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Setting Help! [Wanting to put my own spin on it!!]

D

diamond_seeker

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 25, 2010
Messages
79
So, i have purchased a stone (link at bottom)....and now it's setting time!! This is where i thought i could really get in touch with my artistic side..and come up with something really beautiful and unique. However, my girlfriend LOVES this particular tacori setting....and I'm thinking, "how in the hell am i supposed to put my own spin on this?" It's a very narrow band that gets more narrow as it approaches the top, pave on the sides, six prongs....very petite type setting...and i don't think there's much room for me to get crazy.

Probably gonna get BGD to customize the setting....so any advice as to how i can spice this up.....put my own spin on it.....go a little nuts, but keep it classic and simple (what she likes)....would be much appreciated.

I'll try and post some pics of the tacori setting....all opinions are much appreciated.

Happy Holidays!

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040399230007

[edit to add: setting will be in white gold]
 
Re: Setting Help! [And I wanting to put my own spin on it!!

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Re: Setting Help! [And I wanting to put my own spin on it!!

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Re: Setting Help! [And I wanting to put my own spin on it!!

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I love custom work and most of my pieces I own are custom. But not everyone appreciates it and Tacori is a designer I wouldn't try to replicate. Personally, I'd get her the Tacori. I have not seen anyone who can replicate the look of the tacori, the extra small melee, the open work without a setting right in front of them. Some people like the brand name.

There are many settings out there that if you said... my lady like that setting I could tell you who to go to for customization, and how I'd customize it. But with that Tacori I would strongly advise you to go with the original. OR ask Tacori to customize for you (they will) because they will do the best job of it. Add a surprise stone in the underside of the shank or some engraving.
 
Maybe get the Tacori and see if they can add a suprise stone inside the band? Your birthstone or something? Maybe do claw prongs? I agree that there doesn't seem to be much room to modify that setting. I love that you want to put your own mark on it, but I wouldn't do that at the expense of giving her the ring of her dreams.
 
my concern is that she loves the look of the setting and is excited to get a "tacori".... so like the others said I would probably get her that setting, maybe you could go "crazy" like yennyfire said and add in surprise stones inside for your birthstones, or get her a nice customized band-eternity with birthstones for her right hand? or as a wedding band? This is a tough situation because I understand where you are coming from with really wanted to add in your own personal touch to the ring you are proposing with- but I have seen far too many friends and PS posts that read "I told him what I liked/wanted and he got me what HE wanted :(" So I would hate to advise you to go against what she stated she likes....
 
I'm going to go with the others on this one and say that if she fell in love with the Tacori - get the Tacori. Like Gypsy said, you can ask Tacori to add a special element if you want, but I wouldn't necessarily try to replicate it.
 
I'm with the others, go with the Tacori - that is a gorgeous setting! Not only do I think it couldn't be successfully replicated but since virtually every element is covered (slender pave tapered shank; ornate basket; 6 prongs), I don't think you could add anything that wouldn't end up being a detraction.

A surprise stone on the inner band is an option but personally I like those in wedding bands so both people have them as a symbol of being paired up for life. Perhaps they could put at the inner bottom of the shank a tiny yellow gold inlay of a teeny heart or some other symbol that is meaningful to you both?
 
First off, you guys are awesome...and give the most amazing advice!! It's much appreciated....and I am so happy to have access to your knowledge and experience in trying to make this ring special.

I know exactly what you are saying about replicating tacori...as some of their designs are extremely detailed and intricate. I thought perhaps this was one of the more simple ones...and could be easier copied. But if you guys say no...then no it is. I'm going to do some searching over on the tacori site...and see what options i have. Will reply back with some more questions a little later.

Thanks everyone. :wavey:
 
I am going to dissent from the previous opinions. Its an easy style to copy and Tacori is somewhat overpriced. However, my main issue is that your stone is large and the Tacori setting is quite high. I think it will be somewhat top heavy and is likely to spin. I would shorten the prongs to lower the stone a bit and then as a "spin on it" so to speak I would have diamonds set into the top of the prongs (tiffany does this with their Important round diamonds in one of a kind mountings)
 
Also, thanks for stopping me from possibly screwing up the setting by trying too hard to make it unique. It's kind of funny...my initial thoughts for this ring were a very unique setting with maybe a big emerald cut diamond as the centerpiece. When i took my girl out to look at stones...she would inevitably find her way to the round brilliants....eyes glazed over...mumbling words like "pretty" and "sparkly" over and over. Ok, i thought, at least i can still make this unique in terms of a custom setting designed by me. But oh well, guess at least she will be getting exactly what she loves.

So few questions:
1) Contacted tacori through their little message box....and requested a phone call. Will they call me back...or am i supposed to go through a tacori retail dealer?
2) If i buy the tacori setting...would it be customary for me to take the setting to BGD and have them set the stone (BGD is holding the stone)? Or am i supposed to bring the stone to tacori?
3) Noticed that yennyfire mentioned claw prongs. I thought this setting was claw prongs...so obviously i'm confused on this.
4) I really like marrymm's idea of a little yellow gold heart inlay at the bottom of the shank. Would that be something tacori would do?
5) I noticed a lot of four prong setting out there. Would anyone suggest that perhaps a four prong would show more of the center stone...or should i stick with the exact specs my girlfriend seemed to like?

Thanks for the help.
 
i have 4 prong and love it!! i find it gives a cushiony shape to my stone- others said same. its all about personal style and taste!

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1 & 2.) I'd suggest giving BGD a call as well - they may be able to source the setting for you and facilitate communication. As for where you send the stone, the warranty on the stone might be voided if it's not set by BGD, so I'd double check on that.
3.) Claw prongs are when the tips of the prongs taper to a point, making them look like claws. The first pic you posted shows blunt prongs.
4.)You never know until you ask.
5.)Most people lean towards either 4 prongs or 6. I think four would make the design look functionally different, and if your gal fell in love with the 6... well... get her what she wants. :wacko: :bigsmile:
 
Hmmmmm, just read bgray's post. I don't even know what "spinning" is. The diamond is up pretty high....is sitting high something that's a typical no-no for 2+ carat stones??
 
diamond_seeker|1293736012|2810036 said:
Hmmmmm, just read bgray's post. I don't even know what "spinning" is. The diamond is up pretty high....is sitting high something that's a typical no-no for 2+ carat stones??
Click to expand...

Spinning happens when the weight of the stone pulls the ring to one side or the other. It happens to just about every solitaire I know of, unless your rings are really snug. Shoot, my .75 lists to the side frequently. IMO, there's no real way around it, unless the ring is set reeeally low, and even though it's probably not completely avoidable. You can definitely request that whoever sets the stone tuck it in there as low as the head allows.

ETA: Even my 3/4 eternity bezel band rotates throughout the day. It's just the nature of a round shape. There are rings with squared off shanks that put some weight at the bottom of the ring that can help minimize spinning too.
 
all rings spin BUT the larger the stone the heavier it is. spinning-- beyond just being annoying can put the stone at more risk for getting banged. 6 prongs protects the girdle more for what its worth.
 
Ok, yeah..it does seem like spinning could become quite annoying!

Just received an automated email reply back from tacori...saying that their response time to individual questions is up to two weeks. :shock:
 
I would either call them or contact a jeweler that carries the line and let them be your go between.

As for the prongs, I would definitely ask about refining them a bit - I think the blunt prongs add to a smaller stone but with one your size I think they could be a detriment. She loves the ring but doubt that she would be disappointed if the prongs were made a bit smaller and narrower and claw shaped.

You are a gem to want to make this ring ultra special for her and I hope she appreciates you for that - I'm sure she does. However, in this case it is probably best to get her exactly what she wants - you'll both be happier in the long run. We all know what we like but we're not all artistic enough to design beautiful jewelry!
 
MissGotRocks...as far as the prongs...what exactly are you suggesting i do? I should ask for more narrow prongs? And smaller..as in "not as high"? And would everyone suggest i go "claw" instead of "blunt"?? [Or would smaller and more narrow blunt prongs work just as well?]

Guess I could go the route below for starters. Anyone with any experience with tacori concierge?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to receive a personal, one-on-one jewelry consultation with a highly qualified expert, so we created Tacori Concierge.

Expertise
For a twenty-five dollar *deposit, you secure up to a full hour speaking directly with a Tacori-certified expert Concierge. *This Deposit is fully redeemable toward any Tacori purchase at any authorized Tacori retailer, for up to one year from the date of the consultation.

Convenience
Your Tacori Concierge will telephone you within 24 hours, Monday through Friday, from the time of booking your consultation online. At your convenience, our certified expert will schedule a time and date to discuss and answer all of your questions, so you have the honest and detailed information you need to find your perfect Tacori design.
 
bgray|1293737374|2810073 said:
all rings spin BUT the larger the stone the heavier it is. spinning-- beyond just being annoying can put the stone at more risk for getting banged. 6 prongs protects the girdle more for what its worth.
Click to expand...

I think the only thing "spinning" at this point is my head! :D But i do have some time to get all these details worked out..and really appreciate all the great feedback.
 
bgray|1293733740|2809980 said:
I am going to dissent from the previous opinions. Its an easy style to copy and Tacori is somewhat overpriced. However, my main issue is that your stone is large and the Tacori setting is quite high. I think it will be somewhat top heavy and is likely to spin. I would shorten the prongs to lower the stone a bit and then as a "spin on it" so to speak I would have diamonds set into the top of the prongs (tiffany does this with their Important round diamonds in one of a kind mountings)
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I agree with bgray. I'd get a quote from BGD to make a similar setting and either add diamonds to the prongs (which I like) or change them to claw prongs (which I like as well). You could also add both your and your GF's birthstones on the inside as a nice touch. :)
 
I'm going to disagree. I love working with BGD, and have on two custom projects, but I don't think it's going to be a good idea. The time BGD will have to invest in making something look like a Tacori ring (and they would need to go out and look at the actual ring in question, becaues the web pics are misleading on that setting. YOU must see it in real life.) will bump up the custom costs... custom will not save you much money at all. And your ladys WANTS THE TACORI, and you can get it, so get what she wants.

Tacori HAPPILY customizes. When I was looking for a setting I looked at a few from them and any change I wanted was an "Yes!"... so I would just go through them. Can't emphasize this enough.

Look the purpose of giving someone a gift is so that they will be happy right? Get her what she wants. What will make her the HAPPIEST is knowing you listened to her and spent the time and effort to make sure you gave her something that is exactly what she wants. Not a copy of what she wants. But exactly what she wants.
 
Gypsy|1293753691|2810377 said:
I'm going to disagree. I love working with BGD, and have on two custom projects, but I don't think it's going to be a good idea. The time BGD will have to invest in making something look like a Tacori ring (and they would need to go out and look at the actual ring in question, becaues the web pics are misleading on that setting. YOU must see it in real life.) will bump up the custom costs... custom will not save you much money at all. And your ladys WANTS THE TACORI, and you can get it, so get what she wants.

Tacori HAPPILY customizes. When I was looking for a setting I looked at a few from them and any change I wanted was an "Yes!"... so I would just go through them. Can't emphasize this enough.

Look the purpose of giving someone a gift is so that they will be happy right? Get her what she wants. What will make her the HAPPIEST is knowing you listened to her and spent the time and effort to make sure you gave her something that is exactly what she wants. Not a copy of what she wants. But exactly what she wants.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, well this post makes me change my mind.

Here's why:

1. As Gypsy has WAY more experience than I with the custom route, I'd trust her opinion that going that way will not save you any $. Also, what if it's not close enough and she's sad because it's a bit different?

2. I didn't know Tacori customizes- that's great! :appl: Problem solved! Now just how to customize? I still think adding your birthstones to the inside is very sweet.

3. I do have to say that my DH not only did not get me the setting I wanted (I didn't have a specific setting picked out- but gave a very detailed description) and in fact, everything about the setting he chose was almost a complete opposite of what I wanted! He really tried but the jeweler talked him into something "better". Anyways, I was REALLY REALLY bummed about that when I saw the ring. Of course I was elated to be engaged but I was a bit bummed with the ring- just because what the jeweler talked him into was SO not my taste or what I wanted. DH could tell I wasn't over the moon for the ring and I know that made him sad too. :(( Luckily for me 2 melee fell out and we eneded up returning it and getting a setting I adored. So, I change my vote! If that's what she wants get it!! :D
 
Yeah, I trust Gypsy's opinion very much as well. Will still definitely see what Brian and Lesley think. I feel they will definitely give honest and quality feedback on what they feel can be accomplished via a custom piece. But looks like it's gonna be the tacori.

Gypsy...when you were working with tacori....was it with them directly or did you go through an authorized b&m store?

Thanks!
 
what size stone was in the tacori your GF tried on? i dont mean to harp on this but a setting with a .65 stone may seem much different than a setting with a 2 carat stone. Brian made my ring to my specs--I would trust his input as well.
 
diamond_seeker|1293767771|2810620 said:
Yeah, I trust Gypsy's opinion very much as well. Will still definitely see what Brian and Lesley think. I feel they will definitely give honest and quality feedback on what they feel can be accomplished via a custom piece. But looks like it's gonna be the tacori.

Gypsy...when you were working with tacori....was it with them directly or did you go through an authorized b&m store?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
The authorized dealer of tacori.

Thanks for the confidence guys. 8)
 
I have worked with the Tacori concierge and they are wonderful. They will go over every detail with you and answer all of your questions happily. I think it is $25 dollars but well worth it for the the time they spend with you. Also, they will do CADS of your design with multiple angles if you want to know exactly what it will look like. This is $500, but it goes towards your purchase if you order the ring.

Good luck, can't wait to see what you end up with.
 
bgray|1293823899|2811062 said:
what size stone was in the tacori your GF tried on? i dont mean to harp on this but a setting with a .65 stone may seem much different than a setting with a 2 carat stone. Brian made my ring to my specs--I would trust his input as well.
Click to expand...

Not harping bgray....I appreciate the feedback and i understand where you're coming from. The stone she saw in the setting was a 2.2 carat cz...almost identical size to the one i bought from Brian. By the way, did bgd copy a designer setting for you...or did you come up with an original setting idea?
 
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