Which style do you prefer for a 1st(ish) stone?

[gwendolyn]

I am in love the MWM's Torchiere setting, but I also love Leon's classic solitaire setting (and it's J's favourite as well). It is AMAZING on the larger stones, because it allows so much of the stone to be showcased. However, I am wondering how it looks with smaller stones around the 1ct mark. I did a few searches here to find photos, but they were all of larger stones.

Which do you think would be more flattering to the stone? Another factor is that my ring size is large (somewhere between 8.5 and 9, depending on who's measuring). I would like the stone to look as large as possible *without* a halo (as I know that's everyone's answer for wanting a stone to look bigger). It is possible (depending on if we do the engagement/marriage thing in the right order or not) we will have more time than we originally thought to save up, so we mightmightmight be able to go a little bigger than 1ct (ideal would be about 1.2 or so). Still small by PS standards, but the right size for me, I think!

So, which setting do you think would make the stone look bigger? Would the more minimal Leon setting make the stone bigger to your eyes (making the ring look like nothing but rock), or would the additional metal of the MWM give the look of that ring more presence? (I should note that I'd probably ask MWM do to single claw prongs like Leon does--he's showcased them before on his site and they are lovely! I much prefer them to the heart prongs.)

I am going to try to attach some pics to show the looks of the rings with the smallest center stones I can find. I'm also going to try to make this a poll, so something might end up screwy with all that going on...lessee...

Ok, this pic should be of the smallest Leon classic solitaire I could find on his site: a 2.06ct cushion.

 

[gwendolyn]

Ok, so far so good! Here is a picture of the smallest round diamond I could find on Leon''s site of the classic setting. It''s 2.41cts, so it''s considerably larger than what I would be putting in there.

 

[gwendolyn]

This is OffsetZ33''s (girlfriend''s) Torchiere. It''s 1.208ct and a size 6.25. Here''s a shot from the front:

 

[gwendolyn]

And the same ring once again, from the side.

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[angel777]

I voted for MWM setting as I think 6 prongs make stones look larger.
I actually have a 4 prong myself and seeing a setting today with the same size as my stone but in 6 prong setting, totally confirmed to me that 6 prongs help visual illusion of a larger and rounder stone.
Good luck though, its important what YOU really like and will be happy with, so go with whatever that is.

 

[diamondringlover]

OK this is hard, they are both so beautiful, but I am kinda like Angel777, I like a round with 6 prongs, I had a very small round with 4 prongs then had it reset into 6 prongs and I think it did look bigger...buy my goodness you couldnt go wrong with either of these beautiful settings

 

[smooleys]

I like the MM myself as I have mentioned in previous posts. I think nothing compares to the six prong solitaire. however, I need to see the torchiere in person so see how the diamond really looks. I can''t get a good feel from the angle in the photos.

 

[ahappygirl]

I''m in love with the Leon as well but have the same concerns you do about with smaller (in PS / Leon world) stones. Both are stunning but the Torchiere is such a classic, timeless, elegant style for any size stone, and particularly a 1 ct would look amazing in it. My RB is 1.22 ct / ring size 6.5 and I didn''t choose the Leon. It is breathtaking, though. Maybe ask him if he could send you a pic of the setting with a smaller stone? I''m sure he''s done it before. I would love to see one, too.

Not much help, am I?

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[Hera]

yikes! 10 to 10. So far we''re not helping! I like the wider band on your ring size so I voted the torchiere.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I''m not sure I''d like the Leon with a 1 ct. stone. But I also think the prong tips on the MM are too bulky. You can hardly see the prong tips on the Leon. I''ve had my ring in 6 prongs and 4 prongs, and I do not think one made the stone look larger than the other. But I''d want MM to make his prong tips much smaller if I had him make me a ring. That was really the factor that made me go with the Leon.

 

[E B]

You can''t go wrong with either. Helpful, I know, right? I love the claw prongs of the Leon, but the diamonds in the head of the MWM.

I have a setting very similar to the Leon, with a 1 ct. stone, and it looks fabulous. It doesn''t have the claw prongs, but the rest is similar. I''ll vote the Leon, just because I''m more a fan of 4 prongs than 6. The diamond shows a bit more.

 

[E B]

If it helps at all, this is my Whiteflash setting- the Fine Line, modified to sit lower and the little notch that usually sticks out flattened, so a band can sit flush- with a 1.01 ct stone. You can't really see the side, but it's a lot like the Leon, I think (unless there's something about the ring design I can't see in the photos).

 

[rainydaze]

it is so hard to know how they will look without seeing them in person, but from online ogling the torchiere is my most favorite setting for an RB - so that is what i voted for! it strikes me as so elegant and well proportioned, and feels classic and unique at the same time. not that the leon isn''t elegant either, but the torchiere''s little features slightly edge it out for me, especially for stones around 1ct. i think if we were talking 2+ i might think leon the better choice.

unfortunately i have no real-life comparisons between 4 prong or 6 prong or 1ct vs. larger ct. in similar setting styles. i can, however, say YOU LUCKY DUCK!!

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

I like the MM with the little diamonds around the base of the center diamond. I am always amazed at how large the stones are on Leon''s site, no matter what they are!

Not to complicate things, but have you seen the Vatche Swan solitaire? It can be made with or without diamonds in the shoulders. Very simple and unique! Jonathan has a video of the diamond shoulder version on the GOG website. I love to view it daily!

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Vatche Swan, plain shoulders:

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Vatche Swan, diamond shoulders:

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 5/3/2008 9:32:51 PM
Author: NeverEndingUpgrade
I like the MM with the little diamonds around the base of the center diamond. I am always amazed at how large the stones are on Leon''s site, no matter what they are!


Not to complicate things, but have you seen the Vatche Swan solitaire? It can be made with or without diamonds in the shoulders. Very simple and unique! Jonathan has a video of the diamond shoulder version on the GOG website. I love to view it daily!

I have see the Swan and have it saved in my ring folder already! It is beautiful, but I think if I was going to go with diamonds in the head, I''d stick with the MWM.

I forget the ''view results'' button doesn''t work! Probably shouldn''t have bothered with the poll (unless I vote for ''neither'' to see the results

).

I think I will email Leon and ask if he has any photos of the classic with smaller stones, and email Mark to make sure he can do claw prongs on the Torchiere. He used to have up this stunning oval that had them, and I remember thinking, "Oh yay, I can have one of my favourite aspects of Leon on an MWM?!" But I think I will poke him via email just to make sure that is an option. I think if J and I could swing a larger stone, I would get the Leon, but without any photos to see how it would look, I think I am currently (still) leaning towards the Torchiere. But who knows! There''s still plenty of time left for me to complicate things further.

Thanks all for your input! You are a big help!

 

[arjunajane]

Hey Gwen, I think you know my vote, considering my other thread, the Leon. I also think its not right to refer to a 1ct stone as "smaller"! I know Leon''s site features all those monster stones, but 1ct is a great size! If I get the 1.25 I''m considering, I''ll have the biggest ring I know of around my parts - exciting but also kinda scary what people will think..anyway, sorry off topic!

Can I please ask you one thing - how did you copy the photos from LM site?? I respect his right to copyright and all, but it makes life hard for me now that i am considering going custom for a "Leon-inspired."

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 5/4/2008 4:53:29 AM
Author: arjunajane
Hey Gwen, I think you know my vote, considering my other thread, the Leon. I also think its not right to refer to a 1ct stone as ''smaller''! I know Leon''s site features all those monster stones, but 1ct is a great size! If I get the 1.25 I''m considering, I''ll have the biggest ring I know of around my parts - exciting but also kinda scary what people will think..anyway, sorry off topic!

I don''t consider 1ct to be small in real life. I just know that in comparison to all the photos on his website, 1ct is little--one of the classic solitaire pics is of a 7+ ct cushion!!

Can I please ask you one thing - how did you copy the photos from LM site?? I respect his right to copyright and all, but it makes life hard for me now that i am considering going custom for a ''Leon-inspired.''

I have a Mac, so I just have to click and drag the photo to my desktop. I think if you''re on a PC, you should be able to right-click and choose "save image as" or something like that. Hope that works!

 

[ksinger]

LOL! I just voted then looked at the results. A dead heat. Too funny. We''re not much help at all are we?

I voted MM. Unlike a few folks I LIKE the overt prong-i-ness of that setting and think that it enhances not detracts from the stone. That and of course that lovely liquidity that is so characteristic of MM.

 

[IronMikey]

Date: 5/3/2008 8:48:50 PM
Author: EBree
If it helps at all, this is my Whiteflash setting- the Fine Line, modified to sit lower and the little notch that usually sticks out flattened, so a band can sit flush- with a 1.01 ct stone. You can''t really see the side, but it''s a lot like the Leon, I think (unless there''s something about the ring design I can''t see in the photos).

There''s a slight difference with the WF setting. The basket bottom has a "w" shaped bar that I didn''t like as much as Leon''s straight bar. You can see it below (I can''t attach the pic for some reason).

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/-Legato--Sleek-Line_1118.htm#

Gwen, if you get any of those pictures let me know. I''m looking for more shots of the seting myself.

 

[gwendolyn]

This should show the detail of the LM classic a bit better than the picture I posted previously. This is a 2ct stone ring, belonging to a PS member, although I didn''t make a note of which one when I saved the photo (sorry!).

IronMikey, I will definitely post pics if I get any, no worries!

 

[lisamarie]

Obviously, I''m voting for the Leon since that''s the route I''m going with.
I really like the Mark Morrell also but I prefer Leon''s delicate prongs.

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 5/4/2008 4:22:51 PM
Author: lisamarie
Obviously, I''m voting for the Leon since that''s the route I''m going with.

I really like the Mark Morrell also but I prefer Leon''s delicate prongs.

If I went with the Torchiere, it would have claw prongs like those of Leon''s.

 

[marcy]

I voted for the Leon because it is so classic.

 

[Jelly]

Gwendolyn,

My vote was for Leon''s! I love the MWM, but the Leon''s is just sheer perfection. i can''t wait to hear what you decide on!

 

[Deelight]

My vote is for Leon I personally prefer the openness of the setting and I am a sucker for small sharp pointy claws

 

[Rhea]

The setting by Leon is more visually appealing to me but I imagine in real life (ie, not magnified by 40) that a lot of what a love about it wouldn''t actually be noticeable.

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 5/4/2008 7:57:36 PM
Author: Addy
The setting by Leon is more visually appealing to me but I imagine in real life (ie, not magnified by 40) that a lot of what a love about it wouldn''t actually be noticeable.

Hey Addy, that''s kind of my feeling as well. I also think that, with the bigger stones, it''d be easier to be wow''ed by that setting because it''s so minimal, so it just seems like WHAMMO, ROCK! but with the smaller stones, it might look like as much metal as many of the rest? I dunno.

Anyway! I heard back from Mark already! He is a sweetie.

He said that he''d be happy to do claw prongs instead of the usual heart prongs, but that because it is two prongs converging up the side of the diamond to become one, his options are somewhat limited in how small he can make them. He said he''d be willing to give it his best try if I wanted to try him to do his best (and from what I''ve seen, his best is incredible, so I doubt I''d have much of a problem). So it sounds like he can make them smaller, although, due to the design of the head, not AS small as Leon prongs. He also said I''m the first person who''s asked for that, so he doesn''t have any photos now, but that if I had it made, MY photos would be the first to show that off. Heehee, my ring.

So, what do y''all think? I think it sounds fairly promising myself.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 5/5/2008 6:45:32 AM
Author: gwendolyn

Hey Addy, that's kind of my feeling as well. I also think that, with the bigger stones, it'd be easier to be wow'ed by that setting because it's so minimal, so it just seems like WHAMMO, ROCK! but with the smaller stones, it might look like as much metal as many of the rest? I dunno.

Anyway! I heard back from Mark already! He is a sweetie.

He said that he'd be happy to do claw prongs instead of the usual heart prongs, but that because it is two prongs converging up the side of the diamond to become one, his options are somewhat limited in how small he can make them. He said he'd be willing to give it his best try if I wanted to try him to do his best (and from what I've seen, his best is incredible, so I doubt I'd have much of a problem). So it sounds like he can make them smaller, although, due to the design of the head, not AS small as Leon prongs. He also said I'm the first person who's asked for that, so he doesn't have any photos now, but that if I had it made, MY photos would be the first to show that off. Heehee, my ring.

So, what do y'all think? I think it sounds fairly promising myself.

I bet it would be beautiful; can his show you the CAD first? Did you already find the stone?