Temporary Setting Suggestions

[turboflgrl]

Hey everyone and Merry Christmas Eve/Happy Holidays!!

Well, my BF ended up purchasing the .57 J VS2 Round H&A that I fell in love with! I've also decided that my "forever" setting will definitely be the Vatche Grace but with the holidays and recent celebration of our 5 year anniversary, I can't see putting forth that amount of money at the moment. I also don't want to put off our engagement simply because of a ring setting either so we decided to do a temp setting for a few months and then we'll purchase the Vatche setting through GOG. I have a few setting ideas and wanted to get your opinions. Also, any suggestions are welcomed!!

Idea 1:

http://www.helzberg.com/product/solitaire+ring+mounting+1584084.do?keyword=setting&sortby=newArrivals

http://www.zales.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3834680

Idea 2:

http://design.jared-diamonds.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-5697.asp
^^A little less plain and not that much more $

http://design.jared-diamonds.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-5834.asp
^^More money but would make a great right hand ring later IMO


With Idea 1, I'd pick one of those and then try to find a nice loose blue sapphire to set. I'm just afraid the sapphire ring will look a big bland in such a plain setting. With Idea 2, of course I favor the second one for $599 and think it would make a gorgeous right hand ring with a sapphire, but of course, both are nice.

My question is, which would you choose knowing this will be a temp setting? Also, would you trust Helzberg, Zales, or Jared's to set a diamond?

Thanks for all your help!



***Also wanted to add that he purchased the diamond through Good Old Gold and they were FABULOUS!!! Sarah made everything so easy and I was blown away by their quick response time - even being so close to the holidays!

 

[Futurmrss]

I think I like the last one! I also like the idea of turning it into a sapphire ring later!

 

[turboflgrl]

That''s definitely what I''m leaning toward. There''s just something about that last one that really drew me in - especially thinking about a pretty sapphire in it! I feel like I may get the most use out of it when comparing the others. Do you think $599 is a high price for it or are there comparable ones out there?

 

[Futurmrss]

If you put a sapphire in it, you won''t be sentimental about losing that setting.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I love the vatche grace setting, it is awesome.

Where is the diamond coming from?

Most/all vendors have access to casting company catalogues and so you can get inexpesive settings that way. If this is a tmep then I would not spend more that $250 and have the place you buy the ring from set it. No I would not trust one of the other places. Why? Because they will not take responsibility for damage to your diamond during the setting process. The place you buy the diamond from will.

Here are the companys that are the best for inexpesive settings. I like unique settings the best because their catalogue is easy to browse.

www.adwar.com
www.stuller.com
www.uniquesettings.com

 

[gemgirl]

If you have access to GOG in person, why not buy a temp setting from Jonathan? Or else, go through the sites that dd listed and also check out James Allen, Excel and I.D. Jewelry for basic settings. I''d hate to see you plunk down any amount of money at a store like Jared''s. Your VS diamond will definitely out sparkle the "I" clarity diamonds in their settings. Even Danforth Diamonds. They have solitaire mountings for less than $200.-

 

[turboflgrl]

Unfortunately, I''m states away in Florida so I don''t have access to GOG in person. And thank you for the info DD! I had no idea they would not take responsibility if something happened - makes sense I guess. Maybe I''ll contact Good Old Gold further about other settings they have access to that are low in price. I''m really worried about using a maul store and there''s just not too many other options in FL that I''m familiar with.

Well, thanks for the info - I think you may have saved us some unneeded stress

 

[turboflgrl]

And one more quick Q

Should I get the diamond appraised as a loose diamond or wait until it is set? Also.. what about insurance? I plan to go through jeweler''s mutual but do I do that for the loose stone and then update it when it gets set?

Thanks!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 12/24/2009 12:39:59 PM
Author: turboflgrl
And one more quick Q

Should I get the diamond appraised as a loose diamond or wait until it is set? Also.. what about insurance? I plan to go through jeweler''s mutual but do I do that for the loose stone and then update it when it gets set?

Thanks!

Call jewelers mutual to confirm what they need, but from what I have seen here it is simply an appraisal of the total value of the ring. An appraiser can identify your diamond as being the one of the cert when it is set based on the inclusion plot and/or an inscription on the diamond. The only reason to appriase the loose diamond is if you want a second opinion about the color/clarity/cut. OR if you are having a diamond set by a jeweler other than the one who sells it to you, some people will have the loose diamond appraised and identified before and after setting, allowing you to verify that the setting company returns the correct diamond to you. Again, the benefit of having GOG set it is that you do not need to worry about that, you can check that the diamond is the one you bought and matches the cert once you get the set ring.

 

[MonkeyPie]

I favor the last setting, too. My e-ring is from Jared''s, and they do a great job of both setting and maintaining your ring (they have the warranty where you go in every 6 months and they check all your stones to see if they are loose, and clean it).

 

[CaliSun]

Date: 12/24/2009 1:17:06 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 12/24/2009 12:39:59 PM
Author: turboflgrl
And one more quick Q

Should I get the diamond appraised as a loose diamond or wait until it is set? Also.. what about insurance? I plan to go through jeweler's mutual but do I do that for the loose stone and then update it when it gets set?

Thanks!

Call jewelers mutual to confirm what they need, but from what I have seen here it is simply an appraisal of the total value of the ring. An appraiser can identify your diamond as being the one of the cert when it is set based on the inclusion plot and/or an inscription on the diamond. The only reason to appriase the loose diamond is if you want a second opinion about the color/clarity/cut. OR if you are having a diamond set by a jeweler other than the one who sells it to you, some people will have the loose diamond appraised and identified before and after setting, allowing you to verify that the setting company returns the correct diamond to you. Again, the benefit of having GOG set it is that you do not need to worry about that, you can check that the diamond is the one you bought and matches the cert once you get the set ring.

If you intend to insure, it's my opinion that you may as well from the start, now that you have your pretty sparkly.
When I had my stone insured through JM recently (prior to having it set), they were okay with receiving verification of the stone's value (paid receipt was sufficient at the time). Then when I decided on a setting, I sent along info about how I intended to have it set. As I received updated info while the stone was in the process of being set, (IE: final cost of setting, etc) they bumped up the insured value to match.

As dreamer_dachsie suggests, definitely call JM to see exactly what they need. They really spelled it out for me (pretty much gave me a checklist!) But I wanted to let you know that you most certainly can insure a loose stone with them as long as you intend to have it set. They just don't wish to insure loose stones in general I believe.
In the ugly world of legalese, now that the stone is in your care, custody and control, you are liable for anything that happens to it.

How exciting!!! Please let us know which setting you choose (I'm leaning towards the last one BTW)

Happy Holidays to you as well!!

 

[tyty333]

I like the last setting and it would be lovely with a sapphire in it when it comes time for the setting update.