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While we don’t work with stones purchased outside of our store, we do make exceptions for family stones. We have great respect for heritage pieces and the sentimental value of an heirloom stone is priceless!
So, if you have a family stone that you want to use in your engagement ring, we recommend you make an appointment and bring it into the store so that we can explore your setting options together, and find the one that will best bring it to life!
As long as the stone is in good shape and well looked after, your stone can be set in many of our settings. Each has different properties and values, so we thought we’d show you some of our favorites!
The Classic Solitaire
Let yesteryear meet modern elegance with a timeless design that lets your heritage stone take the center stage. Little beats a classic solitaire for minimalist sophistication, and with our super-thin bands and ultra-fine micro-pave, we have made the Solitaire Engagement Ring our mastery! Either with or without micro-pave, the delicacy of this setting makes any hand, and any stone, exquisitely beautiful!
Here are three of our favorite classic solitaires, set with an Oval for a fair comparison. Bear in mind that this can be done with any stone shape, and we have a vast array of solitaires in all shapes and carat weight in our West Village Boutique, to help you visualize your finished look.
There are also variations on the classic solitaire style, like split prongs, exposed sides, and micro-pave detailing – either on the basket, up the prongs, or as a signature detail hidden on the band. Those are all the personal touches you can custom create yourself to make your solitaire unique to you.
A three-stone Engagement Ring setting.
Don’t be deterred by the traditionally cumbersome three-stone settings, we have modernized the metalwork to make our three-stone settings both streamlined and ultra-elegant. Whether you have a rounded cut or a geometric style, we have options for you, so it’s worth exploring the look to see what suits you the most. If the family stone is not as large as you would have liked it to be, a three-stone engagement ring is a great way to build out the profile and the “sparkle-factor”, while creating a stunning look. When it comes to side stone options, the list is long, and that is something we would be delighted to show you and walk through with you. We will post a blog specifically on side stones soon, but the below photo shows just how different the different stones can make a setting look!
The Allie Setting
The Allie setting is a really unique setting, as it features a hidden halo. A little more than diamonds on the basket, but a little less than a conventional halo, the Allie setting features an ultra-fine micro-pave basket, tucked in beneath the circumference of the stone, yet just peeking out when you turn it ever so slightly. With a unique and precise upward and outward-facing angle, it allows the diamonds to catch the light and emphasize the stone, and can add a little bit of extra width to the look of the stone. The result is a super elegant, refined, solitaire look, with that extra bit of “je ne sais quoi”. While not directly adding size to the profile, it does have the visual effect of embellishing the center stone with added light, so this is also a great option for those wanting to enhance the size of their family stone, without going for a full “halo” look. The Ali setting works with any shaped stone, and is something we are renowned for!
Our In-Love Setting.
While this look is typically called a “halo” setting, we have named ours The In-Love setting, as our design is distinctly different from a traditional halo. Our designer, Douglas Elliott, was the first to design this exact setting in 2002, and what makes it so unique is the way it is structured, how it sits perfectly flush to a wedding band, and just how refined we’ve gotten the micro-pave.
This ring put Marisa Perry on the map over 18 years ago – we were renowned for our super-thin bands and ultra-fine micro-pave, long before they were buzz words!
What Douglas did differently, was using a precise angle to bounce light in such a way that it doesn’t look like the ordinary small stones making a center stone look larger, but it actually forms a fine frame of light. Using stones less than a millimeter in size and hand setting them, one at a time, under a microscope in the hands of our master setters – the results speak for themselves. Even clients who think they hate a halo are stopped in their tracks when they see ours, as it is without a shadow of a doubt, heads and shoulders above the rest. If you love the traditional elegance of a halo setting, or you want to embellish and complement the size of your family stone, the In-Love setting is a must-see, and you will quickly notice the difference between a jeweler, and a master craftsman.
Our In-Love (bottom) and Ali (top) Settings with Round Brilliant cut center stones.
If you have a damaged stone…
Now, sometimes, if a stone has been through multiple generations of wear and tear, survived a few wars, moved countries, and generally taken a beating, it can get the odd chip along the way. This is why we ask that you get it appraised. If this is the case, and you have less than perfect edges, a bezel setting could be a very beautiful option.
A bezel setting is where metal goes around the whole edge of the diamond and encases it. It’s a striking look that was favored by the Ancient Roman, Byzantine, and Egyptian jewelers. Not only can the metalwork help cover any chips and dings, but it also will protect from any further damage. This look can be done with a high polish finish, or in a matte brushed finish, for a very cool and contemporary look.
Bezel Set Stones. A Pear shape on the left, and East to West Emerald-cut on the right.
Something with Vintage Appeal
Embrace the nostalgia of your heirloom stone with a vintage-inspired design. If the cut is an antique, like an old miner, European, or rose cut diamond, these styles can look especially cool, as they bring that ‘olde-worlde’ style into a league of its own.
A few things to know.
In order to take in a family stone, we will need either it’s GIA certificate, or we’ll ask you to have it appraised. We can recommend an appraiser we highly trust and help you get that setup. This is for both your and our own assurance that the stone we take in is registered and documented, and that we have physical proof it is exactly what it is thought to be. We do this to make sure that you know, without a shadow of a doubt, that when you receive your completed ring, the stone in the ring is the same stone you gave us! But don’t worry, that’s a very small and easy part of the equation, and one we can walk you through.
This will also help you to insure your stone and finished piece.
There are so many options available to you, and the process of creating something new out of something antique is both exciting and very special. Take your time exploring the possibilities, as the setting is responsible for 70% of the look of the ring, and we recommend that you only use a highly experienced jeweler to handle the job. Read our reviews, and call or email us to book a consultation with a member of our team today. All appointments are free of charge, and we love taking the time with you to experiment with setting styles, all over a glass of bubbly!
We look forward to seeing you, and your heritage stone!
