Blue Nile Pave' setting for .71 E-cut 1/4 or 2/5 ctw?

[N-jo]

Okay, I haven't been here in a year since a fiasco with a custom setting with baguettes for a little anniversary upgrade. I put my emerald cut H color .71 diamond, roughly 6x4mm into a 2.5mm platinum comfort fit setting shown here next to my 3.8mm wedding band and just had to not think about it a while, it was making me physically ill.

It's 15 months later. I still want some bling. I give up on baguettes, and have decided that some pavé bands don't look so wrong with an emerald cut to me anymore.

It's a blue Nile diamond, they're easy to deal with, I'm weary of the whole thing and just want some sparkle and to move on with my life, lol.

I'm not upgrading main stone.I don't need suggestions about where to buy. I just would like opinions about whether I should choose the 1/4ct French pavé setting at 2mm or the 2/5ctw Scalloped pavé, 2.4mm.

I don't want it to look like a glitter dust band, but I don't want brilliants that overpower the ice of main stone. I don't care for delicate teeny bands.

Any opinions about which would look best, proportionally would really help. Real, actual size photos would help even more.

Thanks so much in advance if you want to venture an opinion!

1/4, 2/5 and then side views, 2/5,1/4

 

[the_mother_thing]

Given you don’t want a dainty band - and given your experience from before - I would go with the larger 2/5 size ... however, BN’s rendering shows it with a one-carat diamond, and yours is .71, so I’d be worried it may overwhelm and/or compete with your EC center.

 

[N-jo]

Yeah, that's the dilemma! Though the size of my diamond is about 6.5 by 4.6 -- it's bigger than others of the same carat, I'm always comparing. Was hoping someone had settings like these. Though most seem to prefer the teeny little skinny pave' settings, I've noticed.

Illustrations and pics there are helpful to a degree, but seeing an actual ring on a real person's finger helps a lot better. Was just hoping! I've searched and searched through the forums. I don't want channel, don't want prongs.

 

[Maggiemeans]

From the pics I prefer the 1/4.

 

[N-jo]

I switched the view on the site to yellow and rose gold, easier to gauge the look of the diamonds. I think the 2/5 would be too extreme for my emerald cut. Not just size wise, but it's taken me ages to get on board with the look of an emerald cut on a pavé band anyway, so best not push it with bigger stones.
I had ordered the collar setting with 2 horizontal baguettes then 2 brilliants either side of those. I loved that idea, but the execution (Colin Cowie design) was "Zales-y" -- too much prickly prongage, and too blunt on shank. It fit my main stone like it was custom made, though.

I just need to find a thread with pavé settings, I've searched but can't find one here. I swear they were everywhere until I decided I wanted that style.

 

[the_mother_thing]

I wonder if the visual size disparity might be alleviated somewhat if you oriented your EC in an east-west manner. You might be able to get away with the wider ring w/slightly larger diamonds, which would give you the ‘heft’ you like in the band. Something kind of like this but with a wider shank & pave diamonds:

 

[the_mother_thing]

Kind of like this (pardon my rough/quick mock-up):

 

[the_mother_thing]

Here is another setting idea that might afford the added bling you seek with a little more band-heft than a single dainty band with pave.

 

[Matthews1127]

I love the 1/4 with your 0.71ct EC set at N-S, not E-W. I believe this size is durable, yet will compliment, rather than overwhelm your center EC.
I think you’ll find the perfect contrast between the large flashes from the EC & the subtle scintillation from the pave’. EC’s pick up everything in their environment, esp sparkle from adjacent stones. My set is a combination of EC center, surrounded by rounds & baguettes. My ER has bead set rounds along the profile & collar, and my EC is the star. My WR consists of baguettes alternating with rounds, bar set. My Anniversary Band is also rounds alternating with rounds, bezel set with mill-grain. Each piece compliments the other. I believe that if you’re going with pave’, but you want your EC to be the star, less is more. 1/4 will be the perfect fit. I have a feeling that once you decide to add a little bling to your ER, a thinner, pave’ Anniversary Band is soon to follow! lol!!
Threads to my set. I hope you find inspiration.:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/meet-uisce.231677/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/“buann-gra’-gach-rud”-“love-conquers-all”.236106/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sweet-november.235693/

 

[Matthews1127]

I switched the view on the site to yellow and rose gold, easier to gauge the look of the diamonds. I think the 2/5 would be too extreme for my emerald cut. Not just size wise, but it's taken me ages to get on board with the look of an emerald cut on a pavé band anyway, so best not push it with bigger stones.
I had ordered the collar setting with 2 horizontal baguettes then 2 brilliants either side of those. I loved that idea, but the execution (Colin Cowie design) was "Zales-y" -- too much prickly prongage, and too blunt on shank. It fit my main stone like it was custom made, though.

I just need to find a thread with pavé settings, I've searched but can't find one here. I swear they were everywhere until I decided I wanted that style.

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/engagement-rings/pave-engagement-ring-settings

 

[Acinom]

Based on your earlier experience and reading between the lines I am wondering whether you are not talking yourself into pave? I woukd choose the larger one since you do not like the tiny look. Would be great if someone could make a CAD for you to see the proportions.
Have you considered french cuts? They would.combine great with your EC. In the pic a ring from a Pricescoper, but her center is a 1.32 ct.

 

[Matthews1127]

Based on your earlier experience and reading between the lines I am wondering whether you are not talking yourself into pave? I woukd choose the larger one since you do not like the tiny look. Would be great if someone could make a CAD for you to see the proportions.
Have you considered french cuts? They would.combine great with your EC. In the pic a ring from a Pricescoper, but her center is a 1.32 ct.

French cuts are a beautiful alternative to pave’!

 

[Laila619]

I think those will all be too dainty for you, exactly what you don't want! What about adding a 5 stone diamond wedding band to your set, and keeping the solitaire as is? Best of both worlds: major sparkle and don't have to worry about getting a reset wrong. I think your current solitaire is so nice and classic.

 

[N-jo]

That solitaire is gone. It's now on the way back after a day with this Colin Cowie setting, pictured on top.

I have extra anniversary bands -- 2 baguette half-eternity platinum bands of 1/2 CT each.

I also have this 1/2 carat halo wrap that fits 2mm-ish band, but could easily be extended to fit a slightly wider 2.4mm engagement ring.

If I want simple, I can just wear my plain platinum band. I am tired of plain engagement ring setting and want either the "French pavé 1/4ct" with 18 brilliants or the "Scalloped pavé 2/5ct" with 14 brilliants.

I'm not changing orientation of stone, but it's sweet of you to mock up some designs, thank you so much!

I've been through 6 months of hell with a custom ring design nightmare, without my ring for all but 3 weeks of that time. I'm not going there again. BN is easy, I trust them, and I just want to pick one of these two settings and be done.

I probably will get other anniversary or special bands in the future, if I live that long, I'm 63. I never wanted to get married, didn't marry until 52. My engagement ring is the most delicate piece I own. I enjoyed it plain for 10 years, now just feel like some extra sparkle. I have some heirloom pieces I love, too.

This isn't about adding other rings, just about putting my original diamond into a ready-made setting, to oomph it up. I'm disabled, I don't leave the house much, and that custom experience, even via email, text, and phone, is something I don't have the psychological or physical stamina for it. I have the custom setting and 2 baguettes wasting away in a drawer, reminder of the horror. Expensive lesson.

Thank you all for your input. Checking on these links you've shared..

 

[Matthews1127]

That solitaire is gone. It's now on the way back after a day with this Colin Cowie setting, pictured on top.

I have extra anniversary bands -- 2 baguette half-eternity platinum bands of 1/2 CT each.

I also have this 1/2 carat halo wrap that fits 2mm-ish band, but could easily be extended to fit a slightly wider 2.4mm engagement ring.

If I want simple, I can just wear my plain platinum band. I am tired of plain engagement ring setting and want either the "French pavé 1/4ct" with 18 brilliants or the "Scalloped pavé 2/5ct" with 14 brilliants.

I'm not changing orientation of stone, but it's sweet of you to mock up some designs, thank you so much!

I've been through 6 months of hell with a custom ring design nightmare, without my ring for all but 3 weeks of that time. I'm not going there again. BN is easy, I trust them, and I just want to pick one of these two settings and be done.

I probably will get other anniversary or special bands in the future, if I live that long, I'm 63. I never wanted to get married, didn't marry until 52. My engagement ring is the most delicate piece I own. I enjoyed it plain for 10 years, now just feel like some extra sparkle. I have some heirloom pieces I love, too.

This isn't about adding other rings, just about putting my original diamond into a ready-made setting, to oomph it up. I'm disabled, I don't leave the house much, and that custom experience, even via email, text, and phone, is something I don't have the psychological or physical stamina for it. I have the custom setting and 2 baguettes wasting away in a drawer, reminder of the horror. Expensive lesson.

Thank you all for your input. Checking on these links you've shared..

I believe you have your mind made up on pave’, and the ring should look so sweet with your EC! I posted the link to the pave’ threads, and threads to my own set, to give you an idea of contrast rounds make with an EC. Just some perspective.
Have fun selecting your ring! Please let us know what you choose!!!

 

[JmeeMrie]

My thoughts..
I was originally thinking I wanted a very dainty band and asked to be between 1.9-2.1 mm. My finished ring is 2.3mm width and the lengths of my asscher are roughly 6.3 and it actually looks way thinner than I thought it would. So if your length is 6 I think the 2mm would look great , but if you want a bit more substance I don't think the 2.5 would look too big either. That being said I think proportionally the 2.0mm would look best. I dont think you'll get that "dust" look with either size. I would also ask what size the melee is in each width because that makes a difference. My band has 22 stones with a tow of .82 which puts my melee between a 3.5-4 pt average..
Here's a head on photo that may help with proportions.

 

[N-jo]

My thoughts..
I was originally thinking I wanted a very dainty band and asked to be between 1.9-2.1 mm. My finished ring is 2.3mm width and the lengths of my asscher are roughly 6.3 and it actually looks way thinner than I thought it would. So if your length is 6 I think the 2mm would look great , but if you want a bit more substance I don't think the 2.5 would look too big either. That being said I think proportionally the 2.0mm would look best. I dont think you'll get that "dust" look with either size. I would also ask what size the melee is in each width because that makes a difference. My band has 22 stones with a tow of .82 which puts my melee between a 3.5-4 pt average..
Here's a head on photo that may help with proportions.

Yessss! Thanks a million! I needed to see it on a hand with dimensions!
Love that.

The ones I'm considering have:
16 stones for the 1/4th carat weight 2mm one on top (.015 each)
and
14 stones in the 2/5th tcw weight 2.4mm setting, (.030 each)

2mm vs 2.4mm. decisions, decisions

My original platinum skinny setting in 2006 was 2mm. That seems awfully skinny for having diamonds set in it...

 

[nala]

I think you like hefty so do the 2.4 mm.

 

[N-jo]

I love the 1/4 with your 0.71ct EC set at N-S, not E-W. I believe this size is durable, yet will compliment, rather than overwhelm your center EC.
I think you’ll find the perfect contrast between the large flashes from the EC & the subtle scintillation from the pave’. EC’s pick up everything in their environment, esp sparkle from adjacent stones. My set is a combination of EC center [edited]

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/meet-uisce.231677/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/“buann-gra’-gach-rud”-“love-conquers-all”.236106/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sweet-november.235693/

I read your story and your specs. My EC is very close to yours in size. It is a .71, and I forget the depth, but the size of the stone is 6.48mm x 4.77mm
I'm going for the French pavé 2mm band with 1/4ct. For one thing, they don't have the 2/5tcw in my ring size (6)

 

[Laila619]

I hope you like it! Please post a pic when you get it!

Also, I wanted to tell you I love your elegant rose gold band! Would you mind sharing where you got it? Is it Blue Nile too?

 

[elizabethess]

2mm vs 2.4mm. decisions, decisions

My original platinum skinny setting in 2006 was 2mm. That seems awfully skinny for having diamonds set in it...

Welcome back! I remember the fiasco and your strong preference for solid, substantial, smooth-edged rings. If you've seen a 2mm band and your instinct is it's awfully skinny, then I am nervous for you that you ordered it. Wishing for the best, and hoping you don't find this one also too dainty. Post pics when it arrives!

 

[N-jo]

I hope you like it! Please post a pic when you get it!

Also, I wanted to tell you I love your elegant rose gold band! Would you mind sharing where you got it? Is it Blue Nile too?

Thank you so much! I love that band. It's one of the appeasement jewelry gifts my husband gave me while going through that horrific custom anniversary "upgrade" last year.
It's actually from e-weddingbands -- 4mm heavy comfort fit 14k rose gold. Same size my plat wedding band started off as, but we had them polish the platinum band to be more tubular.

Anyway, I love it, it feels like silk. Here it is with my original engagement ring just before I turned that one over to the local jewelry maniacs.

 

[N-jo]

Welcome back! I remember the fiasco and your strong preference for solid, substantial, smooth-edged rings. If you've seen a 2mm band and your instinct is it's awfully skinny, then I am nervous for you that you ordered it. Wishing for the best, and hoping you don't find this one also too dainty. Post pics when it arrives!

Eh, I've given up on "wider, thicker, more substantial" -- the words the local yokel didn't quite comprehend, in that custom process.. a year and a half since that mess started, and a year with just a 2.5mm platinum setting, I decided I just want a little extra sparkle, with less psychological pain!

 

[N-jo]

Update:
I love the. 25 French pavé setting from BN. It flatters the main stone, and the side sparkles obscure the tiny feather/crystal "birthmark" of my original diamond. It slips easily into my .50 halo wrap, which I bought on a whim on my 5th anniversary.

Excuse my 63 year old dinosaur hands. I need to go do my nails and lotion up!
Included a comparison pic with the prongtastic Colin Cowie ring with the vertical baguettes and rounds that I tried a couple of weeks ago. I liked the idea of that one, and thought it really fit my stone perfectly, but just tooooooo "Zales-y" in feel.
So much for the baguettes I had long wanted in the engagement ring. I have two platinum horizontal baguette channel bands anyway.

Thank you to those who helped, and also understood my frustration! Feeling at peace now. Let's hope I don't knock out a stone within a week!

N-jo

View attachment 622362

 

[N-jo]

 

[Acinom]

What a beautiful and balanced result! Love it with your plain band. It’s a stunning look.
Enjoy wearing your ring and set. I am happy for you that you are happy with the ring.

 

[tyty333]

I think it looks perfect N-Jo...doesnt outshine you emerald at all. Compliments it very well. I hope you are happy with
this latest addition. I think its a winner!

 

[N-jo]

It sits comfortably next to my band with the beveled polished edges. It's not too fussy for me. Nice and heavy but doesn't spin.

 

[Laila619]

Beautiful! Glad you are happy!

 

[motownmama]

I think you made THE PERFECT CHOICE!