love the diamond, ambivalent about the setting

[KP]

Hey everyone, after some help, I have finally purchased my ring. I am absolutely thrilled by the diamond (1.51, AGS0 TIC 1.4, D, SI1 eye clean) and I am sure my girl will love it too (although she would probably be happy with even a shoelace . I went with the WF legato with micropave. I wanted a delicate ring with diamonds on the side, but was smooth on the edges with but still have brilliance. I feel this looks like a zipper on the side and I didn''''t quite realize how small the melee diamonds were on the sides. That being said, I may be overanalyzing the situation. I just want to be sure I made the right move. The diamond itself is absolutely gorgeous and worth every penny I paid. I almost wonder however if the Harmony by WF or the 3/4 eternity would have been a bit better choice for a setting (although it would be $700 more... and I already went ~$500 over my budget). The Harmony and WF seemed to me to be a bit too much and not so "smooth" on the edges. Any thoughts? I tried to attach pictures, but the website wasn''''t having it after some troubleshooting. I will try to do so soon.

Am I overthinking it? With the criteria of what I want is this a good choice? I think the setting is nice, but was expecting more?

KP

 

[CharmyPoo]

Is WF willing to eat some of the cost if you change your mind? If you have to pay for a brand new setting, I suggest you just hold on to this one and see what your intended things. You guys can switch it up later .. who knows .. she may want something completely different.

 

[slg47]

I like the setting you chose! but the micropave definitely has a different look than say the flush fit setting with the bead set...it''s a matter of personal preference but i think it will look great

 

[KP]

I have 30 days to return it. But, the nice thing about this setting is in any decent lighting, the melee stones sparkle like no other and completely accentuate the center stone in a subtle way. The problem I have is in bad lighting you can''t even tell there are diamonds on the side. I am a bit confused. I think I will just take a few days away from it and go from there. Did I mention I am extremely picky

? Do others like the look? I understand it is all a matter of taste.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Ok .. don't hate me but I like the Harmony better. I find that micropave is not done well with cad and cast set because there is too much metal between the diamonds.

For reference:
Harmony - http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/harmony-diamond-engagement-ring_1136.htm#

Legato - http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/styles/diamond-settings/the-legato-diamond-engagement-ring-with-micro-pave_1071.htm#

I think this is a picture of it..

 

[KP]

I spent some time with the ring. I think it depends on what I want. I placed the ring under the light and realized the purpose of this specific micropave design. It is not meant so that anyone sees the diamonds, but rather than you see brilliance, fire and scintillation on the band which accentuates the brilliance, fire and scintillation of the stone. I think this is very hard to capture with pictures. I am thinking hard about the Harmony as well, but I wonder if I like the fishtail look, for some reason it doesn't look as clean. Also, it is about $700 more, which puts me way out of my budget. WF has been great and responsive the whole way. The deal however is that I got them to do the setting in 950plat/ruthenium, so I don't know how easy it would be to do a different setting.

Lets say I stick with my ring past my return period. Like I said, I love my stone, so that is the most important part. I also think my setting is nice, but am looking for perfection. If in time I feel the setting is not right for me, how big of a deal is it generally to just get a new setting or possibly exchange one?

Also, just as an aside, they sent an independent appraisal that valued the diamond at much, much (more than a few thousand) more than I paid... how legit is that?

Thanks everyone!

 

[CharmyPoo]

Just ignore the appraisals - they are usually really inflated. I usually end up with numbers more than double of what I pay like in the 5 digits more. I typically request what number they put on the appraisal so I don't end up paying an arm and a leg on insurance.

I am really anal with my settings and a total perfectionist so I can understand the pain. It took me more than 7 months before I decided on how to set my second engagement ring. I also sent my first engagement ring back to be completely remade. It is easy to get a new setting and reset your stone .. no biggy. But you won't get back nearly what you paid for on the original setting. Jewelry depreciates a lot once it is used.

Personally, I love fishtail (or v-cut pave). I requested it for both my engagement rings. I find that it shows off the melees much better and you see less metal. I am not a fan of the metal lining the side for single row micropave. If it is 3 or more rows .. that is a different story.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think that the small melee stones will look the same no matter how they are set... the metal will look different, but the performance issues/differences between your center stone and the melee will not change if you change settings! Make sure that what you are bothered by is actually the *setting* and is not just the optics of tiny diamonds.

 

[Laila619]

Date: 6/30/2010 12:47:56 AM
Author: dreamer_d
I think that the small melee stones will look the same no matter how they are set... the metal will look different, but the performance issues/differences between your center stone and the melee will not change if you change settings! Make sure that what you are bothered by is actually the *setting* and is not just the optics of tiny diamonds.

The melee in the Harmony is bigger than the melee in the Legato micropave. It will look a bit flashier and brighter.

KP, to be honest, I like the Harmony, or some of the other WF pave settings, better than the Legato.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 6/30/2010 11:59:47 AM
Author: Laila619

Date: 6/30/2010 12:47:56 AM
Author: dreamer_d
I think that the small melee stones will look the same no matter how they are set... the metal will look different, but the performance issues/differences between your center stone and the melee will not change if you change settings! Make sure that what you are bothered by is actually the *setting* and is not just the optics of tiny diamonds.

The melee in the Harmony is bigger than the melee in the Legato micropave. It will look a bit flashier and brighter.

KP, to be honest, I like the Harmony, or some of the other WF pave settings, better than the Legato.

OK, then I agree completely with Laila that thr Harmoney is a better option esthetically!

 

[Grlsbestfrnd]

Well just my opinion but, I LOVE the Legato head on that ring. It''s so unique! I really like the ring overall. I''ve tried on one very similar and it was one of my favorite rings I tried on. I think this setting would make the center diamond stand out more and for me, that''s the most important part. I think you should stick with it and then ask what she thinks once you propose.

 

[KP]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I am thinking about sticking witht he ring. It looks pretty nice once it is on a finger as I tried it out. The Harmony definitely has more beautiful sidestones, however I think the understated fire and scintillation once on a finger of the legato micropave is growing on me. It is definitely different. Also, I think the slight akwardness when it is not on a finger is not too big of a deal for me. I am still going to give myself a few days, but even if I did like the Harmony.. I just don''t know if I can justify another $700 and the headache of returning this setting. Did I mention I love my rock Thoughts?

 

[LGK]

I like the Legato a bit more- I am a fan of subtle sparkle that flatters and adds interest, but doesn't compete with the center stone... in my experience resetting my own e-ring stone, there's a fine line there... while more and bigger side stones/melee can *sound* appealing, I've found through trial and error that I really, really prefer the more understated look of smaller melee. Though I have not seen this exact setting in person, I have seen a few really similar micropave settings of about that width and I really thought the look was absolutely beautiful- really made the center stone look huge. Personally, I'd stick with what you've got.

(Besides that the Legato is one of my very favorite settings ever- for a modern RB I think it's the bee's knees. There's just something about the head, and the incredibly delicate non-cathedral band that really is lovely to my eye.) Your GF will be thrilled I'm sure!