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Mr. Firefly is sweet and wonderful, but not exactly the creative type. When he proposed many moons ago (April 2005!), he wasn’t sure what type of ring I would want, so he went with a very simple, 4-prong, white gold setting. His thought was that I would go back to the jeweler and have the stone reset, but I liked it and I thought it looked good on my hand…
…Fast forward to late into my pregnancy, one day at work I looked down and one of the prongs was up! Holy #&^*?&^!!!! The ring is insured, but I’d be crushed if I lost the stone and who really wants to fight with an insurance company?
Given that my fingers were getting puffier by the day, I put the ring in storage with the thought that I’d have it reset later this year. Like any true Ohm’GodI’dNeverPayRetail New Yorker, I planned on going to the diamond district on 47th Street to check out settings, but honestly, I just don’t have time to bargain shop anymore. Mr. Firefly and I were at the Westchester Mall recently and I spotted this ring at Bailey Banks and Biddle by Scott Kay . I know it’s probably overpriced for what I’d be getting — essentially a chunk of platinum and two microscopic diamonds on the sides — but I kinda like it. It’s simple, but different. And the stone wouldn’t be set too high, so I wouldn’t be scared of wearing it around Baby Firefly.
The store will be having a 10% off sale later this month, so I feel like it’s now or never. For what it’s worth (and I know everyone has different budgets), the price of the setting varies based on the size of your center stone, but it should be around $2300, before the discount and tax (which will essentially net out).
What do you think? Should I do more home work and bargain shopping, or just go with this setting?
Hi Mrs. Firefly, It’s so good to see your posting. Can you find a jeweler who can make the setting for you at a lower cost? The jeweler where we got our rings can have things made if you show him a picture.
I think you should keep bargain shopping. The internet is a great way to go. Check BlueNile.com, who has plain platinum settings for about $500 and platinum settings with sidestones starting in the low $1,000s. My engagement ring came from there, and it cost just over half of what an independent jeweler appraised it at. Also, my fiance and I once looked at a (non-engagement) ring at Bailey Banks & Biddle that cost about $1,000, and later we found a nicer version of the same thing online for $500. So those people aren’t exactly a bargain.
The ring is beautiful, but I’m not sure about going with a four-prong setting again if you’re concerned about it coming loose. I talked to a jeweller a while ago and she tried to convince me to go with a six-prong platinum setting for stability, so even if one prong comes up there are the five others to hold it in place. I didn’t really like the look of it, but she had a point. Maybe scope out what the other cool moms are wearing?
My setting is almost exactly like that. I’ll tell you this: that setting is incredibly comfortable, and the ring has never gotten snagged on anything because of the cathedral setting. Mine’s white gold and ran about $600 retail (which I did not pay), so maybe you can decide if $2400 is worth it for platinum instead.
Hi Mrs. Snowpea — that was exactly my original plan. shop around, find a design a like and then have a jeweler copy it. I even got a fantastic jeweler recommendation from a friend (I don’t want to go to the same guy who set my original ring since, well, it didn’t hold). The problem is I am always so short on time these days. I work full time, then go home to make dinner, play with baby, etc etc. Luckily, I don’t have to work at all on weekends, but I can’t quite get Mr. Firefly to focus on the ring shopping with me (and I don’t want to go at it alone). We happenned on Bailey Banks by accident and both liked the design … its within my budget (it will be my christmas and bday present from mr. firefly), but i just thought I’d get “more” for the money, if that makes sense. Here, as Jess noted, I’m paying a mark up for the designer and the store … but saving time (i’d have the ring by christmas).
Angel — I have a princess cut stone, so I’m not sure that 6 prongs will work. I can have it set low on a thicker ring (I think its the lucinda style at tiffany but everyone copies it now), but I’m not sure that’s what I want long term.
mrs. firefly
If you really want to get an heirloom quality piece, consider having Mark Morrell make it. (search Morrell at the forums on pricescope.com) He has made a similar ring (see Todd’s ring at http://www.mwmjewelry.com/Work-2004/ ) The price may be comparable to what you’d pay for the Scott Kay, but you’d be getting a custom, well-crafted piece. (I may be biased, but the ring that he made for me is perfect!)
Jackie — his stuff is gorgeous! do you live near concord, mass, or did you/your fiance work with him remotely?
all — here is a link to a better picture of the ring (although with a round center stone):
Hi Mrs. Firefly! I just wanted to let you know that BB&B will negotiate (we did that with my Ritani ring), so you might want to try that! They are definitely overpriced though, and it might just be more cost-effective and fun to get a custom piece.
Just adding my two cents: I wouldn’t pay that much for such a simple setting. If you’re short on time, wait to get it done later, but I’d go with something custom that I really loved. Or why don’t you send Mr. Firefly to the jeweler you got referred to, with picture in hand, and get a quote from them? You don’t have to be there if they’re just copying the photo.
I second (or possibly third) Mark Morrell - his platinum work is so amazing natural and organic. My jewelry appraiser works with him and says he’s a really great guy. Sometimes I’m sad I didn’t find him till after I got my ring - but I suppose I wanted a more antique look anyway.
I live in New York, so my fiance and I worked with him remotely. He’s very busy, but it was worth the wait. Mark’s a real craftsman and meticulous about making sure the stone is secure and the ring is beautiful. With a princess cut, the corners are vulnerable to chipping, so make sure whatever setting you get cuddles those corners well!
[...] in my usual decisive manner (haha!), I don’t think I like the Scott Kay ring anymore. This is my current front [...]
I HAVE THIS RING & LOVE IT!!! Jerman, my now husband, proposed to me in an apple orchard (my favorite fruit) and presented me with the SCOTT KAY 2ct BEAUTIFUL SETTING (in a round cut, not an Asher or whatever this diamond cut is called) and I ADORE IT! So simple but so elegant. Not only my girlfriends but people I just meet often comment on how BEAUTIFUL IT IS. I only wish he would have bought it in platinum, it’s some new platinum-like metal called “paladium”. I LOVE IT THOUGH!!! GET THIS RING!!!
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Mrs. Firefly, New York Age and Occupation in 06: 31, Attorney Fiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Finance Engagement Date: April 11, 2004 Wedding Date: June, 2006 Venue: Battery Gardens About Me: I was born in the city of Donetsk in the former Soviet Union (now the Ukraine) and grew up in Brooklyn. Many of my parent's friends are from Russia and the Ukraine as well. We want all of our guests to have a great time and hit the dance floor so we've hired a band that can play both Russian and American music; not to mention a mean rendition of the Gypsy Kings and chair-raising hora!
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