Advice: Looking for low-profile settings for oval solitaire

[lotty]

Hi!

I've just started to look for an engagement ring for my long-time girlfriend, and was hoping to get some direction on where to find the setting from the community. The stone will be an oval solitaire (1-1.2 ct). Ideally, she would like a simple solitaire setting with a thin platinum band and a low profile. I thought a bezel-set oval would work well, but she would prefer the setting to have prongs. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated... Thanks!

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Advice: Looking for low-profile settings for oval solita

Prongs are a better idea for ovals than bezels.
If you go for a setting that is too low profile she will not be able to wear a flush fit wedding band. So I suggest you ask her what is more important, how low the stone is set to the finger, or the ability to wear a straight band flush with it.

These will be very affordable. But you will want to get them from a jeweler who does good finishing to refine the setting and one who does great prongs.

http://www.stuller.com/products/122089/10315746/?groupId=120319 Will allow a flush fit wedding band. And is not very high at all.
http://www.stuller.com/products/122218/10297850/?groupId=120216
http://www.stuller.com/products/122118/9143506/?groupId=119127 Lowest profile, and frankly lovely but... a straight band will not sit flush.

This one doesn't state it is for an oval, but it's lovely, and accomodates a straight band and it would probably work for many ovals, so keep it in mind: http://www.stuller.com/products/121872/?groupId=110520

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Advice: Looking for low-profile settings for oval solita

If you want something more high end than those:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/grace-platinum-5414p
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/elegance-platinum-5415p

Either of these would look fantastic with an oval.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Advice: Looking for low-profile settings for oval solita

Personal favorite and would look amazing if they can make it for an oval:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/lace-platinum-5934p-1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/la-fleur-platinum-5936p

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Advice: Looking for low-profile settings for oval solita

You didn't mention a budget.

Some basic knowledge for you:

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king. With fancies though (anything other than a round brilliant), that is a little complicated. But no other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. But with ovals if you want to stay about G, that's certainly possible. Still if there is a gorgeous stone at H it might be worth a look.

There really is no other way to determine if you have a good oval cut is to see images of the stones, and then you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.

That's what an ASET image does. http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance Please read.
And ASET shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return That is why you won't see us recommending vendors like Blue Nile, as they do not provide images or ASET images for their diamonds. James Allen and Good Old Gold do this. So do Brian Gavin, B2C and Whiteflash and High Performance Diamonds. ERD does too, for stones they source for you.


Keep in mind that ovals are especially hard to shop for because so many have bowties. So finding a bright, well cut bowtie is a herculean task at times if the stock at vendors is poor.

If you don't know what a bowtie is let us know.

Here is a nice oval I found for you though:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5156609-1.01-carat-Oval-diamond-F-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.02-carat-f-color-if-clarity-sku-338366 get ASET, but it's a promising stone.

Finally: you buy ovals by spread (dimensions) not carat weight. Any spread difference greater than .2 is eyevisible anything less, really isn't. If you look at the two stones I posted for you the JA stone is MUCH bigger at:8.19*5.49*3.11 than the B2C stone 7.28x5.71x3.74, even though they both weight basically the same. So remember, spread matters not weight.

 

[lotty]

Re: Advice: Looking for low-profile settings for oval solita

Hi Gypsy,

Thank you so much for the detailed replies! I learned quite a bit from your posts and the links provided... especially about the ASET and stone selection. It's something I'll definitely keep in mind. As far as the settings you posted goes, I really like the first link from Stuller and the La Fleur from BG.

In terms of my budget, anything under $15K for the total cost is OK.
In terms of time frame, I hope to pull the trigger within the next couple months.

Thanks again for your reply... this whole process can get pretty daunting!

-lotty

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Advice: Looking for low-profile settings for oval solita

You have a GREAT budget.

If you are ready to buy now... I can post stuff for your consideration. If you'd like to wait, just post when you are ready for help finding an oval and I will be happy to help if I am around .

Examples of what your budget can get you
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.60-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-240045 (lots of potential, you'd ask for an ASET).
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.71-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-299443
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.42-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-230348

The first setting by Stuller is one JA can get you for the above stone. And it will cost less than a $1,000 in platinum, I would ask for delicate claw prongs and 'the best mirror finish on the setting they can manage".

But, I'll be honest... I'd send it to BGD for the La Fleur: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/la-fleur-platinum-5936p#more

Unique, elegant and arresting combo.

 

[yennyfire]

Re: Advice: Looking for low-profile settings for oval solita

I love that first oval Gypsy posted (the 1.6 G VS2).... It's gorgeous!!

She has really shown you everything I think you should consider in terms of both stones and settings! She's a real "gem" (pun intended) and we are so lucky that she is so generous with her time and expertise!