Vatche Caroline w pave -- how much can it be modified?

[mgrangou]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum, so I apologize if I'm posting in the wrong spot. I am working on getting an engagement ring for my GF. She likes the Vatche Caroline with pave setting (http://www.goodoldgold.com/images/settings/Vatche%20Files%20w%203%20view%20large%20file/1502%20CAROLINE%20BRIGHT%20CUT%20PAVE/1502%20caroline%20bright%20cut%20pave%203%20view%20large.jpg), but there are a couple of small things about it that she doesn't like. As a newb to all this, I'm not sure if any of these items are deal breakers that mean I actually need to go custom, so wanted to post here and get people's opinions.

Without further ado, the changes she was hoping for (and apologies in advance for what are probably stupid questions!):
- using a cushion solitaire instead of a round. We would obviously get one as close to square as possible. Right now we're looking at this AVC, for example: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8914/
- changing the band to be flatter (i.e. no knife-edge) and, if possible, also a tiny bit wider
- adjusting the hight of the setting so that it could sit flush with a band (when we get to that point), assuming it's not already at the right height for that.
- removing the pave on the basket

With these ideas in mind, would it be possible to simply adjust the Caroline (ideal) or would I need to go with a custom band? If it were in fact necessary to go custom, who would you recommend I talk to? I am obviously interested in high quality and definitely want to get something that maintains the simplicity and flowiness of the original, but also don't want to overspend if I don't have to! I'm hoping to keep the budget for this part of things under $3k.

Thanks for any ideas you all have.

 

[SweetAsscher]

Vatche makes one like you've described.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/images/settings/Vatche%20Files%20w%203%20view%20large%20file/U-100%20TRADITIONAL%20ROUND%20SOLITARE/u%20100%20traditional%203%20view%20large.jpg

 

[SweetAsscher]

And heres another option without the bar on the basket.
http://www.dimendscaasi.com/includes/zoom.asp?prod=1-2B

 

[rubybeth]

With these ideas in mind, would it be possible to simply adjust the Caroline (ideal) or would I need to go with a custom band?

Best bet is just ask a Vatché dealer and have them check with Vatché. Of PS vendors, I know Good Old Gold, Whiteflash, and James Allen have access to their settings (JA does not have Vatché on their site but Jim did post on a thread that they can get them, too). I know that there was a poster recently who got the plain Caroline without pavé on the basket, so it seems they are willing to adjust within reason.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The height of the head of the ring works with a wedding band because my daughter has the regular Caroline. So basically what you want to ask for is a rounded pave shank instead of the knife edge and then leaving the pave off the basket (although it is so tiny I am not sure why you wouldn't want it there). They make the setting for a princess cut so I see no reason they couldn't make it for a cushion. But since you are working with Good Old Gold, you should ask Lynda to call Vatche and ask for a quote to make the changes. I asked them to change the platinum alloy for me, and they did. So I know they are at least open to some changes.

 

[ah7es]

I have the Vatche Caroline, and I modified it to remove the pave from the band. Here's the link to my post about my ring:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/custom-design-vatche-caroline-ring-from-whiteflash.171998/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/custom-design-vatche-caroline-ring-from-whiteflash.171998/[/URL]

I got my diamond from WhiteFlash, not GOG, but the ring was made by Vatche, and WF coordinated with them to make the changes I requested. It was super easy. I know they make the Caroline for both round and princess cut stones (although I've never seen anything but a round on here), so I'm sure they could make it work with a cushion cut as well.

You could probably have them make the band wider, although I would definitely have her try on bands in a store and see what she thinks about the width with a diamond of the size you're looking for. I think 2.3 mm with a 1.38 ct. would be a nice proportion and I'm not sure you'd want to go a lot wider. Also, the knife-edge is very subtle on the Caroline, it's not at all like the Tiffany knife-edge. It's not perfectly flat, but it isn't as rounded as some other ones. If you want to see a CAD of a flatter band, you can look at the ones that WF did for me and see if that's what you like (scroll down to the later pictures of the two rings together):

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cads-from-whiteflash-just-arrived-your-thoughts-please.172558/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cads-from-whiteflash-just-arrived-your-thoughts-please.172558/[/URL]

It's pretty easy to get a custom band from WF, so if you do want to make a lot of changes it might be easier to do that unless she's dead set on having the Vatche name on the ring. (I didn't care who made it, I just loved the design).

Good luck!