Need setting advice (who can make this/who has this)

[about2begin]

Hi all. I have the stone (2 ct RB) but now I need the setting.

I''m looking for a Cartier 1895 replica but I want the shank to have shared prong diamonds (similar to the novo shank). I don''t like the channel set look that Cartier offers but I love the basket and cathedral style of the setting.

Here''s the closest I have found (but it is channel set (a delicate channel setting, but still a channel))

Thanks so much!!!

If custom is the only way to go, that''s cool too. Just hoping someone knows of a good image to start with.

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=91 (see lower thumbnailed image)

 

[about2begin]

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.closettherapyblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/cartier.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.closettherapyblog.com/%3Fp%3D2127&usg=__6ldCIksHGTdY_evQ9MBscQKdrVA=&h=391&w=372&sz=21&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=nWHuu5n1X7O0nM:&tbnh=123&tbnw=117&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcartier%2B1895%2Bsolitaire%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

Link to both the Novo shank and 1895

LINK

 

[about2begin]

Could WF do a custom piece that sort of combines these 2 (keeping the width and shared prongs of 2 but using the cathedral peak and basket of 1):

1

2

Does anyone own either of those? Platinum Cathedral Pave'' Diamond Engagement Ring or Petite Open Cathedral Diamond Engagement Ring?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I''d have Leon Mege do it. No one does a more elegant basket and prongs than he does. Of course, I might be a little biased!

Incidentally, though, many people have had problems with a shared prong e-ring with a shared prong wedding band. The stones from one band can chip stones in the other sometimes. That may be why Cartier sets the stones in a channel.

 

[mrscushion]

Just to chime in here, Cartier''s 1895 Pave is not channel set, but rather bead set. (I know because I LOVE that setting and have their catalogue in my desk at work and stare at it several times a week...

) But that said, I know what you''re saying about preferring the shared prong set look. I am sure Whiteflash could make a custom setting for you that combines the basket you like with the shank style you prefer. WF just recently made a 1895 replica for someone -- I''ll try to find it for you.

 

[mrscushion]

Here it is: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/custom-e-ring-inspired-by-cartier.26253/ It doesn't have the shank you're looking for, but I think they did a pretty fabulous-looking replica/inspiration and they're known for their customer service, so I would think they'd do a great job at what you're looking for. In any case, I think that ring will look fabulous and I am already looking forward to seeing the pics when it's done!

ETA: I just realized that the post I just linked to was by no means "recent" -- oops!

 

[about2begin]

Thank you for all the responses!

To be honest, LM is a bit rich for my blood. A pave setting seems to run around $4k and I would guess that a shard prong setting wouldn''t be too much cheaper. If you compare that to WF and my local jeweler it is quite extreme. My local jeweler (who sets things for various high-end stores) said that the actual melee stones cost ~$35 each and that a lot of the work is done by machines.

The WF setting I showed was $795. How much better can a LM be? Better, maybe it is; $3000+ better, doubtful. In terms of the way most people look at an ER, I don''t think the quality of a LM piece will really ever show itself to any great degree. Am I wrong about that?

 

[lyra]

Date: 1/9/2009 10:27:29 AM
Author: about2begin
Thank you for all the responses!

To be honest, LM is a bit rich for my blood. A pave setting seems to run around $4k and I would guess that a shard prong setting wouldn''t be too much cheaper. If you compare that to WF and my local jeweler it is quite extreme. My local jeweler (who sets things for various high-end stores) said that the actual melee stones cost ~$35 each and that a lot of the work is done by machines.

The WF setting I showed was $795. How much better can a LM be? Better, maybe it is; $3000+ better, doubtful. In terms of the way most people look at an ER, I don''t think the quality of a LM piece will really ever show itself to any great degree. Am I wrong about that?

Yep, you''re wrong about that.

There''s a huge difference, but certainly LM pieces are not to everyone''s taste or budget. Certainly wasn''t in my budget, but his pieces are perfection in terms of workmanship and artistry IMO. You pay a premium for handmade custom rings like his.

I think WF is a wonderful choice if you''re happy with their design, or wish to work on customizing a piece. They have a *great* reputation and do beautiful work. Good luck!

 

[about2begin]

Date: 1/9/2009 11:19:49 AM
Author: lyra

Date: 1/9/2009 10:27:29 AM

Author: about2begin

Thank you for all the responses!


To be honest, LM is a bit rich for my blood. A pave setting seems to run around $4k and I would guess that a shard prong setting wouldn''t be too much cheaper. If you compare that to WF and my local jeweler it is quite extreme. My local jeweler (who sets things for various high-end stores) said that the actual melee stones cost ~$35 each and that a lot of the work is done by machines.


The WF setting I showed was $795. How much better can a LM be? Better, maybe it is; $3000+ better, doubtful. In terms of the way most people look at an ER, I don''t think the quality of a LM piece will really ever show itself to any great degree. Am I wrong about that?

Yep, you''re wrong about that.

There''s a huge difference, but certainly LM pieces are not to everyone''s taste or budget. Certainly wasn''t in my budget, but his pieces are perfection in terms of workmanship and artistry IMO. You pay a premium for handmade custom rings like his.


I think WF is a wonderful choice if you''re happy with their design, or wish to work on customizing a piece. They have a *great* reputation and do beautiful work. Good luck!

Thanks. I meant that people typically don''t scrutinize a ring in the way people on this forum do. I have seen pictures of settings online (magnified 20x) and I think, "wow, those prongs look bulky" but then when I see it in person at a store, it looks really nice.

From 8-12" away can the difference in workmanship be observed when looking at a ring for 30 seconds? To a great enough extent to justify a $3,000 difference in price? I''m just curious b/c I have never seen his work in person but of course it looks great online.

 

[lyra]

Well, I'd have to say that yes, the difference would still be there. But really, at the heart of the matter, it shouldn't be about what other people might think, but about what you and your fiancee think and agree on. She will get wonderful compliments on a well chosen, well cut diamond no matter how it's set. If it was just in a very plain solitaire setting, a beautiful diamond is going to draw people's attention. Now, if she says she wants the Cartier style, you probably should just be concentrating on finding a replica that has all the aspects she really likes, or put your own spin on it by customizing it a bit if you like. It doesn't have to be a LM at all.

 

[about2begin]

Date: 1/9/2009 12:31:31 PM
Author: lyra
Well, I''d have to say that yes, the difference would still be there. But really, at the heart of the matter, it shouldn''t be about what other people might think, but about what you and your fiancee think and agree on. She will get wonderful compliments on a well chosen, well cut diamond no matter how it''s set. If it was just in a very plain solitaire setting, a beautiful diamond is going to draw people''s attention. Now, if she says she wants the Cartier style, you probably should just be concentrating on finding a replica that has all the aspects she really likes, or put your own spin on it by customizing it a bit if you like. It doesn''t have to be a LM at all.

Yes, I totally agree. I only really care what one person thinks. I need a good job done, not really the best (if the best is drastically more expensive). She doesn''t have a discerning eye when it comes to the finer points of a setting (nor do I). I also don''t think she''ll be taking any macro photos of the ring like we see on here.

Thanks so much!

 

[wishinpink]

If price is important to you, maybe try Laura Powers in Atlanta? She quoted me 200-400 dollars less for a custom project than whiteflash when I was doing some comparison shopping.

I do need to add that I have never worked with her myself though so I can't speak for her work.