Introducing... "Grace"!

OK... so anyone who knows me (or who has at least read my earlier blog entry of July 14, 2009) knows that I am (admittedly) just a wee bit deranged when it comes to my diamond! Well, I recently decided that I *neeeeeeeeeeeded* ;o) a change... so I contacted Brian Gavin Diamonds of Houston, TX to create a custom reset project.

Here's the scoop: I really did LOVE the fishtail pave setting that my diamond was set in (after all, I custom designed it myself just 3 years ago!)... but a few months ago, a bee started a'buzzing in my bonnet for a new style -- a classic solitaire.

Honestly, I was beginning to feel like the small melee stones (in the fishtail pave setting) were somehow *competing* with the center stone (I know, I know... this is something only a diamond CRAZEEEE will truly appreciate! The rest of the world... well, just stay with me, please!) Basically, I wanted a setting that would simply highlight and spotlight my beautiful diamond. Summary: I wanted it to "do all the talkin'!"

So with some ideas and some beautiful inspiration rings in mind (and the tireless assistance and cheerleading of one VERY good buddy!) I took the project to Brian Gavin Diamonds. Here is what I requested: 4 delicate, claw prongs on a simple basket head with a semi-rounded shank, in platinum. I had in mind something very special, something a little "different"... definitely not just your dime-a-dozen, run-of-the-mill, 4-prong-setting solitaire.

I wanted this re-set to be something plain and simple, yet timeless and classic. I had a vision in mind, and Brian and Lesley helped me bring it to life.

First up... the CADs...

(Note that CAD images are always "bulkier" than the finished ring will be; there is approximately a 15% "overage" so obviously, the prong tips will be polished and pointed, and the entire ring more "delicate" and fluid after hand finishing and polishing.)
But lookin' gooooooood so far!

Next came the wax models... very exciting!








Then, finally...
TA DA! My beautiful new platinum, 4-claw-prong, solitaire setting:
(These pictures taken by Brian:)

* I LOVE them! * They are everything I had hoped for -- and more.

The shanks are thin (only 2mm) and very delicate, but yet they have surprising "heft" and feel quite "substantial". I love the contrast and the simplicity of the diamond alone against the smooth, sleek line of platinum. And note the small "donut" under the head... so the two rings don't sit quite flush -- there's a sexy little gap between them that I just adore!

Now here's the REALLY COOL PART! Apparently it was an instant hit with other diamond crazeeees, because Brian and Lesley began getting quite a few inquiry calls and e-mails about it. So they decided to offer my design as a new standard setting... and they asked me to name it!

Now THAT was quite an honor. So I gave it a much thought... and finally decided to call the new setting "Grace". Grace is my mother's name, and I have always loved it. And according to the dictionary, “grace” is defined as “elegance, beauty, and smoothness of form or movement”… which clearly describes this beautiful setting.

(Add here's a link to Brian Gavin Diamonds' blog with my story. VERY FUN!)

More pictures...

The matching wedding ring all by itself. I love the simple, classic, timeless look of a plain platinum or gold band!

New e-ring with old (fishtail pave) w-ring. A nice look for something different.




And, just for fun... a few "glamour shots" taken by Brian of my diamond while it was unset:













THE VALUE OF AN INDEPENDENT APPRAISAL:
Before I end this post, I want to take a minute to mention the importance of an independent appraisal, and the excellent services I received from one independent appraiser in particular. For insurance purposes, it's vital to have a comprehensive, accurate, and appropriate (not too low OR over-inflated) appraisal of value.

For obvious reasons, the place where the diamond was purchased may not necessarily the best place to have it "appraised"... after all, how "independent" and objective can that really be? A truly "independent" appraiser is not affiliated with any vendor, and does not buy or sell jewelry. He works solely for YOU.

Because diamonds are typically substantial investments, and because prices only continue to rise, it is important to keep your appraisal current and updated. In my case, my diamond hadn't been appraised for several years. So, since I was having the reset project done anyway, I decided to send my rings (the old set) to Richard Sherwood of Sarasota Gem Lab in Sarasota, FL. Rich unset the diamond and performed his full appraisal on it. I was extremely happy and seriously impressed with how THOROUGH and comprehensive his appraisal was. (Plus Rich is just a 4-star DOLL to work with!)

Once that was done, Rich sent my (now) unset diamond to Brian Gavin Diamonds in Houston, TX for work to begin on my new project. Once my new rings were finished, they were sent back to Rich -- for his final examination and an appraisal of the completed pair of rings. It was protection and peace of mind for me for several reasons. Not that I thought for a moment that Brian Gavin Diamonds would "switch stones" (a very common consumer worry, but basically a non-issue when working with a reputable vendor), but hey, mistakes can happen to anyone, and by having Rich examine the finished rings he could validate that it was in fact my stone, and that no damage (however minor) had occurred to it during the resetting process. He checked the new platinum setting over completely, making sure that everything was just perfect, and then appraised the completed set of rings. When all of that was done, the rings were (*FINALLY*!) shipped to me for delighted receipt into my hot and sweaty little hands!

Was that added time and all that Fed-Ex shipping (my diamond has seen parts of the country I've never seen!) somewhat of an inconvenience? Yes, honestly a bit (the shipping 3 times to and from Rich cost more than his actual appraisals did!) ... but like I said, to me it was well worth it. I recommend Rich's services wholeheartedly... and if I had it to do again, I'd do it exactly the same. (In fact, in a few years when I'm ready for another change... I know I will!!!) ;o)

(BTW, here's Rich's appraisal -- an attractive, complete 3-ring binder of invaluable information, charts, graphics and photos:)

And before I close... this post simply wouldn't be complete without a picture of the "Original" Grace! ;o)
Me and my wonderful mom:

Diamonds and All Things Sparkly!

From the time I have been very small, I have always been enamored by all things sparkly! It didn't matter if it was a crystal, a rhinestone, a prism, or just a piece of shiny glass... if it caught the eye, reflected the light, and sparkled... I was hooked!

My husband and I were very young when we got married, and we didn't have much money; so the only diamond we could have afforded would have been a tiny little chippy. I decided to hold out and wait until we had enough money to buy a diamond big enough to be seen without a loupe ;o) -- so I wore my mother's tri-color gold wedding band happily (and alone!) for many years.

Flash forward in time... we had a significant anniversary coming up... the kids were educated and (mostly!) grown and the house was (mostly!) paid off... and it seemed like the time had come to finally get that Ultimate Sparklie that I always dreamed of.

So, I began to look around, research and learn all I could about those glorious chunks of carbon we so lovingly call diamonds. And believe me, there is a LOT to learn!

First of all, most people seem to think that "a diamond is a diamond is a diamond..." and really, nothing could be further from the truth! There is so much to consider... the Famous 4 C's of course (color, cut, clarity, carat weight) --but so much more!

I knew I wanted a round diamond... timeless, classic, and beautiful -- rounds never go out of style. And I knew I wanted at least a full carat... but the more above that I could get, the better! (Yes, I admit... I am a shameless lover of diamond SIZE!)

My research took me to every jewelry store in the tri-state area (and I'm not kidding!) ... and I was surprised to keep seeing the same two things over and over: exorbitant prices and the mediocre *sparkle* and beauty of most of the stones. I did not want a dull, milky-looking stone, or a yellow(ish) one... I did NOT want a diamond with visible inclusions... I wanted a big, bright, white, lively, sparkly diamond at a reasonable, "do-able" price. Was that asking too much?!

Then I found Pricescope.com . Who knew that online, internet vendors had gorgeous stones at much lower prices than B&M (brick and mortar) jewelry stores?! But wait... wasn't making such a HUGE purchase "sight unseen" awfully risky? Stupid, even?! *Nope!* Come to learn that reputable internet diamond vendors offer very personalized service, all sorts of information and images, copies of the grading report ("cert"), and very reasonable no-questions-asked return policies. Not to mention that most reputable vendors also offer a full lifetime trade-up policy (which means that you can upgrade any time to a larger or more expensive stone, and get your initial purchase price fully credited to your new purchase.) WooHoo, I was in Diamond Heaven!

So... I finally found my diamond -- a gorgeous 1.53 round brilliant (that's just a nudge over 1 1/2 carats). I had it set into a custom diamond and platinum setting... and it made my heart sing!



And I wore it happily for... awhile! There was just one small problem... the darn thing kept shrinking right before my eyes! When I first got it, it looked HUGE... but every day, it looked a little smaller than the day before. (I have since learned that I was afflicted with an insidious syndrome called DSS, "Diamond Shrinkage Syndrome"!)

There is apparently only one cure for DSS... and thanks to that handy, dandy trade-up policy I mentioned earlier, I was able to upgrade to a KILLER (hearts and arrows, AGS-0) 2.36 (that's just a bit under 2 1/2 carats) round brilliant, set in a new custom (fishtail pave) diamond and platinum mounting.

Let me just say that I LOVE my beautiful little piece of carbon and wear it happily every day! (Yes, yes... it still tries to shrink on me, too... but the next truly significant/noticeable jump would have to be to over 3 carats... and even at the best internet vendor prices, well... realistically, that probably just ain't EVER gonna happen!)

So, it's the biggest "extravagance" in my otherwise quite practical and simple life... but OH! I do so LOVE and enjoy it!

Here are a few pictures of my little bauble...















And here are some of my favorite internet vendors (some of them also maintain a physical store, as well): Diamond Ideals, Quest, Whiteflash, Brian Gavin Diamonds, Good Old Gold, Wink Jones and High Performance Diamonds.

Tell them Lynn sent you! ;o)