I''m clueless! Please help me pick a setting....

[heels13]

Hi all. I believe I've narrowed down the engagement ring for my girlfriend to four settings -- two by Maevona and two by Sholdt. But I'm flying solo on this (aside from a little help from my sister), and I am looking for some input. Any advice/opinions would be greatly appreciated. My girlfriend is a kind, no-frills, down-to-earth woman, and I've tried to find rings that match her personality. Pictures attached below. Thanks!!!

Sholdt #1

 

[heels13]

Sholdt #2:

 

[heels13]

Maevona #1:

 

[heels13]

Maevona #2:

 

[winternight]

Honestly, these are really modern looking settings to me. Are you going for classic and simple or modern? Do you have an idea what she likes? I''m a big believer in the woman having a say in picking out the ring. Anyways, I like the third one the best out of those rings because it looks less heavy to me and the others look heavier/less delicate.

 

[elle_chris]

Well, as I have the first Sholdt that's my pick. D&T has the second Sholdt in yellow gold and I love that one too. Then the #2 Maevona. I don't like the first Maevona at all.

BUT, I am very into modern and minimal (like tension settings), straight lines, nothing ornate or too blingy (not a girly girl). My clothes and personal style reflect this.

When you're going for a non-typical setting, and by that I mean non-prong tiffany style, you need to make sure your girlfriend appreciates it.

 

[clgwli]

I think you need to figure out if your girl is a modern style gal or not. I am definitely not into a lot of ultra modern looks, so the first Maevona is the only one I like out of the four you posted. It''s simple but with a twist. I am a very minimalistic type of person and kind of a no-frill person so the others would feel like too much for me. I am also petite (short and small framed with child sized hands) so I prefer less metal in general.

 

[tyty333]

I like 1 and 2. 3 is ok and I dont like 4 at all.

If your GF likes really clean lines go with number 1. If you think that your GF likes a little extra bling go with number 2.

These settings to me are pretty particular and not something I would think most guys would pick for their GFs.
If I were you I would put the stone in a simple (inexpensive) setting and let her pick the setting she would like
after you give it to her.

 

[oneandahalfrock]

I know people like to keep the element of surprise, but has she seen any of these? Are they HER top 4 picks or YOUR top 4 picks for what you believe she would like?
If she hasn''t seen them, and you want to keep it a surprise, I remember just a simple temporary setting... After she says yes, you can get the diamond set and select the setting together.
Much luck!
And my vote is for setting number 2

 

[Laila619]

Personally, if she''s a no frills girl I would put the ring in a classic Tiffany replica 6 prong. It''s simple and timeless. These other rings you posted are really modern looking and chunky, and are not everyone''s cup of tea.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 2/4/2010 12:00:48 PM
Author: Laila619
Personally, if she''s a no frills girl I would put the ring in a classic Tiffany replica 6 prong. It''s simple and timeless. These other rings you posted are really modern looking and chunky, and are not everyone''s cup of tea.

Ditto. Or else I would put it in an inexpensive and simple solitaire (you can get them for a few hundred) and tell her you will pick the setting together!

As a side note, men tend to pick heavier/thicker settings than women would pick. I love the sholdt, but without seeing it in person and knowing how she feels, it is risky because it is a love it or hate it setting I think.

 

[Laila619]

Yes, a nice 4 prong solitaire on a thin band would be pretty too.

 

[AprilBaby]

I am a traditionalist but I have always loved the Scholdt. Either #1 or #2 but I agree, you should know if she likes modern.

 

[heels13]

Thanks for all the input. To clarify a little more, my girlfriend does not wear a lot of jewelry, but what she has is primarily modern -- mostly minimal designs, clean lines, nothing ornate. She''s on the taller side -- 5''7" -- and thin. Some have commented that the rings I included seem chunky or thick. But I got the opposite impression when I saw them in person at my local jeweler -- they all struck me as rather delicate with modest profiles. Also, I was encouraged that my sister, who has a similar frame and sense of style as my girlfriend, liked both the first Sholdt and first Maevona design (which in person looks a lot like the Tiffany Lucida setting).

No doubt, it''s hard to be certain what my girlfriend would like. But the store where I''m thinking about buying has a 60-day, no questions asked exchange policy. And most importantly, I''d like to maintain the element of surprise....

Thanks again. Any thoughts welcome.

 

[mara82]

I like the fact that you would like the element of surprise, but getting input can be really helpful. You can ask one of her close friends if you trust one not to tell. Or if your sister and her ever hang out, have your sister casually be looking at a magazine with e-rings(most woman''s magazine show them) and have her admire a ring stating "I''ve always wanted a ring like this" she can later add "what type of ring have you pictured for yourself" I know many men that propose with just the diamond, and than make a date out of finding the prefect setting. Tiffany has a charm that say''s "marry me" I''ve always thought it would be great for someone to propose with the bracelet and than the same day or next day go ring shopping together. Just my advice as a woman who has been there.

 

[Laila619]

If you want to maintain the element of surprise, you could always propose with the diamond mounted in a basic solitaire, and then later have her pick the permanent setting. Lots of guys go the temp setting route. As a woman, I would not mind this at all. I would have loved to pick out my own setting!

If you're still set on going with one of the settings you posted, I prefer the Maevona # 1. It looks elegant.

 

[LGK]

I like the Sholdt, with no real opionion pro or con on the channel set diamonds. Either way is pretty. I like some Maevona settings (though they're nothing I'd wear, the styling is cool) but not those particular ones much for some reason- I guess I like the more dramatic ones in that line, and these are a mix of traditional and unusual, but not pushing the envelope enough to look right to me- the styling details look a bit awkward I guess, rather than fluid, unique, and cool as the more stylized ones look to me. I'd rather see them either more traditional looking or more unique- but that is of course a matter of opinion. And I'm sure the workmanship is top notch at least, and they aren't unattractive by any means, of course.

ETA: I changed my mind. I think I like the channel set Sholdt setting a smidge more- the diamonds look small and delicate and I think it's a nice touch.

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 2/4/2010 12:03:51 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 2/4/2010 12:00:48 PM

Author: Laila619

Personally, if she''s a no frills girl I would put the ring in a classic Tiffany replica 6 prong. It''s simple and timeless. These other rings you posted are really modern looking and chunky, and are not everyone''s cup of tea.

Ditto. Or else I would put it in an inexpensive and simple solitaire (you can get them for a few hundred) and tell her you will pick the setting together!


As a side note, men tend to pick heavier/thicker settings than women would pick. I love the sholdt, but without seeing it in person and knowing how she feels, it is risky because it is a love it or hate it setting I think.

ditto this. I think the idea if getting a more traditional 6 prong setting and then letting her pick is a great one. that way the proposal can still be a surprise but then she gets to pick the setting of her dreams. the sholdt settings are not cheap so I''d want to be 100% sure that it''s exactly what your GF wants before purchasing it. I consider myself a modern/classic dresser and don''t really wear any jewelry but found what i like for an e-ring is a lot my frilly than my clothes would suggest

 

[upgrade]

The styles are very different. I think people are either going to like #''s 1,2 &4 or they''re going to like #3. I think #3 is a bit more classic. 1,2 & 4 look very modern to me. They''re lovely choices if a really modern look is what she''s into but not for me personally. I''d choose #3, hands down, but I''m into more classic styles.

Given the wide variety of opinions here, I think it really boils down to personal preference. These settings are not going to be cheap, so I''d either investigate further what she wants or go with a temporary, inexpensive setting and let her choose. A lot of women have a very definite idea of what they want their engagement ring to look like and that often doesn''t mesh with what a man thinks so the safest option is to let her pick. I agree with what an earlier poster said in that men tend to choose much heavier rings than women- I know my dh did (and it''s been reset twice!)

Good luck! You''re very sweet to put this much thought into trying to make it perfect for her!