If I could do it all again....

[The sun is shining]

If you could have your ring tweaked, would you change anything? Would you add/ remove millegrain? Would you add an airline? Have smalled/larger pave? Or, is it perfect?

 

[Kaleigh]

Seems like you''re having doubts, what''s wrong with your ring?? Have any pics to show us?? I think your question is too broad, but that could be me....

 

[chirp]

I would definitely change 4 prongs into 6 prongs. I like RB to look round.
It was re-sized and I don''t like it so I would have it custom-made.

IF I had a halo, I wouldn''t have an airline and I''d have very thin pave.
love the look of milgrain but heard it causes problems during polishing so not sure...

 

[kcoursolle]

I think it is in my personality but there are always things I would change. However, I think what is more important is being happy with what you have. You can do you homework and pick out what you like, but it might be that your tastes and styles can still change over time.

 

[Rhea]

Is it too late to change your ring? Could you show us a photo?

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Is there one thing that you consistently want to change? I think most people (especially PSers since we see tons of gorgeous ring on here!) sometimes think about modifications they could make--I know that sometimes I''d wish I had a bezel setting, or sometimes I wish I had step cut side stones, or that I''d gone bigger, but to be honest I haven''t found a ring I love as much as my own and would immediately regret it if I changed anything about mine. I think it''s completely normal to think about what you could change, but if there is one thing that is really bugging you and you really want to change it, then go for it.

 

[The sun is shining]

Oh, your guys are gorgeous - I''m in the position where the ring I''m having made came out completely worng (as in they''re remaking the entire thing) and in the process, I have done more research over the weekend, and am thinking I will change a couple of things from my original specs. I''m sure the jeweller wont be completely mad, they were the ones who asked me to provide more pictures. Things that were wrong with it was it was bezel set, the halo had a chunky profile, the pave was grain set and I had specified prongs, the band was too wide for it''s profile. All in all, I was horrified.

The people who inspired me were the owners of some lovely halos, I think it was Gypsy who said that if she could change some things she would have fish tail pave and possibly make the halo even smaller, and Allycay0303 said something about an airline... Off the top of my head.

So, as I am having a halo set, am thinking I will have a minute airline put in (from what I can see it should make my .67 "pop", I think I read Leon Mege recommends them for under 2ct... although Chirp says not to... out of curiosity, why?) and the profile will be changed to resemble the Ritani Bella Vita, which I only saw a picture of yesterday when it was posted. I had also initially asked for diamonds to be hammer set to the inside of the band, but due to it''s nature this is not possible. If there was some way I could get them in, I''d be thrilled.

The discussions are taking place tomorrow morning, 11am, Eastern Coast Australia time, and I was hoping for some perspective.

Thanks!

 

[tberube]

Sure, my ring isn't perfect, the prongs aren't 100% even and don't meet up against the diamond perfectly (though the jewelers say it ain't going anywhere)...but it's mine and it's beautiful, so I'll keep it just the way it is. To be honest, I have never seen a ring/setting I've loved more than mine, so I'd miss it if I changed it.

 

[orbaya]

I got my e-ring pre-pricescope (1997) so I didn''t have this option then. At least I don''t think it was around. I was 21-22 and didn''t know a whole lot about diamonds, so my 1ct diamond isn''t well cut, and it does have a bit of a yellowish tinge from the side. I love it though...very sentimental. I can''t part with it, so it''s going in a pendant. My WF 5-stone has taken the place of the e-ring.

So to answer your question, I would go with platinum, (which my new ring is) and not yellow gold like I did.

 

[The sun is shining]

Date: 5/26/2008 12:25:25 AM
Author: orbaya
I got my e-ring pre-pricescope (1997) so I didn''t have this option then. At least I don''t think it was around. I was 21-22 and didn''t know a whole lot about diamonds, so my 1ct diamond isn''t well cut, and it does have a bit of a yellowish tinge from the side. I love it though...very sentimental. I can''t part with it, so it''s going in a pendant. My WF 5-stone has taken the place of the e-ring.

So to answer your question, I would go with platinum, (which my new ring is) and not yellow gold like I did.

Oooh... I cant do platinum as they wanted 3x the quoted price for it... so I am going white gold.

I get the feeling most are completely smitten with their rings, which I am sure I will be too. Provided it''s done right!

I must admit, next time I purchse a diamond it will be with the help of PS! I thought the one I have was a good price, but I now know it could''ve been better, although it is a really pretty stone.

 

[IrishBreakfast]

Good luck getting your ring the way you want it. You are the one who is going to look at it everyday so it needs to be stunning in your eyes. I hope your jeweler comes through for you!

 

[Gypsy]

I'll answer your question now that I've worn it for a while. I love mine. If I had to tweak it, or alter it I MIGHT have the setting re-done with a couple of very slight changes by a jeweler in LA whose work I adore and didn't really discover until my setting was complete-- one of those changes being that I'd re-consider platinum because the scuffing is bothering me with my plain shank despite the fact that I had it done in a good platinum alloy, another being maybe a halo with even smaller point size as you mentioned. But I doubt I'd really ever do it. I really love my ring-- it polishes up perfect and the halo size makes the center look really large. I'd be more likely to spend the $$ on something new.

As for my comment about different type of pave. I love the look of mine. It's just very expensive to repair because it's a time consuming type of pave (and because of the platinum cost, and I think as a result of the metal it is more prone to dings so it moves more, at least that's my impression. I never had a problem with my white gold ring)... and because I could then get over my OCD matchy matchy issue of getting a fishtail pave wedding band (which is still bugging me, though I think I'd likely get over it once I had the band-- do need to do a poll about the band though).

 

[The sun is shining]

Gypsy, thank you! I didn''t mean to appear rude by quoting you, I''m just trying to work out if there is any common theme about what bugs people, if there was, I would be able to take it on board.

What I have learnt is this - If I get all the things I love and combine them, have the jeweller do a good job I should be happy with what the end result it. Having said that, I once had a ring made, the donut below the stone seemed to cut me wheneverI banged it, so much so I hated the ring and was glad to disassemble it. (maybe I''m clumsy!) Come to think of it, that setting seemed to disappear shortly after the stones were removed.

I guess from my previous experience, I''m paranoid I''ll make mistakes again. It would be an exxy mistake!

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 5/26/2008 6:06:19 AM
Author: The sun is shining
Gypsy, thank you! I didn''t mean to appear rude by quoting you, I''m just trying to work out if there is any common theme about what bugs people, if there was, I would be able to take it on board.

What I have learnt is this - If I get all the things I love and combine them, have the jeweller do a good job I should be happy with what the end result it. Having said that, I once had a ring made, the donut below the stone seemed to cut me wheneverI banged it, so much so I hated the ring and was glad to disassemble it. (maybe I''m clumsy!) Come to think of it, that setting seemed to disappear shortly after the stones were removed.

I guess from my previous experience, I''m paranoid I''ll make mistakes again. It would be an exxy mistake!

Sun, as I love heaps of different styles and am very indecisive on this myself, I know its tempting to try to incorporate as many things you love as possible.
However, just from my short time reading on here about custom projects, I have come to understood that many believe its best to choose one or two of the styles that are "tried and tested" and go with that..I guess otherwise you can run the risk of it looking busy or mismatched?

Also, and I know it may seem like an obvious idea, but always best to do some research first on the jeweler you are using - if possible, get to see some of their custom projects IRL and always have a really good talk with them, preferably the person making your actual ring and preferably in person.

Unfortunately, all too often we hear on PS of people''s stress over projects that went oh-so-wrong..

Anyway, thats just my rant for the day, sorry!

 

[Pandora II]

I love my ring as it is, but I might have been tempted to have the shank done in shared prong rather than channel set if I lived in the US.

In a lot of lighting, when I look down at it, the platinum just seems to disappear and all I can see is a line of diamonds and it looks really delicate and sparkly.

I was too worried about it having problems and then not being able to get it fixed.

Maybe a 10 year setting upgrade...

 

[Gypsy]

The sun... feel free to qoute me!

I just wanted to clarify random comments into a cohesive post. But it was good, because you made me thing.

About your comment about combining different elements. I agree that you have to somewhat careful. I had to nix quite a few things I liked about other rings (and now will have to get RHR with them

) to make this one cohesive. It helped me that I saw other plain shanked halos and tried them on, and even though most of those had metal edging on the halo... one was without a 'metal' edge. Plus, Irina was able to photoshop my ideas for me nearly exactly as they ended up looking.

If you look at Violet02's ring-- its got so many elements I considered and wanted... and then if you look at mine you'll be like, "Um, Gypsy, other than the fact that you both have halos the two rings have nothing in common." I had to disgard a lot of the vintage elements I wanted because I wanted certain other things. And so, like I said... RHR

.

 

[diamondfan]

I might have done step cut traps, or shields with my stone, but I have no regrets, I love my ring.

 

[Madam Bijoux]

I would have had my Royal Asscher set alone with double-claw prongs.

 

[The sun is shining]

Well, I went to visit the jeweller on Tuesday, and after speaking to the rep, he looked at me and decided it was best to get the jewller out, the one who is making my ring. He was so helpful, and totally understood what I want.

I showed him the pictures I wanted to incorporate - shared prong halo considreing and airline, and fishtail pave band, and he siad that he could do it easily. He did mention that the pave I wanted is engraved, and said the rest would be done.

I felt more confident after speaking to him, knowing that nothing was going to get lost in translation.

After he has finished making the ring, it''s going to the setter, then to the engraver and then back to them to be polished, but all in all I am feel pretty good about the experience.

(is it terrible I''m already thinking of what I''ll do for an upgrade?!)

 

[The sun is shining]

Gypsy, you''re right. They both have halos. And that''s about all!

 

[Gypsy]

YUP! Told ya, nothing in common.

Um... not to sound like a cynic, but ask him for a sketch, a CAD or something. Is he doing a wax? There should be something. What will he do if there is something lost in the translation? Will he re-make the wax, the ring.

Get EVERYTHING in writing. Also pay with an Amex or other card with SERIOUS consumer protection. And call them before hand to ask them what those protections are for custom pieces.


I talked to Ocean for three days. Sent her a power point presentation. And we still had a serious mis-communication about the halo. She re-made it. But I had to have my APPRAISER explain to her what I wanted.

 

[The sun is shining]

I know everything should be in writing, but I also have confirmation that if I''m not happy with it, they wont make me take it. I have already had the unpleasant experience of nothing being corrrect, and the simple solution was to remake the entire thng.

I really feel calm about this. I''ll never forget saying to my SO that I was petrified they would f* it up, and my worst fears were confirmed. Hopefully my calmness about the current remaking process will be confirmed when I see it before it''s final polish.

Gotta say, I''m feeling good.