Help: Halo Setting

[n00bdiamond]

Hi everyone. Based on my search function, I think I"m in the right subforum posting this. I've been looking around for a setting and then am planning on matching the diamond for it. My girlfriend and I've been shopping around and found a liking to circular shaped halos.

These are the things we like specifically:

1. Circular Halo
2. Setting such that diamond is not elevated too high or is protruding out too far up
3. Halo for 1.2- 1.5 carats (realistically 1.2-1.3)
4. diamonds on the setting should not be "flat" (on same level)
5. The outer edges of the halo should not have milgrains or any metal
6. Design shouldn't be too over the top
7. Price range of 2.5-5.5k

Of many that we have searched for, this is the closest one that we saw that we liked the most:

http://martinflyer.com/flyerfit-vintage-pave-micropave-engagement-ring-14051.html

Another one we kind of liked was:

https://questjewelers.com/index.php?page=engagement&action=detail&pID=1306&category=62&startRow=15

I'm wondering if anyone can suggest any brands and models that are better value and/or design that what I posted above. I'm still a bit unfamiliar with brands and perhaps there are one with much better values/designs.

I've looked through Tacori's, Gabriel and Co. if that helps.

Thanks!

 

[Gypsy]

Given your price range.

Get quotes from ERD's handforged bench, Steven Kirsch and Victor Canerra for a custom halo.

What you want is cut down pave (no metal edge).

And they can make you any design you want.
http://www.stevenkirsch.com/engagement/halo.html?limit=all
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/harry-winston-inspired-pcid-15.html
http://www.victorcanera.com/jewelry/engagement-rings/type-of-ring/halo

They will all be in the $4.5-$5k range. But they will be the best available quality. Which is what you want.

This will beat anything any mass produced brand can put out.

 

[WillyDiamond]

Given your price range.

Get quotes from ERD's handforged bench, Steven Kirsch and Victor Canerra for a custom halo.

What you want is cut down pave (no metal edge).

And they can make you any design you want.
http://www.stevenkirsch.com/engagement/halo.html?limit=all
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/harry-winston-inspired-pcid-15.html
http://www.victorcanera.com/jewelry/engagement-rings/type-of-ring/halo

They will all be in the $4.5-$5k range. But they will be the best available quality. Which is what you want.

This will beat anything any mass produced brand can put out.

+1

 

[n00bdiamond]

I wasn't aware that handcrafting would make that much of a difference. Salespeople (gulp) at the diamond shops oftentimes stated that an ideal cut is not necessary for the diamonds on the setting. One of the tradeoffs I see with the custom setting is the lack of design (that is if you want something more than a simple setting). I'm guessing you two think that the tradeoffs are worth it?

 

[Gypsy]

You do not want to compromise on cut.

Nothing-- not color, not clarity affects the appearance of the stone more.

The majority of sales people are VERY mis-informed. And they also do not SELL ideal cuts regularly. So they say it is not important. It is.


I'm not understanding your point about the 'lack of design' on custom settings. You can get anything you want out of custom, especially with the quality of jewelers I posted for you.

They can ALL do backflips around anything stock.

 

[momhappy]

Chris at ERD. Here's mine. 1.5 carat.

 

[msop04]

You do not want to compromise on cut.

Nothing-- not color, not clarity affects the appearance of the stone more.

The majority of sales people are VERY mis-informed. And they also do not SELL ideal cuts regularly. So they say it is not important. It is.

I'm not understanding your point about the 'lack of design' on custom settings. You can get anything you want out of custom, especially with the quality of jewelers I posted for you.

They can ALL do backflips around anything stock.

100% +1

 

[n00bdiamond]

Ok...so I guess the only way to get ideal cuts on the small diamonds on the setting itself is to go handcraft. All the pictures from the 3 links that were shown on post #2 of this thread seem to have designs that aren't as intricate as say...a Tacori. I will contact them to see whether or not we can send a pic and get a crafted ring that is similar to a designer ring then.....

Thanks again and if anything that I wrote above is wrong, please feel free to correct me otherwise I'll proceed as I wrote above....

 

[LLJsmom]

Ok...so I guess the only way to get ideal cuts on the small diamonds on the setting itself is to go handcraft. All the pictures from the 3 links that were shown on post #2 of this thread seem to have designs that aren't as intricate as say...a Tacori. I will contact them to see whether or not we can send a pic and get a crafted ring that is similar to a designer ring then.....

Thanks again and if anything that I wrote above is wrong, please feel free to correct me otherwise I'll proceed as I wrote above....

If you look at their websites in detail, you will find many designs that are quite intricate. And, they can make you something similar to what you want as well.

Also, consider Single Stone if you want intricate and vintage inspired. Just search the threads for single stone settings. You'll find plenty.
http://www.singlestone.com/index.php?page=collections&catID=3

And, did you search through PriceScope for Victor Canera, Steven Kirsch, and ERD settings? Tons of people have them. Lots of reviews, comparisons, etc. You'll get to see better pictures too.

 

[arkieb1]

Do not compromise on the cut of the centre diamond. For $5000+ for the Flyer ring Victor does a MUCH nicer, finer job, and his work is not cast it is 100% handmade. Here is mine, Victor Canera;

 

[Gypsy]

Ok...so I guess the only way to get ideal cuts on the small diamonds on the setting itself is to go handcraft. All the pictures from the 3 links that were shown on post #2 of this thread seem to have designs that aren't as intricate as say...a Tacori. I will contact them to see whether or not we can send a pic and get a crafted ring that is similar to a designer ring then.....

Thanks again and if anything that I wrote above is wrong, please feel free to correct me otherwise I'll proceed as I wrote above....

If you look at their websites in detail, you will find many designs that are quite intricate. And, they can make you something similar to what you want as well.

Also, consider Single Stone if you want intricate and vintage inspired. Just search the threads for single stone settings. You'll find plenty.
http://www.singlestone.com/index.php?page=collections&catID=3

And, did you search through PriceScope for Victor Canera, Steven Kirsch, and ERD settings? Tons of people have them. Lots of reviews, comparisons, etc. You'll get to see better pictures too.

Great recommendation. Singlestone has some settings that make me itch to rob a bank (complete joke).