11 replies to this topic

[diamond333]

Hi everyone,
I'm having a very hard time making a decision. Please any help would be greatly appreciated!

I'm considering two Cushion Brilliants- both of which I have seen under an Ideal Scope and look like bright stones - evenly distributed reds and pinks.

In terms of size on my hand - this is where I'm very confused about what to do (I can only see these diamonds loose and it's hard for me to imagine how they might look once set). In terms of spread, I love the size of a .90 round brilliant on my hand and tried a square 1 carat cushion (the Tiffany Novo) on that was just PERFECT (6.0 x 5.95 mm). The Novo gave me a frame of reference since it was already in a setting. I have small hands - 4.25 ring size. I wouldn't want it to look any bigger than this.

I have a couple questions, but first here are the stats on each:

1. .90 carat Cushion Brilliant - bright stone, 5.80 x 5.80 mm, excellent symmetry and polish - I worry that this stone will face up smaller than I want since it's .2 mm smaller than the Tiffany ring I tried on.

2. 1 carat Cushion Brilliant - even brighter stone, 6.1 x 6.05 mm, excellent symmetry and polish - I worry that this stone will be too big for me once it's set - they say that once it's in a setting stones look 10% bigger?

My questions are as follows:
- considering the Tiffany Novo sized diamond that I loved, which stone would be what I'm looking for?

- Also In terms of setting I want a very low setting in a basket head - I love the brightness of the second stone, but because I worry that it might be too large, would the lower setting help to make it appear smaller than if it were in a higher setting.

Thanks so much for anyone's help. I just want to make the right decision with such a big decision.

Edited by diamond333, 19 October 2010 - 08:04 AM.

[davidelevi]

Here are two (almost) cushion shapes - one is 5.8 x 5.8 mm, the other is 6.1 x 6.05



Can you tell which is which? Do you think it will make a difference in the way they look on your finger?

Both will likely appear somewhat larger ("10%" is a very vague concept - 10% of what???); I don't think the height of the setting will make them appear larger or smaller - more the type of setting (bezel vs prong vs halo) and shape of the stone, and above all its cut.

Edited by davidelevi, 19 October 2010 - 10:57 AM.

[barry]

I don't believe you will be able to see a difference.

[jan]

diamond333, on 19 October 2010 - 07:34 AM, said:

Hi everyone,
I'm having a very hard time making a decision. Please any help would be greatly appreciated!

I'm considering two Cushion Brilliants- both of which I have seen under an Ideal Scope and look like bright stones - evenly distributed reds and pinks.

In terms of size on my hand - this is where I'm very confused about what to do (I can only see these diamonds loose and it's hard for me to imagine how they might look once set). In terms of spread, I love the size of a .90 round brilliant on my hand and tried a square 1 carat cushion (the Tiffany Novo) on that was just PERFECT (6.0 x 5.95 mm). The Novo gave me a frame of reference since it was already in a setting. I have small hands - 4.25 ring size. I wouldn't want it to look any bigger than this.

I have a couple questions, but first here are the stats on each:

1. .90 carat Cushion Brilliant - bright stone, 5.80 x 5.80 mm, excellent symmetry and polish - I worry that this stone will face up smaller than I want since it's .2 mm smaller than the Tiffany ring I tried on.

2. 1 carat Cushion Brilliant - even brighter stone, 6.1 x 6.05 mm, excellent symmetry and polish - I worry that this stone will be too big for me once it's set - they say that once it's in a setting stones look 10% bigger?

My questions are as follows:
- considering the Tiffany Novo sized diamond that I loved, which stone would be what I'm looking for?

- Also In terms of setting I want a very low setting in a basket head - I love the brightness of the second stone, but because I worry that it might be too large, would the lower setting help to make it appear smaller than if it were in a higher setting.

Thanks so much for anyone's help. I just want to make the right decision with such a big decision.

Looks to me like the 1.00 ct. would be closer.

[LaurieH]

When you're talking really small stones, you can tell the difference in size, but the larger you get, the harder it is to see the difference. I think you'd be fine on either one you like best.

As far as the setting goes, I don't think a low setting would make the diamond look any different in size--you're only talking about a distance of a few millimeters--and I think a stone that size looks "neater" in a lower setting. Actually, depending on the size of your side stones (if any), it might make it look bigger.

Anyway--congrats in advance and good luck!

(and remember to come back and show off your ring when it's done! )

(oh yeah...and please please do--I *LOVE* cushions!)

[diamond333]

Alright I'm leaning toward the 1.00 carat. I think I can handle that much in terms of size lol, and it's so close to the Novo I tried on. One more quick question. The place I'm buying from is offering a small discount if I pay with cash, but I think it's because I've been back and forth on this so much that they're saying that if they do discount it, there will be a no-refund policy on the stone. I'm going to get the stone appraised right away, and the one caveat to this no-refund policy is that the store says that they're willing to refund me if it appraises for less than the sales price. They have a good reputation and have sat with me for hours answering all my question on the stones, showing it to me under different lightings, and under an Ideal Scope. So I feel comfortable that this stone is genuinely a gorgeous stone. Any thoughts or red flags? Thoughts would be welcome. Thanks for all the help! I'll try and get some pictures up once everything is done.

[HeartAndStone]

That's a good choice!

If a small discount will equate to a 'no-refund policy'. I think that's a no-no.
If these guys are indeed sincere about giving you a discount.
Well then, it must come with a refund policy.
There's no special treatment going on here, they are just doing their job.

Pay them in whatever payment method you are comfortable with, and forget the discount.

Edited by HeartAndStone, 20 October 2010 - 12:21 AM.

[davidelevi]

I agree with HeartAndStone - and I'm not that keen on a vendor that tries to lock you in. What if the appraisal comes up pointing at some other issue? It may well be worth what they are asking for (although to whom and under what conditions?), but that should not detract from your ability to return it for other reasons.

[denverappraiser]

No refund policy = no sale.

It's that simple. There is NO valid reason that a cash discount or the number of times you've visited the store should void your return policy. If it's what they say it is then it's still the same no matter what the price and if it's not, you should have the right to return it regardless of what you paid. If they don't back off on this, walk on the deal. You should have the right to have it inspected by anyone you wish and you should have the right to return it for ANY reason you wish as long as you do it within a reasonable time and don't damage it while in your posession. They should have no vote whatever in your choice of your appraiser, your appraisers choice of value definition or even what criteria is being used to evaluate the stone. Show it to your astrologer if you want. If it doesn't measure up to YOUR expectations you should have the right to return it and start over.

Edited by denverappraiser, 20 October 2010 - 05:18 AM.

[barry]

Your refund policy should stay intact regardless of any discount and within the stated time frame of the vendors return policies.

Once you have this diamond set and had an opportunity to evaluate the finished product is when you should decide if it's a keeper.

Good Luck! and let us know how this turns out for you.

[diamond333]

Thanks everyone. I'm glad I asked that question. I was feeling some reservation but letting my excitement about the diamond sway me. I'll ask them for a return policy despite the discount. I want everything to check out and this is such a huge decision.

[denverappraiser]

It perhaps goes unsaid but since there are jewelers out there who seem to find it confusing. 'Refund' means money back in your pocket or posted back on your credit card. No restocking fees and no exchanges. They're welcome to offer something else if they want but there should be no obligation on either one of you.