Post # 31
Member
255 posts
Helper bee
ispeakingifs : That’s why I went with Mark Morrell. He’s a true artist (and his prices are actually quite reasonable for a custom jeweler). He was very easy to work with. My fiance bought my lab diamond from Brilliant Earth, and then shipped it to Mark Morrell to set. He estimated 6 weeks for the ring to be made, but it was done in 3 weeks! Shipping was free, and we didn’t have to pay sales tax because we’re out of state. I’d recommend him to anyone. He’s very responsive too; replied to all emails the next day.
Post # 32
Member
298 posts
Helper bee
cypresstree85 : When you say “reasonable”……? I believe the Platinum Esme is $1,100.
I am tempted to go to a local place TBH. It looks like he’s in Massachussetts. I’m in Northern Virginia and there’s a Brilliant Earth shop in Georgetown (a section of DC); I do like the idea of being able to drive to the jeweler to get adjustments and cleanings.
Post # 33
Member
255 posts
Helper bee
ispeakingifs : I guess “reasonable” is relative, lol. My setting was $1500, which I think is fair, considering it’s hand-made. I saw a lot of mass-produced settings online for more than that, and they were ugly, lol.
We don’t live too far from each other, actually! I live in the DC area, on the Maryland side.
Post # 34
Member
298 posts
Helper bee
cypresstree85 : So what do you do for maintenance on your ring – cleanings, setting checks, etc?
That is reasonable, considering it’s handmade as you mentioned, and it’s in the exact design I like. You would think it’s not that hard to find a setting like that. I’m extremely picky. I either don’t care about something, or I’m an absolute perfectionist.
Yay DMV!
Post # 36
Member
305 posts
Helper bee
Post # 37
Member
255 posts
Helper bee
ispeakingifs : I’ve only had my ring since September, so I haven’t taken it in for a cleaning yet. My fiance had the ring insured under Jewelers Mutual before he proposed. To keep it clean, I polish it with a microfiber cloth once a week, and I clean it with the Diamond Dazzle Stik every month or so. I’m very careful with my ring, though I have bumped it a few times. But I take it off if there’s any chance my hands might get dirty, lol. I don’t even let it get wet (unless I’m rinsing off the Diamond Dazzle cleaner), and I never let lotion or hand sanitizer touch it. None of this is necessary, I’m just obsessed with keeping it sparkling and clean, haha. I’ll probably take it to a mall jewelery store when I want to have it professionally cleaned, like before the wedding. Most stores charge a small fee to clean your ring if you didn’t buy it from them.
I was super picky about my ring too! I’m glad my boyfriend asked for my input, because I ended up basically telling him exactly what to buy, lol. I’m allergic to the nickel in white gold, so it had to be platinum. I’m a classic solitaire girl; I think I would have cried if my fiance had given me a halo ring. I prefer 6 prongs because I think 4 prongs make a round stone look squarish. And the width of the band was very important to me (something my fiance didn’t even think about, because he’s a guy, lol). I’m a small person with small fingers, so I wanted a thin band, which is really hard to find these days! And a thin band makes the center stone look bigger; it makes me kinda sad when I see a lovely stone dwarfed by a wide band. So I had to be picky, since I’m extremely detail-oriented! Besides, this is a ring I’m going to be wearing every day for the rest of my life. It’s important 😀
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with knowing what you want!
Post # 38
Member
298 posts
Helper bee
cypresstree85 : I agree on the band thickness and the 4 prongs. I like the classic look of the six prongs. I’m very picky about the setting from a side view, since that’s what I will see when I look down.
Post # 39
Member
1058 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: May 2019 - City, State
Mine is a 4 prong, but I hate the standard straight prongs. I think they look weird from the side and they stick up too high for my taste. Mine is a low set claw prong, 1.5ct.
Post # 40
Member
298 posts
Helper bee
chelbell23 : I like the basket.
High set standard prongs remind me of Ring Pops and bridal shower decor.
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