Hi everyone, a quick intro: I'm a brand spanking new member who never gave much thought to diamonds in her life...until a week ago when my boyfriend asked me to choose a shape (for an engagement ring). I barely wear jewelry apart from funky watches and a silver ring, so just thinking about the herculean task of choosing the right diamond without getting ripped off is making my knees weak, but it was very heartening to read through some of your experiences--if you guys can do it I certainly hope I can!
Lengthy intro aside, I'm already getting stuck even at this early stage. The only things I do know is that I want a solitaire, set in a simple band that stays out of the way as much as possible. Knowing nothing else about diamonds, I am really attracted to pears. Don't get me wrong, I love the traditional round shape, but apart from the aesthetic appeal there is a personal significance with that pear shape. Also, my fingers/body shape takes more kindly to angular shapes (although the princess cut looks a little off on me for some reason): the cushion is also beautiful but for now I'm starting with pears.
I know pears are a fancy shape so I have a lot of work cut out for me picking the stone without the help of the normal GIA cut grades as a reference, but before I go down that path, is it a blasphemous/ridiculous idea to want a "horizontal" setting? Like I mentioned, there is a personal significance for the shape, but on its side so it's actually parallel with the band instead of perpendicular, if that makes sense.
I haven't been able to find an example of it online anywhere, so I'm thinking it's a impossible setting or a big no-no. I certainly don't want to put any diamond at a disadvantage so knowing this will help me move on!
Thanks everyone for your help!
Lengthy intro aside, I'm already getting stuck even at this early stage. The only things I do know is that I want a solitaire, set in a simple band that stays out of the way as much as possible. Knowing nothing else about diamonds, I am really attracted to pears. Don't get me wrong, I love the traditional round shape, but apart from the aesthetic appeal there is a personal significance with that pear shape. Also, my fingers/body shape takes more kindly to angular shapes (although the princess cut looks a little off on me for some reason): the cushion is also beautiful but for now I'm starting with pears.
I know pears are a fancy shape so I have a lot of work cut out for me picking the stone without the help of the normal GIA cut grades as a reference, but before I go down that path, is it a blasphemous/ridiculous idea to want a "horizontal" setting? Like I mentioned, there is a personal significance for the shape, but on its side so it's actually parallel with the band instead of perpendicular, if that makes sense.
I haven't been able to find an example of it online anywhere, so I'm thinking it's a impossible setting or a big no-no. I certainly don't want to put any diamond at a disadvantage so knowing this will help me move on!
Thanks everyone for your help!