Starting over engagement ring search, new budget 1200ish

[lucky177]

Well, I declared a few days ago I was 100% decided on the JA timeless setting, but there seems to be conflicting views about it. Some say the yellow prongs will reflect in the diamond and others say if it is well cut it shouldn't. But, I am going to open up my options and get opinions on some new rings too.

Does anyone know about the quality of Danforth Diamonds. I initially wanted a white gold setting, but I don't want to worry about replating it. So, I started looking at palladium rings and Danforth has a good collection of them. If I were to get from here, I would get this Cathedral Style. I did see a few threads about them and the rings did look good.

Also, I was looking at this one from JA because it has a similar basket to the timeless setting but in white.

For the diamond for any of them I am thinking .5 carat, H/I color, SI1 clarity, ideal cut.
Thanks again for all the help in advance

 

[jet2ks]

Palladium gets mixed reviews from vendors, you might do a search here and see what threads come up. The biggest issue could be finding someone who can and will work on the ring for you. If you do decide to get a palladium setting, also check out www.exceldiamonds.com They are a respected PS vendor and have most of their settings available in palladium. Judah occasionally posts here and would be glad to help you. They can provide photos and ASET & IS images on requested diamonds, as well. Nothing against Danforth Diamonds, I just don't know anything about them and do know that Excel has a good reputation here on PS.

EDT: A couple of settings from Excel that would be similar to the Danforth

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/-Engagement-Rings-5/Solitaire-Diamond-Engagement-Rings-11/Inspired-by-Tiffany-Lucida-Engagement-Ring--430-1295.html

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/-Engagement-Rings-5/Solitaire-Diamond-Engagement-Rings-11/Scott-Kay-Inspired-Engagement-Ring-1692.html

And one that is not quite the same, but is a unique affordable solitaire

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/-Engagement-Rings-5/Solitaire-Diamond-Engagement-Rings-11/4-Prong-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-Split-V-Prong-Setting-J433-647.html

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/2/2009 12:58:56 PM
Author: jet2ks
Palladium gets mixed reviews from vendors, you might do a search here and see what threads come up. The biggest issue could be finding someone who can and will work on the ring for you. If you do decide to get a palladium setting, also check out www.exceldiamonds.com They are a respected PS vendor and have most of their settings available in palladium. Judah occasionally posts here and would be glad to help you. They can provide photos and ASET & IS images on requested diamonds, as well. Nothing against Danforth Diamonds, I just don''t know anything about them and do know that Excel has a good reputation here on PS.

Ditto Jet

 

[Ice Scream]

It looks to me like the "Timeless" setting by James Allen you originally posted is available in both white gold and platinum.

 

[Lula]

The JA setting in yellow gold with the white gold basket is priced really well for 18kt. gold (the last setting you linked).

Have you chosen which vendor you''ll use for your stone? It''s easier to get the stone and the setting from one place.

 

[lucky177]

I will take a look at excel, thanks I never looked at them before.

And IceScream, I would like platinum in the timeless setting, but I can''t afford it. The problem with the white gold is that I do not want to worry about replating white gold every so often.

I am thinking at the moment JamesAllen for the diamond because it is a lot cheaper than anywhere else I can find

 

[lucky177]

I also like this tension setting. Can that be set with a .5 carat? I saw one overy similar on whiteflash that needed at least 1 carat.


I just got this respond from JamesAllen about the timeless setting. "They [the prongs] will be [white gold] once the ring is finished and the diamond is set. Yellow gold settings always have white tipped prongs as not to make the diamond appear yellow." So that opens up everything now. I am gonna keep looking at palladium rings also just to see.

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 7/2/2009 6:37:53 PM
Author: lucky177
I also like this tension setting. Can that be set with a .5 carat? I saw one overy similar on whiteflash that needed at least 1 carat

Should be possible since excel says the setting minimum size is for 0.48c.

 

[lucky177]

Date: 7/2/2009 6:43:36 PM
Author: Stone-cold11

Date: 7/2/2009 6:37:53 PM

Author: lucky177

I also like this tension setting. Can that be set with a .5 carat? I saw one overy similar on whiteflash that needed at least 1 carat

Should be possible since excel says the setting minimum size is for 0.48c.

I didn''t see that. Stupid question haha

 

[stone-cold11]

 

[lucky177]

If I were to choose the timeless setting in yellow gold in size 4-5 would it be too high of a ring for everyday wear? It seems like it is a rather high setting.
If there is no way to tell from what''s on the site, if I call and ask how high the setting is, what is a comfortable range in your experience?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/2/2009 2:58:24 PM
Author: lucky177
If I were to choose the timeless setting in yellow gold in size 4-5 would it be too high of a ring for everyday wear? It seems like it is a rather high setting.
If there is no way to tell from what's on the site, if I call and ask how high the setting is, what is a comfortable range in your experience?

Its a beautiful setting and as with all solitaires should stand up to daily use if worn with care in that size. You could ask JA to set the diamond lower, that might be possible which would reduce the height a little, best to discuss it with them so you have a better idea.

 

[marcy]

I like the timeless JA setting and agree they would probably set the diamond lower if you wish. An ideal cut diamond should not show the YG prongs through it. I think it would be fine. If you want to go with something like that in WG maybe get it done locally where you can get a warranty on the ring that will replate it for free. Of course you would have to pay for the diamond to get mounted. Another thing replating the WG ring isn''t something you would have to do a lot and it only costs about $35. I think the ring will be pretty.

 

[lucky177]

Date: 8/2/2009 7:09:03 PM
Author: marcyc
I like the timeless JA setting and agree they would probably set the diamond lower if you wish. An ideal cut diamond should not show the YG prongs through it. I think it would be fine. If you want to go with something like that in WG maybe get it done locally where you can get a warranty on the ring that will replate it for free. Of course you would have to pay for the diamond to get mounted. Another thing replating the WG ring isn''t something you would have to do a lot and it only costs about $35. I think the ring will be pretty.

I am thinking yellow gold would look better looking just at the ring, but she has a warmer skin tone so I thought maybe white gold would look better. And I also like the look of rose gold too. So, I am pretty set on the setting design, but not the color. She wears her rings when she sleeps, showers, non-stop and I am afraid she would be the type who has to replate it every few months, even if it is affordable I''d rather it not be a hassle.

And I talked to James Allen about the prongs, and the tips are dipped in white gold, so that is a non-issue now.

 

[lucky177]

Just to throw another ring in there, I saw this one and I really like it. Danhov V40.
I can''t find it on the JamesAllen site, but I e-mailed and it is $775. Since the low end of my budget is about $1200, does anyone know where I can find a similar setting cheaper? I am really starting to like the look of all the rings where you can see the profile of the diamond. The timeless setting is my first choice, but this or something similar is number two now.

 

[lucky177]

I just found a store near me that carries Danhov rings, which the JamesAllen timeless setting is, and they called and shipped the timeless setting to the store.
Some time this week I am going to stop in and see it. I am excited to see it in person, let's hope when I see the ring it ends my search.

Here is how good of a deal JamesAllen is: the timeless setting on JA is $400, same ring in a B&M (after setting the stone) $690

 

[lucky177]

I saw the ring today, and it was beautiful and definitely what I want. However, I am a bit confused by what the jeweler said. The picture on JA shows all yellow gold, even the prongs and tips of the prongs. When I called JA, they said that the tips of the prongs are rhodium plated as to not effect the whiteness of the diamonds, just the tips, not the whole basket.
The ring shown had all yellow gold, but the Jeweler said he would suggest making the whole basket white gold because white gold is stronger and can hold the diamond better. I never heard this before. Is what he said true?

 

[lucky177]

I forgot, he said if I changed it to rose gold, he would insist on making the basket in white gold because that makes it even weaker. I am more towards yellow gold, but I thought I would mention that...

 

[cara]

Most women will have a preference on metal color. Does yours? What color is most of her other jewelry, if she wears any regularly? Rose gold is lovely but unusual. Some women prefer yellow gold, some would prefer white gold even with replating hassle because they simply like the whiter color. Turns out even platinum, a naturally silvery metal, needs some polishing to maintain a sheen so there is often maintenance in keeping rings looking good. I even know one lady who likes her white gold ring with no rhodium - it looks softly warmer than the rhodium plated white gold but not full-on yellow gold.

If your lady likes yellow gold, I would go with that with a white gold basket. It is entirely possible the white gold is a more study material than the yellow gold used as different alloys will have different properties and the jeweler is in the best position to know those things.

If you are not sure if your lady likes yellow gold, then I would pause and try to investigate that. If she's one of those ladies that doesn't care for it or thinks it looks dated, then you want to get her something with a white metal!

One last point - that ring head has 6 prongs. On a smaller diamond (just guessing from your stated budget) some people would want less prongs covering it up and a 4-prong would usually be sufficient for security. Some people would still prefer a 6-prong head even with a smaller diamond to make it look more round not square. Just something to think about.

 

[marcy]

Glad to hear you like the ring. It is not uncommon to have the backet or the prongs in white gold. I have a 1/2 ct. RB and it is in 4 prongs and is very secure. I can''t wait to see your finished ring.

 

[lucky177]

Thanks for the responses, I love that ring and I just don''t think it would look as nice with the prongs completely white and the rest yellow gold. Maybe I am just having trouble visualizing it. I don''t really know what I should do now, I was set on that ring, but I don''t know how I feel having it with the white gold prongs, but I do not want it to be less secure.

 

[lucky177]

If any professional jewelers are on, I would really like your opinion.
Would the yellow gold prongs represent a huge risk in the prongs snapping and losing the diamond?
/and/
If I do get the yellow gold prongs and get the tips rhodium plated, is that enough to not reflect yellow onto the diamond?

 

[YoungPapa]

lucky,

I think one of our SA''s has given you bad information. The 2.1mm Timeless Solitaire is a two piece construction that we offer in a variety of different metals. On the website we show the ring in all yellow gold, all white gold, or all platinum. In reality though, we can cast the basket in one material and the shank (the part that goes around your finger) in another.

If you don''t want the diamond to be held by yellow prongs then we cast the basket in white gold- not just rhodium the tips. This is what the jeweler had suggested to you at the store. I''ve seen the ring done both ways (all yellow or white/yellow two-tone) and thought it looked great both ways, so this is really just a matter of preference - not safety.

Hope this helps!