Non-protruding diamond setting for e-ring

[Jaidren]

Let me start by thanking everyone involved with this board for all of the invaluable information involving diamonds and engagement rings. I am (like many new posters) in the market for an engagement ring. I am very well armed in terms of diamond information (again, thanks to this board), but my question is really one of the actual ring, and settings. The ring will probably be platinum, but I am considering titanium, as it fits her lifestyle, and is different.

Important info regarding my significant other:

She generally doesn''t wear jewelry.
She doesn''t want it to get caught on things, or to protrude at all, really.
She liked the looks of various tension settings.
She doesn''t like traditional solitaire settings.
She wants a round stone.

Could I trouble some of you to share your experiences and/or suggestions on rings that would fit that profile?

Thanks,
Jason

 

[theinquisitor]

Hey! I share a lot of the same concerns as your gf, and have looked around at a lot of settings! I like the Ritani Endless Love bezel setting, which is pictured in various places on this forum. I also like the look of a solitaire bezel set in which the bezel swirls around the top and bottom of the diamond like a wave... I think there is a picture of this setting on this site somewhere, by Mark Morell? Anyone, anyone? I'm sorry, I'm horrible at adding links and whatnot to posts.

But I hope this helps!

I looked at tension settings, as well, but I couldn't find any that didn't have sharp edges or corners, and I would worry about scratching someone with those. However, there is a large variety of tension settings out there, so if she likes them, certainly take a look around!

Regarding titanium v. platinum: I hear (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) that titanium is nearly impossible to resize. Just something to keep in mind if there is any risk of her ring size going up or down in future.

If you're really unsure but want to surprise her, you could always go the route I hear more and more guys choosing, and give the diamond to her in a plain solitaire setting, then tell her she can choose her own re-setting.

Ultimately, I decided to go with a solitaire prong setting, myself, after being assured that if properly done, the prongs shouldn't catch on things. I don't know if that's true or just hype, but there's another perspective! Good luck!

 

[glitterata]

I would advise against a tension setting for an engagement ring, especially if she''s not accustomed to wearing much jewelry, for two reasons:

-Tension settings can''t be resized, and most of us don''t keep the same size fingers throughout our lives.
-Tension settings are very bulky, which can be uncomfortable, especially for someone who doesn''t tend to wear rings. The bulkiness makes it particularly tricky to get the sizing right; see above.

Have you considered a bezel setting? They''re not everybody''s cup of tea visually, but they''re very safe & they don''t get caught on things.

 

[elepri]

How about a half-bezel setting. They're usuallly low set and some, like mine, look kind of like tension settings from the top but don't have the bulk and can be resized. Here's a link to my ring

 

[valeria101]

One of my secret files

...

 

[sciencegeek]

Elepri-

Yours was the ring I was thinking of and trying to find to post in this thread

It''s lovely, simple but unique. And I really like the profile, being able to see the whole diamond. Do you ever worry about how exposed the side of the diamond is?

 

[Gale]

I am very much like your girl. I have 2 pairs of earrings, 2 necklaces and 1 ring That''s it. My ring is very similar to the Niwaka ring pictured in the post above, only no square edges, and it''s asymmetrical. it''s the first and only ring I have ever worn on a full time basis. It doesn''t get caught in anything, and I am getting better at not smacking it - I have only had it for about 6 weeks. The profile is very low (just more than 4 mm). The diamond is completly set in the platinum (it''s not a bezel and I don''t know what that is called). I LOVE it! Don''t have a camera, so can''t post a pic, but the Niwaka illustrates pretty much how the stone is set. Good luck!

 

[Jaidren]

Thank you all for the responses! I completely forgot that I posted this, this is a welcome surprise! I completely understand the resizing issue, and it will probably steer me away from tension settings for now. The rings you have mentioned (and shown, thanks for the images Valeria and elepri!

) look like they might be what I would like to get.

If anyone else has any info that they would like to share (things to avoid, non-obvious drawbacks to a ring style, etc...), I would be eternally grateful!

Jason

 

[indigirl]

I just received my ring - it''s the blue nile ''trellis'' setting for round diamonds. It sits very low on the finger... the bottom of the diamond is nearly touching my finger, and it seems very secure. I use my hands a lot for crafting, etc, and I''m pleased that the setting has a low profile. I think it''s fairly similar to the Vatche X-prong, which others recommend. One thing, though... the larger the diamond, the higher it has to sit. I have a .74 ct, so it''s not MASSIVE by any means.

 

[Jaidren]

If it helps at all, the diamond will more than likely be approximately .5 carat.

 

[katbadness]

Here''s one that''s in my personal favorite stash..

 

[Jaidren]

Wow! I like that! Could you share a little more info on that for me Kat?

All of the suggestions so far have matched my thoughts amazingly well. I think you are all reading my mind. Please don't share what you find in there with the group, people might talk!

 

[Diermint]

Hi Jason,

I was interested in a similar design and found some info that might help.

I have heard stones set this way be called "hammerset" and "burnished" - I think they are the same thing as I don''t know the difference, if any.

I like these better than bezels (personal preference) since you don''t see anything holding the diamond and it is perfectly flush with the band. A word of caution though - some jewellers are much better craftsmen than others when it comes to burnishing. I have seen stones surrounded by rough & scratched metal surrounds

which I feel defeats the purpose, and I have also seen perfectly smooth finishes.

I assume it comes down to equipment and experience.

Here''s some good info:

http://www.professionaljeweler.com/archives/articles/2000/feb00/0200fys1.html

Good luck.

 

[katbadness]

Date: 11/8/2004 5:26:36 PM
Author: Jaidren
Wow! I like that! Could you share a little more info on that for me Kat?

All of the suggestions so far have matched my thoughts amazingly well. I think you are all reading my mind. Please don't share what you find in there with the group, people might talk!

Sorry I didn't see your post earlier..

This particular setting came from a Japanese jeweler called Niwaka. They're (one of?) Japan's equivalent of Tiffany's.
A lot of their designs seems to show smaller diamonds (<1ct).. so I think the size you have in mind is right in line with the sizes they have.. And looking at the designs shown on their website it seems like theirs stuff is fluid and organic - which I happen to love.

I believe they have a store in NYC (Soho), but a few posters made a remark that the prices are quite high.

However, I don't think the design is quite exclusive to them, I have seen this type of setting in other places, and I'm sure you can get it custom made by the diamond vendor of your choice.

 

[Hest88]

Jason, one quick thing. As you''re looking at unusually-shaped e-rings, one thing to take into account is how the wedding ring will fit next to the e-ring. Some women are huge sticklers about the two rings fitting together and will want an e-ring that will allow the w-ring to sit flush, some just move the e-ring to the right hand (so the e-ring will need to be re-sized accordingly), and others will opt for no wedding band at all. Whatever you decide, just something else to keep in mind. Good luck!