Setting Brand Questions

[Baulieu]

I have been looking for an engagement ring and if you have seen my previous post, I am now leaning towards an Gabriel and Co selection, but am open to any other options. I am concerned because I have not seen the Gabriel and Co design in person, but what cought my eye was an almost identical disign match made by Simon G. The difference is the Simon G. has a larger tcw at .59 carats, than the Gabriel and Co. at .37 ctw. I loved the simon G. design and prefer larger stones in the setting but also prefer how the Gabriel and Co. design has a more Cathedral side appearance. Ill post pictures below. I guess my main questions are:

1.) Has anyone had a Gabriel and Co. setting, and could you tell me a little about the quality of this brand?

2.)Does anyone know of a different brand that has a design that is very similar to the Gabriel and Co. but has a larger carat weight?

3.)I'd love to hear opinions on oval vs. modern cushion for the center

4.)lastly, I'm about a 1.5 hours from Knoxville, TN, and I believe that would open a lot of options as I do not have a lot to work with in my city/town. Does anyone know of a great place to shop for engagement rings in Knoxville, TN?

Get ready for some pictures:

 

[CharmyPoo]

1.) Has anyone had a Gabriel and Co. setting, and could you tell me a little about the quality of this brand?
I do not and haven't not looked at it closely in person. However, I had a friend spend time with IDJ last weekend and he did not like the quality of the Gabriel & Co halo settings. He ended up going with ERD although the price was also more. I do have a Simon G ring and it is very well made.

2.)Does anyone know of a different brand that has a design that is very similar to the Gabriel and Co. but has a larger carat weight?
I won't be surprised if Beverly K has something like it.

3.)I'd love to hear opinions on oval vs. modern cushion for the center
Pure personal preference but I would rather have a cushion than an oval. I do like ovals but it is hard to find a nice one and once I find it .. I would wan to halo it.

4.)lastly, I'm about a 1.5 hours from Knoxville, TN, and I believe that would open a lot of options as I do not have a lot to work with in my city/town. Does anyone know of a great place to shop for engagement rings in Knoxville, TN?
Can't help you here but PS is pretty much an online shopping community Are you willing to buy online?

Here is a listing of TN Jewlers:
https://www.pricescope.com/jewelers/tennessee

 

[stargurl78]

Are you sure the total carat weight of the Simon G doesn't include the wedding band too? The diamonds in that e-ring setting don't look larger to me than the ones in the Gabriel setting. It could be my tired eyes though.

Another PSer has the Gabriel setting with a pear diamond:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/its-here-my-gog-pear-finally.175808/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/its-here-my-gog-pear-finally.175808/[/URL]

A lot of PS members have purchased Gabriel settings and they seem to have been happy with them. I have seen 2 of them in person and they sparkled like crazy. Here are a few examples:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gabriel-co-halo-setting.180367/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gabriel-co-halo-setting.180367/[/URL]

Scroll down to dragonfly_glow's post for a pic of her gorgeous ring:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/logr-round-and-baguette-eternity-band.176068/#post-3207265#p3207265']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/logr-round-and-baguette-eternity-band.176068/#post-3207265#p3207265[/URL]

I also think that setting would look much better with a cushion than an oval. I would contact Good Old Gold for help with finding a stone. Jonathon is extremely helpful at evaluating diamonds of all shapes and they carry Gabriel settings so you could get everything in one place. ERD (Engagement Rings Direct) is another good vendor to contact if you decide to go with a cushion. Maybe if you want larger stones in the setting, ERD could do a custom setting for you...

 

[Baulieu]

Thank you both for your replies, very helpful. I have mentioned buying online to my boyfriend, future FI after all this, and he pretty much refused to buy online and expressed how nervous that made him. I understand this completely b/c in my search I have been amazed at just how different settings can look between online pictures and in person and how much larger pave settings can look online than in person. I however, see no problem in buying online after I have seen the product in person (better price perhaps). As far as loose diamonds, I would really prefer to see them in person. Im increadibly inexperienced on this front. While I know the specs and what they mean I dont really have much of an idea of what I need realistically in person to be happy. Which brings up another question. While looking at these stores in my area very few of them carry a large selection of loose diamonds for purchase on hand and have offered to order some to look at. I get the distince feeling that they definatly expect you to buy if they order. I would really like to have them order a selection of oval and cushion to see with the setting and let the look and bang for the buck lead the way. So what is the etiquette as far as that goes?

 

[mandasand]

I've tried on plenty of Gabriel & Co. settings and they are all really pretty. I especially like the details in the profile. I don't think you'll be able to find a larger variety of vintage-style engaement rings, except for Bev K. I actually would prefer a cushion over an oval and I think that pairs up nicely with Gabriel's vintage style settings. However, cushions can be tricky and your BF is going to have to do his homework, especially if he doesn't want to buy online (Good old Gold, Engagement Rings Direct and James Allen will provide you pics, ASETS, etc. to help you make sure you're buying a good cushion).

I understand with not wanting to buy online. Luckily, Gabriel has dealers nationwide. Just go to their website and fill out the "find a retailer" form. It will take them a couple of days to get back to you. I would also call Beverley K and find local retailers in your area as well.

 

[stargurl78]

I would call around to your local jewelers (or maybe stores in Knoxville, where you plan to visit) and see if any of them carry Gabriel & Co and Simon G settings. They should be able to order in the ones you are interested in seeing.

I really don't have any advice for buying a diamond in person, I have no experience there. I've only found local vendors to be pushy (and over-priced) when looking at anything in their stores. I've ordered online and have been happy with the experience (I have worked with IDJ, BGD, James Allen, as well as various colored stone and Etsy vendors). I think you will find that you can get much better quality at better prices if you open up to buying online. You could always have the vendor offer their opinion on stones that you might be interested in and maybe have 1 or 2 sent to you for viewing in person before committing to buy.

This is what I would do:
1. Find out if any local vendors can bring in one or both (or more) of the settings you are interested in looking at.
2. Check out the setting with both cushions and ovals in person.
3. Decide which shape, color, and clarity you feel comfortable with after seeing some stones in person.
4. Contact GOG, IDJ, or ERD (not sure if they carry Gabriel though?) and work with them to find the perfect stone. They can send you pictures of different stones and once you narrow it down to a few favorites, post the pics on Pricescope for the opinions of some of the experts around here. Have the vendor send 1 or 2 stones for you to view in person.
5. Send back the stones and have your favorite one set in the setting of your choice (if you choose the Gabriel, you can order it through GOG or IDJ, not sure about ERD though).

You will be out the shipping charges for having the stones sent to you and for sending them back but I still think you will come out ahead going this route. However, if you just aren't comfortable doing it this way, then by all means, try to find a good local vendor. Good luck!

 

[distracts]

If you'd like to see the Gabriel in person, you can send in the form on their website to get some places that carry the Gabriel near you. When I did, it took them a couple of days to reply but they were really nice and the customer service person could answer all of my questions.

I think the Gabriel is prettier than the Simon G... but then I do love a good cathedral shank.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

So much depends on the budget for the setting. Simon G may be more than Gabriel, and handforged/custom may be more than SG. So really, you need a budget and then you have to balance the setting price with the diamond price. There is no point in looking at settings that are not in budget. It is better to compare settings that are in a similar price range within budget.

 

[starrylight]

The size of the stones doesn't seem to differ much. You might want to make sure that they go around the ring the same amount. The Gabriel and Co seems to only be a 3/4, which might explain the difference. You might also want to think about the possibility of needing to resize in the future if one of the rings is a full eternity.

 

[Baulieu]

So, I have news. I went and talked to the local vendors of Gabriel and Co. and tried to hunt down the style number that I liked. They didnt have it and so he ordered a sample for me to try on. They are also ordering some elongted cushions and ovals to try on with this style. Should be here Thursday yay!!! Also, I have decided for sure on the Gabriel and Co. I just couldnt see paying double for the Simon G. when I liked the cathedral-ness of theGabriel and Co. better anyway. I will look into online diamonds and get in contact with your suggestions. I hope the diamonds that are ordered are reasonable. What do you all believe is a reasonable price for a well cut, G-H color, SI-VS1 clarity, 1.00-1.5 ct diamond? Rough estimates or what you would not pay above maybe?