Which setting is prettier?

[adrienneg]

I aplogize in advance if this is long. For those that have read some of my posts in search of a new ER, it has taken me a few months to get to this point. Initially, my budget was $800-$1K, but we were able to save a little bit more after I expressed how important it was to me to hubby. I just sent a wire to WF for a .833 I SI1 ACA stone last week to have them hold the stone while I try to decide on the setting.

Initially, I was going to have the stone set in their cheapest 6 prong solitaire setting, but after having long conversations with hubby over the last few weeks, he said for me to buy the setting that I love, and just not to over do it. So with that said, I love a couple settings, but I am IN LOVE with 1 setting but that would of course be considered over doing it.

I really want platinum from the way it looks to the things I''ve read even though I''ve only had experience with white gold. I''ve narrowed my choices for settings down to.

1. Legato Sleekline $1,175 in plat.
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/-Legato--Sleek-Line-Diamond-Solitaire_1118.htm

or

2. True Love $995 in plat.
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/True-Love-Diamond-Engagement-Ring_1394.htm

or

3. Endless Love $995 in plat.
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/Endless-Love-Diamond-Engagement-Ring_1395.htm


The one that would be over doing it would be:

(I just had to throw this in here because I do keep coming back to the pictures posted by other PSers)

Legato Micro Pave $1,495 in plat.

I won''t be able to afford a WB right now. That''ll take me about another 2 years to save. Please understand that I''ve come from a budget of approx. $800 - $1K to now about $3,500. I have a 16 month old daughter, 26 months pregnant with another, and we are fairly young (I''ll be 29 this month). I also have it in the back of my mind that I don''t want to spend too much time saving for this as this is a HUGE purchase and it is meant to replace the set that I had to give up. I already feel selfish as is for spending all this money on myself with such young babies, but I''m rationalizing it by saying I''m replacing my set.

Out of the settings I picked above, which one do you think look the prettiest and which one do you think would stay in fashion for the longest (not sure of the correct wording, but I don''t want it to look outdated in 10 years and have to upgrade my setting).

Thank you again for being so patient with me.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

#1 without a doubt. I think you could love that setting for the rest of your days! And if it makes you feel any better, I think a micropave ring would be a pain for someone with young kids because you have to really baby that kind of ring. Losing little stones would make me nuts! You can always add some bling later by getting a diamond wedding band!

(Just wanted to add that all the settings are pretty! #1 is just the most timeless and classic, IMO.)

 

[neatfreak]

#1 is the most classic and my favorite of the ones you have chosen.

 

[geckodani]

Date: 1/8/2009 8:11:09 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
#1 without a doubt. I think you could love that setting for the rest of your days! And if it makes you feel any better, I think a micropave ring would be a pain for someone with young kids because you have to really baby that kind of ring. Losing little stones would make me nuts! You can always add some bling later by getting a diamond wedding band!

(Just wanted to add that all the settings are pretty! #1 is just the most timeless and classic, IMO.)

Ditto on all counts! I think the legato is classy, classic, and the most versatile. And ditto to adding a blingy band if you want!

 

[Tuckins1]

I like the Legato sleekline the best. It''s timeless and classic!

 

[steph72276]

Another vote for the Legato

 

[ButterBean]

Definitely Legato! And, try not to feel guilty or selfish. The children will demand waaaaaay more from you than this ring ever will, and you''ll probably be happy to give it to them, right?
BB

 

[AprilBaby]

I agree #1 with a pretty diamond band later. Everything I hear about pave seems to be loosing stones. Too much trouble with little ones.

 

[Circe]

I''m going to go against the grain by voting for the True Love - they''re all lovely choices, but that one just stands out. It''s bold and elegant, and I think the setting is fantastic for an active lifestyle - that half bezel should be able to match anything the kiddies have to throw at you! I think that setting would look amazing with a blingy band at some point down the line ... in the meantime, don''t feel guilty. Life is a balancing act: you give your all to your kids and your spouse, but occasionally, you need something to treat yourself as well.

 

[jstarfireb]

Definitely the legato sleek line. The "love" settings are interesting, but I don''t love half-bezel settings; I much prefer the delicate cathedral and elegant head of the legato. I also don''t like the micropave because it looks like the head is just slapped on there...the sleek line version is more "integrated" in appearance. Another option would be the sleek line pave, but it''s a budget breaker in platinum (not bad in WG though...also consider palladium, since it''s cheaper than platinum and has the same look).

 

[Elmorton]

Ditto to the suggestion about Palladium (Geckodani just did a WF ring in palladium and loves it) and ditto to #1 being the most timeless look.

Re: platinum/budget concerns - I''m actually a wg lover because I like my rings to be shiny. Both plat and wg need maintenance and require care. I would definitely go take some fun trips to a BM jeweler and ask to compare platinum and wg settings (maybe even see if you can see some estate pieces or a ring that has acquired the patina of platinum), since it''s not a metal you''ve worn before. You may find that it''s not worth the extra $ to you - or you may see that it solidifies your choice. Since budget is a concern though, I just wouldn''t rule out wg quite yet.

 

[UpgradeMe]

First off, congrats on what you''ve accomplished! Although I''m guessing you are actually 26 WEEKS pregnant and not 26 months. I''m celebrating 15 years of marraige today and it''s been quite a ride. We were engaged at 19 and he gave me my mom''s ring as a er. I''ve always hoped for an upgrade and just finally got the go ahead. So, just know that it can happen.

Also, the solitare in my avatar is my mom''s engagement ring from my dad. I''ve worn it for 15+ years. Before that it sat in a safety deposit box after their divorce but I know my mom wore it for 7 years before it was sent there. It''s a wg ring. It looks as shiny and new today as it did the day it was taken out of the sd box. So, like the pp said...you might look into reconsidering the platinum.

With that said, I agree with everyone else re: #1. All of the rings you have chosen are beautiful but of the links you provided I would say that #1 is definitely the most timeless.

Good luck to you!

 

[CharmyPoo]

I vote for one without a doubt.

 

[kimikocat]

Of the settings that you chose, I like #1 the most. It is simple, classic, and doesn''t demand special care.

kimi

 

[lucyandroger]

Agree with everyone else....definitely #1!

Good luck!

 

[AmberGretchen]

I agree with the others - #1 is definitely the most classic, and I think it will be the one that you will still love many years down the road.

 

[adrienneg]

Thank you for all those that responded. I was leaning more towards the Legato Sleek Line as well. I did go into a jewelry store and looked at platinum vs. 18K white gold, but of course they were brand new, so they were rhodium plated and shiny. I currently wear a 14K white gold band and I''m more fond of platinum not rhodium plated. My friend''s mom has a ring that is platinum and although I can see some scratches, I love the color that it''s become. I was also under the asumption that it was lower maintenance than WG, for example, I wouldn''t have to keep getting it rhodium plated and I don''t have to get it polished unless the scratches really bothered me.

The price difference between the 18K WG and platinum for the Legao sleek line is alot though... $750 for 18K wg and $1,175 for platinum.... $425 difference is alot to me. What to do .. what to do...

The set I had before was 18K WG micro pave & the center stone was 1 carat, halo bezel type set. The micro pave is very pretty but it did feel a little scratchy against my other fingers, and I did lose 2 small stones in just a couple of years, and it drove me crazy. I am okay with the size stone (.833) I''m getting now although it''s smaller and I''m okay with never upgrading again. Although I did dream of a larger stone (1.5 or so), diamonds are expensive! And choosing the right one takes alot of time and energy, which I don''t think I can go through again, not for a while anyway. Maybe I''ll feel different then.

Regarding the pregnancy, that was definitely a typo on my part. I am 26 weeks, not 26 months. I must''ve read the posting 2 or 3 times before actually submitting it, and I totally missed it!

I guess I''ll take some time to think this through, even if it ends up taking me another couple of weeks. I''m usually not an impulse buyer, and especially since this purchase is such a big deal to me. I will definitely read all your advice again and keep them with me as I''m deciding. I do appreciate the feedback and can''t thank you all enough.

 

[Gypsy]

I''ve never seen the True Love, and though I love that Legato... WOW is that beautiful! So it gets my vote. TRUE LOVE! Plus, I''m a Princess Bride Fan and well, a sap.

 

[honey22]

They are all gorgeous settings but very different. If you want classic and timeless, I would go with #1. I find the other two a tad more modern looking, but I am loving them all the same.

I am assuming your 26 WEEKS preggers, not months? Pregnant brain again? Or does it just feel like 26 months

 

[adrienneg]

Date: 1/9/2009 2:03:54 AM
Author: honey22
They are all gorgeous settings but very different. If you want classic and timeless, I would go with #1. I find the other two a tad more modern looking, but I am loving them all the same.

I am assuming your 26 WEEKS preggers, not months? Pregnant brain again? Or does it just feel like 26 months

Yes, 26 weeks, not 26 months. My brain has been running 100 miles an hour lately... sorry about that.. typo on my part.

 

[adrienneg]

My other option is to get the simple 6 prong setting in platinum for $600. What do you think?

 

[geckodani]

Date: 1/8/2009 10:54:12 PM
Author: Elmorton
Ditto to the suggestion about Palladium (Geckodani just did a WF ring in palladium and loves it) and ditto to #1 being the most timeless look.

Re: platinum/budget concerns - I''m actually a wg lover because I like my rings to be shiny. Both plat and wg need maintenance and require care. I would definitely go take some fun trips to a BM jeweler and ask to compare platinum and wg settings (maybe even see if you can see some estate pieces or a ring that has acquired the patina of platinum), since it''s not a metal you''ve worn before. You may find that it''s not worth the extra $ to you - or you may see that it solidifies your choice. Since budget is a concern though, I just wouldn''t rule out wg quite yet.

I did! I do!

Three cheers for Palladium! Seriously though - I got my e-ring reset in October, and with the exception of where I slammed it in a door and nicked it

, it''s as crazy shiny as when I opened the box! Just a thought.

 

[geckodani]

Date: 1/9/2009 11:52:34 AM
Author: adrienneg
My other option is to get the simple 6 prong setting in platinum for $600. What do you think?

I think that you will look at it and wish you had gotten something else.

At least, that''s what I did!

P.S. I thought the 26 months preggo comment just meant that you were ready to pop and sick of being pregnant.

 

[geckodani]

Not sure if this will help at all, but here's a Palladium vs Platinum (with the patina) vs WG pic that I took:

ETA: Please excuse the sausage finger, I had a lot of rings on!

 

[Steel]

Hello Adrienneg,

I would like to be a fly in the ointment here but I do not like any of those settings. They are a lot of $$$ for a very simple look, I mean for roughly a thousand dollars, I expect more bang for my buck.

It sems you might too as you are drawn to the pave option.

Lots of us here have replaced settings because our tastes have changes - ps does not help there. So I have two points of view, 1)Buy once and buy well, buy the pave if it is your heart's desire. But be SURE it is worth it. If you change your mind like (like lots of us have) you will have wasted 1.5k. 2) put your lovely ACA into the cheapest (any metal) setting you can get and get that ACA baby home where you can stare at it. That gives you options. Options to keep the simple seting and spend the 1.5k on stone upgrade, options to save more money towards the setting of your dreams (when you are sure what that is exactly) etc.

They both have downsides, #1 You may change yoru mind and perfer a different setting by Christmas

#2 You waste $250 now on a temp setting.

If it were me (and I had my time over) I would put every single penny into the stone* and put it in a $250 setting and stare at it every day. Once I had decided the perfect setting for me I would send it back for re-housing (for another anniversary). [*Would 1.25k ish upgrade your stone now?]

 

[Steel]

Great post geckodani!

I have never seen comparison pics like that - great job.

 

[geckodani]

Date: 1/9/2009 1:23:12 PM
Author: Steel
Great post geckodani!

I have never seen comparison pics like that - great job.

Thanks.

My sister thought I was crazy but let me borrow her platinum set anyway, LOL! One of these days I want to do it again in better light!

 

[wishinpink]

Here''s some advice from someone also getting a setting and in a tight budget!


1. Contact someone at Pearlman''s and give them a budget of $1000 to find you a similar ring to number 1 or the "outrageous" one! I have contacted them before and they seem to be pretty good about helping you find stuff within your budget.

2. Consider have your ring made in palladium!

3. Consider getting the ring you love and just forgoing all birthday/ christmas presents for the year.

4. Consider buying your ring in a non retail setting- look at second hand.

5. Consider having your ring custom made!!

Try contacting Bridget Durnell (she is doing my ring). She is super nice! Just tell her your budget up front, and what you want, and you never know, she might be able to find something similar for you and sell it non retail price or custom make you a ring for slightly cheaper. I think her prices are very good value- granted my setting was still expensive (and expensiveness is all relative- I''m a student so I think it''s expensive), but the quote from her was actually $200 less than whiteflash''s for the particular ring I am looking for!!

Try also Laura Powers in Atlanta, also gave me a custom price for a ring under Whiteflash''s price by about 200- 400 dollars less!


6. Consider asking whiteflash if there is any way to reduce the price of the setting slightly. From my personal experience though, they will point you to their 3% wire discount.

 

[Steel]

Date: 1/9/2009 2:04:48 PM
Author: rosebud10
6. Consider asking whiteflash if there is any way to reduce the price of the setting slightly. From my personal experience though, they will point you to their 3% wire discount.

Good point Rosebud,

I meant to mention this. WF usually do discounts around holidays and valentine''s day is on the way....

 

[adrienneg]

Date: 1/9/2009 3:00:14 PM
Author: Steel

Date: 1/9/2009 2:04:48 PM
Author: rosebud10
6. Consider asking whiteflash if there is any way to reduce the price of the setting slightly. From my personal experience though, they will point you to their 3% wire discount.

Good point Rosebud,

I meant to mention this. WF usually do discounts around holidays and valentine''s day is on the way....

I just missed the sale by a couple of days. I bought the diamond while the sale was still going on, but didn''t pay too much attention to the settings or the sale. I''m still kicking myself for not acting on it. 10% off a setting is a lot of money! I''ve asked WF when they would have a similar sale and was told they have it only 2x''s a year around the holidays, but they won''t disclose which holiday.

I get the 2% off setting discount for a wire transfer. It''s definitely not 10%, but it''s something...