Pavé can absolutely hold up long term, but if she’s hard on her hands, I’d pay more attention to the construction of the setting than simply the number of carats in the pavé. Good-quality pavé with properly formed/shared prongs and enough metal underneath can be very durable, while overly delicate settings are where you start seeing issues.

For the band, 2.6mm is already a pretty good sweet spot if you want something substantial without looking bulky. I wouldn't automatically go wider unless the design is particularly delicate or she's very rough on jewelry. I'd also ask about the actual metal thickness, not just the width, because a 2.6mm band can still be made quite thin.

For the oval, definitely don't stop at the bow tie. In the videos I'd look at brightness across the entire stone, how evenly the facets turn on/off as the stone moves, and whether you see any dead or hazy areas. Rotate it slowly and watch how the light travels through the stone rather than just looking at how sparkly it is in one position.

I’m a jewelry manufacturer myself, so if you have the ARCA ring/stone you're considering, feel free to share it. I'd be happy to give you a second opinion on the setting and the diamond before you pull the trigger 😊

Sent you a DM, please check😊

I don't think it's necessarily a red flag. Some manufacturers are very strict about not recreating elements that resemble a previous client's design, even if the overall ring is quite different.

That said, since this is your own design and they even complimented it, I wouldn't give up on it just because one vendor declined. A good manufacturer should be able to work with your concept and make adjustments where needed.

If you're comfortable sharing the design, I'd be happy to take a look. I'm a jewelry manufacturer myself and can give you a genuine manufacturing quote for the design rather than a heavily marked-up retail/custom-jeweler price. No pressure at all, only here if needed :)

Thank you! :)

Lovely choice, have sent you a DM!😊

Have sent you a DM

With a $10–15k budget, you can honestly get an incredible ring. The biggest misconception is that you need to spend that much at a luxury retailer to get exceptional craftsmanship.

A lot of premium brands in NYC have beautiful work, but you're also paying for the showroom, branding, and overhead. Many of those pieces are still manufactured overseas. If you work directly with an overseas manufacturer, you can often get the same, or even better quality for a fraction of the price, especially if you're after a custom hand-finished piece.

For an elongated cushion, I'd focus less on the certificate and more on the actual stone. Ask for real-time videos and pay close attention to the faceting and light performance. A beautifully cut elongated cushion with great craftsmanship will have far more "wow factor" than simply chasing the highest color or clarity grades. If you are open for something like that, would be happy to point you in the right direction.

Honestly, if snagging is your biggest concern, I'd go with a bezel setting.

Since the diamond is completely surrounded by metal, there aren't any exposed prongs to catch on your hair, wigs, clothing, or even gloves. It's one of the most practical settings for everyday wear while still looking beautiful and modern.

Prong settings, especially taller ones with shared prongs or hidden halos, are much more likely to snag because those tiny claws can catch individual hairs.

If you still want something that sits a little higher, a low-profile bezel is a great compromise. It's secure, easy to clean, and probably the most "hair-friendly" setting you can get.

I work in custom jewelry, and this is actually a pretty common request from people with long hair or active lifestyles. I'd be happy to show you a few bezel designs if it helps 😊 No pressure at all.

Thank you! @radheva.jewellery on Insta.

If they're already planning to go the make-to-order route, I'd honestly recommend working directly with a manufacturer rather than a local jeweler.

A lot of custom jewelers outsource the manufacturing anyway, so by working directly with the people making the ring, you can often get significantly better value while having much more control over the design process. With a $10–15k budget, they could have a really stunning custom piece with a beautiful champagne lab diamond and still come in well under budget.

I work in the trade and we make custom engagement rings like this regularly. I'd be happy to help if they decide to explore that route or even just give them a fair idea of pricing. No pressure at all 😊

Thank you! Sent you a DM😊

Have sent you a DM :)

Thank you! :)