WF Legato w/ micro-pave vs. WF Harmony - customizing to be like Michael B? *TONS* of questions...

[leonidas]

**WOW, after typing all this, I think I''ve crammed too much into one thread. It''s probably better than starting 20 different threads though...especially considering most of these questions have probably been answered before. If you can answer even one or two questions, I''d really appreciate it.



Well, I need a lot of help on settings in general, but I figure it''s best to start with some specifics (first time ring buyer here, as you will see).

It''s probably helpful to start by saying that she is a big fan of the Michael B Princess collection. She loves micro-pave settings - much more so than regular pave settings. Both the Princess (2.2mm width) and Princess Petite (2.0mm) looked great on her tiny hands when we went check out Michael B''s in person.

Unfortunately, Michael B just isn''t in the budget, so I''m looking at comparable rings from Whiteflash. The Legato with micro-pave (LINK) seems to be the closest to what I''m looking for. The Harmony (LINK) is also a great looking ring, but it doesn''t appear to be micro-pave (right?).

It also looks like the Harmony isn''t a 100% eternity - which I think she''d prefer. The jeweler we spoke to warned us about getting an eternity micro-pave setting because of how delicately the diamonds are set (and the bottom of the ring would take the most bumps). Also, is it true that eternity micro-paves (or eternities in general) can''t be resized? The Legato appears to be an eternity, but I''m sure this can be customized.

Another big difference between the Legato and the Harmony is the Harmony is a fishtail, similar to THIS Michael B, while the Legato is bead-set (??) like THIS Michael B (I really confused things at the jewelry store when I used the term bead-set with regard to micro-paves...I got the term from this site, but I must have used it incorrectly). Anyway, I''m not completely set one way or the other, but I''m guessing I could get the Legato customized to have a fishtail setting right?

The only other differences I can see between the Legato and Harmony are the widths and the cleaning holes on the Harmony (which I have found plenty of info on in other threads). Are there any other differences between the two rings that I am not seeing? They have the exact same heads right?

As far as the shape of the prongs, is that something I can ask for? In the Legato picture on the WF website (LINK), it looks like ring on the left has round tips while the ring on the right has square tips.

How about height of the diamond (or maybe profile is the better terminology)? I definitely don''t want a high setting, but can I go any lower than the height in the Legato that I linked to above? Maybe it''s already low enough...I just can''t tell from the pictures.

This might be asking a lot, but what are some other common "custom" changes people make? For example, what is a "scallop" head? I''ve seen this referred to a few times regarding Legato heads.

Random question about paves in general: I''ve read that regular pave settings can cause discomfort to other fingers. Does going with a micro-pave lessen the discomfort at all?

Finally, how much would some of these changes cost on top of the price quoted on WF? I''m sure it varies greatly depending on the amount of work, but if you''ve purchased custom rings from WF, can you give me an idea of how much more it cost than the standard setting?

P.S. I''ve found some helpful threads using the search function, but if anyone knows of any particularly insightful threads that could help me, please feel free to post them.

P.P.S. If anyone knows of other settings similar to the Michael B Princess collection, please post!

 

[Allison D.]

Leonidas, I think the best thing to do is speak to one of our reps; they have all the data about which heads are on what rings and could let you know if there are any flexible design elements in each setting.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I''d probably choose the Harmony with matching wedding band. I think it is a very elegant look! I also have the feeling it may be less likely to lose stones. I''d have it made with a sizing area at the bottom. I would not get full eternity as many people may need to size a ring over a lifetime.

 

[mrssalvo]

i like the harmony too. i agree with allison''s suggestion to just call WF about any possible changes.

 

[Lynn B]

I actually have the first (*original*) Legato head on a 2mm fishtail pave band, custom made by WF a few years ago. Except for the head difference, of course, I think it is pretty much the exact same "look" as the MB.

Here''s a link with 1,000 photos... note that the photos get better on about page 6 or 7 -- I finally got a new camera and retired the old POS one I had been using forever!!!

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-gorgeous-new-fishtail-pave-set-from-wf.46129/

 

[leonidas]

Thanks for the replies! Lynn, I have to admit, I spent my whole afternoon looking at the pictures in your thread. I love the Legato head and I LOVE the way your head is attached to the shank. I hope WF could do that for the Legato w/ micro pave if that''s the direction I go.

Also, what does the term "scallop" refer to? I heard it for the first time reading your thread (that''s what I was referring to in my original post). Does it have to do with the design of the horizontal bar on the head?


Diamondseeker and mrssalvo, I really like the Harmony too. Just wondering, are your reasonings based on the pave (as opposed to micro-pave) or the fishtail (as opposed to bead-set), or both? I only ask because I''m leaning strongly towards going with the micro-pave over pave (based on her reaction to the Michael B micro-paves)...and I''m leaning only slightly towards bead-set over fishtail. (So basically, I''m leaning towards the Legato w/ micro-pave overall)


Allison, I have a feeling I''m going to be on the phone quite a lot with your reps. As you can see, I have sooo many questions - and this is just the tip of the iceberg. I hope they don''t get too sick of me....

2 quick questions to hopefully make my phone calls a little easier: What do you call the area of the ring where the head is attached to the shank (or is it called just that)? Also, how would I describe Lynn''s head/shank attachment? Here''s a great shot:
https://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/files/121.jpg
The only thing is, my diamond will probably be half the size...not sure if that changes things.

 

[HappyAnniversary]

https://www.pricescope.com/forum/show-me-the-ring/28th-anniv-update-done-wf-micro-pave-i-808-s12-t64076.html

If you want more pictures of the WF Legato with micropave you can look at my link above. I picked it out myself, and originally really liked the Ritani endless love but couldn''t afford it. I think this is a beautiful ring. The micropave is very small, the band is "glittery" or "shimmery" rather than a ring of diamonds which I think gives the diamond center stage, especially because my diamond is .8 carats . On page three you can see it with a plain WG band, cos I will get the matching band later. The band is not full eternity, there is maybe 5-6mm which will allow future sizing if necessary. And almost every one I know who is my age has had to size up as knuckles get bigger over time. I do not think the head is high, it is just how tall the diamond is. I can understand why people would prefer the head to be more integrated with the band rather than sitting on top, but I think it looks fine, but that is something maybe they could change?

Anyway to sum it up
1. I love my ring
2. it is not full eternity (but that is a good thing)
3, If you want a B&M comparison with the micropave I thought it looked a lot like Ritani endless love, except the Ritani had a more distinct metal edge where the WF kind of rolls away with from the micropave with a much less defined edge
4. Both rings are gorgeous and either one would be a good choice, the diamond in the micropave are subtle, I would imagine the diamonds in the harmony would be bigger and a more diamondy look. I wish I could have seen it, too, but I didn''t know it existed when I was making my decision.

good luck.

 

[Skippy123]

I would call WF and I bet they could help you; they are very good at customer service so I am sure they will help you with all your questions on modifications, etc!
How exciting!!!

 

[stryeyes102]

My vote is for the mirco pave, but im slightly biased because thats the ring i want!

The "scallop" is exactly what you thought! It''s the detail that is in the legato head.. Instead of having straight supports between the base of the prongs is has a curved and slightly arched band.

Good luck with your research. Hopefully the people at WF can get you going in the right direction!


Sorry to threat jack Leonidas!
Happyanniversary- What size ring do you wear?
I''ve loved the mirco pave ring but was still uncertain, between it and the harmony.. But i had planned on having a plain band and letting my ering be my bling... A while back i found your pictures; They totally decided it for me! Its TDF!

 

[leonidas]

Thanks for the link HappyAnniversary! Between your pictures and cinnamon013''s, I think I''ve seen the Legato from just about every angle imaginable (which is exactly what I wanted). I love how big the thin band makes a .8ct look.

I was also looking at the Ritani Endless Love, but even though it''s cheaper than the Michael B, it''s still a touch out of my range. You mentioned that the Ritani has a more distinct metal edge while the edge on the Legato is much less defined - that''s great info and a huge plus for the Legato in my book!

Your 4th point is also really helpful. She and I both agree that we want the melee to be more in the "background", if that makes sense. I know she doesn''t want prong-set diamonds on the ring, and she seemed to think that even the paves were just a bit much. So glittery and shimmery sound perfect.


Thanks for the clarification stryeyes. It''s so subtle that it took me a while to pick up on it! Now that I see it, I really like the scallop look. Which do you prefer?


Lynn, one thing I forgot to ask - I know your ring was totally customized, but I noticed that the width on your ring is 2mm while the Harmony is 2.3mm. Does that mean that the pave diamonds are simply bigger on the Harmony? I want to stay closer to 2mm if possible.

 

[stryeyes102]

I thought of another reason scallop might come up..The band on LynnB''s ring has a sort of scalloped edge. She might have been trying to tell people that it wasnt sharp like it looked in the photo but much softer..Scalloped. Looking back, i believe they were talking about the head on the ring though!

It took me quite a while to decide but im pretty sure im going with the mirco pave.. I think the band width of the harmony would over power my fingers ( i know its not that big a difference!

).. And the look of the m/p is very delicate.. Like you, i was in love with the ritani, but its just too much out of price range. So i kept looking and found the m/p which will save the budget, and make me giddy like a school girl lol! plus, i love the head on the legato so much more then the ritani..


Lynn B- *i bow down to the master of the legato head*.. That design is swoonable to the MAX!!

 

[mrssalvo]

leonidas, i''ve not seen the 2 micropave rings in person but have seen and tried on the michael b''s. here''s a thread where i had the two styles sent to me and they are slighty different widths so you can see that too. i personally prefer the beadset michael b which is why i would choose the harmony although I love lynns rings so they certainly wouldn''t be a bad choice at all.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/michael-b-princess-rings-style-differences.44948/

 

[leonidas]

Thanks mrssalvo, the comparisons in that thread are REALLY helpful. I think I''m partial to the bead-set as well. As for the widths...even after comparing Michael B''s 2.0mm and 2.2mm in person, I''m still torn. The difference is noticeable when compared side-by-side, but when the GF put one on and asked me to guess, I had NO idea. I guess we''re only talking about .2mm''s here, so it''s probably one of the smaller decisions I will have to make (and she was really indecisive too, so that makes me feel better). What did you end up choosing??

Quick clarification: Did you mean that you would prefer the Legato? You mentioned that you prefer the Michael B bead-set, which is similar to the Legato (whereas the Harmony/Lynn''s is a fishtail).

Also, from what I can tell, the melee on the Harmony (and Lynn''s) is regular pave. That also makes me think you meant to say you preferred the Legato - but I could be wrong.

By the way, is there a PM feature on here that I''m missing?

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 4/30/2008 2:51:58 PM
Author: leonidas
What did you end up choosing??


Quick clarification: Did you mean that you would prefer the Legato? You mentioned that you prefer the Michael B bead-set, which is similar to the Legato (whereas the Harmony/Lynn''s is a fishtail).


Also, from what I can tell, the melee on the Harmony (and Lynn''s) is regular pave. That also makes me think you meant to say you preferred the Legato - but I could be wrong.


By the way, is there a PM feature on here that I''m missing?

I actually was in the process of saving for the Micheal b 3-sided set when Pearlmans go in a shipment of daniel K rings that they placed in their closeout section. Daniel K was my alltime favorite but way too far out of our pricerange until the deal came along. so we ended up purchasing a daniel k and the ring is currently with them being remade in my size.

I did mean to say I like the beadset legato.

I''m pretty sure all the rings you posted, the harmony, legato and micheal b''s are all considered to be micro-pave. leon mege has a great article here if you''re interested in reading it.

http://www.artofplatinum.com/articles/micropave.php

regular pave is more clustered:

oh and no pm feature here...

 

[HappyAnniversary]

leonidas--I''m glad my pics helped, sometimes I think I post my pictures too much and everybody is rolling their eyes, but your questions were just right up my alley. I had asked about some customizing, but that cost more, and my budget was already being stretched with this ring.

stryeyes 102--I am so glad you love my ring. (what excellent taste!! LOL)It has been at least 10 months since I got it and I still stare at it, I think it is gorgeous and I think the plain band looks wonderful. Oh, and I wear a size 5 (when I got married it was 4.5, but those darn knuckles got bigger, on a very cold day I might be able to get a 4.5 on)

Lynn B --yes, thanks so much for the Legato head it is beautiful

good luck

 

[leonidas]

Date: 4/30/2008 4:21:24 PM
Author: mrssalvo
I''m pretty sure all the rings you posted, the harmony, legato and micheal b''s are all considered to be micro-pave.

Oh man, just shows how clueless I am...I was sure that the Harmony was a regular pave and not a micro-pave

....thanks for the link!