Who can make a setting similar to Michael B?

[SJS1234]

I love the Michael B settings, especially the more simple ones, like IvanaDiamond''s (i think/hope this is it.....and that it uploads correctly), but I was wondering if there are other places to find similar settings that are not so expensive -- or if there is a reputable jeweler who could create something for me. I would never suggest an exact replica because of copyright infringements, etc....but I love the simple elegance and I can''t seem to find ANYthing similar for a lower price. I just can''t see paying the designer premium...... is that wrong? I don''t criticize anyone else for doing it, I just don''t want my bf to have to spend that kind of money if not necessary..... What do you guys think? Another option is to get the plain band and upgrade to Michael B at a later date......

 

[reena]

there''s nothing at all wrong with not wanting to pay the michael b premium. like you, i was obsessed with one of his settings (the one i liked was from the trois collection; it had a one-sided pave shank with a three sided pave bezel surrounding the stone) but there was no way in hell that i was going to pay $7k for it. so i went out and found someone to make something similar (actually it''s not really that similar--the design is more intricate and in fact it has far more diamonds in the setting!) that i liked a lot better for a lot less $$$.

now, there''s also nothing wrong with paying for the michael b if you''re set on the setting looking PRECISELY the same as his does. and in fact, for some of his less expensive settings (relatively speaking) you may not actually save that much $$$ by going custom. (for ex i think he makes a setting with a very thin one-sided pave shank that''s about $1800. if that''s the one you like, it might not be worth it to you to go custom cause you''re probably only going to save a couple hundred bucks.) so it all depends.

as far as custom jewelers to consider, i would think that almost all of the pricescope vendors could make you something similar(whiteflash and icestore come to mind for pave, also i know engagementringsdirect does nice pave pieces). and i used leon mege at artofplatinum.com, who was fabulous.

good luck!!!

 

[SJS1234]

Thanks Reeyonce!!!!! I''ve seen your ring, and it''s SO GORGEOUS!! Congratulations! I was pretty dead-set on Asscher until I saw your diamond, by the way....wow. cushion all the way. Will Leon Mege create pretty much any setting I want? Yours is so so so so pretty. My fingers are pretty large -- size 6.5-7 -- and they''re kinda short too, so I''m trying to keep the setting as dainty as possible........

 

[TLS]

i too am now in love with michael b settings too since seeing the ring that "for the love of diamonds" bought. I am absolutely in love with it, but cannot pay 6 grand for a setting.

if anyone knows of anyone specifically who could help me with something similar I would love to hear from them.

thanks!!!

 

[reena]

thanks for the compliments! i wanted something really delicate as well, which i told leon. my pictures don''t really capture it, but the setting he made me is extremely delicate and dainty. he did an amazing job. and yes, i think he''ll make you just about anything you want, short of a chocolate souflee!

TLS, as i mentioned before you might want to check out having something similar done custom by whiteflash, icestore.com, engagementringsdirect.com, etc. for example i remember reading that mark at engagementringsdirect just made someone a custom ring similar to the MB for a princess cut, and i think whiteflash has done a bunch of custom pave pieces recently too.

 

[Diamondsbybree]

I believe tradeshop.com also does custom work. Or www.whiteflash.com

You could browse www.faycullen.com they have some really beautiful dainty rings in stock.

Good luck~!!

 

[SJS1234]

Thanksthanksthanks!
I know many of you have been to the diamond district in New York.....and I would love to go myself, just to see all of the different settings! I live in Atlanta -- would it be worth the trip? Or should I be able to find the same choices online?

Reena -- how were the prices for your custom-made setting with Leon Mege? comparable to a pre-made setting by a well-known designer, I mean -- or more -- or less? or the same?

This is ALL SO CONFUSING!! but I still love it.

 

[reena]

welllll . . . i mean, IMO the diamond district stores are better for browsing to get an idea about stones than they are for settings. even just looking in the windows, you can see all of the different cuts and compare colors, carat sizes, clarities, etc.
however, the fifth ave stores like michael c fina, tiff's, cartier, fortunoff, etc etc etc are good places to browse for setting ideas.

my leon setting (platinum, with 204 small diamonds totalling 1.6 carats) was $4200. the michael b setting that i wanted had less carat weight (it was only one-sided pave on the shank as opposed to three-sided, and had no detailing in the basket) and was almost $7000. i also looked at similar settings by daniel k, ritani, jb star, richard landi, etc. and those ran between $6k and $10k+. so, custom can be a good option to keep the cost down, if that's a concern for you (as it was for me).

 

[SJS1234]

Wow that''s a big difference......and a huge help. Thanks!
We won''t be spending as much on the setting, so it might not be a big enough difference to matter....but sounds like we need to at least talk to someone at Leon Mege before going forward!

 

[reena]

right, it might be worth asking. also leon takes 6 weeks plus to do a setting, so you may consider using one of the vendors i mentioned earlier.

 

[Mara]

i had my rings done custom, my e-ring done locally in Aptos, CA and my w-ring done by WhiteFlash in Texas. I love them both and both did excellent worksmanship. very nice pieces. I adored the MB rings but like many others, couldn''t stomach the high amount and for such a small carat weight! he wasn''t the first or last to do pave, and alot of other designers have similar settings. I got almost twice the carat weight in my e-ring than the MB one and for about $400 less in platinum and custom no less, so it is truly unique.

anyhow im a huge custom fan...you can see a great design and tweak it a bit to make it more your style. modify the head or add diamonds here or there, or the prongs, etc. pave and that type of glittering candy is popular but i tend to think it''s also timeless.

good luck whatever you decide! I would highly recommend Mr. Le at WhiteFlash for custom work....but our local jewelr also did an awesome job. start putting some feelers out!