GeoPa
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2006
- Messages
- 1
I got some great information from this site and wanted to thank you all.
I was looking to surprise my wife with a 25th anniversary present. After browsing the information on this site and forum, I decided that I was most interested in a solitaire with a channel-set band, in yellow gold. This post was especially helpful:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/excel-superbcert-replica-of-tiffanys-channel-set-e-ring.32436/
I learned that the standard for this style is apparently a Tiffany setting.
http://www.tiffany.com/expertise/diamond/rings/engagement_other_ring.aspx?ring=solitaire&
(picture attached)
I found other similar settings. These two were the best true channel-set (not bead-set), in my opinion. Personally, I like the Excel setting better; it has a 6-prong head, the end of the channel is not squared-off, and the band has a subtle taper that looks nice to me.
Excel: http://www.exceldiamonds.com/-Engagement-Rings-5/Solitaire-With-Diamond-Accent-Engagement-Rings-12/Tiffany-Ring-Channel-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-In-6-Prong-18kt-Yellow-Gold-966.html
JamesAllen: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones.asp?module=setting&cid=58&item=282
Given my budget and the fact that our eyes are not as good as they were when we got engaged, I decided that I (we) might be happy with an I-SI2 grade diamond, but wanted an ideal cut. I found some candidate diamonds via the Pricescope search tools, and used the cut advisor to evaluate them.
Because I was a little pressed for time, my preference was for one-stop shopping. I called Excel, and they found an in-house diamond that was very nice. I couldn't bring myself to pay the premium for a "branded" diamond, and they didn't offer to receive one that I might find elsewhere, so the discussions stalled. Based on what I read here, however, I believe they would have been willing to receive a stone from elsewhere and mount it. As I said, I liked their setting the best.
Next, I called JamesAllen and explained my situation. They said they could "reproduce" the Excel setting. Jim Schultz was very helpful in evaluating the four diamonds on my short list. I had already seen certificates, but he was able to obtain photos and other information, In the end, I chose an eye-clean 1.01c I-SI2 (HCA 0.7 (ex-ex-ex-vg)). I proceeded to order the diamond and setting from JamesAllen, and received the Pricescope discount on the stone. I had to send the funds from an account that my wife does not monitor (she generally handles the money in our household). To maintain the surprise, JamesAllen shipped to a local Fedex office, at which I picked it up.
Their "Tiffany-inspired" setting turned out not to be a reproduction of the Excel setting, but rather a modification of their existing setting. The main modification was a 6-prong, white gold head; I believe the white gold head is a great improvement over a yellow gold head, even with a yellow gold band. So, it isn't precisely what I thought I wanted, but it is a beautiful ring, and the 30-day return policy (treated as a non-custom ring) gave me an out if there was a problem of any kind. It does seem kind of funny to get an appraisal with the ring, but it is useful for insurance purposes. The loupe and "heart and cupid" viewer were also nice.
In the end, the ring was a complete surprise to my wife, and it looks great, very sparkly, even from across the room. She would never have suggested a stone this large for herself, but I can tell that she loves it.
Thanks again for all the technical and search info on this site, and for all the shared experiences. I would do it again.
(The attached photo is the current Tiffany setting ("interpretation of a Tiffany classic") in white gold.)
I was looking to surprise my wife with a 25th anniversary present. After browsing the information on this site and forum, I decided that I was most interested in a solitaire with a channel-set band, in yellow gold. This post was especially helpful:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/excel-superbcert-replica-of-tiffanys-channel-set-e-ring.32436/
I learned that the standard for this style is apparently a Tiffany setting.
http://www.tiffany.com/expertise/diamond/rings/engagement_other_ring.aspx?ring=solitaire&
(picture attached)
I found other similar settings. These two were the best true channel-set (not bead-set), in my opinion. Personally, I like the Excel setting better; it has a 6-prong head, the end of the channel is not squared-off, and the band has a subtle taper that looks nice to me.
Excel: http://www.exceldiamonds.com/-Engagement-Rings-5/Solitaire-With-Diamond-Accent-Engagement-Rings-12/Tiffany-Ring-Channel-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-In-6-Prong-18kt-Yellow-Gold-966.html
JamesAllen: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones.asp?module=setting&cid=58&item=282
Given my budget and the fact that our eyes are not as good as they were when we got engaged, I decided that I (we) might be happy with an I-SI2 grade diamond, but wanted an ideal cut. I found some candidate diamonds via the Pricescope search tools, and used the cut advisor to evaluate them.
Because I was a little pressed for time, my preference was for one-stop shopping. I called Excel, and they found an in-house diamond that was very nice. I couldn't bring myself to pay the premium for a "branded" diamond, and they didn't offer to receive one that I might find elsewhere, so the discussions stalled. Based on what I read here, however, I believe they would have been willing to receive a stone from elsewhere and mount it. As I said, I liked their setting the best.
Next, I called JamesAllen and explained my situation. They said they could "reproduce" the Excel setting. Jim Schultz was very helpful in evaluating the four diamonds on my short list. I had already seen certificates, but he was able to obtain photos and other information, In the end, I chose an eye-clean 1.01c I-SI2 (HCA 0.7 (ex-ex-ex-vg)). I proceeded to order the diamond and setting from JamesAllen, and received the Pricescope discount on the stone. I had to send the funds from an account that my wife does not monitor (she generally handles the money in our household). To maintain the surprise, JamesAllen shipped to a local Fedex office, at which I picked it up.
Their "Tiffany-inspired" setting turned out not to be a reproduction of the Excel setting, but rather a modification of their existing setting. The main modification was a 6-prong, white gold head; I believe the white gold head is a great improvement over a yellow gold head, even with a yellow gold band. So, it isn't precisely what I thought I wanted, but it is a beautiful ring, and the 30-day return policy (treated as a non-custom ring) gave me an out if there was a problem of any kind. It does seem kind of funny to get an appraisal with the ring, but it is useful for insurance purposes. The loupe and "heart and cupid" viewer were also nice.
In the end, the ring was a complete surprise to my wife, and it looks great, very sparkly, even from across the room. She would never have suggested a stone this large for herself, but I can tell that she loves it.
Thanks again for all the technical and search info on this site, and for all the shared experiences. I would do it again.
(The attached photo is the current Tiffany setting ("interpretation of a Tiffany classic") in white gold.)
300x240.png)