Poll: Torn between two classic solitaire settings

[e2the3rd]

So I’m having my Tiffany style solitaire remade by DK, with a few slight changes including having the stone set higher (I had another poll recently regarding this).

Then I saw and remembered my love for the classic 4-prong basket cathedral - Cartier 1895, VC cathedrals, Vatche Caroline, to name a few examples. I love the donut and the basket on the cathedral solitaires, no other versions.

Now I had ruled the cathedral out the last time I got my Tiffany style soli a few years ago - because I love the 6 prongs, how they make the stone more rounded (vs squared on the 4 prong), and I love the knife edge.

But I just can’t stop thinking about the cathedral now, wondering would it be a better choice? I’ve been having problems with bands working with my current solitaire (aesthetically speaking only) - maybe more bands would look better with the 4 prong without the knife edge? I do prefer a gap between soli and band, so I might not get that with the 4-prong unless I have the donut large enough..

I do know that I don’t want to combine elements of the two styles, I only want one or the other.

Please vote for your favorite, and if you have any experience or insights to add, please comment! Thank you!

First few pics are Cartier 1895 1.5ct for sale at 1st Dibs


My current 6 prong knife edge 1.67ct:

Above is a comparison of mine on left 1.67ct and @Petalouda’s 2.15ct VC cathedral on right

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Ooh, that's hard.
I'm the weirdo who wants a Cartier or Tiffany look, but with C 6 to 8 or even T 6 to 8 prongs! I can't leave well enough alone.
Both are great classical profiles.

 

[e2the3rd]

Part of my problem is I’m really nervous that I’m going to mess up the redesign of the Tiffany, so I won’t love it as much as my current one (I’ve requested a thicker/deeper but not wider shank, more delicate head, etc) - my current one was a redesign because the first version was a very soft knife edge and much too bulky looking for me/my short fingers. However the current version was not my doing, it was almost entirely DK (because I’m terrible at reading CADs!).

I feel like the Cartier design can’t be messed up, it’s so simple and easygoing. But the knife edge of the Tiffany adds a nice visual interest to the top view, especially. Agh!

I should add this to the first world problem thread

 

[Bonfire]

Go with your gut. Don’t muddy the water with other’s preferences. If you’re unsure, wait until you know what YOU want, and then be specific with DK.

 

[lambskin]

Get what you want and what looks right for you!

 

[e2the3rd]

Go with your gut. Don’t muddy the water with other’s preferences. If you’re unsure, wait until you know what YOU want, and then be specific with DK.

I appreciate that, thank you. I hoped someone might have tried/experienced both styles and have some insights I hadn’t considered. I haven’t found a cathedral like these to try on so I can know for sure. It’s been days/weeks of back and forth in my head but maybe it’ll come to me soon!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Stick with the Tiffany. Can't go wrong with that. I wore one for a long time with a Tiffany band. Almost any Tiffany band looks good with that setting.

 

[Cerulean]

I’m not going to help, but I do really like the 4 prong look. If I had a larger stone, it’s what I would’ve picked, but I liked that the 6 prongs added more oomph visually…(mine is a mere 6.7mm / 1.3 carats, quite deep)

My fave part of 4 prongs is the more square look it gives. It’s personal preference, really

 

[e2the3rd]

I’m not going to help, but I do really like the 4 prong look. If I had a larger stone, it’s what I would’ve picked, but I liked that the 6 prongs added more oomph visually…(mine is a mere 6.7mm / 1.3 carats, quite deep)

My fave part of 4 prongs is the more square look it gives. It’s personal preference, really

I so agree, I feel strongly that if I had a 2+ ct I’d go with the 4 prong! Didn’t know if anyone else would feel that way so I hadn’t mentioned it, but for some reason larger stones really appeal to me more in the cathedral setting - for me it’s bc they’re lower set. I think

 

[lulu_ma]

I don't know if this will help you but I found a cathedral tester ring that you can easily buy and return. It's not exact to either style, but perhaps it will help you visual the difference.

https://www.amazon.com/TenFit-Jewelry-Elegant-Solitaire-Engagement/dp/B073ZVJFWB/ref=sr_1_21?crid=2IC9QVEZDFOI3&keywords=cubic%2Bzirconia%2Bring%2Bcathedral&qid=1649555184&sprefix=cubic%2Bzirconia%2Bring%2Bcath%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-21&th=1&psc=1

 

[e2the3rd]

Stick with the Tiffany. Can't go wrong with that. I wore one for a long time with a Tiffany band. Almost any Tiffany band looks good with that setting.

Thank you! I’ve tried some Tiffany bands. To my eye, some of them seemed a bit off or somehow not quite right with my solitaire - not sure if it’s because the stone was set low, or maybe because my current version is slightly more dainty overall than other Tiffany repros ? Hopefully the bands will look better with my new Tiffany version with a higher set stone / deeper shank. I’d appreciate any input!

Here are pics of my 3mm channel set Tiffany band, and other Tiffany bands I’ve tried

 

[e2the3rd]

I don't know if this will help you but I found a cathedral tester ring that you can easily buy and return. It's not exact to either style, but perhaps it will help you visual the difference.

https://www.amazon.com/TenFit-Jewelry-Elegant-Solitaire-Engagement/dp/B073ZVJFWB/ref=sr_1_21?crid=2IC9QVEZDFOI3&keywords=cubic%2Bzirconia%2Bring%2Bcathedral&qid=1649555184&sprefix=cubic%2Bzirconia%2Bring%2Bcath%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-21&th=1&psc=1

Thank you so much! I checked Amazon and probably passed this by because it’s 6 prong -but maybe it could help. I’ll give it a shot, thanks again

 

[kenny]

Since I can hardly tell them apart so I'd just flip a coin.
On second thought, for the same, reason I'd just get the one with the lowest price.

 

[nala]

6 prong Tiffany set higher will look bigger and rounder—if that is your goal.
If you are craving a new look, a 4 prong cathedral will satisfy that itch but might make your stone appear smaller than your current one.
My two cents based on experience

 

[e2the3rd]

6 prong Tiffany set higher will look bigger and rounder—if that is your goal.
If you are craving a new look, a 4 prong cathedral will satisfy that itch but might make your stone appear smaller than your current one.
My two cents based on experience

Very helpful, thank you! I’ll stick with the Tiffany 6 prong and one day I’ll get a big ol’ stone in a cathedral setting

 

[e2the3rd]

Since I can hardly tell them apart so I'd just flip a coin.
On second thought, for the same, reason I'd just get the one with the lowest price.

Haha I can see huge differences but I’m sure I’m overly particular about settings. Both would be the same price!

I’m going to stick with the one I know I love, knife edge 6 prong Tiffany style

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I definitely see that your current setting is on the low, squatty side. Making it a little more medium height will look so much better and will allow the bands to work. Example of a Vatche repro:

 

[e2the3rd]

I definitely see that your current setting is on the low, squatty side. Making it a little more medium height will look so much better and will allow the bands to work. Example of a Vatche repro:

That’s really great to know! Now I’m getting excited about the changes instead of apprehensive. Thank you so much. Would you say request for it to be set at a medium height?

 

[LilAlex]

The looks are so similar so I think it is mostly an emotional purchase/decision. I would go with the one you are most excited about. For me it would be Cartier. I am not into brand names but for design inspo, it's hard to top Cartier, imo. (Spouse has a faux Tiffany knife-edge solitaire that has not been super-comfortable -- in comparison to her barely-there cheapo 14K placeholder shank for two decades. )

 

[Alybetter]

Tiffany all the way. At least, IMO. But definitely do what you love.

 

[chere]

I prefer the Cartier setting with the stone set as low as possible.

But if I did 6 prong ring, I would want the prongs to start at the base of my ring like this post.

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...2ct-just-became-available.269685/post-5060674