Help with my 7-stone shared prong ring search

[lumpsy]

Hello - Newbie here. For the past few weeks I've been combing through threads on Pricescope to become more educated as I search for a replacement wedding set.

For the wedding band, I've narrowed it down to a 7-stone shared prong ring. I've tried on many (Tiffany's, Ben Bridge, Robbins Brothers). My favorite is the Tiffany shared setting band. I tried on the 0.56 tcw size and liked it. I also tried on some larger carat rings and think 3mm or a touch bigger is perfect. So based on recommendations I've come across on Pricescope, I've been trying to locate a similar band online that is more inline with my budget. I've looked into Whiteflash, BGD, Excel Diamonds, and James Allen, including requesting some custom quotes and well, I'm very overwhelmed now. Perhaps the biggest point of confusion for me right now is why are the same carat rings so different in mm width? The Tiffany 0.56 tcw ring is 3mm in width. At Whiteflash a 0.55 tcw ring is 1.9mm in width. In comparison, BGD has their 0.35 tcw ring listed at 2.5 mm width so wider than Whiteflash for less tcw. I also received some quotes for around 0.75 and 1 ctw. For 0.75 tcw, Whiteflash is 2mm vs James Allen's 3.2mm. For 1 tcw, Whiteflash is 2.5mm vs James Allen's 3.5mm.

All rings are utilizing quantity 7 round cut stones which I assume are similar in quality, if not better than the Tiffany ring. When I look at the settings online, it seems like they are just a touch bigger than the round stones. I would also assume that the stones would all be similar in diameter / width which seems like is not the case. So very confused, please help!

 

[lumpsy]

Given the lack of response I'm thinking I rambled too much, and hopefully not that my question was too dumb to acknowledge. My question is why are similar carat size rings so different in mm width? Thank you!

 

[mrs-b]

lumpsy, I think some of the widths you're looking at are the width of the ring at the point of the diamonds (ie the width given is actually of the stones) whereas some are giving you the width of the metal band. I wondered this myself a while back, but if you look at which ring is which width, you can quickly tell which company measured widest width (which is normally always the stones), and which ones measure the width of the bands. Also, some of those band measurements are the back of the band - which might narrow at the front. If in doubt, I'd call the vendors. I hope that helps.

 

[lumpsy]

Thank you mrs-blop. You were completely spot on. I had to contact everyone again for the widths of the diamonds which led to me looking up point sizes of diamonds. I had no idea getting a replacement band would be so complicated. Then again, I didn’t take much care when getting my engagement ring and that ended up not working out so well.

So now my question is if I’m looking at 0.14 point stones is it really worth getting F/G + VS over H + VS2? I’m wondering if the stones are small enough that I can sacrifice a little on quality so I can get a bigger width band. Otherwise I need to get 0.10 stones.

Thanks!

 

[Mayk]

I purchased a Preloved Memoire seven stone .75 cts. It's around 3mm. I think Pearlman's carries them.

 

[lumpsy]

Mayk - The memoire ring is beautiful on you! I looked into those but the retail asking is more than our current budget. I really like how you have everything stacked! One day, maybe, I will get a beautiful set like that.

I think I have narrowed down my choice to either White Flash or Brian Gavin diamonds. Which would you choose given the following:

- Brian Gavin Diamonds: This would be a custom order so non-returnable which does make me nervous. I don't foresee needing to return the item and would only do so if the workmanship was not good quality. And I have read that there work is great on these boards so maybe I shouldn't worry too much about that. The custom quote is based off of this ring (http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/w.../seven-stone-shared-prong-band-platinum-5391p) on their site and would feature 7 14 pt diamonds in F/G, VS. Initially their quote came back much higher than Whiteflash. I was able to negotiate them down and now it's just slightly lower than the Whiteflash version.

- Whiteflash: I would be purchased a non-custom piece so I think I could return if needed. However it is priced slightly higher and I would have to pay by wire. Diamond specs are identical to the other ring. Photos of the ring here: (http://www.whiteflash.com/wedding-bands/seven-stone-shared-prong-diamond-wedding-band-443.htm).

There are slight differences in the ring, mainly where the band meets the part where the diamonds begin. The diamonds on the WF ring are not as flush with the band and the band seems to narrow down more. Which do you think looks more like the Tiffany version? Which would pair better with a Tiffany style solitaire ring? Will one be better longterm than the other (i.e. I heard that some of these rings cause scratching). And which do you simply like better? Thank you!

 

[vsp08]

I would go with whichever is lowest. The Tiffany band is great because it is super low and comfortable. I inquired about the WF band (with 10 pointers) and was told it would be 2.8-3 mm in height, so I imagine 14/15 pointers would be higher. The higher the diamonds are set the more likely they'll scratch your solitaire.

 

[lumpsy]

vsp08 - Thank you for your input and for sharing the height of the Whiteflash one. BGD said about 2mm in height. So I'll be ordering that one.

Thanks to everyone who provided input. It took me awhile to finally come to a decision. I tried on options at Tiffany's, Robbins Brothers, and Ben Bridge.

I compiled pricing options for the platinum version from Tiffanys, Ben Bridge, Whiteflash, BGD, Excel Diamonds, James Allen, Blue Nile, Shane Company, Victor Canera, and Joseph Jewelry. If anyone feels like they can benefit from some of the info I compiled, please feel free to reach out.

 

[lumpsy]

Well I was all set to order my ring when the vendor changed the quote from 1 ctw to 0.75 ctw. I think it was an honest mistake / typo in the email. However that put me back to my search. I'm waiting for a quote from IDJ.

In the meantime, is there a benefit to going with an open basket vs closed?

The Tiffany one has more of the diamond exposed, see here: http://eragem.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/d/i/dia794-Tiffany-Co-shared-setting-diamond-wedding-band-ring.jpg..

Many of the others I've seen have completely closed baskets: http://www.whiteflash.com/wedding-bands/seven-stone-shared-prong-diamond-wedding-band-443.htm..

 

[marcopinder]

Hi lumpsy,

Any chance you can provide an update on this thread (nearly 5 years later) on what you ended up doing please?

I'm in a similar position.

Thanks