Poll: Reset or not, also which alloy?

[Tourmaline]

So I have been driving myself CRAYZEEE about my ring setting. I do love my diamond. It's a 5.01ct GIA L/VS1. When we were first looking, I was thinking of getting a higher color, smaller stone and wanting a platinum pave setting (I wanted a halo, but my husband didn't), and then I was wowed by the weight and diameter of this stone. I do love it, but I feel as if I should have revamped the setting when I changed stone parameters. In this lighting (near a window), the diamond looks pretty white, but it reflects the wall and ceiling colors wherever it is, and I spend most of my time in a living room with a (tan) wooden ceiling. I don't like the contrast of the diamond color with the platinum and melee in the living room. So...

I have manifested the ring setting I have envisioned and here it is. This one is 14k yellow, and I also have access to an identical one in 18k yellow. I know that 18k is the (much) more popular choice because it has more gold in it, but I want an alloy that won't upstage my diamond. I am feeling that the less intense color of the 14k setting supports my diamond's color more gracefully, but I am unsure simply because 18k is more worthy or something.

So, opinions?

 

[LLJsmom]

Tourm, go with your gut. You know your stone better than I, and you seem to have thought about it carefully and you have your reasons. Forget the 14 v 18 thing. Do what YOU like.

 

[Tourmaline]

Thank you! I keep trying to convince my husband and kids to like 14k, too, which is silly, because I'm the one who'll be wearing it.

 

[Acinom]

Tourmaline, you know that your diamond ring is one of my PS favourites. I always enjoy the beautiful photo's. I also love the contrast between a warm (though on the photo's yours seem to be facing up really white) diamond and platinum.

HOWEVER, none of the above is in any way relevant. This setting has been bugging you from the very start. I agree with LLJsmom that you should follow your heart and go for the 14k setting. If possible you could keep the platinum setting in case you are longing for platinum in the future or you could have a coloured stone set in it? Your stone will look spectacular in the setting you have chosen.

 

[Tourmaline]

Acinom, here's how warm it looks in the middle of my living room (the cathedral ceiling is a little darker than the floor).



Here are two shots comparing 14k and 18k (and the platinum setting). 14k is around the diamond, and 18k is above that. The first is in the middle of the living room, and the second is in another room, with natural indirect light from the window. I notice that my hand changes color, too!

 

[msop04]

Is it the YG you're after? I love the look of the 14K YG setting, but I think it may make your stone's tint more apparent (which may be what you're going for...) -- I didn't choose an answer, but I would do the new setting in Plat or 14K WG.

 

[Tourmaline]

Is it the YG you're after? I love the look of the 14K YG setting, but I think it may make your stone's tint more apparent (which may be what you're going for...) -- I didn't choose an answer, but I would do the new setting in Plat or 14K WG.

I want to celebrate my stone, rather than try to mask it. I want my stone to be highlighted and not contradicted. I do think that the 18k might add a bit too much yellow, but the 14k is more yellow than the diamond, but not yellow enough to add too much. I know that most people like white metal with diamonds, and I like it in principle, but it seems to be only in principle, because I hate the real-world contrast. And unplated white gold just seems muddy to me (I am not at all interested in a plated metal).

Another thing, though: there is always risk involved in a reset, and if I want to do it, I have to get a formal appraisal and an insurance policy, which will take quite a bit of organizing.

 

[msop04]

Is it the YG you're after? I love the look of the 14K YG setting, but I think it may make your stone's tint more apparent (which may be what you're going for...) -- I didn't choose an answer, but I would do the new setting in Plat or 14K WG.

I want to celebrate my stone, rather than try to mask it. I want my stone to be highlighted and not contradicted. I do think that the 18k might add a bit too much yellow, but the 14k is more yellow than the diamond, but not yellow enough to add too much. I know that most people like white metal with diamonds, and I like it in principle, but it seems to be only in principle, because I hate the real-world contrast. And unplated white gold just seems muddy to me (I am not at all interested in a plated metal).

Another thing, though: there is always risk involved in a reset, and if I want to do it, I have to get a formal appraisal and an insurance policy, which will take quite a bit of organizing.

I gotcha! In that case, I'd go with the 14K YG... I like the undertones best. I meant to mention that I love the new setting's prong position better (with prongs on N/S). Excited to see how it turns out!! ...with a stone like that, how could you go wrong??!!

 

[Tourmaline]

I gotcha! In that case, I'd go with the 14K YG... I like the undertones best. I meant to mention that I love the new setting's prong position better (with prongs on N/S). Excited to see how it turns out!! ...with a stone like that, how could you go wrong??!!

Yes, I love the prong orientation on the new setting! I chose the E-W orientation of the current setting, but I regretted it pretty early on. The 14k yellow setting makes me think of victorian solitaires, which I love.

 

[msop04]

I gotcha! In that case, I'd go with the 14K YG... I like the undertones best. I meant to mention that I love the new setting's prong position better (with prongs on N/S). Excited to see how it turns out!! ...with a stone like that, how could you go wrong??!!

Yes, I love the prong orientation on the new setting! I chose the E-W orientation of the current setting, but I regretted it pretty early on. The 14k yellow setting makes me think of victorian solitaires, which I love.

Yes, it is very reminiscent of Victorian pieces! Love it!

 

[Acinom]

The chameleon quality of your diamond is just stunning! Love how your hand turns Lilac in one of the photo's as well
The 14k gold setting will be gorgeous. I remember you saying in your original thread that the platinum feels too cold for your eyes. I love the royal look of your new setting already!!

Did you find the settings at a local jeweller?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think that is a beautiful setting! But I personally prefer the heads of any ring to be in white metal so the yellow prongs don't reflect in the diamond. My original e-ring was like that (wg head) with a yellow gold shank. But back then yg was popular and all my other jewelry was yg. So do you wear a lot of yg jewelry? Because that would have a huge impact on my own decision. I wear mostly white metals now and I want my e-ring to be in white metal. Many people here have lower than L color stones in platinum. I think you really have to embrace the color of your stone and that the setting doesn't make that much difference. From the top view, you really don't see all that much white metal, you see mostly diamond. But if you dislike your setting and want to try something else, I think that is fine, and I think you should get whatever you like most.

 

[braga123]

I own an EGL USA J, but I suspect it may be an L, so I have the same issue that you do with the color. Oddly enough, I am the only one who notices the color, and only in certain lighting. My hubby and daughter, who have good eyes and have been dragged into my diamond obsession, assure me that my diamond does not look Yellow. To convince myself, I have my daughter wear my ring, in different places, and I have found that they are right. All I can see is fire and brilliance. I will say that I have stopped wearing my G color eternity band because then, the color difference is quite obvious!

As far as resetting, I wouldn't recommend going yellow gold. Yellow gold will emphasize the yellow hues in your stone, and I don't understand how this would mean "celebrating" if you are unhappy with how warm it appears.

Have you considered different style settings? I think an antique style deco setting would be better at celebrating. It makes sense that these antiques settings celebrate warm colored diamonds because many old cuts are warm and were set in those type of settings.

 

[Tourmaline]

As far as resetting, I wouldn't recommend going yellow gold. Yellow gold will emphasize the yellow hues in your stone, and I don't understand how this would mean "celebrating" if you are unhappy with how warm it appears.

To be more clear, I don't mind warmth...I don't like it that my diamond is so much warmer than its setting. That's why I lean toward 14k yellow -- it's more warm than the diamond, but not so yellow that I think it'll add much color. My particular diamond reflects the colors above it. I have put it over a whole bunch of colors and the color doesn't seem to come through.

Diamondseeker, I do wear more yellow gold than white metal, and it's mostly actual antique jewelry or ancient style (high karat).

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, I'd say that makes it even more compelling to change to yg! I probably would do the head only in white metal myself, though, to keep the yellow prong tips from reflecting in the stone. Someone here not to long ago set their ring in all yellow and then ended up replacing the setting because of that issue.

 

[Tourmaline]

Well, I'd say that makes it even more compelling to change to yg! I probably would do the head only in white metal myself, though, to keep the yellow prong tips from reflecting in the stone. Someone here not to long ago set their ring in all yellow and then ended up replacing the setting because of that issue.

Hmm...I hadn't thought of the reflections from the prong tips. I think if I go ahead with a reset, I'll be ok with that. I am going to put it off until I'm certain that it's what I want to do. Thanks for listening to me while I've continued to waffle.

 

[rockhoundofficiando]

another vote for yellow gold but platinum or white gold prongs/head.

 

[Tourmaline]

With a stone so big, the head is pretty much the whole ring. A mixed-metal ring isn't something I am considering.

 

[ihy138]

Your stone is stunning. I would go with the 14k. Trust your instincts - and show us the results!

 

[Tourmaline]

Did you find the settings at a local jeweller?

I forgot to answer this. The crown ring setting was made from parts from Stuller.

 

[purplesparklies]

I have an L also, although much smaller. She is very moody and changes considerably depending on the environment. I never get bored with her because she is always changing. I have had my stone set in white gold and platinum before settling on rose gold. I am very happy with the rose gold. Initially, I listened to the prevailing opinion here that warmer stones do best with platinum/white gold. I just was never completely happy with how my stone looked in those settings and they were absolutely beautiful settings. They just weren't right for my diamond. My stone just seemed to blend in with the metal.

I wanted a setting that would look very different from my stone so it would really stand out. I ended up going completely against the grain and now have a rose gold setting with a bezel, even. Personally, I love the look and appreciate the clear difference between the diamond and the setting. I am glad I finally just tried what I was drawn to all along. Interestingly, this setting is the least expensive of the settings I have tried and I am thrilled with it. Perhaps try a simple, inexpensive solitaire in the gold of your choice and wear it for a bit. Once you see how your diamond looks with that color, you can always proceed with a more elaborate setting if you have achieved the desired look. Good luck!

 

[Tourmaline]

I have an L also, although much smaller. She is very moody and changes considerably depending on the environment. I never get bored with her because she is always changing. I have had my stone set in white gold and platinum before settling on rose gold. I am very happy with the rose gold. Initially, I listened to the prevailing opinion here that warmer stones do best with platinum/white gold. I just was never completely happy with how my stone looked in those settings and they were absolutely beautiful settings. They just weren't right for my diamond. My stone just seemed to blend in with the metal.

I wanted a setting that would look very different from my stone so it would really stand out. I ended up going completely against the grain and now have a rose gold setting with a bezel, even. Personally, I love the look and appreciate the clear difference between the diamond and the setting. I am glad I finally just tried what I was drawn to all along. Interestingly, this setting is the least expensive of the settings I have tried and I am thrilled with it. Perhaps try a simple, inexpensive solitaire in the gold of your choice and wear it for a bit. Once you see how your diamond looks with that color, you can always proceed with a more elaborate setting if you have achieved the desired look. Good luck!

Thank you for sharing your experience! I love rose gold with my diamond, too, though I don't love it on its own (or, necessarily, with my skin tone). I wore a rose gold wedding band with my current ring for a while and loved how it gave the whole set a saturated, candy-like feeling. The setting I like is not available in rose gold, or I would have been very tempted. I feel as if 14k yellow is a nice compromise between rose gold and 18k yellow.

 

[Tourmaline]

I've done another 180. I compared two synthetic matched stones in different metals - a white metal and a yellow metal, and I am flat out amazed at the difference caused by the metal color alone. I think it is against forum rules to post a photo of synthetic stones, so I won't. But I no longer want to put my diamond in yellow gold.

I saw a ring today in SMTB that is EXACTLY what I was envisioning a while back. It's an antique style platinum solitaire like Missy's but with hearts. Here's a link to that ring:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/introducing-my-new-lovely-3-5-oec.186508/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/introducing-my-new-lovely-3-5-oec.186508/[/URL]

I wrote to Adam again and showed him that ring, telling him I am ready to go forward (I'd asked him to hold off while I spent more time thinking about it). I sure have been indecisive, but there was a reason I couldn't commit to the gold idea, and I'm pretty excited about seeing a ring that was exactly what I'd envisioned. I think it will make communication about the design easier!