Help with my reset: Tiffany Soleste-inspired double halo vs HW single halo from VC, SK, or Maytal?

[babymar]

Hello! I'm a first-time poster, obsessive lurker for the past year.

After months of going back and forth, I've finally decided that I want a halo for my engagement ring reset. However, I can't decide whether I want to go with a Tiffany Soleste-inspired double halo split shank design OR a Harry Winston style halo setting.

I have very long fingers and while I think my ring is dainty and beautiful, I want a more substantial ring and I'm looking to increase the finger coverage to around 8-9mm total (center stone + halos).

Because of the amount of finger coverage I want, I feel like the Soleste-style setting will give me the look I'm going for. However, I've seen a lot of poorly executed double halos that are disproportionate to the center stone and look awkward. But when they're done right they look delicate, elegant, and gorgeous to me. I've seen a couple rings like this that Maytal and SK have done and they look beautiful.

I also love the Harry Winston style halo settings that Victor Canera and Steven Kirsch are very good at creating. I love Victor's Emilya setting. But I'm not sure it'd give me the coverage I'm looking for.

What do y'all think would look best for my diamond, the amount of finger coverage I want, and my finger size (6.25-6.5)? Which vendor would be able to best produce the double halo setting I'm looking for?

Here are the measurements of my diamond: 6.26 x 5.27 x 3.96 mm
These pictures show the scale of the diamond on my spindly fingers It's a lovely setting, but I find it's too dainty looking, and the yellow gold bezel causes the diamond to blend in too much with my finger (perfect for someone who wants a very subtle look, but I want something more bold).


Here's some pics of Solestes with center stones similar to mine, this is the look I'm hoping to achieve (the halos look very proportional to the center stone, not overwhelming it):

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would always vote for single halo for an engagement ring because I just think it is more elegant and practical. But a double halo will give you more size. I just wouldn’t want the halos to overtake your diamond and make it look small.

 

[babymar]

I would always vote for single halo for an engagement ring because I just think it is more elegant and practical. But a double halo will give you more size. I just wouldn’t want the halos to overtake your diamond and make it look small.

Right, that's my concern. I know most people here would always vote for a single halo over double. But the double halos I've found on here that are done right give me hope that they can be elegant and delicate too.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I agree. The inner halo has to be tiny. I like the one with the white diamond above.

 

[babymar]

I agree. The inner halo has to be tiny. I like the one with the white diamond above.

Do you have any idea what melee size would need to be used to get that look?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Do you have any idea what melee size would need to be used to get that look?

Those vendors like to determine that themselves. So your best bet is to look at the double halos each has made, and then choose one vendor and send the inspiration picture of the ring they made. They have to tailor the melee sizes to your particular stone. I know most don't like the customer to tell them what size melee they want. Just show them a picture.

 

[babymar]

Those vendors like to determine that themselves. So your best bet is to look at the double halos each has made, and then choose one vendor and send the inspiration picture of the ring they made. They have to tailor the melee sizes to your particular stone. I know most don't like the customer to tell them what size melee they want. Just show them a picture.

Oh of course! I wouldn't tell them which size to use, I'm just curious for my own understanding. I'm trying to visualize how my stone will look with halos and get a better idea of the overall coverage it would add.

 

[PintoBean]

How about another option - turn your stone east west with a single halo?

 

[MonkeysInk]

How about another option - turn your stone east west with a single halo?

Oh, I like that idea! With a halo, it would give some really good finger coverage.

 

[babymar]

How about another option - turn your stone east west with a single halo?

You know, I thought of doing that when having the stone set originally. But my fiance thought it would look weird haha. I'm not sure about the horizontal look on my finger. I'd have to see it on my finger first. But it's definitely a unique and beautiful idea

 

[mrs-b]

I vote double halo. I agree - the double halo, white diamond, ring above looks wonderful and, so long as the inner halo is small, it blends with your center stone to make it look larger - not smaller. The outer halo looks like the halo, the inner halo looks like part of your diamond. To that end - 1/2 point melee on the inner halo, 1pt melee on the outer halo.

Would be super stunning.

 

[babymar]

I vote double halo. I agree - the double halo, white diamond, ring above looks wonderful and, so long as the inner halo is small, it blends with your center stone to make it look larger - not smaller. The outer halo looks like the halo, the inner halo looks like part of your diamond. To that end - 1/2 point melee on the inner halo, 1pt melee on the outer halo.

Would be super stunning.

Ah thank you! I definitely want to make sure that the inner halo is small and that the center stone flows seamlessly into it. Any recommendations on which vendor would be best for this project?

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

Ah thank you! I definitely want to make sure that the inner halo is small and that the center stone flows seamlessly into it. Any recommendations on which vendor would be best for this project?

I would just inquire and get quotes from all of them. Then you can see who you get along with best and the various prices and go from there.

 

[PintoBean]

I would just inquire and get quotes from all of them. Then you can see who you get along with best and the various prices and go from there.

You sound like me get outta my head!
I agree wholeheartedly. When you're choosing amongst reputable vendors just pick the one you click with price wise and personality wise

 

[mrs-b]

David Klass Jewelry is my first choice and their micro pave is very good. They're also a lot more budget friendly than some other vendors. But I think the hit list is DKJ, Victor Canera, Steven Kirsch, Maytal Hannah and Leon Mege. I think Erika Winters would also do an amazing job, but her prices might be prohibitive. I'm not sure what your budget is, tho, so it's hard to rule anyone in or out without knowing that. As other people have said, call and chat with some vendors. Go with the best fit, all things considered.

I think your ring will be awesome - good luck!

 

[babymar]

David Klass Jewelry is my first choice and their micro pave is very good. They're also a lot more budget friendly than some other vendors. But I think the hit list is DKJ, Victor Canera, Steven Kirsch, Maytal Hannah and Leon Mege. I think Erika Winters would also do an amazing job, but her prices might be prohibitive. I'm not sure what your budget is, tho, so it's hard to rule anyone in or out without knowing that. As other people have said, call and chat with some vendors. Go with the best fit, all things considered.

I think your ring will be awesome - good luck!

David Klass is actually the one who made my current ring! Because my budget is a lot bigger this time around ($5,000) I wanted to contact the vendors I wasn't able to work with when first setting my diamond. I've contacted Victor and Steven and their quotes are pretty similar and both slightly under budget. Still waiting to hear back from Maytal. So far customer service has been great with them and I'm pretty confident any of these vendors would do a wonderful job.

 

[mrs-b]

David Klass is actually the one who made my current ring! Because my budget is a lot bigger this time around ($5,000) I wanted to contact the vendors I wasn't able to work with when first setting my diamond. I've contacted Victor and Steven and their quotes are pretty similar and both slightly under budget. Still waiting to hear back from Maytal. So far customer service has been great with them and I'm pretty confident any of these vendors would do a wonderful job.

Everyone you've mentioned here is wonderful. Re DKJ, they have changed a lot in recent months. They've hired some micro-pave specialists and a couple of really top flight benches. Their prices have gone up as a result, but the work they're turning out is glorious; fabulous tiny prong work and beautiful pave.

But as I said - everyone you mentioned would be fab, so you really can't go wrong.

 

[babymar]

Everyone you've mentioned here is wonderful. Re DKJ, they have changed a lot in recent months. They've hired some micro-pave specialists and a couple of really top flight benches. Their prices have gone up as a result, but the work they're turning out is glorious; fabulous tiny prong work and beautiful pave.

But as I said - everyone you mentioned would be fab, so you really can't go wrong.

Oh interesting! I'll definitely get a quote from him too then, as I loved working with him in the past.

And actually, Maytal just emailed me and specifically mentioned wanting to be sure the proportions are perfect as to not overwhelm the center stone I'd love to have a piece by all of these vendors and I'm so indecisive, so I know it'll be hard to pick which one I go with. A good "problem" to have I guess!

 

[Acinom]

David Klass is actually the one who made my current ring! Because my budget is a lot bigger this time around ($5,000) I wanted to contact the vendors I wasn't able to work with when first setting my diamond. I've contacted Victor and Steven and their quotes are pretty similar and both slightly under budget. Still waiting to hear back from Maytal. So far customer service has been great with them and I'm pretty confident any of these vendors would do a wonderful job.

Sounds like a great approach!
It could be helpful to study double halos made by these vendors. Have you requested quotes for single or double halos

 

[babymar]

Sounds like a great approach!
It could be helpful to study double halos made by these vendors. Have you requested quotes for single or double halos

Oh yea I've been compiling pictures of double halos from each one. So far I have quotes for double halos from SK and Maytal, and single + double halos from VC. Everything has been under budget which I wasn't expecting, so I'm very excited about that!

 

[cflutist]

Just FYI, HPD's custom bench also does halo rings.

 

[PintoBean]

Oh yea I've been compiling pictures of double halos from each one. So far I have quotes for double halos from SK and Maytal, and single + double halos from VC. Everything has been under budget which I wasn't expecting, so I'm very excited about that!

Next piece of info I'd collect from them is anticipated start date and turn around time.