Settings (what, where, and why)

[imprezive]

I've been doing my research. I've searched around this site plenty and have been so thankful for all the resources here. I'm planning to make my purchase within the next two months. I'm very excited to absolutely blow my girlfriend away. (She is so wonderfully humble and I've been subtly and slyly telling her how broke I am, so she has very low expectations, but at the same time I've been using her best friend to gather info on her taste)

Anyways... on the the topic at hand. Through my research I've feel I've found enough info on how to get a good deal on a diamond. I'll probably purchase through bluenile or jamesallen, but I've been checking out ebay and a few other places. I have not; however, been able to find much info or at least info specific to my needs in the way of settings.

The Questions:

How can I save money on settings without sacrificing value? (where to look, best place for customs, things to ask/look for when choosing a jeweler)

If I purchase the diamond separately how/where should I get it insured/warrantied and/or mounted?

If I find a diamond, then find a setting from a private seller, what steps do I need to take to have it mounted properly and how can I tell if the setting will accommodate the diamond without major alterations?

I understand that the way the setting/prongs are designed has an impact on the way the diamond shines, but I do not understand how to tell the difference or what is the "best" way?

In case it is relevant, my total budget is $5000. I've been looking at ideal cut round stones F/G/H, VS1/VVS2, with excellent polish and symmetry. Right now been finding stones around 0.8 - 0.83, but hoping that by being a smart shopper I can get closer to 0.9.

When her best friend "made" her look at rings she really liked this setting (and a few others, but this was her favorite so far)
http://www.wherearizonagetsengaged.com/public/users/8002/products/1242155705.M1172RD10PP_QR.jpg

I'm hoping to find something of very similar design. (It goes for about $2000 from Scott Kay, but I would hope that through some smart shopping I can find something very similar closer to $1000)

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Chase

 

[imprezive]

Here''s the pic of the setting she likes to save some cut/past time.

 

[mrssalvo]

Pearlmans carries Scott Kay. I would call or email them for a quote on the setting and tell them you are a pricescoper. they do cover a diamond purchased elsewhere if you are buying a setting from them. You may check with them on a diamond as well though b/c many times you can get better pricing buying a stone and setting from the same place.

 

[imprezive]

Pearlman's website had that setting at $3800k, but I'm assuming that was in platimum. Either way... Ouch! ( No price given for WG)

 

[RaiKai]

Is she totally set on that setting, or just something similar?

You might want to take a look on Art Carved. I find them to be an incredibly great value.

They have some similar styles like the following, and you can usually order them through many online places for very very reasonable prices(if they don't have the specific model listed, they can order it in - Quest Jewelers, Seaofdiamonds both carry ArtCarved). You can get them in gold, palladium, platinum.

 

[D&T]

Do you like any of these?

http://www.uniquesettings.com/product/view/23560

http://www.uniquesettings.com/product/view/12996

http://www.uniquesettings.com/product/view/22031

http://www.uniquesettings.com/product/view/2871

http://www.uniquesettings.com/product/view/13608

many jewelers can order from uniquesettings so ask them what it would cost in wg.

If you are very interested in the Scott Kay setting, go to Jareds and you can actually see the ring in person (if you have a Jared's nearby)

 

[RaiKai]

I am only posting a couple with the split shank as in your original post, but they have many others that are lovely as well and have the surprise diamonds, etc:

 

[RaiKai]

This is actually one of my faves from ArtCarved though it does not have the split shank it does have the surprise diamond and nice detailing. I had considered it for my new wedding set and so I priced it out not that long ago and had quotes anywhere from $729-1000 for palladium or 14k white gold (they use a palladium alloy in their white gold, not nickel) so it pays to shop around. I found the best prices were on Seaofdiamonds and Days Jewelers (who had great ongoing customer service policies for lifetime cleaning/polishing, etc).

The Artcarved rings are also under a manufacturer warranty that is pretty great, you can find info on it on their site and the dealer sites.

They also have a matching pave band for it (as they do for all their settings):

 

[yssie]

How can I save money on settings without sacrificing value? (where to look, best place for customs, things to ask/look for when choosing a jeweler)

If I purchase the diamond separately how/where should I get it insured/warrantied and/or mounted?

If I find a diamond, then find a setting from a private seller, what steps do I need to take to have it mounted properly and how can I tell if the setting will accommodate the diamond without major alterations?

I understand that the way the setting/prongs are designed has an impact on the way the diamond shines, but I do not understand how to tell the difference or what is the ''best'' way?

1. when you buy branded settings you''re paying for the name in addition to the setting itself. Unless she wants a specific setting by a specific designer, a custom "inspired by" is likely to be cheaper. You can also save in metal choice..depending on what the designer/your custom bench works with, different alloys of gold/palladium/plat may better suit your wants at different pricepoints.

2. get the loose stone insured before setting if the vendor selling the setting is not the same as the vendor you bought the diamond from (if you buy from the same place usually that vendor will take responsibility for any ''oopses'', which is actually a big reason to try to use the same vendor if possible. I believe JM will insure loose stones for setting and shipping.

3. if you find a premade setting, the vendor/designer/appraiser will tell you the dimensions of stone that it''s designed to fit. Depending on the setting itself these margins can be surprisingly slim, so it''s definitely something to watch out for! If going custom this is obviously not a concern, and often designers do make the setting specifically for the stone, so it may well not be an issue unless it''s a private sale.

4. there is no "best way"

if you have an ideal cut diamond. If you have a steep/deep/leaky diamond it will benefit from a setting that exposes as much of the pavilion as possible. If you have an ideal diamond though light comes in at the top and goes out through the top (well, of course a bezel or halo will obstruct some light since no diamond spits absolutely everything back out, but for the purposes of real life, physical discussion the loss is negligible) so the setting is completely up to your preferences

 

[imprezive]

I haven''t thoroughly read all the replies yet, but to clarify a point. She doesn''t have her heart set on a specific setting. She generally likes splint shank with the little sidestones (my lingo is still a little rough), she just REALLY liked the bow tie look. She even liked this one a lot, which has the same idea, but presented differently.

 

[imprezive]

Date: 3/16/2010 5:24:58 PM
Author: D&T
Do you like any of these?

1) http://www.uniquesettings.com/product/view/23560


2) http://www.uniquesettings.com/product/view/12996


3) http://www.uniquesettings.com/product/view/22031


4) http://www.uniquesettings.com/product/view/2871


5) http://www.uniquesettings.com/product/view/13608


many jewelers can order from uniquesettings so ask them what it would cost in wg.


If you are very interested in the Scott Kay setting, go to Jareds and you can actually see the ring in person (if you have a Jared''s nearby)

Her friend took her to Jareds and made her look while she was getting her ring polished. That''s where she saw it.

She also liked this ring if it didn''t have the "big" side stones.

Her friend has done an excellent job at explaining her tastes to me.

1) She likes "recessed" side stones and only the little side stones.
2) Same problem and doesn''t like the side stones to go down to far on the sides for comfort.
3) Would probably like a lot if it wasn''t 3 sided
4) Would like if didn''t have the "big" side stones.
5) Prefers a "plain" band

Hope that helps.

I''m looking for a lot of help finding a setting in a general sense, but I''m loving all the specific help too

 

[D&T]

Date: 3/16/2010 6:15:39 PM
Author: imprezive
I haven't thoroughly read all the replies yet, but to clarify a point. She doesn't have her heart set on a specific setting. She generally likes splint shank with the little sidestones (my lingo is still a little rough), she just REALLY liked the bow tie look. She even liked this one a lot, which has the same idea, but presented differently.

ahhh I see, she likes the feel of a tapered or pinched in shank towards the head. There's lots out there, take your time and browse through some of the sites and links that were mentioned. Many local jeweler will carry them, you could just browse around there, I usually like to go to Jareds to try on settings for fun to see what looks good on. Sometimes what looks perfect on screen looks totally different on your finger and vice versa, sometimes you might even surprise yourself or your girlfriend when you put a ring and you thought you loved one thing but it looks different on the finger

ETA: looks like you're getting a lot of help from her friends

 

[imprezive]

Date: 3/16/2010 5:26:00 PM
Author: RaiKai
I am only posting a couple with the split shank as in your original post, but they have many others that are lovely as well and have the surprise diamonds, etc:

I like, and she would like this one a lot as well. I''ll investigate further

 

[imprezive]

Am I allowed bump on this forum?