Opinion on halo

[blingy0722]

Did the original jeweler create a CAD for you? Unfortunately, 5 years is too long for a re-do at the jeweler's expense.

I think you should start over...go somewhere that does CADs (DK did my ring). Ask Pricescopers if the CADS match your inspo
ring and they'll let you know the difference.

You should love your ring! I'm sorry your original vision did not come through. I hate wasting money but 5 years is a good run and
its time to make it right if budget allows (my opinion).

No CAD. The jeweler is in LA and for whatever reason, I never communicated directly with him. All communication was via email with his assistant. She would ask him my questions and she would respond on his behalf. This was the first time I ever did a jewelry project, so I didn’t know what to expect with the process and clearly I didn’t know how to assess the outcome. So many regrets.

I recently did a LGD with DK and absolutely love it and he was wonderful to work with. I think that experience made me realize how poor my halo one was, and made me look at the halo again and wonder what went wrong. It’s basically been sitting in my jewelry box not being worn for years. It is a high quality diamond - my husband was meticulous about researching and finding a beautiful diamond when we got engaged. I wore it early in our marriage as a solitaire and then wanted to mix it up by putting it in a halo…and we see what happened with that I guess I need to scrape up the funds for a new halo now. Does anyone know if I can sell or put the gold and diamonds from the halo towards a new project, or do jewelers not do that? Just wondering if there may be some way to bring down the cost…

 

[Dreamer_D]

I am not trying to be rude, but I think what you don’t like is just the overall poor fabrication and design. Other people have pointed out the issues already. You mentioned the Amelia and asked about the differences — even beyond specific details like angles, the overall level of skill of the maker is like comparing Yo Yo Mah’s cello playing to like, your grade 5 neighbour who started learning! It’s just another world of attention to detail and there is just no level of instruction or direction you can give your neighbour kid that will make him a virtuoso. After five years I think you just have to say to yourself “I got my money worth and time to move on!” David Klass does excellent work as you know. I’m sure he can make you just what you want. You might get a few hundred scrap value. Maybe consider a solitaire style so you can wear your pretty again sooner?

 

[Lookinagain]

Does anyone know if I can sell or put the gold and diamonds from the halo towards a new project, or do jewelers not do that? Just wondering if there may be some way to bring down the cost…

Send a photo of your ring to David and Amy and see if they can incorporate your halo stones into the new halo. You may need to add a few, but if they can use the ones you have, that will help. They will also probably give you a small credit for the metal from the old ring, so ask.

 

[blingy0722]

I am not trying to be rude, but I think what you don’t like is just the overall poor fabrication and design. Other people have pointed out the issues already. You mentioned the Amelia and asked about the differences — even beyond specific details like angles, the overall level of skill of the maker is like comparing Yo Yo Mah’s cello playing to like, your grade 5 neighbour who started learning! It’s just another world of attention to detail and there is just no level of instruction or direction you can give your neighbour kid that will make him a virtuoso. After five years I think you just have to say to yourself “I got my money worth and time to move on!” David Klass does excellent work as you know. I’m sure he can make you just what you want. You might get a few hundred scrap value. Maybe consider a solitaire style so you can wear your pretty again sooner?

Not rude at all - you’re on point!!! I totally agree with you. Instead of continuing to be frustrated, I feel validated that my eyes were correct on this poorly done halo thanks to you wonderful PSers. I’m going to move on and reach out to DK about it in the new year. Great idea on how I may be get scrap value. I have a beautiful LGD solitaire for now that I just did with DK, so I’m going to wait until the time is right to help my original round brilliant get the home she deserves!

 

[blingy0722]

Send a photo of your ring to David and Amy and see if they can incorporate your halo stones into the new halo. You may need to add a few, but if they can use the ones you have, that will help. They will also probably give you a small credit for the metal from the old ring, so ask.

great ideas, thanks so much!

 

[LilAlex]

I did not read all the posts.

I think it was a great (and innovative) idea and an acceptable execution but -- and I am agreeing with you -- an inelegant end result. It "sounded" great but the look didn't match the promise. I would abandon the hex halo and go for something else. Sometimes a cool idea does not mean a cool piece of jewelry. It looks a little like grout around a floor tile -- those tiny old-fashioned bathroom tiles. I'm sorry to be blunt but I share your opinion.

(Could something be done with much larger diamonds at the vertices? Who knows?)

 

[Godrick]

I think a square/cushion halo would be nice! Thats just my personal opinion, I always love a cushion halo with a round, i think it gives the most impressive perspective and visial size boost!

 

[JV36912]

I think a square/cushion halo would be nice! Thats just my personal opinion, I always love a cushion halo with a round, i think it gives the most impressive perspective and visial size boost!

Totally agree but I'm partial since my ering is this! I also love the inspiration picture you shared, it's absolutely beautiful.

Do agree with everyone else who shared that it seems like your original jeweler missed the mark and did not deliver what you had envision. Second recommendations for DK. He helped me with a setting for an oval. He was great to work with and the ring came out exactly as I had imagined.

Your engagement diamond is so beautiful and looking forward to seeing where this journey lands you so that it's worn and loved!

 

[blingy0722]

I did not read all the posts.

I think it was a great (and innovative) idea and an acceptable execution but -- and I am agreeing with you -- an inelegant end result. It "sounded" great but the look didn't match the promise. I would abandon the hex halo and go for something else. Sometimes a cool idea does not mean a cool piece of jewelry. It looks a little like grout around a floor tile -- those tiny old-fashioned bathroom tiles. I'm sorry to be blunt but I share your opinion.

(Could something be done with much larger diamonds at the vertices? Who knows?)

Thank you for your comments! And very well said.

 

[blingy0722]

I think a square/cushion halo would be nice! Thats just my personal opinion, I always love a cushion halo with a round, i think it gives the most impressive perspective and visial size boost!

Thanks - I’ll look into cushion halos! Having the round in there could be visually interesting

 

[blingy0722]

Totally agree but I'm partial since my ering is this! I also love the inspiration picture you shared, it's absolutely beautiful.

Do agree with everyone else who shared that it seems like your original jeweler missed the mark and did not deliver what you had envision. Second recommendations for DK. He helped me with a setting for an oval. He was great to work with and the ring came out exactly as I had imagined.

Your engagement diamond is so beautiful and looking forward to seeing where this journey lands you so that it's worn and loved!

I appreciate your kind words! I hope my diamond finds its home where it can sparkle as it should!

 

[WillyDiamond]

OP
I used my stone and Brilliantly Engaged to do the halo. I worked with Chris at BE, but unfortunately Chris has died, so you can call Mark Turnowsky. Good luck.

 

[blingy0722]

I’m considering this design for the reset of my diamond. I may prefer that to a halo. I’d love to hear thoughts!

 

[tyty333]

What do you specifically like about the above setting? This setting may* make your stone look more oval from a distance
(just FYI).

I'm not a fan of the very prongy look it has with all the side stones (but the setting/ring is not for me).

 

[LoveMunkie]

I’m considering this design for the reset of my diamond. I may prefer that to a halo. I’d love to hear thoughts!

I would go to a few stores and try to find rings to try on that have a similar “East West” proportion to them. I personally think that design makes fingers look thicker. I would try something that elongates it more lengthwise in your finger. This design is interesting but still proportional on the finger: https://www.shaneco.com/engagement-...gs/vintage-diamond-engagement-ring/p/41083442

 

[LoveMunkie]

I would go to a few stores and try to find rings to try on that have a similar “East West” proportion to them. I personally think that design makes fingers look thicker. I would try something that elongates it more lengthwise in your finger. This design is interesting but still proportional on the finger: https://www.shaneco.com/engagement-...gs/vintage-diamond-engagement-ring/p/41083442

Or this one has more of that cushion halo but then more to the sides of the stone:

https://www.brilliantearth.com/cushion-cut-engagement-rings/?featprod=BE1D2042-18KW&did=5977749&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SEM_PLA_US_ER&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A15151121956%3A139774279439%3A618376063628&nb_adtype=pla&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=pla-2235110985249&nb_mi=5632642&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=BE1D2042-18KW-3&nb_ppi=2235110985249&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5-Tc198tCwKUPVtqVuvEue3MNi&gclid=CjwKCAiA7t6sBhAiEiwAsaieYkFJlklXceFNIXx94OLETyVpy8BkUL8Cbu1wuc6TXSo0GtP0Ep58HBoC_SQQAvD_BwE

 

[blingy0722]

What do you specifically like about the above setting? This setting may* make your stone look more oval from a distance
(just FYI).

I'm not a fan of the very prongy look it has with all the side stones (but the setting/ring is not for me).

What I like about it is that it would give a bigger feeling of presence to the center stone without it being in a true halo. After the disastrous halo experience detailed in my post, I’m feeling that maybe i don’t want a traditional halo again…

 

[blingy0722]

I would go to a few stores and try to find rings to try on that have a similar “East West” proportion to them. I personally think that design makes fingers look thicker. I would try something that elongates it more lengthwise in your finger. This design is interesting but still proportional on the finger: https://www.shaneco.com/engagement-...gs/vintage-diamond-engagement-ring/p/41083442

I see what you’re saying and would definitely prefer elongation than anything else! This design is a bit too ornate for me, but i get the visual of proportion that you’re talking about, thanks!

 

[blingy0722]

Or this one has more of that cushion halo but then more to the sides of the stone:

https://www.brilliantearth.com/cushion-cut-engagement-rings/?featprod=BE1D2042-18KW&did=5977749&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SEM_PLA_US_ER&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A15151121956%3A139774279439%3A618376063628&nb_adtype=pla&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=pla-2235110985249&nb_mi=5632642&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=BE1D2042-18KW-3&nb_ppi=2235110985249&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5-Tc198tCwKUPVtqVuvEue3MNi&gclid=CjwKCAiA7t6sBhAiEiwAsaieYkFJlklXceFNIXx94OLETyVpy8BkUL8Cbu1wuc6TXSo0GtP0Ep58HBoC_SQQAvD_BwE

Yes I like this one! Great halo suggestion if I go that route

 

[blingy0722]

well, I’m again leaning toward doing a different halo. I’ve narrowed it down to 3 options and would love some feedback on the shape. I’m also wondering if incorporating some rose gold and some small pink sapphires that I have would be a good idea or better just to go with an all platinum look…

 

[Kim N]

well, I’m again leaning toward doing a different halo. I’ve narrowed it down to 3 options and would love some feedback on the shape. I’m also wondering if incorporating some rose gold and some small pink sapphires that I have would be a good idea or better just to go with an all platinum look…

I love the octagon, but incorporating rose gold and pink sapphires may make it too busy.

 

[blingy0722]

I love the octagon, but incorporating rose gold and pink sapphires may make it too busy.

I can see that. Thanks for your comments!

 

[lovedogs]

I also like the octagon but would keep it all white diamonds

 

[blingy0722]

I also like the octagon but would keep it all white diamonds

Thank you!

 

[blingy0722]

I’m moving forward with the octagon design! Debating on if there should be a gap between the bezeled stone or not. In the image on DK’s ig, there is a gap. Do you think there should be a gap or would you prefer to see a seamless halo?

 

[blingy0722]

Hi again! I have the CAD and am hoping for some feedback! We are moving forward with the above design. This will be in white gold.

I got a wax model of the first CAD and felt it swallowed up my finger (4.75 ring size). DK redid the CAD to make the dimensions smaller at my request. He did so by removing the negative space. For the second CAD, DK was thinking about how to set the stones in a smaller halo - that why there see two rings in that image.

Do you feel that the second CAD will still retain the design of the first and also, do you think it will still be approximately as large? Given how disastrous things were the last time I did a halo, I want to be sure that changing a design element will not negatively impact the design overall. Thank you!

 

[tyty333]

So, this image may help you see the size difference. They are on a 4.75 finger. Octagons make look
"smaller" due to the cut corners. The first finger is the 12.07mm from the first CAD and the second finger is the 10.88mm from
the second CAD.

 

[tyty333]

I like the gap in the setting but it does end up rather large. Remember the octagon wont look quite as big due to the cut corners.
You may be able to print the above image and cut the circles to be more octagon-shaped as long as you keep the overall measurements
as 12.07 and 10.88. You may also be able to do this with a princess-shaped stones. Anyway, here is the link for rounds.

6.4ct Round (12.07×12.07×7.28) vs 4.69ct Round (10.88×10.88×6.56)

Compare 6.4 carat Round (12.07×12.07×7.28mm) vs 4.69 carat Round (10.88×10.88×6.56mm) on actual diamond size and finger coverage (114.42mm² vs 92.97mm²)

www.diamdb.com

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Love the octagon, can't wait to see it. Pretty sure I'll love whatever DK does.

 

[Rfisher]

Do you feel that the second CAD will still retain the design of the first

Generally speaking, Yes.

What do you think of the three different halo melee layouts that’s shown?

another wildcard option would be to keep the airline, nix the halo melee, and reduce width of the hexagon shaped halo and have it with or without (texture/engraving) embellishments. If the airline element speaks to you more than the melee, that is.

do you think it will still be approximately as large?

No- as Tyty333 has illustrated, it’s noticeably smaller. But if it’s still too large in your opinion - that’s what matters.