Opinions requested on e-ring/wedder selection

[straudohm]

All,

A month or two ago, after several months lurking on the forum obviously, I pulled the trigger on a 1.23 ct ACA from Whiteflash.

Now I am in the process of selecting an engagement ring, and am looking for some input.

After a brief shopping trip to try on settings, my girlfriend really liked these settings (sorry for the iPhone picture):



Both are platinum. They are not a matched pair. The e-ring was 0.83 tcw, with graduated diamonds, the inside stone being around 26 points and the outside stone around 15 points. The wedder is a 1tcw 5 stone shared prong (so 20 points each). We did not like the graduated look of the e-ring and would have it remade with four 20 point stones to match the wedding band. She is a ring size 5.75-6.

Here is where I am torn. We both like the look of the five stone using 20 pointers, but also like the look of a seven stone shared prong, using 10 to 15 point stones. I think she is leaning towards fewer but larger, as she seems to like being able to view the stones individually, while I am leaning more towards the 7 stone as I feel that the 20 point stones are verging on overpowering the center stone. What are your thoughts on this?

For reference, here are two pictures I had saved from searching around PS (I do not know who's rings they are, so I apologize in advance if they do not want me reposting them). I like the look both. The first has 10 pointers with a 1.6 center. The second has 8 pointers and I do not recall the center size. I believe both ring sizes are or are near 6.




Also, I was looking at BGD and found this setting, which I like quite a bit:



I like the open gallery versus the closed gallery. I spoke with someone at BGD who said they can do a semi-custom for a center stone, and could also do a 7 stone versus the 5 stone for both the e-ring and wedder. If I go with a style like this, what suggestions would you have for the head?

Anything else I should be asking myself/my girlfriend or looking out for?

Thanks in advance!

 

[tyty333]

I might have missed it but what size finger does your GF have?

 

[stargurl78]

I would go with the 7-stone for the reason you stated - you don't want it to over power the e-ring.

 

[Amys Bling]

I would go with the 7-stone for the reason you stated - you don't want it to over power the e-ring.

Agree

 

[straudohm]

Thanks Amy and stargurl for your input. tyty, she is a ring size 5.75-6.

As a follow up, do you think 10 pointers are ideal or slightly larger/smaller? She likes when the stones cover the top of her finger, or nearly cover it, when looking down, but does not like when the stones extend out past the edges of her finger, if that makes sense.

I am having a local jeweler pull some 5 and 7 stone bands of various sizes to have her try on this weekend. Also just to clarify, the engagement ring would also have sidestones, and would be an exact copy of the wedding band, save for the removal of the center stone and adding a head for the new 1.23 center stone.

Option One:
E-Ring: (4) 20 point stones, 1.23 ACA center
Wedder: (5) 20 point stones

Option Two:

E-Ring: (6) 10 point stones, 1.23 ACA center
Wedder: (7) 10 point stones

Also, any comments on head styles? The stone I purchased is a 'J' color. I can notice the tint of the stone, which irks me some, but I have had my girlfriend look at similar stones ranging from H-J and she stated no preference and did not notice any appreciable difference between them. Dropping to 'J' allowed me to get to the ~1.25 mark, which seemed to the ideal size for her, and stay within budget. With that said, I am looking to minimize the potential for seeing a lot of body color in the stone. I do not want a bezel setting, but am looking for ideas that are still classic and match the shoulder while attempting to minimize the body color. My initial thought is something like the split prong Grace from BGD. Perhaps with an exaggerated middle bezel to conceal more of the profile of the stone. Thoughts?

Thanks again

 

[yssie]

Thanks Amy and stargurl for your input. tyty, she is a ring size 5.75-6.

As a follow up, do you think 10 pointers are ideal or slightly larger/smaller? She likes when the stones cover the top of her finger, or nearly cover it, when looking down, but does not like when the stones extend out past the edges of her finger, if that makes sense.

I am having a local jeweler pull some 5 and 7 stone bands of various sizes to have her try on this weekend. Also just to clarify, the engagement ring would also have sidestones, and would be an exact copy of the wedding band, save for the removal of the center stone and adding a head for the new 1.23 center stone.

Option One:
E-Ring: (4) 20 point stones, 1.23 ACA center
Wedder: (5) 20 point stones

Option Two:

E-Ring: (6) 10 point stones, 1.23 ACA center
Wedder: (7) 10 point stones

Also, any comments on head styles? The stone I purchased is a 'J' color. I can notice the tint of the stone, which irks me some, but I have had my girlfriend look at similar stones ranging from H-J and she stated no preference and did not notice any appreciable difference between them. Dropping to 'J' allowed me to get to the ~1.25 mark, which seemed to the ideal size for her, and stay within budget. With that said, I am looking to minimize the potential for seeing a lot of body color in the stone. I do not want a bezel setting, but am looking for ideas that are still classic and match the shoulder while attempting to minimize the body color. My initial thought is something like the split prong Grace from BGD. Perhaps with an exaggerated middle bezel to conceal more of the profile of the stone. Thoughts?

Thanks again

Smaller diamonds in a band right next to a larger J centerstone is going to highlight the body colour of the J by providing a much "whiter" background to contrast with. Smaller diamonds (even of the same colour grade) concentrate colour less - they *have* less body colour since there's fewer layers of tinted material, and more importantly smaller RBs naturally excel in white light return. If the tint of the J by itself bothers you/her I would seriously re-consider the adjacent diamond band (or at least try some on and inspect in different types of lights to make sure before having one made).

I would recommend palladium white gold (unplated) or platinum. Plated white gold is super duper light bright white, pd-wg is oh-so-slightly creamy that IMO offsets the body colour while still looking non-negotiably "white", or pt which is darker and steelier than plated wg if you prefer an icy metal. I think your idea of exaggerating the basket/middle bezel/gallery crossbar/whatever it's called is a good one.

 

[straudohm]

Yssie,

Thanks for your input. I am aware of the potential clash between the center and side stones. I used a ~1.25 'I' (GIA) as a test stone when we were viewing settings earlier, and did not notice a striking contrast, though I do not think I was looking critically for it. In this case, do you think there could be some benefit to having the 20 point stones versus 10 point stones in reducing appreciable contrast? Or would you think most melee in that range would react similarly, and create the same contrast with the center stone? FWIW, I am having H/I melee quoted.

Also, I am planning on having the set be made in platinum.

 

[yssie]

Yssie,

Thanks for your input. I am aware of the potential clash between the center and side stones. I used a ~1.25 'I' (GIA) as a test stone when we were viewing settings earlier, and did not notice a striking contrast, though I do not think I was looking critically for it. In this case, do you think there could be some benefit to having the 20 point stones versus 10 point stones in reducing appreciable contrast? Or would you think most melee in that range would react similarly, and create the same contrast with the center stone? FWIW, I am having H/I melee quoted.

Also, I am planning on having the set be made in platinum.

When you are comparing, be sure to compare through a variety of lighting types - some lights highlight body colour more than others. If you don't see it - or see it and don't mind it - awesome!

It really just depends on your tastes and tolerances, I think. I don't like it (I have a J center as well) so I'm careful not to let melee near my centerstone. Other people don't mind it at all! It's not so much an actual body-colour difference as it is an "apparent colour difference" because of the way small stones handle light, but to answer your question - no, I don't think 20pointers vs 10pointers will make any difference, if she definitely wants the diamond band. I do think 20pointers would overpower the centerstone - the first thing anyone notices is going to be the styles and sparkles, not colour differences, so I'd definitely stick with 10 or even smaller - whatever she likes the look of best!

 

[Amys Bling]

Yssie,

Thanks for your input. I am aware of the potential clash between the center and side stones. I used a ~1.25 'I' (GIA) as a test stone when we were viewing settings earlier, and did not notice a striking contrast, though I do not think I was looking critically for it. In this case, do you think there could be some benefit to having the 20 point stones versus 10 point stones in reducing appreciable contrast? Or would you think most melee in that range would react similarly, and create the same contrast with the center stone? FWIW, I am having H/I melee quoted.

Also, I am planning on having the set be made in platinum.

When you are comparing, be sure to compare through a variety of lighting types - some lights highlight body colour more than others. If you don't see it - or see it and don't mind it - awesome!

It really just depends on your tastes and tolerances, I think. I don't like it (I have a J center as well) so I'm careful not to let melee near my centerstone. Other people don't mind it at all! It's not so much an actual body-colour difference as it is an "apparent colour difference" because of the way small stones handle light, but to answer your question - no, I don't think 20pointers vs 10pointers will make any difference, if she definitely wants the diamond band. I do think 20pointers would overpower the centerstone - the first thing anyone notices is going to be the styles and sparkles, not colour differences, so I'd definitely stick with 10 or even smaller - whatever she likes the look of best!

great insight Yssie

 

[straudohm]

Thanks for all your input so far.

We got much accomplished this weekend with color sensitivity, clarity and ring preferences.

First on settings. After viewing several differing styles of 7 stone rings, she continually went back to the 5 stone e-ring with a matching 5 stone band. We tried on 5 stone rings with 8, 16, and 20 point stones, and she definitely liked the 15-16 point band the most. So I will definitely be doing a 5 stone e-ring with a matching band.

Then we looked at a wide range of colors (all GIA), in a 5 stone setting with G/H/I melee. She did not find much difference down to H, then she began to notice a subtle contrast with I, and slightly more pronounced with the J, but only when viewing the stones from the side. She said she did not terribly mind the I. She was more aware of the contrast in the J, and while it seemed like she was trying to make herself not notice it, she definitely could.

She was very insensitive to clarity though, and never picked up on something that I did not, so I feel comfortable going to the eye-clean range of SI1 (maybe SI2) provided I visually inspect it and do not find any issues.

I also arranged to have the jeweler show her the stone I already purchased, as just another stone. She was certainly in love with the H&A cut, but after walking around the store and going outside, she said she could notice the contrast when looking critically, but not when viewing it face up or just casually. So that puts me in a bit of a bind, as my stone is a J.

The stone I purchased is here: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2684392.htm which I purchased with the understanding that it may be too far below in color, but it was priced so well, and being an ACA with the trade-up, I went for it.

So now it seems that I may be having to switch it out. I spoke with Whiteflash regarding a custom setting, 5 stone, with 15 point ACA melee (F/G, VS) with an open gallery and the Legato head. Whiteflash only offers melee in the F/G range. So I am looking for some advice on new stones that wouldn't contrast with the F/G melee. Would an H stone be acceptable, given what I just said regarding her color sensitivity? Or would I have to go up to a G?

My budget seems to keep creeping up as well. I started at 10,000-12,000 for the whole ring, however I am becoming more comfortable with 15,000. The custom setting from Whiteflash was quoted around 3,200.

Thanks again!

*Edited for spelling.

 

[straudohm]

On another thought, is there anywhere that can source J colored H&A melee stones (15 point)? I would think that could minimize the apparent contrast enough to allow me to keep my stone versus having to switch it out.

Thoughts / opinions?

Thanks