shape
carat
color
clarity

Solitaire setting heads for an OEC

Kim N

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Oct 6, 2005
Messages
6,927
I don't have an OEC yet, but I've been mulling over setting ideas. I've worn a temp setting for the last four years because it's always been so hard for me to decide on a "forever" setting. But when I finally get an OEC, I want to love the setting it's in as much as I'll love the diamond itself.

I've narrowed it down to the three setting heads below, and the only things I've decided on are:

- Must be a solitaire with a 2mm width, with embellishment only on the basket/head
- Must sit flush or nearly flush with a 2mm shared prong diamond band (I know this is not antique-y enough to go with an OEC, but it's my wedding band and can't be replaced)
- Prefer 4 prongs but open to 6 prongs
- Don't want to be able to see the basket from the top-down view

My thoughts on the settings:

#1 - is it too modern for an OEC?
#2 - not a symmetrical profile—can it be made to look symmetrical, and will that look any good?
#3 - can it be made into a 4-prong?

Would love to hear your opinions!

setting-heads.jpg
 
I think the Mark Morrell would be nice with any kind of diamond, but I would personally prefer a more antique style setting. I think you can find some closer examples of what you're wanting than the second one, and I do really like the third one. I think maybe it was Gabriel and Co., right?
 
Thanks for your thoughts, DS! Yes, the third one is Gabriel & Co. I love all three for different reasons, which is what's making this difficult. I agree with you on the second one, but I do love the floral motif—the lines flow very well without being too flowery.
 
Someone here has a similar ring to the second one. I think the one above has the stone set too low. Here is a picture of the one I saw here (belongs to jerichosmom):

antiquesetting2b.jpg
 
jerichosmom's setting is beautiful. I think you're right about the one I posted being set too low. It's by Singlestone.

I think right now I'm leaning towards the Mark Morrell. I love its simple elegance, and I could see myself never getting tired of it. My only hesitation is that it's less of an antique style than the others.
 
Well, I can relate to the struggle! If you followed my recent thread and Wintotty's, a lot of nice settings have been posted.

Where do you plan on getting your diamond?
 
I don't care for the first for an OEC. I think it is too fluidly metally to work with an OEC IMO. NOT REALLY A CONTENDER.

I ADORE ADORE the second and think, asymmetry and all it's lovely just as it is. FIRST CHOICE.

Number three... I love it as a 6 prong-- SECOND CHOICE. But yes, then can do N/S/E?W prongs between the dip in the heart designs of the gallery and it would probably work. THIRD CHOICE
 
Yes, I've been following yours and Wintotty's and ClassyRocks's. Too many pretty settings to choose from make the decision really hard! :D

I've been looking on eBay for around 6 months, so I'm just continuing to be patient. Well, I guess not *too* patient considering I'm now looking at settings! :lol:
 
Gypsy, thanks, I love hearing your opinions about settings! Okay, on the second one. As is, it does look like it's set too low. Is there a way to make it sit up higher and also fit flush or almost flush with a wedding band?

Also, those prong tips are not diamond tips, right? They're metal only? Hard to tell from the pictures I've seen of this setting.
 
The second one is Singlestone right? I'm pretty sure they can modify it anyway you want it. That one was 6 prongs and the owner had it modified to 4 prongs by them for her.

I'd just call them and talk to Ari!
 
Enerchi, yes, I've been following your thread as well! Can't wait to see what you end up with for your gorgeous stone!
 
Gypsy said:
The second one is Singlestone right? I'm pretty sure they can modify it anyway you want it. That one was 6 prongs and the owner had it modified to 4 prongs by them for her.

I'd just call them and talk to Ari!

Yeah, I think I'm going to be doing that! Do you think that given how vintage it looks, it would look terrible with a 2mm shared prong wedding band?
 
Kim N|1349741315|3281815 said:
Enerchi, yes, I've been following your thread as well! Can't wait to see what you end up with for your gorgeous stone!
We are both watching the wonderful advice on both threads!!! :lol:

I just posted the one I'm really strongly leaning towards - the other is #3057-02. Its the 8 prong solitiare that looks like a crown - I love them both... as well as the 3rd one you listed by Gabriel/Amavida - that's on my 'try on' list when in NYC. This is exciting to be doing this with someone else on PS!
 
I agree, Enerchi, it is fun to share the journey! You're so lucky you'll get to try these on in person. I'm loving your top three contenders.
 
I looked really hard for that G&Co at 3 different local stores and none of them had it - It had to be special called it and I got sick of waiting so I went with a BevK - but I really like that G&Co - it has a knife edge which Im not in love with but again, I never got to see it on my hand and know for sure (not that I saw the BevK, but I'm crazy).

Third would be my choice....EXCEPT, I know youre lookin for a ginormous stone ....so I would just say something entirely like Jerichosmom's ring - I think its just perfect for such a large stone. I think that budget could also play a role in this, right? That Gabriel is ~1500, while SS stuff is typically ~4,000+
 
Kim N|1349741442|3281819 said:
Gypsy said:
The second one is Singlestone right? I'm pretty sure they can modify it anyway you want it. That one was 6 prongs and the owner had it modified to 4 prongs by them for her.

I'd just call them and talk to Ari!

Yeah, I think I'm going to be doing that! Do you think that given how vintage it looks, it would look terrible with a 2mm shared prong wedding band?

Not at all. Shared prongs at 2mm are just a line of diamonds. That pretty much compliments everything in my opinion. I think it's a great choice for a non-matchy but coordinating look.
 
Have you seen the Vatche Swan? It was initially designed by a former PSer.
 
LJL, I'd like to find a retail store to try on that G&Co., but haven't found one yet. I'd also like to see their quality in person too. Budget will definitely come into play.

Gypsy, great, that was a worry for me in picking a more vintage setting.

Uppy, I've seen the Swan, and it's gorgeous, but between that and the MM, I prefer the MM.
 
How set are you on having 4 prongs? With a stone size that you're looking at (9.5 mm right?), I would go with 6 or 8 prongs. I was always told that a stone could fall out if one out of 4 prongs was loose, but you need 3 consecutive prongs out of 6 prongs in order for it to fall out. I'm just thinking of the safety factor. I rarely wear my ring and already one of the prongs was loose and the stone was spinning. Mine has 8 prongs (looks like fishtails but they're actually leaves....or pea pods). Sometimes I think it's because I put it in the ultrasonic machine each time I wear it. I know that it loosens pave but I can't help but wonder if it was the catalyst for the loose prong. Just a thought.
 
jerichosmom, the 4 prongs is a preference but not a must-have. That's a great point about safety. I've never had anything that big before, but with the new size, I may have to go with 6 prongs for security. Not to mention that most of the beautiful settings that I'm seeing are 6 prongs anyway.
 
I think ForteKitty currently has 6 prongs for her 9.9mm...and she's leaning towards getting 8 prongs for the safety factor. I would definitely go for more prongs...if it was only 4 prongs they would look very tiny and spread out along the diameter...you'd need to increase the width/size of the prong for it to look proper.....or have 4 prongs going up the basket that split at the top into 8 prongs.
 
How about the Grymera by VC? It's kinda modern but will allow the beauty of the OEC to shine through without overwhelming it. I was considering it for my OEC/American. Plus it has 6 prongs to keep the stone safe.

_1243.jpg
 
Wow, the Grymera is beautiful. I'd like something simpler, but otherwise I'd choose that in a heartbeat.
 
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Top