New Setting for my OEC

[junebug17]

Hey everyone, I'm thinking of resetting my 8 mm OEC. It's currently in a vintage mount with 4 ribbon prongs (profile pic). I love the setting, but the issue I have is that due to some probable leakage, in low-lighting conditions my diamond looks kite-shaped as opposed to round. It's like the edges disappear. In conditions with more light, it looks beautiful and its true size. I've agonized for months over whether I'm just being picky, but it continues to bother me. My husband thinks I'm a bit crazy lol, but he has said he's ok with what I want to do, and he just wants me to be happy.

I've been thinking that either a crown setting or a halo will help round out my stone in those low lighting conditions. I would really like to keep the cost under $2000.

I fell in love with UsTex's beautiful halo and she graciously said she is ok with me getting the same setting. I have been emailing OroSpot, who by the way has been excellent in their communication. The problem is that the setting will be 13-14 mm on my finger, size 4.25. I just think that's too large for me. I was thinking of asking for a quote for this other setting:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105909769/diamond-round-yellow-sapphire-engraved?ref=shop_home_active

I know a lot of people feel old cuts look best in a vintage setting, but I just think this ritani is so pretty.
http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-in-platinum/4974

I also like this solitaire setting from Stuller, and am thinking that the prongs will help give shape to the diamond in lower level light. The girdle of my stone would be pretty exposed though:
http://www.stuller.com/products/122004/?groupId=113775

So...I guess what I'm asking is whether these settings will be more complimentary to my stone in lower lighting conditions, what everyone thinks about them and if anyone has any suggestions on where else to look for halos and crown solitaires. I've already scoured Gabriel & Co, Leigh Jay Nacht, and JbEG and didn't really see anything. Or should I just stick with my current setting? I would just like to love my ring in all situations. TIA!

 

[Laila619]

Ritani! Ritani!

That setting is so gorgeous!

 

[Confection10]

I'm curious to know, do Ritani sells settings without center stone. I consider the halo and I love Ritani one.

 

[k_darling]

I love the Stuller, but think the Ritani will probably give you more of the effect you're after.

 

[liaerfbv]

I loooooooove UsTex's new halo and I'm sad that it won't work for you. Is there any way they could scale down the scallops to make it work? It is just perfection IMO and I would love to see another real life hand example with an OEC the same size as mine.... No, of course I have no personal gain reasons to want you to get that setting....

Of the others you posted, I like the Ritani the best. I love a plain shank halo. What band would you pair it with?

 

[junebug17]

Laila: Lol! I was kind of hoping for this response Maybe that's telling me something

Confection: You know, I'm so new to all of this that I really don't know the process - I was thinking I could go to a jeweler and they could handle it for me? I know Niel has had a Ritani setting, I'm hoping she drops in and fills me in on how this would work.

k_darling, I think you're right.

liaerfbv, I love that setting too! Hmm, maybe the design could be scaled down, I should check that out. I love the plain shank on the Ritani as well. There's a part of me that's kind of excited about wearing a somewhat more modern looking setting. I would probably wear my diamond band or milgrain platinum band with it, I think both would work.

Thank you for the responses, I really appreciate the input!

 

[Enerchi]

Junebug - that made me laugh about your DH thinking you were nuts... they just don't "get it" do they??? Mine looks at me like I have 2 heads and 10 eyes, when I start to talk about rings and settings --- then you see the inevitable "GLAZE....." start to happen. Ya, classic man stuff!! (for some men, don't want to stereo type here, but our DH's sound similar!)

I was torn with that same dilemma when I found my OEC. I wanted to respect the vintage aspect of the OEC but I lusted over the halo's. I went vintage look w the IDJ setting I selected when in NYC last fall, but still .... I do hear the siren call of a halo... off in the distance... whispering... calling to me... from afar... then out pops Bastecat's GORGEOUS OEC in a halo... and WHAM! That damn siren is NOT shutting up in my head!!! ARGH!!

ok - I digress - its not about "ME" here...

But I get your dilemma. I am CRAP when it comes to decisions when there are 2 things I totally adore... so here's my lastest thing. I open up a document and cut and paste all of the items I love on that one page (a halo collage of OEC's and a vintage setting collage) and then stare for hours. HOURS, i tell ya, HOURS!!! There is no limit to how long I can agonize over a diamond decision --- NO LIMIT!

All that to say, it is easy for me to say get the XXX - but I appreciate the inner turmoil you are going thru!!

Quick glance - I ADORE the ritani you posted! But keep browsing - there are so many variations out there. I had also met with Leigh Jay Nacht (no halo's, vintage look only) when I was in NYC as well as David of DBL (HALO! HALO! HALO!!) and Yekutiel of IDJ - combo platter of both styles and that's where I found my setting. Maybe run some ideas by that group of vendors and see what they have to say.

 

[msop04]

Although I love your current setting, I think the Ritani would look FAB!! Can't wait to see what you decide!

 

[Confection10]

JbEG's Kylie is georgeous too. Just asking of Grace is it possible to get one here in Finland, where their beautiful oec lives nowadays

 

[bunnycat]

I like the Ritani one. But i think you should also go try some on with plain shanks and other halos and see how they look on you. The Stuller is nice and I like the profile view. But while I can appreciate something nice in the objective; for my own styling, it would be a little too plain unless a blingy band were added next to it.

 

[junebug17]

Enerchi, you should have seen my husband's face when I first mentioned changing the setting! "Does not compute" is the best way to describe it lol! To his thinking, I already have a setting, why in the world would I need a different one? But he's being a good sport and going along with me hehe. And yes, I too have been agonizing over this - you'd think I was resetting the Hope Diamond, the way I'm carrying on. Thank you for the moral support! and oh yes, I totally blame bastecat for all of this!

msop04, I have to say, I'm strongly leaning towards it! I was just thinking today that this will be my first *new* ering setting since my original...all the settings I've worn since then have been vintage.

Confection10, I agree, the Kylie is beautiful! Halos are just gorgeous.

bastecat, you do realize this is all your fault, don't you? I'm teasing of course, but I do love the look of your ring! I agree that the solitaire is pretty, and I do like the look of a solitaire with a diamond band, but I think I'm ready for something with a little more pizzaz. And yeah, I should try some halos on because I would really like this to be my final setting.

 

[yennyfire]

Another vote for seeing if Urs's setting can be scaled down. I love that setting and I think your OEC would be dazzling in it without losing any of it's personality. While the Ritani setting is gorgeous, I feel like your stone will be lost in it (by that, I mean it's personality, not that it will be too big for your stone).....

 

[junebug17]

Thanks yenny...I'll probably get in touch with OroSpot and see if the design can be scaled down somehow. I've been thinking about this so much I feel a little worn out lol.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Quality workmanship in a mount is my number one priority, and orospot seems like a bit of an unknown in that regard.

Have you considered ERD? They have some great looking vintage style mounts and also do custom and their work is impeccable and prices very good too.

I do think your stone's optics could benefit from an enclosed mount like a halo or even a bezel. It will increase the contrast patterning most likely, which can be a good thing. Like cupping your hand around the stone, makes a stone really glow. My own diamond looks nicer set in its enclosed mount than it did loose.

 

[lknvrb4]

I had a verragio very similar to the ritani and I ended up not liking it. I felt that my center stone with the halo looked all jumbled together.

 

[junebug17]

Dreamer, thanks...ERD is a good suggestion, as is a bezel - makes more sense than the crown setting...I remember really liking Mayk's setting for her OEC. I feel a bit better that you've confirmed my feeling that a more enclosed setting would improve the appearance of my diamond.

Iknvrb4, thanks for sharing your experience, it is very helpful and definitely food for thought. I remember your ring, and I remember thinking it was really beautiful! I'm just curious, did you end up selling it? I know at one point you had decided to keep it as a RHR.

 

[bunnycat]

Another thing I keep on hand (because I love halos) is a cheap silver halo setting. When I have some sort of stone that I want to see how it looks in a halo, I rest it in the setting to get an idea. It's been a good $10 spent.

 

[Niel]

Ritani! Ritani!

That setting is so gorgeous!

Gosh I really love this setting. I show a lot of people it as it is a beautiful setting from a company that makes good quality, and the price is extremely reasonable.

 

[junebug17]

Ritani! Ritani!

That setting is so gorgeous!

Gosh I really love this setting. I show a lot of people it as it is a beautiful setting from a company that makes good quality, and the price is extremely reasonable.

It's because of you that I know about this setting Niel!

I am glad you stopped in this thread - I wanted to ask you how you went about getting your ritani setting for your pear - did you just go through a jeweler who is a Ritani dealer?

 

[Niel]

Ritani! Ritani!

That setting is so gorgeous!

Gosh I really love this setting. I show a lot of people it as it is a beautiful setting from a company that makes good quality, and the price is extremely reasonable.

It's because of you that I know about this setting Niel!

I am glad you stopped in this thread - I wanted to ask you how you went about getting your ritani setting for your pear - did you just go through a jeweler who is a Ritani dealer?

yeah exactly. I know you cant contact ritani directly and ask them to set it. Ive tried, they wont do it unless you go though a dealer. I had one in my town, as it happened, but I know Pearlmans does, if you dont have any in your local area.

 

[junebug17]

Ritani! Ritani!

That setting is so gorgeous!

Gosh I really love this setting. I show a lot of people it as it is a beautiful setting from a company that makes good quality, and the price is extremely reasonable.

It's because of you that I know about this setting Niel!

I am glad you stopped in this thread - I wanted to ask you how you went about getting your ritani setting for your pear - did you just go through a jeweler who is a Ritani dealer?

yeah exactly. I know you cant contact ritani directly and ask them to set it. Ive tried, they wont do it unless you go though a dealer. I had one in my town, as it happened, but I know Pearlmans does, if you dont have any in your local area.

Thanks Niel! Luckily there are a few in my area.

 

[bunnycat]

I think your stone would be really pretty in that Ritani setting. The plain shank tones it down a little and kind of gives a nod to vintage even if it is not vintage itself. A lot of old Victorian pieces had plain shanks with cluster tops.

 

[Niel]

I think your stone would be really pretty in that Ritani setting. The plain shank tones it down a little and kind of gives a nod to vintage even if it is not vintage itself. A lot of old Victorian pieces had plain shanks with cluster tops.

I agree, If you can go to a local shop and see one in person that would be awesome, and give you a good idea of how it would look. i think they would look nice together, the setting isnt so modern as to invite a comparison of genres, the modern elements are subtle enough that it just looks like a clean setting, which would compliment the crisp larger facets of your stone.

 

[junebug17]

Bastecat and Niel, I find I keep going back to the Ritani as I think about settings! Part of my hesitation is wondering if I should just stick with a vintage look, and I find myself going back and forth a bit...but I've worn vintage styles for so long now that part of me is excited about getting something a little different. I'm going to the jeweler tomorrow so hopefully I'll be able to see one in person. Thanks for helping me out!

 

[UrsTx]

Junebug17 - my center stone is also 8x8mm (its a little bottom heavy) so yes, that makes the setting 13-14 mm but my ring size is 8.5. I telecommute tomorrow but on Thursday I'd be happy to hunt down someone in my office who has a 4-4.5 size finger and take a pic of their finger wearing my ring. Would that help in the decision making process? Also, I vote for a halo setting. You're currently in a solitaire so why change to a Stuller solitaire? I can "hear" it in your voice that you really want a halo!

 

[bunnycat]

Bastecat and Niel, I find I keep going back to the Ritani as I think about settings! Part of my hesitation is wondering if I should just stick with a vintage look, and I find myself going back and forth a bit...but I've worn vintage styles for so long now that part of me is excited about getting something a little different. I'm going to the jeweler tomorrow so hopefully I'll be able to see one in person. Thanks for helping me out!

Well- you know I'm more than happy to supplement with vintage/vintage style add ons.

I also agree with UrsTx that you've already got a solitaire, and so that'd be another reason I wouldn't change to a different solitaire.

Here's my two vintage-y bands with the plain shank halo. I can't get away from vintage myself. The stone supplies it on the main ring.

 

[junebug17]

Junebug17 - my center stone is also 8x8mm (its a little bottom heavy) so yes, that makes the setting 13-14 mm but my ring size is 8.5. I telecommute tomorrow but on Thursday I'd be happy to hunt down someone in my office who has a 4-4.5 size finger and take a pic of their finger wearing my ring. Would that help in the decision making process? Also, I vote for a halo setting. You're currently in a solitaire so why change to a Stuller solitaire? I can "hear" it in your voice that you really want a halo!

UrsTx, I don't want you to go to any trouble, but if you could possibly find someone with a smaller finger size to try it on that would be so helpful! But please, don't worry if you don't get a chance...yeah, I was admiring how much presence your ring has on your finger and it dawned on me that it would probably look really large on my finger, since we have similar size stones.

I know, I'm a bit all over the place with my setting choices! I thought the 6 prong setting might help round out my diamond and make it look better in low lighting situations. A bezel setting would probably work better though. I guess I still haven't completely ruled out a solitaire, but I'm definitely leaning towards a halo. Every time I see one here on PS I just love the look.

 

[junebug17]

Bastecat and Niel, I find I keep going back to the Ritani as I think about settings! Part of my hesitation is wondering if I should just stick with a vintage look, and I find myself going back and forth a bit...but I've worn vintage styles for so long now that part of me is excited about getting something a little different. I'm going to the jeweler tomorrow so hopefully I'll be able to see one in person. Thanks for helping me out!

Well- you know I'm more than happy to supplement with vintage/vintage style add ons.

I also agree with UrsTx that you've already got a solitaire, and so that'd be another reason I wouldn't change to a different solitaire.

Here's my two vintage-y bands with the plain shank halo. I can't get away from vintage myself. The stone supplies it on the main ring.

I know, your bands look amazing with your halo! I really love the entire look

And I agree, since I already have solitaire, I think I'm due for a change.

 

[Enerchi]

Junebug, if you were to reset AND keep this vintage setting, then, should you ever get tired and want to swap out of the halo in a few years, this lovely existing setting would be waiting for you....

While the ritani is beautiful, have you checked out any other designs like the halo's from Gabriel, for instance?
shown in RG but available in all metals - http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8152K44JJ or http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7527K44JJ

When I was flipping back and forth last year on my own OEC, this was the setting from DBL that I wanted: http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/semi-mount-hand-forged-diamond-halo-so4351

I'm just living vicariously thru you and bastecat! If you did go ahead and satisfy that halo itch, yes, it is the cost of a new setting AND unsetting/resetting in the future, but ... why not?? why not get something your heart desires at this point in your life and go w putting your beautiful OEC in something different? If you can afford it and your DH is on board... and you decide to keep the vintage ring for later (put a CS in it for awhile??) ... do it!

Sure... one could say that this is typical of "Enerchi The Enabler" (and you may be onto something there ) but overall, life is too short to wear jewelry you aren't in love with!

 

[junebug17]

Those are beautiful settings Enerchi! Thanks for posting them. The DBL is really pretty! The things II like about the Ritani are the simplicity of it, how low the stone sits in the setting, and the price lol. And yes, I was thinking the same thing...I can always go back to the solitaire down the road if I want to, since I'll be holding onto it. Your enabling skills are as sharp as ever haha!