sq radiant with tacori mounting

[phil94]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering what people''s opinions were on the combo below (links):
1.80ct CCSB F SI2 in this platinum tacori setting Tacori 2573

It''s a gorgeous splint shank with the great antique/elegant look my gf loves. I have been able to see the petite version of the mounting in person but not the larger one needed for this size stone.

1) Thoughts about the mounting? Has any one seen this setting and have any recommendations? Any other similar settings that I may like?
2) Any thoughts about the diamond?
3) Lastly, I am considering doing a custom version of the mounting due to my budget. Any thoughts on quality and things to watch out for when doing a custom Tacori that others have run into?
Thanks to all in advance

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

When you say custom, are you saying Tacori making the ring for that diamond, or having someone else make a copy?

 

[phil94]

Sorry I should have clarified...I mean a jeweler making a replica of the ring with some slight modificatons.

 

[tyty333]

I love the look of that stone with the cut coners. I''m not loving the combination of that stone with that setting.
(its probably just me though and my goofy brain). For some reason I dont like the idea of the curved lines on the setting
with that stone. I think that setting would look great with a round stone but not with the more squarish ones. I think
the fact that that stone has such unique lines that that is what needs to stand out and not the curvy lines on the
setting. I''m not saying stick it in a solitare but I think my mind would like a setting that isnt so curvy.*


*opinions of tyty333 may in no way represent the PS forum

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 1/26/2009 8:59:31 PM
Author:phil94

3) Lastly, I am considering doing a custom version of the mounting due to my budget. Any thoughts on quality and things to watch out for when doing a custom Tacori that others have run into?

Quite often the cost of having a setting truly "custom made" will exceed the cost of simply purchasing the setting already in production from a designer simply because the cost of design and development has been spread across a lineage of rings which has been made from that design concept. Current retail on Tacori 2573PR7 which is built to accommodate a square brilliant cut diamond in the range of 6.7 - 7.3 mm is $3,790.00 in platinum and $2,250.00 in 18k white gold.

 

[tyty333]

How bout something like this...it still has pave but it really draws the eye up to the center stone. This setting is for a RB
not sure if it would hold the beautiful stone you are looking at.

http://www.michaelcfina.com/ic/mcfina/sections/wedding_engagement_rings/engagement_rings/mark_patterson_engagement_rings/:product/code/PL0689PROM0010.html?block=1

 

[phil94]

haha thanks tyty. I can see what you are saying about the curvature of the ring with the squareness of the diamond. And that mounting you linked to is very similar in style with the splint shank and paves so I will have to some how passively run it by her eyes and see what she thinks. Though my gut says the lack of mill graining will diminish its potential but i appreciate the idea and maybe i can customize it with mill grain.

 

[phil94]

Hey Todd,
The cost of the custom ring seems to be substantially lower, somewhere around $2,000 in platinum with .6 tcw or so of Gvs stones around it. So seems like a good amount of savings, and the jeweler''s previous work looks exquisite. I’m just wondering how other people''s experience has been with making a custom replica especially Tacori since it seems to be very intricate.

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

I agree with Todd that it is better to get the Tacori and yes, I think that that diamond would look great with that setting. You never know what you will end up with with custom. I guess I have been burned too many times to count. Spent so much money on what I call "Frankenstein rings".

Having said that, I know that many people have been happy with Maytal Hannah, Quest, Knox Jewelers and many others. Also, I wonder how far away the copy has to be from the original to not be an infringement on the designer''s original. Of course, I am biased toward Tacori because I ended up getting a platinum wedding set from them for my cut-corner-square and have been very happy with it.

 

[phil94]

I agree its hard to not be biased towards Tacori, there designs are unique and beautiful. Though in talking with some reputable vendors (one of which is highly regarded on PS but I won't devulge in case it is not their wishes) I have heard that Tacori rings have not been as up to snuff recently with poorer craftsmanship and quality. Has anyone else heard this or experienced this? Any other experiences with using B&M for custom rings?

Neverendingupgrade, Anyway you can post a picture of your ring?

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Sorry, no photos yet--The ering part of my set is still on layaway. It is ready to come out but the store is 84 miles away round trip and I have not had a chunk of time to make the drive. I have been wearing the wedding band since April and I LOVE it (this was an upgrade--I have been married for almost 17 years so I know it sounds like I did it backwards). I will attach some photos of the set and individual rings that I got off of other websites. I promise to post photos as soon as I get the other ring, and have my band cleaned!

So far, I have had no problems at all with the Tacori and it is the intricate Mermaid Crescent style with pave on the sides. I have heard that some have had problems, but when I bought my set, the store said that they have had no customer complaints so I decided to go for it. The store is called Collections Fine Jewelry. You might want to call them to ask questions as they sell quite a bit of Tacori and might have your ring in stock. 1-800-779-3207.

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

E-ring. Mine is set with a Jubilee cut so it will not look exactly the same as the princess in the photo.

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Band. This photo is from the Tacori website. You can kinda see the pave sides. Oddly enough, Tacori doesn't show the e-ring part of this set on their site.

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 1/27/2009 9:13:35 PM
Author: phil94
Hey Todd, The cost of the custom ring seems to be substantially lower, somewhere around $2,000 in platinum with .6 tcw or so of Gvs stones around it. So seems like a good amount of savings, and the jeweler''s previous work looks exquisite. I’m just wondering how other people''s experience has been with making a custom replica especially Tacori since it seems to be very intricate.

I suppose that it is a matter of preference, only you have experience with seeing the work of the custom jeweler at this point because we don''t know who you''re referring to. Maybe you want to post some of his work or start another thread to determine if anybody has had any experience working with him in the long term. Tacori offers a lifetime warranty on their work and specializes in the design and production of delicate pieces such as this.

Naturally I''ve read the few posts on the forum that refer to problems with Tacori from time to time, however we have not experienced a problem with their production. We have assisted several people with obtaining warranty service on their Tacori rings, but in every instance the rings have shown evidence of abuse. It should be noted that what we consider to be "abuse" as jewelers is different than what consumers consider to be abuse - technically speaking jewelry is intended to be ornamental and when people wear their pave set diamond rings out in the garden, while working out at the gym, and while rock climbing

that is "abuse" - and Tacori has been very good at making the appropriate repairs without incident.

It goes without saying that "tiny diamonds" are held in place by "tiny prongs" and diamonds are more likely to be knocked loose from tiny prongs than larger diamonds in larger prongs. Thus I feel that a lot of the "complaints" posted on the forum about little diamonds falling out of Tacori rings and other similar design concepts is more a matter of "loss prone by design" and clients not being advised prior to purchase (like this) that pave style settings are "prone to loss by design" or actually understanding that they can''t wear their jewelry all the time and that stone loss is likely to happen, than the stone loss actually being a matter of craftsmanship. There really isn''t a way to construct a sturdy pave style setting, if the prongs were significant enough to be truly secure, you wouldn''t be able to see the diamonds.

 

[kcoursolle]

I love the stone you picked out! It''s often hard to find nice radiants, and this is one of them!

 

[phil94]

Hey Neverendingupgrade,

Gorgeous ring, I am sure you sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to get it. I appreciate the consumer advice and I will look into Collections Fine Jewelery.

 

[phil94]

Hey Todd,

Thanks for the heads up. I have heard the same from other jewelers as well about micro pave and I agree it is more of user neglect in combo with design that lends those types of damage. Though thats what she is set on and loves, so we will just have to deal with the reality of it. In terms of Tacori quality, the comments I have heard is poor millgraining and polishing recently.
Any thoughts?

 

[phil94]

Thanks kcoursolle,

do you own one of these GOG CCSB or have much experience with sq radiants?

I am a little concerned with the depth of 68%, its the only thing that keeps it out of the ideal cut 1a category on the cut table provided on PS. The stone faces up just under 6.88x6.86 which seems slightly below what it should be for a 1.80ct stone or am I wrong? or does it really not make much of a difference?

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 1/29/2009 1:30:16 PM
Author: phil94
Thanks for the heads up. I have heard the same from other jewelers as well about micro pave and I agree it is more of user neglect in combo with design that lends those types of damage. Though thats what she is set on and loves, so we will just have to deal with the reality of it. In terms of Tacori quality, the comments I have heard is poor millgraining and polishing recently. Any thoughts?

I would suggest merely telling whoever orders the ring for you to specify the concern at the time the order is placed with Tacori. We haven''t had a problem with it, but then again our suppliers recognize us as being kind of meticulous and likely to kick things back if not done right. I think that GOG is also a Tacori dealer and no doubt just as meticulous as we are! But it never hurts to say "our client expressed a concern about your production quality based upon feedback he read on Price Scope" at the time of order