3ct RB, halo vs other setting

[diamondring]

Long time lurker/researcher on PS needing to pull the trigger on a setting.

My GF and I looked at rings and while we were looking I limited the size of the center stone to 2 cts.

She decided she wanted a round halo around the diamond. I have searched around and spoken with several people Leon, WF, etc. I had settled on a round halo with micropave but just hit a speed bump.

I found a great deal on a 3ct round diamond (her initial thought while we were looking was that she wanted a 3 ct).

Now I dont know what to do about a setting. . . . I am concerned that a 3ct halo will be too much on her hand (6 3/4 ring size).

I am considering still doing a halo (since that is the design she liked all along) and just doing very small surrounding diamonds in prong settings to minimize metal/bulk look.

I havent been able to find any rings or settings like this to look at and curious what everyone''s recommendations would be. . . . . .

Thanks for the help to all the experts/enthusiasts on the board.

 

[CrookedRock]

If she wanted a 3ct and you found one then perfect!!! As far as the halo if that's what she wants then do it. I don't see the size as an issue. I am putting a halo on a 4 ct and I wear a size 5, so to me it's a preference of the look. I think it will be gorgeous!

 

[diamondring]

Thanks for the reply - any pictures or links to settings that you think would be appropriate for a 3 ct RB? Also, would very strong blue fluoro in a diamond make you more inclined to do one type of setting over another??

I am probably going to get a local jewelwer to put it through a CAD program to see how it looks but cant seem to find any pictures of subtle halos for that size (or if I go away from the halo - something similar to the split shank from Daniel K at http://www.danielk.net/flash/index.html)

Thanks for the help

 

[lyra]

You should get her whatever style she likes best. I''d give some thought though, to whether she wants to wear a wedding band with it, or not. Some of the beautiful halo designs for large stones don''t always accomodate a WB. If you''re really unsure what she would ultimately want, you could propose with a solitaire, and tell her she can pick any setting she likes. Just a couple of ideas. I''m a size 7, and a 3ct with a halo wouldn''t be too big for me, but I like to always wear 2 rings. Some women prefer the 1 ring look though. Sounds like a lot of fun!

 

[mrssalvo]

personally, i''m just not a fan of halo''s on round stones over 2 carats. they just start to look like cocktail rings. Is there anyway to find out what she''d prefer? her opinion and desire is the only one that really matters.

 

[diamondring]

I dont really want to ask her because I want it to be a surprise at this point. I considered proposing with just the stone but would rather give her a completed project to show off the stone, surprise, etc.

I think she would prefer a wedding band to go with it bc she feels like she has large fingers (not really what I think but I guess that doesnt matter) that would look bad with a single thin shank.

I am hoping to avoid the cocktail ring look using very small surrounding diamonds (a point or less) and minimal metal . . .but just havent seen any pictures of what I am thinking (which makes me nervous). . . .I dont want to recreate the wheel (and if it hasnt been created there might be a reason for that?).

 

[mrssalvo]

well, leon or maytal would be the only custom folks i''d trust to do a delicate enough halo on a 3 carat stone. here''a picture of one he did witha 3.5 carat old cut. it''s gorgeous. keep in mind though leon is not a fan of wearing wedding bands on the same hand as the e-ring so you may have issues of him designing for a flush fit, if that is what she wants.

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=333

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If you use Leon, tell him to put pave on the top of the band only (one sided pave), and tell him to go ahead and make the matching wedding band. I don''t think he''ll refuse unless you are putting 3 sided pave next to 3 sided pave, in which case the rings can damage each other.

I agree with MrsS, though, that Leon and Maytal are the only two I''d trust with such a project. But I would personally not put a halo on a 3 ct. stone.

One more suggestion...you might want to post the specs on that diamond here to get some opinions on whether the cut is any good. Sometimes the stone might be deep and face up like a smaller stone would. Or, it might not be as brilliant as it should be if it is poorly cut. Please disregard if you have already checked out the cut.

 

[Isabelle]

Date: 4/7/2008 6:06:42 PM
Author: mrssalvo
personally, i''m just not a fan of halo''s on round stones over 2 carats. they just start to look like cocktail rings. Is there anyway to find out what she''d prefer? her opinion and desire is the only one that really matters.

I agree with Mrs. Salvo. Be careful that you don''t cross into the realm of evening jewelry. A good designer can help you avoid that.

 

[debhew]

I have a 3ct with a pretty big halo and I can see why people would think a 3ct halo could look cocktailish but I don''t think mine does. Good luck with your search!

 

[pichu]

you know her best- if she wanted a 3ct and you found one with good specs, i''d go for it. if it''s well-designed, it shouldn''t have that cocktail ring look.

 

[Gypsy]

I'd do it. I'd halo the three carat and KNOCK her socks off. Okay so it may look a LITTLE cocktail ringy. But I think if you keep the halo SUPER DUPER DUPER thin, it would look incredible.

I wouldn't go local though. I'd go Leon. 100%.

 

[diamondring]

luvndiamonds - your ring is beautiful and exactly what I was thinking. Where did you get the setting done and what size diamonds are in the halo?

I was previously going to base it on the tacori endless love design.

Any other pics or links to settings that would work? I will definately contact leon and see how much he would charge. The problem is I am at the upper limits of my price range with the diamond and dont want to spend 6K on the setting. . . . other options?

Thanks for everyones help and input.

 

[ANDELSOL]

Where did you buy your three carat ring? How much did you pay for it?

 

[tberube]

I say, go ahead and give that lucky girl what she wants!

 

[LegacyGirl]

I''d halo it... but then again you shouldn''t listen to me... I''m the person who would probably halo a 40ct diamond

hahahaha

 

[debhew]

Diamondring- I got my stone and ring from Oscar''s Design Jewelry in Los Angeles. Oscar is a GIA Graduate and the only jeweler I work with (for major purchases). I LOVE my 3ct halo and think your GF will LOVE a 3ct halo too. Infact, later this year I''m going to be trading my 3 ct in and upgrade to a larger stone and will probably be haloing that as well. I''m so used to the look of a 3ct haloed (which is probably size equivalent to something crazy like a 6 or 7 ct stone) that I''m afraid I won''t be happy unless I halo my next stone too.

It never ends this silly DSS!!!

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 4/8/2008 7:47:32 PM
Author: luvndiamonds
Diamondring- I got my stone and ring from Oscar's Design Jewelry in Los Angeles. Oscar is a GIA Graduate and the only jeweler I work with (for major purchases). I LOVE my 3ct halo and think your GF will LOVE a 3ct halo too. Infact, later this year I'm going to be trading my 3 ct in and upgrade to a larger stone and will probably be haloing that as well. I'm so used to the look of a 3ct haloed (which is probably size equivalent to something crazy like a 6 or 7 ct stone) that I'm afraid I won't be happy unless I halo my next stone too.

It never ends this silly DSS!!!

I LOOOVEEEE yr ring

. That is EXACTLY what I want to do with my 3ct. Is there a thread somewhere on yr ring or can you post more pics pls?

I agree with you about this darn DSS!!

(Sorry 'bout the thread jack!)

 

[debhew]

I haven''t ever posted a thread on my ER but I will gladly post another picture. Here it is w/ my shared prong eternity band. (I apologize that for the life of me I am unable to get clear close pictures - definitely my next purchase will be a better camera!!)