Opinions on 2 settings please?

[jana1120]

I've been helping my son (a 25 year old school teacher) do research and find a diamond/ring in a 45 days for a surprise proposal. He and his fiancee unexpectedly won a couple's photo shoot from her favorite photographer so he decided to move the proposal date up from next year and propose during the photo shoot so its all caught on camera. Since they both work for the school system and haven't gone back to work yet, he can't do too much hunting & pecking on the computer with her around, hence, mom's help. We have gotten some GREAT info and advice on this site, so I'm turning to your experts again. The stone is $5K and he needs to stay under 7K, so has $2K for a setting. All the settings she has posted on her pinterest page have diamonds on the band with a solitaire. Some were very thin, but he is sticking with 2mm for stability and 14K white gold for pricing.

This is the stone he has purchased - .895 carats:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3520065.htm

He is trying to decide between these 2 settings:

This one from WF is obviously the easier choice because that is where he got the diamond. But, he isn't sure how she will like the diamonds on the prongs themselves. He isn't really crazy about them himself. He would order it in 14K rather than 18K - WF says no price difference.

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/elena-diamond-engagement-ring-1363.htm

This one is a setting she pinned on her pinterest page. A little more difficult logistically to order and send to WF for setting, but he knows she will definitely like this setting. Style B with the diamonds on the 4 sides.

http://www.debebians.com/diamond-accented-diamond-engagement-ring.html

While I'm pretty sure the WF setting is a better quality setting (everyone on this site seems to be big WF fans), I want to see opinions on whether the debebians setting would be a considered an absolutely don't purchase that setting item, or maybe just a lesser quality, but still OK.

THANKS in advance - would appreciate any feedback anyone can give. He needs to make a setting decision and purchase this week to make sure the ring is ready by Sept. 15th.

Jana

 

[tyty333]

Nice stone!

I'm not a big fan of the head on the WF setting either. I dont like diamonds on the prongs because it makes the prongs big.

Did you ask WF for some modifications to that setting? Or perhaps modifications to this setting? Make it 2mm and get
rid of the cathedral part?
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/petite-open-cathedral-diamond-engagement-ring-1539.htm

This setting is also similar but slightly different head. It's already 2 mm. Not sure if they could change the head on this
because it's a Vatche. (Branded setting)
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/charis-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1657.htm

I'm pretty sure WF can get any Vatche setting. Here is another one that may work...but not sure of the width. You would need
to talk to WF.
http://www.dvatche.com/index.php?page=collection&catID=2,18&startRow=6&id=157&alt=1

 

[mns12]

Very exciting!

It would be a lot easier to get the setting through Whiteflash! I know nothing about the quality of Debebians, but it is a pretty setting.

Whiteflash also carries Vatche. How about one of these? They are a little over budget (in white gold) but maybe you could work something out with WF since you are also purchasing the diamond. I'm not crazy about their stock photos so I also tried to find a "real life" example as well.

Vatche 189 Caroline Pave
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/caroline-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-by-vatche-682.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/gallery/diamond-engagement-rings/caroline-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-15301.htm

Vatche 1502 Saran
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/vatche-saran-diamond-engagement-ring-2550.htm
https://www.pricescope.com/gallery/round/vatche-saran-diamond-engagement-ring-platinum-whiteflash_40679_g

 

[MollyMalone]

Are any of the rings on her Pinterest page cathedral mountings? If not, think he should avoid a cathedral mounting like, e.g., WF's Elena.

 

[jana1120]

tyty333: WF will modify the gold content or reduce diamonds on the band for no extra charge, but they have said modifying diamonds on the head turns it into a custom setting and puts it out of his price range. He may have to either choose the non WF setting or give up his wish to have the diamonds on the 4 sides of the head and go with a WF setting that doesn't have those. Just want to make sure the debebians setting isn't a bad purchase if he goes that route.

mns12: The thing my son likes about both settings are the diamonds on the 4 sides of the head. These are the only 2 settings he has been able to find that have that. The debebians setting being the only one in his price range that doesn't have the diamonds on the prongs as well. He looked at the WF Caroline and Vache settings, but out of his price range. While WF has been fantastic to deal with and so helpful, they don't seem to negotiate on price at all -the price they list is the price you pay, no deals for getting stone and setting like some local jewelers do. I'll ask again though.

mollymalone: FIrst thanks for the referral to John at prodiamond advisor - he has been so helpful in the process of choosing the diamond. This is actually the setting his GF posted on her pinterest page, which is cathedral, but its 1.7mm.
http://www.debebians.com/oval-pave-engagement-ring.html

This is the same setting in 2mm (style B w/diamonds on 4 sides of the head). Seems to get the diamonds on the 4 sides, it is always cathedral.
http://www.debebians.com/diamond-accented-diamond-engagement-ring.html

Do you recommend against cathedral? My son was also questioning the 3/4 eternity band vs 1/2 eternity. Concerned about rubbing of diamonds on the other fingers being irritable. I've read lots of blogs and some people say it doesn't bother them and get 3/4 eternity so when ring turns you can't see metal. A few people said the diamonds did rub their fingers and to get 1/2 eternity so metal is touching the fingers next to the ring.

 

[MollyMalone]

mollymalone: FIrst thanks for the referral to John at prodiamond advisor - he has been so helpful in the process of choosing the diamond. This is actually the setting his GF posted on her pinterest page, which is cathedral, but its 1.7mm.
http://www.debebians.com/oval-pave-engagement-ring.html

This is the same setting in 2mm (style B w/diamonds on 4 sides of the head). Seems to get the diamonds on the 4 sides, it is always cathedral.
http://www.debebians.com/diamond-accented-diamond-engagement-ring.html

Do you recommend against cathedral? My son was also questioning the 3/4 eternity band vs 1/2 eternity. Concerned about rubbing of diamonds on the other fingers being irritable. I've read lots of blogs and some people say it doesn't bother them and get 3/4 eternity so when ring turns you can't see metal. A few people said the diamonds did rub their fingers and to get 1/2 eternity so metal is touching the fingers next to the ring.

You're welcome, so glad my suggestion of John Pollard & Neil Beaty @ prodiamondadvisor.com was helpful to you!

Gotcha re the style B, thanks. I myself really dislike having anything, other than a plain shank, between my fingers and on the back of my finger, so a 3/4 or full eternity shank is out for me; I figure that if the ring turns, the center stone is lopsided anyways. But who knows if your son's wife-to-be feels the same way; have the two of them done any ring "window shopping" together, so she's had the opportunity to try on various styles?

 

[jana1120]

They have not Mollymalone unfortunately. The original plan was engagement next year, but my son decided to bump it up because of the unplanned photo shoot, so they hadn't gotten that far. All we have to go by is what she has pinned on pinterest. I hear you about the diamonds on the sides. Its completely mixed reviews when you read about it.

Someone at the start of this recommended always getting your diamond and setting at the same place. Now I know why. It is definitely a hassle to have a diamond now from WF, but not like any of their settings and have to decide where to get the setting and then who to have set the ring.

Thanks for the input,
Jana

 

[JDDN]

A couple of options: Your son could have the stone set in a very simple 4 or 6 prong solitaire for the proposal and then shop together for the setting. This would run him a couple of hundred dollars. If she chose a setting from the vendor who set it in the temporary setting they typically credit the amount towards the new setting. The other option is to do a custom setting. David Klass is a favorite around here who does great work and is extremely reasonable and fast.

Here's a really pretty setting. It doesn't have the diamond on the basket, but the surprise diamond is a nice sparkly touch.

As far as the pave on the shank.....it totally depends on her and the type of pave. Some can have more prominent prongs and feel rough between the fingers. Some people don't notice anything at all. I am like MollyMalone and cannot stand any roughness between my fingers. I didn't know this until I had a pave style wedding band and it drove me crazy. I had to change it to a channel set. That's all to say, unless she's tried the pave style setting on and worn it around, she may not know which category she falls into! Which is why it could be good to have her choose the setting herself (after trying it on). Or make sure there's a nice return or exchange policy in the event that the pave isn't comfortable for her.


http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/inara-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1766.htm

 

[kmarla]

What do you think about this setting? It's a Simon G and carried by Whiteflash. Good luck in your search!

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/simon-mr2478-caviar-diamond-engagement-ring-3548.htm

 

[MollyMalone]

I like JDDN's suggestion that your son propose with the diamond in a simple or "presentation" mounting, which Whiteflash can undoubtedly provide -- especially since she has not tried on any e-rings, so can't be certain that what's caught her fancy in pics will appeal to her as much once on her hand. More than a few of us have decided upon a ring different from what we initially thought we wanted, before auditioning rings in person.

6 weeks isn't all that long, with little-no leeway should a snafu arise. So this alternative also would take the immediate pressure off your son. And years later, I can still remember how I loved shopping for the e-ring, and wedding bands, with my then future husband (who proposed without a ring or even a stone); it was a wonderfully fun, romantic, and collaborative thing to do as a couple, brought us even closer together.