Advice for 5ct Uprong style Eternity ring

[nomissjane]

I need some help with a 5ish ct UProng style eternity ring. I know that this is a very large ring on the finger but Am hoping for diamonds between .30 and .35ct each.
I've been trying to get quotes for this ring with approx 15 x 0.35 G SI1/2 diamonds.

We are looking to purchase this ring from Australia, although we are travelling to LA next month and so are open to buying from , BGD or one of the other great PS vendors.

- is it nessesary to have all GIA or AGS certified diamonds, or would you be happy for them to be uncerted if it was from a trusted and respected vendor?
-does anyone have a great recommendation for where to purchase from given that we could purchase from the US?
-we are hoping for platinum but not opposed to WG. Does this style suit one more than the other?
-is there anything that I'm missing?

Thanks

 

[arkieb1]

They are mostly cheaper in the US than here in Australia any of the following as well as Brian Gavin could make one for you;

http://idjewelryonline.com/index.php

http://www.whiteflash.com/

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/

Also check ebay or mention you are looking for one in the preloved section sometimes you can find something for a great price if you are flexible about what it is.

 

[nomissjane]

Hi Arkieb1,
I agree that they are mostly cheaper in the US and my preference would be for Whiteflash ACA's or the like.
I've had a quote from Bluenile and a jeweller here in Sydney will match that price but for uncertified diamonds...hence my question about whether it's nessesary for them to all be certed.
The advantages of buying in the US would mean a much more affordable price for certified or premium diamonds, but buying here in Sydney would be easier in terms of sizing etc. Clearly I'd hate to get the sizing wrong on an eternity of that size.

 

[arkieb1]

If you buy uncertified stone there is no guarantee what they are. They could be EGL or they could have come with no certs. which does in fact make them cheaper but not necessarily bargains, as you will NOT know exactly what you are getting. Jewellers here tend to be quite liberal when grading their own stock. The only way I would buy uncertified stones is to have them appraised by an independent appraiser first, in which case it would still probably work out cheaper to know what you are getting and buy from the US.

 

[yssie]

ERD, WF, and BGD would be my recs. 30pointers are big enough that I'm not sure if (in-house) vendor-branded melee (uncerted to keep cost down) is an option, but I would trust the three vendors above to thoroughly vet any stones going into their settings, with or without independent grading reports. IDJ seems more variable in terms of stone quality and since you're coming in from overseas issues with replacing stones, etc. isn't something you want to be dealing with... GOG has lovely stones but IMO ERD/WF/BGD make more delicate and refined settings.

 

[asscher_girl]

I purchased my 4.5 ct U-prong from ERD (Engagement Rings Direct). There are 18 stones, 25 points each, size 6.75 finger. They are not certed but Mark hand selected each stone and they are gorgeous. They are all G-H/ VS2-SI1/ totally eye clean and I can see arrows in almost all stones w/ my H&A finder.

However, I've had the ring for about a year and a half now, and the u-prong just isn't comfortable.

Have you had a chance to try on a ring like this before?

It sits up pretty high and having 25 pointers makes it stick up that much higher. I've decided to have Mark remake my ring in his handmade basket setting. He actually sent me the pre-finished ring - the metal work is done, he set 3 diamonds into it but it's not polished or refined just yet (and the areas where he hasn't set the diamonds still has the super long prongs that haven't been cut down yet). That way I could try it on and make sure I was happy with the overall size and height of the stones. I would turn the ring to each side so the areas where the diamonds are set were between my fingers and there was hardly any rubbing. And let me say, it is soooooo much more comfy! I just sent it back to him yesterday to finish it. I wish I would have done it sooner but am glad to finally have my blingy eternity be comfy

I also had him add a sizing bar. Within the next 10 years, hubby and I are moving to the Caribbean where it's so much more humid than our typical Californian climate and I don't want to have this ring remade. This way we can just adjust the sizing bar a bit if needed.

Hope that helps

 

[asscher_girl]

PS - both of my settings are/were platinum.

 

[Geebee625]

I have this setting from Good Old Gold. Mine is only 3.5 carats but the pic is of a 6ct. ring. It is a Vatche trellis style. It gives off just as much light as the u- prong, but in my opinion with a much more romantic and unique look to it. My diamonds are h&a g-h SI1.

 

[dragonfly411]

I have this setting from Good Old Gold. Mine is only 3.5 carats but the pic is of a 6ct. ring. It is a Vatche trellis style. It gives off just as much light as the u- prong, but in my opinion with a much more romantic and unique look to it. My diamonds are h&a g-h SI1.

 

[Maisie]

If you are hoping to collect the ring when you go to the US next month I would order your new ring soon if it will be a custom design. It can take a few weeks for the process. I waited around 7 days for the CAD's for my new ring and its taking about 3 weeks for the ring to actually be finished.

 

[nomissjane]

I have this setting from Good Old Gold. Mine is only 3.5 carats but the pic is of a 6ct. ring. It is a Vatche trellis style. It gives off just as much light as the u- prong, but in my opinion with a much more romantic and unique look to it. My diamonds are h&a g-h SI1.

Gorgeous ring! ....and lovely watch as well!

I adore this setting.

Sorry guys, confession time. I didn't mean to be so misleading.... I was posting yesterday to help distract me while my hubby had surgery.
This project sadly isn't for me but for a very lovely girlfriend.
I wish it was for me!! ...but I'm just helping them do the 'leg work' so to speak.
Her hubby wants to get her something wonderful to celebrate their ten yr anniversary and she has her heart set on a very large eterntiy.

Thanks for your advice asschergirl, I know that she has already tried on some eternities in similar sizes, but I'll pass on the feedback.
I may have been mistakenly under the impression that a Uprong or Uternity setting sat somewhat lower on the finger and therefore was more comfortable in larger ct sizes...??? What do you think...???
I know that she would ultimately prefer to get ACA's or the like but maybe she should have it made here in Sydney in case the setting needs to be tweaked for comfort.

Whiteflash is giving us some quotes and I going to raise the idea of a small sizing bar in the bottom. I've been trawling through previous threads and have come across this idea a couple of times.

My next project is a tennis bracelet and I'm definitely hoping to use whiteflash ACA'S or similar but this will be much easier to order from the US as there's a much smaller margin for error with sizing etc.

Thanks everyone for your help. Where there's a will, there's a way!!

 

[asscher_girl]

I thought the u-prong sat lower too but I was wrong. The basket setting was much lower and so much more comfortable, expensive mistake but glad I'm getting it right this time

 

[nomissjane]

I thought the u-prong sat lower too but I was wrong. The basket setting was much lower and so much more comfortable, expensive mistake but glad I'm getting it right this time

Glad to hear that your able reset it and get it right this time. I hope we see photos of the new version soon.

 

[luvmysparklies]

Good info to know about the uprong!

I have always wondered how you care for an eternity band though? I would be so afraid of chipping the diamonds on the palm side. Do you find that the prongs are protective enough?

 

[asscher_girl]

Oh yes, I'll be sure to post lots of photos once I get it back

As far as damaging the diamonds, I haven't had any problems. The ring is super sturdy and is holding up really well. But if I'm going to be doing a lot of work with my hands or lifting heavy things I typically wouldn't wear it.

 

[sarahb]

I have a basket setting with a spacer bar, & absolutely love it. WF did a great job, first class all the way. Incidentally, my first purchase was a u-prong, but I took it back a couple of days later. My impression was that the u-prong sat higher.

Best of luck with your decision, you can't go wrong with WF. I choose the ACA's, it's a 6TCW, with 12 .50's.
sarahb

 

[nomissjane]

I have a basket setting with a spacer bar, & absolutely love it. WF did a great job, first class all the way. Incidentally, my first purchase was a u-prong, but I took it back a couple of days later. My impression was that the u-prong sat higher.

Best of luck with your decision, you can't go wrong with WF. I choose the ACA's, it's a 6TCW, with 12 .50's.
sarahb

Drool!! , Sarahb this is just scrumptious.
The problem with helping out a friend with this purchase is that I'm starting to feel like I NEEEED one as well!

I love the idea of a spacing bar at the bottom.

 

[nomissjane]

I have a basket setting with a spacer bar, & absolutely love it. WF did a great job, first class all the way. Incidentally, my first purchase was a u-prong, but I took it back a couple of days later. My impression was that the u-prong sat higher.

Best of luck with your decision, you can't go wrong with WF. I choose the ACA's, it's a 6TCW, with 12 .50's.
sarahb

PS...fabulous polish!

 

[sarahb]

oh gosh thank you nomissjane--thank you for your nice compliments!

That was a shellac manicure--which now, today--I do not wear.

The removal of the shellac actually stripped the very top layer of nail material. My nails were reduced to mush, so I quit getting the shellac applied, but did love it as it wore so well, but destroyed my nails

Sigh--missing my shellac,
sarahb

 

[nomissjane]

oh gosh thank you nomissjane--thank you for your nice compliments!

That was a shellac manicure--which now, today--I do not wear.

The removal of the shellac actually stripped the very top layer of nail material. My nails were reduced to mush, so I quit getting the shellac applied, but did love it as it wore so well, but destroyed my nails

Sigh--missing my shellac,
sarahb

I'm a Shellac addict. My nails are quite possibly ruined underneath but I never have it off for long enough to know. It's my one indulgence...oh hang on, that's bling....make it my third indulgence after good wine! Hehe.

 

[Spirit]

For P-scope members who really are particular about their diamonds, is round really the best choice to go for an eternity ring with 40 pointers? Cushions seem to be much more expensive and a more difficult task to match up perfectly, but even for the price premium, would the stones ever look as bright and sparkly as rounds could?