Need some help with choosing a setting.

[glocko]

She likes to keep it simple and told me she likes the following settings on Bluenile:

http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=354


http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=552

I was clicking back and forth between the two and noticed that you can't buy the settings alone, that you must buy a diamond from them as well. I am buying a .85ct loose diamond from a pricescope vendor so I guess Blue Nile won't let me buy just the setting from them... but we both REALLY love these two styles.

I then looked on Ashford.com and found similar settings (but they are a little narrower in width). I also noticed that the pictures do not show prongs in them. Do they come with prongs or are these tension settings? The ashford rep didn't know when I called, and she said someone would call me back... but I'm too anxious especially since they have 30% off.

SO, could some of you more knowledgeable types answer the following:

1) Do the ashford.com settings come with prongs even though they are not shown?
2) Which would a .85ct stone look better in? I want it to look as proportional as possible and am afraid that the one with baguettes might make the center stone look too small.


http://www.ashford.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1030860&cp=975662.1062279.1062336&fCat=1062336&fpricesort=priceDescending&filter=yes&page=3&pageBucket 1;0&parentPage=family


http://www.ashford.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1030857&cp=975662.1062279.1062336&fCat=1062336&fpricesort=priceDescending&filter=yes&page=1&pageBucket 1;0&parentPage=family

Thank you!!!

 

[diamondnovice]

----------------
1) Do the ashford.com settings come with prongs even though they are not shown?
2) Which would a .85ct stone look better in? I want it to look as proportional as possible and am afraid that the one with baguettes might make the center stone look too small.

----------------


Glocko -

I looked at both of the settings. I am assuming that you bought a .85 ct round brilliant. Assuming that, I think that the contour setting would look nicer. I don't think a round would complement the baguettes the way they are mounted. I think that an emerald would look better with the baguette mounting.

As for the width of the ring from bluenile vs. ashford, you are correct; the one from ashford is narrower. The bluenile one is 3.9 mm wide whereas the one from ashford is 3.5 mm wide. Considering the length of your soon to be fiance's fingers, the 3.5 mm may be a better width because you have to figure that you will be adding a wedding ring next to it. My engagement ring is only 3.14 mm wide and the wedding band is 3.78 mm. Both together are plenty wide at almost 7 mm.

Another consideration to think about is that the baguette setting would limit your choices on a wedding band. Considering the width is 5 mm wide for the ashford one and 5.3 mm wide for the bluenile one, you would need a rather narrow wedding band unless you gf's fingers are long. Also, the shape of the setting would make it hard to find a band that would fit up snuggly. (BTW, I think you are correct that the diamond will probably look smaller in this setting.)

Finally, yes, the ashford rings come with a head (prongs). The correct head will be added for the right size and shape of the diamond to be mounted. Also, I bet that you that you could probably choose either a four prong or six prong. The four prong will make the diamond look squarer although you will see more of the girdle whereas the six prong will make the diamond look rounder. It is a wierd optical illusion since in both instances, the diamond IS round.

Good luck!!

 

[glocko]

Hi diamondnovice,

Thank you for your detailed reply. Yes, it is a .85 Round Brilliant and I think I agree with you that it might not complement the baguettes as well as an emerald center stone.

I didn't even think about the wedding band. This is the first (and hopefully last!) time I've ever done this. I have to admit I am a bit of a moron when it comes to traditions like this. Does she wear the wedding band and the engagement ring on the same finger at the same time? I always thought that the wedding band or the engagement rings were worn interchangeably after marriage. In any case, we just don't want the ring to be so narrow that it looks flimsy (regardless of how strong it really is). It's hard to tell how thick 3mm is in a picture on the web.

I called Ashford again because they never called me back.. but the person I talked to didn't seem to think the prongs came with the ring. He also said to call back tomorrow during their regular business hours.. I guess their product specialists don't work weekends. In any case, I really like that setting and the price so I will wait another day to call them and get a firm answer! Thanks for your help.

 

[Mara]

My two cents on mm widths of rings etc..I personally like thinner rings as I think thicker ones look odd on my hand. If she has thinner fingers, you don't want to overwhelm her hand with a huge ring. I have a size 6 ring finger. My e-ring will be 2.5mm (I wanted 2mm but with the setting we are getting there wouldn't be enough metal to protect the eternity diamonds going around), and my wed ring will be the same width, so 5mm total. I would prefer 4mm total..but oh well.

I've also heard that supposedly the rings should take up 3/4 of the space between the finger joint and the first knuckle, which I think is HUGE! But everyone's preference is different. I don't think that 3mm looks flimsy AT ALL..but then again you know my preference is 2mm.

Also I think it depends on the size of the center stone..I don't recall what you said it was, but if you have a .5c center stone and a 3mm ring, that might look a little odd, more metal than stone wouldn't show off the diamond as much. On the other hand if you have a 2c stone and a 1mm band, the diamond wouldn't be on a band that has enough metal to be 'strong' for the diamond's weight--a little top heavy.

Did you try emailing Ashford? I found them very helpful via email when I had questions on their diamonds AND settings. Also check out whiteflash.com who has a bunch of solitaire simple settings as well, they are pretty responsive via email and one of their reps (LesleyH) frequents this board, she's very helpful.

Best of luck! In my eyes the setting is just as important as the diamond, as you want the two to be paired together just the right way, kind of like you and your fiancee-to-be!

 

[Sparkler]

Please help!! I have already chosen the diamond for my e-ring upgrade and I am stumped on a setting. I am getting a 2.04 Ct. princess cut with a lenth to width ratio of 1.02, so it's pretty square. I really like the setting that I have attached. However, I am concerned about it being too much b/c it is 7mm wide. I would appreciate your input!

 

[valeria101]

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On 10/4/2004 1:21:12 PM Sparkler wrote:


I am concerned about it being too much b/c it is 7mm wide. ----------------

This ring has about the same max. width as the stone. Will it be made to fit your stone in particular or is it a generic setting ?

A 7mm band is not all that uncommon - not a strykingly large ring, IMO, even on a size 3.5 finger here. Besides, this ring in the pic has it's band taperring towards the back - it is not wide all the way arround and this makes it comfortable to wear.

It's all a matter of taste and what you like to see on your hand. There must be rings of comparable size around for you to try on - at leats a 7mm wedding band if nothing closer - even though those do not tapper

Just my 0.2...