Question about loose stone setting?

[fiery07]

Hello all! I have been lurking on here for a few weeks while I did my research as to what kind of diamond I wanted to upgrade to. My original e-ring was a .3 H SI2, ideal cut. We''ve been married 8 yrs and wanted to upgrade. I loved all the info I got from this site! It''s awesome!

We finally decided to go with a 1.50 ct, E SI2, premium cut. I just received it today and it''s beautiful. I would post a picture, but I don''t know how to get a good close up with my camera.

My question is this: What are your opinions on the kinds of settings that will make my diamond look the biggest? My personal favorite is a setting like Mara''s in the Picture Gallery on this site (in the diamond ring section, picture is called "Inside Out"). My husband disagrees and thinks I should get just a plain band with no other diamonds on it. He claims that the other diamonds in a setting like that compete with the main one and make it look smaller. I disagree. What do you all think? This is a bit of a sticking point with us. I think since I''m going to be the one wearing it, that I should be able to pick the setting - but he is the one paying for it

. I think I''m going to show him some of those pictures and see if I can talk him into it!

Please let me know your opinions on settings! TIA!

 

[neatfreak]

In my opinion, the things that make a diamond look biggest:

1. Delicate thin settings. The thinner, the better.

2. A halo

3. Bezel set.

I agree that other BIG diamonds on the band might detract from your center stone, but a bit of pave never hurt anyone! You could go a super thin 1.8mm ritani setting with pave (see my avatar for an example) and your stone will REALLY pop!

 

[neatfreak]

Here is Mara''s friend''s 1.6 in the same setting I have. It makes the stone look HUGE IMO and the pave is soooo pretty and sparkly.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think tiny diamonds on the band are okay, but larger stones do sort of blend in with the center stone, IMO. I do think a plain metal band sets off a stone and shows it off the most. Diamonds on the ring create an overall effect, so it just depends on whether you want to let your diamond be the star of the show or the ring as a whole. Nothing is wrong with either choice!

 

[fiery07]

Thanks for your quick responses! I see what you all mean about the thin band setting off the stone. I really like that look!

What is good thin size without having to worry about it being too fragile? I have 2 little kids and I would NOT want anything to happen to my ring!

What is a halo?

Can anyone give advice about taking a close up pic of a loose stone with a digital camera?

 

[neatfreak]

If going custom or just generally looking, 2mm is a good size to stay near. Only ritani (that I know of) goes a bit thinner than that, but their rings are pretty darn strong.

ETA: Use the macro mode (usually looks like a tulip or flower on the camera), real sunlight, and a lot of patience to take pictures!

A halo is a circle of diamonds around the center stone.

Like this: