Looking for some assistance with a simple, elegant setting for an OEC

[ming]

Although we've been married for 10 years, because of life (moving abroad etc), I never had an e-ring. My MIL no longer can wear her OEC and gifted it to me. It's a lovely stone and much more beautiful than I had expected to be honest! I like simple settings where the diamond can really shine and nothing distracts from the center stone, especially because this stone is a petite girl, especially on my hands/fingers.

For years I have lusted after CvB Dahlia setting and I have been looking at local jewelers to see if they have anything similar in style or even elegant simplicity. But I just haven't found anything I like. One jeweler showed me a setting with the scalloped edge but it looked bulky from the side and not as florally (?!). I will be meeting with their designer to see what it would cost to create something similar to the CvB (while respecting and not stealing her design of course) but I'm thinking if I do that I might as well just send it to CvB and have her set it.

With all that said, aside from CvB and a dahlia/tulip style, does anyone have a simple elegant setting they may have come across or own that you'd possibly recommend?
I'm pulling my hair out trying to find what I like and my diamond has been sitting here since Xmas with my inability to make a decision.
I did get an appraisal for insurance purposes so here are her dimensions and a quick cell phone pic.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Very pretty! Looks like a later OEC with some characteristics of a transitional cut. I’d guess circa 1920s.

What is your budget for the setting?

Stiller has a tulip style setting. You won’t find the delicacy of CVB with a stock setting or local jeweler though.

 

[ming]

Valmanin's beautiful ring still steals my heart as well! I

Very pretty! Looks like a later OEC with some characteristics of a transitional cut. I’d guess circa 1920s.

What is your budget for the setting?

Stiller has a tulip style setting. You won’t find the delicacy of CVB with a stock setting or local jeweler though.

Thank you! As for budget, I'm not sure. If I could keep it under $1500 I'd be more than happy, or even under $1000 if possible. If it had a higher value I'd not think twice about spending more but I have a difficult time buying these sort of things for myself. I'll look at Stuller right now,

 

[EllieTO]

This is right up my alley! I immediately thought of the Dahlia, so it sounds like we have similar taste.

It would help to know your budget. If your budget allows, Victor Canera does beautiful settings, and has a stellar reputation. They are hand forged (not cast from a CAD) and would do justice to your heirloom stone.

This is an interwoven setting similar to the Dahlia https://victorcanera.com/product/10916/dhara-six-prong-ring-with-flowing-prongs

I love this one more https://victorcanera.com/product/10238/the-adriana-six-prong-solitaire

But my absolute favorite is this one. He also has a version with pave on the basket (which is even more my favoritest, but not sure if you're looking for pave). Of course they are all totally customizable as they are custom made. https://victorcanera.com/product/11016/six-prong-solitaire-with-scalloped-basket

If VC is not the right fit for you, there will be many other beautiful options. I can't wait to see what you'll pick!

Edit: We posted at the same time and unfortunately VC will be out of budget, but maybe you can still take a look for inspiration. I'll take a look at some of my other favorites later.

 

[ming]

This is right up my alley! I immediately thought of the Dahlia, so it sounds like we have similar taste.

It would help to know your budget. If your budget allows, Victor Canera does beautiful settings, and has a stellar reputation. They are hand forged (not cast from a CAD) and would do justice to your heirloom stone.

This is an interwoven setting similar to the Dahlia https://victorcanera.com/product/10916/dhara-six-prong-ring-with-flowing-prongs

I love this one more https://victorcanera.com/product/10238/the-adriana-six-prong-solitaire

But my absolute favorite is this one. He also has a version with pave on the basket (which is even more my favoritest, but not sure if you're looking for pave). Of course they are all totally customizable as they are custom made. https://victorcanera.com/product/11016/six-prong-solitaire-with-scalloped-basket

If VC is not the right fit for you, there will be many other beautiful options. I can't wait to see what you'll pick!

Edit: We posted at the same time and unfortunately VC will be out of budget, but maybe you can still take a look for inspiration. I'll take a look at some of my other favorites later.

I love VC's settings! The Adriana is lovely!
I still lust after his rings with the french cuts that were really showing up here a few years ago. I just can't justify dropping that much on this stone since the value is only around $5k.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I love VC's settings! The Adriana is lovely!
I still lust after his rings with the french cuts that were really showing up here a few years ago. I just can't justify dropping that much on this stone since the value is only around $5k.

I think that's a low estimate for retail replacement FWIW. Its more inline with deals we find on ebay and other sources.

Regardless, with the price of gold I don't think you will find much other than a simple stock setting from a casting company like Stuller for your budget. CVB will be in the mid-to-high $2ks most likely, and most custom rings will be closer to $2k or more.

I would suggest that you consider the setting as an important aspect of the piece of jewelry and not consider it from such a utilitarian perspective. I understand if budget is set based on economic considerations, I completely understand and support staying in one's means, but if it is based on some kind of idea about values and what is "justifiable" I'd urge you to re-think that. For me, settings are very much a part of my enjoyment of my gems and especially for an important piece like this. If you are drawn to the level of delicacy and craftsmanship in a CVB ring -- which I understand, I own one of her pieces -- you will be utterly disappointed by a cheaper alternative which is going to be less fluid, less graceful, and overall chunkier than a delicate custom piece. You see the setting every time you look at your diamond and it very much contributes to the overall aesthetic.

Food for thought.

Here is the Stuller catalogue. Most jewelers can access their settings, which are very high quality as far as stock cast pieces go.

Stuller, Inc.

Stuller, Inc. is the #1 supplier of fine jewelry, findings, mountings, tools, packaging, diamonds and gemstones for today’s retail jeweler.

www.stuller.com

Their Ever&Ever line is very nice, I have seen their pieces in person and this is the line I would likely buy from if I was looking for a stock cast setting (ie non-custom).

Stuller, Inc.

Stuller, Inc. is the #1 supplier of fine jewelry, findings, mountings, tools, packaging, diamonds and gemstones for today’s retail jeweler.

www.stuller.com

This is a popular antique style solitaire in that line that is very lovely in person. A few PSers have it.

14K White 6.5 mm Round Engagement Ring Mounting

122004 / Solitaire / Engagement Ring / Unset / 14K White / Round / 6.5 mm / Polished / Engagement Ring Mounting

www.stuller.com

 

[ming]

I think that's a low estimate for retail replacement FWIW. Its more inline with deals we find on ebay and other sources.

Regardless, with the price of gold I don't think you will find much other than a simple stock setting from a casting company like Stuller for your budget. CVB will be in the mid-to-high $2ks most likely, and most custom rings will be closer to $2k or more.

I would suggest that you consider the setting as an important aspect of the piece of jewelry and not consider it from such a utilitarian perspective. I understand if budget is set based on economic considerations, I completely understand and support staying in one's means, but if it is based on some kind of idea about values and what is "justifiable" I'd urge you to re-think that. For me, settings are very much a part of my enjoyment of my gems and especially for an important piece like this. If you are drawn to the level of delicacy and craftsmanship in a CVB ring -- which I understand, I own one of her pieces -- you will be utterly disappointed by a cheaper alternative which is going to be less fluid, less graceful, and overall chunkier than a delicate custom piece. You see the setting every time you look at your diamond and it very much contributes to the overall aesthetic.

Food for thought.

Here is the Stuller catalogue. Most jewelers can access their settings, which are very high quality as far as stock cast pieces go.

Stuller, Inc.

Stuller, Inc. is the #1 supplier of fine jewelry, findings, mountings, tools, packaging, diamonds and gemstones for today’s retail jeweler.

www.stuller.com

Their Ever&Ever line is very nice, I have seen their pieces in person and this is the line I would likely buy from if I was looking for a stock cast setting (ie non-custom).

Stuller, Inc.

Stuller, Inc. is the #1 supplier of fine jewelry, findings, mountings, tools, packaging, diamonds and gemstones for today’s retail jeweler.

www.stuller.com

This is a popular antique style solitaire in that line that is very lovely in person. A few PSers have it.

14K White 6.5 mm Round Engagement Ring Mounting

122004 / Solitaire / Engagement Ring / Unset / 14K White / Round / 6.5 mm / Polished / Engagement Ring Mounting

www.stuller.com

Thanks, Dreamer. You are definitely feeding my need to just go with one of the more expensive settings. In the end it may be a bit more but I do think I will enjoy it more. It's a bit of a stress factor though because I'm not even sure what those settings will look like IRL and on my hand vs lusting after them on line. But I do feel like all the settings you can see in a standard jewelry store are bulky and I think they will overwhelm this particular stone.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Thanks, Dreamer. You are definitely feeding my need to just go with one of the more expensive settings. In the end it may be a bit more but I do think I will enjoy it more. It's a bit of a stress factor though because I'm not even sure what those settings will look like IRL and on my hand vs lusting after them on line. But I do feel like all the settings you can see in a standard jewelry store are bulky and I think they will overwhelm this particular stone.

Its a beautiful diamond and I would love to see more pictures!

Is there a local store that carries Stuller Ever and Ever settings? I think you can search. They often have samples so you can see the work.

I own two very delicate rings in the vein you are talking about. One by CVB and the other is a five stone I just got from David Klass that is similar quality in terms of fabrication and finish IMO. Prior to this, many years ago, I owned a number of MRBs ranging in size from .80ct to 1.66ct. In each case I set them into inexpensive mounts to save money. And I was never happy with it! I just learned that for me it is worth the extra $$ to have a truly fine piece of craftsmanship. In the case of the five stone I just had made, the setting cost more than the diamonds, which I admittedly got at a deal; but so did you getting your diamond free! Rather than looking at it like "oh this diamond isn't worth much so why invest" you could look at it like "I got this diamond free so I can splurge!". I doubt you would regret it, but I won't lie... it is stressful lol

 

[Dreamer_D]

Since you are dreaming, Erika Winters is also a dream setting maker for delicate lifetime pieces. Prices are similar to VC I believe.

Home - Erika Winters Fine Jewelry

Erika Winters Fine Jewelry - Erika Winters Fine Jewelry

erikawinters.com

Her work is carried by jewelers so you could maybe find one local to see in person?

 

[dk168]

I appreciate this might not be classified as 'simple', however, it is one of my favourite inspiration ring for an OEC:



DK

 

[dk168]

This is my own OEC, a 0.86ct F SI1 in a simple Gypsy rub over setting in Platinum:



I opted for this setting as I already have an EC in an Art Deco inspired style that is the ring that trumps my other two natural/earth-mined diamond-only right hand rings.

This ring is one of two RHRs that are intended to be worn on casual days.

DK

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

VC sadly won’t set outside stones.

But simple, elegant…

1. Erika Winters. I love her Margot setting, all of her stuff really. She’s pricey, but she’s a perfectionist and if you want simple, elegant, this is it.




Here are some of my other favorites… for these, I would reach out to DK

This first one is Cartier

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

DK also does a beautiful rendition of the classic, timeless Tiffany 6 prong solitaire.

 

[autumngems]

Have you looked up any pre-owned settings, some antique settings are very lovely.

 

[ming]

Thanks to those suggesting Erika Winter. I LUUUVVV her bands. My husband lives part time in NYC and there is a store there that carries her so I may just plan a trip to go look. I think I do prefer the CvB setting but I have read various things about time frame and response from her (although I wouldn't get anything custom; that would be far too much stress to add to my process) so I think EW would be a great option, and I can see them in person.

 

[ming]

Have you looked up any pre-owned settings, some antique settings are very lovely.

I haven't. There are some that I do like but I think having to sort through all of them and find one that is the correct size would be more than I can process. I am trying not to overthink this too much.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Thanks to those suggesting Erika Winter. I LUUUVVV her bands. My husband lives part time in NYC and there is a store there that carries her so I may just plan a trip to go look. I think I do prefer the CvB setting but I have read various things about time frame and response from her (although I wouldn't get anything custom; that would be far too much stress to add to my process) so I think EW would be a great option, and I can see them in person.

I have read nothing but excellent reviews about EW and that would be an amazing choice!!! I would love to have one of her pieces. Please take pictures if you visit the show room.

 

[EllieTO]

BTW, did you also look at Victor Canera's Bliss line? Those are not hand forged and much more affordable, and I can't imagine him selling sub-par quality. Not sure whether he will sell these without his in-house stones.

He also has a selection of in-stock hand-forged pieces with moissanites - you can see if any might fit your stone (although most of his stock rings are 8 mm unfortunately).