DaynaM and Milady I completely agree it depends on what others around you are wearing, then again I have seen similar settings to the Abigail where I live and surrounding area's I didn't mean common as in every other person has it, I've just seen similar setting hope that didn't offend you DaynaM or any other lady in this forum I personally love that ring and yes it does have to do with what you can afford... If I would have seen the Abigail when I was browsing I would have purchased that setting.... I didn't because I got hooked on the Serenity... and after seeing that one, I didn't do much further research..

Hehe, no need to apologize Ms. Sanchez! We're just offering different viewpoints and I'm sure you didn't offend anyone! This is why it's so great to brainstorm... we can all give our random suggestions and opinions and then the OP can make a more educated decision and, hopefully, get the ring of her dreams. That's the goal for all of us, right?!

Thanks so much for the reply! Your ring set is one of my favorites on this site!

Wow, thanks for the input ladies!!! I noticed as I read all of your votes for the Cartiera or mostly Abigail (which is my youngest nieces name, teehee)...I felt a slight disappointment so I'm guessing my heart is with the Allegra after all that discussion! I'm thinking I'll more than likely go with that setting, and if it comes and it's just too big for my hands I'll exchange it for Abigail or Cartiera (I'll check the returns policy first naturally). My cover story for anyone who eyes the size of the ring will be that the stone was in his family, and so we could afford to go bigger on the setting ;0)
Let me further explain why I'm thinking this is: My first engagement ring was a Princess solitaire that I LOVED and eventually got a wrap for in addition to a band (there was a gap issue), and after time found myself longing for sidestones with no wrap. When my husband passed I had that stone turned into a halo type setting and call that my 'widow's ring', which I've worn on my left finger. I also have a princess 3 stone ring (1 carat total) that was an anniversary gift, that I've worn as a right hand ring for years...only recently have I switched hands (3 stone on left, widow ring on the right) because of tan lines, fingers swelling in the heat etc. and the more I wear my original 3 stone the more I just love it. I wish the center stone was bigger and really caught the eye, but the general shape is just lovely. BUT, because it was a gift from my late husband, I can't have exactly the same thing no matter how I love it, I have to change it up (hence the Allegra with sides). I've been to a jewelry store and tried on similar rings, but of course can't seem to find 'quite' what I'm looking for. Blue Nile actually had a setting similar to the Allegra, and so I got to have an idea of what an asscher would look like in that setting. *sigh* My guy is currently saving (just started a new job, stressful!!) for this, and so it will be another few weeks at LEAST before we order but believe me I'll be posting pics along the way no matter WHAT I decide :0)
Thanks again everyone!!!

Please accept my condolences on the loss of your husband and also my sincerest congratulations on your upcoming engagement! All three of those rings are just gorgeous, so no matter what you end up with, it will be beautiful!! :-) I have always loved the Asscher cut... so loverly! Can't wait until you post some picturessss!

That's right Milady... hehehehe
Katerbels I can't wait whatever you decide its going to be gorgeous...

Thank you all very much....after showing my choices to my guy (without being too biased) he also prefers the Allegra!! Now I'm just anxiously awaiting the minute we can push that order button!!

That is so great that you were able to make a joint decision that you both agree on. When you said were feeling disappointed because most of the votes were going to other than the one you loved the most, I thought - YES! -there is your answer! It proves that Allegra is definitely the right choice for YOU! Congratulations!

I realized I never updated this thread to anyone paying attention, so I figured I'd offer some insight! After all the going back and forth on rings, I went back to my original statement which was 'I don't want an engagement ring right away' after thinking and rethinking and crunching numbers. I just didn't want to spend a lot of money on something now, when we want to buy a house. And so he proposed in November (yay!) without one. I was thrilled to bits, but he later decided he didn't like not buying me a ring, despite my requests. He said he felt like he'd done it wrong, and people had made rude comments to him about it, it was very sad. SO...I started looking again, and even found an asscher and an allegra 'like' setting in a local jewelry store. And I hated them. Absolutely did not like the asschers as much in person (even my CZ asscher) as I do in pictures...they just aren't me I guess. The stone in the jewelry store was AMAZING but just too 'fancy' I guess for my tastes. I'm more simple than I thought. I also didn't like the bulk of the setting I saw on my short fingers...so I went back to basics and ordered a ring from Berricle to 'hold us over' for now, with the intention of upgrading later (I posted it in the simulants forum a while back) and I love it. I changed my mind so many times, it seemed the best idea to go with something less than $100, and it looks so beautiful he feels so much better and not like a 'loser'.
Now, we're shopping for wedding bands, and we've decided on Palladium for a bunch of reasons...and I keep going back to Asha settings for the future! I'm sure I'll be on here a zillion more times in the future, because I will most certainly change my mind a zillion more times, but that's where we are. (PS - I'm still in love with the Abigail, and when we do decide on an upgrade this is my current favorite style. Again.)

I LOVE the Allegra. It's been on my withlist for awhile now...but like you said, no one seems to have pictures


*edit* just saw you picked it....WAAAAHOOOO!!! Pictures when you get it pretty pretty please?????