Setting Help! [Wanting to put my own spin on it!!]

[bgray]

what size stone was in the tacori your GF tried on? i dont mean to harp on this but a setting with a .65 stone may seem much different than a setting with a 2 carat stone. Brian made my ring to my specs--I would trust his input as well.

Not harping bgray....I appreciate the feedback and i understand where you're coming from. The stone she saw in the setting was a 2.2 carat cz...almost identical size to the one i bought from Brian. By the way, did bgd copy a designer setting for you...or did you come up with an original setting idea?

okay thats wonderful. I had a very strong idea of what i wanted and he tweaked my basic idea to get everything to flow.

 

[MissGotRocks]

MissGotRocks...as far as the prongs...what exactly are you suggesting i do? I should ask for more narrow prongs? And smaller..as in "not as high"? And would everyone suggest i go "claw" instead of "blunt"?? [Or would smaller and more narrow blunt prongs work just as well?]

Guess I could go the route below for starters. Anyone with any experience with tacori concierge?
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The prongs on that ring are blocky (how's that for a word?) and blunt. I would ask if they could refine them to yes, make them narrower and more pointed at the tip. When you look at the ring face on, the prongs don't blend into the stone but rather stick out from the diamond.

 

[diamond_seeker]

So, spoke with Tacori concierge for about 90 mins today. She was extremely helpful, but i'm not sure i can do any of the modifications i wanted to do.

1) Prongs. Tacori rep said the prongs are already much more pointy than pic one of this thread suggest. She said the prongs are more reminiscent of picture two...and that to go any more narrow would compromise the security of the diamond.

2) Inlay. Really liked the idea of a small yellow gold heart inlay on the bottom inside shank. Tacori rep said the bottom shank height was only 1.6 mm and this would be virtually impossible to do. Not only that, but if ever had the ring re-plated (getting it in white gold), then the heart would be covered. I do have the option of a heart stamp (as in the Tacori "stamp" inside the shank). However, all stamps, regardless of size, are an additional $500. And not even sure a heart stamp...in between the Tacori and metal type stamps would really even add anything.

3) Hidden stone. Thought about a hidden stone inside the top of the shank...but according to the concierge, they have placed a small opening there..to allow more light to enter the stone . And even though a hidden stone in that area could possibly be done.....it would be at the risk of decreasing some of the light that would enter the stone through that opening.

Gonna talk to Lesley later today about the design and see what she suggest, but really at a loss here as to how to add anything to this ring?

 

[slg47]

I guess I'm confused why you need to 'add' something to the setting your GF loves? although I think adding the surprise stone wouldn't really decrease the light return that much, so that could be an option.

 

[Gypsy]

I guess I'm confused why you need to 'add' something to the setting your GF loves? although I think adding the surprise stone wouldn't really decrease the light return that much, so that could be an option.

Yeah. It's personal because you are getting her what she wants.

I'm sorry but I just think you are being a little selfish. YOU want the setting to be a certain way, but she's the one who will be wearing it and has already fallen in love with it. But even so... you still want to pursue your own agenda. This isn't about just you. She loves the setting, leave it alone and get her the one she wants.

A replica is not the same and it might make you happy. If that's all you care about: making yourself happy, go for it. But really... I mean really? Is it all about YOU?

 

[slg47]

also another idea could be to personalize the wedding band with an engraving or surprise stones. just a thought.

 

[diamond_seeker]

I guess I'm confused why you need to 'add' something to the setting your GF loves? although I think adding the surprise stone wouldn't really decrease the light return that much, so that could be an option.

Yeah. It's personal because you are getting her what she wants.

I'm sorry but I just think you are being a little selfish. YOU want the setting to be a certain way, but she's the one who will be wearing it and has already fallen in love with it. But even so... you still want to pursue your own agenda. This isn't about just you. She loves the setting, leave it alone and get her the one she wants.

A replica is not the same and it might make you happy. If that's all you care about: making yourself happy, go for it. But really... I mean really? Is it all about YOU?

Gypsy...you are WAY off here...and it's obviously due to my poor description of the situation. I am a very practical guy...and nothing would have made me happier than having my girl simply pick out the stone AND setting of her dreams and then i can just pay for it and present it in some memorable way. I even initially presented the idea of only buying a really nice eternity band...even though this idea was not well received.

So once my girlfriend decided on the round brilliant cut (which is very common as you well know)....she REQUESTED i put some "thought" into the setting and make it something unique and special. Never did I really WANT this job...but was thinking, "ok, i can definitely work with brian and lesley and come up with something unique". However, when I took her shopping for a setting to use as an example/template....she loved everything about the tacori.....saying, "now here's a perfect EXAMPLE of the setting i would like". Hence, leading back to my original post where i'm thinking, "how am i supposed to make this unique"? In hindsight....guess it would have been more appropriate to post -- I NEED to put my own spin on this!!

SO.....long story short.....ultimately I'm just trying to make my future wife happy. I know my girlfriend really likes what she likes...BUT...doesn't want to feel like she picked the ring out herself. Honestly, this whole "love this setting/make it unique" situation is sort of oxymoronic to me..but hoping this will be a one time thing for me...and would like to get it right.

Either way, i really do appreciate all the help and advice. You guys really do have some great ideas and give the most wonderful advice about stones and settings!

 

[diamond_seeker]

I hope i didn't paint my girl as being extremely picky or something....as she's been pretty laid back thoughout this search. I just think she's a little torn as well between really getting what she likes...and still feeling surprised and that she didn't just pick out the ring herself. Anyway, I'm sure it will all turn out for the best. Thanks again for all the great advice.

By the way, that tacori shank is 1.2 mm wide at the top. Seems awfully narrow...hoping it won't snap into at some point.

 

[Gypsy]

My sincere apologies then.

We get quite a few folks on here that go against their SO's specific requests just because they want to, and it usually ends up that the SO is unhappy, or feels that they haven't been listened to, or whatnot. So my general POV is that if you can afford to get what your SO wants, just get that.

In your case however... if she wants is for you to put thought into it and specialize it, I think you absolutely have the right vendors for the job. I have worked with BGD on two extremely sucessful custom projects and think the work they do is impeccible.

Again, sorry for judging you-- you clearly are being put into a tough spot and are just trying to make you lady happy. Kudos. And I can't wait to see what you and BGD end up creating.

 

[slg47]

yeah, thanks for clarifying the situation, it makes more sense now. I bet you and BGD can come up with something fantastic!

 

[Lula]

I've been following your thread, and I just want to say that I truly think you'll get a nicer setting working with BGD on a custom design that incorporates the main features of the Tacori (diamond band, diamonds on the prongs, etc.). That particular Tacori design just doesn't flow well to my eyes, for some reason.

 

[diamond_seeker]

No problem....should have made it more clear in the original post. But looks like I'm not gonna make it on the "unique" part of this quest. As i stated in the original post...and speaking with the tacori concierge today only confirmed...this setting just does NOT lend itself to being changed.

Spoke with Lesley earlier.....and she basically seconded gypsy in that BGD really can't even copy the setting much cheaper than tacori's cost...and even if they did copy it...would have the same modification issues as tacori. So looks like i'm just gonna order the tacori as is. At this point, don't really see any other options.

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Edit to add: Lula..thanks for you post. I am scheduled to speak with Brian later tonight about a few other possibilities. I just think that if the custom work is gonna change the look of the piece...AND it's basically the same price...perhaps the safe road would be just get the tacori? Will report back on what Brian has to say. Thanks!

 

[slg47]

I am scheduled to speak with Brian later tonight about a few other possibilities. I just think that if the custom work is gonna change the look of the piece...AND it's basically the same price...perhaps the safe road would be just get the tacori? Will report back on what Brian has to say. Thanks!

well if it's the same price but she would prefer the custom because that would be more 'special' to her...then it would be worth it. but yeah, you know her best

 

[diamond_seeker]

Quick update: Still looking around for a few custom settings....but looks like it's gonna be the tacori, with zero changes.

 

[Gypsy]

Yeah. I wish I were wrong, but having someone copy tacori just isn't an easy task. And I can see why with that setting, and the 1.6 shank Tacori is reluctant to mess with it.

The only suggestion I can make is asking them if they will do that setting with a plain high polish shank, instead of one with pave. But that isn't really adding anything to it, it's subtracting.

This is the closest setting to the tacori that BGD makes. http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5401 and it's similar only in concept.

Maybe your lady will be happy if you get her something lovely engraved in the shank (although with a 1.6 shank I'm wondering if even engraving is possible).

Can you have them (tacori) make the shank bigger? Like 2.0mm? If they could do that a lot of your problems would be solved. You could get a surprised stone and some engraving.

 

[diamond_seeker]

Yeah Gypsy, guess I should have just listened to you about 40 posts ago! Thanks again for all the suggestions.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

She is going to LOVE that ring! Trust me. She won't look at it and say, "Gosh, you got me that Tacori ring and didn't change it". I mean, who wouldn't be ecstatic if they saw a 2 ct. diamond in a Tacori setting!?!?!

 

[HopeDream]

Some guys make the proposal realy special/unique by presenting the ring in a custom made ring box/ring holder.
One guy even put the ring in a mini sleeping bag! https://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=105931#1659748
Maybe you could put a unique spin on a non-ring aspect of the proposal?

Whatever ring you choose, and however you propose, she will love it!

 

[IceExplorer]

I'm chiming in sorta late here.

I can attest that BGD should be able to offer you something to help you understand the limitations or opportunities with creativity.

I noticed above, there is concern of spinning. I have 2 points to add on that, I had the same concern with my fiances ring.
1. - Consider a Euroshank to prevent this
2. - Sizing beads eliminated spinning on my fiances ring (along with the euroshank)

As for creativity...

I added some surprise stones on the inside. Our designs are different so I don't know if it is possible with the shank you are going for.
However, looking at the Tacori design, what if you added the 2 of your birthstones or colored stones underneath or as the last stone as the pave on the shank (if you can't do it inside the shank)

I've attached a link to a post of my surprise stone, euroshank and sizing beads.

Adding functionality might be the creative touch she is looking for!
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...4/#post-2788409?hilit=surprise stone#p2788409