Nearing the final stretch...which pave setting do you like?

[xiao]

Thanks to all that gave me advice on choosing the right antique stone for my ering.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-big-thank-you-to-the-antique-experts-i-bought-two.101396/
I decided on the 1.05ct transitional stone and am very happy with its performance.

Now comes the setting. Luckily for my dear bf, I am very sure of the look I want:
A thin platinum 4-prong micro pave setting with the center stone set pretty low.
However, budget is a big factor, so we hope to find one around $1k.

I love the WF legato micropave, but at $1.5k (plus i'd have to insure the stone before sending it to them) it is above my budget.
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/The--Legato--with-Micro-Pave_1071.htm

Here are the more realistic candidates that it has come down to.

James Allen Platinum 2.1mm French Cut Pave - approx $1k ($850 + setting fee)
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-1936_design.asp?module=setting

(Idealistic's ring)




Sholdt Platinum eternity ring - approx. $1.2k (originally $1650)
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/sholdt-jewelry/rings/29ZZ1/

Set by Sholdt through Pearlman's.




Martin Flyer FlyerFit Platinum eternity ring - approx. $1.2k (originally $1450)
https://shop.bengarelick.com/product_info.php?products_id=905
(Picture attached)
Because of the thinness and beads of the setting, it is not very shiny and sparkly.
Through local Boston jeweler, EB Horn.


What do you think?
I've tried both the Sholdt and the Martin Flyer rings in person and they are both very, very thin (<2mm) and delicate - perfect for my sz 3.5 fingers.
Would diamonds all around (eternity style) be a problem?
However, both are slightly above budget...do you think it would be worth it to go that extra $200 for the designer settings?
Also, how would the customer service and policies at JA and Pearlman's compare?

 

[neatfreak]

I like the sholdt out of the ones you are considering. You might also want to check out Knox Jeweler''s website, they have many pave settings that are very reasonable in price.

 

[Mrs W]

Sholdt

 

[tarja]

my absolutely no. 1 here is Sholdt! I love the basket, and it looks for me like ritani endless love a little. Is it sparkly or no because od thinness -like Martin Flyer u mentioned about?

 

[AmberGretchen]

I also like the scholdt.

 

[xiao]

Wow, thanks for voting...looks like the Sholdt beats the rest hands down!
I am inclined towards Sholdt because I''ve heard great things about Pearlman''s.
I don''t feel good vibes from the sales people at EB Horn..they seem to be pushing too hard for a sale.

I will go back with the bf to try on the Sholdt and Martin Flyer rings again this week and see which style he prefers. They all have different heads, so we should probably take a closer look before deciding. Can''t wait!

 

[snow483]

Date: 12/12/2008 7:11:19 PM
Author: xiao
Wow, thanks for voting...looks like the Sholdt beats the rest hands down!

I am inclined towards Sholdt because I''ve heard great things about Pearlman''s.

I don''t feel good vibes from the sales people at EB Horn..they seem to be pushing too hard for a sale.


I will go back with the bf to try on the Sholdt and Martin Flyer rings again this week and see which style he prefers. They all have different heads, so we should probably take a closer look before deciding. Can''t wait!

Hi xiao,

If you want to stay local, Joseph Gann in Boston has that Scholdt setting. They are very friendly to work with in my experiences and we did not feel pressured at all.

 

[arjunajane]

I''m so glad to hear you chose the transitional Xiao, how excellent!

Even though you have small fingers, you may want to leave a space with no pave at the bottom for future sizing.

I agree with others, if the WF is definately out of budget than I like the Sholdt.

I also second the idea of looking at Knox site, they have many reasonably priced settings and are known for quality work.

 

[xiao]

So I went to the jewelry district again to try on the Scholdt and Martin Flyer settings.
Trying on the settings again made me realize that I want something where the side stones extend to the very edge of the band. (i.e., not channel set or with a metal edge showing)

Of the above settings, I think only the JA ring meets this specification!
Here are more pictures from piper12 (see middle-bottom of page):
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/trying-to-find-hand-shots-of-james-allen-common-prong-setting.94573/
I think it looks very pretty...but my only concern is that there is too much space between stones with metal showing...does anyone know if this a problem?
BTW, our max. budget for a platinum setting is $1200, which really limits our pave choices.



^Snow483, i did go to Joseph Gann and I agree that they are very friendly and accommodating.

^arjunajane, the transitional is really beautiful and I''m very satisfied. MLOpros (on ebay) is a really awesome seller. I think he had a nice OEC on there recently.