Setting height too high?

[Duke000088]

Hi everyone,

I''m working with Whiteflash to create a custom setting for my first e-ring purchase. I''ve recieved the CAD work and it all looks great. The one issue I''m having is trying to figure out if the diamond is set too high for my girlfriend''s taste. The only guidance I received on selecting an e-ring was to try to get a "low setting." Whatever that means.

As it stands, I''m looking at mounting a 0.8ct RB in basically a modified cathederal setting. According to the CAD designer, the real-world height of this setting would be about 6.8mm from the top of the finger to the top of the stone.

Is this extraordinarily high for a diamond ring of this size? Extraordinarily low?

Attached is a picture courtesy of Whiteflash - preliminary design - some engraving is milgraining is forthcoming for the finished piece.

 

[geckodani]

Cathedral settings, by their nature are a bit higher than some. I think the setting looks lovely though!

Edit: If she specifically requested a low setting, you might want to reconsider the cathedral.

 

[francesfarmer]

As a HUGE fan of low settings, I''d say go lower. When I say low, I mean I want the culet (pointy part of stone) to be as close to my finger as possible. If the only thing she told you was "low" I''d guess it''s a priority for her. Maybe they can do away with or alter the cathedral so it can sit lower?

 

[K9]

Hm... this is a tough one. I would say that if she desires a lower setting, 6.8 might be too high. You could try to eliminate the surprise diamond? Personally, I love the cathedral style and the CAD is gorgeous. Like geckodani said, cathedrals by nature are intended to bring the diamond higher up.

 

[dockman3]

Yes, it is "high" but really, what difference is two mm going to make? That''s probably about as much as you''re going to be able to lower it, and that only buys you 0.078 inches. That''s not a whole lot. I too love cathedral settings, so I say stick with it, because that one is gorgeous! Once she sees it, she''ll forget all about it being too "high" for her and she''ll just absolutely love it!

 

[sklingem]

I would really ask your GF. There are so many settings out there and "low setting" could mean anything. Does she even want prongs and/or a stone that sits up high? My GF would kill me if she got a cathedral setting. As she says "she does not want to poke her own eye out". Maybe she can show you some examples of likes and dislikes. Or oyu could look at some of the rings she already owns! Good luck!
Rob

 

[Deelight]

As a girl who loves cathedrals and low settings a high setting would bug the begeebaz out of me.

I think the setting itself is beautiful but to me it sounds a little high can you get a revised cad where the head is set lower possibly move the surprise diamond down and the head down a little

 

[geckodani]

Upon further reflection:

I originally asked for a low setting, because I''m a klutz and didn''t want to destroy my ring. DH dutifully got my ring made with the head literally buried in the shank, LOL. It was great while I was getting used to wearing it, but I ended up having it raised higher so my band would sit flush.

And to be honest, I bashed the lower setting against the wall just as many times as I have the higher one...

Is she worried about bashing her ring around? If so, as previously mentioned lowering it 2mm isn''t going to make any difference, really. If she just plain doesn''t like high settings, well, then you need to reconsider.

 

[Duke000088]

So many great replies...

My GF works with her hands so she has some concerns about durability, snagging, etc... fairly typical conerns about weaing an e-ring. There is no inherent hatred of ''higher'' settings and there is no profound love of ''lower'' settings. She just wants the setting to be practical for every day wear.

I know she is also a fan of antique-inspired settings which is where I started on this particular design. When I think antique-inspired I don''t usually think "lowest setting ever made"

There was an incident where a friend of hers got engaged and ended up with a ring that had a "very high setting"... ridiculously high I am told. I was warned by my GFs sisters to steer clear of designs like that. I never saw the ring in question but from what I gathered through some sketches it had some kind of awkwardly high head.

I don''t think the design I posted here is trying to be the world''s highest setting. But it probably isn''t trying to be the lowest either.

I''m really hoping to get a sense if 6.8mm in real world height is extra-high?

I am considering nixing the surpirse diamond but I''m also afraid of basterdizing the original design that caught my eye. The CAD designer at Whiteflash cautioned me about lowering the setting because I would be in danger of burying the diamond under too much metal. I tend to agree with him... I''m paying some damn good $$$ for that piece of carbon - I want it to FLASH!

As someone said: This is a tough one.

 

[sklingem]

"The CAD designer at Whiteflash cautioned me about lowering the setting because I would be in danger of burying the diamond under too much metal. I tend to agree with him... I''m paying some damn good $$$ for that piece of carbon - I want it to FLASH!"

That is surprising - because there seems to be a consensus that the setting itself does not affect the light performance of a very well cut diamond (?) Not sure why WF would say that ...

 

[angeline]

Date: 7/25/2008 4:35:17 PM
Author: rob09
'The CAD designer at Whiteflash cautioned me about lowering the setting because I would be in danger of burying the diamond under too much metal. I tend to agree with him... I'm paying some damn good $$$ for that piece of carbon - I want it to FLASH!'


That is surprising - because there seems to be a consensus that the setting itself does not affect the light performance of a very well cut diamond (?) Not sure why WF would say that ...

Maybe they were talking from a design aesthetic not from a performance viwepoint?

I think that design is gorgeous! I wouldn't change it. Surprise diamonds mean it has to sit a little higher. It's still not that high really.

 

[vespergirl]

I think that''s beautiful - I like higher settings, but I wouldn''t consider that one to be "too high."

 

[Isabelle]

I don''t think it is "extraordinarily high" and it''s certainly not low. A cathedral setting is a very high setting by nature. The CADS don''t show your potential ring to be set any higher than a typical cathedral, so it''s not "extraordinarily high" for a cathedral setting. If you don''t like the high set, then I would certainly take the opportunity to change the setting now and go for a non-cathedral setting. You could get a modified version of the ring you selected without the cathedral head. If you like the high-set look, then I would let them make the ring for you, b/c it is very pretty for the setting style that it is.

 

[Tuckins1]

Oh my goodness... I don''t know about the height, but that ring is GORGEOUS!!!