i forgot to summon the experts   ..............   

My DBL 3 stone Y-Z cushion has a "girdle" of yellow gold underneath to enhance the colour.  My S-T EC doesn't.  As far as the cleaning goes I use a very tiny dental brush that works wonders for getting the grim out from under the stone.

That would not be necessarily a bad thing, though, would it?

  Where's the SOAPBOX SMILEY?

Yes, yes, I was so carried away by the soapbox extravaganza that I forgot to mention KKs beautiful collection. Each is ring is simply gorgeous.

Hummm, WHERE to find that dang soapbox smiley?  Perhaps David has it...

  Your wish is my command. 

  http://www.mylot.com...w/image/1857272.aspx

( Actually, that was relatively easy to find. I just don't know what to DO with it once I've found it... )

Thanks WM and Trinkette!

Foolishly, I'd hoped you were going to say "because we have a GIA cert" there lol.

I have heard of machines being used to grade colour but I don't think they're too well regarded. Pretty sure the GIA don't use a machine. I have a rough idea of what David will think of them but I could be totally wrong!

Uh-oh.  This sounds like another golden opportunity for David and the Soapbox Smiley.

Thanks Mikla. So... this machine is endorsed by GIA?  I wonder what the accuracy rate is?

Sagsay, I never found out because I was pressed for time and had to leave. I did notice a beautiful antique OEC tie tac before I left, but that's a whole 'nother story.
 
BTW, I have been known to wait outside of jewelers after witnessing young guys shopping for E-rings inside. I usually say that I have a son his age and would welcome it if someone educated him to purchasing a diamond. I then hand him a preprinted card with DBL website on it and tell them to take a look. I also tell them to log onto the forum because the folks there will answer any questions he might have. If nothing else he'd get a little more educated.

I know that it sounds sketchy approaching perfect strangers this way but I have to say that it has always been well received and they end up shaking my hand in appreciation. (That's how you can tell you've connected). I've never been blown off--maybe I just have an honest face. 

More times than not they thank me and say how difficult it is to find what they think their girlfriends want in their budget. One time a guy told me that what he liked about XYZ store was that he could put down 20% and pay the rest over 1 year. He just graduated college and said he couldn't afford to do anything else--I had nothing to say after that. He also said they offer a full refund within 3 mos and only charge a restocking fee if the ring is out of circulation for more than 6 months.
It's tough on the young guys these days--I can really sympathize...

 

I didn't think the GIA used it for themselves since they describe in detail on their site that they grade color by eye.  The instrument is sold by a subsidiary of theirs that sells instruments and the like.  I think David hit the nail on the head when he said that if you don't know anything about about diamonds, then it might be useful.  That pretty much describes the kind of establishment that DJM said he was in.  I am sure it will convince some unsuspecting customers who don't know any better.

Mikla