shape
carat
color
clarity

Advice needed with my choice and road to buying

Siyah

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Dec 28, 2018
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100
Haha, @SimoneDi that is amazing. That is really what she said to me on the phone. I asked twice and she confirmed, as I also was quite surprised. This is what she mailed me back btw:

Thank you for your call into Blue Nile,
I have forwarded your message to my merchandising department, and have requested if we are able to get The Zac Posen in White Gold. We may have this ring in Platinum as well I want to check out all options possible for you.

Considering this is a designer piece our options may be limited with this specific ring, but we hope to be able to find or create the perfect ring for you.

I have also attached a link from our US site showing customer creation of the Classic Tapered Four Prong Engagement Ring in 14k white gold

https://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/14k-white-gold-engagement-ring_20374?elem=title&track=product
I hope this information was helpful.
Please allow 24-48 hours for my team to respond with options for your request.
 

SimoneDi

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Haha, @SimoneDi that is amazing. That is really what she said to me on the phone. I asked twice and she confirmed, as I also was quite surprised. This is what she mailed me back btw:

Thank you for your call into Blue Nile,
I have forwarded your message to my merchandising department, and have requested if we are able to get The Zac Posen in White Gold. We may have this ring in Platinum as well I want to check out all options possible for you.

Considering this is a designer piece our options may be limited with this specific ring, but we hope to be able to find or create the perfect ring for you.

I have also attached a link from our US site showing customer creation of the Classic Tapered Four Prong Engagement Ring in 14k white gold

https://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/14k-white-gold-engagement-ring_20374?elem=title&track=product
I hope this information was helpful.
Please allow 24-48 hours for my team to respond with options for your request.

This is great feedback.

Let’s see what they come back with regarding the Zac Posen setting, although I am still really liking the Classic Tapered Four Prong setting. I think that both will be good options for you.
.
 

MaisOuiMadame

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@SimoneDi you rock!!!!

I've linked the classic four prong taper before as well and I have the feeling that their example picture makes it look much bulkier than the real life pictures.
If they can get the Zac Posen in white gold, I second double checking about nickel content. It's banned in wg in the EU as someone mentioned upthread. That's why some styles from bluenile.us aren't available over here. I have a nickel allergy and it's very uncomfortable. Before PS I didn't know it was only banned in the EU and I had some horrible reactions to gifts from dh from traveling. So better be sure.

You're almost there. Excited to see how close you are to your girl's dream ring
 

kmoro

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@SimoneDi you rock!!!!

I've linked the classic four prong taper before as well and I have the feeling that their example picture makes it look much bulkier than the real life pictures.
If they can get the Zac Posen in white gold, I second double checking about nickel content. It's banned in wg in the EU as someone mentioned upthread. That's why some styles from bluenile.us aren't available over here. I have a nickel allergy and it's very uncomfortable. Before PS I didn't know it was only banned in the EU and I had some horrible reactions to gifts from dh from traveling. So better be sure.

You're almost there. Excited to see how close you are to your girl's dream ring

Is it illegal to buy white gold with nickel from the US and import it? I can understand that a vendor in the EU would be restricted to selling white gold without nickel, but it doesn’t make sense to me that someone could not import it. There is nothing illegal about importing white gold with nickel to the EU.

Also, if the white gold with nickel is rhodium plated, is it still an issue for those with nickel allergy?
 

MaisOuiMadame

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Is it illegal to buy white gold with nickel from the US and import it? I can understand that a vendor in the EU would be restricted to selling white gold without nickel, but it doesn’t make sense to me that someone could not import it. There is nothing illegal about importing white gold with nickel to the EU.

Also, if the white gold with nickel is rhodium plated, is it still an issue for those with nickel allergy?

Sorry, maybe I was not clear (not a native speaker) . It's obviously not a problem to possess nickel wg for yourself. Or import. My DH certainly broke no laws when he brought me some shinies from the US :lol-2:.

Vendors can't sell it. So bluenile can't sell the same stock in the EU than in the US. OP is buying from bluenile *EU*, located in Ireland (for tax reasons) . He specifically chose to do so in order to be able to see the final price of the product up front and be able to return the item if need be.

ETA:for me, personally, rhodium plating doesn't change much (nasty rash) and for earrings I've tried the clear-nail-polish-on-top of-rhodium-plated-findings-method, the Vaseline - on- top - of - nail - polish - on- top - of--rhodium-method... Still had to change everything out...
 
Last edited:

MaisOuiMadame

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Also, you develop allergies over time . Even if nickel is OK now, you can develop a sensitivity or allergy at any time. Since one wears an e- ring a lot, I'd just personally not go that route if it's easily avoidable. It's been been banned in the EU for a reason. It's known to be an allergen.
 

sledge

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Also, if the white gold with nickel is rhodium plated, is it still an issue for those with nickel allergy?

I read something about this awhile back and wish I could find the source. Essentially the jist of it was that having an allergy and using rhodium plating was a bad idea.

First it's a thin layer that breaks down at different speeds based on individual chemical composure. Second, its porous so it's not an "air tight" barrier. Third, the application isn't always even so you can have light or heavy areas, although we are talking microns of thickness.

Also, we call it an allergy but its slowly poisoning your body. The article suggested with prolonged exposure it could make the sensitivity worse, reactions worse and the wearer more sick as a result.

In short, if you know you have an issue then rhodium plating is a bad solution. You should get a more pure metal that is truly hypoallergenic.
 

SimoneDi

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@Siyah I found a real life pic with the classic taper with a 0.6ct stone. You can see that it is much more delicate in person!

B6805F0F-B12B-4BD9-9F94-EFC02F9B0997.jpeg

One more with a larger stone, but you can see that the shank is very thin toward the stone:
C62F43EE-101C-4DF8-8980-AD76EE7677A0.jpeg
 

Matilda

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@SimoneDi in terms of similarity to the one she wore in the photo I think this is the most similar, not identical but very close. Considering budget and cost of doing custom, I vote this one!
 

SimoneDi

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@SimoneDi in terms of similarity to the one she wore in the photo I think this is the most similar, not identical but very close. Considering budget and cost of doing custom, I vote this one!

I agree! It has a rounded shank vs flat, which I personally prefer for comfort. Overall, it looks like a lovely non-custom choice. :)
 

Siyah

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 28, 2018
Messages
100
@Siyah I found a real life pic with the classic taper with a 0.6ct stone. You can see that it is much more delicate in person!

B6805F0F-B12B-4BD9-9F94-EFC02F9B0997.jpeg

One more with a larger stone, but you can see that the shank is very thin toward the stone:
C62F43EE-101C-4DF8-8980-AD76EE7677A0.jpeg

That is indeed a great find. Thank you very much, @SimoneDi. Let's wait until BN responds/comes up with an alternative and after that I can make a decision.

You guys rock!
 

sledge

Ideal_Rock
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Maybe your mind works different than mine, but I find it useful to see things side by side when making decisions like these. What do you think?

My own 2 cents is I would agree w/ the others -- there is some minor variation. The photo that @SimoneDi is slightly thicker (but not as pronounced as the web page makes it appear) and it does not have the flat shank your fiancee tried on. The fingers appear to be nearly identical size and I think the one on the left looks better. The taper is more visible on the left and adds more character IMO.

Also, notice how the diamond actually looks round as well? And bigger than the one on the right?

I think this is a very good compromise between her original inspiration and what is available without requiring you to spend the extra money and headache to do a custom piece.


Sample photo (left) | Inspiration piece on fiancee (right)

alt-2.jpg

alt-1.jpg
 

MaisOuiMadame

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Just a word of wisdom regarding custom design jewelry work in Europe....

If you find someone that has your setting in their repertoire and only has to customize it for the centre stone:great.
If he has a distinct style that you adore and basically anything in that style would be ok:great.
Anything else : a gamble. I (or my friends and family) have been burnt so many times. The "the customer is always right" mentality just doesn't exist, really. This is why I avoid custom locally like the plague. I adore working with David Klass - smooth sailing. Here... No way I'd try again. Besides the pricing that's why I am convinced that you won't necessarily do much better than a close enough stock setting from bluenile
 

Siyah

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 28, 2018
Messages
100
Maybe your mind works different than mine, but I find it useful to see things side by side when making decisions like these. What do you think?

My own 2 cents is I would agree w/ the others -- there is some minor variation. The photo that @SimoneDi is slightly thicker (but not as pronounced as the web page makes it appear) and it does not have the flat shank your fiancee tried on. The fingers appear to be nearly identical size and I think the one on the left looks better. The taper is more visible on the left and adds more character IMO.

Also, notice how the diamond actually looks round as well? And bigger than the one on the right?

I think this is a very good compromise between her original inspiration and what is available without requiring you to spend the extra money and headache to do a custom piece.


Sample photo (left) | Inspiration piece on fiancee (right)

alt-2.jpg

alt-1.jpg

Thank you, @sledge. This helps as well...

I saw a real life photo of what - I think - is the tapered cathedral setting....

solitairehand.jpg
solitaire4.jpg

Right? It's either this:

https://bnsec.bluenile.com/bluenile...plate_profile?$v3_catprod_lrg$&$diam_shape=is{bluenile/profile_RD_standard}&$ring_position=9,55&$ring_sku=is{bluenile/SM03280500_setprofile}&$ring_size=1000,1000

Or

https://www.bluenile.com/nl/build-y...t-ring-setting_23192?elem=title&track=product

But I think that this one is maybe even better than the classic tapered one. What do you think?

I thought choosing a diamond was hard....
Damn... :roll2:
 

SimoneDi

Ideal_Rock
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Thank you, @sledge. This helps as well...

I saw a real life photo of what - I think - is the tapered cathedral setting....

solitairehand.jpg
solitaire4.jpg

Right? It's either this:

https://bnsec.bluenile.com/bluenile...plate_profile?$v3_catprod_lrg$&$diam_shape=is{bluenile/profile_RD_standard}&$ring_position=9,55&$ring_sku=is{bluenile/SM03280500_setprofile}&$ring_size=1000,1000

Or

https://www.bluenile.com/nl/build-y...t-ring-setting_23192?elem=title&track=product

But I think that this one is maybe even better than the classic tapered one. What do you think?

I thought choosing a diamond was hard....
Damn... :roll2:

That particular setting is neither. It is an example of a Cathedral Tapered setting.

BNs current cathedral Tapered setting doesn’t have as pronounced of a taper, see below:

Comp generated with 0.5ct:

914FE607-CEDD-49FE-BF53-D19341171C02.jpeg
And a real image even though with a larger diamond.
136451D1-ABEC-47A0-8D20-22E2A7A3AA4A.jpeg

The Classic Tapered setting has the highlighted taper which your girlfriend really seems to like:

455FA5D5-1F74-4CFC-9D84-57623C4A6839.jpeg
5D0E088C-ED2E-4B07-9385-B86930EFFA4F.jpeg

My vote goes to the later.
 
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Siyah

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 28, 2018
Messages
100
That particular setting is neither. It is an example of a Cathedral Tapered setting.

BNs current cathedral Tapered setting doesn’t have as pronounced of a taper, see below:

Comp generated with 0.5ct:

914FE607-CEDD-49FE-BF53-D19341171C02.jpeg
And a real image even though with a larger diamond.
136451D1-ABEC-47A0-8D20-22E2A7A3AA4A.jpeg

The Classic Tapered setting has the highlighted taper which your girlfriend really seems to like:

455FA5D5-1F74-4CFC-9D84-57623C4A6839.jpeg
5D0E088C-ED2E-4B07-9385-B86930EFFA4F.jpeg

My vote goes to the later.

Yes, you are right. It has my vote as well.

Waiting for BN's reply. If it's not positive, I will go for the classic tapered one.
 

Siyah

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 28, 2018
Messages
100
@Siyah I got a bit annoyed at the incorrect info you are receiving from BN, so I reached it to them on my own :D

D061EF42-9B89-45ED-BA6F-AE5C7ECACDE5.jpeg
8A09C00B-1D1E-47CE-8C08-7A1A51D992B2.jpeg
I will post the response once I get it. Stay tuned!

Hi @SimoneDi, any news on this? I actually called them again after they sent me an email saying they can not change the Zac Posen one and they will search for a better setting for me.

Fact is: there is no setting that exactly suits my needs. Another fact is that the sales rep/consultant again said that the tapered one is 2.9mm on the thickest area. This matches with the computer generated pics, but it does not match with the advertised 2.25mm and the words of the consultants in your chats. It is quite confusing as I do not know who to believe now.

Nevertheless, if I don't get an answer today (9th of January) from BN, I will order and try. If I don't like it in person, I will return it as it's going to be returned to Ireland, not to USA, so that should be ok.
 

sledge

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SimoneDi

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Hi @SimoneDi, any news on this? I actually called them again after they sent me an email saying they can not change the Zac Posen one and they will search for a better setting for me.

Fact is: there is no setting that exactly suits my needs. Another fact is that the sales rep/consultant again said that the tapered one is 2.9mm on the thickest area. This matches with the computer generated pics, but it does not match with the advertised 2.25mm and the words of the consultants in your chats. It is quite confusing as I do not know who to believe now.

Nevertheless, if I don't get an answer today (9th of January) from BN, I will order and try. If I don't like it in person, I will return it as it's going to be returned to Ireland, not to USA, so that should be ok.

OP, I haven’t heard from BN yet, but I can reach out again tomorrow, if I don’t hear back.

Nonetheless, I think that the Classic Taper setting is the right choice! I wouldn’t stress too much over it, not at least your SO sees it. But based on the photos that we found, I think the setting will look much more delicate in person vs online and it will compliment the diamond nicely.

I absolutely wouldn’t think about purchasing a setting from a different online vendor and having it set locally. It is a very unnecessary hassle. If anything, finding a local vendor to purchase a setting from and set the stone will be the alternative solution, if your SO doesn’t like the BN setting.
 

nojs

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Nov 22, 2014
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338
Please note that selling nickel white gold is not illegal in EU. I too thought it was, but found out from government officials last year that white gold alloys can contain as much nickel as anything perfectly legally. These is a limit on how much nickel is a allowed to dissolve from a given piece. But not on the existence of nickel.

I came about this info when I got an allergic reaction to my wedding rings after 5 years of wear. I had them professionally tested and found out that in addition to the correct amount of gold, they have 14 % nickel in them.

I then proceeded to find out whether I had been misled from the sellers part, since I believed at the time of the purchase that you cannot sell nickel white gold in EU. I called a government agency and spoke with an expert who told me that these is no limit on the amount of nickel, only on what can be dissolved from the piece in so called artificial sweat test. Apparently rhodium plating can help new products to pass the test, but as time goes by, the plating will wear off.

Many people are allergic to nickel and therefore many times white gold is alloyed with expensive palladium instead of cheap nickel. It is wise to ask about this matter though, since just trusting that no nickel containing white gold is sold within EU is not enough.
 

SimoneDi

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@Siyah did you place the order already? I heard back from BN - the classic taper narrows down to 1.2mm near the diamond.
 

Siyah

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@Siyah did you place the order already? I heard back from BN - the classic taper narrows down to 1.2mm near the diamond.

Thank you, @SimoneDi and thanks all for the great help!

I have placed the order just now, so fingers crossed!

I'll update you guys asap again.
 

sledge

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Awesome news. What was your final decision?
 

SimoneDi

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Thank you, @SimoneDi and thanks all for the great help!

I have placed the order just now, so fingers crossed!

I'll update you guys asap again.
Excited for you and your SO! Please come back with pics once you have it!
 

Matilda

Shiny_Rock
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YAY!!! I think the diamond is awesome and I really believe the final setting you chose will work beautifully in real life! Best of luck and can't wait to admire it in photos!
 
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