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Vintage Setting Designers?

Anthony_E

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Apr 24, 2016
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First, a big, big thank you to everyone here. I'm a bit OCD and have spent a TON of time reading through old threads. I finally decided to go with an AVR and David is in the process of finding a stone to cut. The final specs should be around 1.5-1.7 carat, K, VS2 (or anything eye clean) with some fluorescence. I'm incredibly excited and would be lying if I said I don't love the fact that I'm getting a "custom" stone cut to my specs. I figured if I'm getting the perfect stone, I may as well go for the perfect setting! I had previously narrowed it down to two rings. I may still go with one of them, but I want to explore my options (I have an active mind and time to kill while I wait for the stone, lol). I know my girlfriend prefers vintage-inspired rings and strongly favors the Edwardian style. My research led me to Single Stone. Their settings are absolutely perfect, but do come with a price! It's still within budget, but if I find something cheaper, I'm not opposed. With that said, are there any other designers out there worth checking out? I'm not looking to copy anything; I want to give the designer ideas and then give him (or her) the artistic freedom to go from there. Here are the two rings I originally had in mind:


http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?Search=Yes&sppp=12&page=1&Keyword=3325&category=ALL&highprice=0&lowprice=0&allwords=3325&exact=&atleast=&without=&cprice=&searchfields=

http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=5520

Here is the one from SS that I would be going off of:

https://www.singlestone.com/rings_c29/page26/nicole_p880/

So what do you guys think? Anyone else worth checking out or should I just go with Single Stone? Do you think the SS setting is worth approximately twice as much as the other two I had in mind?
 

Tekate

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What does David say? Can he assist you in finding a setting like the SS but less expensive? I personally like the Nacht setting (first one the best, but that is my taste)... I think when you will be having it cut to order etc you should go the distance and get exactly what you want.. the posters here often recommend David Klass and Caysie Von Biebber as great ring designers.. all of the work I see on these boards by Caysie is very art deco.. I look forward very much to your journey!

peace.
 

Anthony_E

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Apr 24, 2016
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Tekate|1462639303|4028640 said:
What does David say? Can he assist you in finding a setting like the SS but less expensive? I personally like the Nacht setting (first one the best, but that is my taste)... I think when you will be having it cut to order etc you should go the distance and get exactly what you want.. the posters here often recommend David Klass and Caysie Von Biebber as great ring designers.. all of the work I see on these boards by Caysie is very art deco.. I look forward very much to your journey!

peace.

I have not discussed it with David. It would definitely simplify things to have GOG do the setting, so it may be worth checking out. I looked into Klass but I haven't seen anything from Caysie yet. I'll take a look. Thanks!
 

Anthony_E

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tyty333|1462639784|4028642 said:
I would go with Love Affair Diamonds and Casie Van Buren (CVB). She does beautiful old world designs.


This is one of my favorites...about $3000
http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/the-chloe-solitaire-setting/

Here is CVB on facebook so you can see some of her designs.
https://www.facebook.com/cvbinspired/?fref=nf


That ring is beautiful. CVB does some really nice work! How do her settings compare to SS? Price is certainly a factor, but my primary concern is quality and craftsmanship.
 

msop04

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PintoBean

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Since you are going with an AVR, it might be easier to make GOG a one stop shop. I believe they carry Gabriel and Co. Settings. I did a quick look through and linked some vintage looking settings below. The MSRP is usually the high for the price and PS vendors usually do better than the MSRP listed.
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER11827R4W44JJ
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER12309R3W44JJ
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER11723R4W44JJ
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER11721R4W44JJ
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER6711W44JJ

I hope this helps!
 

Anthony_E

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PintoBean|1462641293|4028653 said:
Since you are going with an AVR, it might be easier to make GOG a one stop shop. I believe they carry Gabriel and Co. Settings. I did a quick look through and linked some vintage looking settings below. The MSRP is usually the high for the price and PS vendors usually do better than the MSRP listed.
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER11827R4W44JJ
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER12309R3W44JJ
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER11723R4W44JJ
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER11721R4W44JJ
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER6711W44JJ

I hope this helps!

Those are nice. Do they do custom work? I can't help but be drawn by the idea of getting a custom setting. I'm not one to be overly romantic, so I think it will blow her away if I take the time and effort to design a one-of. A bit foolish, I know, but this is (hopefully) a one time deal so I don't want to make any compromises.
 

LLJsmom

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I admit that there are SS settings that I regret not going for. I have never seen CVB IRL, just SS, and I can attest to how absolutely delicate and fine their work is. Just amazing. I know the pricing can seem astronomical (at least it did to me) compared to others. However, as I have examined their pieces, and gone back over my photos of a favorite setting a zillion times, I have come to appreciate just how aesthetically pleasing their designs are, to the eye, and why. The littlest detail, why a shank is as wide as it is at a certain point, why certain aspects of their design are the way they are, I don't think you appreciate it until you try to identify why you don't like other settings as much.

Whatever, I'm rambling. Go for what just is most pleasing to your eye, what you are just drawn to for whatever reason, whoever that may be. And if it's SS and you have the budget, I say go for it. Good luck! Great dilemma to have. Can't wait to see your final product.
 

PintoBean

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OP what is your setting budget? That may help us to narrow down which vendors to recommend.
 

soxfan

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Caysie Van Bebber, hands down.
 

Niel

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i like whitehouse brothers. they cast there stuff and its more genuinely vintage looking rather than the now popular vintage style
 

Anthony_E

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PintoBean|1462646928|4028684 said:
OP what is your setting budget? That may help us to narrow down which vendors to recommend.


Around $4500, give or take.

And thanks all for your feedback and suggestions. It's very much appreciated. I've been spending the better part of the day looking through everyone you've recommended.
 

Gypsy

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I love Erika Winters settings and Sebastian Barrier both of which are carried by Jewels by Grace.

Just this elegant solitaire in whatever metal you want: http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/erika-winters-bridal/grace-solitaire-engagement-ring-setting#.Vy5pH-S_pKo

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/sebastien-barier/sb-b018#.Vy5pZeS_pKo

If you don't have a 4k budget, then I recommend Beverly K. VERY affordable and nice quality. I've compared Beverly K to Garbriel, and there is no comparison. Beverly K is much nicer and higher quality.

All of these going to be under $2,500 and some will be under 2,000. And the good thing is Good Old Gold is a Beverly K dealer.
http://www.beverleyk.com/bridal/mounts/r9661-a-d-d-cz.html (this one looks amazing in yellow gold too)
http://www.beverleyk.com/bridal/mounts/r9635-c-d-d-cz.html
http://www.beverleyk.com/bridal/mounts/r9632-c-d-d-cz.html
http://www.beverleyk.com/bridal/mounts/r11215.html
http://www.beverleyk.com/bridal/mounts/r10536.html Very similar to a Singlestone design.
http://www.beverleyk.com/r9666-a-d-d-cz.html
http://www.beverleyk.com/r9628-c-d-d-cz-1711.html
 

MollyMalone

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I like Niel's suggestion of Whitehouse Brothers, altho' I'll add that all their rings are die-struck, not cast, which is a plus in my book for the style of ring you are considering.
http://university.langantiques.com/index.php/Die_Struck
http://www.whitehousebrothers.com/diestruckprocess
And Whitehouse Brothers does excellent post-striking work (piercing, millegrain, polishing, etc.) on their rings.

The first Leigh Jay Nacht (antiqueengagmentrings.com) ring you linked is a vintage Whitehouse Brothers ring. Most of LJN's stock, however, consists of cast reproductions of vintage or antique settings. I was hoping that LJN had "stepped up their game" since I was last there in person, when too many of the reproductions or "inspired" rings I saw were not well executed and/or pretty lightweight for daily wear for years to come. But the photos in the 2nd link (Edwardian inspired ring) you posted don't inspire great confidence; have you seen it in person? If you end up deciding to go with LJN, I'll suggest that you not ask them to do a special order of one of their settings because those cannot be returned; most everything else can be returned for a full refund, with certain provisos -- here's the very detailed Return Policy section of their FAQ page:
http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopcontent.asp?type=faq#Return_Policy

Good Old Gold is also an authorized retailer for Whitehouse Bros., the only one in the NYC metro area, and (ETA as Gypsy just noted) for Beverley K, who offers a number of settings your SO might find appealing. Since GOG may give you a discount because you are purchasing the center stone from them, seems worthwhile to at least explore the possibilities of ordering a setting from GOG before moving on to another vendor for the setting.

Hope you'll post pics of the AVR you are commissioning after it's cut!
 

Anthony_E

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Apr 24, 2016
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Much thanks Gypsy and Molly. I really like the last Beverly K Gypsy posted. And if you guys can't tell by now, I have a tendency to make things more complicated than necessary, so there's definitely something to be said about going with a setting GOG carries. I'm also really happy to hear that they carry Whitehouse Brothers. I was really, really impressed with their settings and their process. I'm definitely going for something unique and charming while still being tasteful, and they fit the bill.

Having said that, I can't help but to be enamored by Single Stone. The more time I spend looking at settings, the more discerning I find myself becoming. That's not a knock against anything I've seen, but rather a tesstament to the fact that their style really catches my eye. I'll probably go back and forth a million times before making a decision, but at the moment I'd say it is between SS and WH, with that last setting from BK being in contention.

I'll be sure to post pictures of the stone and ring when it's finished. In the meantime, you can all expect a million moe questions from me. :D
 

Niel

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MollyMalone|1462660281|4028759 said:
I like Niel's suggestion of Whitehouse Brothers, altho' I'll add that all their rings are die-struck, not cast, which is a plus in my book for the style of ring you are considering.
http://university.langantiques.com/index.php/Die_Struck
http://www.whitehousebrothers.com/diestruckprocess
And Whitehouse Brothers does excellent post-striking work (piercing, millegrain, polishing, etc.) on their rings.

The first Leigh Jay Nacht (antiqueengagmentrings.com) ring you linked is a vintage Whitehouse Brothers ring. Most of LJN's stock, however, consists of cast reproductions of vintage or antique settings. I was hoping that LJN had "stepped up their game" since I was last there in person, when too many of the reproductions or "inspired" rings I saw were not well executed and/or pretty lightweight for daily wear for years to come. But the photos in the 2nd link (Edwardian inspired ring) you posted don't inspire great confidence; have you seen it in person? If you end up deciding to go with LJN, I'll suggest that you not ask them to do a special order of one of their settings because those cannot be returned; most everything else can be returned for a full refund, with certain provisos -- here's the very detailed Return Policy section of their FAQ page:
http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopcontent.asp?type=faq#Return_Policy

Good Old Gold is also an authorized retailer for Whitehouse Bros., the only one in the NYC metro area, and (ETA as Gypsy just noted) for Beverley K, who offers a number of settings your SO might find appealing. Since GOG may give you a discount because you are purchasing the center stone from them, seems worthwhile to at least explore the possibilities of ordering a setting from GOG before moving on to another vendor for the setting.

Hope you'll post pics of the AVR you are commissioning after it's cut!

Lol yes I meant die struck thanks for catching that. I meant to add that as a positive, so I'm glad you corrected me.

I will also mention there's a place around me that sells whitehouse brothers so I looked at their website I liked their designs and though the product looked fine. I stopped into the store that sells them and seeing them in person I was happily surprised they looked even better in person.

I'll definitely agree I like the idea of getting everything in one place, too
 

Gypsy

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Look, I've been to Singlestone. And I've seen many many Beverly K settings. I'm not even going to pretend they are in the same league. Singlestone is easily heirloom quality and the delicacy of the settings is unmatched except by true antiques. Beverly K isn't going to be that nice. But it is SIGNIFICANTLY nicer than your average vintage style jewelry you see in a BM.

Would I pay for a Singlestone setting? Yes, If I won the lottery or my rings were stolen and I got a huge insurance windfall (unlikely to say the least).

Would I buy a beverly K ring? In a heartbeat.

I don't know enough about Whitehouse brothers to comment on it, but just from the web pictures I would say they are slightly nicer than the Beverly K.

If you are local, go to GOG to see for yourself. If not, ask GOG to send you a video of some of the Beverly K setting side by side with the Whitehouse and see if that helps.

I would go for the setting that speaks to you most. But I wouldn't break the bank for it.

That said, one of my favorite rings on here is a Singlestone "inspired" setting by Brilliantly Engaged (formerly ERD). AND it would be perfect for your stone, so I wanted to post it.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/modern-vintage-ring-from-erd.201518/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/modern-vintage-ring-from-erd.201518/[/URL]
THREAD ON THE CADS THAT SHOWS ORIGINAL SINGLESTONE SETTING.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cads-are-in.199707/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cads-are-in.199707/[/URL]

Personally, if it were me? I'd just send your stone to Brilliantly Engaged (formerly ERD) and have that exact setting done in platinum for your lady. BE is in NYC and GOG knows them well. It would be a very easy thing to have them do your setting.
 

Anthony_E

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Gypsy|1462665517|4028784 said:
Look, I've been to Singlestone. And I've seen many many Beverly K settings. I'm not even going to pretend they are in the same league. Singlestone is easily heirloom quality and the delicacy of the settings is unmatched except by true antiques. Beverly K isn't going to be that nice. But it is SIGNIFICANTLY nicer than your average vintage style jewelry you see in a BM.

Would I pay for a Singlestone setting? Yes, If I won the lottery or my rings were stolen and I got a huge insurance windfall (unlikely to say the least).

Would I buy a beverly K ring? In a heartbeat.

I don't know enough about Whitehouse brothers to comment on it, but just from the web pictures I would say they are slightly nicer than the Beverly K.

If you are local, go to GOG to see for yourself. If not, ask GOG to send you a video of some of the Beverly K setting side by side with the Whitehouse and see if that helps.

I would go for the setting that speaks to you most. But I wouldn't break the bank for it.

That said, one of my favorite rings on here is a Singlestone "inspired" setting by Brilliantly Engaged (formerly ERD). AND it would be perfect for your stone, so I wanted to post it.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/modern-vintage-ring-from-erd.201518/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/modern-vintage-ring-from-erd.201518/[/URL]
THREAD ON THE CADS THAT SHOWS ORIGINAL SINGLESTONE SETTING.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cads-are-in.199707/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cads-are-in.199707/[/URL]

Personally, if it were me? I'd just send your stone to Brilliantly Engaged (formerly ERD) and have that exact setting done in platinum for your lady. BE is in NYC and GOG knows them well. It would be a very easy thing to have them do your setting.

Oh wow. That ring is awesome! I checked out BE, but their site wasn't loading on my phone so I didn't really see what they had to offer. They're definitely worth looking into. Thank you!
 

diamondseeker2006

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Caysie van Bebber of CVB Inspired Design (contact through Love Affair Diamonds) absolutely does SS quality and is a gifted designer of antique style rings. I have had some SS ring pictures saved for ages, but unfortunately they have gone up in price considerably since I first got quotes from them. Caysie has made me a band and also a beautiful setting for my sapphire recently. I have seen several of her other rings in person, and I have seen many SS rings in person. I wouldn't have used her if her quality was not equal or better than SS. Her prices are not cheap by any means, but I found them more reasonable than SS.

Here is a thread with some of her work, and the pics below are of my sapphire ring.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-us-your-cvb-id-jewelry-the-new-cvb-eye-candy-thread.211825/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-us-your-cvb-id-jewelry-the-new-cvb-eye-candy-thread.211825/[/URL]

_37123.jpg

_37124.jpg

_37125.jpg
 

Niel

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I found a photo from a pser of her WHB ring. Shows the quality of the details better than, in my opinion, their website does

2013-02-26_2.jpg
 

Gypsy

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Anthony_E|1462666138|4028790 said:
Oh wow. That ring is awesome! I checked out BE, but their site wasn't loading on my phone so I didn't really see what they had to offer. They're definitely worth looking into. Thank you!


They are a BM and most of the sales are from that side of the business so their website, while it doesn't suck, REALLY doesn't show what they can do.

I adore that setting and think it would be perfect for the stone you are considering. And I've seen their quality in person, and it is excellent.
 

Anthony_E

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Thank you guys for posting more pictures and giving me more things to think about, lol.

As a brief aside, it's funny Gypsy mentioned BE. After going to their website again, I remembered that I contacted them about a diamond. It wasn't what I was looking for, but I was incredibly impressed with the integrity of the employee I spoke with. Enough so that I was actually a bit bummed out that they didn't have anything that worked for me.
 

Anthony_E

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Apr 24, 2016
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Small update.

I contacted many of the designers mentioned in this thread including CVB. After browsing through her work, I was really, really impressed and I'm honestly not sure why I dismissed her so early. I found one particular setting that I loved. I contacted Erica trough LAD for a quote and was pretty floored with her response. I'm not sure if it's kosher to discuss prices, but she came in WELL below Single Stone and was not too far off the cast settings from LNJ I was considering. As it stands, I'm going to sleep on it but I will most likely have her design my girlfriend's ring. Her work comes well regarded and the price point gives me more flexibility with the diamond. I haven't spoken with Caysie, but I've been incredibly impressed with Erica so far. She's been very responsive and fully addressed all my questions.

Very, very excited to finally see things coming into place!
 

diamondseeker2006

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That is awesome to hear! I am amazed at the quality of Caysie's work, and yes, thankfully better prices than some. Are you going with platinum? I have an AVR, too, and I have it set in a solitaire for now. Just hard to decide on an antique style setting! She has done some beautiful ones, though! One of my favorite CVB/LAD settings is the Elsa:

_37155.jpg
 
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