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She likes Stuart Moore settings. Any other companies to eye?

EverDiamond

EverDiamond

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 9, 2014
Messages
49
It's my first time back since she said "si" to my proposal in Rome over the holidays. Thanks again for helping find the perfect diamond. She loved it, and I'm looking forward to sharing photos when it's complete (it's currently in a temp setting).

We'll be choosing her setting together, and we spent the weekend trying on all the classics. She's pretty sold on a Stuart Moore style of contemporary setting, particularly the Anteris in Platinum. http://www.stuartmoore.com/url/product:30-05-130

I'm fine with the premium price tag. I like that they have a store here in San Francisco, they were a pleasure to work with, and I appreciate the craft in general. That said, are there any other comparable outfits that we should consider? I've Google'd "contemporary engagement rings" and went through the results, mainly Tacori, Ritani, H. Levi and even James Allen.

Thanks!
 
Re: She likes Stuart Moore settings. Any other companies to

I love Stuart Moore and the designers he carries. In fact, my wedding band is from Henrich and Denzel. But this particular one, at least from that pics angle, doesn't have the typical Stuart Moore feel.
Any other pics of this ring?

Also, back when I was looking at settings, you had to buy a diamond from them if you wanted one of their settings. They wouldn't set outside stones unless they were heirlooms. At least not in the NYC store.
This was back in 2008 so guessing that changed?

Here's a list of some of the best contemporary designers. It's off their site :)

http://www.stuartmoore.com/url/designersite
 
Re: She likes Stuart Moore settings. Any other companies to

Thank Elle_Chris.

Regarding other angles, I agree that the photo doesn't really do it justice. It uses their typical square'ish shank. It's pretty wide, maybe 3mm and square. It has a pronounced cathedral profile, and the stone sits up pretty high. We tried one with a brushed top with polished side, and it looked great next to a thin matching wedding band with channel set RBD's.

Click here and select "Anteris" and some of the other options have better photos. http://www.stuartmoore.com/url/engagementsite

FWIW her center stone is a 1.78 EC. And regarding their policy, it sounds like they became a little more flexible as they'll now do it for a (pretty significant) fee.
 
Re: She likes Stuart Moore settings. Any other companies to

I think I would rather have a talented CAD designer make a similar ring and avoid that ridiculous price for a relatively simple ring. Brian Gavin Diamonds has a great rep for very detail oriented work and talented CAD design.
 
Re: She likes Stuart Moore settings. Any other companies to

One of the reasons for their prices is because their rings are not cast, they're cold forged.

My wedding band is also cold forged and it's something I appreciate and didn't mind paying more for.
 
Re: She likes Stuart Moore settings. Any other companies to

EverDiamond|1420420769|3811839 said:
Thank Elle_Chris.

Regarding other angles, I agree that the photo doesn't really do it justice. It uses their typical square'ish shank. It's pretty wide, maybe 3mm and square. It has a pronounced cathedral profile, and the stone sits up pretty high. We tried one with a brushed top with polished side, and it looked great next to a thin matching wedding band with channel set RBD's.

Click here and select "Anteris" and some of the other options have better photos. http://www.stuartmoore.com/url/engagementsite

FWIW her center stone is a 1.78 EC. And regarding their policy, it sounds like they became a little more flexible as they'll now do it for a (pretty significant) fee.
Click to expand...


Glad to hear they'll do it. The pics still don't do it justice, but I remember trying on the larger version and thinking it was too bulky on me. This version is going to be perfect.
 
Re: She likes Stuart Moore settings. Any other companies to

I think those are very high quality. Do you know what it is about that designer she likes? Is it the quality? Or does she just like a particular design by them?

Victor Canera or Steven Kirsch can make a handforged cathedral four prong solitiare as nice or nicer with equal quality for you.



If you are in the SF bay area, you can also browse Joe Escobar in Campbell.
 
Re: She likes Stuart Moore settings. Any other companies to

That's perfect, thanks all. We'll weigh the pros/cons of CAD and check out those other designers as well.

To answer Gypsy's question, I'd say that my fiance is more or less choosing based on look. I'm sure she enjoyed the nice retail experience at Stuart Moore. But in the end, their rings brought the biggest smile to her face after a day of trying on things like Tacori, Cartier, etc.

On the other side of the coin is my own opinions. I'm yet to mention it here, but I worked at Tiffany & Co for about three years, and when I was younger spent a few years casting and fabricating jewelry as a hobby. These experiences have taught me a lot of things: to appreciate high-end design, the artistry involved, and the value of local customer service - all of which I'm comfortable paying a premium for. But also that in the end, "metal is metal," so how much of a premium I'm OK paying is TBD.

I think Stuart Moore wanted around $4,500 for the band in platinum (no diamonds, mind you). It wasn't one of their very-thick models, but I'd say the band is a healthy 3.5mm wide. So I figure that's about a $2k premium? And that's before the significant cost to mount an out-of-store stone.

Another thing I've learned from my time in the industry is that these are emotional purchases. I love a deal, but this is a once in a lifetime purchase, so I'm not going to penny pinch over details since I want her to get exactly what she wants. I just want to be realistic is all. That said, the Stuart Moore is the top contender, but it's enough of a premium to warrant coming here to eye a few backup options first.
 
Re: She likes Stuart Moore settings. Any other companies to

I am so jealous. I LOVE Stuart Moore. :love: :love: Have you also looked at Mark Patterson and Sholdt? Both have modern style rings, however not the square/flat/cushion shank (I can't remember what they call the shape of their rings). One thing to note, that shape will not spin on her finger. My mom has one and absolutely loves it because she has slightly bigger knuckles and it stays in place whereas her previous ring would spin like crazy. Congrats on your engagement!
 
Re: She likes Stuart Moore settings. Any other companies to

Maevona has some nice styles to check out.
 
Re: She likes Stuart Moore settings. Any other companies to

All great suggestions. I agree Maevona rings are drool worthy
 
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