Tiffany Setting Engagement Ring, Engagement rings ?
I was wondering if anyone had simple, classic looking rings which were
just a tiny bit different from the popular Tiffany setting. I love
round brialliant stones and very simple settings, but want something
just a little bit different from the classic Tiffany. We've looked at
like every site on the internet, tons of stores, etc, but just can't
find anything that really jumps out at us and says, "THIS IS IT". I am
beginning to wonder if one just can't get "unique" without adding too
much "stuff" (which I don't want to do)? That may be the case, but
thought I'd ask out there to see if anyone had any suggestions.
What I've got is a variation on the Tiffany setting. It's called something
like a "basket" setting-I think. My fiancé picked it out, so I never got
to ask the jeweler much about it.
Basically, what it is is a thin gold band (2mm I think) with a platinum
box-type setting. It holds the stone (round cut) up high so that light can
get in. The 4 sides are done in a very pretty design-almost like what you
might find on a decorative front gate-only much smaller =). The diamond
has a platinum "collar" around it which makes it look more like .5 carats
than .35 and it is held in place by 4 small platinum prongs. I have gotten
many compliments on my ring--it really is stunning. When you look at it
straight on it looks at first like your garden-variety solitaire, but it
really is unusual.
Try going into a reputable local jeweler and describe what you are looking
for. The mall stores are likely to just have either regular Tiffany
settings or stuff that's totally unlike them. Brian told me that the store
he went to had many photographs of variations on the Tiffany setting. You
may just have to do some footwork on this one.
The classic Tiffany setting doesn't do it for me, but the rings I was seeing in the
stores were just too overdone for my taste. I ended up with a very pretty
ring that has a larger round center stone and two small flanking round
stones. The diamonds are held in 4-prong U-shaped settings. You can play
with the size of the center stone and the size of the smaller stones to get
the effect you want. A much smaller flanking stone can emphasize the size
of the center stone, while flanking stones that are a little bigger can
make the center stone blend into the line a little more. I also considered
having three stones all the same size (maybe half-carat) all in a row. It
can be hard to find three stones that match closely, though, in color and
cut characteristics. (But it is a pretty, pretty ring if you can manage it.)
This presumes that you will go to a jeweler who sells you stones and then
creates the ring using the setting of your choice, rather than making up
rings ahead of time. According to the jeweler we went to you should never
buy a diamond already in a setting, since you can't know for sure about the
inclusions or the true weight without taking it out of the setting. Going
the "buy the stones and have them set" route is probably no more expensive
than buying a ready-made ring, and you do end up getting exactly what you
want.
There's a wonderful web site called, I think, www.tradeshop.com that gives
excellent advice on the 4 C's. It is especially good in its explanation of
the ideal cut, which can affect the beauty of the diamond far more than,
say, the clarity of the stone.