12 replies to this topic

[Pauly]

[url]http://www.diamondreview.com/forum/topic/5978-first-platinum-ring/page__gopid__27566#entry27566[/url]

Guys,

I just posted in the wrong section... apologies, it was my first contribution to this site.
I did manage to post 3 pic of the setting, so hopefully that helps (see link above)
Please see my scenario & query below.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Hi all,


This is my very first post, but I have been lurking on here reading as much as I can before posting.
I really envy the experts' knowledge and know-how, and appreciate all the time and effort spent on educating and assisting the lesser informed.


Here is the setting we have bought - got it custom made, based upon a design we saw in a window near the Rockafeller centre. Cost plenty, it's platinum and chunky. The eternity ring inserts, and can of course be removed completely. The little stones are F/G and 1 little H stone (according to several different jewelers.


The round brilliant that needs to go in the middle is the big question... we know the recommended size is 7.5mm (face dimensions) minimum to ensure a neat and proportionate fit. What does that translate to? We are wanting an eye-clean stone, probably VS2. Cut must be triple excellent and colour must be white (F is ideal, E rather than G).


We live in Dubai, and have found the biggest and most successful place (most turnover) is prepared to open the sealed GIA packaging to let us check the stones we like.


Based upon the face dimensions, what do you think the size of the stone should be? We want it to be as stunning as possible, and will compromise only upon the clarify, as this seems to the only aspect that is more "abstract" than physically relevant on a day-to-day basis.


I suspect fluorescence should also be avoided, as it's not a value-add on an already white stone.


Comments on the setting, and suggestions on the stone?

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 
• 

[denverappraiser]

I must say it's unusual to be approaching it in the order you have. One of the benefits of custom making the mounting is that the craftsman can design it exactly to fit your stone. 7.5mm will be just over 1.50cts. Beyond that I'm not sure what you're asking us.

Since you've chosen your dealer, the next step is to get their advice on stones. You chose them at least in part for their advice so ask for it. Who will be setting the stone? If they're nearby, show them the mounting and ask them what is the best size to fit what you have.

[jan]

Pauly, on 20 October 2010 - 09:25 AM, said:

http://www.diamondre...7566#entry27566

Guys,

I just posted in the wrong section... apologies, it was my first contribution to this site.
I did manage to post 3 pic of the setting, so hopefully that helps (see link above)
Please see my scenario & query below.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Hi all,


This is my very first post, but I have been lurking on here reading as much as I can before posting.
I really envy the experts' knowledge and know-how, and appreciate all the time and effort spent on educating and assisting the lesser informed.


Here is the setting we have bought - got it custom made, based upon a design we saw in a window near the Rockafeller centre. Cost plenty, it's platinum and chunky. The eternity ring inserts, and can of course be removed completely. The little stones are F/G and 1 little H stone (according to several different jewelers.


The round brilliant that needs to go in the middle is the big question... we know the recommended size is 7.5mm (face dimensions) minimum to ensure a neat and proportionate fit. What does that translate to? We are wanting an eye-clean stone, probably VS2. Cut must be triple excellent and colour must be white (F is ideal, E rather than G).


We live in Dubai, and have found the biggest and most successful place (most turnover) is prepared to open the sealed GIA packaging to let us check the stones we like.


Based upon the face dimensions, what do you think the size of the stone should be? We want it to be as stunning as possible, and will compromise only upon the clarify, as this seems to the only aspect that is more "abstract" than physically relevant on a day-to-day basis.


I suspect fluorescence should also be avoided, as it's not a value-add on an already white stone.


Comments on the setting, and suggestions on the stone?

Whatever size that you get, you will have to be very careful about the culet pavilion side of the stone that it doesn't in any way touch the band when you slide it through. I had that exact setting at one time and chipped a stone in the band and also the culet off of my center stone putting the band in the ring. You may consider even soldering the band in place so that it doesn't move.
So depth of what ever stone that you consider is of utmost importance.

[davidelevi]

a 7.5 mm stone is... a 7.5 mm stone. What shape were you thinking? Round? If so, look for something around 1.60 - 1.70 ct, but each stone will be sized differently, and depending on how the ring was fabricated it may be easy to adjust for a particular stone (or not). As others have pointed out, it's not just the diameter that matters.

On fluorescence: if you don't mind it, then go for it: it means a 5-10% discount for no detriment whatsoever.

On colour: you will NOT see colour on a well-cut set G or H stone. If you want to go for F or higher because you like it, it's your choice, of course, but you will not see the difference.

ETA: you may want to remove the post in the other section; simply choose the "delete" button at the bottom right of the post.

Edited by davidelevi, 21 October 2010 - 09:02 AM.

[Pauly]

Thanks so much to everybody for the thoughts, tips and additional perspective.
My favourite diamond guy has got his hands on a GIA certified stone with ratings:

F
VS2
1.65
7.59-7.61 dimensions
Triple Excellent cut
No fluorescence
1 little cloud, 1 little crystal and 1 tiny needle (all in the centre when viewed from top-down, according to the certificate)
Thin to medium (faceted) 3% - what does this mean?
Various percentages that I can see but not sure what they mean:
55% at the top
61.8% around the girdle
75% only the left girdle to bottom tip
35% above the girdle
41% below the girdle
15.5% from the centre of the face to the centre of the girdle
43.5% from the centre of the girdle to the tip

Does this sound ok? It's hard to get our hands on good stones over in Dubai and this one seems to match what I had set as the basic parameters.

Thanks to everybody yet again; as for the setting, I ran to the jeweller and asked them to show me how stones will fit into the setting, and whether the stone would be damaged by the movement of the eternity ring. It seemed to be safe enough, so long as the stone sat higher and not resting in the "basket".

Finally, the grading is super recent (like a week ago) - is this something to be glad about, or suspicious of? Is it likely to be a new stone, or a stone that was recently sent to GIA for re-grading (perhaps previously a different brand of grading?)

Thanks! :-)

[davidelevi]

Thin to medium is girdle thickness. 3% is the average. Faceted is its appearance. All fine and dandy.

The other numbers are respectively

55% = table size as % of average diameter
61.8% = stone depth as % of average diameter
75% = lower girdle length as % of total pavillion size
35° (not %) = average crown angle
41° (not %) = average pavillion angle
15.5% = crown height as % of average diameter
43% = pavillion height as % of average diameter
(not surprisingly, 15.5 + 3 + 43 = 61.5 which is your overall depth, once it's rounded)

All sound good - on paper. In real life, a diamond is a lot more complex than that, but if you have seen it and you like it all is fine.

ETA - recent grading is good. It means the clarity and finish grades reflect the situation the stone is in now, not the one it was in a few years ago. As to why it's recent, your guess is as good as mine - it may be a stone that has been cut recently, or refinished, or recycled or simply in the hands of a conscientious jeweller. Since you are getting a grade from a reliable lab, that's all that matters.

Edited by davidelevi, 31 October 2010 - 02:39 AM.

[Pauly]

davidelevi, you're a star! I haven't seen it yet, but based upon what you've said, I'll let myself go & look at it and hopefully fall in love with it!



If it looks as shiny as it sounds, I'll negotiate a good price for it. Is it worth $15,000?

[Pauly]

Hi all, today is negotiation day. What should I offer (Dubai so tax-free and resident prices rather than tourist trap)

[HeartAndStone]

Hi Pauly!

I guess in general, girls are good with negotiations.
It's good to be with some local friend too.
As you see the real beauty of that stone, keep in mind your budget and not the maximum budget.
Good luck!

Keep us posted!

[Pauly]

He's asking for 16, it's beautiful but not sure it's the best price I can get? Any thoughts?

[Pauly]

Bought for 15.2 :-)

[LaurieH]

Congrats! Be sure to come back and show it off when it's set! (and the proposal story, too, when the time comes! )

[Pauly]

Thank you so very much! I am so totally excited... You guys really helped heaps.