round diamond channel set band?

[enibas]

i wish i had my anal-retentive chart with me...i made a whole list of round diamond channel set PLT wedding bands i've encountered in the past 2 months...but it's at work. regardless, a quick scans tells you it's so hard to compare apples to oranges!!!

my question is, since i can't compare "cut", what should i be looking for in a channel set band?

mondera seems to have the most attractive one thus far: .25 GH/VS for $800.
that's very good, isn't it? but does this even assure me they're gonna be well cut? i woudl hope so, but i have no idea. not only that, but it seems when you read the small print in the description, they 'guarantee' .20 tcw -- isn't this a problem?

http://www.mondera.com/jewelry/product.asp?mscssid=76NW6P6LJUS92KX200AKHCAVBB52EFVE&partno=3003993&navbar=Wedding


and how about this --> how can this be $430?! i've seen other bands at lower color, total carat weight, and lower clarity for more than this. what am i missing? http://badiamond.store.yahoo.net/r2037r.html

and how about this classic blue nile -- it's 'only' $600, but I/VS2 - does this make it worth the money? will it sparkle?
http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=391&catid=8&filter_id=0&nav1=ring_channel.asp&page=1&col=1&row=2&pos=4

and finally, is there a true difference between these two from ashford? one is SI quality (isn't taht REALLY poor? or have i been brainwashed?) and one is I (oh my goodness...why do i think these will be BLACK?! lol...

http://www.ashford.com/product/index.asp?sn=79857309&md_id=1&pf_id=1582&dept_id=664&gender=F

http://www.ashford.com/product/index.asp?sn=79857309&md_id=1&pf_id=9324&dept_id=664&gender=F

and finally, i was hoping for 11 or 12 diamonds since my fingers totally shrink int eh winter and i experience MUCH spinning

...but i realized that was a dream. it seems that 11 or 12 is not very popular. oh well. oh! and i don't like the 'scoop' on the ends of some channel set bands. does the scoop mean something (good/bad?)...i like it better when it just ends.

so all i'm basically asking is WHAT SHOUDL I BE LOOKING FOR TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION, esp since my 2nd and 3rd favorites are from the mall?! good heavens! i taught mysefl to think that 'mall diamonds' = 'ripoff'...

someone help!

 

[lisaC]

Perhaps you would like to look at www.signedpieces.com. I recently bought a channel set platinum eternity ring from them (size 7) with a little over a carat F/G vvs-vs round diamonds. It's almost 3mm wide - but extremely sparkly
lisaC

 

[lisaC]

If you'd like to have a look at the ring I purchased from signedpieces on my finger use Google to go to www.mysnaps.com/ and for album name type in lisac

I really have got figure out how to attach a file...

lisaC

 

[pqcollectibles]

You posted yesterday about seeing one at McGivern Jewelry. You were asking for references on them.

 

[enibas]

anyone else? no advice or words of wisdom?

 

[fire&ice]

It's my understanding that the question to ask about melee's in general is are they cut to RB standards. In other words, do they have the correct number of facets? I hope I am not giving bum advice.

Also, why channel? If it is because it sits low -look at "Gemlok" diamond wedding bands. I do know that the stones used in those are excellent quality. I own three of them. In fact, the jeweler who set my stone commented on the quality.

 

[fire&ice]

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