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Cartier Ballerine Emerald Setting? HELP?

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smartblondie7

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 17, 2006
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Hello! This is my first post....I want to thank you all for your posts, they have helped me understand diamonds alot better than i did before!

My boyfriend has mentioned that he would like to go window shopping for rings and see what i like. We are in the very preliminary stages neither of us has done this before. I have FALLEN IN LOVE with not only him, but the Cartier Ballerine Setting with EC, also a fan of the Daniel K split shank setting. So far I have only looked online.

We live in Vancouver, BC, Canada and we are going to start trying on rings this weekend. I dont want him to pay the markup for cartier, I have a cartier tank watch, but id be happy with a custom made setting. Ideally I would love to buy the setting from cartier and buy a diamond seperately...but chances are thats not a possibility from what i have read here

Does anyone have any information about settings for this ring if we were to purchase an EC diamond seperately?

Does anyone have pricing info on the actual cartier ring? I thought I read it was $35,000 approx.

How big should the diamond be for this ring and setting to look good?


Any comments or suggestions would be helpful! Thank you!
 
Hi smartblondie and welcome! First, I think it's great that you've already found a setting you love. Now for the bad news. Cartier doesn't sell only their settings. You have to purchase the complete ring from them.

As for the prices, I think they are relatively reasonable. My bf and I looked at the 1895 semi pave Cartier with a 1.5 carat, F, VVS diamond, and it was about $25K. Assuming the stone was an ideal cut, you can get a comparable stone at an online retailer for about $14K-15K, so you will be shelling out quite a bit for the setting alone.

Have you guys gone in the store to try on the ring? I would recommend that, because you can then ask about the pricing and what options there are in terms of the center stone.

As for the size, it's really a matter of preference. You should definitely try on stones of different sizes to get a feel for what you're looking for, and that way, you'll know for sure whether a Cartier ring is within your budget.

Hope this helps.
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ETA: Oops. I just realized that you said that you don't want to pay the markup. Please excuse. I'm delirious because I'm up late typing up a paper that's due tomorrow and really shouldn't be on PS but here I am anyway. For custom work, Whiteflash made a great ring for someone here that looked really similar to a Cartier piece. Dunno what the thread is though. Try looking in the Show Me The Ring forum, and look for Whiteflash or Cartier in the title. Or you can just do a search for Cartier and read only the most recent posts for that ring that I mentioned.
 
Hi cinderella! I really appreciate the info. I think it is likely I will try and have this setting (or as close as possible made). I dont want a "cartier" ring, just that particular design. I am going to go to Cartier and try the ring on next weekend.

Does anyone know of a similar setting online for this ring?
 
Here''s pics of the Cartier ring so others know -

emerald cartier merge.jpg
 
You know ... sometimes I feel bad for these designer houses ...dreaming up beautiful pieces only to have them copied by less than ethical, lower-mark up jewelers.

That Cartier design is new --- and, sorry, but no one that I know of has knocked it off yet. I''m sure they will, and I''m sure you could find someone to try to copy it ... but, are you happy with your Cartier watch? Maybe you should just get the Cartier version ring?
 
There''s something to be said for the Original. I can understand not wanting to pay the markup if it isn''t worth it, but I''d rather you see the real thing first before deciding to have someone copy it. Maybe the Cartier isn''t perfect for you - you''ll have to see it to know.

Also, I''d recommend you call Cartier ahead of time and make sure they have one for you to see - I went to my local Cartier looking for that same ring, and they did not have it (or much of anything, honestly - maybe a dozen e-rings in the whole place...)

It is a nice setting. I saw the round version with a 1/2ct center, and you know in person it didn''t "grab me" like I was hoping (maybe it would have if I had seen the EC I went to look at, though).
 
Thanks all for the input.

Decode Delight: Yes, I am VERY happy with my Cartier Tank watch. But this is not my budget I am working with.. I want a similar setting....

Also I live in Canada and would like to put a polar bear diamod in it because while cartier does dream up gorgeous designs....they use blood diamonds, not ethically mined. Thank you all for your input, I plan on trying the ring on next weekend and i will have to see if the design grabs me then!

Until then ill keep searching for something similar....
 
Well if you are worried about ethics, then I can see why you are looking for something similar. Designers put tons of effort and time and sweat into their designs, and to copy someone else’s work and intellectual property is not in my opinion ethical. I remember reading a post by Golden Oak that explained it very well. I can see having something made by another designer if there is something about the original that bothers you, but purely as a matter of cost strikes me as unprincipled.
 
Smartblondie - If you''re simply looking for a similar design I see nothing wrong with that. Do you like these?? They are both from www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com

SmrtB1.jpg
 
I LOVE that Cartier design!!! I''d seen it in magazines but am glad to know more about it!! YUM!
 
Am I dreaming? I thought someone on PS had some sort of replica made but ended up not liking the final product and deciding to change it. Does anyone remember this?
 
Date: 1/18/2006 3:36:00 PM
Author: FireGoddess
Am I dreaming? I thought someone on PS had some sort of replica made but ended up not liking the final product and deciding to change it. Does anyone remember this?

I seem to remember this too..and she had her emerald reset into a solitaire or something..
 
Yes mrsssalvo...that is exactly what I remember. I''m trying to find the thread but it''s eluding me...still looking though.
 
The interesting thing is that there isn''t really much that HASN''T been done by someone else in my opinion in terms of settings, so I view designer rings differently...aka you can almost always find something similar elsewhere, maybe a little different because part of the fun is making the ring unique to your tastes. I don''t know about copying things down to the smallest detail, to me that probably wouldn''t be appealing anyway. I''d like to change things to fit my personality more sometimes.

It does not have to be a ''cheap copy'' of a ring just because someone else other than a named designer makes it. I feel personally like my custom ring is better made than many designer rings out there, having seen a bunch in person and trying them on while shopping and it was not as though it was 1/3 of the price, we basically paid the same as a designer setting but got more ctw and the ring designed to suit us.

So just whatever you do, shop smart and look into all aspects of the purchase. Good luck!
 
Date: 1/18/2006 4:54:26 PM
Author: Mara
The interesting thing is that there isn''t really much that HASN''T been done by someone else ...It does not have to be a ''cheap copy'' of a ring just because someone else other than a named designer makes it.

It IS interesting how people feel differently about copying some types of merchandise but not others ... for instance ... I don''t hear about too many people buying Frank Lloyd Wright house plans and having them built ... or buying leather and having Hermes-style Kelly bags stitched up at their local cobbler. Or putting Ford engines in Mercedes bodies.

Personal ethics is so, well, personal. Draw the line at "blood" or the almighty dollar, as long as you draw the line yourself.
 
Okay I finally FOUND the thread. It took me a long time.
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It doesn''t look exactly like the Cartier, but I believe it was designed from the concept of that ring. The link is HERE.
 
Actually, I looked into the whole legality thing when I had my asscher RHR ring made. I loved the Daniel K design, just not the price tag. You have to alter the design by 20%, which to me was fun as I added my own twists to the design and made it my own. So it was inspired by Daniel K, and not an exact copy.
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Date: 1/18/2006 5:15:17 PM
Author: kaleigh
Actually, I looked into the whole leagality thing when I had my asscher RHR ring made. I loved the Daniel K design, just not the price tag. You have to alter the design by 20%, which to me was fun as I added my own twists to the design and made it my own. So it was inspired by Daniel K, and not an exact copy.
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Kaleigh''s is a great example of an inspired piece that she is happy with. That is the key element in my opinion. Can you be happy with something similar? If so, great, go custom whatever..if you love the exact piece..get it, having someone make an exact copy is illegal and unethical and many with the skill to do it wouldn''t copy it anyway.
 
Date: 1/18/2006 5:10:17 PM
Author: FireGoddess
Okay I finally FOUND the thread. It took me a long time.
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It doesn''t look exactly like the Cartier, but I believe it was designed from the concept of that ring. The link is HERE.


Ummm. Yes. I rest my case. This is as good as an example as I''ve ever seen to not attempt to copy Cartier. Seems God himself no likie.** (IMHO)
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cartiercopy.jpg
 
Hey Lovelylulu - there was an error on your link - it says to please restart shopping. Try again? I''m curious to see what you were linking!
 
Date: 1/18/2006 5:44:21 PM
Author: decodelighted
Date: 1/18/2006 5:10:17 PM

Author: FireGoddess

Okay I finally FOUND the thread. It took me a long time.
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It doesn't look exactly like the Cartier, but I believe it was designed from the concept of that ring. The link is HERE.


cartiercopy.jpg



Ummm. Yes. I rest my case. This is as good as an example as I've ever seen to not attempt to copy Cartier. Seems God himself no likie.** (IMHO)
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i have found that with detailed pieces it's harder to go custom because the original maker are experts at their settings. A custom jeweler who isn't used to the details and having never made the piece may have a much more difficult time as seen above.
 
Oh goodness!! Seeing that thread made me go into panic mode..what if I see my ring when its finally done and don''t like it?!
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But at least I do know Quest has made several very beautiful pieces one kinda like mine will be (Kaleigh''s yummy asscher) which calms me down a bit.

I think one always takes a risk going custom.
 
I wouldn''t worry about Quest, PV - their stuff always comes back looking STUNNING.
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Date: 1/18/2006 6:01:21 PM
Author: FireGoddess
I wouldn''t worry about Quest, PV - their stuff always comes back looking STUNNING.
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ditto
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Aw thanks guys!!
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Seriously looking at the Cartier ring the design doesn''t look that complicated. Surely it can be replicated easily with an experienced jeweler?
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I don''t think it would be that difficult at all...the key is how inexperienced a jeweler we''re talking. And was the wax hand carved or from CAD/CAM? While hand carving is supposed to be top notch...I''ve had bad experiences. The job looks sloppy - I think the jeweler was just not that good.
 
Well FG I was told that for some designs hand made is better but if you are looking at a micropave type setting it pretty much has to be done by CAD/CAM or will come out either looking sloppy or have future stability issues.
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It seems like lately it's been all about the designer stuff on here and how great it is made, when in reality I have felt multiple designer pieces, and find them typicall just as good as other custom pieces I have seen and tried on. To me designer doesn't mean that it does the laundry and cleans itself as well. Also, going custom does not have to mean cheap or that you are getting a hack to knock something off. I think that it's more 'gray shades' for both designer and custom than just blanket black or white.

By all means do your research on who can do good quality custom work and then decide for yourself what you love more, the design of a brand (and if you adore it, I agree, get the real thing) or if it truly is 'inspired by' but not exact (aka K's 20% notation), then find a good custom designer to create you something of your own with your own touches.

Deco, there are tons of knockoffs of things out there, not the examples you posted...but I can think of countless things that are knocked off, tons of handbags obviously, sunglasses many times, and recently I found even Juicy clothing on eBay is 90% fake from China. They use the same type materials in many instances as the designers or a close match. Not that I am saying it's right or wrong, but rather that IT does happen elsewhere besides jewelry.
 

Thank you all for the yummy eye candy! Lovely Lulu that is very close to what i would like! Sunkist those split shanks are gorgeous! And Fire Goddess thank you for going to the trouble of finding the link of that custom made EC, I feel sorry for the poor lady...that is not quite how i would want mine to turn out, Im glad she finally ended up with what she wanted.


I TOTALLY want to make the ring my own. I was actually thinking if i had it custom made SIMILARLY to this one... I would have a longer split shank and diamonds all around the band (call me greedy!)


I understand the ethical dilemmas but each of us has done it.... Ever bought post-it notes from a no name company? or had a knock off purse, of even something styled similarly? Also, where do these companies get their designs?...from designers , yet their designs often from inspirations and we dont scold them for re-creating vintage pieces because they are cartier!lol or tiffanys!lol



I dont want the Cartier ring exactly...but after searching endlessley online i found almost nothing like it! There is something to be said about that, but..many other ladies will have that cartier ring (no offense to anyone who owns a cartier ring.... I own many name brand things myself.) BUT....my love is not a duplicate and my ring wont be yet either. I would settle for something like it ...

I would ideally like:


1.5-2 ct EC in a platinum setting, like the ballerine (but probably splitting a little more 2 of three diamonds down from where it is now in the picture... and little diamonds all the way around. I dont know what it is going to cost? if its a pipedream. We are 23 and 25 and dont want to break the bank, but he is set on getting me something we both like and that i will have forever. I dont even have any idea what that might cost...im in canada but would travel if i had to!


Thanks everyone

 
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