Please advise on instructions to vendor for a HW halo

[scully88]

Hi Everyone!

I’ve been a long time lurker and have learnt so much lurking and absolutely love looking at everyone’s gorgeous pieces.

I’ve been given the go-ahead by Hubby to have a ring made. I've always loved the HW micropave halo and thanks to Charmy's awesome post on this ring style, I'm almost ready to start initiating the project. I plan to use ERD because, although I would've loved to use Victor Canera, my budget just doesn't extend to a hand forged ring so, based on the pics and good feedback (apart from a few recent posts) I've seen here on Pricescope, ERD seem like the best option for the CAD/Cast route and is a one stop shop for the diamond and setting.

Based on Charmy's guide, I have decided on the type of diamond (chunky cushion) but I have some further questions regarding the setting and the instructions I give ERD. I want the instructions to be spot on and clear and hopefully it will be done right the first time because I'm from Australia and don't want to send the ring back and forth to get things right.

After reviewing ERD's website, the Ada http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/ada-a-classic-micropave-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-bpid-81-19.html style appears the most like the HW. Is it enough for me to simply request the Ada and leave it at that or should I specify melee size on the band and halo, angle of the halo etc....I don't really have any specific requirements as long as its as close to the HW style as possible. My only requirement is that it is a half band rather than a full or three quarter band.

If I need to specify the details, what should I ask for, for example, 1.5mm vs 2mm band, v-cut vs u-cut pave diamonds, angle of halo? Anything else I need to consider? What exactly should I ask for so its most like the HW?

One final question, how much extra dimension does a halo add to a diamond (this will help me determine the diamond size I should get)? If I go for a diamond with meaurements of, say 6.2mmx6.2mm, once the halo is on, what might the final measurement be? I understand this all depends on melee size but roughly, how much extra would a halo add on?

Thank you everyone in advance for your help!

 

[Gypsy]

Melee size will depend on center stone size. It's scaled to fit.
If you get a 1 carat cushion, to get to the closest look to an actual HW ring with that size center you should be looking at 1/2 pointers.

 

[distracts]

My preference, if you like the Ada, would be to just request the Ada, say you want it as close to the HW as possible, and then be hands off unless something looks wrong on the CAD. But that's my custom style - to pick a vendor I trust and then let them take it from there. Some people are way more nitpicky but I think if you don't actually know a whole lot about jewelry and how the parts work together that can cause more problems than it solves.

 

[SB621]

My preference, if you like the Ada, would be to just request the Ada, say you want it as close to the HW as possible, and then be hands off unless something looks wrong on the CAD. But that's my custom style - to pick a vendor I trust and then let them take it from there. Some people are way more nitpicky but I think if you don't actually know a whole lot about jewelry and how the parts work together that can cause more problems than it solves.

Yup plus 1. However since you are in Australia I would be firm with Mark and say that you want PICTURES during the process and when the ring is complete. As many macro shots as possible, so that way if there is ANY issue you can address it before the ring leaves the shop.

I have a VC ring and a close friend of mine has a ERD cast HW halo, though I'm not sure of the exact ring model. They are both extremely similar and I was actually very impressed with the quality and how much alike they were. The differences are very subtle- I really don't think you can wrong with ERD.

 

[dani13]

My preference, if you like the Ada, would be to just request the Ada, say you want it as close to the HW as possible, and then be hands off unless something looks wrong on the CAD. But that's my custom style - to pick a vendor I trust and then let them take it from there. Some people are way more nitpicky but I think if you don't actually know a whole lot about jewelry and how the parts work together that can cause more problems than it solves.

YUP. Trust Mark. He really has a great eye, and will make sure you're happy. My SIL has a HW halo from him and its absolutely gorgeous. You cant go wrong with ERD.