JA Solitaire Settings

[gelatodave]

Hey,

I have searched all over PS, but can't seem to find some good "real life" photos of these two settings. I am particularly interested in seeing a side profile shot of these rings. I have read that the JA settings have thick prongs. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also, which of the two do you like more?

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...old-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-ring-17001w.html

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/diamond-solitaire-rings.html

Best,
Dave

 

[Gypsy]

Ask JA if they have any they can send you.

 

[Christina...]

Unfortunately this is the only photo that I have of the 2mm knife edge solitaire and it's not going to be very helpful but I'll post it anyway...

I can tell you that the prongs are identical to the ones in the second photo. I think they are bulky, but I prefer the sleek sexiness of claw prongs. I did at one time ask JA to modify the prongs for me, but they were unable to create the prongs that I wanted and referred me to the handmade claw setting that they now carry, however that wasn't what I was looking for either. I will say that I've had three settings from JA and they are well made and that I haven't had a problem with any of them.

 

[gelatodave]

Wow! Your ring is gorgeous with the pave setting! I might have to go with that one..

So,if the two rings you posted have "claw prongs," what type of prongs are on the "6-Prong Tiffany Replica" ring?

Thanks!!

-Dave

 

[Christina...]

Sorry, I wasn't very clear. I chose not to have JA modify the prongs for me and had them ship the ring as they sold it, so the prongs are currently exactly as you would receive it if you ordered the 2mm knife edge, or the pave setting. The hand made claw setting that you posted is different than the pave in the photo and is much more claw like than mine, so it would be much more dainty. If you like the looks of the pave in my photo then you could ask them to use the same head as the handmade setting. I know they can do this, because it was the suggestion that they made to me when I inquired about claws.

For me personally, I like the type of claws that you see in many VC, SK, RDG, and Leon designs, and the JA claw setting, still didn't seem quite right, so I elected to wait. I'll be doing another reset in the fall, so it didn't make much sense for me to have the setting modified to change it again in a few months. If I was choosing between the 2mm knife edge and the handmade claw setting today, then hands down I would go for the handmade setting. It's quite a price increase, but I've found that I've become quite picky about prongs, so the price difference would be worth it for me. For someone that maybe hasn't seen really great prong work, then I doubt that the increase in price would be worth it.

edit: Thanks for the compliment. I've really liked this setting as well, and have had no issues with the pave. Pave settings can be a nightmare sometimes. It's not uncommon to lose stones, knock on wood, I haven't yet. I wouldn't say that I'm particularly easy on my rings either, but I don't sleep, shower, workout, clean, cook etc with then either. What type of lifestyle does your gf have?

 

[gelatodave]

Thanks for clarifying! After looking at the two rings I can definitely see what you are talking about and prefer the claw prongs as well. Can you take a look at this ring? It looks like your pave setting, but with the handmade prongs that are on the tiffany setting. Is that correct?

My gf is an attorney.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...pave-set-4-prong-diamond-engagement-ring.html

Thanks!

 

[Christina...]

Yes very similar. My setting has .02 melee and the setting that you posted has .01's. I've also owned the same setting I have now but with the .01's and felt that the stones were too small and that too much metal showed, so I exchanged it for the .32 french cut pave..this is the link...
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/White-Gold-2-1mm-French-Cut-Pave-Engagement-Ring.html

Initially from the photos that JA shows, I thought that the shank looked bulky, but as you can see from my pics, it's really quite dainty IRL. The thin french cut version was just too dainty for me. I really like a 2mm shank, and most PSers don't suggest going much thinner. When I asked about having the head replaced they quoted me $150 for the handmade version (I think, I'll check my emails), so if you were decide to go with the french pave version and change the head, it would still come in less than the setting that you just posted with the .01's. Of course then, only the head would be handmade, not the entire ring. Just a thought. What size center stone are you using?

 

[Christina...]

I really like this one too. I still wish the melee was larger though, but that's just personal preference.
http://www.jamesallen.com/designer-engagement-rings/meno-collection-by-danhov/ring/item_412-4013.asp

 

[gelatodave]

I am going to the JA storefront tomorrow to choose one of the three stones I picked out. They range in size from 1.01-1.15 ct.

Thanks!

 

[Christina...]

I think it's great that you will get to see your options in person! Can you ask that they make the settings your considering available as well? It will give you a much better impression of them. My center stone in the pave setting is 1.2 and in the 2mm knife edge is a 1ct asscher, so that gives you an idea size wise of what yours might look like. Cant wait to hear your about your experience! Good Luck!

 

[Enerchi]

Gelato Dave - bringing this forward to find out which setting and which stone you picked? Christina had great input regarding the 2 heads, the prongs and the melee. What did you prefer when you looked at the options?