Looking for pave and purple, considering Lhullier...

[PaveAndPurple]

Hello all,

I am looking for an engagement ring. My GF likes pave settings with single stone (no halo).

I know she would like the Petite Crescent from Tacori.

http://www.tacori.com/engagement/ht254515rd65.html

But, being somewhat adventurous, and given that her favorite color is purple, I am considering a Monique Lhullier ring from Blue Nile.

http://www.bluenile.com/engagement-rings/monique-lhuillier/monique-lhuillier-leaf-diamond-engagement-ring-platinum-35362

A few questions:

1) Does anyone have experience with the Lhullier settings? Are you happy with them? How do they look in person?
2) My sense is that the "pink sapphires" in the Lhullier rings actually look rather purple. Is this correct? If there is variability in the stones, is there a way to get more purple looking ones?
3) My GF has slender fingers; her ring-size is 4.75. Do you think that the 3mm width of the Lhullier ring would be too wide? I think the Tacori ring is around 2 mm.
4) My budget is 15-17K (max 20) so I could afford a larger stone. At the same time, I don't think a very large stone will look good on her hand. So I am thinking about something in the 1.2 - 1.4 range. What do you recommend? It seems like there are some good options on Blue Nile.
5) Or, if the Lhullier design is too strange, should I return to the classic Tacori, or try to find a pave and purple setting elsewhere?

Thank you very much for your input!

 

[JulieN]

You could request a purple sapphire in most any existing setting with a surprise diamond/sapphire, don't feel like you are limited to these two.

Alternatively, custom. If she said she wants the Petit Crescent, I would get her that. No need to make thing harder on yourself.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Check out this stone (over 1.2ct, G color, eye-clean, great cut, and WELL under budget):

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.235-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104066186022

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Please, please, please leave purple out of the engagement ring! Do all diamonds! A right hand ring with a purple stone is GREAT! But not on the engagement ring.

I love some Tacori rings, but I have some concerns about durability of some of the crescent designs. There might be some better Tacori solitaires than that one.

Her ring size is fine for a diamond between 1-2 cts. Does she have any friends or sisters with diamond rings, yet? Because it might help to have an idea of the size of diamonds worn in her social circle.

 

[AprilBaby]

I like purple but I wouldn't want it on a ring I wear every day. Perhaps get a purple RHR?

 

[SB621]

You might get a better response for the purple sapphire ering in the Colored stone forum as many women there have colored stones. As far as the setting I think it is very pretty. I would NOT use one of their sapphires. I would go with FineWater Gems who has some rather pretty purple ones at the moment. Though you can find other sapphires.

I would ask your GF though what she wants. If she loves the idea of a sapphire make sure she is OK with the color/ tone/ saturation level. Also with treatment. Heating is usually ok with most ppl but BE treated or lab created isn't acceptable to most of us. I think you might find that while she loves purple, she might prefer a dimaond. I personally love CS erings but I wouldn't want to be surprised with one. Make sure it is something she really wants first.

http://www.finewatergems.com/sapphire.html

I like the 1.97ct purple sapphire

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Unless I misunderstood, he is buying a diamond and was thinking about a setting with purple melee. Is that right, P&P?

I'll just say it again, Tacori is a MUCH better idea!

 

[SB621]

Unless I misunderstood, he is buying a diamond and was thinking about a setting with purple melee. Is that right, P&P?

I'll just say it again, Tacori is a MUCH better idea!

Oops sorry but if that is the case I would definitely NOT do purple sapphire pave in the ring. It would look a little gaudy to me. Just my .02 cents.

 

[yssie]

Unless I misunderstood, he is buying a diamond and was thinking about a setting with purple melee. Is that right, P&P?

I'll just say it again, Tacori is a MUCH better idea!

Oops sorry but if that is the case I would definitely NOT do purple sapphire pave in the ring. It would look a little gaudy to me. Just my .02 cents.

Please don't go this route without her explicit approval!!
There are tons of other ways to incorporate her favourite colour - purple custom ring box, purple pendant/earrings... but keep the Ering classic unless she's indicated (explicitly!) that she's in favour of something so unique and out-of-the-box!

 

[Christina...]

there are two surprise stones on either side of the basket....I think he is only considering placing the purple stones here, not along the pave shank of the ring.

OP could you offer us some clarity.

 

[yssie]

there are two surprise stones on either side of the basket....I think he is only considering placing the purple stones here, not along the pave shank of the ring.

Oh! Well in THAT case I change my vote - awesome idea!

I'm laughing out loud. Clarity would be beneficial

 

[yssie]

there are two surprise stones on either side of the basket....I think he is only considering placing the purple stones here, not along the pave shank of the ring.

Oh! Well in THAT case I change my vote - awesome idea!

I'm laughing out loud. Clarity would be beneficial

 

[Christina...]

there are two surprise stones on either side of the basket....I think he is only considering placing the purple stones here, not along the pave shank of the ring.

Oh! Well in THAT case I change my vote - awesome idea!

I'm laughing out loud. Clarity would be beneficial

I was really confused too when I first read his post because the link he posted doesn't show additional images of the setting so the surprise stones aren't apparent. These are better images...

http://www.bluenile.com/monique-lhuillier-leaf-diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_35362

 

[PaveAndPurple]

Yes, thank you for asking for clarification. I definitely want a diamond ring - just considering the purple "surprise" in the Lhullier setting.

 

[pinkjewel]

How about purplish pink diamonds for the surprise stones ? And if she likes the 2mm width ring, I'm not sure I'd go with a 3mm width.

 

[Niel]

Love the surprise stone idea. Do that.

I don't like the setting. It will seem think on her hand, I think. But as Julie said you can ask anyone up put a purple sapphire in their normal surprise diamond space.

Here's a James Allen one I like, but I prefer it for stones under 1ct

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-double-claw-prong-0.18ct-pave-set-surprise-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1059

And a few ritani ones. Whiteflash sells them so it could be a one stop shop

http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-diamond-band-engagement-ring-with-surprise-diamonds-in-18kt-white-gold/4596
http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/channel-set-diamond-engagement-ring-with-surprise-diamonds-in-14kt-white-gold/10575

 

[SB621]

Apologies as well

I would still hesitate to do anything to purple unless she really wants it. I know I loved purple in my early 20's and now at 30 I don't care for it at all. Color can be hard so unless it is meaningful to you (like birthstones) I always hestitate to say go ahead and put it in an ering as taste can change so much. Just a word of caution.

I do like the idea of pink diamonds though. For some reason it seems less dramatic to me then purple sapphires.