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Best solitaire setting for small diamond?

C

clair

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 26, 2014
Messages
3
Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum and I've been reading up for the past few days, all your posts are taking my jewelry knowledge to a whole new level! I got encouraged at how nice and helpful everyone is, so decided to post about my situation :oops:

I'm still gathering information and deciding on my tastes, but so far all signs indicate I will be getting a solitaire ring with a round diamond of size 0.75-0.85. I want a 6 prong. The problem is, I have seen posts where people thought their 6prong solitaire looked smaller than they expected and the replies were that the setting looked too bulky for that size a diamond and was overpowering the stone. I really want a dainty ring (in fact for a long time I considered just getting a band but I am back on the traditional bandwagon for now) so I'm hoping to find the most delicate setting my budget will allow.

The budget is not set yet but I am guessing it will be <$5k. I would prefer to spend <$1000 on the setting. At first I wanted platinum but with the prices of just the setting itself, I am thinking of maybe going with white gold for now and then I can upgrade the setting later since finances will be a lot more comfortable in a few years.

I keep hearing Tiffany does the traditional 6prong best. I love Tiffany's prongs, but I hate the knife edge band. I want something of the comfort fit variety, and between 2mm-2.5mm. I actually love the Tiffany metro, so a band that it sits flush with would be ideal for me. (the actual Tiffany solitaire setting is so much higher than the metro) So any recommendation for which vendor has the "best" (least bulky?) setting at a low price, specifically for smaller diamonds?

If price were no issue I think my favorite option so far is Mark Morrell's Petite Torchiere. I love the prongs and the taper. But for now I want to get the best stone with the limited funds so I don't think that will be an option.
 
Hi, Clair,

I'm looking at an ER re-mounting myself right now. I actually personally like the additional prongs, but I have also read that people think the diamond looks smaller or that it's too bulky. I don't notice that at least when looking at pictures online, but maybe in person I would? I may end up with an 8-pronged ring myself for a 1.03 carat (6.5mm).

Anyway, I think this setting is really pretty and would look very elegant with your size stone. It's not quite a solitaire, but it is close. The additional bling on the band is very delicate and elegant.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...common-prong-diamond-engagement-ring-item-661

It's a little over budget at $1240 for the 14K white gold. The platinum is $1500.

The same designer, James Allen, also has this one, which is a solitaire 6-prong. They have others, too. And it's under your budget in platinum!

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...solitaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-item-7994

Good luck!
SparklySoprano =)
 
Wow I'm not sure I've ever seen an 8 prong!

I think all of the settings look fine online, which is precisely the problem because I have no idea how they will turn out in person! I can't tell at all since I haven't even seen that many rings in person. I know definitely all designers and vendors provide this very basic setting, but I understood it like not all of them are created equal, if that makes sense? And that it doesn't matter THAT much if it's a more common sized stone but when it's smaller maybe the bulkiness of the metalwork is more of a problem than usual?

I should also clarify that I am not talking about the diamonds looking overpowered because the "bulky" setting is anything other than a solitaire. I don't remember which thread I was reading but I think it was the Blue Nile 6prong setting that people were finding bulky. So they're all solitaires, which kind of SEEM to be the exact same thing in all vendors, but apparently not.

Or maybe it doesn't matter that much and the old posts were exaggerating the issue??
 
There are so many subtleties in all designs. Bottom line, if you love it, go for it! You have to make you happy. :twirl:

What did you think of the James Allen rings?
 
I have a .84 ct that lived briefly as a solitaire in JAs budget 6 prong solitiare. If the prongs were going to be bulky, being so "budget friendly", they were going to be on this ring. I found them to be satisfactory. And in fact, far less bulky than I had anticipated. I opened this thread assuming you'd be taking about a stone less than .5ct, based on your title calling it " small". I was ready to say "I find the tiffany solitaire to be the most flattering," now of course after reading your thread I see your stone size isn't small, but perfectly respectable ;) and I still stick with my answer. Particularly sense you like the look of a 6 prong solitaire. If you were buying from James Allen they make a lovely handmade tiffany replica. I'd be all over that.

Pics to help uploadfromtaptalk1419113281644.jpg
 
I was calling this small because in all of the "favorite solitaire setting" threads people were mentioning that the setting would be best for a larger stone size :oops:

Unfortunately I can't stand the knife edge, but I'm sure as far as the prongs are concerned they would be the same on the tiffany replica setting and the "comfort" setting, which they do have. Good to know about JA! Thanks!
 
I think a tiffany style setting would make the stone look biggest. My favorite settings for solitaires are by Mark Morrell.
 
I love the Vatche royal crown, my stepmother had it in size 6.5 with a .80 ct. The six prongs suit the size well and the setting quality is perfect. I also like the Cartier or similar Vatche style - Caroline for the 4 prong look. I'm so glad I listened to pricescope when recommending the Vatche. We purchased from GOG who were excellent. Good luck!
 
Niel said:
I have a .84 ct that lived briefly as a solitaire in JAs budget 6 prong solitiare. If the prongs were going to be bulky, being so "budget friendly", they were going to be on this ring. I found them to be satisfactory. And in fact, far less bulky than I had anticipated. I opened this thread assuming you'd be taking about a stone less than .5ct, based on your title calling it " small". I was ready to say "I find the tiffany solitaire to be the most flattering," now of course after reading your thread I see your stone size isn't small, but perfectly respectable ;) and I still stick with my answer. Particularly sense you like the look of a 6 prong solitaire. If you were buying from James Allen they make a lovely handmade tiffany replica. I'd be all over that.

Pics to help uploadfromtaptalk1419113281644.jpg
Click to expand...
Hey Niel, your ring is stunning! I am wondering if your setting is the standard JR six prong knife edge setting or the JA handmadd/tiffany replica setting? Do you have a link? Thanks!
 
blingblingdiamond said:
Hey Niel, your ring is stunning! I am wondering if your setting is the standard JR six prong knife edge setting or the JA handmadd/tiffany replica setting? Do you have a link? Thanks!
Click to expand...
This was their cheap one. I think they call it their "presentation" solitaire
 
Take a look at the 'Modern' model from Art of Platinum - it is the most subtle four-prong I know of. Two such rings are listed in 'inventory', both set with square sapphires; their prices sugest that one set with a diamond would fit your bill.

-

Then, my latest love here is a Pt & rose gold bezel setting ... THIS
 
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valeria101 said:
Take a look at the 'Modern' model from Art of Platinum - it is the most subtle four-prong I know of. Two such rings are listed in 'inventory', both set with square sapphires; their prices sugest that one set with a diamond would fit your bill.
Click to expand...

Although beautiful, I wouldn't recommend a Leon Mege anything for someone wanting to spend less than $1K on it (and $5K all in)... even at a good price, it's still a 4 prong.
 
I think that setting is only somewhat over 1K.
 
JA's 6 prong presentation setting is fine if you are wearing it by itself. However, because the prongs are welded into the shank, sit very low with almost no clearance, you need to be careful if you are wearing it with other bands. Look at recently purchased.
It is simple and no frill design. It serves my wife well. But I regret my decision for the clearance issue. Whatever you wear, it will always rub against the prongs, a real concern if the rubbing part is diamond
 
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This is not a 6 prong and not tiffany but still a lovely setting at JA. Its also a Jeff Cooper and less than $1k.
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ess-engagement-ring-by-jeff-cooper-item-54211

Another 4 prong nice setting...this one is a Martin Flyer $630
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...al-engagement-ring-by-martin-flyer-item-54952

I would ask for claw prongs on these settings.

There is a really cute 6 prong tiffany style prongs except it has some added detail (which I love) but you
may not. Cvb does it and it should not be too expensive. You might even be able to get the plat version in $1k (maybe...ask).
This is the setting but I'm pretty sure CVB did it for someone.
http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/stuller-solitaire-mounting/
 
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I like that Stuller one a lot & their prices are quite reasonable. I'm sure it's under $1000 for platinum. Here's the page for it. The prongs can be filed down, just be sure to pass on to your bf or the bench that you want delicate prongs & show them what you want. I can't think off the top of my head what threads are specific to prongs but if you go through some of the Show Me The Bling pics, you can choose the ones you like best.

https://www.stuller.com/products/bu...tionSource=CategoryBrowse3C#/mounting-options

This one looks delicate..
https://www.stuller.com/products/bu...tionSource=CategoryBrowse3C#/mounting-options

I have to say, for the size of your stone & that you want delicate, this one is really very pretty.
https://www.stuller.com/products/bu...tionSource=CategoryBrowse3C#/mounting-options
 
Another vote for CVB's jovyn here. She can make it without the knife edge band if you don't like that, and her prongs and metal work are TINY and delicate. Not bulky at all!
 
If you want to stick with the tiffany look for under $1k Whiteflash has this setting for $895
https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...fany-style-solitaire-engagement-ring-3581.htm

In your price range you can get a beautiful Super Ideal branded ACA stone in the .8 range G or H
This one actually looks like a good buy
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3836176.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3599788.htm

Here is actually an F in your price range (eye-clean) but I would talk to them to make sure its eye-clean to your satisfaction
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3599794.htm


Whiteflash also has an excellent trade up policy. You basically have to spend a dollar more and can trade up for any reason.
 
HI:

I don't think your diamond is small!! Mark Morrell has gorgeous settings--but prolly over budget. Finding one on the secondary market would be awesome!

cheers--Sharon
 
Isn't this thread from 2014?
 
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