Comment On Setting Please - Tension Design

[Badgerhogg]

Hi,

My first post! Firstly, just to say what a brilliant site this is. I have learnt so much the last few weeks on my quest to find a good engagement ring. I have found the stone I want and am now looking at what the best setting might be. I'd really appreciate if anyone can comment on the merits or pitfalls of this particular style of setting:



I am a little concerned that the metal surrounding the stone will be gold and might spoil the colour of the G colour stone. Also, I am not sure how secure a setting like this might be compared to claw designs. I imagine that this setting will be less likely to get caught on sweaters and other fabrics. I plan to put a .60 ct stone, G, VS2, GIA, Excellent C/P/S in here, total price will be 2300 GBP.

I'd love to hear your experiences with this style of setting.

Thanks,

Paul

London, United Kingdom

 

[evergreen]

Hi, Paul! Could you post a link to the setting? (I can't find it on Google, but maybe it's just me...) It's tough to see the details of the head in that attachment, and that's going to be key in whether the diamond is secure or not. Off the cuff, it seems like that's a thin band compared with most tension settings I've seen and it makes me a little nervous.

Are you only looking at tension settings, or is this one of many settings you're considering? Is bezel an option, if getting-caught-on-things is a big concern? The lower the setting, the better, if that's the case; for a diamond of that size, you might consider an Etoile-like setting ( [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/best-tiffany-etoile-replica.140120/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/best-tiffany-etoile-replica.140120/[/URL] ), in which the width of the diamond determines the width of the band and still allows a wedding band to sit flush. (The width of that style of ring isn't for everyone, though; this Whiteflash setting is more delicate - http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/keystone-half-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-1105.htm )

Hope I didn't step on any toes by suggesting other options - your choice is beautiful and graceful, just need more details to be confident your lovely stone won't fly out! Do you know how the ring's recipient will plan to wear it (i.e. will she wear it on special occasions only? or, y'know, while gardening and punching through cement bricks and etc.)?

 

[Gypsy]

If this is not for yourself, I would make sure the lady who will be wearing it appreciates this type of setting.

 

[kenny]

That's not a tension setting.
The pic below is.

They have no metal under the diamond.
I prefer them and, if made by one of the few companies specializing in tension settings, suspect they are more safe and secure than prongs.

Prongs are tiny and delicate and get caught on sweaters, socks, stuff in your purse, pockets, etc.
Often women do not know when or how their prongs bent causing their diamond to fall out.
All they know is their diamond is gone and they have no clue where to look for it.

A tension setting is so beefy and strong that if you do something that bends it open you will know it!
In fact whatever you did to bend it open it will probably send you to the emergency room with a badly injured hand.

 

[elliemay]

I think that would be a safe setting (in terms of the diamond not falling out). My only questions would be what type of work your fiancee' does and how often she'll wear the ring -- the girdle of the stone is completely exposed at the top and bottom so it would be vulnerable to damage. The yellow gold won't be a problem with a G stone -- that'll be very pretty!

A bit of a word of warning -- I'm familiar with that vendor and wasn't impressed with their customer service at all -- took a long time to respond, told me after the fact that the stones I'd ordered were already sold, several different people contacting me at once, etc. I finally cancelled my order but continued to receive emails telling me my order would ship soon, and then emails telling me my diamond wasn't available, and then emails giving me an exact shipping date. I eventually had to deal with the managing director directly in order to make sure the order was actually cancelled because I did NOT want a ring from them.

If you do decide to go with them, deal with the MD directly and make sure you shop around because they'll price-match on diamonds. I'd narrowed my search down to three stones and found every one of them on eBay (same GIA certificates) for a lower price.

If you have a bit of time before you propose (I'm assuming you're the proposer!), it might worth going through one of the preferred PS vendors. They're all in the US, but you're likely to get more for your money, even after factoring in import duties.

Sorry for the unsoliticted advice -- it's just that I had about a month of hassle with that vendor and wouldn't want you to have the same experience.

 

[Badgerhogg]

Hi,

Thankyou for all your replies so far. As requested, to get a better view of the ring, this is the link to the site:

http://www.77diamonds.com/contemporary_rings.html , you have to click on the 'stellar' link on the top row.

Incidentally, I have no connection to this business, I am strictly a consumer, or perhaps a prosumer now I have been on Pricescope for a few weeks!

Paul

 

[Christina...]

This is not a tension setting, as Kenny pointed out, if getting the prongs caught is a fear of your then this is probably not the way to go for you. I liked evergreens bezel suggestion, they are very secure and I think they make the center stone pop! If thats a design that you like we can help you select the perfect setting for your center stone!



Kenny I never get tired of looking at that beauty! Can my asscher come over for a photo shoot?

 

[evergreen]

Wow, Elliemay, sorry to hear about your experience! Paul, I'd be pretty tempted to listen to her warning -- especially because the vendor lists that ring as a tension setting, which it clearly is not! But it is a half-bezel, and if that's what you think the ring's recipient would like, we can find you lots of good suggestions! (Ok, well, I can think of at least 3.)