shape
carat
color
clarity

help choose a setting please!

daftKow

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 19, 2010
Messages
13
Hi all,

Originally I had planned to do a small (~0.5ct), high colour (E/F), decent clarity (VS2, SI1) but the best cut H&A round brilliant I could find into a simple solitaire setting - for the eRing to pop the question :love:

However, after stumbling into GOG and looking through their August Vintage Cushions (which looks perfect in a vintage looking setting)- wow; I think this would suit my girl much much more!

As for the setting - I like micropaves, I like halos, I like split-shank. Any combination of the three sounds great, but pricey (especially all three ^_^) ;(

Tacori 2510 looks like a perfect ring, but it may seem a bit too modern for AVC maybe? Anyone have one of these with a small cushion?

I'm also a bit concerned about micropaves/halos - they are generally really white (which is good), but most of the AVCs (in my budget) are generally K/L/M yellow! I like the warmth - jives with the Vintage look - but I don't know if the contrast will be too obvious.

Important stuff:

Cut: August Vintage Cushion
Carat: ~0.6-0.8ct
Clarity: SI1-VS2
Colour: K, L, M

Budget: $4-5000.

Setting: Looking for advice on a simple, delicate modern take on a vintage look. Micropave, halo, split-shank. Any combination of the three that falls within my budget?

Thanks so much!
 

D&T

Super_Ideal_Rock
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12,502
so I saved this mocked up with an AVC when I was debating betweeen the AVC and my current Asscher, anyways, I thought this could work for you? just some milgraining to the shank, sorry for the poor paint job, but you get the idea?. You would need to get this custom

avcsplittwist.jpg

or you could something like this with the designer Sholdt. - yes they can modify this to fit an AVC, as I have asked them before.
SHoltd%20Twisponly_0.jpg
 

yssie

Super_Ideal_Rock
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27,242
Yes.. the colour contrast between halo/pave/melee and the center K/L/M cushion will be noticeable, I think, to most - esp. since the 2510 seems to leave much of the pavilion open to view unless you request the stone to be lowered quite a bit:

file.jpg
file.jpg

Whether or not you like the look is a different question ::) Eternity diamonds has some pave settings at comfortable pricepoints, from what I'm seeing.

Is the budget for just the setting or both? I know Tacori settings don't come cheap, so stone recs will depend on how much the setting is. I think it'll be beautiful w/ a lower coloured cushion, if that's the look she likes


Lightfoot's 2510 (w/ RB) [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-tacori-ht-2510-e-ring-from-good-old-gold.160391/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-tacori-ht-2510-e-ring-from-good-old-gold.160391/[/URL]
HappyGirl's 2510 (w/ princess) [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-tacori-2510.110069/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-tacori-2510.110069/[/URL]
NeverEndingUpgrade's (EC sapphire) [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-ec-sapphire-set-into-tacori-wg-2510pr.141368/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-ec-sapphire-set-into-tacori-wg-2510pr.141368/[/URL]
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
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Messages
58,547
An AV cushion is going to actually face up a little smaller than a comparable weight round, so I would strongly lean toward a halo setting with a stone less than a carat. I don't think split shank will work well with that size stone. I think you may go over budget easily with Tacori, but the 2620 is a gorgeous small halo ring.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/tacori-2620.85809/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/tacori-2620.85809/[/URL]

Your bet bet will probably be to go with a halo made by Good Old Gold so you can avoid the designer price tags, so do ask them what they have to offer. An AV cushion is a fabulous stone! I'd love to have one someday!
 

slg47

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Apr 4, 2010
Messages
9,667
hmm...I would set it in a solitaire to avoid contrast between the melee and center stone.

maybe something like this
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8206/

with this setting
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/JbEG-Signature-Settings-and/Plain-and-Pave-Solitaires/The-Julia-Solitaire/12794553_T9nUz#822099885_AiLM5

or this
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/JbEG-Signature-Settings-and/Plain-and-Pave-Solitaires/The-Sophie-Solitaire/12794511_dg9wL#792954190_YJGXU


or, you could ask GOG if any smaller higher color AVCs are coming in soon?
 

Haven

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Messages
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Do you know what kind of setting *she* likes? Halos and split shanks are definitely the types of setting that someone really has to love to, well, love. I wouldn't go for either unless you know she likes them.

I love the AVC and the jbEG setting slg posted. :love:

ETA: Your name made me :cheeky: :lol: .
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Messages
58,547
Is $4-5000 the price for the stone or the whole ring? If it is the price for the whole ring, I'd just get the best diamond you can now and set in a simple $2-300 solitaire. The later, let her help choose a setting she'd love. These settings with diamonds will be a couple thousand on up, and much more for Tacori. I'd really be hesitant to go below J color for an e-ring. These stones are really small, so you do need to think about a halo and the possibility of going higher in color to have consistent color between the stone and halo.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7742/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8053/ (K color)

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7138/
 

daftKow

Rough_Rock
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Messages
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Wowowowowwww thanks for the support and advice! What a warm crowd :praise:

I understand halo, pave, and split-shank are a very specific taste - and a combination of all three is bit too much (both $$ and also style-wise).

The 2510 - too expensive, too modern, too over the top ... especially for my budget. Beautiful, no doubt - but not in this lifetime (unless I win the lotto, of course ^_^)

I'm falling in love with the Tacori 2620, but as you all have mentioned - designer adds $$.

JbEG - wow, some of these designs are spectacular. I'm split between the Julia, Sophie, and Kylie.

I'm slowly realizing my budget isn't too flexible. I'm afraid $4-5k is the whole package (I bumped it up from $3k ... simply because an Antique halo/pave set AVC would cost more than a simple RB solitaire setting).

I'm kinda digging the more yellow-y AVCs; the warmth really does fit the bill of Vintage! Combined with the Tacori or JbEG settings; _exactly_ what I'm looking for.

It's just deciding between them is the question. I suppose I should shoot some emails out soon! What exciting times!! :halo:

//edit: nickname's come from my dear kid sister - hopefully the lady's not crawling these boards nor ID me :devil:
 

Dreamer_D

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AVC plus the Sophie = perfect!
 

Bella_mezzo

Ideal_Rock
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If it were for me, 100% I would pick the diamond sig posted (the L AVC :love: ) and the JbEG sophie setting! :love: :love: :love: :love:

the other JbEG settings are also gorgeous!

If a something a little more ornate is more your/her thing (at a slightly lower price point), what about:

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/-Engagement-Rings-5/Diamond-Accent-Engagement-Rings-12/Passion-Ideal-Cut-Diamond-Engagement-Ring--2004-1095.html

or a less expensive Tacori (with less melee so the color might not bother you so much and just look sparkly:)
http://www.since1910.com/engagement/tacori/tacori-solitaire-engagement-ring-with-pave-diamond-accents-2638-ps2180.aspx
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Messages
58,547
The rings nfowife posted shows you how much a halo can increase size! I am afraid that we are pointing out really gorgeous settings like the JBEG ones, but the examples we have seen of those have much larger stones. I just don't think a 5mm stone is going to look right in any of those settings. And too low in color may not look good in a halo. I have already said this, but I really think if you want an AVC, you need to spend the whole budget on the stone (with a cheap simple setting) to get as close to a carat as you can (which will still look like a .70 or so round) and then later get a halo setting when you can afford it.

Are y'all really picturing a 5.6mm stone in those JBEG settings? :confused: (That is the exact size of one of my studs, and I just can't see it in a Sophie setting at that size.)
 

Haven

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
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Messages
13,166
daftKow|1305085454|2918152 said:
Wowowowowwww thanks for the support and advice! What a warm crowd :praise:

I understand halo, pave, and split-shank are a very specific taste - and a combination of all three is bit too much (both $$ and also style-wise).

The 2510 - too expensive, too modern, too over the top ... especially for my budget. Beautiful, no doubt - but not in this lifetime (unless I win the lotto, of course ^_^)

I'm falling in love with the Tacori 2620, but as you all have mentioned - designer adds $$.

JbEG - wow, some of these designs are spectacular. I'm split between the Julia, Sophie, and Kylie.

I'm slowly realizing my budget isn't too flexible. I'm afraid $4-5k is the whole package (I bumped it up from $3k ... simply because an Antique halo/pave set AVC would cost more than a simple RB solitaire setting).

I'm kinda digging the more yellow-y AVCs; the warmth really does fit the bill of Vintage! Combined with the Tacori or JbEG settings; _exactly_ what I'm looking for.

It's just deciding between them is the question. I suppose I should shoot some emails out soon! What exciting times!! :halo:

//edit: nickname's come from my dear kid sister - hopefully the lady's not crawling these boards nor ID me :devil:
Love it! I can relate--my sister's nickname for me is Moose. Mine for her is Weasel. We're a very loving family. :cheeky:
 

Haven

Super_Ideal_Rock
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diamondseeker2006|1305087316|2918183 said:
The rings nfowife posted shows you how much a halo can increase size! I am afraid that we are pointing out really gorgeous settings like the JBEG ones, but the examples we have seen of those have much larger stones. I just don't think a 5mm stone is going to look right in any of those settings. And too low in color may not look good in a halo. I have already said this, but I really think if you want an AVC, you need to spend the whole budget on the stone (with a cheap simple setting) to get as close to a carat as you can (which will still look like a .70 or so round) and then later get a halo setting when you can afford it.

Are y'all really picturing a 5.6mm stone in those JBEG settings? :confused: (That is the exact size of one of my studs, and I just can't see it in a Sophie setting at that size.)
That's a good point, DS. I need to go look at some pictures of stones this size and consider that.
I still don't think it's a good idea to halo a stone unless DH is POSITIVE that his SO wants a halo. That style is just not for everyone, even if it does give great finger coverage.
 

Dreamer_D

Super_Ideal_Rock
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diamondseeker2006|1305087316|2918183 said:
The rings nfowife posted shows you how much a halo can increase size! I am afraid that we are pointing out really gorgeous settings like the JBEG ones, but the examples we have seen of those have much larger stones. I just don't think a 5mm stone is going to look right in any of those settings. And too low in color may not look good in a halo. I have already said this, but I really think if you want an AVC, you need to spend the whole budget on the stone (with a cheap simple setting) to get as close to a carat as you can (which will still look like a .70 or so round) and then later get a halo setting when you can afford it.

Are y'all really picturing a 5.6mm stone in those JBEG settings? :confused: (That is the exact size of one of my studs, and I just can't see it in a Sophie setting at that size.)

Yup, good points. You changed my mind on this one. Whole budget on the stone plus a simple Stuller white gold solitaire, getting a bigger higher color stone. Then halo for an anniversary later! Or she can keep the solitaire. Or another style. Win win.

Like this:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7138/
 

slg47

Ideal_Rock
Joined
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Messages
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diamondseeker2006|1305087316|2918183 said:
The rings nfowife posted shows you how much a halo can increase size! I am afraid that we are pointing out really gorgeous settings like the JBEG ones, but the examples we have seen of those have much larger stones. I just don't think a 5mm stone is going to look right in any of those settings. And too low in color may not look good in a halo. I have already said this, but I really think if you want an AVC, you need to spend the whole budget on the stone (with a cheap simple setting) to get as close to a carat as you can (which will still look like a .70 or so round) and then later get a halo setting when you can afford it.

Are y'all really picturing a 5.6mm stone in those JBEG settings? :confused: (That is the exact size of one of my studs, and I just can't see it in a Sophie setting at that size.)

yeah, maybe a simpler solitaire setting? I am trying to find pics of less than 1 carat AVCs and am having NO luck!

or maybe something like this?
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-gog-avc-in-rose-gold-ritani.153987/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-gog-avc-in-rose-gold-ritani.153987/[/URL]

but yeah, I always like a cushion in a simple claw prong solitaire :love:
 

Haven

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
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Messages
13,166
I like the idea of putting most of the budget into the stone and setting it in a simple solitaire setting for right now. The AVC Dreamer linked is beautiful.
 

Bella_mezzo

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Messages
5,760
personally, I would still go for the smaller stone sig posted with a pretty setting that you like. The ring will be gorgeous, not huge but it will have a nice presence.

Even though I love a honkin diamond as much as the next person, I think that more delicate rings are also gorgeous and are often my preference. I don't think it's necessary to get a cushion as close to 1 ct as possible, just check out the size in mm (and print out a diamond sizing chart...) to get a sense of what size your diamond will be since cushions will face up smaller than round brilliants.

Do you know what size ring your GF wears? that will also effect how large the diamond looks on her finger.

You could also check out some actual vintage diamonds/rings and see if you like them...the visual performance is different than the AVCs.
 

Dreamer_D

Super_Ideal_Rock
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25,244
bella for me the issue is less about the size and more about the color and wanting a halo.
 

daftKow

Rough_Rock
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Oct 19, 2010
Messages
13
To be honest, after seeing all those JbEG, Tacori, Ritani settings - I'm pretty much set on Halo and/or Pave. It really does synergize with the AVC look!

She's anywhere from sz4.5-5 depending on the day. But she's a smaller/petite girl (just 5'), with shorter (cute) fingers.

We intend to keep the keystone at or under 1ct; due to cost concerns and the fact that we're not too huge a fan of giant rocks. We like the halo/pave idea!

Thanks so much for the Diamonds by Lauren suggestion! I'm taking a look at these currently:

http://rockdiamond.com/index.php/jewelry/semi-mount-ring-beautiful-custom-delicate-halo-ring-with-shaped-prongs-so3826

BTW: Love the less expensive Tacori posted as well! Decisions, decisions!!!
 

Laila619

Super_Ideal_Rock
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I'd put as much money as possible into the center stone. Then I'd get a halo setting from here very inexpensively: www.eternitydiamonds.com . They have a TON of halo options that are very affordable (cheapest prices I've seen online), and several PSers have rings from them, so the quality is good! Otherwise, halo/pave settings are going to be expensive. Good luck!!
 

Bella_mezzo

Ideal_Rock
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I just had a long post that got eaten...anyway, here's the summary:)

The halos you linked are beautiful but expensive, that will be most of your budget.

I would get an inexpensive halo setting (like Laila linked, or check ID jewelry) if you are set on halos.

BUT...

there will be a contrast between the color of your AVC and the color of the melee. Many stock settings do not have options for lower color melee and/or colored stones (like the pink sapphires on the JbEG Gabbie on their homepage :lickout: ) Also, melee tend to look whiter than larger stones of the same color, so...be sure that you like the difference between the stone colors. Some people like it, some people hate it, a very few PS-type people don't notice ;)) ...for me, it depends on the stone and level of contrast. if there is a lot of contrast then I like it but otherwise it's not my fave.
 

daftKow

Rough_Rock
Joined
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Laila619|1305135341|2918712 said:
I'd put as much money as possible into the center stone. Then I'd get a halo setting from here very inexpensively: www.eternitydiamonds.com . They have a TON of halo options that are very affordable (cheapest prices I've seen online), and several PSers have rings from them, so the quality is good! Otherwise, halo/pave settings are going to be expensive. Good luck!!

Wow ... you're right! The Lauren Cushion halo setting is quite nice, and really inexpensive!

http://www.eternitydiamonds.com/engagement-rings/diamond-engagement-ring/Lauren-Cushion-Frame-Halo-Setting-with-Comfort-Fit-Shank-(.22-ctw..)-182.htm

Can I send an AVC from GOG to them to set? Anyone do this?
 

Laila619

Super_Ideal_Rock
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daftKow|1305170029|2919369 said:
Can I send an AVC from GOG to them to set? Anyone do this?

Yep, they will set your stone for you, OR you can have them send the empty setting and you can get the stone set locally if you prefer. The poster Cupcake*Muffin did this. You can also "sample" their settings before you buy, which is also a nice perk--they send you up to three replica rings for free, and you try them for a week, and mail them back free. Nice to see the rings in person before you pick the final one. I know a bunch of Pricescopers have done this.
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
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(Haven, Dreamer, slg....thanks for getting what I was saying about size, and I 100% agreed with your points and conclusions!)

Daft....I haven't seen that setting posted here with a diamond set before, so I can't say what I think about the quality, etc. The picture does have a round stone and not a cushion, so it may have to have some customization (which the listing says starts at $100). Be sure you tell them your stone is a cushion and not a round. It may not need any alteration, but better safe than sorry! I did agree with the other ladies that it might be wisest to increase the size of the stone now, put it in a simple setting, and get a halo setting later if your fiancée wants one. The larger these stones are, the better you can see the facet patterns. But I am sure it will be beautiful either way!

Oh, but you should speak with Good Old Gold to see what their less expensive halos cost before you make any decisions about the setting.
 
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