Help: This ACA needs a home (setting)

[starrylight]

Regarding choosing something now and having her pick out her own after proposing: do you think that would come across as “he didn’t put in much effort” because then I’d be asking her to put in the work too? Did you or would you personally feel that way? I’m not insinuating anything negative about any one of y’all. At all! I have it stuck in my head that the gentleman is “supposed to” handle this all on his own. Haha idk, never done this before!

Make a romantic date of it. 2 jewelry shops to get a good idea along with a date night. Considering her preferences shouldn't ever be considered low effort.

 

[NavyLanguage828]

I would choose a simple setting so you have a ring to put on her finger for the proposal. Hopefully, she will love it and never want to change it - especially if she wants a more elaborate wedding band. By the way, the Valoria at Whiteflash comes as a solitaire setting too!

You have been so thoughtful during this selection process and are a true gentleman to want to give your girl a complete and finished ring. I think at first glance she is going to love it and love you for your careful choice of her ring!

Thank you for your very kind words and advice @MissGotRocks

 

[NavyLanguage828]

As far as I know, this is still his policy. If I am not mistaken, she used a setting that she previously had made. @m-2-b, correct me if I am wrong!

Many have been disappointed by this policy but I think he only wants to set the diamonds he sells. However, it has been said that from time to time he does accept outside stones so it never hurts to ask him!

Totally understand the policy, or at the very least know that it’s not just a VC thing. I may ask down the line, but for now and for time’s sake, I think I should stick with in-house at WF. Good to know for the future though!

 

[NavyLanguage828]

Prongs: 6 over 4. On a round I personally think 4 prongs make the diamond look square, 6 helps keep the shape of the diamond… and gives the diamond a little extra protection and support.

Prong shape: petite tab prongs. On a modern round diamond, set in a Vatche u113 setting with petite tab prongs… it’s the perfect vintage solitaire Tiffany look. They just fade into the diamond, they aren’t too obtrusive. Just simple.

Is this the general consensus around here? Guess I never thought about it “squaring off” the look of a round. That’s a really good point to consider.

I’ve always loved the look of that “Tiffany style” solitaire. So classy and fancy.

Those with experience (everyone except me lol), does the extra metal reduce the light transmission a noticeable amount? Not trying to be crazy here, but I did just spend a lot of time to find one that dazzles and don’t want to disregard that. Thoughts?

 

[NavyLanguage828]

If there isn’t a specific ring style that she feels strongly about, then a solitaire is a beautiful way to showcase that gorgeous ACA!

Either the Vatche U-113 (which I have and love!) or the Valoria Petite six prong would be lovely options. Both come in Platinum. I’ve had MANY various type settings over the years and nothing pleases my eyes as much as my “Tiffany style“ solitaire. I can also attest to the quality of the Vatche U-113. It has the heft of a well made platinum setting and the knife edge is very subtle and comfortable.

What a lucky lady to have you give this so much consideration!

@Bonfire thank you also for your kind words and advice. This community is great.

I appreciate the extra info on heft of the U-113 as I won’t be able to go see these in person I don’t think.

 

[NavyLanguage828]

Was the was digging back through the scant (yet scattered) notes I have from her bestie and she did mention to her (the bestie) that she liked halos. She also mentioned this to me in passing long ago but did say “because it makes the diamond look bigger I think.” Worth noting that at that point she hadn’t gone to see any in person.

So….gotta be honest, a little nervous about jumping on that.

One, because maybe she thought I’d be getting her a much smaller center stone? I kinda think - though I’m no expert - that a 1.72ct is decent enough to go without? Not that that’s why people get them (no offense to halo lovers!), but that’s a reason she like them. Idk. Confusing.

Two, couldn’t I just get a big fat 2 point something rock with a much lower color if the majority of the diamond will be obscured?

But…Third, I’ll do it if it’s a good move.

Way out of my understanding or experience on this. Any feedback? I hate to be all neurotic sounding like this, but the thought of a disappointing proposal isn’t appealing lol

 

[Bonfire]

Goodness, it’s enough to make a guy dizzy with all the choices isn’t it?!
I commend you on all the careful consideration you’ve put into this. My opinion is this (I’m older and have been married a looong time).

You have chosen a stunning ACA! I mean a TOP NOTCH diamond! A 1.72ct G VS2 ACA is going to knock her socks off!!
If you want to put it in a halo setting, that’s a fine option because she’s mentioned liking them.
I also think that the Valoria Petite 6 prong solitaire in platinum or another type solitaire would be a lovely place to start. It will give your SO a chance to enjoy the gorgeous stone on it’s own. (I have a 5.5 size finger and a 1.72 will not look small by any means). If after awhile she decides she wants a halo then you can shop for that together, maybe for an Anniversary.

 

[Tonks]

Is this the general consensus around here? Guess I never thought about it “squaring off” the look of a round. That’s a really good point to consider.

I’ve always loved the look of that “Tiffany style” solitaire. So classy and fancy.

Those with experience (everyone except me lol), does the extra metal reduce the light transmission a noticeable amount? Not trying to be crazy here, but I did just spend a lot of time to find one that dazzles and don’t want to disregard that. Thoughts?

As to six prongs vs four, I would (and did) go with six. I actually LOVE the look of a classic Harry Winston style 4 prong. However, four prongs leaves a lot of the girdle of your diamond exposed. And diamonds, while hard, can and do get damaged if you whack them into things. Six prongs provides more girdle protection, and still looks great.

Will it reduce the brilliance and fire of your stone to have more prongs? NO. Do not worry about this at all. You bought an ACA! One of the perks of a beautifully cut stone is that it is going to return light beautifully no matter how you set it. You could bezel it (which would cover the girdle completely) and it would be gorgeous.

Bottom line: don’t worry about the setting impacting the performance of the stone. You could go with either six or four prongs. Six is more protective, tends to make a stone look rounder (possibly even slightly bigger). Some people love the look of four, but less protective and can give the stone a more square look (and again, some people really like that).

Regarding choosing something now and having her pick out her own after proposing: do you think that would come across as “he didn’t put in much effort” because then I’d be asking her to put in the work too? Did you or would you personally feel that way? I’m not insinuating anything negative about any one of y’all. At all! I have it stuck in my head that the gentleman is “supposed to” handle this all on his own. Haha idk, never done this before!

Oh goodness, no! Seriously, talk to her about how you got to your ring decision and what you learned along the way. Tell her you joined Pricescope. You have put in a lot of effort and truly, I think she will be blown away.

Was the was digging back through the scant (yet scattered) notes I have from her bestie and she did mention to her (the bestie) that she liked halos. She also mentioned this to me in passing long ago but did say “because it makes the diamond look bigger I think.” Worth noting that at that point she hadn’t gone to see any in person.

So….gotta be honest, a little nervous about jumping on that.

One, because maybe she thought I’d be getting her a much smaller center stone? I kinda think - though I’m no expert - that a 1.72ct is decent enough to go without? Not that that’s why people get them (no offense to halo lovers!), but that’s a reason she like them. Idk. Confusing.

Two, couldn’t I just get a big fat 2 point something rock with a much lower color if the majority of the diamond will be obscured?

But…Third, I’ll do it if it’s a good move.

Way out of my understanding or experience on this. Any feedback? I hate to be all neurotic sounding like this, but the thought of a disappointing proposal isn’t appealing lol

Breathe. You are doing great. Your soon-to-be fiancé is going to be so touched and impressed that you put this amount of thought and work into her ring. The main part is done—you have the stone, and you chose a gorgeous one! A 1.72 ACA is going to knock her socks off. It is NOT a small stone. She will be thrilled. I’m sure it is difficult to hear an offhand comment about a halo and not second guess everything! If it makes you feel any better, many of us like a LOT of different types of rings. But having someone take this kind of care in selecting a ring for you and then seeing that ring on your finger? That is a really special and beautiful feeling.

My advice, fwiw: put your gorgeous ACA in a classic solitaire setting. Propose. And if she wants to do either a halo or a bigger stone later, be open to it. It’s easy to add a halo later, but would be extremely hard to start with a halo and then go back to solitaire (because visually the stone would look smaller in a solitaire). You have a great upgrade policy so you can always do something for a future anniversary.

The thing that gives me the warm fuzzies about your whole journey is that you want so very much for her to be happy.

 

[MissGotRocks]

You have gotten some great advice and I can’t disagree with any of it! Put it in a six prong solitaire setting and start planning the proposal! She is going to love this ring - no worries!!! The good news is that there are so many ladies here that have been proposed to, upgraded, changed settings, etc. They have had experience and are quite frank! If any of us thought you were headed in the wrong direction, we would speak up. You are doing great!