Hello all!
I'm a (very) long-time lurker, and this is my first post. My significant other and I are considering our setting options for an engagement ring and, after some substantial browsing both in person and online, Mark Morrell's petite torchiere is our favorite (with a 1ct center and no stones in the basket). I just have one issue: I don't know how I feel about the heart prongs! Everything about the ring is sublime, and it's our top choice compared to other beautiful 6-prong solitaires (CVB/VC/LM, all the usual suspects) regardless of the prongs, but I know Mark can make this ring with his signature hearts OR modify to claws. I'm conflicted. Help me with this dilemma!
On the one hand, I've never been a fan of hearts in jewelry (or much of anything). There are some beautiful things out there, undoubtedly, but they often read to me as sweeter/more feminine and romantic than jives with my style. On the other hand, I worry that turning those hearts into claws will remove one of the most special things about this piece, like telling an artist to erase his signature, and that they add interest. My significant other slightly prefers the hearts, but his greatest concern is my preference. I initially thought I wanted claws, but as time goes on I find myself waffling more and more between the two options...
There's definitely some psychology to this, as I can sometimes make myself feel better about this conflict if I pretend they aren't "hearts" so much as a "pinched"/"indented" claw prong. Heh. I also know that giant internet photos make details like this look much more pronounced. Anyone who has an MWM piece - how obviously heart-ish are your prongs in real life? Is it easy to tell it's a heart vs. a bead/tab/claw prong? People who don't have an MWM, but who share my opinion on "heart" things in jewelry - what do you think? Are these hearts an exception?
Pictures! First, MWM's petite torchiere with the heart prongs:
Here's LittleRiver's lovely piece:

To compare: Travel Goddess's beautiful MWM Flame, with the prongs modified to claws:

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
I'm a (very) long-time lurker, and this is my first post. My significant other and I are considering our setting options for an engagement ring and, after some substantial browsing both in person and online, Mark Morrell's petite torchiere is our favorite (with a 1ct center and no stones in the basket). I just have one issue: I don't know how I feel about the heart prongs! Everything about the ring is sublime, and it's our top choice compared to other beautiful 6-prong solitaires (CVB/VC/LM, all the usual suspects) regardless of the prongs, but I know Mark can make this ring with his signature hearts OR modify to claws. I'm conflicted. Help me with this dilemma!
On the one hand, I've never been a fan of hearts in jewelry (or much of anything). There are some beautiful things out there, undoubtedly, but they often read to me as sweeter/more feminine and romantic than jives with my style. On the other hand, I worry that turning those hearts into claws will remove one of the most special things about this piece, like telling an artist to erase his signature, and that they add interest. My significant other slightly prefers the hearts, but his greatest concern is my preference. I initially thought I wanted claws, but as time goes on I find myself waffling more and more between the two options...
There's definitely some psychology to this, as I can sometimes make myself feel better about this conflict if I pretend they aren't "hearts" so much as a "pinched"/"indented" claw prong. Heh. I also know that giant internet photos make details like this look much more pronounced. Anyone who has an MWM piece - how obviously heart-ish are your prongs in real life? Is it easy to tell it's a heart vs. a bead/tab/claw prong? People who don't have an MWM, but who share my opinion on "heart" things in jewelry - what do you think? Are these hearts an exception?
Pictures! First, MWM's petite torchiere with the heart prongs:

Here's LittleRiver's lovely piece:

To compare: Travel Goddess's beautiful MWM Flame, with the prongs modified to claws:

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!