1/4 carat cushion look okay in a bezel setting?

[vintagelover229]

I am helping my friend''s bf find a ring on a very limited budget. I know she loves cushion cut diamonds, and LOVES bezel. She doesn''t like princess cuts, and she''s not fond of rounds. Which brings me to the delema...IF she were going to get both the shape AND style she wants...she''s going to have 2 get a smaller diamond. She is okay w/a smaller diamond...but I was wondering...is a 1/4 or a 1/3 carat cushion going to look okay in a bezel setting? Or is it going to absorbe the ring?

Should I just have him get her the 1/2 carat cushion in a cathedrial mounthing (shes likes that too, but not NEARLY as much)
and maybe someday they can get it bezel set?

I know she''d rather the smaller diamond w/the setting she loves, but I just don''t want to do it if it''s not going to look right.

So, opinions please!

Thanks!

PS. Don''t have a cushion yet, waiting on setting quotes!
Thanks!

 

[neatfreak]

I think small stones can look great in a bezel, but as I mentioned before in the other thread if he is really on a budget limitation the custom setting alone will be really pricey...

 

[arjunajane]

Hrmmm..I would be tempted to say anything smaller than a 0.5ct would be overwhelmed, but then again I haven't seen many in rings. unless you have a very good jeweller who can do a lovely delicate one.
imho bezels aren't the easiest settings, they require a bit more skill than say a Tiff-style prong setting. Plus they are more expensive..

Would she find a prong setting with a half ct acceptable for the short-term, then re set later?
Another option Steph is to consider buying an antique cushion - in my experience these can be cheaper than newer stones, and could then free up some more budget for the bezel..?

 

[vintagelover229]

Date: 11/3/2008 11:09:32 PM
Author: arjunajane
Hrmmm..I would be tempted to say anything smaller than a 0.5ct would be overwhelmed, but then again I haven''t seen many in rings. unless you have a very good jeweller who can do a lovely delicate one.
imho bezels aren''t the easiest settings, they require a bit more skill than say a Tiff-style prong setting. Plus they are more expensive..

Would she find a prong setting with a half ct acceptable for the short-term, then re set later?
Another option Steph is to consider buying an antique cushion - in my experience these can be cheaper than newer stones, and could then free up some more budget for the bezel..?

Where do you find an antique cushion? As long as it''s a great stone, it doesn''t matter where it comes from or how old it is. WF quoted a little under 1000.00 for the setting. Jared (I know I know, not my ring though, he wants to pay for the diamond and make payment on the setting to get what she wants...but he doesn''t have a CC, so he''d have to get it through a BM!!!!).
They quoted about 1100.00 for the setting, but I''m not sure on their custom quality...but he could make payments.

What do you think?

 

[swingirl]

What is his total budget?

I am thinking a cushion below 0.5 ct might not show it's shape well in a bezel setting. If it were me I'd rather have a nice-sized cushion in a simple stock setting and upgrade the setting when it's affordable. I would not want to get a custom made setting that has to be taken out on payments.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 11/5/2008 5:52:20 PM
Author: redrose229

Date: 11/3/2008 11:09:32 PM
Author: arjunajane
Hrmmm..I would be tempted to say anything smaller than a 0.5ct would be overwhelmed, but then again I haven''t seen many in rings. unless you have a very good jeweller who can do a lovely delicate one.
imho bezels aren''t the easiest settings, they require a bit more skill than say a Tiff-style prong setting. Plus they are more expensive..

Would she find a prong setting with a half ct acceptable for the short-term, then re set later?
Another option Steph is to consider buying an antique cushion - in my experience these can be cheaper than newer stones, and could then free up some more budget for the bezel..?

Where do you find an antique cushion? As long as it''s a great stone, it doesn''t matter where it comes from or how old it is. WF quoted a little under 1000.00 for the setting. Jared (I know I know, not my ring though, he wants to pay for the diamond and make payment on the setting to get what she wants...but he doesn''t have a CC, so he''d have to get it through a BM!!!!).
They quoted about 1100.00 for the setting, but I''m not sure on their custom quality...but he could make payments.

What do you think?

Hi again Stpeh - contact either Old World Diamonds, or Jewels by Erica Grace. I don''t have any experience with OWD, but both Erica and Grace are lovely and v. helpful..

I ditto Swingirl though..