Which Setting? Please help a nervous guy out!

[Kmoney]

Long time reader and first time poster. I have learned a lot on this forum and appreciate everyone's input and experience. Using what I have learned reading the threads, I was able to find a great deal on an excellent cut GIA certified round diamond. I thought the tough part was out of the way but now I need to pick a setting! Ahhhhh. So many choices and unfortunately my girlfriend would rather be surprised than give me any hints. Hopefully I'm on the right track.

I think I've narrowed it down to a certain style. I like a soft cushion with a round diamond. I also like a split or thick shank with pave stones. From that I was able to narrow it down to 2 choices:

Verragio 117cu
Artcarved Ava 31-V300ERW-E

The verragio is very fancy but I'm nervous that its a little over the top. It's about $500 more but I think it has a much higher perceived value and will certainly impress a lot of people. The artcarved is very simple and elegant. I'm really having a hard time choosing!

My girlfriend is very sweet and easy going so I think she will like either one but I really want to make the right choice. She deserves the best. Please help a nervous guy out and let me know what you think! Thanks

The attached picture shows the Verragio in 2-tone but I would probably go for all white gold

 

[04diamond<3]

Verragio for sure. The other one just looks like too many rows...unless your SO love that much bling...although the halo on the verragio will help the diamond look bigger

 

[JulieN]

I know rose gold is so a la mode, but.... the Verragio with rose gold?

 

[Canadianbrah]

Too much going on for my taste, but between those options I prefer the first one.

 

[Kmoney]

Yea she does like blingy. I know she likes something a little more showy and thicker. I've heard that the rose gold is the latest thing but I would probably stick with all white gold on the verragio. Yellow gold might be a little too risky and she might not like it. Thanks for the feedback so far! Keep 'em coming

 

[Niel]

i think it was Charmypoo that said that Verregio isnt good quality settings. hopefully she will chime in, but i swear ive read people's posts on here that they were surprisingly worse quality than they had antisipated (if im wrong hopefully someone will correct me )

Whats the budget for your setting? I like the second one of these, though

 

[stargurl78]

i think it was Charmypoo that said that Verregio isnt good quality settings. hopefully she will chime in, but i swear ive read people's posts on here that they were surprisingly worse quality than they had antisipated (if im wrong hopefully someone will correct me )

Whats the budget for your setting? I like the second one of these, though

I do remember this too nielseel.

Kmoney - Have you seen any Verragio settings in person to check out the quality?

 

[Laila619]

Yea she does like blingy. I know she likes something a little more showy and thicker. I've heard that the rose gold is the latest thing but I would probably stick with all white gold on the verragio. Yellow gold might be a little too risky and she might not like it. Thanks for the feedback so far! Keep 'em coming

If she likes blingy, I would go with the Art Carved for sure!!

 

[Gypsy]

I really dislike Verragio's quality. When you see the pics they look great. When you see them in real life... they are shockingly underwhelming and extremely over priced. And I do NOT think that art carved setting is a good idea.



MOST women do not like rings that look like they belong on a superbowl winner. So if this is a surprise I would not go for something that large or busy. Also most women do NOT have the knuckle space for a ring that wide PLUS a wedding band. And most like to wear a wedding band with their engagement rings.

Here are some settings I'd consider.

These are all designers whose rings I have seen in person (and I am picky) and know are good quality. Some are the style you wanted, others are similar but different. I would advise you to keep an open mind .
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/marion-micro-pave-diamond-halo-engagement-ring-bpid-141-19.html
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/ritani-jewelry/rings/88QQ1/
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/round-square-halo-18k-white-gold-5671w18
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/annette-contemporary-micro-pave-halo-engagement-ring-bpid-93-15.html
http://www.since1910.com/engagement/sylvie/sylvie-pave-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-sy652-ps4149.aspx
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/emily-micro-pave-halo-engagement-ring-bpid-239-15.html
http://www.since1910.com/engagement/jeff-cooper/jeff-cooper-double-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-rp1610cu-ps3676.aspx
http://www.since1910.com/engagement/precision-set/precision-set-cushion-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-7379-ps3427.aspx
http://dvatche.com/photos/product/zoom/13_0.jpg
http://dvatche.com/photos/product/full/137_2.png My favorite
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/vintage-platinum-milgrain-engagement-ring-pid-1060-44.html to die for.
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/guinevere-solitaire-engagement-ring-179.htm Also gorgeous. Soft cushion outline, but pairable with a gorgeous wedding band that will sit flush.
http://dvatche.com/photos/product/zoom/95_2.jpg
http://www.beverleyk.com/semi-mounts/8wr1181-c-7-0rd-d-d-m.html
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/heather-bezel-micro-pave-halo-engagement-ring-bpid-259-16.html


Any of them pictured with a cushion center CAN BE ordered-- with that same cushion outline-- but for a round center.
http://www.firenzejewels.com/simon-g-diamond-18k-white-gold-engagement-ring-setting_6070.html?did=270&src=d

 

[Niel]

depending on your budget and HOW BLINGLY you want to go i like this
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/semi-mount-hand-forged-split-shank-double-halo

And I like that round square halo by brian gavin Gypsy posted. A lot of coverage.

Also ritani is very nice quality and this is a lower budget setting (the real pictures are much nicer than there cads, though those are nice too )

http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/halo-french-set-diamond-engagement-ring-in-18kt-white-gold/4574

I love love this one two. Would have been my setting if i wanted a diamonds shank and a round
http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/vintage-hexagonal-halo-vaulted-diamond-band-engagement-ring-in-18kt-white-gold/4610

 

[distracts]

I wouldn't pick either... Verragios are not as impressive in person as they are in pics, and the ArtCarved would be WAY too much once paired with a wedding band. I would get a cushion halo with a single or split shank - if she likes the thicker look for sure, just go for a thicker shank, but not TOO thick (I would under no circumstances go thicker than 5mm) because you still have to fit a wedding band on that finger. I would go with one by ERD and have it customized to have a split shank.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I really do not like the Art Carved at all, and I am concerned about the Verragio quality issues people are speaking of, but I had not heard that. WF is carrying Verragio and I would not think they'd do that if it was a common problem. But again, I don't know.

What is your setting budget? Because I would think you could have a custom setting made that would be gorgeous and elegant and timeless.

Here are two of the best:

http://www.victorcanera.com/jewelry/engagement-rings/the-anne-marie-split-shank-halo.html

http://www.victorcanera.com/jewelry/engagement-rings/the-anne-marie-split-shank-halo.html

If those are not in budget ($4-5k), then Mark at Engagement Rings Direct makes a nice ring as well. I think maybe someone has already posted his, but here are some again:

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/claire-cathedral-micro-pave-halo-engagement-ring-bpid-120-15.html

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/kelly-micro-pave-split-shank-diamond-halo-engagement-ring-bpid-135-19.html

 

[Kmoney]

Thanks for your responses. I don't think either is as thick as some of you might think. Certainly not Super Bowl sized, but that might explain why a guy like me might like it lol. I've attached some real life pics of the rings. Although kind of blurry, they give another perspective. My budget is between 2 and 3 with the artcarved representing the lower end and verragio the upper end. the verragio quality is top notch with a ton of detail but I can appreciate the more simple approach of the artcarved. Thanks!

First 2 are the artcarved and next 2 are the verragio.

 

[Kmoney]

I really dislike Verragio's quality. When you see the pics they look great. When you see them in real life... they are shockingly underwhelming and extremely over priced. And I do NOT think that art carved setting is a good idea.
http://www.since1910.com/engagement/sylvie/sylvie-pave-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-sy652-ps4149.aspx

Thanks for the many options. I would consider the sylvie that you linked

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The real pictures are helpful. I like the Verragio better of those two. If you do end up ordering it, I would make it clear to the store that you have heard of some workmanship issues and ask if they will send the ring back to Verragio if it is not made to your satisfaction. Then check it out very carefully before you take it out of the store (which is a great idea no matter who makes the ring!).

 

[Kmoney]

Another of the artcarved. This one is not getting a lot of love in here. That is ok, I wanted everyone's opinion. Should I rule this one out?

 

[Laila619]

Another of the artcarved. This one is not getting a lot of love in here. That is ok, I wanted everyone's opinion. Should I rule this one out?

I really like it!! You said she likes blingy, so I think that one is great. It could be a stand-alone ring, or she could pair it with a thin pave wedding band.

I would not go with Verragio; their settings look poorly made up close IMO.

 

[Gypsy]

I really dislike Verragio's quality. When you see the pics they look great. When you see them in real life... they are shockingly underwhelming and extremely over priced. And I do NOT think that art carved setting is a good idea.
http://www.since1910.com/engagement/sylvie/sylvie-pave-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-sy652-ps4149.aspx

Thanks for the many options. I would consider the sylvie that you linked

The quality issue is not workmanship on a few settings by Verragio its the way the entire line is constructed it's just that they have very light metal weight (cheaper) and crappy melee. It's not something you can upgrade. My best local jeweler, Joe E, REFUSES to carry them because the quality is so sub par compared to other lines like Vatche (which they carry), etc.

DS, I REALLY thought, both times I went to Verragio dealers that the Verragio settings were someplace ELSE in the store and I was looking at cheap knock offs from China. I swear to you. But nope, each time it ended up being the actual real settings. One of the jewelers told me HONESTLY that he has a hard time moving them in person, and really only sells them to people who have to have a brand name, and that he was going to discontinue the line the following year.

I would totally go for that GORGEOUS Sylvie one over either of the others. I really think it' stunning and unique and it will look great on a variety of hands and she will have a LOT more options for wedding bands. I've seen that exact setting at a jeweler in town and REALLY liked it. I don't remember the profile right now, but I remember generally liking that setting.

 

[JulieN]

I like the Artcarved (cast my vote for the V, though) but it has 3 bands, and think it might look weird with a wedding band? Plain knife edge might be the way to go, or contrast completely with large diamond wedding ring, like .07 cts each.

The pictures you took are in two different lighting situations, so it is hard to compare the two.

 

[04diamond<3]

Another of the artcarved. This one is not getting a lot of love in here. That is ok, I wanted everyone's opinion. Should I rule this one out?

I'm really liking this one since you have pictures of it. If she likes bling, I think this is the best option. I like that it's not a bulky looking in real life than the first picture you posted of it. I think either are going to look beautiful though.

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/legera-platinum-5861p Have you seen this one? I really like it, and I think it would be perfect in terms of proportions with a one carat center.

 

[Kmoney]

Another of the artcarved. This one is not getting a lot of love in here. That is ok, I wanted everyone's opinion. Should I rule this one out?

I'm really liking this one since you have pictures of it. If she likes bling, I think this is the best option. I like that it's not a bulky looking in real life than the first picture you posted of it. I think either are going to look beautiful though.

Thanks. I tried to update the original post to change the picture but it won't let me. I agree that it looks bulkier in the stock photo than I think it does in real life. It seemed pretty dainty to me

 

[Laila619]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/legera-platinum-5861p Have you seen this one? I really like it, and I think it would be perfect in terms of proportions with a one carat center.

Nice, but I don't think I'd consider it very "blingy," would you? Seems like she likes halos with bigger melee.

 

[Kmoney]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/legera-platinum-5861p Have you seen this one? I really like it, and I think it would be perfect in terms of proportions with a one carat center.

Nice, but I don't think I'd consider it very "blingy," would you? Seems like she likes halos with bigger melee.

Laila - I think you understand what I'm looking for! Thanks for the input and advice

 

[Gypsy]

No that was my bad. I get what you want, I just mixed up tabs on my browser. I posted a setting for another thread in here and posted the one I meant for you, over there. TOO many threads!

http://www.since1910.com/engagement/sylvie/sylvie-pave-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-sy652-ps4149.aspx This is the one was talking about. I think this is a GREAT CHOICE> Lots of bling, but much more of a solitaire. Will look great on short fingers and long ones, chubby ones and skinny ones. Lots more wedding band options too.

Another thing to consider is.... how it is going to wear. Anything with that much pave is NOT lifestyle friendly. and is NOT sizable so if she gets pregnant and her ring size goes up.... out of luck.

I really would stick with the halo, but simplify the shank while keeping it blingy and that Slyvie does a great job of that.

 

[Kmoney]

No that was my bad. I get what you want, I just mixed up tabs on my browser. I posted a setting for another thread in here and posted the one I meant for you, over there. TOO many threads!

http://www.since1910.com/engagement/sylvie/sylvie-pave-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-sy652-ps4149.aspx This is the one was talking about. I think this is a GREAT CHOICE> Lots of bling, but much more of a solitaire. Will look great on short fingers and long ones, chubby ones and skinny ones. Lots more wedding band options too.

Another thing to consider is.... how it is going to wear. Anything with that much pave is NOT lifestyle friendly. and is NOT sizable so if she gets pregnant and her ring size goes up.... out of luck.

I really would stick with the halo, but simplify the shank while keeping it blingy and that Slyvie does a great job of that.

Good advice. My jeweler friend said the same thing about a lot of pave but unfortunately I know that's what she likes. She likes something that looks like a disco ball. We did look quickly at the mall a few years ago and she said she definitely didn't like a plain narrow band but something a little thicker. She tried a solitaire type ring and didn't care for it (too plain) so the lady added a solitaire enhancer wrap and my girlfriend was like wow ok now we are talking! So a lot of pave and a thicker band are really the only clues I have to work with. I like the halo style personally so that's how I ended up with these 2 choices. I live in a small town so not a lot of options unfortunately, but of the ones I saw I liked these the best. I will try and check out that Sylvie halo in person. The store that sells the verragio also sells sylvie I recall. Thanks for the input!

 

[JulieN]

What size is the center going to be?

Are these similar to ones she picked out, or did you pick them out based on "disco ball?" Because I'm wondering if MORE is appropriate.

I'm thinking the ones that are on the homepage display here, they have really built up shoulders: http://www.beverleyk.com/

 

[lknvrb4]

I had a verragio halo and to be honest, the quality was not very impressive. I was dumb and bought it online and although it looked pretty I could tell some of the prong work was off on the halo and the halo was not straight all the way across on one side. I have sold it since but I would never go that route again. I feel like the settings are too over the top for a diamond.

 

[Kmoney]

What size is the center going to be?

Are these similar to ones she picked out, or did you pick them out based on "disco ball?" Because I'm wondering if MORE is appropriate.

I'm thinking the ones that are on the homepage display here, they have really built up shoulders: http://www.beverleyk.com/

Based on similar styles that she liked and these were the best I saw in my trip around to the local dealers. I will probably buy from one of them because I need to see it ahead of time so I probably won't be interested in just ordering one online. Center stone is 1ct

 

[dianabarbara]

I second the suggestions of gypsy, especially
http://dvatche.com/photos/product/full/137_2.png My favorite
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/vintage-platinum-milgrain-engagement-ring-pid-1060-44.html to die for
and diamonds by lauren. they have gorgeous rings on their website!!