If you had to choose a setting...what would it be?

[love rocks]

For a 1.25 ct GORGEOUS antique stone (OMC), would you rather choose:

a)a simple, yet classic pave setting, with a detailed basket that is thin enough to "show off" the diamond as its centerpiece and stack nicely against a wedding band?

or

b) a unique, thicker, antique-reproduction type of a setting, very intricate,with lots of diamond-detailing, but which the center diamond sits lower in, thereby becoming part of the design as a whole, instead of the (raised on prongs) centerpiece? And perhaps doesn''t show the size off as well?

I''ve found the stone of my dreams, now I''m trying to decide on the setting!

Any help/opinions would be extremely useful!!!

Also: in your opinion, do you think the vintage/antique look is a trend, that will die out soon? Just curious about your opinions.

THANKS A MILLION!!!

 

[Lynn B]

Gosh, whatta hard question!

I think it will all come down to whichever one YOU love the most! But to answer your question-- no, I don't personally think that the antique/vintage look will "die out" soon at all. IMHO, those are classic, timeless styles that will always be around.

Keep us posted on what you decide!

Lynn

 

[Hest88]

I didn't vote because it would have to depend on the individual setting. I've seen many thicker settings that I liked and many that I hated!

If this is for an e-ring though, hm, I think I'll have to go with #1. Okay, I guess I can vote now!

 

[msb2ncsu]

Here is the setting my girlfriend picked out awhile back and the one I will be ordering in the next week or two. Now finding that perfect stone to go with it is the hard part.

 

[ep6585]

msb2ncsu - Vatche is coming out with a variation of the ring you posted:

 

[msb2ncsu]

When is that supposed to come out? And do you know the name/model?

 

[ep6585]

I was told Vatche's going to add it to their online catalogue within the next several weeks. Either just before or just after their upcoming vacation.

All I know is it was called a "Double X Prong RD Center". It may or may not be it's official name. They're also coming out with the same variation for princess cuts.

 

[katbadness]

Does something like this fall under the 1st or 2nd category?

 

[Hest88]

I think of that as of the first category. When I think of the 2nd category I think of antique-style rings closer to this:

 

[glitterata]

I'm with Hest here--it totally depends on the individual setting.

As for fashion, yes, I think these things go in and out of style, so if you choose something that's fashionable today, it may not be later on. But if you wait long enough, it probably will be again. And if it starts out beautiful, it will stay beautiful, even if it's completely out of style.

I wear my grandmother's engagement ring from 1929. It's an utterly Art Deco setting. The center stone is surrounded by little bead-set single-cut diamonds, and on each side is a little marquise, also surrounded by bead-set diamonds; it's the second category you described. For many of the 65 or so years that Grandma wore it, it was hopelessly out of style, but now it's in again. When it goes back out, I'll still wear it with love and pride. I hope my niece or whoever I eventually pass it on to feels the same way and doesn't reset it.

 

[hoorray]

There is definitely a "fashion" to wedding sets that changes continually over time. Thus, I think it's important to decide what really appeals to you since you will wear it everyday for a long time, even tho fashion will continue to change. I think the antique looks are fairly timeless but their popularity comes and goes. I have an antique sapphire ring, which I love and wear, but instinctively, I gravitate to modern, simple lines. Go with what you gravitate to over and over would be my recommendation.

 

[Hest88]

Plus, I think an antique has already stood the test of time. It may go in and out of fashion, but it will never unfashionable as long as it's well-made.

 

[love rocks]

Thanks for all of your replies, so far, I hope more people reply, as I would love a bunch of varied opinions!

Here is a link to the Art Deco ring btw, not a great picture, (no side profile, unfortunately), but you can see that it is a split shank, with one small round diamond, bezel set, and one even smaller right next to it, on either side of the "shoulders". There's also some more intricate detailing on the basket. My ring would be smaller than this, since my carat size is smaller than the one in the picture. ITS THE LAST ONE ON THE LEFT

http://www.singlestone.com/ringselection/3.html

I'm trying to decide between this somewhat chunky art-deco style setting, and a more simple design with a v. thin band with one row of pave down the side, and some simple detailing on the basket.

So now you know my dilemma - they're both beautiful in their own way! One, more classic, and simple (though not mundane by any means), and one more detailed and unique. I never thought I'd like something with the diamond set so low on the prongs, and with so much detailing on the side, but there you have it!

Okay, final decision time is on Saturday, wish me luck, and tell me what you think!

 

[Mara]

I'm not a fan of thick, chunky settings that dwarf the stone so I voted for #1. Kat..I think of your picture as #1..and that is a BEAUTIFUL setting. Fay Cullen? Yummy! That is vintage as well, and to me it's more classicly beautiful than a thicker art deco piece. But you will be wearing it!! It's your decision in the end of course.




In terms of vintage going away...not likely! Consider that in the early 1900's...there were rings made that are STILL in commerce and being worn today. They resurfaced as being wildly popular in the last 5 years...and they may go a bit underground again but they will resurface again and personally I think that kind of old beauty is never out of fashion. People will still see a beautiful ring and compliment it, no matter from what era it is!

That link you posted shows a lovely ring, but this is more what I would select:


http://www.singlestone.com/ringselection/3/1.07EUROIVS2.JPG




Which I guess falls under #1?




Good luck! Its going to be your ring so you can't go wrong. Choosing a setting is hard!

 

[katbadness]

----------------
On 6/22/2004 1:34:16 PM Mara wrote:
That link you posted shows a lovely ring, but this is more what I would select:

http://www.singlestone.com/ringselection/3/1.07EUROIVS2.JPG
----------------

I second that opinion.

 

[msb2ncsu]

Not my style but I still think it looks great, my favorite of the ones posted so far (with the 1st one a very very close second).

 

[love rocks]

----------------
On 6/22/2004 2:00:52 PM msb2ncsu wrote:

Not my style but I still think it looks great, my favorite of the ones posted so far (with the 1st one a very very close second).----------------

Mike, are you referring to the ring that I posted, or the one directly above this post?

TIA

 

[caratgirl]

I picked a chunkier setting for my ering, but if I wasn't trying to counteract ring spin, I would choose the thinner setting. Alas, this is never to be unless they develop knuckle surgery

.

 

[msb2ncsu]

----------------
On 6/22/2004 2:31:59 PM love rocks wrote:

----------------

On 6/22/2004 2:00:52 PM msb2ncsu wrote:


Not my style but I still think it looks great, my favorite of the ones posted so far (with the 1st one a very very close second).----------------

Mike, are you referring to the ring that I posted, or the one directly above this post?


TIA----------------

The more I look at them, I think my favorite is the one katbadness posted towards the top of the page. Second, I would have to pick the alternate setting from the page you posted because it doesn't mask the diamond as much. When the split comes up an aroudn the outer edges of the diamond it just seems to blend in too much. I've never really cared for pave or any of the antique and art-deco looks but I'm really starting to like these settings. I don't think you could go wrong with any of these really. They aren't over-the-top or excessively ornate at all as I often seem to think when I see most rings of this style... very elegant and classy look.