Leon Mege Tulip Advice

[el6toad]

Hello fellow forum members! This is my first post even though I've been lurking around the forums for a while. I am finally looking for an engagement ring for my girlfriend and am looking for something very special. I initially started talking to some local jewelers when it struck me that I just couldn't get an OK setting like the ones I was being offered. I'm very obsessive about details and a lover of good design.
I am looking for a ring that:

Emphasizes the beauty of the main diamond.
Has an honest design.
Has beautiful and precise proportions.
Protects the diamond throughout the years.

From what I've seen on the internet, I narrowed it down to the Leon Mege Tulip (something similar to the r6120). I am considering a 1.2 karat, F, VS2 hearts and arrows round diamond. As I've stated before I prefer cut, optics precision and color over size. My main questions are regarding the shank. Since the diamond is not too big, I think getting the perfect shank width proportion is crucial.

1) What are your thoughts regarding a "flatter" interior shank like the r6120 (https://leonmege.com/index.php/portfolio/engagement/round-diamond-tulip-solitaire-engagement-ring-detail) vs a "rounder" interior shank like the r5918 (https://leonmege.com/index.php/portfolio/engagement/round-diamond-solitaire-tulip-engagement-ring-detail)?
2) Would you go with more of a 2mm shank or a 1.8mm?
3) I read some members mention that Leon sets the diamond very low (but not sure how it feels like in real life as I can't travel to NYC to see them physically). Would you recommend asking for a medium-low setting instead?
4) Is the 6 prong tulip setting safe enough for the diamond? He claims on his webpage that his prongs are the thinnest available anywhere. The metal would be platinum.

Thank you so much!!! I am enjoying this process very much and am very excited to hear from you. Warm regards,
-A

 

[liaerfbv]

I like the flat interior. 2mm. Medium low. You'll be fine with 6 prongs.

 

[el6toad]

Thank you!

 

[VRBeauty]

The rounded interior shank will slip on and off the finger more easily. It would be a good choice if your gf has, for example, a ring finger knuckle that's very large in proportion to where the ring would sit on her finger. That's not to say that you should be used only in enlarged knuckle situations, but it would work well in those cases.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I think that is a beautiful setting!

 

[el6toad]

@MissGotRocks I think so too, I have been thinking about it a lot and I think that it really displays the beauty of the diamond without distractions.

@VRBeauty Thank you, thats exactly the advice I wanted to hear pro/cons of going either way. Much appreciated!

Now on to selecting the best diamond to place in there. Right now I am in talks with Perry from the diamond concierge, please let me know if you have any advice. I rather sacrifice price but get the best cut performer out there that I can. The 1.21 carat hearts and arrows that I am currently considering has an HCA score of 1.6 and is GIA "Triple X". I have to ask Perry if he can provide me with any images to see the inclusions?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would tell him medium height, because medium to him is probably going to be low.

 

[el6toad]

@diamondseeker2006 thanks for your tip! By having it medium mounted, does the risk of a clumsy hand knocking the diamond with something and having it fall increase considerably?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

@diamondseeker2006 thanks for your tip! By having it medium mounted, does the risk of a clumsy hand knocking the diamond with something and having it fall increase considerably?

You are only telling him medium height. I don't think he'll set it medium height! But I prefer medium. I would say mine is medium now. I think it is more balanced. I had a LM solitaire once and it was set very low and made the stone look smaller to me. It just needed to be a little higher. But I hate high settings, so I am definitely not promoting high settings as those are the ones that can knock against things more easily.

 

[el6toad]

Ah, perfect I really appreciate your advice!!

 

[el6toad]

Assuming theres no problem with the knuckle, would (round vs flat) one style be more comfortable in the long run than the other? I would imagine a flat interior being more comfortable.

 

[el6toad]

Hello to all!
I am happy to say that I think I am on the right track to what I want. I am going with:

1) A Tulip Solitaire ring with a (2mm) (round on the exterior and “flatter” in the interior) shank and 6 single claw prongs.
2) GIA certified 1.21 carat F/VS2 white round diamond thats "Hearts and Arrows" quality cut
3) Diamond to be set MEDIUM HEIGHT

My ring is to be based on this one:


Now my main concern is wether to do pave on the shank or not (no halo). I want to maintain a contemporary "minimalist" aesthetic but at the same time I want the ring to be feminine and benefit from the beauty and complexity of Leon Mege's work. Im considering probably a v-cut pave three quarters of the length on each side, single row.

V-Cut Pave from Leon:


What do you think?? Would the pave make the ring uncomfortable? Would it be much more prone to diamonds falling off?? Would it add to the overall beauty of the ring? Thank you so much in advance!