Does anyone regret adding a halo?

[Snoble]

Hey Everyone!
So Ive been considering adding a halo to my exsisting setting and using my .33 carat diamond center. I went to my jewelers yesterday to get an idea of what could be done and they told me they could do it and it would be around $400 - $500. Which I thought was pretty good. I guess Im just getting nervous that I might regret it or that it wont look good with my diamond. I have a round diamond and wanted to add a cushion shaped halo, prong. I really am looking for it to add some bling to my ring since my stone is a little smaller which I cant upgrade since its a family heirloom. Is this a bad idea? Has anyone gone halo and regreted it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[mrssalvo]

there is always the possibility of someone regretting a ring change. It''s no different that any other major purchase someone makes and then has second thoughts about. I have a halo ring and don''t regret it all but there are some gals who have halo''d and were not satisfied. I think halo''ing your heirloom diamond is a great idea though and if you love halo''s and think it''s a great way to sparkle up a ring! The price your jeweler is offering on the setting is very good too assuming that he produces something of good quality!

 

[Jim Summa]

Snoble,
Can you tell us more about what the jeweler is going to do?
Do they have a pre-made part that they will reset your center in..then surround your stone with supplied diamonds?

 

[Snoble]

Sure thing.....

Ive attached a picture of my current setting, sorry its a bad photo from my cell. They said they were gonna remove the head of it and then build up from there...they are gonna custom make the halo to fit my stone. Right now my diamond sits kinda low so they are gonna make it sit a little higher afterwards so it looks a little bigger. Im kinda new to this whole ring thing, dont know to much about them. Let me know if any other info is needed.

Thanks!

 

[Jim Summa]

Snoble,
Everything sounds good except the part of "then build it up from there....."
Are they able to show you the setting before starting?
I assume they do not what any surprises from your end either.
Halos can be a little tricky and showing you more about what they are proposing is in their best interest.

 

[Snoble]

The designer did say before he did any work we would sit down and discuss exactly what I wanted and what the finish product would be. If that helps at all. They were showing me some pre-made setting yesterday as examples of what it might look like, its just hard for me to invision my diamond in there since they are all so much larger then mine. I dont want it to look like a hung of metal. Thats my biggest concern.

 

[Jim Summa]

Sounds like they are doing a good job....hope all goes well and you like your new halo.

 

[Dreamer_D]

If you are concerned, then try to find a setting already made to set your diamond into. I am sorry, I do not think that adding a halo head to your existing ring is a good idea. It could be good, or it could be horrible and then you are stuck with it and cannot simply set your diamond back into your original setting. It will cost more to get a pre-made setting of high quality, but it is worth it in my opinion. The Grace setting by Vatche is the best cushions shaped prong set halo I have seen, it is around $1800. Beverly K also has some of that style that are lovely.

 

[tigerhearted]

Have you checked out this thread? I have seen some halos featuring smaller stones in this thread, and they look great!

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/under-1ct-diamonds.25028/

Personally I really like smaller stones in halo settings! The halo really enhances a smaller stone, and even gives it the appearance of a much larger stone.

Here is one posted to the thread, loveloveloveit''s .21ct center stone in a halo:

And sunnyd''s .48ct OMC:

Blinkydoll''s .40ct pendant:

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 2/18/2010 12:38:59 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
If you are concerned, then try to find a setting already made to set your diamond into. I am sorry, I do not think that adding a halo head to your existing ring is a good idea. It could be good, or it could be horrible and then you are stuck with it and cannot simply set your diamond back into your original setting. It will cost more to get a pre-made setting of high quality, but it is worth it in my opinion. The Grace setting by Vatche is the best cushions shaped prong set halo I have seen, it is around $1800. Beverly K also has some of that style that are lovely.

ditto. I didn''t realize you were going to try and modify your current setting and add a halo. It would be way to iffy IMO and just too much room for disappointment. I would try to find an already existing setting that will work with your stone, even though it will cost a bit more, I think in the long run you''ll be much happier.

 

[Snoble]

Hmm...well this really makes me rethink things. Money isnt really the reason why I am adding to my setting I have now, I want to always have this setting since its the one my husband proposed to me with. Im a very sentimental person. He had it custom made by the same jeweler that would add the halo and I dont think I could just throw away all the thought he put into it on his own. Thats why I thought adding to it would be a good solution so I get somethign a little closer to what I want, but then it still resembles what he gave to me the night he proposed, and plus it would break his heart if I just got rid of it. Oh boy....now Im even more confused!!!!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

You could set it with a gemstone and wear it on your right hand. Or you can just buy a new ring with a halo for your right hand.

 

[Rockit]

Normally, I''d agree that it would be best to start from scratch. However, if you are using the original setter to do the upgrade work, this may be an exception. May I suggest that if you decide to go ahead and alter your original setting, before any work is started, you and the jeweler agree to a plan of action regarding what will happen if you are not satisfied with the final result. And, do get it all in writing.

Another thought: since your jeweler is the same source as your original ring setting, a brand new setting from THIS jeweler is still of the same "family," so to speak, as your original. As such, it is not a total betrayal of your DH''s original intentions. Also, you may find, down the road, that you are actually happier having the original setting left completely intact, sans stone, and safely stored away, ready for use again someday if you wish. Meanwhile, you may enjoy your new setting (with the option to change back or pass the original, sentimental, setting down to others in the family). If the cost of a new ring is not an issue, then, if it were me, I think this is what I might do. It is the most conservative option regarding preservation of both your sentimental diamond and sentimental setting.