Modern Setting Advice/Imput wanted

[missk8]

Hi all,

I'm copying my post from the other forum in hopes of getting more traffic here. I apologize if you've seen this twice!

I'm in the beginning of the process of designing a custom engagement ring. I am looking for something modern and unique. I'm including pictures of my inspirations that are designed by Peter Barr in Corpus Christi, TX. Has anyone heard of him? Does any one have advice on who to get to make a similar custom ring? I am in the process of receiving a price quote from Brian Gavin and crossing my fingers it will be in my budget of $5,000.

I want the ring to be yellow gold, and I am thinking about slight modifications to the designs. For instance, the princess cut design, I do not like the row of smaller diamonds underneath the top layer of bezel. I am leaning towards the princess cut design, rather than what I call the "swirl" because I already own 2 round cut diamonds and would like something a little different. I also thought that the princess design offers a lot of leeway to play around with a band. ie, get one white gold one, get one brushed gold one. I have a feeling to stay in budget I will need to stay below a karat. I was thinking .80ish.

I am looking for input and advice from anyone willing to give it to me Does anyone have any thoughts on the pluses and negatives about either of the designs? Any ideas on how to improve the designs? Am I being totally unrealistic about the budget?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, I think the first one looks more like a man's ring, to be honest. I like the second one better than the first. I like the diamonds on the side because that will be a larger plain area without them.

Have you looked at a lot of settings? It is good to look at a lot because sometimes you can even find a style you like without going custom.

This is a contemporary designer I like:

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/sholdt-jewelry/rings/

Other contemporary designers:

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/michael-bondanza-jewelry/rings/

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/eddie-sakamoto-jewelry/rings/

 

[purplesilk]

Hi again!
You could go with a simple bezel solitaire and add some stackable bands:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-yellow-gold-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-8946.html
http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/products/apollo

 

[missk8]

I have been looking a lot, still not quite sure what I want. I really like a pear or marquise in a simple, modern bezel set. I've been looking at http://www.krikawa.com,, which was a wonderful suggestion. Has anyone purchased from them before?

Are there any advantages of one shape of diamond over the other? I already have two rings with round diamonds, so I will probably modify whatever setting I pick for another shape.

 

[VRBeauty]

Wow! Krikawa has some spectacular designs! Some other vendors who come to mind for outside-the-box thinking and contemporary designs are

Green Lake Jewelers - http://www.greenlakejewelry.com/unique-engagement-rings.aspx

and Etienne Perret - http://etienneperret.com/gallery/engagement-rings.

depending on how it's cut, a marquise stone can cover a lot more territory than would a round brilliant of similar carat weight.

 

[missk8]

My post is feeling lonely. It seems like vintage settings are more popular than the modern. Oh well.

After thinking about it for a few weeks, I'm really liking this design:

http://www.krikawa.com/jewelry/body-of-work/details.aspx?style=303

Except, I would want gold mokume and a full bezel around the stone in gold. I just got off the phone with the jeweler, and they are trying to find me a high quality diamond to stay in my $5,000.00 budget. One question: is a stone in a .5 karat to .8 karat range is the stone still going to look substantial? I don't care too much about size, but I don't want it to look like I'm wearing a tiny diamond either.

Thoughts and comments are always appreciated!