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In love with BGD''s "Grace" setting, should I consider anything else?

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puravida

puravida

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Nov 4, 2008
Messages
166
I'm pretty darn sure that BGD's "Grace" setting, inspired by Lynn B, is THE one. But just to make sure I'm not too ga-ga over that setting that I'm not considering other similar setting, I thought I would even dare to ask: Are there any other similar settings I should consider? I'm looking into getting a 1-1.2 ct RB.

Here's the Grace:

**Link removed by Moderator. Linking to blogs is not allowed. Please link to vendor websites only**

The things I love about it are:
-the stone sits low as opposed to some settings (i.e. peg head) where the diamond sticks up a lot from the band
-delicate prongs
-no "cathedral", I prefer when the shank does not rise up to meet the basket
-the mid lice that runs through the basket
-that its clean, smooth, "graceful" and classic looking

Only thing is, that little donut at the bottom under the basket. I have mixed feelings about it. I like the look of it but worry that IF I want my wedding band to sit flush, it won't. Lesely invited me to ask Brian about it but I thought I'd ask here first.

So.... any other settings I should consider?
 
Hi puravida,

That setting will definitely not allow for a band to sit flush. I am not a fan of rings with a 'donut' myself for that reason. A jeweler once told me that a donut could also wear a little groove in the band over time. But it's up to you as to how much it will bother you. Have you tried on wedding sets that don't sit flush before?
 
OH, I should also mention that the only other significantly different option that I''m also attracted to is a bezel setting. But I like that with the open basket you can see the diamond from the side. Though, I''ve read that sometimes a bezel setting will make the center stone appear rounder and larger.
 
Have you tried either of your options on? I mean, a simple thin shank solitaire and a bezel? Tiffany bezet rings are a nice bezel. I love bezels in pictures but did not care for it on my hand.

I actually *like* a gap between my rings, makes them look like 2 and not 1, and the gap with the grace setting is about .5mm or less. I really don''t think you will notice it at all.
 
Do you think the gap created by the Grace will really only be that small?

I tried on settings on the weekend and didn''t mind the look of the small gap but its definately something I''m getting used to and in the past didn''t like so much. I find that it look sexy.

I wonder if the small gap makes it *feel* like one of the rings is "sliding down the finger" and about to fall off.

I suppose that with bezel set solitaires, there will definately be a gap between e-ring and w-band and it would be bigger than with the Grace setting. Unless the bezel is set high enough to accommodate the w-band underneath. But I did''t really like the settings that I tried on that had the basket or center stone up high.

The other thing I''m thinking is that the Grace setting will allow for more variability in wedding band selections. I''m not sure what I''d like for a wedding band yet and though it needn''t be completely matchy-matchy, my preferance is for the set to complement each other. For example, a w-band with shared prong stones would look great with a RB solitaire but paired with a RB bezel set center stone, the stones in the shared prong w-band may appear square-ish against the bezel.

For now, I''m leaning towards a bezel set eternity w-band which would look good with the Grace setting and a bezel setting e-ring as well. Do you think that a bezel set w-band worn against the "donut" of the Grace setting would create an extra big gap because it could mean the bubble of the donut sits against the bubbles of the bezels?
 
I love how simple and clean the Grace setting is. And like you said, Puravida, it''ll go well with a lot of different wedding band styles.

When I first joined PS, I was so against the idea of a gap - no matter how small. But that lessened over time, and I actually don''t see much of a gap at all in Lynn''s pictures. Though it sounds like the idea of a gap bothers you, and if that''s the case, I would definitely ask Lesley and Brian if they could reduce the donut so the w-band will sit flush. It''s a small thing, but when you''re looking at and wearing the ring everyday, that small thing could become really annoying, y''know?
 
Well, the shank of the grace setting in a whopping 2mm, and the amount that the donut sticks out doesn''t look like it is even close to halfof that width, looks more like 1/4, so that''s why I guessed less than half a mm. BGD could tell you. Also, looking at Lynn''s pics I don''t see much of a gap. Do you?
 
I love rings with donuts:-) and I don''t mind gaps, but really in Lynn''s pics I hardly see the gap. I think you would live this setting Puravida, and you''ll have so many wband options!!!
 
the gap will be teeny tiny, hardly noticeable. I think the Grace setting is just gorgeous!
 
I would say that if the gap bugs you, the Grace setting is the way to go- I don''t see much of one at all in Lynn''s pics, and I bet IRL it''s even less noticeable.

However since you are also thinking about a bezel I''ll add this: I swapped to a bezel recently and there are a few things I hadn''t thought about before getting it, that are pretty cool.

-You can see the stone''s pattern *so* much better in a bezel setting- no prongs to interrupt it- and I find I really love that. With an H&A stone I suspect that would be really a cool feature.

-I think the bezel setting makes my stone look bigger even than the halo setting it had been in.

-The security of having the whole darn girdle covered? Is awesome. I love not feeling so worried about the thin girdle on my stone.

-It''s easier to clean and keep clean than a prong set/basket setting. (I had worried about that actually). But the access to the pavilion to clean it is fabulous for those of us who are obsessed with cleaning! I''ve found that the bezel doesn''t hinder cleaning the edges.
 
Thanks for all the replies....Glad to see that the consensus is that the gap will be small at most.

But then I get a post like LittleGreyKitten that makes me still wanna remotely consider a bezel setting :) For all the points LGKitten mentioned, a bezel is very appealing. Though the Grace setting gives it some VERY stiff competition.

LGKitten: DO you have pics of your bezel setting? I admit that there are only a few that I like. One being the Tiffany Bezet. Another is how Ritani sets their stone in the Endless love setting, BUT minus the halo. Guess I should go through the bezel thread again if I can find it....
 
Hey, happy to hear you are loving the Grace setting!
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The gap is TEENY TINY! I wouldn''t mind if it were bigger, actually.

The donut is very, very small, and the amount of finger that shows between the rings is MINISCULE, barely a little sliver. I bet most people don''t even notice that.

If that''s all you are worried about, then my humble opinion is... DON''T WORRY!
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The setting is dynamite, I have no regrets!
 
I also have the GRACE and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!

LynnB is right. The gap is TINY! and actually i prefer the gap. The setting is so delicate and classic looking. I''ve only had it for 2 weeks and get nothing but compliments on it.

I say GO FOR IT!
 
I have no idea what the BGD is priced at, or if cost is any consideration. That said, you might consider the original by Leon Mege, rather than a knock off renamed. Just something to think about. I prefer the prongs by Mege.
 
I have the LM setting that''s similar (the width of mine is 1.6mm). I think they''re both lovely. There is a gap because of the donut but it''s minimal in my mind. I got mine a year ago and the cost is about the same.
 
Leon''s original of this ring is absolutely STUNNING. I have seen it in person.
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Date: 1/26/2010 5:41:30 PM
Author: purrfectpear
I have no idea what the BGD is priced at, or if cost is any consideration. That said, you might consider the original by Leon Mege, rather than a knock off renamed. Just something to think about. I prefer the prongs by Mege.
Click to expand...


I apologize in advance for the threadjack, but I've seen you say this several times in relation to this setting and I'm quite confused how anyone can call this ring an LM knock-off. It's a 4-prong basket style head on a plain shank. Does he make a version of this ring? Yes, as do MANY other jewelers out there who have probably never even heard of Leon Mege. I can certainly understand that you might prefer the look of Leon's solitaires to BGD's, but I think it's a bit unfair to say that this is a copy of a Leon "original". There's nothing original about this design. Beautiful, absolutely yes, but original, no.

Add me to the list of people who actually prefer a slight gap between the engagement and wedding bands. I think you can't go wrong with a classic ring like this one!
 
Date: 1/26/2010 7:23:17 PM
Author: kennedy

Date: 1/26/2010 5:41:30 PM
Author: purrfectpear
I have no idea what the BGD is priced at, or if cost is any consideration. That said, you might consider the original by Leon Mege, rather than a knock off renamed. Just something to think about. I prefer the prongs by Mege.
Click to expand...


I apologize in advance for the threadjack, but I''ve seen you say this several times in relation to this setting and I''m quite confused how anyone can call this ring an LM knock-off. It''s a 4-prong basket style head on a plain shank. Does he make a version of this ring? Yes, as do MANY other jewelers out there who have probably never even heard of Leon Mege. I can certainly understand that you might prefer the look of Leon''s solitaires to BGD''s, but I think it''s a bit unfair to say that this is a copy of a Leon ''original''. There''s nothing original about this design. Beautiful, absolutely yes, but original, no.

Add me to the list of people who actually prefer a slight gap between the engagement and wedding bands. I think you can''t go wrong with a classic ring like this one!
Click to expand...
The ''Grace'' was specifically modeled after Leon''s.
 
Date: 1/26/2010 7:23:17 PM
Author: kennedy

Date: 1/26/2010 5:41:30 PM
Author: purrfectpear
I have no idea what the BGD is priced at, or if cost is any consideration. That said, you might consider the original by Leon Mege, rather than a knock off renamed. Just something to think about. I prefer the prongs by Mege.
Click to expand...


I apologize in advance for the threadjack, but I''ve seen you say this several times in relation to this setting and I''m quite confused how anyone can call this ring an LM knock-off. It''s a 4-prong basket style head on a plain shank. Does he make a version of this ring? Yes, as do MANY other jewelers out there who have probably never even heard of Leon Mege. I can certainly understand that you might prefer the look of Leon''s solitaires to BGD''s, but I think it''s a bit unfair to say that this is a copy of a Leon ''original''. There''s nothing original about this design. Beautiful, absolutely yes, but original, no.

Add me to the list of people who actually prefer a slight gap between the engagement and wedding bands. I think you can''t go wrong with a classic ring like this one!
Click to expand...
Actually I''ve only said it ONCE before, as I am sensitive to the fact that a well liked PS member was the first to copy Leon''s ring and I saw no need to make a big deal out of it. Since YOU seem to think saying it twice has made it a big deal, I will respond to your confusion.

This ring is a direct knockoff and absolute copy of Leon''s ring. It is not just a random 4 prong basket style. It is Mege''s design. Not only did BGD copy it without any noticeable revision, but they "named" it as though it was their design. Most responsible jewelers will refuse to do an exact copy of anyone''s design. They (Whiteflash for example, and I''m sure others) will revise some 10 to 20% of the design so that it is "reminiscent of" but not an exact rip off. I''m saddened by BGD''s decision to copy Mege and more saddened that they seem comfortable with claiming it as their design
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Date: 1/26/2010 9:08:18 PM
Author: purrfectpear
Date: 1/26/2010 7:23:17 PM

Author: kennedy


Date: 1/26/2010 5:41:30 PM

Author: purrfectpear

I have no idea what the BGD is priced at, or if cost is any consideration. That said, you might consider the original by Leon Mege, rather than a knock off renamed. Just something to think about. I prefer the prongs by Mege.
Click to expand...



I apologize in advance for the threadjack, but I've seen you say this several times in relation to this setting and I'm quite confused how anyone can call this ring an LM knock-off. It's a 4-prong basket style head on a plain shank. Does he make a version of this ring? Yes, as do MANY other jewelers out there who have probably never even heard of Leon Mege. I can certainly understand that you might prefer the look of Leon's solitaires to BGD's, but I think it's a bit unfair to say that this is a copy of a Leon 'original'. There's nothing original about this design. Beautiful, absolutely yes, but original, no.


Add me to the list of people who actually prefer a slight gap between the engagement and wedding bands. I think you can't go wrong with a classic ring like this one!
Click to expand...
Actually I've only said it ONCE before, as I am sensitive to the fact that a well liked PS member was the first to copy Leon's ring and I saw no need to make a big deal out of it. Since YOU seem to think saying it twice has made it a big deal, I will respond to your confusion.


This ring is a direct knockoff and absolute copy of Leon's ring. It is not just a random 4 prong basket style. It is Mege's design. Not only did BGD copy it without any noticeable revision, but they 'named' it as though it was their design. Most responsible jewelers will refuse to do an exact copy of anyone's design. They (Whiteflash for example, and I'm sure others) will revise some 10 to 20% of the design so that it is 'reminiscent of' but not an exact rip off. I'm saddened by BGD's decision to copy Mege and more saddened that they seem comfortable with claiming it as their design
7.gif
Click to expand...


Your reply has not cleared up my confusion. Perhaps you could elaborate further what makes this ring so uniquely Leon. Yes, his solitaires are very well done and have a fluidity to them that few others can replicate, but that doesn't make the DESIGN itself any more his than someone who does a less perfect rendering of it. To my eyes, it's the execution, not the design that sets Leon apart from others who might make a ring similar to this. Leon does many Harry Winston-type settings (yes, I know he's rumored to make rings for Harry Winston, but he isn't rumored to have created the design) as do many, many other jewelers. He also does a version of the Cartier 1895. Leon's rings look better than most, but that doesn't give him the rights to the design. Again, perhaps you could elaborate as to why you think this is so unique that BGD's Grace is tantamount to copyright infringement.
 
Perhaps you would care to show us another exact copy (not similar, but exact) of this particular ring other than BGD? If it''s such a popular design and not Mege''s design, then that should not be a problem, no?

I don''t intend to say any more than that, because as I pointed out, this could be sensitive for current owners of the BGD ring.
 
Thanks LynnB and Blondie23 for your feedback on the setting! I have a gut feeling that keeps bringing me back to the Grace setting. I keep considering others so that in the end I know I exhausted all my options before choosing one.

I really don''t care if the ring is a knock off. I know I like the design. I''m not into buying things for their "name brand" so not having a Leon Mege ring doesn''t mean a thing to me. What does mean a lot is all the great feedback I''ve read about people who''ve worked with BGD. And I''ve been impressed with the customer service delivered in the dozen or so emails I''ve exchanged with Lesley thus far.

Not that it matters, but I thought Lynn designed the setting with Brian and she actually chose the name herself. The setting didn''t get named after a Leon ring....the story about the Grace setting is in BGD''s blog.
 
Date: 1/26/2010 9:44:03 PM
Author: puravida


I really don't care if the ring is a knock off. I know I like the design. I'm not into buying things for their 'name brand' so not having a Leon Mege ring doesn't mean a thing to me. What does mean a lot is all the great feedback I've read about people who've worked with BGD. And I've been impressed with the customer service delivered in the dozen or so emails I've exchanged with Lesley thus far.


Not that it matters, but I thought Lynn designed the setting with Brian and she actually chose the name herself. The setting didn't get named after a Leon ring....the story about the Grace setting is in BGD's blog.
Click to expand...

puravida, I'm pretty sure Lynn used a Leon ring that actually belongs to another pricescoper as an inspiration along with possibly a few others. BGD and lynn did not come up with the design out of the blue. I'm not sure what exact changes were made but Leon's was the first I'd seen of that design and it was done a couple of years ago. If I have time later today I'll look up Leon's original for you so you can see what the differences are as well as the thread with the pricescoper who owns it. Leon isn't really a brand name per se but he is a well respected designer in his field. BGD does have wonderful customer service and there isn't anything wrong with proceeding with them and I'm sure they took the necessary steps to insure they were not violating any copyrights. Rings are tricky and there are aspects that are "public domain. " this design may fall into that category.

good luck though, the ring is truly beautiful, both Leon's and BGD versions
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Hi, I just wanted to throw this other ring into the mix.
It was made by 23rd street jewelers for Demelza and I think it is very similar to the LM and the Grace design. When I saw the Grace, I immediately thought of Demelza''s ring.


https://www.pricescope.com/forum/rockytalky/another-fork-please-my-experience-with-23rd-street-jewelers-t100607-30.html
 
I don''t know why my link doesn''t work, but anyway, it''s the ring in the middle of the 2nd page.
I think they pretty much look exactly alike, with the except of the donut and the basket being a little bit wider/bigger, but otherwise, the same.
 
Date: 1/27/2010 10:07:32 AM
Author: butterfly 17
Hi, I just wanted to throw this other ring into the mix.

It was made by 23rd street jewelers for Demelza and I think it is very similar to the LM and the Grace design. When I saw the Grace, I immediately thought of Demelza''s ring.



https://www.pricescope.com/forum/rockytalky/another-fork-please-my-experience-with-23rd-street-jewelers-t100607-30.html
Click to expand...

I forgot about Dem''s ring. 23rd street jewelers did a beautiful job too!
 
Date: 1/27/2010 10:15:49 AM
Author: mrssalvo
Date: 1/27/2010 10:07:32 AM

Author: butterfly 17

Hi, I just wanted to throw this other ring into the mix.


It was made by 23rd street jewelers for Demelza and I think it is very similar to the LM and the Grace design. When I saw the Grace, I immediately thought of Demelza''s ring.




https://www.pricescope.com/forum/rockytalky/another-fork-please-my-experience-with-23rd-street-jewelers-t100607-30.html
Click to expand...


I forgot about Dem''s ring. 23rd street jewelers did a beautiful job too!
Click to expand...
Yes! and she was fairly picky about her settings, like me, so if this setting satisfied her, their work must be excellent.
 
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