Setting identification / advice

[ea]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to get an e-ring in the next few weeks and have been trying to soak in all the wonderful information on ps! I'm getting more knowledgeable on the diamond end (will probably ask some specific diamond questions in the coming weeks), and as I dig deeper into settings, have realized that the setting topic is its own beast (info is much harder to find and has more contradictory views than diamonds).

For the setting, I am planning to go with 900 plantinum 100 iridium (seems to be the best balance of things). I don't know the exact design yet, but have an inkling based on visiting a handful of stores and looking at the online (wf, bgd, etc.) offerings with my gf.

That being said, I was wondering if people could help in my research / planning with insight / advice on the following:
- how much extra do custom settings typically cost through wf, bgd, etc.? I have a rough budget in my head for the diamond, and the final setting price probably would take up a healthy percentage of the final ring cost when I use the online plantinum settings prices, then picture adding in extra cost for upgrading from the default 950 plantinum 50 iridium + customization cost
- the setting I have a rough image of is one that we saw in a store, but I have a hard time remembering the exact specifics. The closest I can gather is:
- solitaire setting
- ring portion is rounded (not as squarish as other rings) and tapers in toward the diamond. I think it is similar to the ring construction of this: http://www.mwmjewelry.com/Petite_SunBurst_0.97ct._D-IF_sz5_/index.html
- the head is medium rising (not super low and not really high in some cathedrals) and there are shoulders from the ring to the head. The head "cage" doesn't obstruct the diamond side view by a large amount. Exact head style is fuzzy, but something like this is probably ok: http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/legato-sleek-line-solitaire-engagement-ring-729.htm
- there is a groove on the ring starting from where the shoulder meets the head to maybe 135 degrees and 225 degrees (ie. The back of the ring does not have the groove). So the groove is present maybe around 80 percent around the ring and is centered in the band (equal distance to edges). The groove is pretty narrow and not deep. Something like the following: http://www.perfectring.ie/Wedding-Rings-for-him/Diamant_-_Dublin_Jeweller_-_Wedding_ring_with_a_single_straight_groove_from_Diamant_in_Dublin-1791.aspx

Does anyone know or have seen a similar style and can point me to it for reference? Are there any comments to the design info above? Ideally I would love to go the customization route, but as mentioned I don't want to put a disproportionate cost on the setting vs diamond.

The groove is the most important customization piece IMHO, so if I were to request a modification to, as an example, the wf legato style, would that still be quite a price jump (would a CAD be needed?)?

Thanks!

 

[distracts]

The "shoulders" from the ring to the head are called a cathedral.

I would certainly ask WF if they can customize the Legato to have a groove thing in it... since it's a customization of an existing CAD design, even if they have to make a CAD for it, it should still be less expensive than a completely custom design. I would think.

Although, a question - is the groove just kind of like an engraved line, as in the example pic, or are the two halves of the ring shank each slightly rounded, like two hills with a valley in the middle, then merging into one hill toward the back? (I am sorry my metaphor is so silly lol)

 

[TC1987]

I don't recognize that setting. It sounds like something in a contemporary style. I recommend being sure that is what she wants.

Also, it takes usually 4-8 weeks to get a customized ring made, and this is one of the busiest time of the year for jewelers, with all of the weddings and anniversaries. You need to take that into consideration if you have a deadline.

 

[ea]

Thanks for the replies distracts and TC1987!

We visited another store within the same jewelry chain and saw the ring again (too bad they don't have it on the web-site though). I put in extra effort to try to get a mental picture of the ring and it actually compares more closely to the wf legato than I originally thought. It really is just the groove that would really make the legato have the desired look/effect.

The groove is just an engraved line (not smoothly contoured like a hill/valley. Good metaphor btw distracts!). Looking at the ring more, I think the reason why we both are drawn to the ring so much is because the groove "catches" and "leads" ones eyes to the diamond centerpiece, while keeping inline with the simple/elegant design of the ring style. I will definitely re-confirm with my gf on it as it is sort of different than most other rings.

I asked wf about the possibility/cost/time of the customization, so hopefully it'll be a favourable response. If not, if I go with wf in the end, the base legato is still very good.