Need Opinions about this Bezel Setting (includes photos)

[GemView]

Date: 10/19/2007 7:57:23 PM
Author: lyra
The only thing that really matters is that YOU like it.

My personal preference is that I like it better in one tone. But you want 2 tone with a gold shank, so that''s what you should have. You obviously really love the ring, otherwise you wouldn''t be defending it. To me that means it must be the right ring for you. At least you''ve actually seen it and tried it on and that''s something none of us can experience just by looking at pictures. Go for it.

Thanks for encouraging me to "just go for it", Lyra! I think one reason why it may sound like I''m defending the setting is because I just don''t have many other choices that incorporate a bezel setting with the two tone look. As I mentioned to diamondsrock, a lot of the two-tone bezel settings that are on the market at this time are using white metal on the finger and yellow around the diamonds, which strikes me as somewhat backward because yellow bezels not only tend to make the stone appear smaller, but may reflect a yellow color into the stone. Since we went to the effort & expense of purchasing a colorless diamond, I would rather not surround it with high karat gold, which is VERY yellow compared to white or even 14K. (When it comes to yellow gold, I prefer the look of 14K over 18K, actually.)

Perhaps I should clarify that the question really isn''t about whether or not the two tone look is appealing — I knew that would be the wrong way to go about asking for opinions if only because many PSers don''t like yellow gold to begin with. To see if we were talking about the style/size of the ring — which was my concern — vs. the color combination, I thought it might help to post a B&W version of the ring. Doing so has helped demonstrate that maybe this ring is overdoing the yellow gold part, which is one reason it looks busy. I don''t entirely disagree with that opinion, either. I feel the 18K is just TOO yellow compared to the 14K I usually prefer, and on top of that the pictures I took make the yellow gold portions come across even stronger — more more like 22K.

The great part of this upgrade setting search is that if anyone were to know of alternative designs it would be the folks here on PS. As it is, I''ve spent hours upon hours looking — and had been looking for about a month even before I posted anything about this particular setting. Unfortunately, I only know of the sites that come up on a Google search, whereas many of the mom & pop jewelers don''t show up that way because their Web sites haven''t been coded correctly to appear in those results.

I''m really sorry I seem so confused… If I hadn''t already found that my current setting didn''t work out, perhaps I would not be so cautious. But having made that mistake once, I''m trying not to make it twice.

So does anyone else wish to weigh in on the original setting? I''m also happy to receive links to alternative two tone settings — or bezel settings of any kind/color.


Thanks again!

 

[gemlust]

Hello
The mounting dictates the size of the diamond, it breaks down to quality and the price that you want to spend.
As a retired jeweler and diamond importer, I would say that I like the style of the ring it has a lot of class and design. You have to be the one wearing it so thats the most important thing. Sometimes I have seen where people have put a color stone instead Tanzanite, Emerald, Saphire, Tourmaline. That is always an option, and you can put your diamond to another design. Rule of thumb always buy the center stone first then you can design around that.
Good Luck!

 

[GemView]

Thank you Gemlust, and welcome to PriceScope!

As a retired jeweler, what would you say about the potential for me to brush-clean this ring given how the back of it is finished off? I am concerned that the top access, side access and bottom access with a cleaning brush will be difficult due to the filigree surrounding the sides and bottom of the bezel. In order to keep my center diamond sparkling in this setting, will I need to take it into a professional jeweler, or do you think I'll be able to manage at home with my cleaning brush despite the way the setting is designed?

With respect to the style, I completely agree… It will be difficult to pass this setting up if only because it has a one-of-a-kind look, which I like because I don't particularly want to purchase a setting that looks like every other setting sold in my area. This is about as close to a custom look as will fit in our budget. :0)

While looking at two other jewelry centers over the weekend, I received unanimous complements on my diamond — thanks to all the education I received on PS — but the setting my stone is currently set in was described by one shop owner as "dated" (probably because it is yellow gold). So after much thought I believe the way to get away from what may eventually look dated is to reset my center diamond in a simpler setting that does not really take on a fashion appearance. As a result, I've come to agree with others who have said that this setting would make a great right hand ring. The only problem is that buying a RHR is not in the budget since the priority is on upgrading my engagement/wedding set.

As far as my continuing search for a replacement setting, I am also rethinking the merits of the prong setting because there are many gorgeous prong settings — especially those here in the PS community. By contrast, my engagement ring features a generic six-claw Tiffany style head, and it's not at all refined like the Tiffany six-prong replicas sold by White Flash or SuperCert. It has a high profile appearance, and in general I believe high profile settings are more elegant looking than low profile or bezel settings — which is why I initially preferred the prominent way in which the tiffany-style head held my diamond up. But with time I've come to appreciate what works and doesn't work with my existing setting. For example, in my present setting the center stone is very well protected by the heavy claws, but it also tends to strike me now as having the look of a weapon of self defense (LOL). That's why I'm looking to alternative prong designs or a bezel setting for maximum comfort and security. And on that note, I really felt I lucked out this weekend when I located a jeweler who manufacturers a very good replica of the Tiffany Etoile bezel setting, which features a heavy comfort-fit shank and has a mirror like shine on the band. It's a wide band due to the 1 carat center stone dictating the size of the ring, as you mentioned, but that's no problem because I like wider bands that show off some of the mirror-like gleam of the highly polished metal.

Of course, I will keep everyone posted when I make my decision. Meanwhile, if I'm guestimating correctly, I've received 10 individual replies/opinions. I would certainly welcome more!

Oh, and please don't mind me "thinking out loud" as to what works and doesn't work about this setting — EVERYTHING I've read so far is valuable input!

 

[Sharon101]

Date: 10/17/2007 1:46:49 AM
Author: ccuheartnurse
Hmmm, I''m not sure even with the stone in it how to think about it. I might have skimmed your post too quickly, not knowing if you prefer 2-tone or not. I think it would look less fussy if you were to keep it one colour metal, either yellow or white. I''m a white metal girl so I would gravitate to all white. Plus, would really make that center stone look huge.

Judy

I was going to write exactly the same....but you said it so well!!!

I think this ring is trying hard to be everything and then some. I think if it were just one color, eg white gold, alot of the busyness would subside and have more harmony. i dont dislike the design, but the two different golds almost looks like a fancy cake with icing. I think it would look much better in one color.