Love my new OEC from Singlestone--now the setting!

[surfgirl]

I like that one erica posted better than the above choices but yes, you should ask Ari if he can ship out a selection of mountings to you so you can see them in person. I would think he''d be able to arrange this.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Antique repro setting vary in quality SO much. I''d really have to see the ones from Singlestone before buying. Tacori is excellent quality, but again, with an expensive setting, you really need to see it. You can try calling Good Old Gold and ask if they can get that Tacori ring (they carry Tacori but no jeweler has every sample they make), and if you paid for it, perhaps they would send it to you and then refund your money when you sent the sample back.

I really probably like the first Tacori best, but I do like the Singlestone rings IF they are equal to the quality of Tacori, Leon Mege, etc.

 

[ericad]

Ari is wonderful to work with and perhaps he can send you a sample also. In fact I just got off the phone with him and have pulled the trigger on my new ring. I know he has 2 different price points for the repro settings - handmade using antique sidestones (I can''t tell you how cool it is that my ring will have all antique side stones!), and cast pieces which are also nice but lack some of the detail of the handmade pieces.

He also told me that, once I receive the ring, if for any reason I don''t like the style on my hand or am unhappy with it, I can send it back and he will unmount the stone for me and give me a refund or exchange (whatever I want). He understands how hard it is to select something online and fully stands behind what he sells. He said this is something he offers to all his clients.

The thing about Ari''s pieces is that they are truly authentic, in every detail, down to using antique side diamonds. That''s so important to me. I want the ring to look like it belongs with the stone and as if the stone has always been set in it. He even said the final ring can be left high polished, to develop it''s own wear and patina over time, or he can "age" the setting and make it look as though it is much older by creating the patina, etc. Wow - talk about attention to detail!

I think Ari is just awesome and I have read a lot of great things about him online, as well as the high recommendation from the woman who sold me the diamond (she is in L.A. and knows Ari well).

 

[poshpepper]

Out of the ones you posted I like 3 and 6 the best (cant really determine a favorite from those two because they are both so stunning in their own way).

Have you seen any of these IRL yet?

 

[kathleenmv]

Hi overthemoon, lizardofaz, ericad, surfgirl, DS and posh pepper!

Thanks so much for the thoughtful and thorough replies! It''s awesome to have a jewelry sounding-board.

erica, thanks for including that setting pic! What a beaut!!

I''m wondering if Ari didn''t include it in the consideration set because it''s outside of my budget.

And thanks for the information about how returning/exchanging if I end up not liking the setting. Ari is wonderful, isn''t he? So knowledgeable and easy to work with. (And from what I gathered from your post, lizardofaz, easy on the eyes. LOL!!!

)

Posh Pepper, I haven''t seen any of the settings IRL. I agree with the encouragement from surfgirl, DS, et al to see one or more of these in person. Not sure why I''m so reticent to ask! I''m sure I could arrange something with Ari as he''s so service-oriented.

I think my top contenders are still #1 and #3, although I love the setting erica posted and, of course, chrono''s. Decisions, decisions!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/22/2007 5:15:10 PM
Author: ericad
Ari is wonderful to work with and perhaps he can send you a sample also. In fact I just got off the phone with him and have pulled the trigger on my new ring. I know he has 2 different price points for the repro settings - handmade using antique sidestones (I can''t tell you how cool it is that my ring will have all antique side stones!), and cast pieces which are also nice but lack some of the detail of the handmade pieces.

He also told me that, once I receive the ring, if for any reason I don''t like the style on my hand or am unhappy with it, I can send it back and he will unmount the stone for me and give me a refund or exchange (whatever I want). He understands how hard it is to select something online and fully stands behind what he sells. He said this is something he offers to all his clients.

The thing about Ari''s pieces is that they are truly authentic, in every detail, down to using antique side diamonds. That''s so important to me. I want the ring to look like it belongs with the stone and as if the stone has always been set in it. He even said the final ring can be left high polished, to develop it''s own wear and patina over time, or he can ''age'' the setting and make it look as though it is much older by creating the patina, etc. Wow - talk about attention to detail!

I think Ari is just awesome and I have read a lot of great things about him online, as well as the high recommendation from the woman who sold me the diamond (she is in L.A. and knows Ari well).

Now that IS cool!

I can''t wait to see your ring, and it sounds like Ari is quite a guy from everything I''ve heard. Nice to know!

 

[kathleenmv]

The antique side stone thing is cool, huh?!

I can''t wait to see what I decide to do! I''m making myself krazeee.

 

[kathleenmv]

Ari is the man! He just sent some hand picks so that I could try on setting #3, virtually speaking.

Here are a few:

 

[kathleenmv]

And another:

 

[kathleenmv]

And I''m spent.

Oh, and FYI, I believe that the diamond in this setting is a 2ct.

 

[BriBee]

I was going to say #5 but I love these pics of #3 just posted...so I''m between 5 & 3.
6 could be good too but I have a really hard time visualizing with no stone in the setting.

 

[simplysplendid]

All the options are lovely and I understand why you are torn! I think you will have one gorgeous looking ring made soon!

 

[ericad]

WHOA. That''s gorgeous. Gosh, the handpics make such a difference! I was also considering this setting if I went with a halo - LOVE IT!

 

[iluvdiamond]

I like the 2nd one better...

 

[kathleenmv]

Hi BriBee, simplysplendid, ericad and iluvdiamond!

BriBee, I have a hard time visualizing sans stone, too. And sans hand.

Very grateful to Ari for the handshots.

Simplysplendid, thanks for the kind words. They are lovely, aren''t they? Hope I can make a decision!

Ericad, sounds like we like the same kinds of settings!

I''m almost MORE torn now, if that''s possible. What is my deal?! Did you have such a hard time picking a setting? I''m not even including the half-dozen other settings I heart, including that awesome Vatche jayrenay has. Still love it!! But I''m trying soooooo hard to narrow the field.

iluvidamond, is it the second Tacori that you like? OH! And what did you decide to do with your OEC eBay purchase? Can''t remember what path you decided to take...

 

[ericad]

Ha! Jayrenay''s Vatche was the first setting I was considering! Yes, our tastes are similar

This is the one I''ve ordered from Ari, btw, and couldn''t be more excited!

You really can''t go wrong with any of them, but it is so hard to choose! I have been looking at settings for weeks before settling on this one. As soon as I saw it I just knew. Hopefully you will come across the one setting that really speaks to you!

 

[ericad]

Also, the halo you posted hand pics of is one that the woman I purchased my OMC from saw in person at Ari''s shop. She says it''s totally to die for in person!

 

[KittenKat]

Congrats on your new rock All your choices are beautiful. You have a hard decision to make

I do love #3. And with old cuts in it... WOW!

Congrats to you!! I cannot wait to see what you pick, and to see some photos!

Ari is awesome!! He was wonderful with my hubby... We went in together, and I picked a few rings I liked. Then he went back alone - and worked with Ari to find my OEC.

 

[surfgirl]

I''m so glad to hear all you girls are having such wonderful experiences with Ari...He oughta advertise here, dont you think?!? Anyway, kathleen, I think those hand shots look so much better than the other photo on page 1 of this thread! Really nice on the hand. Of course I also love erica''s choice but it''s more ornate. Depends on what you''re going for and what your wedding band is like as well....Either one is gorgeous!

 

[kathleenmv]

Ericad, I looooooooooooooooove your setting! Love, love, love!

Wonderful choice. If I don''t halo, I''d seriously consider it. Gorgeous.

The woman you bought your OMC from has an amazing collection and great taste. If she says setting #3 is awesome in person, that''s a good sign!

KittenKat, I''ve long admired your ring! Love that octagonal halo and the pink melee. Glad to hear you had a great experience with Singlestone, too. I wish I were closer to LA so I could go in person!

Surfgirl, the hand-shots do help, huh? Puts it in context for me. This will actually be a RHR, so I don''t need to worry about a wedding band. I like ornate, but I do like dainty, too, which is why I''m torn between #1 and #3.

Aside from the non-antique stone thing, what do you women think of #1?

 

[ericad]

I adore the Tacori you posted (#1) - it was also one I liked in addition to the Vatche. Somewhere in the latter pages of the e-ring eyecandy thread there are pics of someone''s ring which I believe is this setting. I''ll try to hunt it down. The reason I''m not that helpful is that I love all the rings you posted (don''t even get me started on that Quest ring - I spent 2 days searching for their contact info so I could inquire about it!)

Ok, so let''s get serious here. Indulge me:

Which do you prefer when you look at rings (answer on instinct - don''t overthink it)?

Simple vs. ornate?
Color vs. clear?
Dainty vs. substantial?
Lightweight vs. heavy?
Big and blingy vs. understated?

 

[KittenKat]

Something to think about... The camera adds some weight to rings

I''ve noticed rings tend to be much more delicate in person.

 

[elmo]

Date: 8/22/2007 5:15:10 PM
Author: ericad
He also told me that, once I receive the ring, if for any reason I don''t like the style on my hand or am unhappy with it, I can send it back and he will unmount the stone for me and give me a refund or exchange (whatever I want). He understands how hard it is to select something online

Really? My experience was a little different. They seemed more geared towards in-store sales not online, e.g. three day inspection period, unwilling to send similar but representative items, also a bit of the hard sell. I know they have their fans, and that Ari knows his stuff and sells quality items though.

 

[ericad]

Did you speak with Ari personally? I have found him to be extremely helpful, enthusiastic and has spent a lot of time sending me pics and guiding me through this process. I admit his website is just so-so, but he mentioned that he''s working on a new site, so perhaps he''s trying to focus more on his online sales?

The offer he made to take back the setting if I don''t like it seemed very genuine and he specifically said that he would offer this to any of his customers. There may very well be some caveats that we didn''t go into - an inspection period is reasonable (I''m sure he wouldn''t accept a used ring back for refund) so the assumption I''m making is that upon trying the completed ring on, if I don''t like it he will remove the stone and take it back, etc. I also assume that something very unique and custom may not fall under this category - but I am choosing one of his "regular" settings that he would have no difficulty selling if I send it back.

No hard sell from my experience, though he is very clear about all of the high quality aspects his handmade rings include, which other antique style vendors may not offer (ie, use of antique diamonds for side stones, completely handmade ring rather than cast, etc.)

It''s these details that sold me on Ari, so I suppose it had the desired effect

 

[ericad]

Here's the link I was thinking of, but it's a different Tacori halo - similar, though, so perhaps it will be helpful!


Tacori Ring

 

[kathleenmv]

Hi ericad, KittenKat and Elmo!

ericad, thanks for the link to BlackIsland''s awesome Tacori! I''ve been drooling over it. Seeing hers in semi-real life has made me love setting #1 even more. Just lovely!!

I think the main difference between hers and my setting #1 is RB vs. baguette side stones. Tacori also makes one sans side stones (just a pave band) and one with princess side stones as well. I''d actually consider the RB sides if I didn''t have a 3-stone ring! (Yeah, I know that the baguettes technically make #1 a 3-stone, but it doesn''t look as 3-stoney to me, if that makes sense.)

To answer your questions (which were very helpful, by the by, as I consider my options):
Ornate
Clear
Dainty
Lightweight
Understated

All of that sort of leans toward the Tacori, huh? Plus, the Tacori has that cushion-shaped halo, which would satisfy my obsession.

KittenKat, good to know about the camera adding weight to rings. I know that it adds weight to me, too!

I really love the band on the Single Stone setting and the use of antique side stones, but I''m starting to lean toward the Tacori again. I feel kind of like a dork that I can''t make up my mind. It''s like I''m surprised that I actually have to make a decision!

 

[ericad]

I think the Tacori ring satisfies all of the qualities you selected, while the Singlestone ring is not what I''d call understated (it''s a bold look) or dainty (takes up quite a lot of square footage). And it''s a great compromise to have a round center stone set into a cushion halo - like you said, it will satisfy both desires! I think Tacori is a great choice, and you know the quality will be top notch and will meet or exceed your expectations!

Of course there''s jayrenay''s Vatche Alexa ring too...ACK! I''m sorry - getting sidetracked again! You''re not the only one who can''t commit to a style

 

[kathleenmv]

ericad, thanks so much for the jewelry validation! I think (hope? pray?) I''m making the right choice. Loooooooooooove the Single Stone setting, but maybe I''ll save it for a colored stone down the road.

I do so love the Vatche Alexa. The only reason it got dropped from my short-short list to my short list was because I felt like my center stone wasn''t quite big enough to do the setting justice. It does make my heart go pitter-patter, though.

Okay. I''ve made a decision. WHEW!!

Thanks to you all for your help/opinions/advice/hand-holding. You''ve been amazing!!

 

[ericad]

YAY! Congrats on your decision! You better post lots of pics when it''s done!

 

[kathleenmv]

I will! No, really!