Engagement Ring Setting Help - Round 2

[julchak]

Hey everyone,

A few weeks back I had a post up here seeking some guidance on where to look online for engagement ring settings and trying to find some settings which might have been "the one" that match what my girlfriend would like.

Well, I've gone through A LOT of rings online since then, talked to her best friend, and even have been a bit more upfront to find out what she really loves with some ring designs. Needless to say I'm glad I did not purchase anything yet because I've found a whole lot out and would have picked the wrong setting.

My budget for the setting/diamond is a combined $7k. I'll be targeting around a 1ct, ideal cut. If there are other diamonds on the setting then I'd size down the center stone and hope to have a combined carat weight around 1.4 or so.

Things she likes and is looking for in the setting:

1. Rose gold preferably.
2. She wants something unique
3. She likes round and oval (I prefer round for seeing the quality of the diamond).
4. Thinner (I'm looking between 2 - 3.5 mm thick I think) since she has shorter fingers/small hands.
5. She does not want anything too clunky, thick, jutting out, etc. She does not like when there is a large amount of trellis/things underneath the center/side stones (like below):
6. She does not want anything too overdone/too blingy
7. She seems to like having side stones, or a three stone. Pavé is okay too but so long as the diamonds on the band are not overwhelming and hide the rose gold.
8. She likes small details worked into the gold and having small diamonds on the band.
9. She likes the idea of there being small details/little diamonds that may not be obvious to others when looking from up top, but that she can see and that we know about on the sides, etc.
10. She does like the idea of having some leaf shapes if possible.
11. She is okay with the idea of some twists in the band, however I think I moreso like that, it doesn't seem like she really wants that.

I started going through different designers to get a feel for if she liked some of their work and found out that she really likes the detail with Tacori. In fact, the ring below from Brilliant Earth is her favorite so far. She loves the details on the side, the shape of the side stone, the little diamonds on the outside of the center stone, and really liked the additional secret accent on the lower portion of the shank:


I've looked at Tacori at White Flash but none seem to have this nice side stone/three stone like this one from Brilliant Earth.

I've also had her skim through some options at Brian Gavin and she also liked some of Sylvie's settings, although a lot of them (as I skim back through) would probably be either "too thick/bulky" for her, or have diamonds which cover up too much of the band. I think this one could be along the lines of what she would like:


I'm just curious if anyone has seen any other settings which might be similar/worth looking into?

Also I am wondering if people typically purchase a maintenance plan like the ones from Jewelers Mutual Group which cover cleanings, repairs, etc.?

 

[lovedogs]

I would avoid brilliant earth. They are pretty bad as a vendor. I think that deciding on a diamond first is the best way to go, and if you want the best possible diamond then I'd go with WF, Brian gavin, or victor canera. The issue with VC is that his settings (while incredible) are $$ and might put you over budget.

WF can probably source other tacori settings beyond the ones on their website. The issue w tacori is that their settings are typically overpriced for the quality. I think the sylvie ones from BG will probably be better quality. We can also look through settings and try to help.

 

[lovedogs]

James allen has some settings that seem to fit this description.

14K Rose Gold Laurel Leaves Diamond Engagement Ring

Four captivating marquise diamonds align to create bay leaves shapes that express victory. This lovely ring represents the true victory of unconditional love.

www.jamesallen.com

14K Rose Gold Milgrain Navette Engagement Ring

The bold and interesting navette pattern halo ring is accentuated with milgrain detailing and pavé set brilliant diamonds.

www.jamesallen.com

14K Rose Gold Entangled Vines Engagement Ring

With vintage flair, this design provides a modern approach to a nature inspired staple. The vine pattern wraps around your center diamond or gemstone selection, adding the perfect touch of elegance!

www.jamesallen.com

 

[julchak]

I would avoid brilliant earth. They are pretty bad as a vendor. I think that deciding on a diamond first is the best way to go, and if you want the best possible diamond then I'd go with WF, Brian gavin, or victor canera. The issue with VC is that his settings (while incredible) are $$ and might put you over budget.

WF can probably source other tacori settings beyond the ones on their website. The issue w tacori is that their settings are typically overpriced for the quality. I think the sylvie ones from BG will probably be better quality. We can also look through settings and try to help.

I wasn't sure what people's opinions of Brilliant Earth were on here. She likes them for their touting being "ethically sourced", which is another criteria.

I think I need to start with a setting and then find a diamond right? I mean if the vendor doesn't have a setting I like then there's no option there.

So with WF getting a setting there is the potential that it will not be covered by their upgrade policy and what not I believe if it is not a typically stocked setting?

I've looked through James Allen a bunch but don't really see many unique options there, they all seem to be picking parts of other ring molds and using them with slight variations.

I hadn't heard that Tacori is poor quality before - I've only seen one thread here where people where gushing over how much they love their Tacori rings haha, so just figured they were a good option.

With those options you sent, here are some of my reactions based on what she has told me from other rings:

I think it's got a bit much going on underneath the center stone and it almost looks "messy", not cleanly done.


There is too much going on in the band I feel like. The details in the Tacori I showed were all on the side of band/stone which she liked.


This could be nice. I personally don't like how the side of the center stone is wrapped around by gold though.

I wouldn't get too caught up in looking for leaf settings, the Tacori really caught her eye and doesn't have any leaves, but just unique intricacies which are rather stunning.

Thanks for the help!

 

[lovedogs]

No problem! Tacori isnt poor quality, it's just often considered overpriced for what it is. And WFs upgrade policy is only for their diamonds, the setting doesnt factor in at all. So if you get a stone that's "in house" it will qualify for their upgrade program. I think if she liked the tacori setting you should ask WF If they can source it. Brilliant earth's customer service is honestly a nightmare and they dont have many ideal cut stones.

 

[DejaWiz]

WF does have an upgrade program for some of their settings...they allow a 50% purchase price credit towards upgrading.

Pave Engagement Rings | Whiteflash

Pave Engagement Rings exude beauty and class with contemporary and vintage designs available. Take a look at the full collection at Whiteflash.

www.whiteflash.com

 

[kah42]

Have you checked out Maevona? https://www.maevona.com/engagement-rings/view-all I've lusted over a few of their settings in the past, but haven't seen them in person. I've heard they are good quality, and they might fit your girlfriend's asthetics.

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

Hi! Beautiful ideas! I have a Tacori that I adore. It hasn’t lost a pave diamond in 7 years of every day wear. Whiteflash is a great way to go since you can get a stunning diamond and a Tacori setting

 

[tyty333]

@julchak I would ask WF about the specific Tacori setting...if they can get it and how much. You are paying a little more for
the Tacori name. Also, ask if it qualifies for the 50% upgrade. How I read what @DejaWiz posted is that any rings "from the
collection of"..it doesn't say that it has to be one that WF has posted on their website. Be sure to ask though.

 

[julchak]

Okay so I think I am ready to really consider this ring from Tacori.

I am trying to go with a K colored center stone to go with the rose gold setting and let me put more towards a larger stone since the K can be blended with the rose gold.

My question is, do you think if I got the pear side stones in K as well, would it look okay? I think that otherwise the side stones will be closer to an I or H and will ditract from the center stone.

If I can get K for the side stones, that will give me even more budget for the center stone.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

Okay so I think I am ready to really consider this ring from Tacori.

I am trying to go with a K colored center stone to go with the rose gold setting and let me put more towards a larger stone since the K can be blended with the rose gold.

My question is, do you think if I got the pear side stones in K as well, would it look okay? I think that otherwise the side stones will be closer to an I or H and will ditract from the center stone.

If I can get K for the side stones, that will give me even more budget for the center stone.

What are your thoughts?

Hmm when I click the link it shows a Simon G ring instead?

 

[julchak]

Oops, Here's the link https://www.tacori.com/engagement-ring-simply-tacori-2668rd/?qty=1

 

[julchak]

Okay so I think I am ready to really consider this ring from Tacori.

I am trying to go with a K colored center stone to go with the rose gold setting and let me put more towards a larger stone since the K can be blended with the rose gold.

My question is, do you think if I got the pear side stones in K as well, would it look okay? I think that otherwise the side stones will be closer to an I or H and will ditract from the center stone.

If I can get K for the side stones, that will give me even more budget for the center stone.

What are your thoughts?

Updated link to the setting above.

Again, curious on everyone's thoughts on how K colored pear-shaped side stones would look with a K colored round center stone? I'm assuming that getting a K colored center stone with the stock side stones (probably G, H or I I'd guess?) would detract from the center stone, and going with a matching color for the center stone will greatly reduce the carat I can go with.

 

[tyty333]

I do not think you should go that low on the pears. They do not have as good light return (like an Ideal Round Brilliant). These pears
are at a pretty good slant so you're not going to see many "good" facets when viewing the top of the ring. Will whoever you are getting
the ring from be able to show you the combination of your K stone with K pears or your K stone with I pears?

Are there any Tacori dealers near where you live? I think you should try to see this in person if you can. Its worth calling around
to see if you can find this setting before ordering.

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

Updated link to the setting above.

Again, curious on everyone's thoughts on how K colored pear-shaped side stones would look with a K colored round center stone? I'm assuming that getting a K colored center stone with the stock side stones (probably G, H or I I'd guess?) would detract from the center stone, and going with a matching color for the center stone will greatly reduce the carat I can go with.

I agree that you are want to try to match the side stone color to the center stone because higher color side stones is not flattering for the center stone. However, nicely cut matching pears might be a challenge to source. Fancy shapes also tend to show more color than rounds. You may run into difficulties finding suitable stones IMHO.

If you aren't already set on that particular Tacori setting, I would suggest you go for that BGD Sylvie setting you initially posted with this diamond if you think she is ok with K color (she may be color sensitive):

1.214 K VS1 Blue Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS Graded 1.214 carat K VS1 super ideal cut Brian Gavin Signature 'Blue' Round diamond with fluorescence. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com

Larger center stone and the blue fluorescence can help improve the K color.
You may want to check with BGD on that Sylvie setting to make sure that the melee diamonds and that K center stone would not look too different in color though.

 

[lovedogs]

I do not think you should go that low on the pears. They do not have as good light return (like an Ideal Round Brilliant). These pears
are at a pretty good slant so you're not going to see many "good" facets when viewing the top of the ring. Will whoever you are getting
the ring from be able to show you the combination of your K stone with K pears or your K stone with I pears?

Are there any Tacori dealers near where you live? I think you should try to see this in person if you can. Its worth calling around
to see if you can find this setting before ordering.

Totally agree. Going that low in pears is super risky.

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

I agree that low colored pears at a slant don’t look great. I have a J center diamond surrounded by G melee and that looks great. I am totally a fan of lower colored diamonds. And I am all for pairing different colors! But my friend has a low color pear… and it’s not very flattering. Especially at a angle like that cuz the tint shows more. Again I love pear cuts and I love lower color diamonds but I think this might not be the most flattering.
I remember a different PSer (can’t remember who) had a lower color center stone, and paired that with matching color trillions that were on either sides, just like the setting posted above. Unfortunately the trillions faced up much more tinted than the center stone and the PSer returned it.
Any other settings your a fan of?

 

[julchak]

Thanks everyone for the feedback here, the representative that white flash also has some concerns about putting pear-shaped side stones a take a color do to them looking darker, I just wanted to confirm that with you guys.

I have gone ahead and inquired as to what the actual color cut and Clarity are of those pear shaped side stones on that Tacori ring. Maybe I can get away with a J or I center stone if K will clash too much with the current side stones, and if going with K side stones is too risky.

I agree that low colored pears at a slant don’t look great. I have a J center diamond surrounded by G melee and that looks great. I am totally a fan of lower colored diamonds. And I am all for pairing different colors! But my friend has a low color pear… and it’s not very flattering. Especially at a angle like that cuz the tint shows more. Again I love pear cuts and I love lower color diamonds but I think this might not be the most flattering.
I remember a different PSer (can’t remember who) had a lower color center stone, and paired that with matching color trillions that were on either sides, just like the setting posted above. Unfortunately the trillions faced up much more tinted than the center stone and the PSer returned it.
Any other settings your a fan of?

There is one other Tacori setting which I am considering, my girlfriend has not actually seen this one however it is closer to the price range that I am looking for and seem to check a lot of her boxes, my only concern is that it does not have smooth prongs and elements in the gallery, and instead has a lot more milgrain. She does like milgrain from what I can tell, but I'm not sure if you'd one is too much. I also liked having the 3 small diamonds on either side of the Centerstone in the gallery area on the other setting that I was considering here.

I was considering seeing if I could get a custom ring from Tacori that might combine these two settings, however I realize they are so similar in might be difficult and not actually help me with cost. If I were to do this I would want to try to have some small diamonds on the side of this second setting. Do you think I could get away with K colored side stones with this setting where they are rounds?

 

[julchak]

I agree that you are want to try to match the side stone color to the center stone because higher color side stones is not flattering for the center stone. However, nicely cut matching pears might be a challenge to source. Fancy shapes also tend to show more color than rounds. You may run into difficulties finding suitable stones IMHO.

If you aren't already set on that particular Tacori setting, I would suggest you go for that BGD Sylvie setting you initially posted with this diamond if you think she is ok with K color (she may be color sensitive):

1.214 K VS1 Blue Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS Graded 1.214 carat K VS1 super ideal cut Brian Gavin Signature 'Blue' Round diamond with fluorescence. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com

Larger center stone and the blue fluorescence can help improve the K color.
You may want to check with BGD on that Sylvie setting to make sure that the melee diamonds and that K center stone would not look too different in color though.

Unfortunately the more I have been talking with my girlfriend about this and trying to figure out what she would like, I definitely feel as though she's leaning towards a 3 Stone. I haven't really found a 3 stone that stands out to me on bgd yet, but please let me know if you find one that is along the lines of what I'm looking at here from Tacori or something similar because I would love to be able to get from them if possible.

 

[Kim N]

Thanks everyone for the feedback here, the representative that white flash also has some concerns about putting pear-shaped side stones a take a color do to them looking darker, I just wanted to confirm that with you guys.

I have gone ahead and inquired as to what the actual color cut and Clarity are of those pear shaped side stones on that Tacori ring. Maybe I can get away with a J or I center stone if K will clash too much with the current side stones, and if going with K side stones is too risky.



There is one other Tacori setting which I am considering, my girlfriend has not actually seen this one however it is closer to the price range that I am looking for and seem to check a lot of her boxes, my only concern is that it does not have smooth prongs and elements in the gallery, and instead has a lot more milgrain. She does like milgrain from what I can tell, but I'm not sure if you'd one is too much. I also liked having the 3 small diamonds on either side of the Centerstone in the gallery area on the other setting that I was considering here.

I was considering seeing if I could get a custom ring from Tacori that might combine these two settings, however I realize they are so similar in might be difficult and not actually help me with cost. If I were to do this I would want to try to have some small diamonds on the side of this second setting. Do you think I could get away with K colored side stones with this setting where they are rounds?

I do think K colored side stones will work if they are rounds. Can your girlfriend try on this setting first to make sure she likes it, in case it was the pears that made her fall in love with the other setting or in case she thinks there's too much milgrain on this one?

 

[julchak]

I do think K colored side stones will work if they are rounds. Can your girlfriend try on this setting first to make sure she likes it, in case it was the pears that made her fall in love with the other setting or in case she thinks there's too much milgrain on this one?

I'd love to see them in person, having a hard time finding them in stock at a store near me (Boston, MA) though. I've sent some inquiries to local vendors.