Between these two? Tension-set

[windguy]

I''ve been reading a lot here and on various diamond websites. I think I can choose the diamond, but I''m not totally set on the ring.

For a little backgound:
We like nice things that are a little different than what most have... we love modern design. We are far from wealthy, but we prefer to buy high quality things that will last a long time. For me, it''s a better investment.
For example, we have a Linn player instead of a Bang & Olufsen: http://www.audio-ideas.com/reviews/loudspeakers/linn-classik.html
I have a Welder watch instead of a big name: http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/2559/p1010948.jpg

So for the ring, I would never get a Tiffany, or a Hearts on Fire diamond.

Right now, I''m torn between the Steven Kretchmer Omega or the Gelin & Abaci TR-045 (I would not buy a Kretchmer copy by G&A)

Both are more modern than prong settings. I would choose Kretchmer over G&A based on reading here and online, but the TR-045 is very special. It seems like it would let even more light to the ring than the standard Omega.

So to all the ladies that like tension set, which one would you prefer? I plan on a 0.80-0.99ct diamond.

Image of the Kretchmer (stolen from forum):

Image of the G&A (see attachment)

 

[D&T]

have you seen these rings in person? find an authorize dealer and try some on, you might find you like something more on your finger than online. If you can help it at all, I recommend trying some on in person. Jareds I know carries G&A as for Kretchmer -Bill at Pearlman''s carry this line, and maybe he can send a sample ring out to you? they are both lovely. I''ve only tried on G&A and it is very well made.

 

[windguy]

looking at prices, it seems that G&A is not a deal at all when you choose Platinum..

the TR-045 is $6,075 (!!!) on this website: http://www.sndgems.com/TR045gelinabaci.htm
or even $7,200 from http://www.brentlmiller.com/Details.asp?List=22&Product=342 (this is insane)

I believe from reading here that the Kretchmer is even cheaper than this.
I found Flat Top Omega (not the round model) for $3,905 from http://d.neadiamonds.com/diamond-jewelry/KR1
or Flat Omega for $4,430 from Pearlmans http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/steven-kretchmer-jewelry/rings/05O1/

Any comments on these prices? I thought G&A was cheaper...

 

[windguy]

D&T: unfortunately, the G&A are not available anywhere in Canada, so it''s either a trip to the US or buy online.

The Kretchmer dealer is 3h away and I plan on going there if I can find a way to go there without her knowing. I''d prefer everything to be a complete surprise for my girlfriend so I can''t really get her opinion, hence the message here.

I know I will buy probably online in any case as the Kretchmer dealer will charge too much to set a diamond sourced elsewhere (he advised he would charge for paperwork, time, etc. and not warranty anything.)

 

[D&T]

are you set on Platinum? you could reduce and go white gold? I've inquired about this before and white gold would do the job VERY well even in 14k. Platinum is very soft, although stronger (in prongs) you could get away with white gold in a tension setting - just a thought, do inquire about tension in platinum versus white gold. I've talked with a couple of jewelers about plat vs gold in a tension setting design

 

[D&T]

Also, I forgot to mention, that you NEED to make very certain of her ring size Correctly- you don't want to TRY to resize as majority of tension setting cannot be done without losing its integrity if It can be done at all

are you sure you don't want to just propose with the diamond instead? and have her pick out her own setting? Tension setting is very specific in taste, and many love or hate them - just a thought- after going through sooo many resets to find the right one - I would put more $ on the diamond, and figure out the setting later.

 

[elle_chris]

Kretchmer. I love tension settings but hate G&A. I''ve seen a few of their designs in person and for some reason they looked cheap to me.

Have you seen Niessing? Gorgeous tension rings, excellent quality.

I''m with D&T though and make sure your girlfriend really appreciates them before getting one.

 

[Todd Gray]

I''ve always liked the Kretchmer designs...

Be sure that the girdle edge is at least 0.7% thin or thicker and that there are not any inclusions located along the girdle edge of the diamond which might present a durability issue when the diamond is being set, such as extensive feathers and/or stacks of feathers (this comes from conversations I''ve had with Stephen Kretchmer in the past, before his passing) - no, I''m not an authorized dealer...

 

[windguy]

Thanks for your input.

I got prices of the Kretchmer with Hearts on Fire stones.. the stones are really expensive (on top of it from a B&M store).

I went and shopped normal rings with my girlfriend, to know what style she preferred, and she seemed to like the few ones that showed the diamond (although they were very cheap non-tension rings). She seems to like some small stones on the ring itself, on top of the main stone and this drives the price waaay up

Kretchmer does have the Omega Round with channel set.. I''ll have to look at them.

Thanks again all for your input, I think I will go with Kretchmer.

 

[tradergirl]

Take a look at Henrich Denzel and Niessing.

I''m thinking hard about buying one of the Octavias and putting it into a Niessing tension setting. Now that would be a ring you don''t see every day (year!)

 

[tradergirl]

Have a look at this thread

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-niessing-tapered-tension-set-ring.82830/

this one seems to bridge the gap to me between what attracts guys to tension setting and what women tend to like better.

Me, I like what the guys like.

 

[kenny]

Date: 2/8/2010 10:55:56 AM
Author: tradergirl
Have a look at this thread
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-niessing-tapered-tension-set-ring.82830/
this one seems to bridge the gap to me between what attracts guys to tension setting and what women tend to like better.
Me, I like what the guys like.

I read that thread but I could not find anything that indicated men and women like something different in tension settings.
I'm very curious about this.
I have a theory, though generalizing always gets you in trouble, that men focus more on the diamond itself and women focus more on how the ring makes their hand look.

The reason I'm so curious is, to me, it is all about the diamond.
Tension settings are the next best thing to air, or no setting at all.
(My ideal setting would be nothing, just the diamond magically floating above my finger with no metal blocking light or the view.)
Diamonds are expensive and covering them up with metal seems a crime.
Tension settings allow you to enjoy more of what you paid for.
It's funny, people will pay a fortune for a larger diamond, but then hide it behind lots of metal.

I am perplexed why tensions settings are not more popular.
I think it may be because most diamonds are worn by women and tension settings have to be hefty.
They do not have a delicate feminine dainty look that prong settings can have.

For the OP, have you considered titanium?
I have heard when it comes to the properties needed for a tension setting titanium is better than platinum or gold alloys, though I do not have a source to quote.
This may just be advertising goblteygook from a maker of titanium rings.

We have three tension settings and are getting another made now for our Octavia diamond.
One is platinum by Gelin Abaci, which I find to be well made.
I have even put it under a high power stereo microscope, and the workmanship looks very precise no matter how close I look.

The others are titanium from Boone Rings .

Another reason I like titanium is the rings are hundreds not thousands of dollars.
That leaves more money for a better diamond, and again to me it is all about the diamond itself.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Kenny, I actually think that a very thin band and an open 4 prong ring shows as much of the diamond and makes it look bigger. I think the style preference difference between men and women is nothing to do with showing the diamond and everything to go with "big masculing metal" and "thin dainty metal". I''d like to rock a big thick tension ring though, and would love to see you wearing a 2mm thin band with a very open 4 prong setting al la the tiffay novo

Windguy When you looked at rings, did she like thicker bands or thinner bands? To me this is an important consideration. And did she like the tension set look? You can find similar styles of setting out there.

 

[tradergirl]

There''s some chatter on this forum about tension settings and how they appeal to the male brain. They appeal to me too for the same reasons (engineering feat, etc.). The ring on that thread I linked is more feminine looking for the genre which was why I thought the OP should have a look at it.

What do you think about putting an Octavia into one of those?

 

[upgrade]

Date: 2/8/2010 10:48:25 AM
Author: windguy
Thanks for your input.

I got prices of the Kretchmer with Hearts on Fire stones.. the stones are really expensive (on top of it from a B&M store).

I went and shopped normal rings with my girlfriend, to know what style she preferred, and she seemed to like the few ones that showed the diamond (although they were very cheap non-tension rings). She seems to like some small stones on the ring itself, on top of the main stone and this drives the price waaay up

Kretchmer does have the Omega Round with channel set.. I''ll have to look at them.

Thanks again all for your input, I think I will go with Kretchmer.

Did she see any tension rings? I ask because I think it''s a love it or hate it design and if it''s not her thing she could be really unhappy with a tension ring. Can you be more specific in what she liked? I''m guessing from your description she she was more drawn to a 4 prong pave style band? Or maybe a channel set band (again- different looks- which did she prefer?)? A lot of women have a very distinct idea of what their e-ring should look like and it''s often not what a man thinks it should look like. The trick is to get her to understand what she wants clearly enough that she can describe it to you.

 

[windguy]

I showed her something similar to this from spence http://www.spencediamonds.com/sites/default/files/00003931.jpg

she liked it a lot with the diamond "floating".. my gut feeling is that she will like even more a true tension set as there is no metal below the diamond.

BTW, very crappy quality feel I got from all the rings over there, but I wanted her to see a hundred so she doesn''t get a feel for what I preferred. I wanted her to look at them and still have the complete surprise for the day I''ll propose

I might shell a little more $ (or get a diamond a little less perfect) and get her this one: Omega Round - Lined

so beautiful!

she doesn''t like rings that are too thin/narrow, she thinks they look too flimsy

 

[elle_chris]

TraderGirl- My wedding band is Henrich&Denzel but i don''t believe they make tension settings. They''re a designer I always come back to when I''m considering a piece. They do make really nice looking bezels and semi-bezels.

Windguy- There''s another designer, Bunz who also makes amazing tension rings. Have you checked them out?