Solitaire or side stones to accent a diamond better?

[jellybean]

This question isn''t for me - it''s for my cousin who''s looking at e-rings.

My cousin is looking to get engaged within the next few months. She found a setting that she is totally in love with -- it''s a cathedral setting with 4 small rounds bead set on each side and has a matching wedding band with 8 bead set rounds on it. I''m sorry I don''t have a picture of it to post. I believe the semi-mount is about 3mm wide.

B/c of her limited budget she is looking at center stones of about .75ct. She has had several people tell her she should have the center stone a solitaire instead (with no side stones) as it will make the diamond appear bigger.

My own experience has gone both ways -- my 1.5ct looks much bigger as a solitaire compared to when I had it in a setting with side stones, however, my .38ct looked much smaller (if that is possible!) when I put it into a solitaire setting. So I''m a bad person for advise on this one.

What do ya think? Solitaire or side stones?

Thanks!

 

[mrssalvo]

if she likes the setting with the .75 center I say go for it. I think she should choose a setting she likes not what will make the stone look bigger. tell here to get a well cut diamond and it will look bigger

my sister has a 1 carat round with channel set sidestones. i've had and OEC with a 1 carat diameter in a solitaire setting and they both look the same size to me. Her setting looks gorgeous and really compliments her stone.

 

[AndyRosse]

Is it possible to just lightly place a .75 diamond in both settings to just an idea? Surely the jeweler with the diamond sidestones setting must have a solitare setting around too. So just lightly put the diamond in the head of both and see what she likes! That''s all I ever did while I was shopping for settings!

 

[AChiOAlumna]

This is entirely personal preference...if she likes the setting with the side stones, then that is what she should get!! Ultimately, she has to be happy with what she sees on her finger every time she looks at her hand.