Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wrong?

[aquanaut]

Hello everyone,

Over the past several weeks I have been doing research with my fiance on her wedding band.

After considering many different options, some quite "elaborate", we went to Tiffany and she decided on the "simple" Channel Set 2.5mm RB band. (http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=GRP00906&mcat=&cid=&search_params=s+1-p+3-c+-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+channel-k+&search=1)

Knowing the premium that comes with the Tiffany brand, my first preference was to go to BGD and get the same exact brand that feature Brian's signature H&A melee (which probably blow Tiffany's melee out of the water.) However, I am having some problems with the design of their band because it does not feature holes under the diamonds (azure, is it called?). I have read all the threads on this topic, and would rather clean the ring more often so it stays sparkly, than not have access to the pavilions at all. I believe that over a long time, the diamonds WILL get dirty even with closed back. BGD explained to me that they chose the closed back design, because with exposed diamonds, they get dirty MUCH faster from lotions, oils etc.

After speaking with BGD, they said that they can do a custom order for me and drill holes under the diamonds. However, when I recieved a picture of what it would look like approximately, I can't help but feel disappointed. I was hoping they would do what most high ends companies do; have rectangular big holes underneath the diamonds. Instead, BGD can make little round "drills".

(please see 2 pictures below. The first of the BGD version and the second, the style I have seen at Tiffany, Harry Winston, Cartier etc. Even though the example shows square diamonds, I have seen the same holes with rounds.)

AM I BEAING TOO PICKY AND UNREASONABLE?!

Please speak some logic to me!

 

[yssie]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

Did they say they can't make you a ring with the sort of underside you're looking for, or did they say it would need to be a custom design (and so carry the custom premium?)

 

[aquanaut]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

He is the exact email:

"Hi,

I'm attaching a photo of the style of holes that will be used in the ring. We aren't able to do the rectangular design because of how small each individual diamond is in the ring. The larger holes will create durability issues with the ring."





I do not think that 2.5mm is too thin to do azure, expecially when a mass production company such as Tiff produces it.

 

[Circe]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

I don't think so, no. I have a variety of eternity bands, and honestly, a) bands with azures do not get dirty noticeably faster than bands without them (in my experience, the reverse is true) and, b) I also think the square azures are more elegant and easier to clean.

On the first point, the obvious solution is to ... take the ring off before you apply lotion! And if you don't, frankly, it's much harder to clean the stones properly without the azures, anyway. The only such band I have is my wedding band, set etoile-style, and while I do love it and wear it anywhere and everywhere, the stones really only gleam after a professional steam-cleaning. I have a jewel-jet and the like, but I am not investing 1K for a professional quality steamer.

On he second point ... while I've seen people argue that azures were developed to save jewelers metal, I just prefer the look of them. A bit like wearing nice lingerie, I suppose: it's about my feeling happy with the undersides and inner workings as much as anything else. I'd politely ask if they can accommodate your desire for azures ... and otherwise, I'd just go with the Tiffany band. As I understand it, the markup there actually isn't that egregious ....

 

[yssie]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

Huh. That seems really odd.


*Larger* stones that require larger holes, and fewer slats of metal b/c of the smaller number of stones - then I'd understand durability concerns. But the stones - and therefore even square openings - are so small, and there are so many holes and therefore so many more slats than if you went with larger stones.... should be more durable, not less.

Unless of course they mean less durable than something with a closed back, or closed back save tiny drill holes, which would make sense.


Well - even if BGD won't do it, maybe another vendor will. When warned of structural concerns I would normally recommend altering the design, not the vendor, but I just can't imagine durability is really such a big deal here... definitely worth getting a second opinion on IMO.

 

[aquanaut]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

Thanks for your responses.

I guess, I am not that crazy then.

It looks like Whiteflash doesn't have this type of band in their catalog. I don't know any other vendors who use H&A melee except whiteflash and BGD.

Any suggestions?

I feel like with the wedding band being so sentimental, durability and practicality is essential. We chose the channel design also because it is safer to wear next to the engagement ring.

 

[CaprineSun]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

There are eternity channel bands with round diamonds that have square holes?
For some reason I always associated the square (typically have seen princess shapes) holes/azures with square cuts.

But I can also see how the square holes can allow for easier cleaning.

 

[KittyGolightly]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

Thanks for your responses.

I guess, I am not that crazy then.

It looks like Whiteflash doesn't have this type of band in their catalog. I don't know any other vendors who use H&A melee except whiteflash and BGD.

Any suggestions?

I feel like with the wedding band being so sentimental, durability and practicality is essential. We chose the channel design also because it is safer to wear next to the engagement ring.

I have the half-eternity version of that Tiffany band (2.5 mm). I'm looking at the underside, and the cut-outs are square, but small. If it would be helpful, I can try to post a photo of it this weekend. In terms of proportion, they seem closer to me to the first picture with the round drilled holes than the second picture with the larger squares.

I think if I were you, I would 1) ask BGD if they could do smaller square holes; 2) call WhiteFlash and see what they can do; or 3) buy the Tiffany version.

 

[stargurl78]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

I purchased my channel band from Facets and I am extremely pleased with it. Mine has round cutouts for some reason, maybe because I did a custom 3/4 eternity, but their standard rings have square cutouts. I know there a quite a few other PSers who have purchased from them as well. You can purchase it in white gold or platinum. I bought the 2.3mm but they have a 2.5mm:
http://thefacetscollection.com/Platinum_Channel-Set_Eternity_Band_40_Round_Brilliant_Diamonds_049ct_tw_F-G_color_VVS-VS_clarity_F2469.htm

Whiteflash has the "Honey" band but I just noticed that the cutouts are round on this band as well. Maybe you could see if they would do square ones?
http://www.whiteflash.com/wedding-bands/honey-channel-set-diamond-wedding-band-687.htm

Here is the thread with my 2.3mm band for additional photos...
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/our-wedding-bands-facets-channel-set-artcarved-palladium.164629/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/our-wedding-bands-facets-channel-set-artcarved-palladium.164629/[/URL]

 

[Laila619]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

I've noticed that virtually none of BGD's rings have azures. It's a big pet peeve of mine! Azures are a must for me.

That said, I wouldn't care if they were square or round, just as long as the band had them.

 

[Laila619]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

There are eternity channel bands with round diamonds that have square holes?
For some reason I always associated the square (typically have seen princess shapes) holes/azures with square cuts.

Yep! Here's a band with round diamonds and square azures:

 

[pixies]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

The band I purchased from the Facets Collection uses square cut outs with round melee. The melee they use isn't H&A but it is ideal/premium melee. The diamonds were very bright and white in real life.

I attached a picture of the inside of the band. Please excuse the quality of the picture as I didn't have many inside pics.

 

[CaprineSun]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

There are eternity channel bands with round diamonds that have square holes?
For some reason I always associated the square (typically have seen princess shapes) holes/azures with square cuts.

Yep! Here's a band with round diamonds and square azures:

Thanks!! I didn't know that! Good to know.

 

[stone-cold11]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

He is the exact email:

"Hi,

I'm attaching a photo of the style of holes that will be used in the ring. We aren't able to do the rectangular design because of how small each individual diamond is in the ring. The larger holes will create durability issues with the ring."





I do not think that 2.5mm is too thin to do azure, expecially when a mass production company such as Tiff produces it.

I believe their reason. The 2 designs are not the same, a channel set's stiffness mainly depends on the side wall, your design has significant cut out from the side wall reducing the stiffness of the setting.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

Looks like going with Facets will solve the problem! Just be sure you want to buy a style that cannot be resized, though.

 

[Karl_K]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

He is the exact email:

"Hi,

I'm attaching a photo of the style of holes that will be used in the ring. We aren't able to do the rectangular design because of how small each individual diamond is in the ring. The larger holes will create durability issues with the ring."





I do not think that 2.5mm is too thin to do azure, expecially when a mass production company such as Tiff produces it.

I agree with bgd, the small round holes are a much stronger design.
Larger holes == less metal == weaker ring == less material used when casting so costs less to produce.
The small holes are plenty to clean the backs of the diamonds with steam.

 

[Karl_K]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

The band I purchased from the Facets Collection uses square cut outs with round melee. The melee they use isn't H&A but it is ideal/premium melee. The diamonds were very bright and white in real life.

I attached a picture of the inside of the band. Please excuse the quality of the picture as I didn't have many inside pics.

Small square holes, not much different than small round ones.
Still much stronger than the one above with the large square holes.

 

[Karl_K]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

This one would be much easier to crush twist or bend than a design with small round holes.
Diamond stinks as a structural material in a ring, there is very little metal keeping this one together.

 

[Imdanny]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

OP, I suggest you go to Oscar Heyman's site and CartIer bridal for reference. There is nothIng unusual about what you want but you might not get the quality of metalwork plus the quality of diamonds you want at the price you want. Sorry.

 

[aquanaut]

Re: Disappointed w/ BGD channel wedding band design..am i wr

Thanks so much to everyone for all of your responses.

I am a little bit confused about what to do

The BGD version has two negatives for me. The ugly drill holes and the width is 2.3mm vs. 2.5mm (which is what my fiance tried on in real life and loved). She also tried 2mm and it was too thin. Do you think 2.3mm will also be too thin?

How is the quality of Facets diamonds and workmanship? Are the diamonds H&a?

Will contact whiteflash to see what they can do.

Tiffany one was perfect, except diamonds are not H&A and the price is $3400.

If BGD would be willing to do square holes, but thin ones, that would already be better. For some reason I really dislike the look of round holes. Looks very cheap in my opinion.