Long story...would love any advice!

[MeganShannon11]

So my SO and I have decided to turn building my engagement ring into a joint project. He wanted to go it alone originally and just recently let that idea go when he remembered that I'm very picky when it comes to jewelry...

Long story short, we are currently in touch with Mark at ERD in hopes of finding a square cushion. I feel like I'm in good hands. When I have some prospects and pics, I will post on here for opinions. I thought he'd have some for me today so I'll a little disappointed but hopefully I will get some tomorrow.

My real question involves settings. I am looking for a band with light pave and bead-set diamonds (similar to the band on the Tiffany Novo) and a relatively simple head with a relatively low profile. I don't think I'm looking for anything too uncommon.

The custom design route seems expensive and time consuming. Mark's prices (as well as Leon's) seem very high to me. We're starting to think we may go with a local Boston jeweler called Persona. Has anyone had any experiences with them? Also, if the pictures on their website don't remind me of my own style, should I be nervous? Or can a good designer make anything?

Any advice on any of the above questions would be much appreciated. And if anyone has any other ideas about good places for custom settings in or around Boston, please let me know!

Thank you!

 

[neatfreak]

I don''t have experience with them, but I do have experience with Mark and IMO his prices are usually very reasonable especially for the quality. Any reason you need to go custom? Seems like something that would be very easy to find without having to go custom.

And I would personally stick with a designer whose work you can see in the style you want. Just makes more sense to me and I think you are more likely to have a good outcome.

 

[MeganShannon11]

Thanks for your reply Neatfreak.

It''s hard because I''m not in NYC and I''m not sure we want to make the the trip down there. Does Mark have many ready-made settings in his store? Do you have any recommendations of brands for the look I''m going for?

If I were to get a setting from someone other than Mark, who would set it? Isn''t that getting really complicated?

Thanks for any further feedback!

 

[neatfreak]

Mark doesn''t have a store, only an office. The best thing is to try on some stuff locally and then find out if Mark can get it for you. He can get almost anything. It is easier to have him set it certainly and his prices are very good on basic and designer settings (like Tacori and Ritani) IMO. Ritani has some rings very similar to the Novo, they''d be worth checking out. Mark can also come up with some options for you too, it''s a very basic setting to find, everyone has a few versions of something similar.