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Advice/Opinion: choose 1 of these 2 settings

B

Baja

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 13, 2011
Messages
17
Which of these settings do you prefer? All biases aside, I understand that many here prefer JA over BN and perhaps rightfully so given the customer's increased accessibility to in depth diamond characterization, but in regards to these 2 settings alone which do you prefer in terms of durability and compatibility with a wedding band? The beauty of each is a matter of personal preference, and I know she will love either one. Please refrain from posting alternative settings as my mind is already made up between these 2. The settings will be platinum, and the diamond will be round ~0.6 carats.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_17385
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/Engraved-Platinum-3-Stone-Diamond-Engagement-Ring.html

My initial concerns with each:
Blue Nile: With a 5.9mm width at the top, I'm concerned with its fit alongside of a wedding band and how exposed the smaller set diamonds will be.
JA: The ring tapers from 2.4mm to 1.6mm, I'm worried about the durability of the band/subjection to warping at only 1.6mm.

Any advice is much appreciated!
 
BN will require you to purchase a diamond with the setting. They will not just ship you the setting (I tried). That being said the BN setting will overwhelm the diamond, in my opinion.

Mmi
 
Yes thank you, I will be purchasing the diamond from either BN or JA, depending on which setting I choose. As I said, I'm asking about the durability/compatibility with a wedding band of each setting, not the perceived beauty as it is a matter of opinion, and I know the look that my girlfriend desires which is met with both settings. So setting in terms of durability/wedding band compatibility alone not considering JA's superior diamond selection nor each individual's perception on the beauty of the setting please.

Thank you for your time, just wanted to clarify before we all start debating about beauty or diamond selection... :twirl:
 
I prefer your JA choice. Much more classic looking, although it is 1.6mm in width, you have to consider the depth/height of the shank, if its on the thicker side, then 1.6mm is still very sturdy.
 
Sorry, I just wanted to make sure you were aware of that fact since their policy differs from a lot of vendors. ::) I hope someone with more wedding band experience chimes in about the settings!
 
My opinion would also lean to the JA option. The band is still solid at 1.6mm and the 'sleek' appearance and overall width of the JA design lends itself to a variety of WB options (like eternity, 1/2 eternity, engraved/stackers/etc) I think the BN option limits your future options ... just my opinion.

and on that thought...

I find the style of the BN one seems a bit 'dated'. Yes, I know you weren't asking for that input, but you did ask for "opinions" :bigsmile:
Good luck and I hope she loves which ever one you go for! Enjoy!
 
between the two I prefer the JA setting although I don't really like either setting. the JA setting seems to have a weird gap between the center stone and the side stones, although in the previously purchased pics this doesn't seem as obvious. it should be OK with 1.6 mm width because the ring gets 'taller' at that point (my ring is the same way).

these 2 are very different in terms of style, are you sure your GF would love both?
 
slg47|1324056259|3082902 said:
between the two I prefer the JA setting although I don't really like either setting. the JA setting seems to have a weird gap between the center stone and the side stones, although in the previously purchased pics this doesn't seem as obvious. it should be OK with 1.6 mm width because the ring gets 'taller' at that point (my ring is the same way).

these 2 are very different in terms of style, are you sure your GF would love both?
Click to expand...


+1 on that, Slg! I agree.
 
The James Allen one, definitely. I think the other one would not look as good with a .60 stone and it does not look as much like an engagement ring. The JA one will work better with a wedding band, in my opinion.

(and even though you don't want this input :)) , I think the trillion sides go well with the square princess stone and pears or rounds go better with a round center)
 
slg47|1324056259|3082902 said:
between the two I prefer the JA setting although I don't really like either setting. the JA setting seems to have a weird gap between the center stone and the side stones, although in the previously purchased pics this doesn't seem as obvious. it should be OK with 1.6 mm width because the ring gets 'taller' at that point (my ring is the same way).

these 2 are very different in terms of style, are you sure your GF would love both?
Click to expand...

Yes I'm positive she'd love both. While they are different the concept of each is the same: a unique style with sidestones grading up to the center stone that don't necessarily make the center stone pop up out of nowhere but have a more compatible addition to the center diamond.

Again, I'm sounding like a broken record player here but this is not about each individual's perceived beauty of the setting (unless that individual is my girlfriend ;) ). I appreciated the opinions of one look being more classic than the other or one look being "dated", but please do not ask me if I'm sure she'll like both settings, I wouldn't have wasted your or my time if I wasn't sure.

Cheers
 
Aesthetically speaking, I much prefer the JA setting. If you're concerned about durability, call them as see if they can make the shank a bit wider without compromising the design.
 
I love the engraving on the side of the second one, so timeless.
 
well, i vote for BN one. the JA setting is pretty, but the width is about 1.6-2.4mm, I think it's kind of thin. I have 2.5mm width on my size 4.5 hand, looks thin actually.
 
I like both actually. And would be happy with either.

If I had to comment on each:

I think the BN might date, whereas I feel the JA won't as much. So I would lean toward that one.
 
OH!!! Very nice - and I know you don't want aesthetics opinions, but that is very pleasing (sorry, I am WEAK - I couldn't resist!)

It is balanced, has a 3mm wide band for the 'solid' effect you are searching for, made from platinum (can't go wrong there!) and it has an overall 'slim' profile that allows for a variety of WB options to go with it.

I am liking this selection the best Baja - I'm glad you are having fun with this experience and looking at a lot of alternatives! Enjoy! :))
 
Baja|1324072652|3083058 said:
Adding one more to the mix - would be with a princess cut instead of round:
http://www.bluenile.com/baguette-round-diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_3174

So many beautiful rings to choose from!
Click to expand...

Not liking the blockiness of the bar settings. I think I still like the other JA best.

I have a plat setting that tapers down to 1.5 that I have been wearing for 12 years. It has not warped but I'm sure that
could all depend how hard your GF is on her rings.
 
Setting #3, probably would place it in second place, but I think it would be better with a round center. That would be too many different shapes going on if you had rounds and baguettes in the setting and a princess in the center.

Does your gf like round or princess better? That is a very important factor!
 
I think either setting might need a custom band to sit next to the ring without a gap. With the JA one, a straight band could be used if your gf doesn't mind a slight gap, but which would also maybe help prevent the engraving from being worn away. With the BN setting, I think you'd need a curved band to fit next to it, and I don't think it would lend itself as well to a straight band. I know you don't care what we think about aesthetics, but part of what will make a band wearable next to a ring is how it will look. A lot of women have strong opinions about having a gap, or soldering the rings together, or whatever. I think the JA setting will look good alone or with a band, while the BN setting could stand on its own, no band, and a diamond band may overwhelm it while a plain band would take away from it, if that makes sense. In my opinion, you need to find out if your gf is okay with a gap, and what kind of band she hopes to have, in order to make your decision.
 
Gypsy|1324071373|3083047 said:
I like both actually. And would be happy with either.

If I had to comment on each:

I think the BN might date, whereas I feel the JA won't as much. So I would lean toward that one.
Click to expand...


This.
 
Ok, sorry to keep throwing you all around with different options, but after squeezing some info out of my gf I've come down to the following 2 options. She likes both round and princess centers with sidestones, so here's what I've came up with for each option.
For a Princess (~0.6 carats):
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/Engraved-Platinum-3-Stone-Diamond-Engagement-Ring.html
Only worry is it's tough to find an AGS0 Princess on JA, and I'm not sure their "Premium or Excellent" cut Princesses that are either graded by GIA or ungraded (in terms of cut) by AGS would be as brilliant as an AGS0 Princess.

For a Round (~0.6 carats):
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-4150.asp
This one is more expensive but I think the Pear sidestones pair better with a Round center than the Trillion sidestones in the above example.

P.S. Open board on comments, feel free to comment on aesthetics at this point as well.

Thanks again!
 
No. 1 would be my preference. You wanted solid and different. That would be my pick. Good luck!
 
Enerchi|1324355386|3085132 said:
No. 1 would be my preference. You wanted solid and different. That would be my pick. Good luck!
Click to expand...

I thought you got the princess from BN? I prefer the trillion sides with the princess and the pear sides with the round.
 
yup - of the 2 newest options Baja is suggesting, this is the one I would go with
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/Engraved-Platinum-3-Stone-Diamond-Engagement-Ring.html

but...
if the BN with the baguette sides & princess centre was still an option,(http://www.bluenile.com/baguette-round-diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_3174) I'd chose the BN one first, over the JA above. Looks like the BN is off the table tho - is that right Baja? :?

It does get overwhelming! Stick with what your gut tells you would be closer to your FFI would like the best. CUZ... you can be ASSURED, all of us will be more than happy to be chipping in with a suggestion or two!! :bigsmile:
 
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