bad" after Culet: very large... now that he''s done all his research. He''s so cute.

Now I''m looking at ovals online, hmmm..... I think I might run down to to check some out in person...

 

[ephemery1]

Date: 5/2/2006 12:57:50 AM
Author: ilovesparkles
OH I just have to post again because I love that ring of his mom''s so much! What about keeping it as a RHR?

Sparkles you are so cute.

RHR might definitely be a possibility if he doesn''t want to use this one as our e-ring, or if I decide on a shape other than RB... though I wouldn''t want my RHR stone to be bigger than my e-ring stone! Hmmm.... more things to consider.

 

[LizzieC]

Date: 5/1/2006 11:48:42 PM
Author: albicocca

Also, I loooove that family ring too!

I''m really curious to know why he doesn''t like it! I definitely think it''s worth considering a reset so you can save for a potential future upgrade....IF you don''t get a cushion!

I agree! It''s a beautiful stone, and I don''t see any color at all. If YOU don''t see it either, then you should try to explain to BF that you really like this one and the sentimentality of having a family stone. ... If you don''t get a cushion!

 

[partgypsy]

Gosh, I think that''s a beautiful family heirloom ring, and in platinum too! Some women would would die to have a family engagment ring like that! You are not going to get what it''s worth from selling it, so if (if) you truly like it, could I would definitely relay it to him. It seems a shame to sell it to get a smaller stone ring. He will have plenty of opportunities to buy you other jewelry himself in the future

 

[fatafelice]

YAY!!! While I feel bad for your BF and his frustration, I am happy thay you will get some input into your future ring!

BTW, I got my cushion from WF and I am very happy with it. It was a litte harder because I had to look caerfully at the cert. and specs and have them ask a lot of questions for me (call the manufacturers (sp?)) just to pick a stone to call in. The first one wasn''t what I wanted, but I kinda knew it wasn''t going to be, since I knew it was modern. The second one was perfect, however! I really enjoy working with them but when it comes to cushions, I think you have to know exactly what you are looking for. I willingly offer up my amateur assistance in help finding your stone, if you go with a cushion. Now that I actually have one, I sorta miss the hunting!

Oh, and I wanted to add that I don''t think I could part with that ring. It is beautiful. And the large culet is probably just another indication that it could be an OMC or OEC. Is there anyway to keep that ring AND get the ring of your dreams?

Well, a girl can dream, can''t she?!

If you still want a cushion, what do you want? Modern or old cut? Size? Budget? I am happy to take a look around on your behalf!

 

[ephemery1]

Date: 5/2/2006 4:15:37 PM
Author: fatafelice
YAY!!! While I feel bad for your BF and his frustration, I am happy thay you will get some input into your future ring!

BTW, I got my cushion from WF and I am very happy with it. It was a litte harder because I had to look caerfully at the cert. and specs and have them ask a lot of questions for me (call the manufacturers (sp?)) just to pick a stone to call in. The first one wasn't what I wanted, but I kinda knew it wasn't going to be, since I knew it was modern. The second one was perfect, however! I really enjoy working with them but when it comes to cushions, I think you have to know exactly what you are looking for. I willingly offer up my amateur assistance in help finding your stone, if you go with a cushion. Now that I actually have one, I sorta miss the hunting!

Oh, and I wanted to add that I don't think I could part with that ring. It is beautiful. And the large culet is probably just another indication that it could be an OMC or OEC. Is there anyway to keep that ring AND get the ring of your dreams?

Well, a girl can dream, can't she?!

If you still want a cushion, what do you want? Modern or old cut? Size? Budget? I am happy to take a look around on your behalf!

Hi Fata... I appreciate your interest and offer to help!!! I went down to check out a couple different B&M's on Jeweler's Row today, just to see some stones in person. One was holding a modern cut cushion for my BF. It is 1.21ct, but I believe 73.8% depth... and though it was sparkly, did look small to me for that carat-weight. It was pretty, but I left feeling a little unconvinced. The next place I went showed me 2 modern cushions they had in stock: a 1.3ct and a 1.5ct. The 1.3 was a MUCH prettier stone to my untrained eye, and actually bigger (dimension-wise) than the 1.5! I also took a look at some ovals, and liked them a lot too. I do like rounded stones, and have actually wondered if a cushion might end up looking too squared-off for my liking in a 4-prong setting. Plus I like that ovals can end up looking bigger for the $$! So I think that shape is in the running now too....

But I think we would definitely be interested in going the online-route at this point. Our total budget is about $8k, so probably between $6-7 for the diamond. We were thinking modern cut, I guess just because they're more sparkly?... and as for size, I have long fingers, so bigger would be preferable! But with our budget, I know we are somewhat limited. If you do have a chance to take a look, please let me know if you come up with anything interesting... I'm definitely not an expert, so I'd very much appreciate the help... thank you!!

 

[snuga]

If you are having problems getting rid of that family ring, my boyfriend will buy it and I''ll take it!

 

[fatafelice]

Okay, sorry it took me a while to find the right pics (or best possible, anyway). There are three "common" varieties of what we call modern cushions. These are the three facet diagrams with (somewhat) representative pics. Which one do you like best?

If you like ovals, you can try and find a more rounded and elongated cushion. The advanage of cushions is that they seem less likely to have bowties. How about a cushion with a 1.15 ratio? Greater? What ratio do you like in the stones you have seen, including ovals?

Finally,what is your threshold for color and clarity? How low will you go?

Tell me these things and I can start looking!

 

[fatafelice]

DOH! It would help if I attached the pics!

If my opinion counts, I think "B" are usually the nicest cuts with the best light return. That''s what the Daniel K cushions are (and what Mark T does best!) and DBOF has some really nice ones.

The "C" kind can be really nice -- more of a "crushed ice look," but they can also have poor light return. The best ones I have seen are from GOG and DBOF.

 

[moon river]

OOHHH, I like #3 too.

 

[ephemery1]

Date: 5/2/2006 6:19:20 PM
Author: fatafelice
Okay, sorry it took me a while to find the right pics (or best possible, anyway). There are three ''common'' varieties of what we call modern cushions. These are the three facet diagrams with (somewhat) representative pics. Which one do you like best?

If you like ovals, you can try and find a more rounded and elongated cushion. The advanage of cushions is that they seem less likely to have bowties. How about a cushion with a 1.15 ratio? Greater? What ratio do you like in the stones you have seen, including ovals?

Finally,what is your threshold for color and clarity? How low will you go?

Tell me these things and I can start looking!

Oh wow, thank you SO much for finding those pix!!

I do like the idea of having the most light-return with #2, although the "crushed ice" look catches my eye as well. I could be wrong, but I think #1 is similar to the first stone I saw today (the 1.21ct), that didn''t overly impress me. The 1.3ct that I liked may have been similar to #3... I wish I''d known to think about these things before I went down there!

I actually prefer the lower-ratio ovals, probably more in the 1.3-1.4 range I think, based on what I''ve seen in person and online. Nothing too long and skinny. So I don''t think I would want a cushion with a significantly large ratio, just as long as it was a little more on the rectangle side, as opposed to completely square. It really is that unique rounded "soft" shape that was most appealing to me when I first started looking at cushions... I''ve never really liked princess or emerald or radiant type cuts.

When it comes to color, my BF was looking at G as the lowest, but it would really depend on the stone for me I think. In other words, not something I''d be too hung up on if it was a really great diamond, and lower color but with flourescence, for example. As for clarity... I think that would be least important on my list of values in a stone at this point, as long as we''re at least in the SI-range and nothing is overly visible to the naked eye. He likes the idea of a high-quality stone, but I have long fingers and really like the look of a bigger stone on me... so I''d love to be able to maximize our budget in the size category.

Any thoughts on the brilliance/"sparkliness" of a cushion as compared to an oval? I do see what you mean about the bow-tie... these are the things I''m kind of putting together into a mental pro-con list for both shapes......

 

[diamondfan]

I love 3, and 2 is nice but looks a bit like a round to me! Have you seen anything you love?

 

[ephemery1]

Date: 5/2/2006 9:41:26 PM
Author: diamondfan

Have you seen anything you love?

Hmmm... good question! Honestly, I haven''t seen many stones in "real life" at all, since my BF was really doing the whole thing on his own. But my mind keeps going back to the 1.3 cushion today... for some reason it just really caught my attention. At the same time, I loved the ovals I saw too... particularly a 1.65ct that is somewhat beyond our price range (but big and sparkly and wonderful, though EGL certified, so not too sure about that). I am REALLY hoping my BF can go back down to the B&M with me tomorrow during lunch to check some things out and just get an idea for how they look on my hand. In the meantime, I think we are going to tell the jeweler holding the too-deep 1.21 cushion to let it go for now. Part of me is tempted to just snatch one up and set in and have it on my finger as soon as possible... but at the same time, I feel so much less "urgent" about everything now that I''m involved. It will be interesting to see what we come up with, online too.....

 

[diamondfan]

I think, though it is tough, it is best to be patient. You should love it and not have doubts in the beginning...later on doubts might generate upgrade fever, or just wanting something else or bigger or different...BUT, you should love it.

 

[ephemery1]

Date: 5/2/2006 11:48:34 PM
Author: diamondfan
I think, though it is tough, it is best to be patient. You should love it and not have doubts in the beginning...later on doubts might generate upgrade fever, or just wanting something else or bigger or different...BUT, you should love it.

Definitely agreed.

I''ve been doing some more online-looking today, and still pretty undecided between cushion and oval. I''m still tossing around the idea of just keeping the family ring as an e-ring (but reset) for now... but I gathered that my BF wasn''t really in love with it, so he might prefer to just build our own. I think it would be different if we were actually considering RBs, but we definitely weren''t.

Since Fata has already kindly offered to see what''s out there for cushions, I think I am also going to post on Rocky Talky about help for finding some well-cut ovals online...

 

[anchor31]

Oooh, ephemery, I''m so excited that you get to be involved in the process!! This is great news!! Have fun!

 

[fatafelice]

Okay, this one looks promising!

Plusses:
--1.20 ratio means that it might have a more "ovall-y" shape.
--Nice depth
--Nice spread
--No culet
--Nice color and clarity
--The "notes" on it at Union Diamond say "beautiful cut"

Minusses:
--It is a cushion brilliant like the A stone above (found cert for stone here), which may not be as nice of a cut -- except that I just foud out that Angelanjapan''s gorgeous HW cushion has the same on the cert so this one could end up being a stunner!
--Table could be a little small, but I don''t know too much about numbers and cushions are hard to predict anyway.
--It is a "virtual stone," so you would have to have it called in to see it
--It is at the top of your budget and would only leave about $1000 for the setting

 

[fatafelice]

Ooooh, this one looks really promising!

Nice size! It is an H, but it has flour. Good depth and table. VS1 clarity. And it would leave more for the setting. I would email WF and have them get the cert. for you! Or, if you would prefer, Mark T at ERD has it listed as well and you could go through him for it.

 

[fatafelice]

Here are some other possibilities at WF:

1.21 H VS2

1.24 F VS2

1.38 G SI1

1.51 H SI2

 

[fatafelice]

Oh, and if you do like the look of the "C" stones check with DBOF. The stone above is one of the most beautiful pics I have seen for that facet pattern. I know that GOG also used to have some of that varieity, but they were more square and they did not seem to have great light return. Maybe the ones at DBOF are better in that regard.

Also, if you live in Philly, you might think about taking a trip to the Jersey Shore. This place cuts their own modern cushions, but I am not sure what kind they are -- either A or B -- I didn''t see the certs. The two I saw there were beautiful and (if I remember correctly) reasonably priced. Call them and see what they have to say. And if you do come out here, let me know! We could meet for coffee!

ETA: Bentley''s site is apparently under construction, but there is an email address and a ph.#

 

[ephemery1]

Oooooh, thank you SOOOO much Fata!!!

I''ve looked through a lot of those websites myself but it''s SO helpful to get recommendations from someone who''s actually been through the process and knows so much about it. The cert on that first stone you posted was done on my BF''s bday!! Maybe it''s a sign.

Although I liked the look of that next one even better. I actually emailed Mark T. last night, so hopefully when I hear back from him I will be able to mention that 2nd one from Whiteflash''s page. I also told him about my indecision between ovals and cushions... Fata, do you know if he works with ovals at all too? Or if any other vendors in particular are known for that shape? I know it''s uncommon.

My BF and I are heading down to Jeweler''s row this afternoon so I can show him the look of both shapes on my hand, and see what he thinks. I''m hoping that will solidify one over the other for me! He thinks I care too much about size, because I keep talking about how big some of the ovals appear... but I think it''s just one of several priorities for me. I have long fingers, and just like the look of the bigger stones... plus, as I told him, I never DREAMED I would have a stone bigger than 1ct, so being able to stretch that into 1.5ct or so is absolutely intoxicating!

Again, thanks SO much for your help Fata (and others who have posted thoughout all my freak-outs this week!)... I will keep you all updated...

 

[ephemery1]

Date: 5/3/2006 7:22:38 PM
Author: fatafelice
Oh, and if you do like the look of the ''C'' stones check with DBOF. The stone above is one of the most beautiful pics I have seen for that facet pattern. I know that GOG also used to have some of that varieity, but they were more square and they did not seem to have great light return. Maybe the ones at DBOF are better in that regard.

Also, if you live in Philly, you might think about taking a trip to the Jersey Shore. This place cuts their own modern cushions, but I am not sure what kind they are -- either A or B -- I didn''t see the certs. The two I saw there were beautiful and (if I remember correctly) reasonably priced. Call them and see what they have to say. And if you do come out here, let me know! We could meet for coffee!

ETA: Bentley''s site is apparently under construction, but there is an email address and a ph.#

I will definitely look into Bentley''s... we have a crazy, hectic schedule in May (a wedding at the beach, trip to Hilton Head, conference in DC for me, work in NC for him, weekend visit to NYC, a family weekend upstate for a christening)... so I most likely won''t be able to plan in any more trips until all that settles down, but maybe after that... coffee would be fun!!

 

[JulieN]

8K, 1.53 cushion http://rockdiamond.com/index.php?crn=224&rn=387&action=show_detail

I thought 8K was just for the diamond ): I really like his family ring, too.