Setting my Asscher

[piccolascimmia]

Hi all,

Thanks for the help so far (and sorry for the long thread below), now I'm a bit paralyzed between 2 types of settings for the 1.29 asscher my fabulous bf just bought yesterday (see here). Its going to the appraiser, but I'll post more photos when (if) he lets me see it next.

In the meantime, I'm driving myself crazy between 2 types of setting for the ring. I've tried to map out my thoughts/questions below and would love to hear others feedback on your experience with any of these settings.

1) Cartier Reproduction Style
Winfield's example i like best, but can't imagine what type of band would look good - I like matchy-matchy I emailed Wink to find out what they can do. Winfield link
2nd best, and I'd ask WF to figure out how to modify the ring to allow a custom flush band WF link
3rd best (I'd do this in a heartbeat, since it has both ring and band, but I wouldnt feel comfortable wearing the band alone because of the feature to have the rings fit flush): BTD link

2) 1/2 - 3/4 eternity set
SP option 1 - do they have a matching band? and can they do claw prongs? Signed Pieces 1
Or this option if they can do claw prongs and could make it slightly thinner than 3.3? SP 2 Link
For this WF piece, I've contacted them to find out the cost to modify it to be 3/4, with claw prongs - but what's up with the 'hollow' look under the ring? I will ask when I talk to WF tomorrow WF Pave
And finally, i've also asked them the same as above for this one - 3/4, claw prongs WF Eternity

I think I have a pretty good idea of what I like (claw prongs, flush fit/matching diamond band), but just cant seem to figure out which one is 'the one'. And I'm slightly torn between the delicacy of pave, and getting something stronger on the band - channel or shared prong set.

Help!

TIA,

Marylee

 

[strmrdr]

I like the one from wink the best of the ones ya posted.

pearlmans would be another good place to check.

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/

 

[piccolascimmia]

Thanks strmrdr - pearlmans has so many options! I''ll have to dig through those.

I''ve gotten replies from Wink - and we''re trying to see if there''s a way to make a band that''s not weird on its own that could be worn with it. I still think that''s my favorite...but it seems like this is what i went through buying a house...I like that house, but not that lot. I like that kitchen, with the other house''s layout. I just cant seem to find one that has it all!

But, I have a lot of good leads, now I just need to run them all down. Anyone with an opinion on what kind of band would look best with the Winfield''s/Wink''s example? I just dont want it to be too curvy and look odd on its own, but would love to find something that sits kinda flush.

M

 

[yault]

Hi piccolascimmia!

Any updates on who you''re going to go with?

I''m currently shopping for Asschers and my girlfriend''s taste in settings likes VERY similar to yours. I''ll most likely be following closely behind in your footsteps, so any insight and information you''ve gathered along the way would really help!

Thanks and good luck!

 

[piccolascimmia]

Hi A_Guy!

I''m almost done (I hope) here''s where I''m at now:

1) I tried on shared prong eternity bands and decided that I love them. I have a quote from WF to modify their diamonds for an eternity ring and band to 3/4 and to have claw double prongs on it. I know that I''d like this, and its within budget.

2) I still love the cartier-style ring, but the Wink''s option wouldnt allow for a somewhat flush (straight) band to be worn with it, and their $ quote was quite a bit higher for a curved band with the ring. So I''ve also got a quote from WF on the ring they''ve made before for TxBlonde. WF can modify that ring slightly and create a flush (straight) band for it. This was my original #1, but now it might be at #3. Its also within budget.

3) We went looking Saturday and found a GORGEOUS Saturn Jewels ring that I can''t find a photo of. It has claw prongs, 1/2 down 3 sided pave on the shank and nice bonus diamond scrollwork under the square basket head. Its sooo pretty, and a bit more delicate looking than what I was going for...but it still fits my general ring profile. They didn''t have a matching band at the store, so I''ve emailed Saturn Jewels for more info about the ring. Its also my BF''s favorite (with TxBlonde''s being #2). Its a bit pricier than both options above.

I want to decide by the end of this week which is #1 on the list. Since I found another ring this weekend, I''m thinking I might try to swing other jewelers after work just to make sure there''s not more.... I''m also trying not to focus so much on budget, but the WF options are definitely more economical than the Saturn we found this weekend. I feel so guilty for finding a ring almost 2x more than the other options! But BF tells me to get what I like even if its more, since I will wear it forever going fwd.

AARGH! What a difficult life I have right now, choosing between 3 gorgeous rings! (just kidding of course)

Any advice? I think I have analysis paralysis!

 

[piccolascimmia]

I just ran to another jeweler up the street who carries Saturn, and saw the ring again. GORGEOUS! I think I''ve made my choice. Its more unique, slightly fancy but not overdone, and still well within the idea of what I thought the ring would look like. The one detail I forgot is that it has melee along the side of the basket, just below the claw prongs. They also carried the matching band which looked FABULOUS, so now its just a question of price.

Ok, since the exact setting is carried by 2 local jewelers...any advice on how to discuss pricing? Is it fair to bounce it off both of them to see if either can make a better deal? Negotiating expensive jewelery sounds so odd, but since I''m over budget, I figured I have to try!

I''ll post photos once I have them