AVR - halo or solitaire setting?

[elizabethtwrs]

I'm currently contemplating either an OEC or AVR for my engagement ring. The photos I've seen of the AVRs look absolutely wonderful, almost like they're glowing from within. My total budget for the ring is $6000-7500 including the setting, and I started out thinking I would get a halo, which would allow for an AVR of 0.75-0.9ct thereabouts. However I've been scrolling through the show me your AVR thread, and seem to notice that they "glow" better in simple solitaire settings? I'm especially in love with diamondseeker's stone. If I got a simple solitaire setting, I could put more budget towards the stone and possibly gun to break 1-1.1ct (I SI2 range).

I'm quite torn on what to get! I was never a plain solitaire type of person and definitely needed a blinged up setting, but seeing all these lovely AVRs glowing in their solitaires are making me waver back and forth...

 

[hidingpearl]

Hi there! I was facing the exact same dilemma as you. Ultimately I ended up trying quite a few different settings on in local stores to see what I preferred on my hand. I chose a halo because I like the look on me, but mostly because I like how customizable and unique halo settings appear, even from afar. Almost everyone I know with an engagement ring has a solitaire, and I just wanted something a bit more customized to me I think one main point to remember is that the photos we see on pricescope are super mega zoomed in where the lovely AVR characteristics are incredibly noticeable. Whereas, in my opinion in person, a setting is more noticeable than facets from more than an arms length away. I suppose it also depends if you're planning on upgrading in the future. It would make more sense financially to put most money in the stone and least in the setting, so your trade in value is best. But for me I never plan on upgrading so I was happy to spend a bit more on a custom halo setting. I will caution though that SI2 AVR inclusions are probably easier seen than SI2 MRB because the facets are larger and don't hide inclusions as well.

Good luck with your choice and please let us know what you decide!

 

[arkieb1]

I am not sure what you mean by "glow"? Are they brighter in a solitaire versus a halo - no I don't personally think that statement is true. Do they have more fire set in a solitaire versus a halo? Again, I don't think that is true either.

They are the central and only focus in a solitaire, and with the precision cutting, as with most precision cut stones of this quality they look wonderful. That being said if you love halos and want a halo around an AVR provided you use a vendor that uses well cut melee (as opposed to non well cut, not as bright and not as sparkling melee) then it should look fine.

Only you can determine which one your eye likes better - all the attention on the AVR or an AVR complimented by a halo.

 

[Resonance.Of.Life]

Looks like the only thing in budget and for your color range over the 1 carat mark is this:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-03ct-i-si1-august-vintage-round-diamond.html

A solitaire setting in plat is going to run around $800 from stuller.. it just depends on what your preferences are. Have you tried on any halos and solitaires to get a feel for what appeases your aesthetics?

 

[tyty333]

You might try Jewels by Grace...she has some lovely stones
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00

I would get a cheap solitaire and live with the stone for a while to see what kind of setting would best show it off.

 

[elizabethtwrs]

Hi there! I was facing the exact same dilemma as you. Ultimately I ended up trying quite a few different settings on in local stores to see what I preferred on my hand. I chose a halo because I like the look on me, but mostly because I like how customizable and unique halo settings appear, even from afar. Almost everyone I know with an engagement ring has a solitaire, and I just wanted something a bit more customized to me I think one main point to remember is that the photos we see on pricescope are super mega zoomed in where the lovely AVR characteristics are incredibly noticeable. Whereas, in my opinion in person, a setting is more noticeable than facets from more than an arms length away. I suppose it also depends if you're planning on upgrading in the future. It would make more sense financially to put most money in the stone and least in the setting, so your trade in value is best. But for me I never plan on upgrading so I was happy to spend a bit more on a custom halo setting. I will caution though that SI2 AVR inclusions are probably easier seen than SI2 MRB because the facets are larger and don't hide inclusions as well.

Good luck with your choice and please let us know what you decide!

Hey hidingpearl, so exciting that we're embarking on a similar journey! I think my stone will probably be similar to yours did you see the AVR in person yet? How did you find the SI1?

I don't plan on upgrading either, so I'm really hoping that this will be my forever stone and setting. I also felt the same way about solitaires, almost everyone I know has a solitaire and it never appealed to me. I can't wait to see how yours turns out!!

 

[elizabethtwrs]

Looks like the only thing in budget and for your color range over the 1 carat mark is this:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-03ct-i-si1-august-vintage-round-diamond.html

A solitaire setting in plat is going to run around $800 from stuller.. it just depends on what your preferences are. Have you tried on any halos and solitaires to get a feel for what appeases your aesthetics?

Yup I've tried quite a few solitaires, plain ones as well as pave down the shank, and they didn't do anything for me. It's much harder to try halos though as not many of my local jewelers stock halos. I did try the cartier destinee ones, but somehow felt a bit meh with them... But definitely preferable to solitaires! Haha. The Cartier ones didn't seem as nice as the halos I've been seeing here on PS!

 

[hidingpearl]

Hey hidingpearl, so exciting that we're embarking on a similar journey! I think my stone will probably be similar to yours did you see the AVR in person yet? How did you find the SI1?

I don't plan on upgrading either, so I'm really hoping that this will be my forever stone and setting. I also felt the same way about solitaires, almost everyone I know has a solitaire and it never appealed to me. I can't wait to see how yours turns out!!

Hello! This is actually really fun that we're on a very similar journey! I'm working with David Klass for my custom halo, we're up to tweaking the wax model at the moment. So far it's coming together really nicely. I'm so excited to see how it turns out too! I actually haven't seen my AVR in person yet, or any AVR/AVCs in person for that matter. I live in AUS and it would have just been so costly to have the diamond sent to me and either custom made here, or return to the US for custom make over there. It's probably a little risky doing it sight unseen, but I have absolute confidence in the vendors. I did ask the staff at GOG if the SI1 was eye clean and they said it is 100% eye clean! More like a VS stone apparently. What sort of time frame are you looking at? Will you buy the diamond soon? So exciting!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hi! Thank you for your nice comments about my diamond photo! I wish it looked like that all the time, but that was lighting from a window behind the jewelry box that the stone was in and I really cannot explain how light was reflected from the stone since the light source was not even directly hitting the diamond. But it looks like a normal well-cut diamond most of the time!

I will tell you that a solitaire in no way makes these stones glow more than if they were in a halo. I think a halo is a gorgeous frame for them! I want to reset mine, but I am just not sure what I want because I may eventually get a second diamond ring and I have halo designs already picked out for that imaginary diamond! Not sure I want both in halos and therein lies my dilemma. In addition, my stone is about at my max size comfort level, and I am afraid I would think it was too big with a halo. So lots of particular personal issues involved with my reset!

My favorite ring designer for AVR's or for any antique style ring is Caysie van Bebber. You can look up a lot of her pictures on FB under CVB Inspired Design.

Here is one of my favorite halo settings that she makes. There are several variations of it on her page. But she can of course create an original design for you as well.

 

[elizabethtwrs]

Hey hidingpearl, so exciting that we're embarking on a similar journey! I think my stone will probably be similar to yours did you see the AVR in person yet? How did you find the SI1?

I don't plan on upgrading either, so I'm really hoping that this will be my forever stone and setting. I also felt the same way about solitaires, almost everyone I know has a solitaire and it never appealed to me. I can't wait to see how yours turns out!!

Hello! This is actually really fun that we're on a very similar journey! I'm working with David Klass for my custom halo, we're up to tweaking the wax model at the moment. So far it's coming together really nicely. I'm so excited to see how it turns out too! I actually haven't seen my AVR in person yet, or any AVR/AVCs in person for that matter. I live in AUS and it would have just been so costly to have the diamond sent to me and either custom made here, or return to the US for custom make over there. It's probably a little risky doing it sight unseen, but I have absolute confidence in the vendors. I did ask the staff at GOG if the SI1 was eye clean and they said it is 100% eye clean! More like a VS stone apparently. What sort of time frame are you looking at? Will you buy the diamond soon? So exciting!

yup, I will be looking to buy the stone later this month! I also live outside the US and fortuitously happened to be going over to NYC for work, so will be visiting a few vendors and will likely bring a stone back with me. How did you decide between an OEC and an AVR?

And I love the halo design you are doing! I think it would look good with that vintagey vibe with the AVR

 

[elizabethtwrs]

Hi! Thank you for your nice comments about my diamond photo! I wish it looked like that all the time, but that was lighting from a window behind the jewelry box that the stone was in and I really cannot explain how light was reflected from the stone since the light source was not even directly hitting the diamond. But it looks like a normal well-cut diamond most of the time!

I will tell you that a solitaire in no way makes these stones glow more than if they were in a halo. I think a halo is a gorgeous frame for them! I want to reset mine, but I am just not sure what I want because I may eventually get a second diamond ring and I have halo designs already picked out for that imaginary diamond! Not sure I want both in halos and therein lies my dilemma. In addition, my stone is about at my max size comfort level, and I am afraid I would think it was too big with a halo. So lots of particular personal issues involved with my reset!

My favorite ring designer for AVR's or for any antique style ring is Caysie van Bebber. You can look up a lot of her pictures on FB under CVB Inspired Design.

Here is one of my favorite halo settings that she makes. There are several variations of it on her page. But she can of course create an original design for you as well.

Thanks Ds for chiming in! You have no idea how many times I log into PS just to drool at your ring... She is my ultimate dream ring!

So glad to hear that a halo doesn't "mask" the stone, I was afraid that somehow the halo would block the stone from getting the light and the light return? But sounds like my fears are unfounded. Feel more assured to go with my initial gut with a halo!

Ooooh wow which other stone are you considering? Do you have a thread for that already?

 

[hidingpearl]

yup, I will be looking to buy the stone later this month! I also live outside the US and fortuitously happened to be going over to NYC for work, so will be visiting a few vendors and will likely bring a stone back with me. How did you decide between an OEC and an AVR?

And I love the halo design you are doing! I think it would look good with that vintagey vibe with the AVR

Thank you. It has taken me a very long time to finalise the diamond and design of my dreams, but I can say I am 100% sure of them now, what a relief! I chose an AVR over an OEC because I have this weird thing where things have to be symmetrical, and some old OECs can be a bit wonky. I've seen several OECS in person and some were really great and some were really dull. I'm sure I could have found a great OEC if I really really tried and had a larger budget, but I knew I'd be getting incredible performance and symmetry with an AVR so it was my safest option, particularly because I'm buying it sight unseen. I've also had absolutely exceptional customer service from Good Old Gold and buying from them has been an absolute pleasure. You're so lucky you get to visit the store in person! Whenever I next visit the states I'm definitely going to pop in and have a look at all their sparklies and say hello

 

[mrs-b]

Hallo

Speaking as someone who has just bought a K colored AVR, and who is also color sensitive, if I were you, I'd be looking at *this*:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-01ct-k-vs1-august-vintage-round-diamond.html

This stone has a lovely facet pattern, and it's not too deep, meaning that you don't lose as much spread as on some. Given that its wire price is only just over $5400, if you went to someone like David Klass, who makes LOVELY quality jewelry (take a look at his thread on SMTB), you'd have plenty of $$ for a halo. These stones face up very white due to the cut, and a halo would effectively hide any sideways tint you might see from a K.

It would also be a killer ring!

Good luck!

ETA Just to note also, given the larger facets of the AVR's, I'd prefer a cleaner stone than an SI2 and this K VS1 would really hit all bases.

 

[elizabethtwrs]

Hallo

Speaking as someone who has just bought a K colored AVR, and who is also color sensitive, if I were you, I'd be looking at *this*:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-01ct-k-vs1-august-vintage-round-diamond.html

This stone has a lovely facet pattern, and it's not too deep, meaning that you don't lose as much spread as on some. Given that its wire price is only just over $5400, if you went to someone like David Klass, who makes LOVELY quality jewelry (take a look at his thread on SMTB), you'd have plenty of $$ for a halo. These stones face up very white due to the cut, and a halo would effectively hide any sideways tint you might see from a K.

It would also be a killer ring!

Good luck!

ETA Just to note also, given the larger facets of the AVR's, I'd prefer a cleaner stone than an SI2 and this K VS1 would really hit all bases.

Thanks mrsblop! We have a mind clean issue with and J and lower, but I'll get GOG to pull out this stone to compare too. Who knows, I may not be as colour sensitive as I think I am

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hi! Thank you for your nice comments about my diamond photo! I wish it looked like that all the time, but that was lighting from a window behind the jewelry box that the stone was in and I really cannot explain how light was reflected from the stone since the light source was not even directly hitting the diamond. But it looks like a normal well-cut diamond most of the time!

I will tell you that a solitaire in no way makes these stones glow more than if they were in a halo. I think a halo is a gorgeous frame for them! I want to reset mine, but I am just not sure what I want because I may eventually get a second diamond ring and I have halo designs already picked out for that imaginary diamond! Not sure I want both in halos and therein lies my dilemma. In addition, my stone is about at my max size comfort level, and I am afraid I would think it was too big with a halo. So lots of particular personal issues involved with my reset!

My favorite ring designer for AVR's or for any antique style ring is Caysie van Bebber. You can look up a lot of her pictures on FB under CVB Inspired Design.

Here is one of my favorite halo settings that she makes. There are several variations of it on her page. But she can of course create an original design for you as well.

Thanks Ds for chiming in! You have no idea how many times I log into PS just to drool at your ring... She is my ultimate dream ring!

So glad to hear that a halo doesn't "mask" the stone, I was afraid that somehow the halo would block the stone from getting the light and the light return? But sounds like my fears are unfounded. Feel more assured to go with my initial gut with a halo!

Ooooh wow which other stone are you considering? Do you have a thread for that already?

No, I am hoping that diamond might materialize maybe next year! I think I want an emerald cut as it is another old style cut but totally different than the AVR.

In my journey of looking at several AVR's and trying to figure out what I wanted, I definitely drew the line at I color, too. I also think the size stone you are getting will be perfect for a halo. I want that setting I posted above but I really feel that it would be larger than my comfort level.

 

[EvangelineG]

Another AVR owner here. They are such wonderful diamonds! Congrats!

I had a similar setting dilemma. I had originally wanted a very ornate antique inspired setting, something with an octagonal frame or non traditional halo (I love, love, love that CvB one that DS posted! It is on my list of all time fav ring designs. ), but when I saw my AVR my original setting ideas flew out the window. I was so smitten with the appearance of my diamond that I wanted to cover as little of it as possible with metal. I knew a plain solitaire wasn't "enough" for this forever ring though. In the end I went with a tapered baguette three stone with lots of engraving and milgrain work. For me it was a nice compromise between something ornate and antique-y, and something that allowed my AVR to be more "naked" and really be the star.

So just putting it out there that there are lots of setting styles in between a halo and a plain solitaire. When I got to the point where I was so confused about settings that I thought my head would explode, I went out locally and tried on about a zillion. It was then that I tweaked onto the tapered baguette three stone, which up until that point having only seen but not tried on that style, I hadn't even considered. I had to see it on my own hand to know.

I am colour sensitive. I went with an H. I am happy with that choice, although if budget allowed I would have gone higher. I would not have been happy going lower than an I for sure, and I can sometimes see some tint in my H although I have decided not to let it bother me. I would be totally happy with a lower colour for a RHR, pendant etc, but for the ring I wear everyday I would get a little more bothered. So yeah, colour is very personal because we all see it differently.

Can't wait to see what you choose. In the end you just can't go wrong with such amazing diamonds, it's all just personal preference. Good luck!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Evangeline, I love your setting and think that is the direction I should go in if I change my setting since I can't go larger with a halo.

 

[EvangelineG]

Evangeline, I love your setting and think that is the direction I should go in if I change my setting since I can't go larger with a halo.

Thank you so much DS! Your compliment means so much to me since I greatly admire your taste!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Evangeline, I love your setting and think that is the direction I should go in if I change my setting since I can't go larger with a halo.

Thank you so much DS! Your compliment means so much to me since I greatly admire your taste!

Thank you, too! I think we have similar taste!!!