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Help! Trying to find a similiar setting

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U

ussd

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 28, 2006
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This is my first post.

Anyway, my girlfriend fell head over heels for this ring:

http://www.helzberg.com/hdsim/jsp/global_search.do?keyword=1629090&BV_SessionID=@@@@1151959693.1138485857@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccchaddgkgmhddmcflgcefkdfkjdffl.0

This ring:
1629090-lg.jpg


Now, I don't really want to buy from a mall store but I do want to get her the ring she wants. The problem is that the diamond that comes with that ring is not the nicest diamond and I would like to buy here a better one. Unfortunately, that company and setting does not allow you to swap out diamonds.

Are there any similiar settings to be found online? What is a good site (such as blue nile) that offers similiar antique three stone settings? Links would be great.

Thanks all.
 
Good for you for deciding to get a quality diamond and not just getting whatever comes with the setting. You could always go the custom route. Or try this:

http://www.faycullen.com/
 
i have had rather good luck at helzberg. have you seen the ring in person? might surprise you how much they have improved since the ideal diamond craze has taken over.
 
Do they even say what grades/quality those stones are? On the web-page in question there doesn't seem to be any such detail, and if they are still making good cash on this ring ... I would be surprised by good news either about the setting or the diamonds. The description says half carat centre & quarter carat sides... $1900. Am I the only one worried about it?

The price & all makes me think those diamonds are well downwards of J-Si2 and these are rarely well cut without the seller making a point of it. This time, there is no mention.

The general design idea of the setting may be quite nice, but it is not too easy to tell quality from a picture (finish, durability-that sort of thing). Hopefully the diamonds are not set that badly and the rings look better in person than the shoddy web-page implies.

Another thing that would not show even in person... is that the maker's 'savings' on white gold alloys to meet the price point may well get you a ring that would get discolored quite fast: much low quality white gold turns yellow rather fast and the shiny rhodium plating it should have when new doesn't typically last more than a few months.

It may be easy to just fall for the apparent 'bargain' and forget that probably the cost of making it made it more of a bargain for the seller, than higher quality items might be.

My 2c
 
Date: 1/28/2006 6:21:56 PM
Author: valeria101


Do they even say what grades/quality those stones are? On the web-page in question there doesn''t seem to be any such detail, and if they are still making good cash on this ring ... I would be surprised by good news either about the setting or the diamonds. The description says half carat centre & quarter carat sides... $1900. Am I the only one worried about it?


The price & all makes me think those diamonds are well downwards of J-Si2 and these are rarely well cut without the seller making a point of it. This time, there is no mention.


The general design idea of the setting may be quite nice, but it is not too easy to tell quality from a picture (finish, durability-that sort of thing). Hopefully the diamonds are not set that badly and the rings look better in person than the shoddy web-page implies.


Another thing that would not show even in person... is that the maker''s ''savings'' on white gold alloys to meet the price point may well get you a ring that would get discolored quite fast: much low quality white gold turns yellow rather fast and the shiny rhodium plating it should have when new doesn''t typically last more than a few months.


It may be easy to just fall for the apparent ''bargain'' and forget that probably the cost of making it made it more of a bargain for the seller, than higher quality items might be.


My 2c
Click to expand...


I agree.
 
Hi Ussd,

Welcome to PS!!!

I agree with Valeria on this. I am saying "HMMMmmmm?"

I have been doing alot of looking as of late. And what I am finding is that if the setting has side stones, or is pre-set, and they do not go to the lengths of a full description ... when I inquire ... the clarity is SI2 - I2. Coloring is usually in the I - K range. Now granted, if the diamonds happen to be "Perfectly cut" they may turn out ok ... so far I haven''t found anything that floated my boat.
38.gif


You usually get what you pay for in a pre-assembled, ready to go diamond ring. Do your research and just make sure that if you do want to buy that ring, make sure that they have a "no matter the reason why you want to return it ... full refund!"

Have you thought about emailing a picture of that setting to a vendor who does custom? I think Good old Gold does custom, as well as, Whiteflash. I happen to live in Oregon, and Tradeshop does this as well. You might just be surprised to see if they can re-create it, only to use great quality diamonds.

Best wishes!
36.gif


 
Thanks for all the replies.

Is that the designer Vanna K. you were directing me to, ladykemma? Does she have other designs or just the one that the link brings up?
 
she has many designs, unfortunately copywrited. you have to go to the store to see them. reeds is in corpus christi texas. they have stunning settings and priced for middle class folks
 
I was wondering about the price and quality of the diamonds too.

If your gf absolutely want that setting, I think you should go the custom route.
 
Date: 1/28/2006 5:51:16 PM
Author: jazmine
Good for you for deciding to get a quality diamond and not just getting whatever comes with the setting. You could always go the custom route. Or try this:


http://www.faycullen.com/
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link!

What do y''all think about this one:

http://www.faycullen.com/diamond_engagement_rings/800/c728r1d.html


x.jpg


I really like the style but I''m not sure about the diamond quality. Forgive me, I''m a bit of a noob when it comes to looking for diamonds. Would it be worth upgrading?

My price limit is in the ~2500.00 range.

Thanks again. I don''t know who else to turn to for these questions.
 
If your GF really like the style of the 3 stone ring with pave, I would keep with that style, unless you find out otherwise like thru a friend or sisiter.

Fay Cullen does have some pretty eye candy, however, I have seen some pics of late that the quality wasn''t nice. One of the ladies here, please forgive me, has a wonderfully trained eye and has and can spot things that aren''t quite right about some of the settings on her site.

I have noticed, and also have heard feedback re: other people that I know that have purchased, and I think it''s spendy for the quality you get. There are other online sites that carry the antique look and in my opinion the quality/money issue was nicer.

I just looked at GOG site, and if you send them a picture and description of what it is your wanting, they will give you an estimate for custom. Sounds cool to me!

Good luck!
35.gif
 
Don't listen to me too much, because there is this nagging allergy to ready-made jewelry that I can't (and maybe even wouldn't ) shake off
39.gif
It sounds like every 'brand' ends with trouble - even, if not especially, the successful ones. It may be that jewelry is still better done piece by piece and chain production is difficult to organize... and at some point this is bound to show. That custom made is often less expensive than these chain-production results, must help
11.gif
Perhaps there is allot of pressure to complicate styles and come up with barely-makeable details on these 'designer line' pieces, and then cut the costs... It seems to work well for shoes, but jewelry - less so. 'Designer work' that is one of a kind is still more widely available than there is for shoes and for good reason. Not that there is no jewelry brand name that I liked, but then... how does it feel knowing that the same can be made by your jeweler for about a third of the cost? No idea what makes jewelry brads keep up quality only at peak prices - I'd bet that it has something to do with limited technical ability to produce large quantity of intricate jewelry and spread the cost. If only few can be made - the prices are easily explained. More power to them, of course.

Just my opinion, of course. There should be exceptions and allot of what I believe could be just wrong.



For some very classic designs perhaps the point is moot (IMO, again) - these tend to be simple, and given a diligent finish you've got a nice piece 'off the rack' so to speak. E.g. this three-stone bezel ring. I hope there is a version for half and quarter carat diamonds - it must.
 
I think it would be a great idea if you ask your GF what is about the ring she likes best? 3 stones? Semi-bezels? The basket/pavillion detailing? Or just the antique look overall? and then work from there.

I love the Fay Cullen ring you posted, but the look is very different than the ring she picked. I agree that going with Helzberg ring without more is taking a chance, but keep in mind that our quest for perfection here at PS can border on the obsessive! You''ve already made the first step in wanting the best diamond for your money, just keep looking until you''re happy
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Date: 1/29/2006 11:02:31 AM
Author: fountainfairfax
I think it would be a great idea if you ask your GF what is about the ring she likes best? 3 stones? Semi-bezels? The basket/pavillion detailing? Or just the antique look overall? and then work from there.
Click to expand...

She loves the antique style. Everything else is pretty much up to me.

I know that she would like both rings I have linked to in this thread but I really need help determing the quality of the setting AND the diamond. I want to get the most I possibly can for ~2500.00.

Does anyone have an opinion on the qulaity of the diamond/setting I linked to from the Fay Cullen site?

Thanks again everybody.

I didn''t mention this before but I would like to have a ring in hand by February 18th. That is the two-year anniversary of when we started dating.
1.gif
 
While I love looking on the FC site and would buy a right hand ring from them, I am concerned about their return policy (no refunds, even for items bought w/o modifications or sizing) and no information that allows the buyer to determine cut quality (and these many of these items have antique-cut diamonds that have factors/qualities that don''t apply to modern cut standards anyway.)

I would be concerned with the SI3, because that is basically an I grade which will most often have eye-visible inclusions.

Can I suggest that you check out antiqueengagementrings.com ?
I have visited his booth in person and thought that he carried very nice quality products and he was a very nice person to speak with as well.

I love the Richard Landi settings mentioned above (your GF would flip out- they''re amazing) but when I priced them for my omc the settings were in $3,500 range.
 
Here''s the WF montage of that really beautiful setting

gi_WFR-ENGRPt_fjjv.jpg
 
Date: 1/28/2006 7:13:18 PM
Author: qtiekiki
I was wondering about the price and quality of the diamonds too.


If your gf absolutely want that setting, I think you should go the custom route.
Click to expand...

What exactly is the best way to go the "custom route"?
 
Date: 1/29/2006 4:30:50 PM
Author: ussd

Date: 1/28/2006 7:13:18 PM
Author: qtiekiki
I was wondering about the price and quality of the diamonds too.


If your gf absolutely want that setting, I think you should go the custom route.
Click to expand...

What exactly is the best way to go the ''custom route''?
Click to expand...
You can email a few of the PS vendors (whiteflash, GOG, etc) with the picture of the setting, and also include the weight/color/clarity/cut desired for the diamonds and the metal type for the setting. Then they can give you price quotes for custom making the ring. If you want, you can also give them a budget and they can better help you find quality diamonds within your budget.
 
Date: 1/29/2006 12:15:01 PM
Author: fountainfairfax
Here''s the WF montage of that really beautiful setting
Click to expand...
I think this setting is just amazing! I really like it! Any chance this will fit the bill?
Although I haven''t personally shopped at WF, I will next time I make a big purchase. They have made a lot of people on this site (and that means people with great taste who know their jewelry quality) very happy.
 
Date: 1/28/2006 7:30:14 PM
Author: ussd

Date: 1/28/2006 5:51:16 PM
Author: jazmine
Good for you for deciding to get a quality diamond and not just getting whatever comes with the setting. You could always go the custom route. Or try this:


http://www.faycullen.com/
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link!

What do y''all think about this one:

http://www.faycullen.com/diamond_engagement_rings/800/c728r1d.html


x.jpg


I really like the style but I''m not sure about the diamond quality. Forgive me, I''m a bit of a noob when it comes to looking for diamonds. Would it be worth upgrading?

My price limit is in the ~2500.00 range.

Thanks again. I don''t know who else to turn to for these questions.
Click to expand...

I spoke with the peopel at faycullen and they can replace the diamond with a:

H - SI2 VG Polish VG symmetry for $2400.00 total

Does this seem like a good deal? I know my g/f would love the setting and now I am just concerned with the quality of the diamond I can get for ~2500.00 total.

Thanks.
 
An SI2 can be very tricky. Is the diamond certified? If it's certified by GIA or AGS, maybe. If it's certified by EGL or not at all, no way. Either way, you must inquire more and get pics. Many SI2s are not eye clean and I don't know if you can trust their opinion on whether or not you can see inclusions.

On top of this, you know absolutely nothing about the cut, the most important of the 4 C's. Honestly, I would want to choose my own diamond. I say pass.
 
Date: 1/30/2006 4:38:23 PM
Author: jazmine
An SI2 can be very tricky. Is the diamond certified? If it''s certified by GIA or AGS, maybe. If it''s certified by EGL or not at all, no way. Either way, you must inquire more and get pics. Many SI2s are not eye clean and I don''t know if you can trust their opinion on whether or not you can see inclusions.

On top of this, you know absolutely nothing about the cut, the most important of the 4 C''s. Honestly, I would want to choose my own diamond. I say pass.
Click to expand...
Sigh.... It is EGL certified. Why is that a bad thing?

What about the cut should I ask about? I asked him about the cut and he said it was a VG polish/VG symmetry.

The diamond "hadn''t been put in the system" yet and so I can''t even see pics on the internet. I wonder if they can email me pics. Thanks for the reply.

They will sell me the setting for $1500. Does that price seem fair? Would I be better off buying the setting and purchasing a diamond elewhere? Could I have it set at a local jeweler?
 
Date: 1/30/2006 4:58:09 PM
Author: ussd
Date: 1/30/2006 4:38:23 PM

Author: jazmine

An SI2 can be very tricky. Is the diamond certified? If it's certified by GIA or AGS, maybe. If it's certified by EGL or not at all, no way. Either way, you must inquire more and get pics. Many SI2s are not eye clean and I don't know if you can trust their opinion on whether or not you can see inclusions.


On top of this, you know absolutely nothing about the cut, the most important of the 4 C's. Honestly, I would want to choose my own diamond. I say pass.
Click to expand...

Sigh.... It is EGL certified. Why is that a bad thing?


What about the cut should I ask about? I asked him about the cut and he said it was a VG polish/VG symmetry.
Click to expand...

EGL is known to be very liberal about their grading of stones. So oftentimes on color and clarity, if you send the stone to an independent appraiser it will turn out that an EGL stone has a level or two worse clarity and color. Hey, you could get lucky and this one is correctly graded. But as jazmine said, I'm not sure I'd want to take that chance.

As to the second part. Grrr.
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That is very annoying. Symmetry and Polish don't tell you much about cut whatsoever. Whoever told you this is either trying to trick you or they just don't know anything about diamonds beyond what they can read off of the report. What would be nice is to get some measurements (table % depth % being ones that are even on an EGL report), perhaps a Sarin report, hopefully an idealscope, and then have a return period where you can examine the stone and decide if you want to return it and it doesn't meet your expectations.

I still say you should try to go to either a good local or internet jeweler, show them a picture of the setting you have there, and discuss with them what you like and don't like about that setting and work with them to make you a new, even better custom setting. And you may find that it is cheaper than the setting they are trying to sell you at the store, who knows.
 
Date: 1/30/2006 4:58:09 PM
Author: ussd


They will sell me the setting for $1500. Does that price seem fair?

All is fair in love and war... if you like it. I like that one somewhat better than others in the same shop, but... Anyway, the setting seems too large for the half carat diamond set in it - unless the edges of the basket were meant to show outside the edge of the diamond like that, which I sort of doubt.

How does This sound? The style is one of those immortal things just as well off now as in the '20s. Platinum and a nice make for $1300 sounds rather more fair. It would likely look lovely with a half carat round and there is no shortage of fine diamonds where this ring comes from. I might choose a cushion cut for the 'vintage look', but that's just me
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Besides, it may be difficult to find a well-cut one and there are at least three half carat H&A rounds below just $1500 that fit the bill.


Would I be better off buying the setting and purchasing a diamond elsewhere? Could I have it set at a local jeweler?

In theory yes, but if something doesn't fit or work out, the damage is on you. It may help to ask precisely this question to the jeweler who will set the diamond. The mismatch between setting and stone in the picture may tell him more about the quality of the setting than it does to me. Also, since these settings are not particular to a jewelry store, it may happen that your jeweler can source one two. I don't know which manufacturer makes the vintage-style settings at Fay Cullen... perhaps someone else can help with that.
Click to expand...
My 2c
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Polish and symmetry are not cut. Cut involves the depth of the diamond, the table size, crown and pavillion numbers, etc. Cut is what will make your diamond sparkle (or not).

EGL SI2, no way. That diamond may very well be an I1 or I2. I say choose a loose diamond from one of the great online vendors and either have a setting made custom (much more affordable than you may think) or choose a setting and have the diamond set in it.

Many here would be very happy to recommend beautiful diamonds to you within your budget it you tell us just what you would like in a diamond.
 
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