Why can't you name the vendor?

3K sounds about right for a "designer" solitaire. I agree with you that it's expensive. If it's LM, SK or VC you are paying for the wonderful craftmanship and their name.

I think the ladies (and Mike) have given you good suggestions.

I really like what I see coming out from DK or Schubachs, and their prices are reasonable. Wink is more expensive I believe.

I love this community, too, Cricketgrrl! You guys are so friendly and helpful!

I've been referring to the head as a "buttercup-style" so thanks, Dana and Poppyseed, for clarifying that what I like so much is actually a Stuller Solstice. I'd heard this mentioned on a few boards, but didn't quite grasp what it was referring to!

I'm very particular about the width (3mm comfort-fit), the prongs (tapered and clawed), and the position of the head (on top of the band, rather than embedded in the rim, so that it will sit flush with an eternity band). I haven't found anything that fulfilled all of these criteria, which is why I ended up thinking I would need a custom design.

Valentine, I'm not sure who LM, SK or VC are actually! I've chosen not the name the vendor because I do admire their work and I don't want to come across as complaining about them. I was just floored by the price because I've seen similar (non-designer) solitaires on their site for less than a 3rd of what they quoted me. I thought my idea was fairly simple and thus leaning on the cheaper side, but I suppose they disagree. Anyway, everyone is obsessed with them over at PS, so I'm sure they will be just fine without my business!

I will be so much more comfortable working with the vendors that have been suggested here because they are clearly familiar with moissanite and won't be snappish about working with it. (I've been shot down by a few jewelers as soon as I mentioned moissanite, and I was actually tip-toeing around that with the PS vendor, so I'm glad I won't have to worry about that anymore!)

Thanks again for your help, everyone! I'm off to check out some samples on this board.

Perhaps they don't want to work with a sim and raised the price because of that. I dunno, anyway I hope you find an alternative that suits you!!

For what it's worth, I didn't see your post as complaining, it's ok to not agree with a quote

Okay, I've been living under a rock. They actually SELL these heads!

http://www.stuller.com/search/results/?query=solstice+head

Annnd there are several versions of the Solstice. I had no idea.

The price is restricted though. I'm guessing only vendors can purchase?

Yes, only vendors. Contact Amcor, Schubachs, MoissCo, etc and they will give you a quote

yep, so you can get the head you like put on just about any shank, if you can't find a combo of the stuller solstice head/shank that is what you're dreaming of.

that's what i meant by... being able to get your dream ring for easily a third less than what you were quoted, *without* sacrificing anything on the details.

I just found out that Amcor does not work with Stuller!

Does Wink work with them?

Thanks, Dana! This is such a relief!

I found this:

http://betterthandiamond.com/discussion/ubbthreads.php/topics/226085/I_VE_GOT_MY_STULLER_SOLSTICE

It looks very, very similar to what I'm after.

I think it's this exact setting?

http://www.moissaniteco.com/round-moissanite-solstice-solitaire-ring-p-8240.html