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

[yopeyone]

As an update, it's not refundable. GOG is thinking of some solutions.

1) I can set a larger diamond in it, but it would kind of overlap over the halo. (but will it solve the problem?)
2) I can sell this off somehow and get a designer setting
3) I asked them about Rhodium plating the top of it - haven't heard back yet.

 

[Niel]

The plating idea would concern me just because they cant say for certain how long it will last, and then also when it wears off like Kenny said it will really show the metal under.

Im SO sorry to hear about this, if they wont take it back, maybe just consider a solitaire setting, so you dont have to spend that amound on a halo ring again. For what it's worth, I think those AVC stand up beautifully as a solitaire, even more so than rounds IMHO. But that might not be an option if she is dead set on a halo.

Also I think the ring is lovely.
Maybe pop the question with it and if she loves it then there you go, and if she wants a different setting you guys can purchase one together. Sure a surprise diamond is great but some woman love the hunt too.

Best of luck.

 

[yopeyone]

The plating idea would concern me just because they cant say for certain how long it will last, and then also when it wears off like Kenny said it will really show the metal under.

Im SO sorry to hear about this, if they wont take it back, maybe just consider a solitaire setting, so you dont have to spend that amound on a halo ring again. For what it's worth, I think those AVC stand up beautifully as a solitaire, even more so than rounds IMHO. But that might not be an option if she is dead set on a halo.

Also I think the ring is lovely.
Maybe pop the question with it and if she loves it then there you go, and if she wants a different setting you guys can purchase one together. Sure a surprise diamond is great but some woman love the hunt too.

Best of luck.

That pink stone halo picture was given to me specifically - well, through a family member. I can't imagine eating the cost of this setting (it was over $1,800 bucks.

I'm kicking myself because my budget was a made up number in my head. It's not like I was like "ok, I scrounged up $12,000 but not a penny more". It was more like "well, $12,000 seems like a number that's pretty high but not too unreasonable." If I just ponied up a couple grand more, i'd be happy right now.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

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.

The rhodium plating will work fine as long as they can do just the halo. The place where rhodium usually wears off first is on the bottom of a shank where the metal rubs against things. Everyone who has white gold rings eventually has to get them rhodium plated so it is no big deal. It is simply a matter of whether they can mask off the rest of the ring and just plate the halo. I really think it will greatly help the appearance. There was someone else on here just the other day who was thinking of doing a rose gold shank and wg halo, too.

You can ask GOG to get a price from Gabriel and Co to remove the halo and replace with wg. BUT, wg has to be rhodium plated anyway, so I think you may as well hope for the plating of the current halo.

 

[Niel]

Well for what it's worth I think that setting doesn't look like the first picture, but a lot like the pink one. And if that's the one she wanted I bet you she will just love it how it is.

 

[yopeyone]

Well for what it's worth I think that setting doesn't look like the first picture, but a lot like the pink one. And if that's the one she wanted I bet you she will just love it how it is.

No, the first picture I found on here.

It's the pink one that was the real "inspiration ring"

 

[Enerchi]

It looks lovely and you should really wait and see it IRL before you make a final decision but I'm glad you are already exploring options.

Before panicking too much, would you consider proposing and see what your G/f thinks of this actual ring? Maybe this setting is even MORE perfect to her than the inspiration ring!! You won't know until you propose... if she's also not thrilled, then you can both move forward together to hunt down a different setting.

 

[orbaya]

If this were my ring, my fear with rhodium plating is that it will wear off unevenly so some prongs will still look white while others will start to show the pink gold. That would look horrible.

Like others have said, wait until you get the ring. Extreme close ups of jewelry can be quite scary!

 

[yopeyone]

It looks lovely and you should really wait and see it IRL before you make a final decision but I'm glad you are already exploring options.

Before panicking too much, would you consider proposing and see what your G/f thinks of this actual ring? Maybe this setting is even MORE perfect to her than the inspiration ring!! You won't know until you propose... if she's also not thrilled, then you can both move forward together to hunt down a different setting.

She's not picky. At all. I'm the one that needs everything to be perfect.

 

[Enerchi]

Ok, you may be the picky one, but It's hard to fairly evaluate when pics are only flat static images and often super magnified!! I still think it would be cautious to just see it first! Who knows - you just may fall in love with it IRL!!!
Fingers crossed for you Yopeyone!

 

[GMAC]

How sweet of you to want perfection for her, however I am very sure that whatever you present will be perfect in her eyes. I think you did great and she will be proud to wear it.

 

[Niel]

Well for what it's worth I think that setting doesn't look like the first picture, but a lot like the pink one. And if that's the one she wanted I bet you she will just love it how it is.

No, the first picture I found on here.

It's the pink one that was the real "inspiration ring"

ok good i thought you were saying the pink one was the insperation ring. I think it looks a lot a like. Im sure she will love it if you are the picky one out of the two of you. And IRL I'd bet you like it too, especially when you see how much she loves it

 

[yopeyone]

Well for what it's worth I think that setting doesn't look like the first picture, but a lot like the pink one. And if that's the one she wanted I bet you she will just love it how it is.

No, the first picture I found on here.

It's the pink one that was the real "inspiration ring"

ok good i thought you were saying the pink one was the insperation ring. I think it looks a lot a like. Im sure she will love it if you are the picky one out of the two of you. And IRL I'd bet you like it too, especially when you see how much she loves it

Bad choice of words.

This has happened before - I got her a necklace that I wasn't crazy about when it was made (not GOG!), but she ended up loving it.

I just hope in real life I like it more.

 

[kenny]

She's not picky. At all. I'm the one that needs everything to be perfect.

Ah Ha!

In that case here's what I'd recommend.
Give it to her, as is but quickly, without bringing her attention to anything about the ring, ask her if there is anything about it that SHE would like to have changed.
There is no reason to plant a suggestion for her to dwell on.

This way you make it okay for her to not have to pretend it's perfect to protect your feelings.
SHE may think it is perfect, or she may be one of those "whatever he picked truly IS perfect" kind of people ... and if either is the case what you think is much much less important IMHO.

Second guessing, or thinking we can read minds is problematic.

 

[webdiva]

1. Ditto what everyone said - give it to her and don't say anything. I think it's lovely and the rose gold really picks up the colors in the AVC.

2. Ditto what Gyspy said - the one you had in your hand at GOG was COMPLETELY different. Look at the sides showing metal vs the tiny pave on the one Gypsy posted. If you were really "picky", you would have seen the difference. That's besides the point now, but bottom line : don't impose your pickiness on your future fiance and let her enjoy the ring!

Congrats!

 

[Laila619]

1. Ditto what everyone said - give it to her and don't say anything. I think it's lovely and the rose gold really picks up the colors in the AVC.

2. Ditto what Gyspy said - the one you had in your hand at GOG was COMPLETELY different. Look at the sides showing metal vs the tiny pave on the one Gypsy posted. If you were really "picky", you would have seen the difference. That's besides the point now, but bottom line : don't impose your pickiness on your future fiance and let her enjoy the ring!

Congrats!

But if he didn't like that other ring, he didn't like it! To me, the other ring is not an option since he already saw it in person and didn't care for it.

I am sure she will like her ring, so personally I'd just propose!

 

[VanillaBean]

I've followed your posts since you were searching for a stone, so I'm excited to see the finished product. (I'm also posting for the first time EVER - ha!)

Personally, I love your setting. It took a few minutes for me to sit and think about it when I first looked, because it's unlike ANYTHING I've seen IRL or on PS. I tire of seeing the same exact platinum halo'ed stones and your ring is a refreshing change. Wait to see it in person, and see if the sparkle takes away from the chunky feeling you get with the up close macro photos. If it still bothers you, I agree with consigning it and starting from scratch. I have a feeling your future fiancé wouldn't have a second thought about the ring as it is right now. Imagine how many people will comment on it because it's NOT your typical mall jewelry store engagement ring. I know she will get asked about it constantly. A platinum halo is so much more common, the rose gold is unique and classically beautiful, IMO.

Believe me, from one perfectionist to another - I get the obsessing that goes into picking the "perfect" ring. There is a reason I haven't upgraded my diamond/setting as I planned to 3 years ago. I just cannot commit, fearing that I'll find something even BETTER and will regret the change. One of these days I'll pull the trigger!

 

[Gypsy]

Give it to her and see what happens.

Horse is gone, so no sense in worrying about that barn door now. You did what you thought was best. Time to move forward.

 

[Dougsgirl]

Yopey...

First... YAY on the AVC!!! LOVE it!!
Second... PLEASE wait to see it in person before you change anything!!!

Coming from someone who JUST went through this process... I was totally obsessing over details from the super-magnified photos that turned out to be NOTHING in real life. I promise you the entire ring is going to be much smaller and more delicate than it appears in the photos. And as far as the top-down view... We are almost never looking at our ring directly from the top. We are usually seeing it from a 45 degree angle, or so. Also, the living sparkle from the diamonds really changes the look compared to a static picture.
If you see it in person and it still looks "chunky", or if you still feel like the diamond is "dwarfed", or the contrast too much, then you can explore the options of changing it.

I think the diamond and the RG are exceptionally beautiful! If that is the look she liked, she will LOVE this ring!! And unless she spends a lot of time on PS, I guarantee she will NOT be looking at the diamond:halo ratio! LOL

Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[ariel144]

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.

I agree totally. Recently there was another thread similar to this with an oval (?) set in yellow gold and she/he hated the ring from the pics. ...i.e the halo looked too large. I believe when the ring came they loved it. (I think the vendor was white flash) maybe someone can post that thread.

I really like the setting you chose and I believe it will turn out more delicate than it looks in the pictures. That rose gold is really beautiful with that AVC.

 

[yopeyone]

I admit it's hard to tell when you're looking at a picture of a diamond that's literally 100x larger than the real thing. I've been trying to shrink down the image to the real life size (by measuring the diamond with a ruler on my screen). The chunkyness of the ring is much less noticeable.

That still said, I am glad I'm looking at options here in advance. Thanks all for calming me down a bit.

 

[mandasand]

I tried this one on and it was not chunky at all... It's very similar to the one you got:
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7527W44JJ

So, I think that maybe it looks chunkier in the pics. I would have them send it to you and judge it in person.

 

[pregcurious]

I agree with the other posters that say you should give her the ring and then let her do what she wants. Worst case, you may have to buy another setting. Best case, she will want to do nothing. I think your goal is to please her, so I think you should see if she likes it. She might love the ring. She might hate it and want a solitaire. You won't know until you ask her. I'm impressed that you care so much, and I think it's a good sign for your marriage.

 

[yopeyone]

I tried this one on and it was not chunky at all... It's very similar to the one you got:
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7527W44JJ

So, I think that maybe it looks chunkier in the pics. I would have them send it to you and judge it in person.

I saw this one in person - it looked fine in person. Compare that to the one I got here: http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER6872W44JJ

From a chunkyness standpoint, I understood it wasn't a "custom designer" ring, but it was nice.

Just to be clear on the issue everybody- it's not that I think the setting is a POS. It's just something about how it all ended up tying together that isn't quite what I expected. I could have gone for a larger center stone with this setting OR a thinner setting for this stone. I just think this particular rock seems small in comparison to the halo is all.

 

[chrono]

In looking at the official link, the halo has bigger melees in proportion to the center stone, even with an all white metal. So if you dip it in rhodium, you will still not get the effect you see in the inspiration ring. That said, let's see what she says and if she likes it as is or want something else.

 

[starrylight]

I would personally look into selling it if you are still unhappy with it after some time and seeing if the inspiration picture jeweler will make it for you (as long as you specify keeping the same proportions).

http://www.etsy.com/shop/RareEarth?ref=seller_info_count

She actually sells semi- mounts which you can buy and have set by someone else so you don't have to send your ring. I would personally keep the rose gold color as that was the color of both settings you posted.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81014849/14k-semi-mount-engagement-ring-diamond
or
http://www.etsy.com/listing/81015667/14k-diamond-halo-semi-mount-engagement

 

[yopeyone]

In looking at the official link, the halo has bigger melees in proportion to the center stone, even with an all white metal. So if you dip it in rhodium, you will still not get the effect you see in the inspiration ring. That said, let's see what she says and if she likes it as is or want something else.

You're right - it seems slightly larger in the one I chose upon closer inspection. The one thing I can think of is just putting a bigger diamond in the center. Of course, the halo was made for this 1.13 so if I put a nearly 2 ct stone, I'm not sure how it would look.

I need to just say this again - this setting, and the Bev K was the closest in SHAPE to the inspiration one that I can find. I saw the Bev K in person and didn't like it. I had to take a gamble on the Gabriel as it's all myself and GOG could come up with (other than a $4,000 custom) which is a lot of money for something made out of $200 worth of gold.

 

[chrono]

Putting in a 2 ct stone into a 1 ct setting isn't going to work - it simply will not fit. And by some miracle if it does fit, the stone will "overhang" the halo and actually cover it up, a new effect that is totally unwanted.

Why does a custom setting cost that much?
1. Setting is made to fit perfectly around your stone
2. Diamond melees are sized appropriately to enhance the stone (not too big, not too small)
3. Labour to hand set each melee individually
4. Control of very fine details of the ring and the finish (every nook and cranny is polished, the joints are seamless)

 

[yopeyone]

Putting in a 2 ct stone into a 1 ct setting isn't going to work - it simply will not fit. And by some miracle if it does fit, the stone will "overhang" the halo and actually cover it up, a new effect that is totally unwanted.

Why does a custom setting cost that much?
1. Setting is made to fit perfectly around your stone
2. Diamond melees are sized appropriately to enhance the stone (not too big, not too small)
3. Labour to hand set each melee individually
4. Control of very fine details of the ring and the finish (every nook and cranny is polished, the joints are seamless)

So I'm basically SOL here. Nobody wants to spend this kind of money and just say "meh"

 

[chrono]

I'm very sorry. Perhaps she isn't fussy about the details and will love it anyway?