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Need help with settings

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hugieugie

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 17, 2013
Messages
3
Hello,

First time poster and friend referred me to this forum as a great place to start. I bought a loose round diamond around 1.2 carats and need to find a dependable and good jeweler to set it into a ring. My girlfriend really wants the Cartier solitaire 4 pronged setting but unfortunately Cartier is way out of my budget. Also they do not set diamonds that are not purchased through Cartier themselves. I've read that the Cartier setting is trademarked therefore it is illegal for jewelers to copy it exactly but I'm hoping to find one that can look the other way or get it as close to possible without any reprisal.

How do I go about searching for such a jeweler? I live in the Los Angeles/Orange County Area in Southern California and can travel anywhere around the area if needed to find a reliable jeweler. Is there a good yellow pages for such a thing? And how do I go about asking if they are willing to copy the setting that I desire? Also, this being my first time, I am wary about just giving the loose diamond. How does the whole process work? I have the GIA papers for the loose diamond (purchased off Blue Nile) so do I hold onto that and later verify the diamond I receive back is the same?

Thank you for your time and help!
 
If the diamond is laser inscribed you can match the number when it comes back. Soon someone will be on to help you with the setting, that question has come up before and certain people are experts. Welcome to PS!
 
Hi hugieugie! First of all, welcome!! :wavey:

Does she like the plain 1895 solitaire or with pave diamonds down the sides? Are you looking for a replica (you want others to think it's Cartier) or you just want the same "feel" of that setting?
 
You could always go custom, but sometimes that is more of a headache than anything. If you did decide to do a custom design, I would select a bench that has done that style many times over. I know Leon Mege has done some totally gorgeous Cartier-esque settings, but the consensus is that he doesn't like to do anything "replica" -- too many constraints.

If it were up to me, I'd chose one the ERD settings... they are STUNNING!
 
Thanks Msop04 and Icanseethemoon! I tried browsing around the website you both suggested and it looks exactly like what I need. Unfortunately my knowledge doesn't go beyond the solitaire cartier 4 pronged setting. Looks like I'll have to guess or figure out what type she really wants.

I'm under the impression she wants a Cartier that looks like a Cartier, not just the feel of it. I am so uneducated in jewelry shopping, can someone please clarify what the differences are between the "Abby", "Sabrina", "Brooklyn" and "Regina" settings? From what I can see, it seems the prongs are curved near the base of the ring for "Regina" while "Sabrina" is straight. "Brooklyn" looks like it has double prongs and the base seems to come in at a sharper angle than "Sabrina". I'm guessing the double prong would look too much on a small 1.2 carat diamond so I should stay away from the "Brooklyn"? I honestly can't tell the difference between the "Sabrina" and Abby" from their sceenshots and googling these settings are not returning any alternative shots.

Personally I like how the "Brooklyn" looks as its sharper at the base so it seems to showcase the diamond more where "Sabrina" seems to hide the diamond more in the setting. Is that due to the diamonds they used in the screenshot? However, I don't like the double prongs because her diamond isn't that large so hiding it behind more prongs might make it smaller. I'm hoping "Abby" is the single prong version of the "Brooklyn" setting?

Sorry for the nonstop questions. I think ultimately I will go this route though as this seems reliable and hasslefree!

Thanks!
 
To be very frank and honest it sounds like your girlfriend doesn't really care about the setting but wants the name Cartier. If I may give my 2 cents I would definitely go with the ERD Cartier inspired line. I would call Mark or Chris and talk to them to see about differences. I believe it is really only minor and subtle differences between the ones you mentioned so you would really need your gf to give perference.

Anyhow since she DOES seem stuck on Cartier I would definitely look into a Cartier wedding band. They are much easier on the budget and that way she will still get the name. Many members or guys look to proposing have done that from the advise received here on PS and I think it is pretty sound.

Good luck!
 
hugieugie|1374099002|3485045 said:
Thanks Msop04 and Icanseethemoon! I tried browsing around the website you both suggested and it looks exactly like what I need. Unfortunately my knowledge doesn't go beyond the solitaire cartier 4 pronged setting. Looks like I'll have to guess or figure out what type she really wants.

I'm under the impression she wants a Cartier that looks like a Cartier, not just the feel of it. I am so uneducated in jewelry shopping, can someone please clarify what the differences are between the "Abby", "Sabrina", "Brooklyn" and "Regina" settings? From what I can see, it seems the prongs are curved near the base of the ring for "Regina" while "Sabrina" is straight. "Brooklyn" looks like it has double prongs and the base seems to come in at a sharper angle than "Sabrina". I'm guessing the double prong would look too much on a small 1.2 carat diamond so I should stay away from the "Brooklyn"? I honestly can't tell the difference between the "Sabrina" and Abby" from their sceenshots and googling these settings are not returning any alternative shots.

Personally I like how the "Brooklyn" looks as its sharper at the base so it seems to showcase the diamond more where "Sabrina" seems to hide the diamond more in the setting. Is that due to the diamonds they used in the screenshot? However, I don't like the double prongs because her diamond isn't that large so hiding it behind more prongs might make it smaller. I'm hoping "Abby" is the single prong version of the "Brooklyn" setting?

Sorry for the nonstop questions. I think ultimately I will go this route though as this seems reliable and hasslefree!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

It looks like the Abby has the thinnest band at 2.1mm - most like the Cartier 1895

It looks to me as if the Sabrina is just "Abby with a square cut" (someone correct me if I'm wrong, but that's the only thing I could tell)

The Brooklyn has double prongs - and yes, I agree that the double prongs might overpower smaller stone

The Regina's band doesn't taper going up, making a "bulkier" look next to the stone - the Cartier is tapered, so this one is out

Looks as if the Abby is the winner for ERD!!!
 
SB621|1374099907|3485057 said:
To be very frank and honest it sounds like your girlfriend doesn't really care about the setting but wants the name Cartier. If I may give my 2 cents I would definitely go with the ERD Cartier inspired line. I would call Mark or Chris and talk to them to see about differences. I believe it is really only minor and subtle differences between the ones you mentioned so you would really need your gf to give perference.

Anyhow since she DOES seem stuck on Cartier I would definitely look into a Cartier wedding band. They are much easier on the budget and that way she will still get the name. Many members or guys look to proposing have done that from the advise received here on PS and I think it is pretty sound.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

+1
This might satisfy the Cartier craving! ;))

However, if it's the name she wants as opposed to the style, then you may need to have a talk with her. If she cannot have the actual Cartier, she may change her mind drastically about the style of setting.
 
Thank you all for your help!
 
You're very welcome. If you do buy from ERD come back and post pictures. I love to see their Cartier inspired line. It is so classic and elegant.
 
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