ERD Annette [Halo Setting] - Good Price?

[Spark_07]

Hi everyone - I'm a long time lurker but first time poster. Right now, I'm in the "fact gathering" stage of shopping for an e-ring. My girlfriend loves Harry Winston inspired halo settings, and one that I'm strongly considering is the Annette from Engagement Rings Direct (link below). This setting comes closest to what my girlfriend has described, so I'm really leaning its way.

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/DiamondJewelryDetails.aspx?ID=14

I've been in contact with ERD, just inquiring on basics/costs/etc. I was quoted just over $3000 for the setting, which would end up having about .80-.85 total carats. I've tried to price check similar settings by soliciting quotes from Leon Mege & Brian Gavin Diamonds, and ERD has been the best so far. I know I will be paying a little bit more because these are custom created items each time, but I still don't have a solid grasp on if this is a "good" price or not.

So the question: do you think $3k is a fair price for this setting? Or can anyone recommend a similar setting?

My total budget (center stone included, which will be a cushion) is about $6,500.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Gypsy]

If you've gotten quotes from a number the other vendors that do CAD and cast (same method of fabrication as ERD) and ERD's price is the lowest, it sounds like it's a reasonable deal to me. Leon's qoute doesn't count as it is for hand fabrication. BGD does as CAD and cast so theirs does.

I have to say though, that I can spot a few ways to lower the cost of the setting (possibly)... I'd eliminate any pave that is on the profile and gallery of the ring. Just leave the pave on the actual face up part of the halo, and make the shank 1/2 eternity. That would leave you with a lovely ring, but cut some costs (possibly). If you still want some 'zing' to the metal parts you can ask if they can diamond cut the gallery wires for you.

 

[SB621]

You could also check with Jewels by Erica Grace to see what they would charge you. I'm sure it will be inline with ERD, but you never know. In my experience ERD is realiable and well priced so I would feel very comfortable going with them. We are going to redo my engagment ring in the next 3-5 years and I plan on having them do it. I like their quality and to me they stand out..i'm constantly drawn to erings from ERD when posted on PS.

 

[Spark_07]

Thanks for the suggestions, Gypsy. Those are some great ideas to potentially cut down on the cost -- I'll run them by ERD and see what it would cost for them to try and accommodate something like that.

And Sarah, it's funny you mention Erica Grace because I just saved a bookmark of the "Kylie" ( http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...nd/Halos/Halos/12794584_q7FyT#960996534_XkfBQ ). It's essentially the same, but the shank is 1/2 eternity. There are also some options on metal type, so there's a few hundred $s difference right there.

 

[lknvrb4]

I stumbled upon this lauriesarahdesigns.com. She has some beautiful things.

 

[PushinCushion]

Hi,

Quick question--is your girlfriend in love with the halo setting because of the finger coverage or because she loves the bling. If I read your first post correctly it sounds like the halo setting might end up being close to half of your total e-ring budget. If that is something you are comfortable with great but you might consider the difference in size of center stone you could purchase if let's say you had a 1.5k setting and 5k for a center stone. Just a thought. You could always upgrade the setting down the line.

I would highly recommend ERD, they did my ring and I love it. My fiance also balked at the 3k cost of a halo setting and compromised with a 3/4 pave band and pave on the gallery of the setting which gives it a lovely sparkle from all angles.

 

[antelope1]

What ^^ said. If she wants a bigger ring (more finger coverage) a halo is will do it, but if she really wants a bigger diamond, you could get a 1ct + for your budget and save on the setting...so that you have the option to upgrade later and not lose too much in the setting cost. IMO, a < 1 ct diamond in a halo is going to look funny!

You can't really re-use a halo setting unless the replacement stone is -- bespoke? Cut to the exact dimensions of your old diamond.

 

[Spark_07]

She loves the look of Halos because of the extra bling/sparkle, but she also likes the extended coverage. I can get the price of the setting down to about $2650 using some of the suggestions above (1/2 eternity, eliminating extra row on the halo), which would leave me $3400-$3900 for a center stone. I'm looking for a center stone from 1.15-1.25, so this should work well into my budget.

 

[Gypsy]

Good deal.

Are you going to get the cushion from ERD as well? If you do... they might have an incentive to work with you on the cushion pricing as well, since they will be doing the whole ring for you. It would be worth it to see what they offer you in terms of center stone options.

Can't wait to see this baby complete. It's going to be lovely!

 

[Spark_07]

Hi again Gypsy. Yes, I plan on working with ERD on finding the cushion as well. The updated price I posted includes a 10% discount on the setting for buying the stone from them, but I have not gotten far enough into the discussion about stone pricing.

I'm still going to talk to the fine ladies at Erica Grace and see what they can do. I won't be purchasing for another 1-2 months or so, so I've got some time to continue to dig around.

Take care & thanks again!

 

[Gypsy]

In that case, keep in mind that metal prices are rising... and most vendors don't guarantee qoutes for months in the future. So the prices may change.

10% is a good discount ERD offers for buying both together. Nice incentive.

 

[coffeetown]

I was in your shoes less than a week and a half ago. I came here to discuss settings and was planning on spending nearly half of my ring budget on the setting. After getting educated by most of the folks on this forum and thinking about it a bit I decided to increase my budget from $4,500 to $6,000 with the bulk of the cost (about $4,700) going towards a very nice Brilliant cushion (not modified) or Auguste Vintage Cushion from GOG: http://www.goodoldgold.com/ instead of a very expensive setting.

My GF loves the Harry Winston Cushion Micropave too, but honestly there are better prices out there than $3K.. of course having something getting hand made like that can't be fully matched and you have to decide if you want to spend more on the setting now or the diamond. After asking my gf what was more important to her, we have decided to purchase this setting for less than $1,300 and that price can't be beat (even less if you pay cash) I've dug up a bunch of info about the company, very good reputation, great customer service, and works with some real nice vendors. The site says that you have to purchase a diamond w/ them in order to get the setting, but if you contact them directly they will go ahead and hook you up. http://www.since1910.com/about-us.aspx

I would rather face the choice of having to upgrade the setting in a few years than have to spend more on upgrading the diamond... she only wants a 1.0-1.4 ct diamond anyway and I feel confidant that whatever I end up purchasing from GOG will be great.

 

[Spark_07]

^ Thanks for the link & background story. I've looked quickly at their site in the past, but I haven't spent much time on it digging through various settings.

I understand why some people opt for a less expensive setting at first (curren financial situation or whatnot), and then look to upgrade, but my opinion (which my gf shares) is that the ring on day 1 should be the same on day 1,000,000. My goal is to purchase a ring that she'll be happy with for life. It's all a matter of personal opinion, of course. My girlfriend isn't overly concerned with the center stone, she just wants the full package to be something she can look at and smile.

Just my 2 cents

 

[coffeetown]

^ Thanks for the link & background story. I've looked quickly at their site in the past, but I haven't spent much time on it digging through various settings.

I understand why some people opt for a less expensive setting at first (curren financial situation or whatnot), and then look to upgrade, but my opinion (which my gf shares) is that the ring on day 1 should be the same on day 1,000,000. My goal is to purchase a ring that she'll be happy with for life. It's all a matter of personal opinion, of course. My girlfriend isn't overly concerned with the center stone, she just wants the full package to be something she can look at and smile.

Just my 2 cents

that makes sense, it's all about preference. My GF just feels that eventually she wants the best, which to her is Leon Mege. But with her in medical school and w/ me finishing up my PhD, we simply don't want to put the bulk of our money on a setting right now. Also after comparing GOG to various other sites, we've been VERY impressed by them and the quality of the stones that they sell, so it's worth spending a little more and making sure that we get the diamond itself from them. Since you just started your search I suggest reading up as much as you can on cushions, they are not like other cuts, and one is not created or cut like the other. That's the area I was (and still am) ignorant about, and once I actually started to understand what it meant... it was a huge difference.

By the way, I didn't link you to the correct image for the setting, so here it is: http://www.since1910.com/engagement-rings/pave-diamond-halo-setting-scs1295-set-2550.aspx

and here's another even cheaper version of the HW replica: http://www.eternitydiamonds.com/engagement-rings/diamond-engagement-ring/Lauren-Cushion-Frame-Halo-Setting-with-Comfort-Fit-Shank-%28.22-ctw.%29-182.htm

here is the above setting on a finger: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thank-you-ps-my-engagement-ring.144183/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thank-you-ps-my-engagement-ring.144183/[/URL]

 

[Gypsy]

Clearly there are many different perspectives when it comes to engagement rings. Some people prefer to go for a temp setting and a larger stone (which is what my husband and I did) and others prefer the whole package upfront.

Pave halo rings are created equal and pave quality really matters. Personally, I do not recommend pave halos as temp settings. A pave shank, okay. But halos get banged around and losing stones can be a pain. If you are going to a halo for a ring that is worn everyday then you need to invest in that sucker. I have a halo and know of what I speak.

I have not seen ERD's pave but they have a very good reputation on here and I have seen other settings by them. I have seen BGD's pave and it is lovely. I've also purchased pieces from BGD that are difficult to fabricate and feel that the quality of my pieces is on par or surpasses Tiffany and other designers. So if someone is going for CAD and cast fabrication for their halo, I do feel these two vendors are a good bet for a ring that will last a lifetime. That doesn't mean that you won't lose stones... heck I know folks that have lost stones out of ATiffany rings. What that means is that you will lose less stones and the process you will have a fabrication warranty for a while to cover any issues as well as a good bench to turn to when you need something you don't feel you can trust your local jeweler with (I don't trust my local jeweler to replace stones, I send my setting back to the designer who did my setting Ocean Pearlman).

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Spark_07]

I am fond of BGD's work as well, and I intend on keeping the communication open there. I'd have to check again, but I think the Sarah Halo is pretty close to what I'm looking for in terms of style.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I have found ERD and WF to have the best prices for CAD and CAST piece. The other vendors quoted me a fair bit higher when I was looking. I was also surprised that the premium for a Leon piece was not nearly as high as I thought.

Since you are getting a stone from ERD, it makes sense to have your project done by him. I do find that his halos are a bit more delicate than some of the other cad/cast pieces I have seen.

 

[Gypsy]

I have found ERD and WF to have the best prices for CAD and CAST piece. The other vendors quoted me a fair bit higher when I was looking. I was also surprised that the premium for a Leon piece was not nearly as high as I thought.

Since you are getting a stone from ERD, it makes sense to have your project done by him. I do find that his halos are a bit more delicate than some of the other cad/cast pieces I have seen.

And Charmy would know. She's a pave expert by now.