Setting conundrum: thoughts on MWM heart prongs?

[kaymart]

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!

 

[hollyns]

Im by no means a jewelry expert, but I prefer them as they are (heart prongs). It adds a bit more interest/ style to an otherwise fairly traditional setting. Im with you in disliking hearts on anything, but I honestly wouldn't have saw hearts when I looked at those prongs had you not pointed it out.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

The setting is sublime. As such, the prongs are executed in a sophisticated way/design enough to provide a distinction that otherwise might scream sentimentality. Happy decision!

cheers--Sharon

 

[Tophat1]

Hearts - they are so small they don't scream hearts. I'm not a heart person either but would stay true to the setting

 

[kaymart]

Thanks everyone for your responses so far!

Hollyns, it's really interesting that you mention not seeing them as "hearts" without having been primed with it. I found a video of a Leon Mege solitaire earlier today (his Tulip setting), and I noticed that it definitely has some heart prong action! Yet nobody (to my knowledge) has described them as hearts, so maybe it really is semantics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKeU3Ui1OlY

 

[Skhii]

Thanks everyone for your responses so far!

Hollyns, it's really interesting that you mention not seeing them as "hearts" without having been primed with it. I found a video of a Leon Mege solitaire earlier today (his Tulip setting), and I noticed that it definitely has some heart prong action! Yet nobody (to my knowledge) has described them as hearts, so maybe it really is semantics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKeU3Ui1OlY

Thanks for posting, kaymart! There aren't enough Mark Morrell works around here. I hope you'll share your ring when its completed. As long as the prongs are kept as narrow, sharp, and angular as possible, I think the "heart" shape won't be apparent. Erika Winter's Grace settings also feature similar prongs, but they are leaner, longer, and sharper.

https://www.leonmege.com/portfolio/custom-work/solitaires/six-prongs-engagement-solitare-detail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elM7HqMtPEs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKeU3Ui1OlY

http://www.erikawinters.com/Engagement-Rings-Grace_Solitaire.html
http://www.erikawinters.com/Engagement-Rings-Grace-6-Prong-Solitaire.html
http://www.erikawinters.com/Engagement-Rings-Grace-Cathedral-Solitaire.html

 

[rainwood]

I understand where you're coming from as I'm not a hearts person either. I also had a MWM setting at one time (his work is beautiful). I think the real issue is you will always know they are hearts regardless of whether anyone else does and you're the one who will be looking at the ring the most. You don't really want hearts so either go with claws or pick a different setting that speaks to you which doesn't have heart prongs as part of the original design.You'll be happier in the long run.

 

[JessicaVibes91]

I personally think the hearts look nice even though i'm not much of a heart fan myself. They're not that loud. Might as well add a sentiment to this emotional affair

 

[Rivendell]

I think they are beautiful. I just looked at his website and there was a four prong version of this setting which looked stunning. The heart prongs are very tasteful and subtle. Good luck with your decision.

 

[tyty333]

The hearts are very cute. That being said, "cute" is not what I want to think when I look at my engagement ring.

When I dont narrow in on them and see that they are "hearts" I just seem them as larger, well-executed prongs. But I dont want
larger prongs on my rings so no hearts for me.

MWM does such beautiful work. Whichever prongs you pick will be executed masterfully.

 

[Kbell]

I recently placed an order with Mark... and prior had reservations like you before pulling the trigger.
I think of the prongs less as hearts and more of the meeting of the 2 platinum wires composing the crown make up.
In fact, before reading about & viewing many of Marks settings I never even saw them as hearts. Owners say
it's much more subtle in person than the blown up internet pictures.

My engagement ring from a previous relationship had typical yet delicate "claw" prongs. One bent & twisted to the point
of having to replace the whole head. The new one had sturdier, yet less feminine, less delicate claws. I didn't love them, but I didn't want to have to be super careful all the time.

For me Mark's settings look like they won't need to be babied. Beautiful, feminine, and flowy...
The prongs don't look like I'll have problems with them as I did before.
Hearts are "cute" but that isn't what comes to mind when I see his work. I can't wait to see my ring all put
together but I'm going to have to wait patiently...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I also vastly prefer delicate claw prongs over hearts. I think the heart prongs are too bulky, plus, I am just not into hearts on a ring.

 

[motownmama]

I vote claws

 

[oldminer]

MWM's heart tipped prongs are beautiful and reasonably distinctive of his work. There are others who make similar prong tips, but the MWM ones are durable, full width and height as well as properly executed. If you have an aversion to the cutesy nature of heart shapes on your jewelry, there is no reason to feel badly about wanting a different shape prong tip. The tips can be rounded, claw-like or slender pointy daggers. Those who pay generally can have that sort of input with an artisan. So long as everyone is on the same page there should be no disappointments. Draw or show MWM what you want, and if he says he can and will do it, I doubt there will be any issue of workmanship. The same applies to several other manufacturer's who offer merchandise to Pricescope consumers.

The customer is king so long as the customer is acting in their own best interest. If the customer requests a feature that should be avoided, it is on the producer, the expert, the educate and counsel the customer into a better or a more recommended decision. From what I have observed, we have a very good balance here of knowledge and practical, very high quality workmanship available. Ultimately, you should not order a design or even an element in the final design you really dislike. Please, don't do that to yourself. Jewelers will do their best to make what you want if you COMMUNICATE thoroughly. A picture is worth a thousand words in many cases.

 

[VRBeauty]

I absolutely love the fluid, molten quality of MEM's settings. That, to me, is his signature. Heart motifs are not my thing either though, so If i were to order a ring from him it would definately be with claw prongs. Good lunch with your decision!

 

[msop04]

I vote claws...