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Gelin Abaci versus titanium tension mounts

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RaymondW

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 16, 2008
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I know that tension rings have been discussed here ad nauseum, but I have a few questions that I can''t yet get comfortable with. I bought a diamond online (happy with that purchase) and was all set to have it set in a titanium tension mount like one of these:

http://www.boonerings.com/htmpages/sculptedroundwplatinum.htm
http://www.boonerings.com/htmpages/helixxlite.htm

The first one would be without the platinum inlay.


I like the fact that the titanium rings are milled from a solid block of metal and should therefore provide a more solid mount than would a rings formed by bending to shape. The most often recommended precious metals tension rings are made by Gelin Abaci and from what I''d seen, they were out of my price range. Titanium is titanium, however, and not gold. It works for me, but I don''t want anyone to think that my fiance''s ring is somehow "cheap" because it''s not gold. But the security was more important, so I was ready to go with one of the Ti rings.


Before I completed that transaction, I was made an offer that I''m finding very attractive. I can get a Gelin Abaci ring in 14K white gold for literally a few dollars more that the first Ti ring above. It''s the TR025 on this page:


http://www.gelinabaci.com/index2.html


It''s not a used ring or anything like that. It would be made to order and the diamond would be sent to GA for setting as usual. And it would avoid any questions like, "Why''d he buy you a titanium engagement ring???" This is a surprise, BTW, so there''s no asking the lady. Her only preference is "white metal".


Now I''m torn. Price is no longer an issue. I can get a Ti ring or a GA 14K gold ring for around $900. I''ve found no mention of anyone losing a diamond from a GA ring. People with GA rings seem to swear by them, but I don''t know if they''re the same style. In fact, most of the negativity surrounding tension mounts has come from people who either (a) made their own tension mounts and experienced failures, (b) bought a custom made tension mount from a local jeweler and had problems, or (c) have never actually owned one. So I''m not yet deterred from buying a GA or titanium tension mount.


When people talk about the springiness of tension mounts does that imply that with reasonable force the ring can be spread open far enough for the diamond to pop out? The exposed tips on the rings I have in mind could conceivably get snagged and if not a lot of force is required, I can imagine the ring stretching open enough to drop the diamond out even if the ring is undamaged. Is that a legitimate concern? I''m asking about the gold as well as the Ti option.


Besides the value of the metals in the alloy, is there reason to be concerned about 14K gold versus 18K (which would once again blow the budget)?


I''ve read that GA rings need annual inspection. If that''s true, it could be a hassle sending the ring back and forth every year. Can a GA dealer do the inspections or does it have to be shipped back to GA?


I''m thinking the GA ring might be the better choice. Is there any reason why I should not buy the GA ring (it''s only 14K, it''s not Ti, etc.?) or that I should buy a Ti ring (stronger?)?


I need to make a decision within the next couple of days, especially if it is to be made by GA.


Thank you for any help you can offer.


Ray

 
Hi Raymond,
wow thats a doozy of a lot o questions!
I will try to answer what I can, keeping in mind its just my opinion as a consumer.
If I may, I''d just like to ask you a Q or 2?:
1. i know you said this is a surprise, but do you know for sure ur gf wants a tension? I only ask as they seem to be an acquired taste, and yes do pose some *issues* with security. Does this suit her lifestyle?
2. At one point in your post you say "price is no longer an issue". But then you also say that moving to 18k gold would "break the bank". Sorry but I''m a lil confused..

Anyway, that stuff aside, IMHO I would definately go for the gold GA option. Because of the well known brand (sorry I''m not familiar with the other company), and because yes, ppl will be rude and say "why did he get you a titanium ring" etc. This may not matter to you and your girl, but I know it would get to me.. I think titanium is a good option for men''s WR''s, but gold is more classic for women.
That said, can you definately not afford 18k? Most would advise against 14k for e-ring because of the daily wear issues.
Although, 14k is quite hard (say compared to 20k) so would counteract your durability/stretch concerns for that style of ring.

I''m not familiar with GA, but I''m sure you won''t have to send it back to them to be checked. Like other designer settings, they will have regional authorized dealers who should be able to do this for you. Have you checked if they have a dealer in your area?

On your Q of 14k vs 18k, I may let someone with more techy knowledge weigh in on that. Finish could be a small problem?

So, to make a long answer short - Go with the GA and if you can swing it get it in 18k
1.gif


I hope you get some more offers of help
good luck with ur decision and proposal. Do you have a thread on ur diamond purchase?
 
Thank you, Arjunajane.

Sorry I was so long winded the first time. I had a lot to ask and wanted to give some background. To your questions...

Does she like tension mounts? Yes, we briefly and casually looked at some a few months ago. She thought they looked more interesting than traditional solitaires which we both prefer to more elaborate settings.

Price is no longer an issue in choosing between titanium and gold. It''s still an issue in going over $1,000. I can get a 14K Gelin Abaci in that range, but 18K would send me well over my $1,000 limit. Does that make more sense?

Forgive me for not remembering where, but I read that 14K was preferred (over 18K) for tension mounts, presumably because it is harder. How they compare in normal wear, I don''t know. And how it compares to titanium as a good tension ring choice, I also do not know.
 
raymond - i was once in the same situation as you. my recommendation is to go with gelin & abaci due to their long well standing reputation.
when my girlfriend first introduced me to tension settings the first thing i noticed was their high price tag. so naturally i started looking into titanium.
after reading alot on here and other websites i decided gold/plat was the better way to go. there are a few other (reputable) companies that do the tension settings
but if price is an issue i would definitely recommend staying with g&a
 
I''d go for the GA, no question. I''ve had my GA (style tr044) for a little over 5 years now in 14k yellow gold and it has held up very nicely. I have no concern about the diamond coming out. I actually think they are a great choice for someone with an active lifestyle, because the diamonds are set so low, and there are no prongs to catch on anything.

I also wouldn''t worry about choosing 14k over 18k. I have another ring in 18k and the color is nearly identical. I imagine it is the same with white gold. The ring is going to feel heavier and more substantial in gold than in titanium IMO.

Who reccomended that you have it inspected every year? I''ve never had mine inspected and don''t see why it would be necessary.
 
Thanks, Mike.

Did you end up with a tension mount? Was it in Ti or gold? Do you have any regrets or other issues either way?

I have a niece who works for a large jewelry chain doing bench work. Her opinion and that of her co-workers is that tension mounts are risky. In fact, she says, they are forbidden company-wide from working on them. Gelin Abaci doesn''t let the retailers do any of the work, so that may be at the root of that policy. I did learn that her company is an authorized GA dealer, so go figure. My concern is that something will go wrong and she''ll be all over me with "I told you so."
2.gif


Ray
 
Is there anything definite that shows Tension settings are less safe than prongs or is it just opinion?
I''ve never seen the Gelin Abaci ones in person, but I have seen Kretchmers, Bunz and Niessing ones. (stunning by the way) I''ve been told they''re just as safe as prong set stones.

I think it''s all opinion as they''re just not as popular as bezel, prong settings.
Get what she likes and have it insured so you don''t worry!!!
 
slmulkey,

Thank you, that''s what I was hoping to hear. I really don''t recall who mentioned the inspections, I''ve read so many posts. I''m sure it was on this site, though, and it may not have been as much a requirement as advice. Probably buried in one of the many threads on this topic.

Ray
 
Here''s another pic of the style you are considering:
http://www.mickyroof.com/tr025b.jpg

It''s very pretty, I''m sure that she will love it. Interesting yet simple. You might want to get a price quote from mickyroof. The one I got was only around $600 (different style, but I would think the prices would be similar), though that was 5 years ago and gold prices were lower.
 
Elle,

I think it''s just opinion. I''ve only found one reference to a GA ring losing a diamond and that was when it was run over by a car. Still, with all of the cautions posted against these rings, I''m hoping to hear of some real world experiences. There are also opinions that they''re safer than 4-prong mounts, maybe even 6-prong mounts. Again, I''m sure that''s just opinion. I don''t know of anyone who has actually tested those theories.

After I bought my diamond, I took it to a local jeweler for his opinion (not a full appraisal, just an opinion on the diamond and the price I paid). He wanted to sell me a setting and when I told him that I was considering a titanium ring, he was adamant that it would crack the diamond. Of course, he doesn''t sell titanium so it''s just his opinion once again.

Ray
 
raymond, my girlfriend likes the look of white gold but we ended up going with platinum. but i have no problem with either. i did not get a g&a but instead ended up going with a steven kretchmer. neither g&a or kretchmer works with ti. i think if you go with a g&a you will have no worries about the quality of the setting or the stone falling out. you will have to see in person just how well made they are.
 
maybe slmulkey can show her ring. i seen it once before in a thread and i must say it is beautiful!
 
slmulkey,

The best price I''d seen on the TR025 was $1,185. The jeweler I bought my diamond from offered me a $925 price because I''d already bought the diamond from them. I can ask Micky Roof, but I''ll be surprised if he can beat that price today.

Ray
 
I don''t have experience with the tension mounts myself, but just wanted to throw in a big "he''s awesome!" for Bruce Boone. He made my husbands wedding ring in 3 days, it was perfect, and he really stands behind his work.

Something to consider is that white gold and titanium are VERY different colors. White gold looks much better on pale skin IMO, so if she''s pale you might want to go with the WG.
 
titanium is the only material I would ever consider for a tension mount period.
 
You might be surprised. I looked at them in a jewelry store and they wanted $1300 or so for the ring I got for less than half that by buying from mickeyroof. And I noticed the other day that jamesallen.com was selling my ring for $1500. Crazy!

The price you were quoted doesn''t seem bad given the rise in gold prices, but I wouldn''t be shocked if mickeyroof offers you a better price. Have you thought about wedding bands yet? You might consider going without one, or perhaps having her wear a wedding band on a different finger. It''s probably going to be tough finding a band to go with that ring. There is a pic of a custom GA matching band on the mickeyroof site if you are willing to go the custom route.
 
Date: 3/16/2008 2:07:25 PM
Author: strmrdr
titanium is the only material I would ever consider for a tension mount period.
Click to expand...
Aside from Boone, none of the other tension designers use titanium. In fact, I''m pretty sure Niessing was the first co. to make these rings and they use gold/plat.
Curious as to why you''d only consider titanium?
 
Date: 3/16/2008 2:17:49 PM
Author: elle_chris

Date: 3/16/2008 2:07:25 PM
Author: strmrdr
titanium is the only material I would ever consider for a tension mount period.
Click to expand...
Aside from Boone, none of the other tension designers use titanium. In fact, I''m pretty sure Niessing was the first co. to make these rings and they use gold/plat.
Curious as to why you''d only consider titanium?
Click to expand...
1: know someone who lost a diamond out of a "name" gold tension setting.
2: simple mechanical properties, gold and plat are too soft too make a good spring.
 
ive read alot more about people losing diamonds from ti then gold/plat
i wonder why the most popular tension designers dont use ti if it is so much better
 
Date: 3/16/2008 2:08:54 PM
Author: slmulkey
It''s probably going to be tough finding a band to go with that ring.
Click to expand...
Here''s another. Doesn''t say if it''s a custom band or one made by Gelin Abaci.

http://www.dimendscaasi.com/includes/zoom.asp?prod=TRB-025

At least there appear to be a couple of options.

Boone has some companion bands for his titanium rings as well.

1.gif
 
Hi raymond,
sorry I couldn''t get back sooner. thanku for answering my Q''s, that does clear it up.
But considering the differing opinions you''ve been given here, I''m not sure what you should do! Hmmm (scratches head). maybe the fact the 14k is harder than 18, 22k etc it could still be the better option. But I have no idea on "springiness" - sorry I couldn''t be of more help!
 
With all due respect to strmrdr, I decided to go with the 14K white gold Gelin Abaci. I''m still working on (upgrading) the diamond but should have all of that sorted out tomorrow I think. Thanks to all for your advice. I''m feeling very confident in my purchase.

Ray
 
you made a great choice raymond... you cant go wrong with a name like gelin & abaci

congratulations!
 
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