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Classic solitaire or pave halo (all about the $$)

T

teobdl

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 8, 2013
Messages
986
I've run into a dilemma: most of my original budget has gone into a beautiful BGS, leaving about $1300 for the setting. Because I had very few hints from SO about what style rings she likes, my intention had been to get a classic 6-prong solitaire from BG or JA or locally, and maybe even splurging for the platinum Vatche U113 because it has a level of finesse that just isn't in other Tiffany-like settings. Can't go wrong with a classic. Or can you?

The other day I was talking to SO about my roommate's imminent engagement, she pulls up the Tiffany's site. Every click was a halo w/ pave. Hint taken.

Is it impossible for me to buy a nice halo setting a la Emilya from ERD ? No. Is it imprudent with grad school for both of us around the corner? Probably, but I could do it.

For reference, the Vatche is $1900 (and is already ~$600 over original budget). ERD grace halo (http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/grace-classic-micro-pave-halo-enagement-ring-bpid-58-18.html) is $3,000. Definitely want the struts to be concave, and that might add a bit, but dont want diamond on the profile angles, so that might bring it back to $3000.

Maybe the pave halo is something to work toward in the future...

Thoughts?
 
How big is your stone? What shape is it? Is it possible to purchase a setting preloved?
 
The "problem" is I really want platinum for its heft durability and security of the diamond. That leaves me very few nice options in that price range.

I'd be open to pre loved if it can be polished up nicely. Size is 6.1 mm (.85 ct).
 
Hmm. Yeah. That is a problem.

I can tell you what I WOULDN'T do.

I wouldn't buy a platinum Vatche 6 prong. It's the wrong style and it's too expensive as a temporary setting. And it's probably going to be a temporary setting. I wouldn't spend over 400 myself on a temp setting. But...

Since you are working with BGD I'd get this setting for now: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/ashleigh-14k-white-gold-5853w14 Since it is a temp, white gold is fine. It's not a 'economy' bottom of the line model, but it's still very budget friendly.

And then upgrade the setting later on.
 
I'd put up a WANTED add on the preloved board.

WANTED:

Preloved Platinum Diamond Halo setting for 6.1mm round diamond that allows close or flush fit band-- under $1,800 and specify ring size.

And see what happens.

You never know. We have quite a few hoarders.
 
Nice ideas, Gypsy!

1. What's the approximate wiggle room for fitting a 6.1mm stone into another setting size? (would previous stone sizes between 5.9-6.3mm be appropriate)? Obviously, closer is better.

2. Once polished correctly, how "new" can a preloved platinum setting look?
 
If your girlfriend doesn't know much about jewelry (ie, if she is a normal person), she is probably going to much prefer a cheaper halo setting than a setting that isn't the style she wants. Most non-jewelry-obsessed people I know don't even really understand that center stones and settings can come separately and view it all as one thing. The Ritani is an excellent option, and the Gabriel rings are also good, and you can do searches on these boards to find pictures of "in real life" settings by them. While I personally love platinum, I also think not breaking the bank is probably most important.
 
I would not spend $3k on a setting unless you know for sure that's what she wants and you're not planning on upgrading in the near future.

Platinum polishes up like new - at least mine does! Mine has quite a bit of platinum as the shank is quite thick and though it scratches, the metal moves around and isn't lost so polishing just pushes everything back into place. :)

Also agree that you shouldn't spend grad school money on a ring! You don't want to get into arguments later and throw our zingers like, "I would be able to afford this if I hadn't spent so much on the ring!"
 
I should clarify: by temporary setting, I think we're talking about 5-8 years. Not like 1-2 years.

That said, I can't stand the thought of giving an ering that doesn't meet my aesthetic preferences and could last a lifetime if it had to. On the other stand, I'd hate to wear a ring that doesn't meet my aesthetic preferences, either... hmph.

One other thought is that if she upgraded at any point, the Vatche is probably quite resellable as preloved, whereas a halo is a bit more subject to trends, and is more prone to damage, making it very unsellable.
 
I would spend the extra $1100 and get it right the first time ( I did the math on your 2 figures). If she becomes like some of us on this site, she won't be happy until she upgrades, and that will end up costing more money, because you will likely take a 50% loss on your setting, if not more. Selling a setting is a bit tricky.
 
can I suggest you get the biggest and best diamond possible and get the simple solitaire (that vatche is gorgeous) and tell her that you want her to love her final setting, so if she wants a halo, you want her to be involved in that process. This way she has the gorgeous solitaire to wear now, and as 1) funds become available and 2) designs become more refined, she can feel like you heard her prior to the surprise proposal, but that she was involved in the final ring she gets to wear.
 
teobdl|1389833379|3593657 said:
Nice ideas, Gypsy!

1. What's the approximate wiggle room for fitting a 6.1mm stone into another setting size? (would previous stone sizes between 5.9-6.3mm be appropriate)? Obviously, closer is better.

2. Once polished correctly, how "new" can a preloved platinum setting look?
Click to expand...


If it's prong set then you have wiggle room, if it's a bezel set, there's less, but the bezel can be rebuilt of shaved to make things work depending on the actual ring.

Platinum looks brand new as long as the polishing is done right. BGD could do that for you with NO issue. They've repolished my rings a few times.
 
FWIW I wore my 14kt temp setting for 4 years. No issue. Then I upgraded. So I still think spending less on the temp is a good idea. I really wouldn't spend 1800 on a platinum 6 prong solitaire for someone who wants a halo.
 
 
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