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I'm so upset - advice needed about halo reset

M

Marleena

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Messages
9
Hi everyone,

I feel like I need some advice from fellow Pricescope members about my engagement ring reset.

I have been engaged for over a year and have developed some serious diamond shrinkage syndrome - I have a .90 ct round brilliant solitaire in a plain 6 claw white gold setting. Looking at everyones beautiful halos for the last couple of months I've fallen in love with the cushion shaped halo for my round diamond. I finally convinced my fiance to go back to the jeweller (in Melbourne, Australia) to discuss resetting my diamond. They had 2 beautiful halo settings, one bezel, one claw that were round halos. I showed the jeweller photos of a cushion shaped halo and he couldn't understand why I would want to change the shape- he said it was trying to fit a round diamond in a square shaped hole and that there would be huge gaps between the halo and the centre diamond, and that the diamond would have to sit high ( i was specific about the diamond sitting as low as possible into the halo).

The jeweller gave me the 2 settings to take home for a week and try on to decide if I liked the settings they had or if I still want to design a cushion shaped halo. I brought the 2 settings to my parents and sister to get their opinions and they went crazy at me, saying that they hated both settings, and asking why would I want to change my classic setting for something else, we should be saving our money etc.

I'm so upset, I've been looking at halos for months, and now I'm worried that I will change my mind about the reset a few years down the track and wish I hadn't done the halo, or if I do go down the path of designing a cushion shaped halo, will I not be happy with the result? I don't want to return the settings the jeweller gave me and not do anything, he leant me the settings in good faith, and we were extremely happy with the service and the craftmanship of my current engagement ring.

Can anyone give me their opinions on what I should do? If anyone has a cushion shaped halo can you please post pics of your ring, especially close ups of the gap between the halo and the diamond.

I feel like I may be asking too much for a cushion shaped halo, I don't want to end up with a reset that I hate.

Thanks in advance,


Marleena.
 
I went through some dss with my solitaire and after looking around ps I went ahead and got one. It was love at first site and loved the finger coverage. It's been almost a year later and I hate to admit it because I said I never would but I wished I would have just kept my ring as a solitaire and saved my money for an upgrade. Just my own personal take on it.
 
I think you need to look beyond your jeweler at settings. There are plenty of round diamonds in cushion halos with no "gaps" or anything like that. It's only a deal if you find exactly what you want!
 
I LOVE rounds in cushion shaped halos!
 
Just remember the reason you chose the solitaire to begin with (if you did choose it). Halos don't make your diamond look bigger. They make your ring look bigger. I am tempted at times to switch to a blingier setting, but then I remember why I chose the solitaire to begin with. I wanted my diamond to "speak for itself." If you've always wanted a halo, then that is another story. Good luck! :)
 
I second what EHR said.

Also- is there the possibility for an upgrade diamond in the future? Is your FI open to an upgrade for an anniversary etc.? **If there is the possibility of an upgrade years down the road, I would wear and enjoy the current Ering until then. THat way you will not be wasting any money on a setting that you cannot use in the future and that money you would be saving from not getting the halo could go towards the upgrade stone or other things that come up in life.


If there is no upgrading the stone down the road, and you really want the halo and have the money, do it. If in the end you regret the decision, you could keep the old setting and reset it back into the original setting.
 
Sorry but I think you need to look elsewhere to find the setting you want.
I have a Vatche Grace with a .60ct round and have no regrets. I had the same dilemma and the halo satisfied my need for more blingage relatively cheaply. My ideal solitaire would have to be around the 1.5ct mark and that one will be years in the making...

a couple of settings to consider
http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=42_86&products_id=7770&cType=ER

www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/guinevere-diamond-engagement-ring-180.htm

Good Luck :bigsmile:
 
EHR2009|1290964087|2780951 said:
Just remember the reason you chose the solitaire to begin with (if you did choose it). Halos don't make your diamond look bigger. They make your ring look bigger. I am tempted at times to switch to a blingier setting, but then I remember why I chose the solitaire to begin with. I wanted my diamond to "speak for itself." If you've always wanted a halo, then that is another story. Good luck! :)
Click to expand...

agree 100%
 
Most important: Don't feel like you have to conduct business with the jeweler just because he lent the settings to you to test drive. It's a big decision/purchase and you have every right to say that you need more time to think about it and I'm sure he'll understand.

I toyed around with the idea of switching my round halo to a cushion shaped one after seeing a Jack Kelege here on PS and I probably obsessed about it for a week, but then the obsession died down and I went back to loving my own ring. Even now, a teeny tiny part of me also thinks about a cushion flanked by two pears... I guess the ring envy happens to all of us every now and then. But if this is something you know in your heart you'll be happy doing, then go for it but seek out other options (I love the two that akmiss shared with you!!!)
 
Personnaly.... I really don't like round in a cushion halo. It's just matter of taste and I agree with other, if the setting the jeweler suggest don't fit look elsewhere.
 
I love cushion shaped halo's and especially the Jack Kelege one's! While it is true that a halo won't make your diamond look
bigger it may change the perception of the size of your diamond because your ring has more finger coverage. Semantics really.
If you love the look, go for it. I didn't end up going for a halo because I wanted a simpler look in the end. Every now and then
though, I see one and my heart goes pitter pat.... but I told my DH this was going to be my forever setting....
 
IF your jeweler is advising against it then I wouldn't have confidence that he'll "get" what you want and knows the overall look of a cushion halo for a round stone. Sounds like he'll be experimenting and I don't want my e-ring stone to be an experiment for him. If I were you, I would be looking for someone who goes, "aaahh I see, it can look beautiful if done right, I've created one before / I've seen it before and it looks great."

To me personally, I don't like the idea of altering the shape of the stone via setting - doesn't feel "classic" to me. If i want a cushion halo, I would go for a cushion stone to begin with.
 
Please feel free to return the settings to the jeweler and tell him that they won't work for you. You do not owe him your business. Then get on the computer and go to the Tacori website. They have at least three settings that should work for you. They all have the cushion shape on the outer perimeter of the head and are round on the inside perimeter. They are made to fit a round diamond into a cushion setting. I don't think this is a ring you would tire of. OTOH, setting a round diamond in a cushion shaped head will leave those gaps. I wouldn't be happy with this look at all.
 
Totally agree with Amy, MissD, and RisingSun - and all at the same time, too. :rodent:

IF there is a possibility of upgrading in the future and money is a concern, I wouldn't get a halo now. However, if you're planning on keeping this stone forever (upgrade or no upgrade), you should have a setting that makes your heart sing.

I do think getting a setting that's made for a cushion outline on a round stone is the way to go: poke around amongst Vatche, Tacori, Kirk Kara, etc., and see what you like. If you really really really want to go through your local jeweler for whatever reason, you can always have him call one of these in: you don't owe him anything, but, if you want to maintain the relationship for the future, you do have options (and you definitely shouldn't settle for the first thing he has to offer, or go through the worry of custom-designing with a less-than-enthusiastic jeweler).

And, finally ... while I'm sure your family has nothing but good intentions, it's not their place to tell you how to spend your money. "Which of these settings do you like?" is a completely different question from "Should I upgrade my setting?" Do what makes you happy.
 
This is the sketch I received from the designer at the jewellers.

lopizzo-sketch.jpg
 
Marleena1|1291158337|2783386 said:
This is the sketch I received from the designer at the jewellers.
Click to expand...


sketch looks great- love the double row of pave on the halo.
 
Hi everyone,

Firstly thankyou to all who replied, I really took all your comments on board and I've had a few days to calm down a bit.

I had another appointment at the jewellers, this time with the designer. We had a long chat and she sketched exactly what I wanted. I posted the sketch above. After talking to her I'm not so worried, she said that after the CADs are drawn, we can make changes, and she will also organise for a wax to be made and they will place my diamond in the wax to see how it will look.

What does everyone think of the sketch? Opinions are welcome!

I've come to realise that my sister and mum were probably jealous about this whole re-set thing. After all, I am the one wearing it! My fiance has always said that they never look after my best interests,and if I am happy, he is happy.

An upgrade will be a long time coming! We're getting married in October next year and the soonest I could ask for something would be our 5 year anniversary. I'm really excited about this project now, and I have faith that the designer knew what I wanted and she will do her best to make it happen.

I will post pictures of the CADs when I see them.

Thanks for everyone's replies.
 
I think the sketch looks great! I'm not sure if you've seen lvfdoll's cushion shaped halo, it is beautiful - one of my favorite rings on PS. Unfortunately, I am terrible at finding old posts on this new version of PS. Lvfdoll's ring is a Stardust setting. I really do like the sketch but thought I would throw this out there for you to check out.
 
I personally LOVE halos and I think the sketch is SPOT ON!! JUST BEAUTIFUL!!

You have to go with your heart and do what will make YOU happy. Don't listen to others, listen to yourself. I upgraded from a single stone to a halo for my 9th wedding anniversary. In fact we got an entirely new diamond..a new ring. I didn't ask what ppl thought beforehand nor did I care what they would think of it. Halos aren't liked by all but that could be said for anything..it's personal preference.

GO FOR IT if that's what you want and enjoy your new setting!
 
Oh, I love it!!!! My friend has a round in a cushion halo (by Scott Kay) and its gorgeous!!!!! I love your jewelers sketch!!
I say if it makes you happy, then go for it!!!! Do what your heart tells you to do!!! :appl: :appl:
 
Hi everyone,

I received the second draft of cad images today and I'm really interested to read peoples thoughts. Please feel free to give me any criticism, whether good or bad. I want to get this reset absolutely perfect, I'll only be doing it once.

Interestingly, the Jeweller didn't let me see the first set of cads, she wasn't happy with the gap between the centre diamond and the halo, and sent them straight back to be amended.

Does anyone think that the gap between the diamond and halo will be very noticeable? I'm surprised and quite happy so far with the cads, I must admit I didn't think the cads would look this good. Should I ask to make the halo "tighter" around the diamond to reduce the gap?

Thanks in advance.

I'm starting to get quite excited about this project now.

Once I ok the cads a wax 3d model will be made and I will have a chance to get a good look at it in 3d.

Looking forwards to reading everyones opinions.


Marleena
 
I looked for a re-set for my ring for four years. Once I finally had it in my hot little hands my mother and my grandmother insulted it.

I told them that I loved it. And I do. As long as I am my husband are happy with it, what does it matter otherwise.

As for cushion shaped halo. DO NOT GO WITH THAT JEWELER. I have done quite a bit of custom work and I can tell you that one of the most important aspects it a jewelers (warranted) confidence in making it, them being on board with your design (not in an asthetic sense but in a techinical sense).

I suggest asking people on here to show you their cushion shaped halos for round stones or asking for stock ones (Vatche has the Grace I think) that have this look.

Custom work is not easy, but it's not hard either. The hardest part is finding the right jeweler for your project and your jeweler is telling you that HE IS NOT THE ONE FOR THIS SETTING. Listen to him. You will be glad you did.

ETAL Saw the sketch. Looks good. Make sure they will adjust it if you are not happy with the final version. It looks just like the Vatche Grace. I suggest showing them some pics of that.
 
Oops, forgot to attach the images.

R182106_S182104%20_Z3297_new%202%7BE777FE61-94B5-4C7F-95EA-B1034466F50B%7D.jpg

R182106_S182104%20_Z3297_new%202%204v%7B2AD5E355-CAC4-48B5-AABF-73071DD00495%7D.jpg
 
love it! love the miligraining, the double layering.....i think it looks amazing.
 
This is going to be stunning! I LOVE it!
 
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