Need advice – 2 ct Round Solitaire Engagement ring

[Freequentflier]

Hello,

1st time posting after a bunch of research and reading!

I already have a 2 ct round diamond that is stunning and want to show it off in the perfect setting. But… I am having a really hard time sorting through the settings! I plan to propose to my girlfriend in January and have been searching and searching to find the right design. I have seen some classic settings along with half bezel, tension and others and just can’t decide!!

I figure this is the one thing I should pick out, so I plan to surprise my girlfriend and not give her a clue by taking her shopping with me or talking to her friends that can’t keep a secret. SO this is where I need some help!

She is:
-More of a T-shirt and Jeans girl (however, they are designer jeans)
-Does not wear jewelry often unless we are out for a social event
-Works in a profession that can be outside or getting a little dirty
-Does like to get her nails done and be a girl!

I am also very simple and don’t like anything too flashy, so I was planning on a solitaire with no extra side stones. I also wanted something that is not just the standard 4 or 6 prong setting. The “experts” at the local diamond stores have suggested tension settings, half bezel and 4 vs. 6 prongs. However, I am a little worried that the tension setting may require the band to be awkwardly large for a 2 ct diamond and it may go out of fashion?? Both of us are in our 30’s, cost is not an issue and I expect the setting to be platinum.

Any suggestions, advice or pictures of round diamond solitaire engagement rings would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

 

[FB.]

Six-claw solitaire.

 

[Circe]

Hm ... from what you''re describing, the settings that occur to me are Maevona. Am I on the right track, or are you thinking blingier, less blingy ...?

 

[elle_chris]

Have you considered bezels? Tension was what I originally wanted but the bulk factor turned me off with the bigger stones.

Bezels or semi-bezels are a very modern, clean look. Do a search for bezel and semi bezels on PS. You''ll get a ton of pics and info.

 

[swingirl]

I think bezel and tension setting are very stylized. Some people love them and some hate them. I love a bezel but do not like tension settings as they looks masculine to my eyes. If you really aren't sure about your gf's preference I would stick with a simple prong setting which could be upgraded later is so desired.

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=350

 

[tyty333]

Leon Mege does a beautiful solitare and so does Mark Morrell

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=350

http://mwmjewelry.com/

 

[brellymom]

i agree with the other replies - go for something classic (I''m a 4 pronger, but either 4 or 6 is fine). that way you can change it out later with a setting that you pick out together - maybe one that expresses her personality or something and use the original setting with a pretty gemstone as a RHR.

 

[Lynn B]

Well, as someone with a 2.36 stone who has changed out her setting 4 times

, here's what I have learned.

Small pave stones generally cannot go in the ultrasonic for cleaning. This may or may not be important to you, but it was for me, and I felt like my center stone was never really clean. That drove me crazy, honestly.

I like delicate shanks that really make a stone POP.

I am a prongs fanatic, and I think nothing says BEAUTIFUL in a setting more than delicate, fluid, polished prongs finished by a skilled benchman. I do not care for the standard squared-off, bulky prongs that so many stock settings have.

I LOVE bezels, and actually considered that for my most recent reset, but in the end I couldn't really find a design that made my heart sing... PLUS I was afraid I would miss seeing the girdle of my stone, and the edge-to-edge sparkle.

Sooooo, my vote would be a simple, classic 4 or 6 prong solitaire... but something a little out-of-the-ordinary, beautiful and special and timeless. Hey, that sounds familiiar... no wonder -- that's what I'm getting!!!

 

[Iowa Lizzy]

Hi there! I have a 1.94ct in a Mark Morrell setting (the Flame). I love it because it''s essentially a six prong solitaire BUT it has some pizazz! The prongs are swoopy and it has 6 tiny diamonds in the crown that can only be seen on closer inspection. It''s delicate and feminine, yet it has a lot of weight to it and feel nice and substantial on my finger. Also, it''s has a very low profile so I don''t have to worry about knocking it on things or getting caught very often. I''ll attach a pic for reference.

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 11/28/2009 9:48:35 PM
Author: Travel Goddess
Hi there! I have a 1.94ct in a Mark Morrell setting (the Flame). I love it because it''s essentially a six prong solitaire BUT it has some pizazz! The prongs are swoopy and it has 6 tiny diamonds in the crown that can only be seen on closer inspection. It''s delicate and feminine, yet it has a lot of weight to it and feel nice and substantial on my finger. Also, it''s has a very low profile so I don''t have to worry about knocking it on things or getting caught very often. I''ll attach a pic for reference.

YEAH, babeeee. YEAH... that''s what I''m talkin'' about! Something like THAT!

 

[Freequentflier]

Oh wow! Thank you so much for the comments! I love the pictures and ideas, especially the Maevona (cava). I am a little on the less bling side, but I love the way this is going! All comments so much appreciated!

 

[Lynn B]

I was new to Maevona, there's some neat stuff there. One thing I really like is that so many of their rings are shown with modestly sized stones, that's not always the case on those designer websites!!! (Not that your proposed 2 carater is "modest", I'm just sayin' !!!)

Anyway, have you looked through the Engagement Ring/Eye Candy folder, it's a "sticky" thread at the top of the Show Me The Ring forum. Usually I tell girls to brew a cup of tea and plan to be there awhile... but guys? Hmmm... maybe pick up a pizza on the way home, and pop a beer?! That's the BEST place for seeing (all in one place) what's "out there" (and where it came from!)

I'm still votin' for a Mark Morell or a Leon Mege solitaire, though!

The REALLY nice thing about a simple, classic solitaire is that she would have so many options for a wedding band and that's really fun for us girls! A little blingy pave band... or maybe a delicate shared prong style... or maybe an etoile (scattered diamond) style... or just a simple platinum band. And maybe she'd like to do a bit of stacking, and in that case you could get her a new band for each anniversary... when she has your first baby... (

)... oh yeah, stay with me, baby, I'm just FULL of good ideas for YOU!!!

 

[Circe]

Ooo, the Cava''s pretty: it''s got the look of a tension-set ring from the top, but the delicacy of a solitaire on the shank. I like! A Sholdt semi-bezel like Elle_Chris''s might also work for you. Here is a thread with pics!

P.S. - I see where so many people are coming from with the 4 or 6 prong solitaire being the safe bet, but if you know your gal is a little different, follow your gut on that. You know her better than we do!

 

[vespergirl]

Date: 11/28/2009 7:14:40 PM
Author: tyty333
Leon Mege does a beautiful solitare and so does Mark Morrell

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=350

http://mwmjewelry.com/

Ditto - go with a "better" six or four prong solitiare, like those shown here.

A lot of men really like the modern look of tension settings, but most women I know don''t like them as much. I''m also not a huge fan of bezel settings - My first husband got me an engagement ring in a bezel setting, and I thought it looked masculine and bulky on my small fingers. Some women really like them, but I think that''s more something that she should ask for - don''t assume that she''ll love that type of setting. Even women with sportier taste often like more of a classic engagement setting, one that will never go out of style.

I think that Leon Mege (artofplatinum) or Mark Morrell are your best bets.

 

[Round Halo Lover]

Err!!! I had a long post written and lost it all!!!! Will have to start again!

Ok, I would describe myself somewhat similar to the description of your GF so I will give you some insight into what I like?

As my screen name suggests when I first joined PS I was OBSESSED with halo settings. After hours (and hours) of sifting through thousands of images and threads I have now set my sights on a solitare setting (whenever my time comes to get engaged, sigh). Anyway, I think the simplicity of a solitare setting really shows the diamond to full effect, however, like any other girlie girl......I do like a bit of bling......!! As you may know the solitare setting is perhaps the most popular engagement ring setting. I know that ~70% of my married/engaged friends have a solitare (varying different cuts). I was searching and searching for a solitare that is just a little bit different and I came accross the idea of surprise diamonds. I live in Europe and have never heard of suprise diamonds before. I found this gorgeous setting on WF. This is availble in platinum. I

it!

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Full-of-Surprises--Diamond-Engagement-Ring_1345.htm

So while I was doing various searches for suprise diamonds I came across Sharry''s setting and throught it was magnificent.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/long-awaited-ering-pictures.59657/

This picture shows the suprise diamond under the main diamond (which I think is also 2cts).

(Sharry, I hope you don''t mind me posting a pic of your ring)

I read a post somewhere (maybe in the above thread) that the suprise diamonds represent man and woman and the main diamond respresents ''us''. I thought this was soooooooo romantic.....!!!!!!

Anyway, good luck with your search, be sure to leave us know how you get on!!!

 

[Freequentflier]

Thanks so much! I went out and looked at a couple of stores today and also found some with the surprise diamond. At first I thought it would take away from the big diamond, but after coming back and seeing the last picture and comments, I might go that route. The ones I saw were by Scott Kay, which I have no pro''s or cons about. However, when I came back and looked on their website, it gave the diamond sizes of .75ct to 1.5ct. The stores I went to said my 2ct would be fine in these settings, but I am not sure now if they had the actual specs. The ones I liked were (M1051, M1052, M1040, M1171RD10). I think I have attached two of the jpgs from scottkay.com, but they are all pretty similar.... Did I mention everything is starting to look the same!!

I am going to call around and try to find anyone in the area that has the Maevona Cava that I can actually go and see, but I am beginning to think I need to go with a simple 4 prong, with (or without) the surprise diamond. From the sounds of it, I think the rings that are "different" don''t go over as well with the woman that is going to be wearing it day in day out.

Thanks again for the advice! Any other advice is welcome, and if anyone has pro''s or cons on the Scott Kay rings or others similar, please let me know.

 

[haagen_dazs]

Date: 11/28/2009 9:48:35 PM
Author: Travel Goddess
The prongs are swoopy

very very pretty!
i love swoopy prongs.
very elegant and fluid