Newbie in need of help on a three stone ring

[Type_S_Maniac]

Hi,

I''ve been reading through the posts on PS for a few months now and find that the knowledge I''ve gained has been invaluable in my search. I am starting to get serious on purchasing a ring now and would really appreciate your opinions.

From the posts, I''ve learned that the cut is by far, the most important characteristic of the ring. In that case, I am looking for a three stone ring with the best possible cut. I would like to get a .75ct center stone and .25ct sidestones. I am very interested in WF''s ES and ACA series. It seems as though the ACAs are out of my price range however. Also, I''m looking for the diamonds to have a G or H color with a clarity of S1 or better. I would like to try and stay as close to my $4000 budget as possible. Do you guys think this is do-able? Also, if anyone has any suggestions on what I should look for to stay within my budget, I would really appreciate it.


Thank you in advance

 

[Type_S_Maniac]

Forgot to mention, the $4k budget includes a platinum setting.

 

[strmrdr]

$800 for the sides.
$1000 for the setting
...............
Thats 1800 there.

well cut g-h eyeclean .75ct for 2.2k.. not happening.

 

[valeria101]

If there must be diamonds set in the band, how about something like THIS

And I would ask about something like THIS for the diamond. As long as you get proper cut quality details before the stone is set, it doesn''t sound like a load of hassle (not sure what the seller might think

) . G-VS2 cuts some slack and EGL''s cut branding doesn''t carry quite as much of a premium. It would be AGS''s I-SI2 for the same price, and that is quite a gap in both grades.


On a different line:
Adwar made three stone settings come at about $800 at Wink''s (winkjones.com), although I am not sure if the combination of weights you mention is done. You may want to ask. And they list a .74cts J-Si1 H&A for $2000 - there are no other details listed yet.




Btw. This is Jan 1st/06 and GIA is starting their cut grading.

Maybe their top grade is mere ''sensible shoes'' for those very keen on H&A... but, I''d walk in them. The grades are meant to take pattern and brilliance into account nonetheless. You may want to decide for yourself what these are good for, if you have some time - the new type of reports may take a month or more to become available.

 

[Type_S_Maniac]

Hmmm. I havent given much though to a channel set setting. Is there anything I should look for specifically in a channel set setting? Also, are there any 6 pronged channel set settings? I am worried about the stone popping out in a 4 prong setting. Does anyone have THIS setting? Any pictures with the stone in place? I really appreciate everyone''s help.

 

[E B]

Hello, Type_S!

Let's see what we can do in your budget. I couldn't find any G-H's (even I's) bigger than .55 that'd be affordable, but I did find a great J very close to the size you wanted. J's, if ideal cut, face up extremely white.

Setting:

Platinum Trellis 3-stone setting

Center:

.735 J, VS1 ideal ($1984 with PS discount, 1.1 on the HCA

)

Sides (no, they're not the same):
.31 H, SI1 ideal ($453 with PS discount)
.31 H, SI1 ideal ($453 with PS discount)

Grand total: $3990.00

I think the H sides would work with the J, but someone speak up if they'd find the H sides to be too much of a contrast.

 

[Type_S_Maniac]

I''ve used the HCA tool to check out some of the diamonds I''ve came across and i know that the lower the score the better. However, I''m not sure what exactly this score means? Does it mean the lower the score, the more light is reflected back? The more sparkle the diamond has?

Also, although i guess it depends on the observer, but would an average observer be able to tell the difference between a J color and G/H color diamond? My girlfriend and I went to some local mall jewelers and they didnt'' carry any J color diamonds so we couldn''t compare the two ourselves.

I really like selection of the settings at Blue Nile, but would feel more comfortable getting the stone from a site like whiteflash or Superbcert. Is this common to get the setting and stone from two different vendors? Would I just get the stones mounted at a local B&M jeweler? How much would this cost?

Please keep the suggestions coming!

 

[E B]

Type S,

If you find three diamonds you like at WF, ask them about making you a setting. They're very reasonable, and I'm sure their cost would be at around what the cost is for the Blue Nile setting.

Here's a good thread for J stones in platinum, if you're worried:

J color stones in Platinum

My center stone is an "I", and the side stones are G's and H's. Now, they're just 2 or 3 pointers (they're bead set) but I don't see any difference. Maybe someone with a 3-stone will give you an opinion about center vs. sides.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 1/1/2006 1:42:05 PM
Author: Type_S_Maniac
Hmmm. I havent given much though to a channel set setting. Is there anything I should look for specifically in a channel set setting? Also, are there any 6 pronged channel set settings? I am worried about the stone popping out in a 4 prong setting. Does anyone have THIS setting? Any pictures with the stone in place? I really appreciate everyone's help.

You can have a six prong 'head' set on that setting as much as I can tell. (the shank and the 'prongs' are separate pieces put together to accommodate different sizes and shapes of stones).


About the HCA

- it checks that the average crown and pavilion angles 'match'. This relationship is what determines brightness... It is common for this quality to be analyzed as a combination of a few different details - hence the first three partial scores (light return, fire and scintillation). The last... it is meant to tell if the diamond is relatively large for it's weight. I am not quite sure what this is good for since the diameter is given on the lab report - no need to guess it from angles. Anyway, it is common to have the 'Spread' score 'Very Good' for just about any diamond.

Also, it may not be true that the smaller the HCA score the better - the makers advise that all scores above 2 are great, and I wouldn't second guess that. It must be tempting - because this question comes up ever so often on the forum

IMO, it is a good choice to go for the HCA score as a selection tool, because it allows to choose among AGS, EGL and GIA graded stones, as long as there are enough stats. And different lab reports 'sell' at different markups... It can't be bad to have some choice when needs be.



About channel setting:
I wish I knew what to say about judging quality for a channel setting - once you see a couple that are well made, it is quite obvious what the look and feel of these settings is (IMO, a relatively substantial 'band of sparkle'). If you can find some channel set ring or eternity bands from a well known brand, take a look. I don't know any web page explaining (let alone showing) such details, aside THIS (for channel set rounds). It gives allot of detail, short of what to look for when buying!

Sorry for the long post. Hope some of this helps

 

[Type_S_Maniac]

Thanks Valeria101....

So I showed my GF a picture of a channel set e-ring and she loved it. We both like it a lot better than the three stone ring we were originally thinking about. I also searched through the forum and found the Tiffany deco-inspired ring. I really love this setting, but after searching through the forum, I haven''t found a replicate of this setting. Do you think WF would be able to make or find a setting like this? Any ideas on how much this would cost? I really hope this would be in my budget of $4k since my GF really loves this ring.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 1/2/2006 2:18:22 AM
Author: Type_S_Maniac

Thanks Valeria101....

So I showed my GF a picture of a channel set e-ring and she loved it. Do you think WF would be able to make or find a setting like this?

No wonder you like this!

As much as I can tell, it is a channel set band not unlike some custom settings WF made, only set with square step cut diamonds not princess cuts. If they can source these, I can't see any reason why it wouldn't be do-able. What would it cost... no idea. There is one way to find out, I guess e-mail them.

You may want to take a look in the WF 'Gallery' (a display of custom work only - Link) if not done already... A couple of settings are close matches, IMO:

- channel set, four prong basket - probably the closest match. Called 'Solar wind'

The stone in the Tiffany setting is relatively large, so this may make the band appear thinner in a picture (everyhting being scaled down). As far as I can tell, such a band could be 3mm or just a hair less than that. Channel set bands are not the narrowest (for their own good!). If this becomes an issue, a bead-set one could be done narrower - down to 2mm or so. Here's the thing, from the same gallery:

Set with an asscher. The setting is called 'Sabre dance'.


I hope they can find the matching stones for a version of the Tiffany setting. It has just enough to look classic and out of the ordinary in the same time.

Well, IMO at least.


On a different line, Tiffany's is a basket setting. Facets has some with square step cut diamonds channel set (see it Here), but thse have more common high-set prongs. Not 'cheap' either. I would think that for about the same cost, a custom made one would make a better choice.

My 2c. There may be better out there...