Birks'' new split shank design - remarkable!

[Lane]

Hi all! It's your friendly neighbourhood setting-obsessed girl here Thanks for all your great input on my Tacori faves so far!! I was happily mulling over my three finalists (as described here: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/calling-tacori-lovers-another-post-in-my-never-ending-setting-search.78575/ ) when I decided to pop into Birks with a friend for fun, and a setting literally BLEW my MIND! I tried it on and it was stunning -- absolutely stunning. The split shank is VERY delicate and it is so sparkly!

So, I was wondering what people thought of it, what people's opinions on split shanks are in general (i.e. too trendy?), and also, if anyone had any experience with Birks setting a stone for you? Further, because my stone is a .83ct RB, might it look as good in this setting, or would that be a concern in any way?

Thanks!! I really appreciate your thoughts!
Lane

 

[Kaleigh]

I think it''s gorgeous. Many people love the split shank design, this is a lovely example.

 

[Lane]

Thanks Kaleigh! It''s so interesting how trying them on makes such a difference (i''m pretty new)... I never would have thought about it, but when I saw the split shank, I loved it!

Thanks

 

[mrssalvo]

i think it''s a beautiful setting..

 

[door knob solitaire]

I love the treasure you found! It has peaked my interest and I would love to see a profile shot. It has the verragio V under the head I think.

I don''t know about the trendiness of the split...but I like it because it can be a ONE ringer with no problem. You can add a pave band or even one on each side...so I think you have a few options. Is the stone pictured a cushion? It looks a little square, but then it may be the photo.

I love it!

 

[enbcfsobe]

i''m a fan of split shanks and don''t think they are particularly ''trendy'' more than anything else out there... i think this is a lovely version, and especially like the graceful way it looks like it connects. you will have to experiment and see for yourself whether it is right for your stone. i personally found while looking for rings that a split-shank can make a stone look smaller, depending on the way it is built. i played with stones in various split-shank settings b/c that is what i was looking for, and it was amazing the variety of effects it had on the stone. i think part of it has to do with the steepness of the sides and where the split starts. i think its really a trial-and-error process. but this one definitely looks worth trying out!!

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Ooh...that is gorgeous!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

That is a beautiful ring, but I do think split shank rings look best with larger stones. They sell it as a setting alone without the center stone? How much is it? I think it would be lovely with a colored stone!

 

[Love in Bloom]

I don''t have anything to offer advice wish, but just had to seay that setting is yummy!

 

[CrookedRock]

I love a split shank!!! That one it fantastic!!!

 

[emilina22]

that setting is simply stunning!! i think that a .83 RB would look great in it!!!

 

[Miscka]

I looove split shanks. That one is very delicate, which I like. Do they do the settings seperately? I dont know anything about Birks. WF has a gorgeous one too, the Allegro, which you may want to check out. BTW I love your avatar pic!

 

[CDNinNYC]

I could be wrong but I don''t think Birks will set your stone in this setting. Their websites lists the ring as starting at $17K CDN and explains that the ring features a diamond solitaire in a range of carat weight, colour, and clarity.

It''s a beautiful ring, though.

BTW, someone asked about the the centre stone. According to the Birks website, it''s a cushion.

 

[krisvrn]

It''s very nice design. I think your diamond will look great set in it.

 

[Lane]

Hi guys!

Thanks so much for your thoughts. I totally appreciate it!! I hear ya, Doorknobsol -- it took my breath away! The head does have a little V in it -- I''m not finding many pictures online of it yet but I''ll do a search after this. It''s Birks'' cushion cut stone in it, but they do it with a RB too. I do think it looks best with the cushion, though.

They do set other stones at Birks, in fact, two pretty funny saleswomen i was talking to assured me that if THEY had an inherited stone, that they wouldn''t trust it to anyone BUT Birks (heheh...) So they''re pretty keen and happy to do it. Another sales guy very informally quoted me around 3-4k to make the ring in Plat., with my diamond. We were just more casually talking about it -- it wasn''t an actual quote.

I do definitely want to wear a WB with it, and i was thinking it would look great with one single band under it that is just like one of the shanks. However, I also agree with the others that it would make a great RHR type style, or for someone who prefers to wear the ering alone on teh left. So many options!! Well, I am happy that my own individual preferences are starting to become clear to me hehehehehe I am so indecisive about this stuff!!

I''ll look for more pics!

 

[Maisie]

What a gorgeous setting!

 

[Lane]

If you go here, you can zoom in on it: http://www.birks.com/index.asp?SKU=3000361059&SecID=50&CatID=71&LangID=1&sort=pricea

It''s they''re trademarked "Amorique" diamond, which is much like a cushion with star shaped facets. I would choose it hands down if I didn''t have the stone already. SO lovely!

thanks again guys! I''m now going to look into the Tacori prices of the ones I''ve been drooling over, and try them on again, then decide!

 

[Lane]

Date: 2/24/2008 10:42:11 PM
Author: Miscka
I looove split shanks. That one is very delicate, which I like. Do they do the settings seperately? I dont know anything about Birks. WF has a gorgeous one too, the Allegro, which you may want to check out. BTW I love your avatar pic!

Thanks -- I''m in Canada, and was trying to learn how to use my new camera by snapping shots of snowflakes

 

[Lane]

Date: 2/24/2008 6:22:35 PM
Author: enbcfsobe
i''m a fan of split shanks and don''t think they are particularly ''trendy'' more than anything else out there... i think this is a lovely version, and especially like the graceful way it looks like it connects. you will have to experiment and see for yourself whether it is right for your stone. i personally found while looking for rings that a split-shank can make a stone look smaller, depending on the way it is built. i played with stones in various split-shank settings b/c that is what i was looking for, and it was amazing the variety of effects it had on the stone. i think part of it has to do with the steepness of the sides and where the split starts. i think its really a trial-and-error process. but this one definitely looks worth trying out!!

Thanks for your honest opinion here -- this is exactly what i''ve been concerned about. The ring I tried on in the store was a 1.10ct cushion... would look very diff. with my stone. I did see the same ring with a smaller stone, and it wasn''t quite the same effect -- just like your observations. I think I might just LIKE that particular ring I tried on, but prefer the delicate tacori halo for my own stone. I do have a little time still to mull it over, and I really love getting all your opinions! Thanks so much!

 

[kcoursolle]

It''s gorgeous, I just can''t wait to see the final product!!! Stunning ring!!!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I love split shanks but like DS think they look best with a large stone. I think your pretty diamond might get a little overpowered.

ETA: I like overhang. I guess it really depends on the width of your stone and the width of your setting.

 

[Lane]

Thanks Tacori E-ring and others -- and I think I am starting to agree. What fun!! Back to my Tacori options Hee hee... one day soon (when the semester is up) I''ll be full speed ahead and will post pics of my little loose diamond (who is currently hanging out in a secure spot which I will not mention online lol) and then the finished product!
Thanks!!!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Well I can''t see what you decide to get!

 

[canadiangrrl]

I like splits, but I concur with others in this thread - they look much better with larger stones. The smaller the stone, the narrower/smaller the setting, IMO. Otherwise it gets overpowered.

Birks must have changed their policy - I inherited a diamond from my Nana, went to their store in the Eaton Centre in Toronto about seven years ago, to see about getting it set into a pendant. They wouldn''t even look at it - said they''d only set and sell their own stones.

 

[icekid]

I have a smaller RB (.73) in a split shank setting, but the key is that it is also in a halo. Otherwise, I agree with the others that the split shank is too much on a smaller stone. However, the plumping action of the halo makes it look quite lovely, in my slightly baised opinion