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first ring shopping trip

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Brilliant_Rock
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Apr 14, 2008
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We went to Tiffany and Van Cleef and Arpels this weekend... and we didn't like anything! I was pretty disappointed. I thought I really loved the Tiffany square-and-baguette setting, but it was way too thick on my finger (in terms of the shank). Then, the classic emerald solitaire also seemed... bulky. Maybe it was because the rings to try on are 2-3 sizes too big. All the settings with emeralds at VC&A just looked silly (also I don't like RB sidestones mixed with step cut centers, which was really all they had). The only conclusion that came out of it was that 2 carats looked silly to both of us, 1.5 looked pretty danged big to me but seemed to head off any DSS (BF thought it looked big without being gaudy, unlike the 2 ct) and 1.15 looked great but would possibly look small if we drove it off the lot.

At any rate it was a fun weekend... but it makes me nervous to go custom, because the way I envisioned these rings looking on my finger didn't match up at all with reality. Sigh.
 

mary poppins

Ideal_Rock
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Glad you had a fun weekend. Try not to get too disappointed, especially because it was just your first time trying rings on. It's very exciting, and you hope to find something perfect immediately, but sometimes it doesn't work out that way. So . . . you get to go look and try on again! :appl:

When DH and I started looking, I thought I would like a certain style or two. By the end of the process, I ended up loving something completely different than I originally thought I would. The first ones I tried on also looked a little bulky, so I changed course. We looked at a variety of places (B&M and online) and then DH ended up buying from WF based on a style I tried on and liked at a B&M.

If you don't mind saying what city you are looking in, perhaps PSers can suggest other places you can look in or near that city.
 

slg47

Ideal_Rock
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Apr 4, 2010
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ooh how exciting! if the settings seemed too 'bulky' then I would try to go try on some other settings so you can see what you like. what style of ring are you thinking about?
 

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Brilliant_Rock
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Mary - we were looking in NYC but live in Chicago. I would like to visit dimend scassi and see what I think about their solitaires.

slg- it was exciting! I am looking for an emerald. That's really all I am set on. I would be fine with a very plain setting as long as it looked graceful on my 4.5 finger. I worry about durability, which is why I was really hoping channel set carre cuts would wow me, but BF agreed that the Tiffany ring was too wide, and I don't know how much narrower that style could be made.
 

mary poppins

Ideal_Rock
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I'm not familiar with stores in Chicago, but if you go back to NYC I suggest you go to Michael C. Fina. They have many designers' rings on display and available to try on. The salespeople were very helpful, patient and accommodating. Even if you don't go to the store, you can check out the website for inspiration.

I also started out looking at channel set but the style looked to bulky on my finger. I liked pave instead (thin, delicate band and still got the diamonds) based on a Michael B ring I admired and tried on at Micheal C. Fina. Good luck and keep us posted!
 

slg47

Ideal_Rock
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Apr 4, 2010
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suchende|1307458719|2939805 said:
Mary - we were looking in NYC but live in Chicago. I would like to visit dimend scassi and see what I think about their solitaires.

slg- it was exciting! I am looking for an emerald. That's really all I am set on. I would be fine with a very plain setting as long as it looked graceful on my 4.5 finger. I worry about durability, which is why I was really hoping channel set carre cuts would wow me, but BF agreed that the Tiffany ring was too wide, and I don't know how much narrower that style could be made.

I think that it can be made as narrow as you want. I have definitely seen some examples on PS of narrow carre cut channel settings!

ETA here is blinginator's ring with carre cuts
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-cushion-brilliant-2-01-1-10-ratio-g-vs2.119815/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-cushion-brilliant-2-01-1-10-ratio-g-vs2.119815/[/URL]

and here is treenbean's ring with upside down french cuts and a very narrow (I think it is 1.3 mm?) shank
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gog-avc-meets-leon-mege-my-ring-is-here.143140/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gog-avc-meets-leon-mege-my-ring-is-here.143140/[/URL]
 

ChloeTheGreat

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Dec 25, 2009
Messages
682
The shopping is so fun! I hope you are able to find something you like.
I even suggest trying on settings in...dare I say it...a mall store. It will at least give you an idea of what you like on your finger and what styles stand out to you, etc. They usually have a large selection with a lot to try on...even if you aren't interested in purchasing from that kind of store. (Just don't tell them that...lol.)
 

mary poppins

Ideal_Rock
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2,606
slg47|1307499254|2940408 said:
suchende|1307458719|2939805 said:
Mary - we were looking in NYC but live in Chicago. I would like to visit dimend scassi and see what I think about their solitaires.

slg- it was exciting! I am looking for an emerald. That's really all I am set on. I would be fine with a very plain setting as long as it looked graceful on my 4.5 finger. I worry about durability, which is why I was really hoping channel set carre cuts would wow me, but BF agreed that the Tiffany ring was too wide, and I don't know how much narrower that style could be made.

I think that it can be made as narrow as you want. I have definitely seen some examples on PS of narrow carre cut channel settings!

ETA here is blinginator's ring with carre cuts
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-cushion-brilliant-2-01-1-10-ratio-g-vs2.119815/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-cushion-brilliant-2-01-1-10-ratio-g-vs2.119815/[/URL]

and here is treenbean's ring with upside down french cuts and a very narrow (I think it is 1.3 mm?) shank
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gog-avc-meets-leon-mege-my-ring-is-here.143140/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gog-avc-meets-leon-mege-my-ring-is-here.143140/[/URL]

Ooh, those are both beautiful, and the second one is very thin and delicate looking.
 

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Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Apr 14, 2008
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1,002
wow slg, thanks! that does make me more hopeful. i loved the look, just not the bulk.
 

MBKRH

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Dec 23, 2010
Messages
593
I'm in the Chicago area, however I've never gone looking, so I have no suggestions. I'm sure there are tons, though.

Congrats on your first ring shopping experience together. That must be so exciting. :appl:

Keep us informed!
 

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Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Apr 14, 2008
Messages
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well, i guess here is as good a place as any to add to the ring-shopping story... the next day, when he was at work, his mother and i also went shopping, and also looked at rings, and she said she was going to buy one! they're from another culture, where that's possibly traditional? but i was pretty taken aback. i told her the bf would never stand for it (which he confirmed later, he says that's his job, and i agree) but she was also encouraging me to go 2 carats... oh in-laws. i guess there are worse problems to have... she also gave me a pavé yellow and white gold pendant. i told bf he needs to hurry up and propose before my bride price exceeds my worth!
 
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