help finding a setting

[nattyice]

My online loose diamond search is taking much longer than I had expected. I took the gf out to a local B&M today to get an idea of what kind of settings she would be interested in. I inquired if the B&M would set a loose stone for me in a setting I purchased in house and the answer was yes but at a much higher price than if I purchased the stone with them.

My problem with their stones is that they are all EGL certificated. Ideally, I would like a stone certified by GIA or AGS.

Now I am thinking that I may be better off ordering the stone and setting online and getting it appraised and then have it set locally.

Anyway, she really likes the setting attached to this post. First, I had to educate myself on diamonds...now settings...admittedly, I am still clueless. She likes the idea of having the diamond raised up high so it stands out. She likes 4 prongs more than 6 and she prefers some diamonds on the side of the ring (no solitaire and no three-stone settings).

Ideally I would only like to spend $500 on the setting but I know that may be too small of a budget. Any online leads/recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[stone-cold11]

Looks a little like this to me.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/White-Gold-Engagement-Ring.html

EDT:
Or this
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Channel-Set--Diamond-Engagement-Ring_620.htm#

 

[nattyice]

yes. is there a special name for those prongs? i wish that setting was $300 cheaper. as far as setting the diamond...can they set the stone higher up than that picture? she has this idea in her head that the higher the stone is set...the bigger it will look.

 

[clgwli]

Date: 11/11/2009 7:05:39 PM
Author: nattyice
yes. is there a special name for those prongs? i wish that setting was $300 cheaper. as far as setting the diamond...can they set the stone higher up than that picture? she has this idea in her head that the higher the stone is set...the bigger it will look.

From what I understand that is generally true. Is she set on the princess cut stones for a side or just the over all look? Or does that not even matter (as in does she not need channel set etc). Just curious.

I actually was at a local family jeweler this weekend and saw a channel set round stone ring set in white gold for $560. They do quality work so I would trust that it was good. Just giving you an idea of something to work with. Another suggestion for a setting that was given to me was to get the same channel set ring that I currently wear, cut out the diamonds and add the mounting for the stone.

I don't know how many local stores you have been to, but I admit i like working with locals so I don't have to mail something in if there is an issue. As much as I appreciate all the settings I have seen online, I am the kind to have to see it in person.

That said, I saw quite a lot similar to what you might like at exceldiamonds.com as well. Quite a lot of styles to choose from at some decent prices. For example this one http://www.exceldiamonds.com/-Engagement-Rings-5/Diamond-Accent-Engagement-Rings-12/Tiffany-Inspired-Pave-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-JENS188-1370.html

I know it has 6 prongs in the picture but to me it would be worth inquiring (if you like the setting) if they could change it out to 4 since they show it to fit all shapes of diamonds.

This one is pretty too IMO
http://www.exceldiamonds.com/-Engagement-Rings-5/Diamond-Accent-Engagement-Rings-12/Diamond-Accent-Engagement-Ring-J6687-1347.html

A bit too much for your budget though.

 

[stone-cold11]

Probably, the prongs should be exchangeable, best to call up the vendor and ask. Mounting too high will increase the risk of it getting caught on edges, banged about, something to think and talk about first.

 

[nattyice]

Thanks guys for the input. From what I understand, she does not like how the diamonds on the side of the ring rises up towards the middle of the prongs. She prefers to have the diamonds on the side of the ring meet up at the bottom of the prongs and have the prongs rise up to elevate the ring. Just like the ring in the picture. I was having a hard time understanding what she wanted but I think I get it now. Is there a better way to describe that? Is there a name for it in jeweler lingo?

The suggestions all look great to me but I don't think that's what she wants. =(

 

[clgwli]

Date: 11/11/2009 7:39:44 PM
Author: nattyice
Thanks guys for the input. From what I understand, she does not like how the diamonds on the side of the ring rises up towards the middle of the prongs. She prefers to have the diamonds on the side of the ring meet up at the bottom of the prongs and have the prongs rise up to elevate the ring. Just like the ring in the picture. I was having a hard time understanding what she wanted but I think I get it now. Is there a better way to describe that? Is there a name for it in jeweler lingo?

The suggestions all look great to me but I don''t think that''s what she wants. =(

I get what you are saying and actually I don''t care for that look myself unless it is a part of a halo design.

I have been on the look out myself for that kind of mounting, and fortunatley a local carries it for me with the rounds.

I totally forgot I had a few saved. I did find this earlier when I was searching for myself. Again the prongs should be able to be replaced by a jeweler. I don''t know much of this sellers but worth checking out reviews of htem maybe online.

http://www.seaofdiamonds.com/item.asp?invky=5134088&zmam=9874632&zmas=1&zmac=26&zmap=342-2931&id=shop
http://www.amazon.com/White-Channel-Diamond-Mount-Engagement/dp/B001317HXI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=jewelry&qid=1257987682&sr=1-5
http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Channel-Engagement-Setting-Mounting/dp/B002G7IEDU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=jewelry&qid=1257987682&sr=1-1

 

[D&T]

sounds like your GF doesn''t want a Cathedral look (this is where the shank slopes upward to meet the head)

try sunjewelry.com, you can play around with just setting mounts and price it out, their price is very reasonable, but I cannot comment on their quality, although there was someone here that had a setting from them

http://www.sunjewelry.com/engagement-rings.html

 

[rockabee]

Date: 11/11/2009 7:28:15 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
Probably, the prongs should be exchangeable, best to call up the vendor and ask. Mounting too high will increase the risk of it getting caught on edges, banged about, something to think and talk about first.

ditto. i also think that with a setting that high, clarity may be an issue. i.e., VS2 and lower inclusions may be visible from the side - just something to think about.

 

[nattyice]

Thanks again guys. These links were very helpful.

 

[outatouch0]

Union Diamond has settings that look similar to the pic you posted. Take a look there and see how the prices compare. The thread in my signature has pics of my FI''s ring and my experience with the vendor. FABULOUS BTW

 

[nattyice]

After a few more trips to B&M jewelers she changed her mind (again) and decided she likes cathedral style settings.

I ended up buying a setting (that she liked) from Ben Bridge and plan on having the loose stone set tomorrow. The loose stone came in today and I gently set it on top of the ring to see how it would look. Now I''m having second thoughts. It feels like the stone is too small for the ring. Or, the ring is too thick. It feels like something is off...not sure what though.

The stone is .84, G, SI1, Ideal Cut

I would appreciate some input.

 

[nattyice]

Side view.

 

[nattyice]

One more.

 

[D&T]

Date: 11/18/2009 2:10:55 PM
Author: nattyice
After a few more trips to B&M jewelers she changed her mind (again) and decided she likes cathedral style settings.

I ended up buying a setting (that she liked) from Ben Bridge and plan on having the loose stone set tomorrow. The loose stone came in today and I gently set it on top of the ring to see how it would look. Now I''m having second thoughts. It feels like the stone is too small for the ring. Or, the ring is too thick. It feels like something is off...not sure what though.

The stone is .84, G, SI1, Ideal Cut

I would appreciate some input.

did you buy the setting with the size of the head specific to your diamond proportions?

 

[nattyice]

I told the sales person the diamond specs prior to purchasing the setting and she said it would fit no problem.

 

[tyty333]

What does your GF think? How wide is that band (in mm)?

 

[D&T]

if your GF loves it, then thats all that matters right? as for the width, I like wider bands but some don''t so its a matter of personal perference although a thin band gives the illusion of a larger diamond

 

[nattyice]

She hasn''t seen the stone on top of the ring. She just told me that she liked the setting. I don''t want to give it to her until I have the final product.

I don''t have actual ring measurement but I believe the ring is just over 3mm at the bottom and tapers to around 2.5 mm near the prongs. Maybe I''m just over thinking...

 

[tyty333]

Yes, probably over thinking

.