What about Rings, Necklaces and Earrings??

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

It looks like I''m going to be buying my stone here, but what about the ring? (And a necklace and earrings to go along...See my signature for details on those)??

I really like this ring...

(1240.00 on The Shane Company site)




And this necklace (Hopefully with a matching sapphire added...And while on that subject...Can anyone tell me? Can most any jeweler add a saphire for me?)...

(150.00 on The Shane Company site)




And these earrings...

(350 on the Shane Company site)





Anyway...Is it possible to find items like these, or even better yet, THESE items on this site?

Thanks for any help!

 

[reena]

i think the answer to your question is probably yes on all three counts, but you can DEFINITELY get your e-ring setting through the same vendor from whom you purchase your stone.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Hi again Reena!

When you say I can "Get the Setting", what does that mean? (Please excuse my ignorance).

Does that mean the ring itself? Or does "Setting" refer to getting the stone put into the ring properly?

But if you're refering to the ring itself, are you saying that other jewelers have access to the same ring that the Shane Company shows above? And if so, I assume that ring is simply purcahsed by the Shane Company and not made by them? And again if so, how do I go about finding a jeweler who can get it? Maybe just show them a picture of the ring??

 

[reena]

oh. sorry. "setting" (verb) refers to the process of placing the stone inside the "setting" (noun) that holds it, or the "ring", as you're calling it. (i tend to think of "ring" as encompassing both the setting (noun) and the stone, i.e., the finished product.)

so, you can both purchase a setting (noun) and have your stone set (verb) by the same vendor who sells you the stone, if you wish. many of the pricescope vendors sell pre-made settings AND can do a beautiful job making a custom setting to your specifications for your stone. im not sure whether any of the vendors carry the exact setting you posted, but if not they can surely make you something similar. if you're set on the shane ring, you'd have to ask shane whether they'd sell you the setting (noun) without you buying a stone from them. (the answer may be no.) if they will, then you'd buy the stone from the pscope vendor, take it to shane, and ask them to set it (verb) in the setting (noun).

make sense?

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Yes it does. Thank you again!!

Wish I could return the favor somehow.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

One more question, if I may...

Is it common to buy a stone, and a setting, and then take them to my local jeweler and pay them to set it properly for me?

In other words, buy the stone here, the setting (And maybe the necklace and earrings) from Shane and then pay a local jeweler to complete the entire package? Including adding a matching sapphire to the necklace??

And if so, about how much for such services?

 

[Brian Knox]

Hi,

IMO, A consumer is almost always better served (protected) by having the same vendor supply the stones and mountings as well as do the setting.

It keeps the chain of responsibility very clear.

With one vendor responsible for the total job and finished item there can be no pointing fingers at someone else, Eg; the stone must of been chipped before setting, the mounting was defective and that is why the stones are set crooked, etc.,etc.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Brian,

Good advice, thank you.

But, I'm really set on the setting, necklace and earrings. Or maybe what you and others are saying is that it's very easy for the stone vendor to match those? (Or come close? Or at least the setting??)

So far I've searched and found a half dozen stones here and still haven't found even a ring that's close to what I have pictured above, let alone the necklace and earrings.

 

[reena]

yeah, it's just making it way too complicated to use three different people for the process, and there's really no reason to do so. i would either (a) buy the stone and setting from the pricescope vendor and have that vendor set it (trust me, they'll do it properly for you) or (b) buy the stone here and then get the setting from, and have the stone set by, Shane.

i really don't think you'll have any problem whatsoever getting one of the vendors to make you a custom setting that looks identical or substantially similar to the one you posted. you could still buy the necklace and the earrings from shane if you wished--it doesn't look to me as if the three are a matching set such that you would have to worry about getting the ring from a difference source than the necklace and earrings. (that being said i still vote for putting your entire budget towards the best stone you can get for the e-ring . . .)

good luck

 

[headlight]

Honestly, I think you can do much better on the setting. That is a semi-mount and all they'll do is plop that head off and solder one on that is meant to hold an oval (not made specifically for the measurements of the stone you purchase) and it won't be an integrated part of the mounting. Personally, I'm not a big fan of these "quicky" mountings. You are looking to buy upwards of an almost 2 carat diamond in a beautiful G color and it should be mounted in a setting worthy of that kind of purchase.


Also, in terms of sapphires -- there is a WIDE range of sapphire quality and color out there. The color not only is indicative of the quality of the sapphire, but also very much an issue of personal preference -- some people like the very dark, intense blue stones while others prefer much lighter blue. Also, the origin of the sapphires is something you should pay accordingly for. Given that, I think that especially for the e-ring which should be the most coveted and usually most expensive piece of jewelry she will own, the sapphires shouldn't be some average quality found in a "stock" mounting.


I think you should look around at other setting options. Have you seen a lot of what is out there? Has she indicated a preference for the type of setting she would like? I raise these questions because the setting you have in mind is quite dated, to be honest. I had a setting almost identical to that but with all diamonds in the '80s (and we all know what we think of the '80-esque settings!). There are just so many AMAZING designs out today, either in three-stone varieties or the plethora of amazing antique style that lend themselves so well to the use of an oval center stone and sapphires. Visit www.icestore.com and view some of the gorgeous rings they show with sapphires. Also, note how the center stone is "part" of the whole mounting.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Thanks for the heads-up on the setting, Headlight. But now I''ve got a BIG problem...

I can''t see what you''re talking about. Being inexperienced, I can''t see that the setting I''ve chosen (So far) is "Dated" as you say. Nor do I know anything about these "Quicky Settings" as you call them.

Looks like I''m going to have to educate myself further!

And to be honest, I looked at the site you linked but did not find anything that really stood-out. (But of course that''s probably just personal preference based on a very quick look).

Is it safe to assume that spending $1200.00 on the setting is a good number based on the carat size I''m looking at (Anywhere between 1.3 and 2.0)?

I guess now that I think about it, the only reason I''ve chosen that setting is because the sapphires REALLY struck me. That means I''m flexible on the style, I guess.


You want to know my basic problem? It''s two fold...

1) I can''t ask anyone''s opinion (This will remain a secret if it''s the LAST thing I do), other than anynomous people online.

2) I have zero experience.


But thanks for the input...But at the same time, I''m wondering if others disagree with you? (No offense of course). If so, comments would be appreciated!

 

[Nicrez]

Is there any way that you can glean some info from your girlfriend through another friend? Perhaps have your friend suggest they go see jewelers for a pretend reason and get her input and ask?

I love when men take such initiative to make their women happy with the prettiest setting they can find, but i only worry that sometimes between the man''s taste and the woman''s taste, there can sometimes be a slightl disconnect. In such cases, the woman is impressed by the gesture, but sometimes not enthused by the product. And so the man who took all that time and effort to do such a thing feels sad and possibly angry that the woman isn''t happier... It happens.

My fiance surprised me with the stone I wanted in a temporary setting. It was a very very simple white gold setting that cost $75 max, and will be replaced when I get the right setting for my stone. Settings can always be changed, but isn''t it easier to spend a few hundred bucks on a setting, then a few thousand and if she doesn''t like it, there is no issue of trying to get it resold? My suggestion is that you get her a lovely necklace and earring set to match, and let her choose the engagement ring style that she likes best.

Perhaps it''s just me, but The thought of a lovely stone with endless possibilities of how to set it is just so fun! Thought counts, so also making the proposal special makes the gift ten times better. Just a thought, as a woman....

I do wish you lots of luck with your search, and hopefully you can find some vendors here that can work with you to get the look you are hoping for! GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[klayman]

Hey Cristmas Eve Proposer,
I am going to agree with Nicrez about getting a little help. I was able to take along two of my GF''s friends to look at stones and settings. Of course the things I was attracted to were not exactly what her friends thought she would like. By having them look at her current jewelry and tastes (she is very simple and wears little jewelry) we were able to come up with a simple yet elegant setting. Looking back I think she would have liked the things I chose, but I am positive she will LOVE the setting her friends helped me pick out.
I agree though that it is hard to keep this a secret. I had to make her friends swear they would not let it slip so that I can still surprise her.

Best of luck on whatever direction you choose to go, and keep bouncing ideas off of these postings. I have found everyone to be very friendly and extremely helpful!

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 10/28/2004 7:30:16 AM
Author: Nicrez
Is there any way that you can glean some info from your girlfriend through another friend? Perhaps have your friend suggest they go see jewelers for a pretend reason and get her input and ask?

I love when men take such initiative to make their women happy with the prettiest setting they can find, but i only worry that sometimes between the man''s taste and the woman''s taste, there can sometimes be a slightl disconnect. In such cases, the woman is impressed by the gesture, but sometimes not enthused by the product. And so the man who took all that time and effort to do such a thing feels sad and possibly angry that the woman isn''t happier... It happens.

My fiance surprised me with the stone I wanted in a temporary setting. It was a very very simple white gold setting that cost $75 max, and will be replaced when I get the right setting for my stone. Settings can always be changed, but isn''t it easier to spend a few hundred bucks on a setting, then a few thousand and if she doesn''t like it, there is no issue of trying to get it resold? My suggestion is that you get her a lovely necklace and earring set to match, and let her choose the engagement ring style that she likes best.

Perhaps it''s just me, but The thought of a lovely stone with endless possibilities of how to set it is just so fun! Thought counts, so also making the proposal special makes the gift ten times better. Just a thought, as a woman....

I do wish you lots of luck with your search, and hopefully you can find some vendors here that can work with you to get the look you are hoping for! GOOD LUCK!!!

Thanks for the ideas...But...

I don''t trust her best friend to NOT spill the beans. Not even close. And besides, them going somewhere would be too much of a tip-off. I''m pretty sure I can get the stone of her dreams. And also pretty sure I can get the setting she''ll like.

But...I''ve already decided that I want her to be OK with changing the setting. And since I WAS going to get it from Shane, didn''t think it would be a problem exchanging it. Your idea about the temporary setting is a good one. I''ll consider it. But, in a perfect world, I give her everything, all is perfect, and that''s that! We''ll see...

Thanks again!

 

[reena]

i hate to be a super-downer, but i have to agree with headlight--i love the idea of the sapphires but i am not a fan of the setting itself. i think it is somewhat "80s" and also, IMO, it doesn''t look like it costs as much as it actually does.

what do you know about her jewelry tastes? does she like delicate jewelry or more substantial/chunky jewelry? if you really just don''t know what she''d like, i strongly second the recommendation for proposing with a temp setting and letting her choose the final setting (trust me, for we girls that is SO much fun) or, if you don''t want to do that, going with something very simple and classic.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 10/28/2004 10:16:11 AM
Author: reena
i hate to be a super-downer, but i have to agree with headlight--i love the idea of the sapphires but i am not a fan of the setting itself. i think it is somewhat ''80s'' and also, IMO, it doesn''t look like it costs as much as it actually does.

what do you know about her jewelry tastes? does she like delicate jewelry or more substantial/chunky jewelry? if you really just don''t know what she''d like, i strongly second the recommendation for proposing with a temp setting and letting her choose the final setting (trust me, for we girls that is SO much fun) or, if you don''t want to do that, going with something very simple and classic.

Now THIS is the kind of feedback I''m looking for!! Dont'' worry, you won''t hurt my feelings...LET IT FLY!! PLEASE!!??

She likes little stuff...She''s little. (Thus my concern about the size of the stone). She likes silver and white gold, and I''m sure platinum, if given the opportunity to wear some.

But, she''s also very stylish. But at the same time, down to earth. She''ll put on a pair of jean shorts and a sweatshirt and go drinking with me at the bar. But, she''s a salesperson too and dresses VERY nicely.

Actually, she''s the best person I know. She appreciates the finer things in life but is happy with a hot dog and beer. A simple, beautiful person.

And as of right now, I''m giving the "Tempory Setting" a HARD look. But then again...

What about this "The person selling the setting won''t want to set someone elses stone" problem??? How concerned should I be about that? Or, will they do it if I simply PAY them enough (Which is not a problem in order to make sure all is perfect).

And besides...I''m just guessing on the ring size. Based on nothing but putting a ring of hers on my little finger (One she wears on her right hand ring finger) and stealing a cheap ring that one of her kids gave her some time ago (You know the kind...You tell the kid that you LOVE it, but it''s HIDIOUS).

Again...Thank you so much!!

 

[reena]

CEP, you are very sweet. it''s obvious how much you love your sweetie. it''s so nice.

okay, so if she likes little, delicate things (as i do) the setting you posted probably ain''t going to fly. IMO, it''s thick and chunky. not very dainty and feminine. i would either go with a temp setting or something simple and straightforward like those we discussed on other threads.

 

[PaulaW]

CEP - You sound like a doll and the effort you''re putting towards this is so sweet!
I''ll chime in here and offer another opinion if you don''t mind:
I agree with Reena, the setting you posted feels a little dated to me too. I can''t say that I''m not a little biased though - most of my friends or relatives who were engaged in the 80''s-early 90''s had marquis diamonds, so that could be what''s swaying me. With that said, I''m torn between the temporary setting as suggested and your thoughts on wanting it perfect when you give it to her and be done with it. Big help, right? I do really like the sappire idea and the fact it has ties to you. You seem to be torn between pears and ovals. Why not combine the 2 and have an oval center with pear sides? Like this:

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 10/28/2004 11:34:10 AM
Author: reena
CEP, you are very sweet. it''s obvious how much you love your sweetie. it''s so nice.

okay, so if she likes little, delicate things (as i do) the setting you posted probably ain''t going to fly. IMO, it''s thick and chunky. not very dainty and feminine. i would either go with a temp setting or something simple and straightforward like those we discussed on other threads.

Reena...

You''re helping so much!! I''m pretty much off that Shane setting now. But, let me show you this one, kind of the same but smaller...See if you have a differing opinion of this one (As far as dated and too big goes)...It''s a bit less: $825.00 (And if I had to bet, you''re going to say it''s smaller, which is good, but still dated???)...

http://shaneco.speedera.net/www.shaneco.com/images/dt/06-2S4E-02-B001-0600dt.jpg

(Darn it...I can''t post a pic from this computer)...


Anyway...I''m leaning away from this one too, thanks to your input. Still don''t know if I''m going temorary or not, but I am a bit closer to "Perfect" now!!

 

[Hest88]

CEP, in my opinion that new Shaneco ring is, uh, still rather 80s. It really doesn''t fit with my image of your petite, dainty girlfriend.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 10/28/2004 11:49:14 AM
Author: PaulaW
CEP - You sound like a doll and the effort you''re putting towards this is so sweet!
I''ll chime in here and offer another opinion if you don''t mind:
I agree with Reena, the setting you posted feels a little dated to me too. I can''t say that I''m not a little biased though - most of my friends or relatives who were engaged in the 80''s-early 90''s had marquis diamonds, so that could be what''s swaying me. With that said, I''m torn between the temporary setting as suggested and your thoughts on wanting it perfect when you give it to her and be done with it. Big help, right? I do really like the sappire idea and the fact it has ties to you. You seem to be torn between pears and ovals. Why not combine the 2 and have an oval center with pear sides? Like this:

WOW!!!

Very, VERY cool! And I must admit...I had only found those two sapphire rings I''ve listed here so far. So you guys are SO helpful!!!

We''re getting closer here! Thanks so much!

Now I''m starting to wonder...Anyone want to reccommend one of the vendors listed here? Since I''m back down to 1.5 carats (I''m pretty sure of that), I''m a LOT more flexable with my money...I can put it into the setting, not to mention into the quality of the stone.

(And I''ll admit...I''m getting a little freaked on the timing here...I see this is going to take a lot longer than I had hoped with the appraisals and all)...

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 10/28/2004 12:12:26 PM
Author: Hest88
CEP, in my opinion that new Shaneco ring is, uh, still rather 80s. It really doesn''t fit with my image of your petite, dainty girlfriend.

Great info! Thanks!!

Now I''l throw out another...

Am I correct in my assumption that the reason she likes white gold is due to her skin color? She''s very fare. Little bit pink. She can tan, and LOVES the sun, but she''s pretty fare skinned.

So...Is the rule of thumb that those kind of people tend to like "Gold" less? And maybe white gold more??

 

[chrono]

CEP,
It''s better than the first one but I still prefer the one Reena posted. It just seems rather "busy", but that''s just my opinion. I would say play it safe and get a simpler setting.

Below is the ring is question posted by CEP.

 

[reena]

darlin', it's almost the same exact setting but with two RBs on each side instead of the marquise.

and to me, it still looks "stock" and not that nice. any reason you are set on shane&co?

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 10/28/2004 12:15:45 PM
Author: chrono
CEP,
It''s better than the first one but I still prefer the one Reena posted. It just seems rather ''busy'', but that''s just my opinion. I would say play it safe and get a simpler setting.

Below is the ring is question posted by CEP.

OK...That does it. Those two syles are GONE!!!

Thanks to all!! (How can I repay you guys?)

 

[chrono]

You can repay me with a gift of diamonds!

 

[headlight]

Christmas,
I''ve been trying to post my ring to show you the difference between a "tiffany" head that is soldered on to an existing "stock" semi-mount versus a custom job that incorporates/integrates the ''basket" into the actual shank of the ring. I''m not having much luck on attachments today.
I think Paula sees the same idea I was suggesting: Take an oval center (that pic shows a round, I believe so use your imagination) and flank it with either sapphire pears or trillions.
I am also a petite person and there are so many rings that are just plain too "chunky" for me. That is why I suggested the three-stone concept as there is something about it that doesn''t make it "too much" yet it really makes a statement.
I''m not a huge fan of the "temp" setting unless you really have no idea what she''d like.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 10/28/2004 12:16:22 PM
Author: reena
darlin'', it''s almost the same exact setting but with two RBs on each side instead of the marquise.

any reason you are set on shane&co?

It was the first place I went too. It was a "Safety" thing since I''m VERY new at all this. Plus, I assumed that I would be able to go to one of their stores for service, and to see the stones before buying. But, I then found-out that they won''t transfer the stones for me...And that was the last time I chatted with their rep (Yesterday).

Now that I found you guys...Whom I KNOW I can trust (Already). They''re OUT of here, and I WILL buy through here.

But I must admit....

I''m stil a little freaked about buying this online. The prices are good, but it seems the risk is a bit high. Especially considering I can''t get to an appraiser very easy. Which I''ll do (3 hour trip to Chicago and a vacation day), but I obviously don''t want to have to do it a number of times.

Plus...I DID like the 12 months same as cash deal at Shane. Any chance of any of these guys offering the same? Or close?

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 10/28/2004 12:18:54 PM
Author: chrono
You can repay me with a gift of diamonds!

Me and my BIG mouth!!!

How about this...I work for a company (Well...Not working too much right now) that makes a certain product. It''s specific but cool product...And not too many people will use it...But those that do, LOVE it. And at some point, I''ll describe it to see if I can send some free stuff to whomever might want it.

Or...I know a a lot about a few things...

Politics...
Fantasy Football (NFL)
Equine
Sales
South Park (Not really, but it does make me laugh).

Maybe I can lend some advice on things I know about???

 

[reena]

i''m not trying to cut on shane & co, but . . . i urge you to do a search for "shane" here and read some of what other posters have said. seems to me that you''ll be much better off (and that you''ll end up with a better quality stone for less $$$) if you purchase through a trusted pricescope vendor OR, if you''re set on seeing before buying, then a reputable local jewler (as opposed to a big chain B&M). you might consider posting to see if anyone has had any good experiences with a local jeweler in your area.

i personally don''t think "risky" is the term i would use to describe buying through one of the reputable online vendors--IMO you''re perfectly safe doing so. the only difficulty is, as you said, it can be tough to buy a fancy shaped stone without seeing it first. however, you can gain enough knowledge to make an educated guess based on specs, and you can ask the vendor to look at the stone for you and give you his/her opinion. after that, that''s what the return period is for. you can buy it and if you don''t end up liking it, you can return it and start again.

did you take a look at the stones i posted for your consideration?