HOF Enduring Ring confusion

[kjgirdner]

Hi - First post (but I''ve been lurking for a couple of weeks), hopefully I attached the pitcure correctly. I recently got engaged and now we''re shopping for my ring. He knew that I would be hard to please.

The only thing I''ve found so far that really spoke to me was this ring - it appears to be a HOF exclusive. I haven''t seen anything like it in the other B&M stores. And my eyes burn from searching online. I''m contemplating seeing if a custom shop could do something similar, but not sure if I have the patience for it. I also have my own issues with "copying" someone else''s design.

Part of my problem stems from the prices. The jeweler had a .18 and .43 white gold rings. The .18 was too small, and the .43 was too big for my taste. I''m leaning towards something .25 - .33. But the prices were a bit much I guess ''cause of the HOF diamond. .18 was ~1500 and the .43 was ~2700. So he''s getting some more stones in.

Questions.

1. Any chance of getting that setting from HOF but not with a HOF diamond? Anyone have experince with that? Is that mainly a jeweler issue?

2. I''ve been reading all I can on HOF stuff, and I''m definitely aware of the hype factor. Any new opinions?

Thanks!

Karrie

 

[valeria101]

That is a pretty classic shape... definitely not HOF's invention. Perhaps this version does not look much like a snake - but it comes as a modern interpretation of a victorian ring shaped as a snake biting its tale... I have not seen it off mountigs catalogs, but at least several jewelry shop make versions of the respective 'snake ring' among their custom designs. It really is simple.


One could be Jewel Smith (www.jewelsmith.com) but could be wrong. I haven't looked into this for a while. Any shop capable to carve a wax shape and cast it should be ready to do it.

Are the prices you cite for the whole ring or just the diamond?

 

[kjgirdner]

Thanks Valerie - It does look a bit like a snake ring now that you point it out... hrm.. now I don''t know if I like it as much.

It looks less like snake in person - I think because it''s curved and the "tail" end is thicker.

The prices were for ring + diamond. I''m in NC and planning on going to Jewelsmith on Saturday. I found it in my searches and I like lots of their designs.

 

[Scintillating]

Have you looked at Niwaka?

They seem to design in your taste.
They make their rings for smaller stones, as is the trend in most countries outside the US.
Take a look. Elepri has a wedding band from them, it''s Gorgeous.

Scintillating...

 

[Scintillating]

Did you check out Niwaka?
What''d you think KJ?

Scintillating...

 

[kjgirdner]

Scintillating!

I love Niwaka!!! Thanks for suggesting it. If only they had somewhere closer than NYC to look at things in person.

But I''ve got tons more ideas for when we go to the custom place.

Any other ideas?

 

[gailrmv]

I am in NC too. If you are in the Triangle I recommend Grimball''s in CH. They may or may not have anything like this but they are GREAT at custom and working with you do get what you want within your budget.

 

[gailrmv]

I can''t believe I have lived here this long and never been to jewelsmith - their web gallery is amazing! There is another neat place on Franklin St in CH which I can'' t think of the name of right now - PM me if you want more info. It also has unusual stuff but is NOT CHEAP.

 

[kjgirdner]

Gailrmv - thanks for the suggestion. I''m in the Triad but willing to drive to the Triangle - what''s with NC and the tri fascination. Maybe I should get some trillions.

I''ll definitely add Grimball''s to the list of place to see when we''re in the Triangle.

Thanks!