HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquise?

[Teachgirly]

Hello! I would really appreciate any and all ideas and opinions! I am so excited and yet confused right now! My boyfriend and I are having a custom 3-stone engagement ring made since I couldn't find one manufactured with a marquise center stone and pear side stones with platinum prongs and a 14k yellow gold band. He wants to have the ring first before "surprising" me with a proposal!

The setting that I really like is similar to these two (with a marquise center stone instead of the round):
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...und-and-pear-3-stone-engagement-ring-2357.htm
http://www.dvatche.com/index.php?page=collection&catID=2,9&id=100&alt=1

I adore how the side stones angle up to the center stone, mainly with the great hope that this will extremely cut down on the chance of snagging on clothes!

The overall look with a marquise center stone:
http://www.gemvara.com/jewelry/camille-ring/marquise-diamond-14k-yellow-gold-ring-with-diamond/lhzwr

The center stone that the jeweler is bringing in this week for review is:
0.9 ct Marquise (I color, VS1, VG polish and symmetry, GIA, approx 1.65 L:W ratio- I like it plump )

Side stones:
Approx 0.3 ct pear, each

We just started working with this local jeweler after a lot of comparing quotes, reviews, etc.

The band:
My request to my bf for the band was either 14k yellow gold or platinum. I am quite pale, and yellow gold does seem to add a little color on me, which is the main reason he prefers this option, followed by price. And I hear that platinum bands become matte after a while (which some people love). I've only had yellow gold rings before, and like how they stay shiny, but again, I don't have anything to compare them against. I prefer to stay away from white gold as I am a no maintenance gal; I would like to put my ring on and never take it off besides a quick cleaning.

The troubling prongs:
This, however, adds the complication of what to do for the prongs or basket holding the stones on the engagement ring! I have read and heard so many conflicting views on whether it's better to use platinum for the prongs or to do the whole ring in one material. I would love to have your opinion!

And we can either do a 6-prong basket setting (similar to the one used in the setting links for the round diamond, but I've never seen one for a marquise) or a 6-prong head (such as the link below), both with with v-prongs protecting the ends of the marquise

Here is what I am hoping for:
1) The setting keeps my diamonds secure.
2) The overall look of the ring is pretty, of course!
3) The prongs do not take away from the beauty of the diamond (and/or possible enhance it)
4) Ideally, no part of the ring requires occasional re-dipping to keep it's beautiful, shiny look

During our research and quote comparisons, many online and local jewelers highly recommended the whole ring be made in the same material (either yellow gold with white gold prongs or platinum, but not a combination of yellow gold with platinum prongs). They mentioned that because of the difference of softness of the materials, they wouldn't wear the same.

Do you agree with this above???

Our jeweler said he can make the whole basket of the center and side stones platinum with a yellow gold band, but my boyfriend really worries that it will look odd. I'm not so sure about the look myself (as in the pic below):
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/3-stone-diamond-engagement-ring-542.htm

And he really worries about the integrity of a ring where the platinum part of the ring would be fused with the yellow gold band (or is it an incorrect assumption that they will be fused together?)

Another option if I want to stay with platinum prongs is to request something like this (with diamond side pears instead of sapphire):
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...aped-blue-sapphire-engagement-ring-item-16648

Would this be any better? Of course, since the side pears are going to be diamond, would it look odd if the center stone had platinum prongs and the sides had gold prongs? Or would that help make a nicer transition into the yellow color of the band? What are your opinions on this? And I hear that using v prongs is much safer for the pear ends. Would that that look in this setting?

And of course, the other option is to do it all in yellow gold, including the prongs (for $100 less than the platinum basket setting). The jeweler pointed out that yellow prongs tend to reflect in the diamond, making it look less white. Here are some links to compare yellow vs "white" prongs with a yellow gold band:
http://www.gemvara.com/jewelry/camille-ring/marquise-diamond-14k-yellow-gold-ring-with-diamond/lhzwr

Or I can simply accept that a platinum band will become matte, giving this overall look (for approx $1,000 more):
http://www.gemvara.com/jewelry/camille-ring/marquise-diamond-platinum-ring-with-diamond/lhzyy
http://mdcdiamonds.com/engagementdetails.cfm?Stock=ES136BSMQWG&Country=US#

So... What would you do, with all things considered?

a) Yellow gold band with platinum setting for all stones
b) Yellow gold band with only platinum setting for center stone
c) All yellow gold
d) All platinum

And would you do a 6-prong v-prong basket or head for the center stone?

All opinions, advice, and ideas are welcome! Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Niel]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Can't wait to see this. I have a 3 stone marquise myself (with baguettes) and you can't get better coverage for your buck. plus, so unique. Fads once popular always become unique I'd you wait long enough.

One thing I'll say. Color is going to be more important than clarity here.
Marquise show mess inclusions than other cuts, but more color.
So I think you'd be better served with a G si1 vs an I vz1.

But as that was not your question I'll go to that.

All white metal for the prongs is my vote.

 

[Teachgirly]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Hi Niel,

I'd love to see a picture of your marquise and baguette ring!

Thanks for the feedback! I'll ask to have a G or H color marquise brought in for comparison as well.

Just for clarity, would you do a white metal for all of the stones with only yellow gold for the band? Or white metal for the band as well (all platinum)?

 

[Niel]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Hi Niel,

I'd love to see a picture of your marquise and baguette ring!

Thanks for the feedback! I'll ask to have a G or H color marquise brought in for comparison as well.

Just for clarity, would you do a white metal for all of the stones with only yellow gold for the band? Or white metal for the band as well (all platinum)?

I'd do the shank in yellow gold as I LOVE yellow gold. But the prongs I'd want white so they sort of blend I to the stone rather than stick out. Plus its nice that the prongs won't be effecting the color of the stone.

 

[Niel]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

have such few good pictures of my marquise. My phone is black and gives an unflattering reflection in the bowtie. Its not bad, but the camera adds more.
I'm bad because I say don't go low but I'm sure mine is K or L at least. But for whatever reason it seems to work in this stones favors. Which is an exception not a rule.

 

[Niel]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

What's your budget foe this project? I knkw your working with someone, but I saw a really lovely marquise on JA recently.

 

[Teachgirly]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Niel,

Your ring is just gorgeous! Is the shank the only part that is yellow gold? Is everything under the center and side stones a white metal? Did you go with white gold or platinum?

And if I may ask, how large is the center stone? The 0.9 ct that's coming is 9 mm tall, and I'm a little nervous that it might be too big!

 

[Teachgirly]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Around 5k (with 3k of that going toward the center stone).

 

[Niel]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

No sadly mine is 14k white. The only thing I have yellow gold is my wedding band.

I truly can't remember the size. I want to say 10x5? It was again an eBay find, and I've lost in my head the dimensions.

If I had gotten the choice I'd have done yellow or rose gold. As I find it very interesting.
I wore a pear in a halo foe a little whole. The pear plus halo combined were 12-13mm ish. Wasn't too big for me but I do wear a 7.25

 

[LaraOnline]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Oh Niel, that is an incredibly marquise ring! antiquey and current at the same time! I love the super narrow tapered shank and of course the baguette sides, just gorgeous.
Teach, I'm a YG girl myself, but imho (which you are absolutely free to disregard LOL) i would consider an all-platinum ring.

If you are stuck on YG - hey I get that - I would definitely go with platinum for the head, without a doubt. Methinks your jewellers are trying to save themselves a bit of work? Because the head of the ring does not wear the same as the shank which is wrapped around a finger all day every day. Many jewellers recommend plat for holding diamonds! My yg ring has plat head, and this is common.

As you are going custom, I would be inspired by Niel and ask for a super narrowing antique style shank! but of course, this is just me, so feel free to completely ignore me.

here's one I like a lot at diamonds by lauren:

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/ind...-branded-dbl-modern-antique-diamond-gia-r4768

Here is an interesting idea for combining plat and yg! please disregard the actual style of the ring, I'm really just thinking about the detailsof the shank in this post.

https://webshop.cashconverters.com....ow-gold-diamond-antique-ring-handmade-size-k

 

[Niel]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Thanks LO!

if you were inclinded to buy online, i might look into this, D, probably be eye clean, and the cutest little chubquise youve seen.


http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.81-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-216219

they have a setting like youre looking at, would be more with diamonds, but might be in budget.. could probably get away with using E sides. maybe even F.. and that way they are all colorless, and you could do it in all yellow gold. problem solved

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/18k-white-gold-three-stone-pear-shaped-blue-sapphire-engagement-ring-item-22620

JA also does custom work. They did my 5 stone. Budget friendly and very well done.

if it were me, id show them this BG setting and say. Can you get me that stone plus this setting with colorless sides for 5k. (ask for a PS discount and pay by wire transfer to get the price a little lower) And see if they couldnt replicate it

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/grace-3-stone-pears-18k-yellow-gold-5557y18

 

[Teachgirly]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Lara,

Although I personally prefer simple to antique for me, I can see the charm, especially in the amount of detail) in the ring you like!

The second picture reminds me of this (the center is in a white gold setting):
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/18k-yellow-gold-three-stone-pear-shaped-blue-sapphire-engagement-ring-item-16648

Would you recommend a simple 6-prong v-prong head for the center stone, or one with a basket around it? Does that make it more secure? Or does it decrease the amount of light that can go through it? This one looks like a basket to me:

Yellow gold:
http://www.gemvara.com/jewelry/camille-ring/marquise-diamond-14k-yellow-gold-ring-with-diamond/lhzwr

Platinum: [url=http://www.gemvara.com/jewelr...uise-diamond-platinum-ring-with-diamond/lhzyy[/url]

I am leaning away from the all yellow gold. I think the prongs are taking away from the stones. Which leaves the question of:

Yellow gold shank with all the baskets in platinum, just the center stone head/basket in platinum, or the whole ring in platinum???

 

[Teachgirly]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Niel,

That's one of the rings we were considering! Unfortunately, with the custom details, it made it pretty pricey.

Wow, that's definitely a plump diamond! I don't think I've ever seen one like it before. I will definitely keep it in mind

 

[LaraOnline]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Of the two rings you posted, Teach, I prefer the gemvara one, because it has the tapering shank that I love so much.
Hey, two little decorative lines across the top of the shank and you've got yourself the antique inspired ring I've been pushing lol!
I like the idea of all plat, because I think the marquise cut is still in style recovery mode a little, and so the plat brings in a fresh approach, fashionwise.
But if you did go for yg, and like I said, I chose yg for my wedders, I would still do plat for all the diamond work.

 

[Teachgirly]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

We did modify the setting to have a tapered shank. Now it's down to deciding the metal and type of prongs!

 

[Shay]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Have you considered a bezel setting? A super fine bezel going all the way around the marquise and all around both pears would give you security and protection and still allow you the yellow gold you seem to like so much.

I can't find a pic with a 3 stone marquise and pear sides with a bezel, but here's an idea for your center stone:

http://www.google.com/imgres?safe=o...bnh=184&tbnw=202&start=21&ndsp=28&tx=99&ty=61

woah long url

 

[Teachgirly]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Shay,

Thanks for the idea. I did a search and couldn't find a picture of one either. I wonder if it would allow less light to reflect in the diamond (I know, we can't have it all, right?)

I'm actually now leaning toward going all platinum if the jeweler can't/won't do yellow gold band with only platinum prongs. Most pictures I find similar to the style I'm looking for are using white gold or platinum, as that is what is currently popular!

Maybe I'll leave yellow gold for the wedding band (which I'm planning on wearing on the right ring finger). I've caught sight of this lovely ring with pink sapphires (I know, a bit of a rebel, but I figure the engagement ring has enough diamonds... a little bit of color is good, too! And since sapphire is my birthstone, it can have a little more significance.)
http://www.gemvara.com/jewelry/victoria-band/14k-yellow-gold-ring-with-pink-sapphire/23f0

And it brings in some of those intricate details in the gold, giving it a bit of an antique look. How's that for covering all the bases, lol?

 

[Teachgirly]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

I would still love opinions on a 6-prong head vs 6-prong basket for the center stone, with v-tips (0.9 ct marquise). What would be the advantages/disadvantages of each one?

According to the below site, "Generally, most Engagement Rings and Wedding Sets do NOT set Diamonds in Basket Heads. (It doesn't show them off as well!)"
http://www.jewelry-secrets.com/Jewe...-Prongs-Are-Better-For-Your-Diamond-Ring.html

Thoughts?

Platinum vs Palladium:
Also, when I brought up wedding bands to my bf, he mentioned that he wasn't sure what he really wanted (metal wise) as his engineering ring and watch are both silver-ish, so a yellow band wouldn't really match with anything. This did make me lean a little more toward the platinum option for my engagement ring so that if he did decide on a white metal, they can match a little (I may have been thinking about photos as well). That being said, he likes the shine of yellow gold, and we know that doesn't happen with platinum. Does anyone know if palladium is more shiny? I found this article, but it's from 2007:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Jewelry-Gems-Minerals-689/PALLADIUM-VS-PLATINUM-RINGS.htm

Thanks in advance!

 

[LaraOnline]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

I'm not actually sure what you mean about 6 prong head vs basket, I'm afraid. Can you point out the two types of head you're considering?

Regarding v-tips over points, I think that's a no-brainer for an e-ring. But make em delicate and beautiful though!

 

[Nymphettamine]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Hello!

I would go to yellow gold or better rose gold entirely.

In case you are wondering why I advice you differently than I chose: I picked platinum for my rings because I wanted a pave and seems that gold is not do great for that but I still like yellow or rose better (when I will upgrade I will go for yellow 18k and a simple oval or emerald solitaire and at least 3-5 ct stone).

I think the colored gold will actually emphasize the stones better. I like contrast. Gives a bit of an oomph to everything and right now everybody picks white metals. I think a colored metal will give a more rare feel to it.

 

[Nymphettamine]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Oh and as for your fiancé you can propose to him to do what mine does: 2 metal wedding band.

Just an example:

 

[Nymphettamine]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

P.S. What I posted is titanium.

 

[Teachgirly]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

From what I see and understand, I think the main (only?) difference between a 6 prong basket and 6 prong mounting head is whether there is an additional wire band around the marquise... I think.

Basket
https://images.qgold.com/0/275/WG254.jpg?logMissingImages=false

The jeweler showed us this head with sharp corners, and it didn't seem to flow with the smooth curves of the setting.
http://www.aajewelry.com/catalog/im...14K-White-6-Prong-Marquise-Setting-No-Peg.jpg

But looking online, there seem to be smoother/rounder options for the mounting
Smooth head:
https://images.qgold.com/0/275/WG251.JPG?logMissingImages=false

The last three images in the right column depict the different head mount differences a little better:
http://www.ajewelrystop.com/Blank_shank_mountings.htm

 

[Teachgirly]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Nymph, thanks for the idea of a titanium two-tone ring! Is the yellow part a titanium mix or gold?

 

[Niel]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Niel,

That's one of the rings we were considering! Unfortunately, with the custom details, it made it pretty pricey.

Wow, that's definitely a plump diamond! I don't think I've ever seen one like it before. I will definitely keep it in mind

Sorry I assumed when you said you like fat marquise that you did in fact like them chubby. That one may be too much of a fatty. I understand.

But golly its cute.

Which one were you considering? The BG or the JA. I wonder how much BG would charge just to setN outside stone in their pear setting.

 

[LaraOnline]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Oh I see. So one advantage of the basket is that the prongs are more delicate.
I think that's a reasonably popular setting around here.
FWIW, I have six-prong diamond solitaire settings.
But the prongs don't seem as chunky as the examples in your links.

FWIW I would probably go for number 545 in the marquise 'blank mountings' link http://www.ajewelrystop.com/Blank_shank_mountings.htm that you provided.

 

[tyty333]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

No matter what metal you go with you will probably need a polishing every now and then
(Even plat...which I have). I think you need to decide whether you see yourself wearing
white metal or gold metal for the next 10 years.

How is your jeweler going to make the ring? Is he going to cast or put it together from findings?
my concern is that if he puts it together from parts that you wont be able to see it until its done and it may not
be what you had in mind. If he is going to do cads then its not a problem. I would not want any peg head
like setting and would try to find a setting that is already built so that you know what it looks like (unless they
are doing cads) .

 

[Nymphettamine]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Nymph, thanks for the idea of a titanium two-tone ring! Is the yellow part a titanium mix or gold?

I don't know. It is what my Fiance liked and showed to me. There are several. look on etsy for Titanium Men Wedding band.

 

[Teachgirly]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Niel,

The stone is one that the jeweler is bringing in for me to view on Wednesday. If I get the GIA number, is there any way I can find more info on it to share with all of you so you can give me your opinion on it?

Also, how do I know what I'm looking for when I go to inspect the marquise? I think I'm supposed to look for a bow tie, but is this obvious to someone who has never looked at a diamond for this before? (total newbie, I'm afraid)

Recap of what I do know about it:
0.9 ct
I color
Very good cut, polish, and symmetry
(I was ok with SI1, but from the jeweler's list, this was the only one in my price range with very good cut, polish AND symmetry, which I hear is very important for a marquise)
Depth and Table were both in the 60-62% range, if I remember correctly

Thanks!

 

[Teachgirly]

Re: HELP! Platinum or Yellow Gold V-prong/basket for Marquis

Lara,

I agree with you on the more slender prongs for that head.