Looking to reset my princess cut, need ideas!!!

[lizzyann]

Hi there, I am new to Pricescope but I can tell this is the place for me!!!

I currently have a 1.51 carat princess cut stone. Color is I. Clarity VS2. It is set in a platinum setting with two baguettes. I have it paired with a channel set princess cut wedding band. I had a baby this year and turned thirty this year so my hubby gave me the ok to reset my stone. Right now I am debating between resetting into a halo in a cushion shape (leon mege adrianna) or cut corner (like Ashlee Simpson) or a three stone with trapezoids on each side and pave or channel set diamonds on the shank. Tacori and Maytal has a three stone like this with the princess halo''d which is kind of like best of both worlds. Because I am not upgrading the size of my center stone, I am really looking to make my stone look larger and create more finger coverage. I love the Maytal that Kucinta was originally looking at with the center princess halo''d. Not sure if I will be able to wear my wedding band with either of my ideas but I can always wear it on my right hand. Also, does anyone with halo''s feel like the pave loses the luster after awhile? I would greatly appreciate any ideas for settings or comments!

Thanks

 

[lizzyann]

Some pics of current ring and band

 

[lizzyann]

one more

 

[lizzyann]

last one

 

[tyty333]

Can you give us links to these settings you are talking about (or pull some pictures in). It would make it easier
for us. I love the cut corner halos. Something like that would be my first choice (I think

).

 

[lizzyann]

Thanks for your help as I am a newbie!! I love love diamonds and I am feeling rather bored with my current E ring. But I don''t want to get something too trendy that I am not going to like 10 years from now. Here comes some pics of what I like!!! Let me know what you think. If you have any pics of ideas please send them my way too!!!

 

[lizzyann]

More tacori

 

[lizzyann]

More tacori. I kind of like how this one is a combo three stone and halo.

 

[lizzyann]

This is definitely one of the top of my list. I like a princess with trapezoids. Maybe I could just add a halo around the center.

 

[lizzyann]

This is the Maytal one which I LOVE!!! Does anyone have any idea how much this setting costs? Also, what is anyone''s experience with micro pave? Any issues with losing luster or losing stones. I want to up my bling factor. Sorry if that sounded dorky. Also, does anyone know if there is anyone in Massachusetts or New York that you are able to view Maytal''s designs? I know she is LA based.

 

[lizzyann]

I got started by looking at the Ashlee simpson engagement ring and the Tiffany Legacy. Also, the Leon Mege Adrianna. I originally saw Reena''s ring from Leon and loved it. So I emailed Leon and he recommended the adrianna for a princess stone as a princess stone is a more modern than a cushion cut. Here is the adrianna.

 

[lizzyann]

Here is another one I saw on Leon''s site. I was thinking I could do something like this but add channel set princess and a halo around the center stone. No miligrain or pave and it would then go with my princess channel set wedding band. i don''t want to get caught up on designing a ring to match my wedding band though as I would be willing to wear it as a right hand ring. Enough pics for now!!! Let me know what you think!!!

 

[TheDoctor]

Admitting this is way over the top, I thought you might like to see it anyway. It was just finished in the wee hours today.

Season''s Cheers!

 

[clgwli]

Have you tried any of the settings on? I have looked at a few Tacori and they are very beautiful but delicate settings. I think if you want to wear your diamond band with it, you would be able to with those. One that I liked similar to the first Tacori you posted is actually a Verragio http://www.verragio.com/Verragio-Engagement-Rings/Classico-Engagement-Rings/CLASSICO-0363#section1

I just thought it was even more beautiful than the Tacori, but that''s a personal preference. So not much help am I? Honestly though the one setting that you posted that you love looks like a lot of bling to me in not such a good way. It just seems like a little too much, but again we are speaking of personal preferences. I am one who wants to wear the wedding band with my engagement ring since the sentiment of the band is far more important to me than an engagement ring.

Again this is a personal preference, not meant to be a reflection of what others like and love. I also have very small fingers so I don''t get drawn to larger. Your stone IMO has great coverage, but I *totally* get wanting the more bling. I did the same as well as time went on!

The Ashlee Simpson is my favorite out of the ones you posted. Though the Tiffany Legacy replicas I have seen are wonderful as well. I would probably look at one like that if I were you. Good luck!

 

[tyty333]

Ok, here are my favorites...

1) The Maytal and the leon with the traps - depends if you want to stay more traditional (leon) or if you want to go for a whole lot of bling!
2) The 3rd tacori but I might change out the princess side stones to be traps.


I'm not a big fan of the one that has the little asschers going down the side of the band with the traps...I just think you get a lot more
bling with round stones then with all the step cut stones. I prefer step cuts as the "main" stone not as melee.

I'm having a hard time pricturing a pricess in the haloed Leon ring. Maybe somebody can do us a cut and paste job and put a princess
in that setting. Would the outside of the halo remain curved or would it go more square like your princess?


You have lots of great options!

Edit - you know another option you might consider (that I would like) is the Maytal minus all the pave on the shank. Just have a smooth
platinum shank with the side stones and your haloed princess. This would give you lots of finger coverage without being so over the top!
(this would probably be my favorite option)

 

[lizzyann]

The Doctor, interesting ring but a little too industrial for my taste. But trillions do make a nice pairing with the princess cut as well.

clgwli - thanks for your feedback. I have tried on the Tiffany Legacy and loved it. That''s when I started researching online and found Pricescope. But after looking here I have seen so many more options so I am feeling overwhelmed. Ideally, I would like to wear my wedding band which is why I am leaning towards not doing the pave on the shank like tyty333 recommended. That way I could wear my wedding band.

tyty333 - Love that idea at the end of your post. A clean shank might do the trick while still keeping the ring a little less vintagey and not so over the top. Another thought I had was to do matching princess cut stones in the shank so that my wedding band would pair up nicely. When Leon responded to me, he was very specific in saying that he felt that I should keep the princess cut more modern so your idea would probably be a good way to compromise. I also like the fact that if I keep the ring without pave, miligrain etc I feel like it will stay more classic, if that makes sense. I wish there was a way I could try something like this on. I don''t really want to commit to anything before trying on but I know that is hard if I decide to get something made.

I have tried on some tacori pieces but the store I went to did not carry the styles I liked so I may be making a trip to NYC. Only about two hours from me.

tyty333 - I am having a hard time picturing the haloed ring as well from Leon. I found a style from precision set that is similar. I''ll try to post pics. Does anyone have any good princess halo''s, maybe in a cut corner like Ashlee Simpson or Lovey''s ring. My concern is that I tend to like solitaire halo''s in cushion cuts and asshers but I have not found any that I loved in princess.

Does anyone feel that I will get more brilliance from the three stone style that tyty333 recommended? I just feel that in time the Leon and ashlee simpson ring may end up losing brilliance from all of the pave vs. doing a halo''d princess with side traps. Sorry for all of the questions. Thanks everyone for your feedback and for making me feel welcome here!

 

[lizzyann]

Here is the precision set ring with princess cut. I''m not sure if I love it though. I''m thinking the princess might look better halo''d in a three stone. Thoughs?

 

[lizzyann]

here is one I found on good old gold''s website. still think I am liking the maytal three stone option but this is nice.

http://goodoldgold.com/images/settings/gallery/Slide10-800.jpg

 

[clgwli]

Have you looked into Ritani at all? What do you think of one like this?

http://www.ritani.com/products/view/889

They also have a version w/o the diamonds down the shank

http://www.ritani.com/products/view/891


I currently wear a round diamond channel set band and I have found I do like a "clean shank" next to it. I don't mind some side stones or halos, but I just do not care for the diamonds down the side with it. Again a personal preference. We were looking to redo an engagement ring for me, but in the process of deciding I found a beautiful vintage piece that I liked a lot. Not at all what I was looking at initially but it really spoke to me when I saw it. So I have been around looking at different settings for a princess or asscher stone myself. I know it is so hard to actually pick what you like!

 

[lizzyann]

Thanks cigwli! Sounds like you are in the same situation as me. I just want to make sure I make a decision with something I will love for a long time. I have looked at the ritani. Only thing I didn''t like is that the side stones are bezel set which I don''t care for. I am torn because if I go with a solitaire halo with pave I am definitely not going to be able to wear my wedding band with ering. But I know me and I am going to want to wear a wedding band with it. So I will either end up modifying my current one or trading it in and get a new one, but I don''t know if I am ok with that. Which brings me to something that I can wear my current wedding band with. Yikes!!! What a dilemma.

 

[clgwli]

Liz, I totally hear you on your issues. Have you looked at Natalie K? I just thought of one I saw that I liked

http://www.kassabjewelers.com/inventory/ring/dialog/NK15678ENG/?prev=/inventory/rings/page/5/%3Ffit%3DS%26designer%3Dnataliek%26setting%3Dbead%26gift%3D10th-anniversary

They had ones simliar to that but slightly different too and they were customizable to a certain extent. It would be worth checking out Natalie K''s website if you haven''t.

I totally understand about not liking the bezel on the side stones. I wasn''t sure what I thought of it myself. I admit if that vintage piece didn''t show it''s face I''d still be looking like you! I really didn''t want to lose my diamond band either. It is so special to me, and it just made me sad to think I couldn''t wear it with some settings. I have very small fingers (short too which makes it really hard) and some of the settings I loved just didn''t work well with my band. I was very close to deciding on Natalie K''s work and Verragio when I found my current ring.

I imagine though if there isn''t a pre-made setting out there, that there is someone who could take all you love and make a beautiful custom job for you.

 

[Catmom]

I''ve always loved the first tacori you posted and had I kept my princess stone that was the one I would have gotten. As far as durability of pave stones, it depends upon the quality of the setting. Some lose stones right away but others never do. I''ve had mine over two years and I wear it pretty much 24/7 and have never lost a stone. I know I give my hubby heart attacks but I figure if I can''t wear it when I want to [which equals all the time] then I shouldn''t have gotten it. The most important thing is to buy the ring from a reputable vendor that will replace any lost stones for free. Mine has a lifetime replacement policy on any lost stones. I''ve never had to take him up on this though.

I''m not sure what you mean by the pave losing luster. The stones are just as bright and lively today as they were the day I got the ring and if you mean am I tired with it then the answer is no, I doubt I will ever tire of this ring.

 

[marcy]

They are all lovely but I like the second Tacori the best.

 

[Londongirl1]

Date: 12/24/2009 9:08:49 AM
Author: lizzyann01
Here is another one I saw on Leon's site. I was thinking I could do something like this but add channel set princess and a halo around the center stone. No miligrain or pave and it would then go with my princess channel set wedding band. i don't want to get caught up on designing a ring to match my wedding band though as I would be willing to wear it as a right hand ring. Enough pics for now!!! Let me know what you think!!!

OOhhh! I like this one but to be honest I like your ring as it is. If you really want a halo, then I'd go for something subtle that doesn't overwhelm your centre stone

 

[lizzyann]

clgwli, that natalie k is nice. I will have to check out more of that line. What does your vintage ring look like that you ended up getting? I''m curious to see.

Catmom, I love your ring! It is beautiful. I do love the halo''s. My jeweler that I have been working with said that the pave can look lack luster after time which is why I asked the question. I''m glad to hear that is not the case though. I think I may make a trip to NYC and go to Tacori and possibly see Leon Mege. I would like to see a princess version of the Adrianna that Leon was talking about. I also saw the one below on his site that I think might look nice with a princess. I think it may be Lovey''s ring. very pretty. The thing is that if I get a halo with pave I am going to end up wanting a new wedding band to match. Either way I want to pick wheat I love instead of worrying about it. Catmom, have you seen any princess halo''s beside the tacori that you liked?

Happy Holidays everyone!!!

 

[lizzyann]

Thank you London Girl. I do like my ring too. I''m just wanting something new. I have been married for 6 years and I am just ready for a change. My husband thinks I''m crazy but he''s happy when I''m happy, so he''s good for whatever I want. Which is nice. I also have a three stone round brilliant on my right hand in platinum. Not anything huge - 1 carat total weight All G - VS1. In my crazy mind somewhere I was also thinking of resetting that one but that''s a whole other post!! Nice thing is that I can always wear my current princess cut wedding band with that ring on my right hand if it works out better.

 

[clgwli]

Liz I love that last one you posted as well! I am sure you can see why I was so torn myself on what kind of ring to create. My husband and I have been together since our first year of college so you can imagine we had zero money for a diamond. My original engagement ring has since been damaged (both setting and the stone) so I''ve been playing with colored stones to wear with my anniversary band I have.

He was going to create this ring when I saw this one. I don''t want to say much about the seller because he was awesome, but I don''t think he was very correct in how he listed the ring. My jeweler without being an expert in vintage estimates that I have about a 1/2 carat round transition cut diamond. Her opinion is that it is H-I in color and VVS1-2 in clarity. She viewed it through the microscope and only saw one teeny spec. I can only see it either from the side or at higher magnification. So it is a beautiful stone. The setting is estimated to be from the 1930s and is 14K white gold. I liked the look of the setting which is not an illusion setting (though in one picture the edge of the diamond seems to blend with the setting and looks like it is an illusion, but it isn''t) because it makes the stone look square. I can''t remember how big the side stones are, but we are measuring them in the setting to get an idea. Right now it is being resized so I only have the pictures taken prior to me taking it in.

I''ll try to post two of the good pictures taken to give you an idea. None of the face on shots came out.

 

[clgwli]

Here''s another shot

 

[lizzyann]

Hi Jean, that ring is really pretty. When do you get it back from being sized? Bet you can''t wait! The center stone does look square. It is amazing how the setting can really effect the shape of the stone.

I went to a high quality family owned local jeweler today to try on some more rings as I knew there was no way I could make a decision before trying more on. And I loved the solitaire halo with bead set details very similar to my last pic posted and the adrianna from leon mege. The one at the jeweler was a radiant cut but the jeweler said that it would make up very similarly in a princess cut. The bead setting was nice because I saw little to no metal just sparkle. He said the setting would be about $4000-$5000 which is a little more than I was hoping to spend but I am going to keep looking to be completely positive that is it!!! I liked it without any band at all. I think I will wear my wedding band on my right hand with a round three stone ring that I got for my 28th birthday a couple years back. They sit nice together and this way I can still wear my wedding band.

 

[clgwli]

Liz glad you like it! Because the goldsmith is taking some vacation right now at the jewelers I go to, I have to wait until possibly Saturday to get it. It''s going to be a very long week

They are also a little busier right now with the Christmas/NYE rush to get rings sized and fixed for others. I love this jeweler though so I know they will do great work.

I did fall in love with the setting more than the diamond, so getting a good diamond was a bonus.

I do like the idea of the last setting you found there. Though the price does sound a little steep. Sounds like you are really close to figuring out what you like. I really do love settings like that. Some day when we have way more money to burn than right now (we''re saving to redo our kitchen) I hope to get one simliar to that. I might go for an asscher cut though. I just love square shapes.