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PLEASE...advice needed about antique vs custom ring setting

tlfiore

tlfiore

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Mar 15, 2017
Messages
412
Everyone~Ugggghhhhh...so I'm turning to everyone here on Pricescope once again to please steer me in the right direction. I really have no one "live" to ask this question but more so, I value everyone's opinion on this site.

Long-and-short...I procured a CvB Casablanca setting (barely worn) and a 2.43 OEC Diamond (from Old World Diamonds) a while back (after contemplating the Acacia). Overall, the Casablanca with a 2.43 tcw diamond is way too much ring & stone for me and VERY VERY TOP HEAVY, so I am hoping Erica at LAD will sell my ring on consignment...I'm willing to let it go for just about any price Erica deems fair.

Yes, I'm looking to downsize! I like the Casablanca setting but it is a bit too much ring for me and it certainly doesn't work with my 11-diamond, brilliant cut, 1.5 tcw, antique platinum wedding band. Even with a small 2 mm wide x 1.5 mm high band, I find the Casablanca OVERWHELMING...and I feel self-conscious...

PLEASE HELP...I NEED ADVICE and I KNOW YOU WILL OFFER IDEAS, THOGUHTS and SUGGESTIONS...I feel lost:

1-Do you think a CvB customized Casablanca Setting for an (approx.) 1.30-1.5 tcw diamond will make a size difference;
2-Do you think the Acacia design (CvB was initially going to custom make this for an approx. 1.60 OEC diamond) and a relatively nice OEC in my size range can be procured for approximately $10,000 total (the height of my budget, really);
3-DO YOU THINK THE ACACIA IS TOO BRIDAL (engagement like) for an older woman...
4- Should I just keep looking at ORIGINAL old European Cut diamond rings (I have been doing this and MAN...do they seem to be waaaaaaaaay overpriced).

I feel foolish asking #3...but after contemplating, I felt the Acacia was too "young-ish" for an older woman to wear. That is why I went with the Casablanca!

I appreciate every comment and I thank you for taking the time to help!
 
1-Do you think a CvB customized Casablanca Setting for an (approx.) 1.30-1.5 tcw diamond will make a size difference?

Take a look here for a similar conversion (except the other direction... went from .9 to 2.28, both with Casablanca; photos of both are in the thread): https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/dss-cured-2-28-oec-in-cvb-casablanca-halo.231409/

2-Do you think the Acacia design (CvB was initially going to custom make this for an approx. 1.60 OEC diamond) and a relatively nice OEC in my size range can be procured for approximately $10,000 total (the height of my budget, really)?

I would doubt it. It's $3,200 for a stock setting in 14K gold, and I'm guessing you'd want platinum to match your wedding band. So let's conservatively say $3,800 for the ring. That leaves $6,200 for the diamond. I just did a quick search on GOG and VC and they had no stones for you in that price range/carat size. In fact, the only one I saw was a low 1ct from GOG that was a Q color. VC didn't have any under $10,000 and those were just over 1ct and I color.

3-DO YOU THINK THE ACACIA IS TOO BRIDAL (engagement like) for an older woman...

I think it only matters what you think! Do you love it? Have you seen it in person? Perhaps it's one of the "try before you buy" settings CvB offers?? FWIW, I think it's a gorgeous setting no matter your age!

4- Should I just keep looking at ORIGINAL old European Cut diamond rings (I have been doing this and MAN...do they seem to be waaaaaaaaay overpriced).

I have no idea. I don't know much about them :D
 
ILikeShiny...I cannot thank you ENOUGH for your helpful and thoughtful, VERY thoughtful message. Your reply has helped me a whole lot, it really has. And you helped me go with my gut, actually. Thank you!
 
tlfiore, I have owned all three of those rings- a small casablanca, a large and the acacia. I will write more after I pick up my daughter from swim practice. I have a LOT of advice and options!!!
 
Oh soxfan...yes I should have immediately thought about you as a near expert on CvB rings! THANK YOU! I cannot wait to read your insights and advice :D
 
I think the Acacia is a timeless style and wouldn't look too young at all. Would resetting the OEC you already own into an Acacia and selling the Casablanca separately be an option for you?
 
foxinsox said:
I think the Acacia is a timeless style and wouldn't look too young at all. Would resetting the OEC you already own into an Acacia and selling the Casablanca separately be an option for you?
Click to expand...

This! The halo adds so much to the size. The acacia might be perfect with your current diamond.

Also the acacia is not too bridal. It's gorgeous and you deserve gorgeous! !!
 
foxinsox adj ceg...you are both so kind...thank you! You know, I HAVE contemplated placing the diamond from my Casablanca into an Acacia setting... And I agree, the size would likely work. My concern is the diamond. While I think it is gorgeous in the Casablanca setting, I'm not so sure it would work in the Acacia...I'm concerned about all the color and thinking it might be too yellow or brown in the Acacia (the side view will be more visible versus the Casablanca setting :wall:

Do you mind taking a look? I'll link the GIA Cert here:
https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=6187296623

Thank you! Cannot wait to hear your thoughts and comments!
 
Ok, is the diamond IN the casablanca setting? Do you have pics??
 
soxfan said:
Ok, is the diamond IN the casablanca setting? Do you have pics??
Click to expand...
Yes...I have the Casablanca with the diamond...they've been together for about 3-4 months. I could take some photos...I don't think I have any :errrr:
 
I love the warmth of this color diamond. Maybe you should ask caysie what she thinks about it in the acacia. What metal for the acacia?
 
ceg said:
I love the warmth of this color diamond. Maybe you should ask caysie what she thinks about it in the acacia. What metal for the acacia?
Click to expand...

Wow...THANK YOU for the quick feedback and the encouragement. I must say, I DO like the diamond...a lot. I've had my finger on the "send" button all day long to discuss the Acacia with Caysie. I'd be totally open to sending the diamond to Caysie (once its removed from the setting) to see if she can work with it.

I've only owned a few other diamond rings, so I have little to compare to the diamond. I hear you that a platinum or white gold Acacia WILL let the diamond appear yellow-er versus a yellow gold setting. I really hoped for something in platinum or white gold :D
 
Caysie is so awesome and not at all intimidating. She has my diamond right now for reset and I expect it this week. Just today my daughter accidentally texted caysie thinking she was texting her dad. Caysie just laughed! She always responds quickly and really aims to please. I would definitely reach out to her.

I think your diamond would be fine in plat or wg. Do you notice a big difference in the diamond and the melee in the casablanca?
 
tlfiore said:
foxinsox adj ceg...you are both so kind...thank you! You know, I HAVE contemplated placing the diamond from my Casablanca into an Acacia setting... And I agree, the size would likely work. My concern is the diamond. While I think it is gorgeous in the Casablanca setting, I'm not so sure it would work in the Acacia...I'm concerned about all the color and thinking it might be too yellow or brown in the Acacia (the side view will be more visible versus the Casablanca setting :wall:

Do you mind taking a look? I'll link the GIA Cert here:
https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=6187296623

Thank you! Cannot wait to hear your thoughts and comments!
Click to expand...

Do you mind the tint? If not, perhaps play it up? If it tints yellow do a yellow gold and if it tings brown/champagne do rose gold?
 
View attachment 503071 Casablanca.1.jpg Okay...it's almost DARK here-lololol-but I went outside and got two INCREDIBLE photos to show everyone! These pics are untouched, unedited (except cropped).

I AM SO EMBARRASSED OF MY UGLY WONKY ARTHRITIC FINGERS...please pardon the appearance. So embarrassed...

And I usually wear the Casablanca with a very small antique, 2mm diamond eternity band (not my wedding band, as pictured)...

Casablanca.2.jpg
 
ceg said:
Caysie is so awesome and not at all intimidating. She has my diamond right now for reset and I expect it this week. Just today my daughter accidentally texted caysie thinking she was texting her dad. Caysie just laughed! She always responds quickly and really aims to please. I would definitely reach out to her.

I think your diamond would be fine in plat or wg. Do you notice a big difference in the diamond and the melee in the casablanca?
Click to expand...

Oh...thank you for the feedback! Yes, Caysie is a sweetheart. I've texted and emailed her several times in the past when she was planning to execute an Acacia for me.

And NO...believe it or not, I do NOT notice a big difference in the colors between the OEC and the beautiful melee!

EVERYTIME I PULL OUT THE CASABLANCA, I FEEL A BIT SAD ABOUT SELLING IT OR CHANGING IT UP! IT IS SUCH A Beautiful ring... :confused:
 
I really think it would be fine in wg or plat but I am no expert. It is beautiful and the stone would be a great size in the acacia.
 
Heavens, that's gorgeous. The faceting is ridiculously pretty. I would rock that in an Acacia in a heartbeat just for the pleasure of seeing that face up all the time. I like ILikeShiny's suggestion to play up the tint with the different metals if it doesn't bother you at all.
IF the colour does bother you and you still wanted to go with your first plan to sell your Casablanca with the diamond, I saw this on Loupetroop just now and immediately thought of you since it has a nice facet pattern, is a higher colour and would fit your $10k budget. It is at least 1mm smaller which might be too small given you'd be downsizing from an 8 1/2mmish stone plus Casablanca spread. I don't know what the sellers are like but they do list a lot of diamonds and have good feedback on Ebay.
 
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foxinsox said:
Heavens, that's gorgeous. The faceting is ridiculously pretty. I would rock that in an Acacia in a heartbeat just for the pleasure of seeing that face up all the time. I like ILikeShiny's suggestion to play up the tint with the different metals if it doesn't bother you at all.
IF the colour does bother you and you still wanted to go with your first plan to sell your Casablanca with the diamond, I saw this on Loupetroop just now and immediately thought of you since it has a nice facet pattern, is a higher colour and would fit your $10k budget. I don't know what the sellers are like but they do list a lot of diamonds and have good feedback on Ebay.
Click to expand...

OMG...THANK YOU so much for all the positive feedback. I JUST JUMPED ONTO YOUR LINK AND I PRACTICALLY FELL OF MY CHAIR!!! That diamond is incredibly beautiful!!! And YES that with an Acacia WOULD BE within my budget!!! :love:
 
Just be sure you are immune to DSS before you downsize, lol!
 
ceg said:
Just be sure you are immune to DSS before you downsize, lol!
Click to expand...

You are toooo funny!!!!!
DSS...is that "Downsizing Syndrome?" :rodent:
 
Diamond shrinkage syndrome. The longer you look at it the smaller it looks!
 
Ok, hear me out:( The problem is the giant wedding band! The Casablanca is the perfect size for you-not big and not small!!! The color and setting are perfect. I have had more trouble with band size than I have ever had with rings.
 
I had the acacia. My stone looked SO small. I reset it in an 8 prong. My stone looked SO small. I reset it in a casablanca. It looked SO huge. I was appalled. Thought I made a huge mistake. And then I gave it 8 hours. Now it's perfect. Your BAND Is what is messing with you IMO. I'm not sentimental and have bought and sold like it's my job and I just got a raise, but how do you feel about adjusting the bands? After I got my casa, I opted for an 1.8 mm tiffany band and a 1.3 mm tiffany metro. It's all about balance. I think you need to wear it with no bands for a while. DSS is real. I think I am the only one on this forum who has bought the casablanca TWICE for two different size stones?
 
I am a big CVB fan and especially love the Casablanca!

I think the 1.7 L at 7.3mm would be beautiful in the Casablanca as long as it isn't too small! It probably would be too small in the Acacia, because it would be a major amount smaller than the ring you currently have. I would not remove the current stone from the setting because it will be easier to sell the whole ring intact since that setting needs a very specific size stone. I also would not put a Q-R diamond in a solitaire.

I have a 2.3 ct (8.4mm) newly cut OEC and even though I adore the Casa and plan to get one, I will get some kind of smaller stone to set in it. My diamond in that setting would also be too big for me. I adore Soxfan's ring, though!!!
 
Go read my "downsizing" threads. I can honestly say that this setting (casa) can work with any size diamond. I do not see a different aesthetic with my larger diamond. It scales to any size and I'm sure Caysie will be happy to advise you if you don't want to the keep the larger one.
 
Can you switch your band to your right hand?
 
OP is already wearing a more delicate band than the one in the pic tho!

@tlfiore I had a thought that I've seen some very nice OECs in their original settings that would fit your budget which I could link if you were interested - including one that's quite similar to your current one in specs but is around $10k I think from memory. $10k is my current fantasy shopping budget for when I can convince my husband it's time to upgrade ;)
Also if you love the Casablanca setting, you could always do the reverse of what soxfan did and get a smaller stone and set it in a smaller Casablanca?
 
Here's Caysie wearing a Casa about the size of yours, and above it is one she made for someone with a smaller stone, 1.6 ct OEC (rose gold halo, but you get the idea of the size difference).
Casa2sizes.jpg
 
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