Sapphire Engagement Ring Setting Question

[Kahlua]

Hello, I've been lurking in the forums learning for a while because I knew my SO and I were headed towards picking out an e-ring. We are working with a limited budget of $2500. I've been searching a lot over the last few months for a radiant cut yellow sapphire around 5x7mm, for the center stone which was tougher than I imagined but we finally located one that seems to be right for us. My main concern now is finding a quality halo setting in platinum for $1900 or less. I was hoping to get your opinion on the setting below that we are currently considering and possibly other suggestions.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/128510805/morganite-engagement-ring-diamond-halo

 

[Niel]

This would be under budget even with a setting fee.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-princess-center-item-17430

Or this Gabriel and co one should be in budget if yoh go though Id jewelry, I think thru usually charge less than price on the site.

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7839PT4JJ

 

[minousbijoux]

Hi Kahlua: Welcome and lucky you to be planning an engagement. Just to get things straight - you are looking for a setting that will fit your radiant cut sapphire, you want it to be platinum, and you are asking about that setting in particular to find out about the jeweler? Also, is your radiant a square radiant or rectangular? I'm sure folks will come along that know that jeweler and can speak to the quality of the setting...

 

[Niel]

Hi Kahlua: Welcome and lucky you to be planning an engagement. Just to get things straight - you are looking for a setting that will fit your radiant cut sapphire, you want it to be platinum, and you are asking about that setting in particular to find out about the jeweler? Also, is your radiant a square radiant or rectangular? I'm sure folks will come along that know that jeweler and can speak to the quality of the setting...

She said its about 5x7


And OP, as you said you were looking for a nice plat setting under 1900, I dont know anything g about that test vendor. But in the RT side of things both of those vendors are often used with good results. So if this vendor doesn't work out, that gives you options, like you asked about

 

[emmmme]

I have a wedding set from Rare Earth. I am 99% sure that she uses Stuller settings, which you should be able to order through your local jeweler at a size that fits your stone exactly.

I believe this is the setting - http://www.stuller.com/products/121987/?groupId=113387

It doesn't look exactly the same in the picture because it is showing a different configuration, but you can change the options around to see how the setting changes.

Ask any local jeweler for their price on that Stuller setting. I'm sure it will be well below what Rare Earth is charging, and you won't have to pay for shipping either.

ETA: Sorry, I missed the platinum bit - obviously that increases the price dramatically. Additionally, this setting is not offered in platinum either on Rare Earth or Stuller.

 

[Kahlua]

Thanks for the welcome and advice everyone, I really appreciate it. I had actually emailed Gabriel & Co. about that setting and have been waiting for them to get back to me with info about the pricing. I will definitely be checking with Id Jewelry.

I have a wedding set from Rare Earth. I am 99% sure that she uses Stuller settings, which you should be able to order through your local jeweler at a size that fits your stone exactly.

I believe this is the setting - http://www.stuller.com/products/121987/?groupId=113387

It doesn't look exactly the same in the picture because it is showing a different configuration, but you can change the options around to see how the setting changes.

Ask any local jeweler for their price on that Stuller setting. I'm sure it will be well below what Rare Earth is charging, and you won't have to pay for shipping either.

ETA: Sorry, I missed the platinum bit - obviously that increases the price dramatically. Additionally, this setting is not offered in platinum either on Rare Earth or Stuller.

Are you happy with your set, or have you had any problems with it? I had spoken with her about what I wanted and she had quoted me for a custom platinum version of that setting with VS quality diamonds. Since I have my heart set on a sapphire center, I want to make sure the surrounding stones have a nice sparkle. Your set is really beautiful!

 

[Niel]

Yeah contact idjewelry as I do believe their prices will be lower that Gabriel and co directly.

 

[chrono]

I used to own a Stuller halo setting (square cushion, not rectangular setting) and found it to be a decent price for the value. The diamonds are white and sparkly and is of acceptable workmanship to most people. The metal work was a bit wonky to my eye and I eventually scrapped the setting because it bothered me over the years. Other than that, the ring held up very well and I never lost a melee diamond.

 

[emmmme]

Thanks for the welcome and advice everyone, I really appreciate it. I had actually emailed Gabriel & Co. about that setting and have been waiting for them to get back to me with info about the pricing. I will definitely be checking with Id Jewelry.

I have a wedding set from Rare Earth. I am 99% sure that she uses Stuller settings, which you should be able to order through your local jeweler at a size that fits your stone exactly.

I believe this is the setting - http://www.stuller.com/products/121987/?groupId=113387

It doesn't look exactly the same in the picture because it is showing a different configuration, but you can change the options around to see how the setting changes.

Ask any local jeweler for their price on that Stuller setting. I'm sure it will be well below what Rare Earth is charging, and you won't have to pay for shipping either.

ETA: Sorry, I missed the platinum bit - obviously that increases the price dramatically. Additionally, this setting is not offered in platinum either on Rare Earth or Stuller.

Are you happy with your set, or have you had any problems with it? I had spoken with her about what I wanted and she had quoted me for a custom platinum version of that setting with VS quality diamonds. Since I have my heart set on a sapphire center, I want to make sure the surrounding stones have a nice sparkle. Your set is really beautiful!

I love my wedding set. I think for the price, the Stuller settings are a great value. I upgraded to VS diamonds and they are very sparkly.

However, when I asked Melanie about ordering a semi-mount from her, she told me she doesn't do that. Are you thinking of ordering the ring with morganite, and having it reset with your own sapphire? If that's the case, I really don't see why you should do this through Melanie, as you will be paying her markup on the stone. Just go through a local jeweler and order directly from Stuller. If she can customize it in platinum, so can anyone else who has access to their catalogue. In fact, I'd ask two local jewelers for their prices, so you can compare costs and negotiate the best price.

 

[Kahlua]

Emmme we had actually agreed on me shipping the sapphire to her to have it mounted, since we had already been searching for the stone we wanted. I'm definitely going to price that setting with the alterations I want locally this weekend to see what our best option is.

 

[emmmme]

Oh, perfect! I was over the moon with my rings from Melanie, but I have to say that knowing more about jewelry now, I'd probably prefer to deal with a local jeweler. Ordering online was easy, yes - it was great to see so much positive feedback from her customers. Melanie was very communicative, etc. But she takes a long time, considering the settings are ordered from Stuller -- I waited six weeks before it was shipped to me. And then, if problems arise, you're burdened with the cost of shipping it back to her to fix, or paying out of pocket for someone to do it locally. For example, my ering was a 1/4 size bigger than I had requested (the wedding band was correctly sized) - first Melanie denied that it was wrong and said that rings "fit differently," and though she agreed to reimburse me for the cost of having it resized locally, she didn't reply to my message. It was only $15 so I didn't press her, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. It made me realize that all that great feedback people leave is probably written in the euphoria of receiving such special jewelry!!

I would buy from Melanie again without hesitation - she does very beautiful work. But if I had a trusted local jeweler, I'd try to see what they could do for me first.

 

[minousbijoux]

Melanie is with what company? Its always a good sign when people refer to a company by the name of an individual.

 

[emmmme]

Melanie is from RareEarth on Etsy.

 

[minousbijoux]

Thank you!