Setting too flimsy? Help!

[OrangeFlwr3]

Hi everyone...I've lurked around Pricescope for awhile, but never posted until now. My boyfriend has asked me to find a setting I like for an e-ring. Our budget is smaller (we're both about to go to grad school) at $1600 max. I know I can find a great RB diamond for around $1300-$1400 and put it in a simple solitaire setting, but I came across Danforth Diamond and started to rethink things. I have a preference for whiter metals, but was hesitant to get anything with engraving on white gold for fear it would just wear away (my parents have 18k bands and the engraved design has all but disappeared). Platinum is pretty much out of the price range, at least in the fancier designs (*sigh* Van Craeynest! - someday!), but palladium seems to be workable, such as with these styles:

Palladium Engraved Engagement Ring with Round Diamonds (.09 ct. tw.)

Palladium 3 mm Art Deco Style Solitaire Engagement Ring

Palladium Engraved Woman's Engagement Ring with Channel Set Diamond Side Stones (1/5 ct. tw.)

Palladium Engraved Woman's Engagement Ring with Side Stones (1/3 ct. tw.)

Palladium 2.7 mm Art Deco Style Cathedral Solitaire Engagement Ring

A lot of really beautiful options, right? My worry, however, is that these settings are really flimsy. Or that the diamonds set with them are awful-looking. Or that the prongs are goofy-looking. Or something. A couple of other folks have bought from Danforth and seem to be pleased, however:

Great experience with Danforth Diamond (palladium setting)

and

A warning to would-be ring hunters...

But I'm looking at the engraving in the second one and it seems...unfinished-looking? I can't tell. Maybe it's just the picture. This company doesn't have a B&M store, and although I'm pretty well-versed on what I need to do to get a good diamond, on this I'm stuck. If I can't verify that these settings are well-made, I'm sure I'll end up with just a plain cathedral setting of some nature...but that seems silly to do right away when I might be able to spend just a little bit more and get a jazzed up setting and my 1/2 ct (approximately) diamond. Any advice?

 

[neatfreak]

Well...you get what you pay for. Will this be a forever setting? Or a just for now setting? And are you anal about craftsmanship?

I highly doubt the craftsmanship on these rings will be great, which might be fine for some people but will greatly annoy others...will Danforth possibly send you out a setting to look at in person before you buy? A good vendor should be willing to do that and it would give you a good idea of whether the setting is nice enough or not.

 

[OrangeFlwr3]

That''s a great idea...I didn''t even think of requesting a sample palladium setting. I do know that they don''t stock them and instead make them to order, but they surely must have samples of their settings hanging around. Thanks!

 

[geckodani]

I have a palladium knife edge band from them and I love it! I can''t speak for the quality of the settings, but the band is great. Just to be on the safe side, perhaps go with one of the engraved settings (I love the Art Deco one!) since they diamond melee may be hit or miss?

Here''s the thread on my band, if you''re interested: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-little-palladium-knife-edge-band-has-arrived.97690/

 

[ceaphron]

The first "testimonial" thread you linked to was mine

I was very pleased with the workmanship of my setting. I compared it to others in local B&M stores and it was much nicer than stuff that cost twice as much. I''ve only had mine for a few months, but I''m pretty hard on my jewelry and it''s still gorgeous.

BTW, Whiteflash can make their settings in palladium as well. I thought about going with one of their settings, but opted for a Danforth setting and got a larger stone instead.

 

[OrangeFlwr3]

geckodani - All hail nerd girls, lol. Man do I LOVE Star Trek. And star sapphires - I have a beautiful necklace my boyfriend bought for my birthday this past year. I do think it might be safer to stick with a ring without the diamonds in it, however much I like them. It gives us more to put into the diamond itself, at any rate. Thanks for the link...has the band been holding up well in terms of scratches and such?

ceaphron - thanks for replying. I love your ring! I really like "cathedral" settings. I''m glad you mentioned that you compared it to B&M stuff because I really have no way (except trying to get a sample of their work or ordering and then returning a setting) of doing so. It''s really reassuring to hear directly from someone who liked her ring!

 

[geckodani]

Date: 1/6/2009 2:41:23 AM
Author: OrangeFlwr3
geckodani - All hail nerd girls, lol. Man do I LOVE Star Trek. And star sapphires - I have a beautiful necklace my boyfriend bought for my birthday this past year. I do think it might be safer to stick with a ring without the diamonds in it, however much I like them. It gives us more to put into the diamond itself, at any rate. Thanks for the link...has the band been holding up well in terms of scratches and such?

ceaphron - thanks for replying. I love your ring! I really like ''cathedral'' settings. I''m glad you mentioned that you compared it to B&M stuff because I really have no way (except trying to get a sample of their work or ordering and then returning a setting) of doing so. It''s really reassuring to hear directly from someone who liked her ring!

Sorry this reply is massively belated, but another thread reminded me of this one! The band is holding up well, although I don''t wear it everyday anymore. I did for almost 2 months, and it accumulated a few scratches, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Live long, and prosper.