Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Setting Advise

mandasand

mandasand

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jan 9, 2012
Messages
667
Hi everyone!
I am still in the shopping phase (maybe that's my problem) and I am feeling really torn...I need some advise. I picked out a lovely setting from Gabriel & Co. with a cushion halo and this adorable secret diamond. I am leaning towards a cushion diamond, although I have yet to find any I like. http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7527W44JJ

Now, my dilemma is I think maybe I want a plain shank cushion halo setting instead. I have searched and searched the internet for a cushion halo with a plain shank (not a bezel) with no luck. On PS, it seems like people are having plain shank halos custom made. This would be awesome but I'm not sure it is within the budget.

Here is what I need help on:
A) Suggestions for a halo with a plain shank, white gold and I really would love one of those secret diamonds or something interesting on the mounting.
B) .75 squarish cushion with the lowest color possible. I am flexible to go up or down in ct weight to find a gorgeous stone (to me, bigger isn't better). I am also open to a round. But, it has to be a diamond, not a gemstone.

Budget is between $3-5k. I am always hoping to find a bargain but that may not be possible. Thanks for your help!
 
when you say lowest color possible do you mean D-G range?? (this is actually referred to as higher color). Are you looking for an antique/vintage style cushion or a modern cushion?
 
Hi slg,
Ooops...yes, I want as "near colorless" as possible because cushions I see in "I" or above all look yellow to me. I think I want a modern cushion but not crushed ice. From the videos I've seen on GOG, I don't really like the chunky faceting.
 
I LOVE that ring.
Personally, I love the pave on the shank, but for myself, I wonder if I'm too clumsy and hard on my hands. In that respect, a plain shank might be a better choice.
I'm in the process of picking out an e-ring, and I'm also torn. I'm now leaning toward the pave again and thinking I'll just have to be really careful.
 
here are some options

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8510/
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/4921/

GOG carries Gabriel & Co so if you get your diamond from them perhaps ask if that setting can be customized (or if they have another setting?)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1268818.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1280323.asp

JA has this plain shank halo that can be modified to fit fancy shapes but not sure about adding a surprise diamond (you could ask)
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/-18k-White-Gold-Pave-Set-Diamond-Engagement-Ring.html
 
mandasand|1334854168|3175149 said:
Hi slg,
Ooops...yes, I want as "near colorless" as possible because cushions I see in "I" or above all look yellow to me. I think I want a modern cushion but not crushed ice. From the videos I've seen on GOG, I don't really like the chunky faceting.
Click to expand...


I just wanted to correct your terminology again, because it could become challenging if or when you start talking with a vendor about what you want in a diamond. Like Slg, mentioned, when you are referring to color grades in the DEF range your are talking about high color range, therefore you would be looking for a stone that is colorless. The lower color grades, or near colorless are colors GHIJ. So basically the lower you go down the color scale the more body color you will have in your stone. I think that you understand all this, I just think that you have it backwards, thinking that no color means lower amounts of color. It can make things frustrating for you if you tell a vendor that you want a low color diamond, then they are going to think that you want something with lots of body color. :))

I love a plain shank cushion halo!! :love: Good Luck!
 
Some options:

http://www.eternitydiamonds.com/eng...Halo-Ring-With-Split-Shank-(.42-ctw.)-383.htm
http://www.eternitydiamonds.com/eng...gement-ring/Halo-Ring-With-Plain-Band-460.htm

Maybe these could be customized to have a bezeled surprised diamond instead of what they've got going on under the basket:

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/quick-look/ER7109W83JJ
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER6875W83JJ

And this one has surprise diamonds on the sides instead of under the basket, but the basket has neat little surprise diamonds in it, too, so you might like it:

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER6340W83JJ
 
I like the 2nd diamond from James Allen. I really want to find a unique faceting pattern. I am not a fan of the cushette it looks to splintery. I have actually seen all the attached settings in my previous searches and none of them spoke to me. I may have to end up doing a custom setting because I'm so picky. What would I be in for if I go that route?
 
Why not have Gabriel &Co customize that first setting you like to have a plain shank? Usually, it's 20% off the price of that ring at GOG ,with custom maybe $200-300 more.than the discounted price. That leaves you about $3k for the stone.

And here's an H august vintage cushion if you don't like splintery...

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9211/

$3200
 
Thanks Webdiva! I have a contact at Gabriel so I emailed him directly. I am waiting on a quote from James Allen to make me a custom halo. It will look like the one they have on their website with just some minor modifications.

Again I am torn between a cushion brilliant and the cushion modified brilliant. I may need to look at those GOG videos again. There is a sort of allure with the AVCs but they are so expensive!
 
For all of those that are interested, because I remember someone asking in another post if Gabriel settings can be customized:

According to G&C: "Any of our rings can be customized to tailor fit your needs - all you need to do is describe to your jeweler who can talk to our customer service dept and custom designers."

He also mentioned that it can "probably" be done, but it's important to have the jeweler work directly with Gabriel on the special order. I'm exploring this option too, because perhaps I would want this setting with my silly secret diamond:
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8262W44JJ
 
Mark at Engagement Rings Direct can get GORGEOUS antique faceted cushions without GOG's markup, which is what makes the most sense for your budget. And honestly for 3k or LESS he can make you a fabulous quality plain shank halo with a surprise diamond.

I would give Mark a call and ask him for a well performing diamond (he can provide ASETS) with chunky faceting and a plain shank halo setting for your total budget and have him propose back diamonds in budget and see what he comes up with.

If it were me, and I had your budget and wanted what you want, that would be my first call.

Not in budget for you, but here are a lovely unique faceted cushions he has for reference:

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/0.93-carat-g-vvs2-a-cut-beyond-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-15231.html He calls his antique like "A Cut Beyond". And that's what you want.
 
I thought the OP wanted a modern cushion not a vintage style?
 
slg47|1334884825|3175742 said:
I thought the OP wanted a modern cushion not a vintage style?
Click to expand...


Me too but then she said she's drawn to the allure of the AVC but not the price so I thought I'd giver her a more budget friendly option for the look, if she's interested.

I'm thinking this is going to be a case of ... when the right one comes along that speaks to her, she'll know it. A bit a Goldilocks (in a good way, after all these are fancies). Fortunately Mark can find any type of cushion and is great at it so if she calls him (don't email Mark, call him) she'll be in good hands.
 
I want a vintage style with the setting and I have only seen modified brilliants in person, so it's hard for me to decide if I like the AVC or not. Originally I wanted a round and then the jeweler told me to get a more vintage look, I should consider a cushion. So, I switched my focus.

I think the WF halo looks a little too modern, plus they never got back to me with any stone choices and that was a month or more ago. So, I figured that my budget wasn't working with their inventory.

I'm going to ask my honey to talk to the jeweler and see if they can work with Gabriel to have my original setting modified. Plus, I'm still considering James Allen and ERD.

Can anyone suggest stone choice because that seems to be my biggest challenge.
 
if you want a vintage style but like rounds why not get a vintage round?
 
No, I'm not really ok with warmth. The jeweler showed me an "I" cushion and I immediately said "that's yellow." So, he said that we need to find something that is more on the "colorless" side. I always search from D-H, and I'm pretty sure the sweet spot is F. I would prefer VS but if it's really eye clean, I can do SI1. I think if SO picked a round, he could probably get away with an "H" in color, but cushions show color way more.

I have super heightened senses, I see, hear, smell every thing. It's weird. So, I can see an inclusion a mile away.

I actually think the Gabriel halo would look nice without the milgrain and diamonds along the side. I'm going to propose that to my SO, along with the James Allen quote. The hard part is going to be finding the right stone.
 
Urg...James Allen quote to add that silly secret diamond was way too high and would not leave us enough room for a nice diamond. They suggested that I stick with the stock setting so I have more money for the stone, which is good advice. But, the stone selection they came back with was less than appealing. They even suggested I look for a radiant, when I clearly stated that I wanted a cushion or round only. Oh well.

I spoke to my SO and expressed my desire for a plain shank. He said "okay, I've taken mental notes." So, I'm still looking around for diamonds to suggest to him. I also sent the updated article from ERD to him. I sort of feel frustrated with looking at cushions. It seems so much easier finding a round. Maybe I'm living in an unrealistic world where I can find a beautiful,sparkly little cushion.
 
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top