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- Jun 15, 2015
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It's hard to go back on something once you thought you had made up your mind but it can also be wise. It's also great to save money but it can also be a waste of money to get something meaningful and lasting, like an engagement ring, that you don't love.
I don't know what setting you end up with (I love the tapered BG one particularly for a smallish stone) but I will say that your lab created diamond is definitely worthy of a well chosen setting. That's your good fortune if you got your engagement stone, that you love, at a good price. Also I have to say it, I really wouldn't be throwing money at earring studs, somehow as compensation for a cheap engagement ring setting, when that money could go into an engagement ring you'd love for life.
Thank you for sharing the photos, I see what you mean. It almost doesn't even look tapered in the photos from above, just thin all over, hard to explain. I still think it's a beautiful ring! Have you come to love it or are you actually looking at resetting? My ring size is 4.5 and diamond is half carat so I might actually be able to use this if you're looking to sell. Although I assume if it wasn't worth it for you to return it to BGD it's probably too expensive to ship to me too, I'm in Philly.
I don’t have the $$ to put into another setting at the moment so I’m just waiting until I do. I don’t love it but I don’t passionately hate it! It looks better with a wedding ring IMO.Thank you for sharing the photos, I see what you mean. It almost doesn't even look tapered in the photos from above, just thin all over, hard to explain. I still think it's a beautiful ring! Have you come to love it or are you actually looking at resetting? My ring size is 4.5 and diamond is half carat so I might actually be able to use this if you're looking to sell. Although I assume if it wasn't worth it for you to return it to BGD it's probably too expensive to ship to me too, I'm in Philly.
Forgive me if someone has already mentioned this, but have you considered going custom? I was shocked at the prices I got for a simple WG solitaire through David Klass. It was less than a lot of stock pieces from other Jewelers.
Just a thought! I’m also very indecisive and wishy washy, so this is the route I’m taking. I couldn’t find anything I absolutely loved so I’m mixing styles from several different rings and making it my own. Good luck!
I'm nervous about custom because I really need to see it on my finger to know if it's right, and I don't think custom orders can be returned. Plus I wanted the setting to stay around $300-600 and I'm pretty sure that's not possible for custom. Correct me if I'm wrong.
I completely understand wanting to see it on your hand first. I’d go to more jewelry stores like you mentioned and see what you like and don’t like and go from there. Shank width, shoulder height, taper or no taper, knife edge or no, basket design, number of prongs, type of prongs, donut or flush fit etc.
If you convey all of that to the jeweler they can work up a CAD and once approved, send you a plastic model to try on before casting. David does the CADs and plastic mold free of charge.
FWIW, and this will obviously vary, but I had him price a fairly simple 6 prong solitaire and it was a little over $600 for 14k WG. It never hurts to request a quote! You sound like me, where you know what you want but no one makes it *exactly* and I was floored when I got quotes from most people. A lot were really high. I’ve gone to close to 20 vendors to get prices, and David was far and away the most reasonable and his craftsmanship is amazing. I’m getting close to my final CADs and he mentioned the plastic mold once they’re finalized. It’s a cool process but can be overwhelming! The problem with custom is the possibilities are endless so the options consumed me. Lol. If you go into it knowing exactly what you like and don’t like it will be much easier. Plus I think it’s awesome knowing I’ll have a ring that no one else does and it was born out of this crazy brain of mine.![]()
Thank you, this is actually so helpful! I did not think David Klass would be that affordable. That's exactly what I'm looking for too, simple 6 prong in 14k white gold. I guess I need to contact him. I'll wait until this weekend to see if I find anything perfect in the stores today or tomorrow though. I'd much rather just find something ready to go than give myself infinite options to customize LOL![]()
Oh trust me, I understand that more than you know. Lol! It’s ridiculous how many tiny details can go into something as simple as a solitaire. That’s what I was getting before I decided on a three stone and it was overwhelming figuring out exactly what I wanted. And I also never imagined he would be as affordable as he is. I’m so happy I took the chance and emailed him though. He’s been great to work with, but let me forewarn you you have to be patient. Lol. It took nearly 6 weeks to get my CADs because of vacations and everyone being sick in thenoffice. I’m sure they’ve caught up by now but it was so hard for me to wait. Haha! I’m in no hurry though since it’s an upgrade set for me, but I still have zero patience.I’ve got a thread over in Fashion Jewelry with my CADs and experience if you think you’d find it helpful.
Eek, delays would be tough. I really want to get this ring into my boyfriend's hands so I can hurry up and wait for the proposal. He won't tell me anything so I don't know if he actually might try to do a holiday proposal when the families are all together. I don't think he has a plan at all right now, but he'll start thinking about it when the ring is in his hands. It would be so nice to be able to show off my ring and talk about weddings at Thanksgiving and Christmas.![]()
Update! I checked out two stores on jewelers row. Both had 2 settings I liked, and they were all around $400 total with setting and sizing.
Steven Singer: Met with an older man and he was dismissive and rude. Said he thinks he's heard of Lightbox, I immediately said I'm thrilled with it so he seemed to hold his tongue but I assume he would have talked about how they are worthless. When I said I'm looking to stay around 2mm, maybe a little thinner, he said where did you hear 2mm, I said well I read that you don't really want to go much thinner than 2mm for an every day ring. He scoffed and said "oh you READ it," like annoyed that I thought I knew something. That attitude is just too annoying for me so I'm just not going to go there. They had some settings that were fine but not any better than the next place and the same price so... Bye Felicia! Be nicer and maybe you won't lose a customer.
Golden Nugget was lovely. Met with a woman who was interested to hear about Lightbox, not dismissive at all. She was totally on board with me explaining it's pure carbon just not from the earth and way cheaper. She showed me several settings and I narrowed it down to two. They were both 4 prong but they can be made with 6 prong. It's hard to make a decision without seeing the 6 prong but I think I can picture it.
Here are the two from Golden Nugget.
Option 1 is a bit thinner and has a slight knife edge:
And here it is with my LB stone placed in it:
Option 2 is a bit thicker (but I think still 2mm or close) and no knife edge (or less knife edge):
And with my LB stone placed in it:
She said the price would be about the same for both, $400 including setting and sizing, but when I said the other setting I almost got was $275 total she said well, if you want this one I'll talk to my manager and try to get you a better price. I would expect maybe $300-350? Either way $400 is still good.
I might go back after work and look at those settings again and get a few more pictures, and then I need to sleep on it, but I think this would be a really easy option.
I also have two online replica orders coming (Miadonna and Hayden Cudworth, the Four Mine order was cancelled because they don't sell just the setting) so I think I should wait to see those before I decide? The Miadonna ones would be $500-600 plus setting fee, and the Hayden Cudworth would be around $200 plus setting fee. I think I'll wait to see what they look like first.
I'm not sure if I even still want to consider the BGD. Yes it's the Tiffany head that I love, I just don't know if I can make that decision without seeing it. That head might be higher than I really want. They did say I could order the setting, pay in full, and return it for full refund minus shipping if I don't like it. But even if I love it, that would be $850 plus setting fee. But the quality would definitely be good vs whatever quality Golden Nugget provides.
Decisions decisions.![]()
Just my .02, but I agree that you should wait to see the ones you’ve ordered and compare to the 2 from the store you saw today. From the two at GN, personally I prefer the first one.
As far as other more expensive options, if you’re happy with something that doesn’t cost over double, why bother? It would also be nice to work with a local jeweler (that’s not a jerk. The nerve of that guy!) and be able to just pop in if you ever needed anything like a prong tightened or a cleaning, etc.
If you get the ones you ordered and don’t love any of those or the 2 that you saw today, maybe take the risk of the pricey BGD? But at that price, you could go full custom.
Regardless, it’s exciting that you’re making progress!![]()
Of the two new options, I prefer the 1st one.
Btw, a fellow PS-er has a setting for sale that you might like:
https://loupetroop.com/listings/bands/clearance-everything-must-go-free-shipping Item 7, $100
Otherwise, I think I still like the $275 setting, you seemed much more excited about it than any of the new options.
Update! I checked out two stores on jewelers row. Both had 2 settings I liked, and they were all around $400 total with setting and sizing.
Steven Singer: Met with an older man and he was dismissive and rude. Said he thinks he's heard of Lightbox, I immediately said I'm thrilled with it so he seemed to hold his tongue but I assume he would have talked about how they are worthless. When I said I'm looking to stay around 2mm, maybe a little thinner, he said where did you hear 2mm, I said well I read that you don't really want to go much thinner than 2mm for an every day ring. He scoffed and said "oh you READ it," like annoyed that I thought I knew something. That attitude is just too annoying for me so I'm just not going to go there. They had some settings that were fine but not any better than the next place and the same price so... Bye Felicia! Be nicer and maybe you won't lose a customer.
Golden Nugget was lovely. Met with a woman who was interested to hear about Lightbox, not dismissive at all. She was totally on board with me explaining it's pure carbon just not from the earth and way cheaper. She showed me several settings and I narrowed it down to two. They were both 4 prong but they can be made with 6 prong. It's hard to make a decision without seeing the 6 prong but I think I can picture it.
Here are the two from Golden Nugget.
Option 1 is a bit thinner and has a slight knife edge:
And here it is with my LB stone placed in it:
Option 2 is a bit thicker (but I think still 2mm or close) and no knife edge (or less knife edge):
And with my LB stone placed in it:
She said the price would be about the same for both, $400 including setting and sizing, but when I said the other setting I almost got was $275 total she said well, if you want this one I'll talk to my manager and try to get you a better price. I would expect maybe $300-350? Either way $400 is still good.
I might go back after work and look at those settings again and get a few more pictures, and then I need to sleep on it, but I think this would be a really easy option.
I also have two online replica orders coming (Miadonna and Hayden Cudworth, the Four Mine order was cancelled because they don't sell just the setting) so I think I should wait to see those before I decide? The Miadonna ones would be $500-600 plus setting fee, and the Hayden Cudworth would be around $200 plus setting fee. I think I'll wait to see what they look like first.
I'm not sure if I even still want to consider the BGD. Yes it's the Tiffany head that I love, I just don't know if I can make that decision without seeing it. That head might be higher than I really want. They did say I could order the setting, pay in full, and return it for full refund minus shipping if I don't like it. But even if I love it, that would be $850 plus setting fee. But the quality would definitely be good vs whatever quality Golden Nugget provides.
Decisions decisions.![]()
Both the golden nugget settings look nicer and more refined than your first jeweler's setting. I personally prefer the first one because I think it will make your diamond look larger w/ the narrower shank.
I also like the first one..I think it will compliment your diamond and it’s definitey thinner than the second one. The diamond looks very sparkly!
I agree. I like both of these better than the $275 and definitely prefer option 1 because it's thinner. I actually didn't really notice the knife edge too much in person, but looking at the pictures it looks really obvious. I wonder if it would be less noticeable once the ring is sized correctly, it's sticking out a lot since it's too big here.
But now I'm stuck on that Tiffany head again... This is the setting I'm waiting on from Hayden Cudworth that I think might be perfect.
It's called Iris, here's the link: https://haydencudworth.com/shop/engagement-rings/iris-i.html?___SID=U
It says the shank is average 2.2mm, not sure what average means, maybe it would be smaller with a half carat stone? The price for this would be $250 for 14k white gold, and add about $50 for setting, it's a great price.
I'm trying not to get my hopes up but... I'm really excited!This one has a lot of potential!
They haven't even shipped it yet! I'm dying. I need to see this setting so I can move on if it's not right. UGH!
Also for anyone curious, found out it's $365 for the Hayden Classic in platinum and $480 for the Iris in platinum. I'm pretty sure I prefer the look and wear of white gold but I just wanted to know. Platinum prices for these settings are very reasonable.
I'm now waiting for them to tell me what type of alloy their white gold is. I might not be understanding this correctly but if it's palladium alloy, there's less chance of allergy and less or no need for rhodium plating?