Setting help for OEC

[Agnasia]

Hi everyone,

So now I have my beautiful OEC, I need your lovely advice on the setting

This is an upgrade, but hubby doesn't want it to be obvious and would like my ring to look the same as before (for sentimental reasons). I would like to make some subtle tweaks with this opportunity of a re-set, as now having the diamond physically in front of me I can see I will definitely need to do this to accommodate it.

I have thought that my set is a little unbalanced, the diamond and width of the e-ring too small compared to my WB. But with my new bigger diamond I do think this helps balance things better.

What I am thinking is....split claw prongs instead of single prongs (Grace said 4 prong should be ok, girdle is thin but to also consider 6 prong), bead set the diamonds rather than channel set (I may be wrong but think bead set is the same as bright cut??) to match my WB. Then I thought may be a subtle taper instead of a straight band again to balance with the WB (I love Acinom's stunner and Redroze's ring )??

Here is my current set and WB with new diamond...





I have more diamonds in both sizes used in the bands but not sure if I could use the bigger ones for the taper as the size difference between the two is too big??

Would really appreciate suggestions on how to make my e-ring setting look the best it can!! Please be honest

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Honestly, with your wide wedding band, I think an elegant solitaire with a plain shank might look best.

 

[tyty333]

Honestly, with your wide wedding band, I think an elegant solitaire with a plain shank might look best.

I agree with this. I know your DH wants it to look the same but I think its just too much going on with your current WB and an
engagement ring with stones on the side. I like the way it looks in the stone holder and think a simple solitaire would really
be beautiful!

 

[MissGotRocks]

That was going to be my suggestion too but I see others thought the same thing. I would set it in a simple solitaire setting - the stone shines on its own that way and doesn't interfere with the wedding band.

A larger stone already means a different look so embrace it rather than trying to recreate the original!

 

[redwood66]

I agree with the others that a plain shank would look best with your beautiful new stone. How exciting! Maybe even a Tiffany repro to get the 6 prong style.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Victor and Steven also make beautiful and elegant solitaires.

 

[Agnasia]

Thanks DiamondSeeker, TyTy, MissGotRocks and Redwood for your replies, seems like there is a consensus with you all!!

When I was looking at the photos before posting I did think a solitaire would look nice, so I'm not surprised by your comments

Trouble is, I don't think my husband will like the idea at all but I will speak to him about it. The diamonds used in the band are from a heirloom piece so he would want us to use them somehow - how about a stacking ring, or do you think this will also be too much?

In terms of a solitaire, are you thinking totally plain then with 4 or 6 prongs? What width of band would go with the WB (which is approx 3mm wide)? I think solitaires are beautiful and timeless, but so many people in the UK have this style so I would like some sort of detail to make it a bit different. I also love vintage style, I'll post a pic from our wedding so you can see!

 

[tyty333]

I love the Julia solitaire but any of the solitaire settings would be lovely
http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/solitaires/

Would your DH be ok with some mods to your wedding band? I was thinking maybe have it milgrained to give it a little more
antiquey feel. You could also do some engraving on the bottom side of it.

 

[Agnasia]

Thanks for your suggestion TyTy, the Julia solitaire is very pretty, I like the profile. From the top down view though, I guess it just looks a little plain, but then I'm used to diamonds in the band so it would do. Aargh, I don't know what to do!

I think I could add milgrain to my WB and hubby would be ok with it.

I do love my bling, although I agree the bands as they are don't work that well together. My hubby is going to hate me!!

 

[SB621]

what is your budget? I have suggestions but budget would help and apologies if you posted it already and I missed it.

 

[Agnasia]

To be honest, I don't really have a budget as I stupidly didn't realise that I would need to re-set my ring to accommodate the larger diamond. Novice mistake! I could probably spend up to $1600 which having looked on websites is not a lot for a platinum setting. I also have to consider whether the US route is best (adding VAT etc..) or use a jeweller in the UK.

 

[redwood66]

I cannot tell if your current ring has a peg head or is an integrated basket. If it is a peg head you could just have it removed and a 4 or 6 prong head replaced. If it is integrated then ignore my post totally.

 

[Agnasia]

Hi Redwood, I think it's integrated here's a pic

 

[SB621]

Have you talked to your jeweler about going up in size and what the setting could accommodate? Looking at it, it is integrated but I still think you could increase it to fit your diamond. I would ask.

$1600 you would need to go with a stock setting for PLAT. Lots of variety but it would be best if you could see it.

 

[redwood66]

Well I am not sure if you would want to try it but I have had heads like that replaced before in rings. It would take a skilled bench but it is an option if you really love your current ring.

 

[Agnasia]

Thanks SB621 and Redwood, I will ask my jeweller to see if that's an option or if it has to be a re-set.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think a little nudges with your hubby will open things up, if he will agree to another use for the heirloom diamonds. Perhaps a pretty right hand ring that you will never change for the heirloom stones, maybe to mark an anniversary? And milgrain plus engraving on the WB to make it more vintage. Then have a solitaire made with matching engraving, like a wheat pattern on a cathedral shank

I love this mount which is a lot like your current one and is engraved and wide enough to look nice with your wedding band, in plat of course.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/vatche-x-prong-engraved-rose-gold-e-ring-and-van-craeynest-men%E2%80%99s-band.114854/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/vatche-x-prong-engraved-rose-gold-e-ring-and-van-craeynest-men%E2%80%99s-band.114854/[/URL]

 

[Agnasia]

Hi Dreamer, thanks so much for your response! That's a very pretty ring and certainly adds detail/interest to a solitaire that I hadn't considered before. I could definitely then make another ring out of the diamonds.

I don't think my hubby will be happy though, it took a lot for him to agree to a new diamond. I think firstly I need to find out if my only option is a re-set as that will be his first question.

If a re-set is the only option we may have to compromise and find some middle ground, maybe some detail near to the diamond that uses milgrain/engraving and a couple of the diamonds but with the rest of the band plain? Then add milgrain to the WB to tie together?? I guess an example would be something along the lines of Kelpie's ring (hope it's ok to post this) or these SS and Van Craeynest rings.

Thoughts??

 

[Dreamer_D]

Those are lovely rings but they all cost over 4-5k or even more. You cannot get a repro done well for your budget

Hoe long have you been married? I think most men soften their need to control their wife's jewelry with time

 

[charks]

I live in the UK and got a custom quote for this ring:-



.26 tcw in platinum would cost £3200

So just think what it would cost for the settings you posted.

 

[Agnasia]

Thanks Dreamer, sadly I always have expensive taste So if I have to have a re-set do you think a plain solitaire or engraved solitaire are my only realistic options?

Well, we've been married for four years but together for twelve, I don't think my hubby is one of those men He's quite opinionated (in a good way) and all decisions on our wedding/house decor had to be approved, he's not a "as long as your happy I don't mind" kind of guy, which is sometimes great and sometimes not so great!!

Blimey charks that's a lot! Setting prices seem to have gone up loads, but then I guess my original settings are quite simple/cast rather than intricate/hand forged.

Mmm haven't had a chance to speak to my old jeweller yet, hope he is still working (was semi retired five years ago).

 

[Dreamer_D]

You could do an engraved solitaire like the one I linked, and burnish set the family stones into the mount, in the swirls...

I do think fancy shmancy mounts are out unless you buy a vintage mount.

 

[Agnasia]

Ok thanks Dreamer. By burnish set, does that mean the diamonds are set in to the band sitting flush with the metal?

If hubby insists on the same design, do you think I could make it look better with the WB by making it bead set as well and maybe adding milgrain to both (think hubby would be ok with very small changes like this)?

 

[Agnasia]

Just as an update, I spoke to my jeweller and I'm going to see him tomorrow. He wants to have a look at the ring and diamond to see what he can do.

If it has to be re-set then hubby wants it to look the same, but I would ask for the diamonds to be bead set so it will look the same as my WB, they would just be different widths. I also want the prongs thinner and more delicate, they are round at the moment - do I ask for single eagle prongs? I am liking the idea of plain metal with the set though so thinking of getting a skinny platinum stacking band to wear between both rings.

Anything else I should consider?