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Cost for Simple Solitaire Setting?

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Rolling Thunder

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 10, 2007
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Hey all - what can I expect to pay for a simple solitaire setting in either 14K White Gold or Platinum? I've used the bulk of my budget on the stone, and from what I've read on here, a traditional solitaire setting can really accentuate a diamond. I plan on having a local jewler set my stone, and of course they have promised me "the best prices in town." Obviously, I want to know what's a fair price to pay for something simple, yet decent quality. It will probably be one of those situations where I'll upgrade the setting down the road - when I'm not shelling out four grand on a rock.

I appreciate your thoughts and will provide any info that may be of use.
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The replica Tiffany setting at Whiteflash is $195. Not sure it gets much better than that!

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/1.htm
 
Platinum will cost much more than WG. Also, although simple, the Tiffany design come in many flavours and some are better looking than others (hence the difference in pricing). There's the 4 prong and 6 prong version, some have straight or swoopy prongs, others have integrated head or plonked onto the shank type, comfort fit or knife edge, etc.

Check out the following for pricing and appearance:
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/1.htm
http://www.exceldiamonds.com/cat_info.php?brand_id=8&cat_id=5
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/classic-solitaire-settings.asp
 
Those Tiffany settings are beautiful! Would I have to order through Whiteflash, or can my local jeweler offer this? I'm hoping for a Christmas Eve engagement, so I'm just a little concerned about waiting for something to show up in the mail.
 
Whiteflash makes their own setting. You still have time if you can ship overnight to WF and they overnight it back to you. Just a note that USPS will be too slow and UPS will not insure a loose stone. So if you have your own insurance (Chubb, JM or whatever), you can overnight your stone via UPS.
 
I thought you could only buy that setting from Whiteflash if you purchase your diamond from there too?

Unless that is where you got your diamond in which case just ignore me!
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Maisie,
I think WF is open to selling their setting separately because they are doing a project for me with my own stones. Blue Nile is the one that will not sell their settings unless you are buying their stone too.
 
I purchased the diamond from BN, but will ask WF if they will sell me the setting. I don''t see why they wouldn''t. Even still, it''s probably a good idea to get established with a local jeweler.
 
I read this on the page with the setting you were talking about:

This setting can only be purchased with a diamond(s)
 
Date: 12/10/2007 12:58:12 PM
Author: Maisie
I read this on the page with the setting you were talking about:

This setting can only be purchased with a diamond(s)
Well, that's clear as can be. What a bummer.
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Yes, total bummer
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Oh, man - that''s disappointing. I know my jeweler has a beautiful assortment of settings to choose from, but I hope I don''t pay through the nose for them.
 
Isn''t it possible for you to return the stone to BN and buy one from Whiteflash instead? That way you can get the setting you want, and a price you are happy to pay.

If you are in a hurry let WF know, they may be able to accomodate you.
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If you're looking for a pretty basic 4 or 6 prong setting that you know will be upgraded some day, go to a local jeweler and pay $150-300, tops, for white gold. I assume you want to propose before the end of the year, and messing about with shipping the diamond off elsewhere probably doesn't make sense.

ShaneCo will set a diamond purchased elsewhere, if you go in person and ask. They'll charge $1 per point (a 1 carat = 100 points) to do so. Expect something similar from a local jeweler. Heck, ShaneCo will sell you just the setting, then you can find a local jeweler (especially anyone who advertises that they do custom work), and they should set the stone into the setting for a setting fee of $100-150 ish.

Some examples to give you a sense of what you could get for price:

6-prong with twist for $260

4-prong with side detail for $205 (I am really loving this one - I've had a 4-prong setting for 13 years with no mishaps to the diamond at all, prongs are still rock solid, if you're worried about the security of a 4-prong)

bare bones 4-prong for $145

twisty brushed finish for $150

4-prong that tapers for $175

ETA: These are examples to give you a feel for what you should expect to pay for a basic solitaire setting, plus what a setting fee might be, not any particular endorsement of the settings above.
 
Thanks for the helpful links. I definitely want to propose by the end of the year, so I like your idea of going to a local jeweler for something in the $150-$300 range. Is there any advantage to choosing 6 prongs over 4, or is such a choice purely cosmetic?
 
Re: 4 or 6 prongs - some people worry about the security of 4 prong settings. Like I posted above, I''ve worn my e-ring for 13 years in a 4-prong setting, it''s solid as a rock. I actually think that the "cheaper," heavier, standard prongs (not the designer scoopy prongs) are a better bet for a 4-prong setting. I''m not sure the size of your stone, but I think under 1 carats can be overwhelmed by all the metal in a 6-prong. Plus, I like to look at the side view of my diamond, and it''s easier to actually see a smaller diamond with a 4-prong setting. It''s probably personal choice, but I would not go 6-prong because of fears about security, I''ve had my 4-prong ring forever with no problems at all.
 
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