Choose Your Diamond First
Your diamond should be the masterpiece — the main attraction. Don’t make the mistake some people make: looking for a setting they like and taking whatever diamond happens to be there.
Custom Jewelry — Rings & Settings
The setting is the frame of the picture. Your diamond is the masterpiece — let’s make sure the frame does it justice.
A Few Styles to Consider
Timeless Beauty, Exceptional Quality
Anything can be modified, and anything can be custom designed. Here are a few directions we discuss most often.
Pick Any Setting You Want
There are hundreds and hundreds of different styles to choose from, and anything can be modified. I work with a large New York jewelry manufacturer with a great online catalogue, high quality workmanship and excellent prices — offered to clients at slightly over my cost.
I Set It With My Own Side Diamonds
I only get settings without diamonds in them and put in my own side diamonds: D/E-F, VS/VVS, perfect cut diamonds. Most manufacturers use H/I, SI, average cut stones. Believe me — it makes a huge difference.
Planning a Surprise Engagement?
In many cases this ring is going to be an engagement ring — and very often, a surprise. While the diamond is the most important and expensive part, to her the setting will also be very important. If you know what she likes (maybe she has hinted or shown you), you already have an idea. If not, I would stay with something very simple and elegant such as a solitaire, or better yet a “cathedral” setting.
Another choice is a simple setting with small diamonds going down the sides. This way you can present the diamond ring as a surprise and tell her she can choose another setting that may be closer to her “dream” ring. I will take back the simple setting and give you credit towards the ring that she chooses.
Side Diamonds That Actually Matter
Many people think side diamonds are only little “chips” and the quality doesn’t really matter. It really does matter. These are not really “chips” — they are full cut diamonds with 58 facets, even if they are only 1 or 2 points (.01ct or .02ct). Just like the center diamond, the cut is critical.
The Diamonds I Use in Settings
ColorD · E · F
ClarityVS · VVS
CutPerfect / Ideal
Typical manufacturerH/I · SI · average
Even though these side diamonds may be small, you still want them to have a lot of fire and brilliance. The difference is striking — and they cost far less than the mediocre diamonds that usually come in settings.
Settings at Wholesale Prices
I am very happy to offer settings to my clients at slightly over my costs — this alone will save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars depending on the setting you choose. Except for custom designs, I work with a large jewelry manufacturer out of New York who has a great online catalogue, high quality workmanship and excellent prices.
For most settings you will use either a variation of a solitaire ring — no
other diamonds — or small diamonds going down the sides, usually round
diamonds. Together with your perfect cut center stone, the result is a ring
your fiancée will turn heads in.
Diamond First, Setting Second
Let’s Design Her Perfect Ring
Tell me your budget and her style — I’ll handle the rest, from the stone to the setting.
858-663-7356