To airline or not to airline...

[squazy]

Hey all! First time poster...long time lurker...

So I am in the process of making some final decisions before making the plunge...
I am looking at roughly a 1.3ct vintage cushion cut diamond - and debating between a few different halo settings...
I have a quote out from leon as well as JbEG... for a HW inspired halo.

In talking to my girlfriend she is rather all over the place with her tastes when it comes to settings. She likes more detailed settings like verragios - however does not like the larger melee used in the settings. She also however appreciates a ring that would be made for her like a leon/jbeg - so I know I am safe there.

As she was perusing through leons site one night she was taken aback by a airlined halo that he had on display there.
I have not seen many pictures or examples of airlined vintage cushions on here before - am I just missing them?

She wears a size 8 ring so I also want to make sure the setting is substantial but not overpowering the stone..
Thoughts?

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

The HW micropave halo doesn't have one.
Leon likes airlines. If you want to increase size and spread factor a well executed airline can achieve this and Leon is adept at doing it.
I think most would prefer not to have one, see Boom's Leon "problem" thread.
It would be best to do an airline on perfectly symmetric stones.

 

[squazy]

The stone I am looking at is as close to a round looking cushion as you can get... 6.5x6.5mm...

I'll check that thread out - however I have been trying to stay rather unbiased given the passion people seem to have towards one jeweler or another (especially leon)

 

[yssie]

I love a well-done airline, and as CCL said it definitely increases the perceived emphasis when on the finger.

 

[diamondringlover]

I am not a fan of the airline...I like a halo to right next to the diamond...but it is a personal preference.

 

[bricklayer]

*making sure she knows what an airline is*

I don't prefer the airline.

 

[tyty333]

I prefer no airline...but what does your girlfriend want? An airline makes me think RHR...there is no logic to that thinking, its just
the way my brain thinks.

 

[Sizzle]

I personally don't like the airline.. Just more space to get dirt. To me the airline makes it seem like you're desperately trying to give the illusion of size, even when the stone is already humongous.

 

[Upgradable]

I happen to be an airline lover. I feel it defines the perimeter of the stone, avoiding the impression that you're trying to make the stone look larger by just letting the halo stones blend in with the center.

 

[squazy]

Thanks for the responses...
I guess I am having a hard time visualizing what it would look like on her hand.. Does anyone have any hand shots of a airline cushion halo?

 

[bgray]

The airline is a lovely effect but i think it often makes the ring look more like a "dress" or cocktail ring. I have two vintage rings that have airlines and they dont look like engagement rings. Also if the stone is a good size like yours it can make the ring look too spready again not always feeling like something that you wear everyday. I might skip it. If you were working with a 1/2 carat stone it might make it seem bigger in a positive way

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

I prefer to use airlines, driving takes too long.