Ring is ready! Only problem? I'm not crazy about it.

[yopeyone]

Well, here I am again. After spending close to 2 months evaluating exactly what I want, checking out every option available, I decided on what I wanted. Well - so I thought.

I scoured around for ideas and opinions online & offline. I got LOTS of them.

Maybe too many.

I went with a 1.13 ct AVC in a Gabriel halo setting. The problem is, I decided on the Gabriel site unseen as the jeweler did not have that particular model in stock to look at. I did see the pictures on the website, however and it was the closest match shape-wise to the "inspiration" ring I was given.

Well, the end result is here. I was sent a photo today (did not see it yet), and the halo is just much thicker than I expected in relation to the stone (6.2 x 6.3 mm). It dwarfs it.

Just need to point this out - It was set exactly as I asked and the diamond is great - the vendor did an awesome job - but I chose the wrong setting.

Anyway, I think I messed up. I should have either gotten a larger diamond or a thinner, designer halo.

Not sure what to do now. I spent close to 12 grand on this thing- the thought of dropping that much money and not being happy with it is nauseating. I also do not believe the setting is refundable, putting me between a rock and a hard place here. What do you guys think?

 

[chrono]

It won't hurt to ask the vendor if the setting is returnable / refundable. Secondly, are you looking at magnified pictures where things look chunkier than they usually are? Do you mind posting the picture?

 

[yopeyone]

I'm waiting for them to get back to me on that. Anyway, here are a few pics.

This is what I was going for:


and



Here's the result. I like it overall, but the top down i'm not crazy about:

 

[_kat]

Hi yopeyone. I think the ring looks lovely, but I agree that the Gabriel NY settings are much "chunkier" and thicker. I was going for the exact same look as the first picture you provided, and was excited when I found Gabriel NY settings. I sent them an email and they provided me with places that sold their settings in my area, so I went and they all looked MUCH chunkier than their pictures on their website, so I did no opt for their settings. If you do not love it, I would ask to see what they can do. Maybe see if it is returnable/exchangeable or even fixable. In any case I hope you figure it out, but it does look lovely and I love the rose gold.

 

[chrono]

Ah....I see what you mean now. BTW, are your inspiration pieces custom made? I ask this because it is likely that they have more control over the proportions this way. Have you asked you jeweller what your options are with the setting (refund / non-refundable)?

 

[yopeyone]

Ah....I see what you mean now. BTW, are your inspiration pieces custom made? I ask this because it is likely that they have more control over the proportions this way. Have you asked you jeweller what your options are with the setting (refund / non-refundable)?

Not sure if they're custom made - but likely.

Here's an AVC in a halo (smaller stone than mine). The thickness of the halo makes it look a million times better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9NY2Iq56oAY#!!!

I asked them but no response yet - going to give them a call. I'm pretty certain it isn't. This will leave me with two options

1) Eat the cost of the setting / try to sell it / melt it (will lose thousands this way) & buy a new one.
2) Get a bigger stone and hope it looks better in that setting..

 

[yopeyone]

Hi yopeyone. I think the ring looks lovely, but I agree that the Gabriel NY settings are much "chunkier" and thicker. I was going for the exact same look as the first picture you provided, and was excited when I found Gabriel NY settings. I sent them an email and they provided me with places that sold their settings in my area, so I went and they all looked MUCH chunkier than their pictures on their website, so I did no opt for their settings. If you do not love it, I would ask to see what they can do. Maybe see if it is returnable/exchangeable or even fixable. In any case I hope you figure it out, but it does look lovely and I love the rose gold.

I'm glad you were able to see it in person first. I wish I was able to do the same.

 

[Gypsy]

The problem is that you: Would.Not.Listen.

I posted this setting to you. OVER AND OVER AGAIN. Telling you that the settings you were looking at from Gabriel and Co. were not going to give you the right look. And you kept ignoring me.

AGAIN. Here is the setting. From BeverlyK. A line that GOG carries. That I recommended to you. Repeatedly. http://www.beverleyk.com/semi-mounts/8wr1222-d-d-m.html

 

[yopeyone]

The problem is that you: Would.Not.Listen.

I posted this setting to you. OVER AND OVER AGAIN. Telling you that the settings you were looking at from Gabriel and Co. were not going to give you the right look. And you kept ignoring me.

AGAIN. Here is the setting. From BeverlyK. A line that GOG carries. That I recommended to you. Repeatedly. http://www.beverleyk.com/semi-mounts/8wr1222-d-d-m.html

I did - here's a picture of it in my hand at GOG. It was okay from the top but not the sides. I took pics in case I reconsidered.

Ultimately, it seemed chunky as well - not much different from the Gabriel I ultimately purchased (similar sized halo stones).

I liked the sides of the gabriel better, and as it was similar in terms of thickness, i went with it.

 

[Gypsy]

You can't tell the difference between those two settings? Between the Beverly K and the Gabriel? Really? Even from those blurry pictures I can tell you the Beverly K is better suited for the look you want.

 

[Laila619]

yopeyone, I'm so sorry you don't like your ring, but honestly I think it's BEAUTIFUL! I really do. Perhaps it will grow on you. When I first got my 3 stone, I didn't like it, but after wearing it a while, I now love it. Sometimes it's not love at first sight because it didn't meet the expectation in your mind, but rest assured you have a lovely ring.

 

[chrono]

The Gabriel setting you posted looks very chunky so I'm surprised you thought it's about the same thickness as the Bev K setting you saw in person.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Never ever judge from those huge pictures! You really can't get a fine micro pave halo for anywhere NEAR the price of a Gabriel and Co setting, so unless you want to pay double or more, I think you might reassess how you feel about the setting! I think it looks gorgeous, and a slightly larger halo is GOOD with a smaller diamond!!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

And one more thing. You aren't going to be the one wearing the ring. She will LOVE the ring, I am sure! Just keep your concerns to yourself!!!!!

 

[motownmama]

I LOVE the ring!! The profile is To Die For!!!

 

[yopeyone]

You can't tell the difference between those two settings? Between the Beverly K and the Gabriel? Really? Even from those blurry pictures I can tell you the Beverly K is better suited for the look you want.

Again, I looked at the Bev K in person for a good 5-10 minutes, evaluating it and comparing it to other settings. I didn't like it. Perhaps it was slightly less chunky but it was very plain from the side. I was hoping to get some advice & opinions here, not just finger pointing saying I could have made a better decision - I know that already!

 

[Lula]

Two things: First, the inspiration rings (especially the first one) are likely handmade and therefore many thousands more. Second, in all honesty, I think the rose gold is making the halo look larger than it is. The rose gold creates a strong color contrast between the center diamond and the halo diamonds, which I think is pretty. White gold or platinum would not create this color contrast and the halo would appear smaller.

Another thing to consider is that most settings don't last a lifetime anyway, so if you and your fiancee end up not being crazy about this setting, save up for a custom, handmade halo for a future anniversary. People's jewelry tastes change over time, too, so she may end up going with a different style in the future. It's a pretty ring and I agree with DiamondSeeker that smaller diamonds can handle larger halos -- they look more vintage to my eyes.

 

[yopeyone]

Never ever judge from those huge pictures! You really can't get a fine micro pave halo for anywhere NEAR the price of a Gabriel and Co setting, so unless you want to pay double or more, I think you might reassess how you feel about the setting! I think it looks gorgeous, and a slightly larger halo is GOOD with a smaller diamond!!!!

It's funny because side by side with a nearly 2 ct cushion brilliant, this didn't seem too far off (less than half a mm difference due to depth %). Anyway, in this halo the diamond looks tiny I think. For 10 grand, it should appear to have some size to it.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I think you really just can't compare a Gabriel & Co setting with a high end custom made piece. They are just in completely different tiers.

 

[yssie]

My honest thoughts:

1. Your inspirations are in a different class of setting - you aren't going to get that sort of delicate daintiness for 1-3k.

2. You can nitpick the nuances of the stone 'til the cows come home but outside PS no-one, including your SO, will see the stone and setting as different entities. All they'll see is the completed ring - and as with anything else, the perceived "quality" of the ring is only as good/high/whatever as that of the weakest link...


If the setting is non-refundable the first alternative I'd look into is consigning the whole thing. Then start over, and this time allocate 3-4k for a fantastic setting. Your original budget was generous, assuming it remains similar you'll have plenty left over for a nice stone, and you can be assured that the setting will suit the stone perfectly.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Never ever judge from those huge pictures! You really can't get a fine micro pave halo for anywhere NEAR the price of a Gabriel and Co setting, so unless you want to pay double or more, I think you might reassess how you feel about the setting! I think it looks gorgeous, and a slightly larger halo is GOOD with a smaller diamond!!!!

It's funny because side by side with a nearly 2 ct cushion brilliant, this didn't seem too far off (less than half a mm difference due to depth %). Anyway, in this halo the diamond looks tiny I think. For 10 grand, it should appear to have some size to it.

The mistake as someone else mentioned is that the halo part needed to be made in WHITE GOLD! Your halo is making the diamond look small only because it is rose gold and clearly defines where the diamond is. When the halo is all white metal, it disappears and you just see a mass of diamonds. I'd ask GOG if they can rhodium plate just the halo and leave the shank and underside detail rose gold. Even a delicate handmade halo in rose gold would have made the stone look smaller because of the color of the halo.

 

[yopeyone]

Never ever judge from those huge pictures! You really can't get a fine micro pave halo for anywhere NEAR the price of a Gabriel and Co setting, so unless you want to pay double or more, I think you might reassess how you feel about the setting! I think it looks gorgeous, and a slightly larger halo is GOOD with a smaller diamond!!!!

It's funny because side by side with a nearly 2 ct cushion brilliant, this didn't seem too far off (less than half a mm difference due to depth %). Anyway, in this halo the diamond looks tiny I think. For 10 grand, it should appear to have some size to it.

The mistake as someone else mentioned is that the halo part needed to be made in WHITE GOLD! Your halo is making the diamond look small only because it is rose gold and clearly defines where the diamond is. When the halo is all white metal, it disappears and you just see a mass of diamonds. I'd ask GOG if they can rhodium plate just the halo and leave the shank and underside detail rose gold. Even a delicate handmade halo in rose gold would have made the stone look smaller because of the color of the halo.

Interesting. This may be a good option... thanks a lot for that suggestion - you may be onto something here!

 

[chrono]

Just be aware that the plating will wear off, depending on how "hard" the ring is used, so it has to be replated anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to a few years.

 

[_kat]

Never ever judge from those huge pictures! You really can't get a fine micro pave halo for anywhere NEAR the price of a Gabriel and Co setting, so unless you want to pay double or more, I think you might reassess how you feel about the setting! I think it looks gorgeous, and a slightly larger halo is GOOD with a smaller diamond!!!!

It's funny because side by side with a nearly 2 ct cushion brilliant, this didn't seem too far off (less than half a mm difference due to depth %). Anyway, in this halo the diamond looks tiny I think. For 10 grand, it should appear to have some size to it.

The mistake as someone else mentioned is that the halo part needed to be made in WHITE GOLD! Your halo is making the diamond look small only because it is rose gold and clearly defines where the diamond is. When the halo is all white metal, it disappears and you just see a mass of diamonds. I'd ask GOG if they can rhodium plate just the halo and leave the shank and underside detail rose gold. Even a delicate handmade halo in rose gold would have made the stone look smaller because of the color of the halo.

This is a VERY good point!! I agree....I would try to to this. Great advice!

 

[Cherokee1979]

The mistake as someone else mentioned is that the halo part needed to be made in WHITE GOLD! Your halo is making the diamond look small only because it is rose gold and clearly defines where the diamond is. When the halo is all white metal, it disappears and you just see a mass of diamonds. I'd ask GOG if they can rhodium plate just the halo and leave the shank and underside detail rose gold. Even a delicate handmade halo in rose gold would have made the stone look smaller because of the color of the halo.[/quote]

+1! GREAT suggestion, DS! I hope for the OP's sake that GOG might be able to accommodate. I (as an admitted noob) could not agree with DS's suggestions more, and I really like her "thinking outside of the box" so as to give the OP a cost-effective potential solution! Best of luck with GOG, OP! Your ring and stone are gorgeous!

 

[marymm]

If you've only seen photos - any chance you can curb your initial panic until you receive the ring and are able to inspect it in person? Photos have a way of magnifying things that are completely unnoticeable in real life - it may be you are happy with the ring once you have it in your hands. In any case, I would recommend you see the ring in person before you decide on any fixes or changes.

 

[Laila619]

If you've only seen photos - any chance you can curb your initial panic until you receive the ring and are able to inspect it in person? Photos have a way of magnifying things that are completely unnoticeable in real life - it may be you are happy with the ring once you have it in your hands. In any case, I would recommend you see the ring in person before you decide on any fixes or changes.

Ditto!

I think the ring is very pretty and you may feel differently about it in person.

 

[yopeyone]

If you've only seen photos - any chance you can curb your initial panic until you receive the ring and are able to inspect it in person? Photos have a way of magnifying things that are completely unnoticeable in real life - it may be you are happy with the ring once you have it in your hands. In any case, I would recommend you see the ring in person before you decide on any fixes or changes.

Ditto!

I think the ring is very pretty and you may feel differently about it in person.

I hope so... I'll see on Friday. The Rhodium thing seems like a hell of an idea though. I think that's what's throwing me off: the diamond looks small due to the clear separation between the diamond and the halo due to the color.

 

[kenny]

I was also going to suggest plating it, as has already been suggested.

The only issue might be...
Usually they plate "white gold" which looks more white.
As the rhodium plating eventually wears off the rose gold color will look VERY pronounced.
So if you take the plating route (probably the best solution if no refund is possible) you may need to get it re-plated (dipped) more often than a ring made from white gold.

 

[Laila619]

I agree the rose gold is the issue, not necessarily the halo. You could also try to sell the setting on the Preloved forum here if it still bothers you in person.