Question About Setting with Pave Diamonds

[skadoo323]

Hello Everyone,

I recently purchased a diamond which I found courtesy of this site, but now am looking for a particular setting.

The setting in question is one with 3 rows of small diamonds on each side, which I think is called pave diamonds. Some jewelers have the setting where the setting is solid under the diamonds or where there is maybe a small section holding the diamond. One jeweler said that it is better if the setting is not solid under the diamonds since light can shine through the diamonds and such. I wasn''t show if this was their way to just try to sell me the setting they had or if they were telling the truth.

I am concerned about the pave diamonds maybe falling out later with time. I wasn''t sure what the pros thing about these type of settings and was hoping you could help me pick the proper setting. I appreciate your help.

Thanks,

Skadoo323

 

[skadoo323]

Attached a pic of the setting which is not sold.

 

[skadoo323]

Attached a pic of the solid setting.

 

[Tuckins1]

By reading various information here on PS, I am to believe that the "air holes" under the diamonds are for cleaning purposes. They do not affect the light, because light comes in the top of the diamond and is reflected back out the top.... (I think I have this right here, but id i''m confused, perhaps an expert can correct me)

 

[cbr]

I assume you will be wearing you ring the majority of the time you are actually looking at it. In that case wouldn''t the holes be covered up anyways, by your finger, instead of the metal?

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 8/30/2009 11:21:57 AM
Author: Tuckins1
By reading various information here on PS, I am to believe that the 'air holes' under the diamonds are for cleaning purposes. They do not affect the light, because light comes in the top of the diamond and is reflected back out the top.... (I think I have this right here, but id i'm confused, perhaps an expert can correct me)

Ditto.

And regarding the pave diamonds and "falling out of the setting"... yes, honestly, there is always a risk with pave diamonds. That's just the unavaoidable downside to having that kind of setting. ALTHOUGH, some people can wear their pave settings every day for YEARS and never seem to have a problem. Other people do lose an occasional stone. Lesser quality settings may be at higher risk, but I have seen even well-made, very high quality settings lose stones now and then.

Cleaning a ring (with pave) in an ultrasonic is something else where there are two schools of thought. #1 is that if a small diamond is set properly, it will not be lodged loose from an ultrasonic cleaning #2 is that pave should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic, period. Personally, I have pave in my rings and (while it is quite beautiful) I do not clean my rings in the US; and honestly, I do kinda miss that, because I feel like my center stone is never 100% squeaky clean. Just something to think about.

And something that you did not ask about, but I thought you might be interested in. But again, just MHO, so please feel free to ignore!

I think both of those settings are lovely, but I noticed that both of them have those stock-looking, squarish, bulky, chunky prong shafts. If you choose a setting like that, did you know that if you ask, your jeweler could polish those down, and round them off... it give them a much more delicate, graceful appearance (and differentiates the ring from ordinary, "dime-a-dozen", run-of-the-mill settings.) Just my humble opinion... and admittedly -- I am prong fussy!

 

[Lynn B]

Here's a photo of my old setting that's what I am talkin' about.
These prongs started out life like the ones in the photos above.
I think the difference is remarkable, and really beautifies the setting.

(A skilled benchman can actually even round the edges more. I had those prongs modified even more to make them even softer and rounder and more graceful; but I can't find a picture of that right now!)

 

[D&T]

sometimes small holes like that are not very useful for cleaning, they can collect your oils and get dirty easier. I had questioned about the holes as well on a couple of my bands, sometimes they make it easier to clean, however the holes can also make it much easier to collect oils and dirt.

 

[Jj08]

Wow I like waht you had so e to the prongs. Would you have a photo of the new work done? I''m really I retested in having it done. I like the softer look.

Jj

 

[skadoo323]

Thanks so much for the advice on the prongs. I will keep that in mind. That is a great idea since I want the ring to be delicate as well. My soon to be fiance has extremely small and delicate fingers (size 3 ring size), so this would be great.

So as far as the solid or non-solid pave diamonds, I guess either is okay? It seems that there are pros and cons, such as easy to clean versus easier to collect dust/oil.

I appreciate the responses and welcome further feedback. Thanks again everyone!!!

 

[Rockdiamond]

Interesting subject!
I feel that the holes are beneficial for light- but the point about them allowing dirt and oil to build us makes sense.
The other side to that one is that dirt will also get in through the top- and it it''s sealed you can''t even steam it from the bottom.....

I think if you look at most fine pave rings, they have the holes....
Also great point about pave stones falling out.
No matter how well made the ring, it happens occasionally.
Rings that have been adjusted for size are more prone to this as well.

I like what Lynn''s jeweler did to the prongs- however to really have rounded prongs, it''s likely that a custom head would need to be designed

 

[Lynn B]

I have looked and looked and cannot find a picture of the head once it was modified again. Sorry!

But it was a really subtle modification, honestly not much different than what you see in the picture above, just with the prongs slightly thinner, and slightly more rounded. Very delicate and beautiful. And yes, it really was a stock peg head to start, just like the first two pictures the OP posted! Hard to believe, huh?! I just do not care for the sharp, chunky, blocky edges of those stock heads -- reminds me too much of mall jewelry. That''s just my own personal preference, though, of course. But I think it''s amazing what a skilled benchman can do -- if they are asked.

I also like diamonds set as low as possible into the head... really filling out the head, with just a wisp of air space under the culet. Again, diamonds that are set really high up in the head, with a lot of air space under the culet look (to ME -- again, just my humble personal opinion!) more like typical mall jewelry rather than exquisitely crafted fine jewelry.

I think the small details are important... and I am often so surprised that the head in so many rings seems to get so little thought!

 

[Renae]

My 3 sided pave has a solid back. At first I was alarmed and sort of worried as I haven''t seen one not open from the back.

After living w/it for a bit now, I really like it. It is smooth on my finger, it doesn''t seem to effect the light performance at all. They seem to clean up really nice too.

If I did it all over again and had a choice, I would do the solid backing again.