So Close I Can Taste It

[DaniGirl]

This setting thing sure ain''t easy & I really need some PS opinions to help me make a decision. I don''t want to make the wrong choice and regret it later. Here''s the deal: we already picked a stone from GOG and looked at some of their settings. It was fun trying on the styles seen here on PS and seeing how they actually looked on my own hand. I really love the look of shared prong rings, and we actually found one that was just stunning on my finger & with our stone. The price is right and I am psyched, they even have a band to go with it! This particular ring is made by Ajour, who would do the casting and then send it on to GOG to set the stones. Case closed, right?? -Well no, I''ve reconsidered, and here''s why. The only thing I wish I could change on the above is the head. I really love a more swoopy, flowing head like LynnB''s. This one is just basic.

I also LOVE the Locke''s setting and the look of a solitaire with a shared prong 3/4 eternity band. In fact, i''m liking it more and more. During the engagement with the ering alone I think I''d prefer my GOG style, but once the wband is with it then it becomes more blingy. The Locke''s ering alone is more plain and simple, but with the wband is absolutely gorgeous. I also think the Locke''s would be better quality, less upkeep, more comfortable, more durable and more unique than the GOG.

So here I am, unable to decide which route to take, and calling on you to give me some direction. I LOVE Locke''s, but it causes us to do a lot more. I''d have to find a wband that would go with it & I''m nervous that I''d pick the wrong one, get the stone insured and possibly appraised before sending it out, and just hope that the final product works and looks great. With GOG it''s easy, they take care of everything and send me the finished product. I''m worried about the quality of the ring in general though, if I''ll hate the prong tips and/or head, or if this particular set will have rubbing issues to contend with. Even if it comes out beautiful, I wonder if I''ll regret it and always wish I had the swoopy head instead.

I need some guidance here so please chime in so I can make a decision and get this show on the road. We are so ready to be engaged and I am so close to finding my ring I can taste it!

 

[strmrdr]

Have you considered the custom route?
Jon has a designer available that I hear does great work.
Give it your own twist and have it made the exact way you want it.

 

[mrssalvo]

oh boy, do I understand how hard it is to pick a setting. I agree that custom might be a good option for you since you liked the look of the shared prong rings on your hand, just not the head. The lockes is nice too but I''d worry about scratching it up if you plan to wear a shared prong wedding band with it more so that the shared prong rings scratching each other. Both are beautiful, classic sets though and will be a tough choice.

 

[Lynn B]

Awwww... I am honored that you like the head style on my ring. Thank you! I ADORE it, too.

Well, here's a few things I am thinking. First of all, there ARE shared prong rings out there that do not have diamond "overhang" and would be perfectly safe to wear with a solitaire (such as the Lockes). I know because my first set was like that - made by WF, and I never had ANY issues with girdle rub/abrasion. And FWIW, I think that is a GORGEOUS, classic, timeless look (solitaire e-ring with S/P w-ring).

Second, I know exactly what you mean about the head/prongs! That is one major complaint I have about so many e-ring designs... all this thought and apparently goes into the (beautiful) SHANK, but the head just seems to get overlooked. Those "stock" heads with those blocky, chunky prongs are SO unattractive to me, too.

BUT -- one more thing - it IS possible for a jeweler to modify and re-work those standard heads/prongs to be MUCH thinner and more delicate-looking... it can make a *HUGE* difference. But you do have to ask for it to be done. However, this just might work for you... sort of a "semi" custom job!

So many options... yes, it can be stressful, but it is also VERY FUN! Keep us posted. And if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask -- we LOVE to help!

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 9/13/2006 9:02:26 AM
Author: Lynn B

BUT -- one more thing - it IS possible for a jeweler to modify and re-work those standard heads/prongs to be MUCH thinner and more delicate-looking... it can make a *HUGE* difference. But you do have to ask for it to be done. However, this just might work for you... sort of a ''semi'' custom job!

I like this option, should be very affordable in comparison to custom and it will make the head more delicate and light. I *believe* that mara did this with one of her upgrades and it looked pretty nice. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[DaniGirl]

Thanks to all who replied for your suggestions and opinions. I called Marie at GOG today to go over a few things. I found out that they are able to work on the head and shave it down or custumize the prong tips to my liking. I also found out that I can pick out a whole different head for the ring if I want to as well. This sounds like a great solution and I'm flying back to NY this Saturday for a baby shower anyway. Marie won't be there, but is leaving all my info with another girl who will help me find a new head. I am to bring pics of the styles I love and we will search through their catalogs and hope to find a winner! She also assured me that there would be no over hang and that they hand pick the melee stones and use only the best.

So this is where I'm going for now, and it sounds promising. I am psyched to try on the ring again to get a clearer picture. It's been well over a month and we had to cut the last visit kind of short for a prior engagement. We actually spent 4+ hours with Jon so short is probably not the right word. I meant that by the time we finally chose a stone and moved on to settings time had flown by and we had to leave.

Again, thanks for the suggestions! If anyone knows of any sites where I can start searching for heads it would be appreciated. I'll keep you all updated...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

OH, gosh, can I relate! But thankfully I am not waiting for an engagement ring!

I think you have a good solution if you do want the look of diamonds on both rings. Mara used the Stuller Solstice 6 prong head and they thinned down the bulky prongs and spread them so they''d cup the stone and allow the stone to sit very low. There are tons of pictures on her thread, and you should copy some of them to take to GOG if that is what you decide on.

As far as the Lockes goes, you couldn''t get a band until you had the e-ring to be sure they went together. The Memoire brand is not supposed to rub the e-ring. But you''d likely have to get a thin band for the stones to sit low enough to sit next to the Lockes low-set head. If I go in the direction of a Memoire band, though, I am going a little wider than the Lockes band to allow for a little more size on my eternity ring.

 

[DaniGirl]

DS how funny that you mentioned Mara''s Stuller Solstice. I''ve been researching all these old threads, and I started right with her new ring remembering how she got the new 6 prong head and was going for the same look that I want. I''ve been saving all the different pics that really show off the buttercup look. I even went into JCrow''s old thread with her beautiful new head and saved a bunch more pics. Her comparison pics of the original setting remind me of the head on the GOG ring that I don''t want and her new head is an absolute beauty and totally what I''m looking for!

I am definitely feeling a bit more excited now and really looking forward to this Saturday...

 

[Stone Hunter]

I''m glad that things are working out so well for you. Who knew that they could tweak prongs??!! How great for you.

Don''t forget to tell us how it goes.

 

[DaniGirl]

Yeah I thought it was a custom thing only, so it's definitely a bonus for me. I will keep you guys posted, two more days and I'm there! Here's a picture of the ring in the mean time that was emailed to me by GOG.

 

[kcoursolle]

What wonderful news you get to pick your own head! Lynn b''s sure is pretty...very scoupy, good lucky deciding. Can''t wait to see pics.

 

[DaniGirl]

-UPDATE-

So I made it into GOG on Saturday morning and finalized the details for my ring. I went with the Stuller Solstice, and requested modifacations to make it low and spready with delicate prong tips. They knew just what I was talking about, but kept the pics I printed off of Jcrow & Mara''s heads to use for guidance. This is officially out of my hands so I will try to patiently wait until the big day arrives. Perhaps they will email pics of the finished product which I won''t hesitate to share in the smtr thread.

Thanks to everybody who shared their input both directly and indirectly. I am so lucky to have found Pricescope and appreciate all the information available to us consumers.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yay!!

I can''t wait to see how it turns out!!!

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 9/19/2006 10:25:11 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Yay!!

I can''t wait to see how it turns out!!!

ditto, I think you made a GREAT choice. please come back with pictures when everything is said and done