2 gorgeous stones need a setting!

[Spirit]

Hello fellow gem lovers!
Here is my dilemma:
I have two beautiful stones that have remained unset for the past year. What a waste! They are both precision cut by the famous Jeff White! One is a 2.5 carat unheated (!) tanzanite cushion cut. The other is approx. 4 carat Minty Garnet -stunning asscher cut .
Each was intended to be custom set as a pendant on a rolo chain, but I hesitated because once they are on my neck I will not get to see them all day! I love looking at them!
So now I am thinking of getting one more stone - maybe a light pink or yellow sapphire or morganite or spinel??? and having the 3 stones carefully bezel set into a rolo bracelet . That way I could admire them whenever I want to. I have in mind a similar look to the diamonds by the yard where they would be spread out.
I have a concern that they could be bumped when my hand moves around.
Another idea is a bangle with the stones firmly set inside.
I would very much appreciate any ideas and input you colored stone experts can offer! Suggestions for the 3rd stone color are welcome, as well as setting ideas.
Thank you!!!

 

[innerkitten]

I would love to see some pictures of your stones! So you have green and purple. I think pink would be nice. If you went with an orange/yellow you would have every other color on the basic color wheel. An aqua blue would be nice too, or blue since it's sort of between purple and green.

If you're worried about damaging the stone because you think you might bang them around then maybe bezels would keep them safer.
I think anything worn closer to your wrist will be less likely to get banged around. What about a cuff?

 

[Spirit]

Thanks for the cuff idea, innerkitten. I hadn't though of that.
I will try to post pictures if I get some help with it.
I know what you mean about keeping them closer to the wrist. I had thought about a charm bracelet like a Tiffany link medium rolo with each stone hanging but really, I think they are too large for that and would get banged whenever I put my hand down on a table or desk.
Do you understand how I feel about the pendant idea- I would have to carry a mini mirror around with me !
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

 

[innerkitten]

I do understand. I love pendants. But if you have stones you really want to look at then something on your hand makes sense.

ETA: you can always save the pendant idea for another project.

 

[chrono]

As long as the stones can be kept face up, they will hold up decently . Any flipping or bumping is likely to damage the crown facets (not protected by the bezel). Prior to that, try enveloping the pavilion of the stones in tin foil to observe how they will be affected in a bezel setting.

 

[jstarfireb]

What about a vertically oriented 3-stone drop pendant on a long chain (22-24") so you could look down and see them every now and then? I would be worried that a bracelet would flip and the stones would get damaged. You could also consider 2 separate rings to wear at different times, and then you wouldn't have to buy a 3rd stone.

 

[Spirit]

Thanks Chrono and jstarfireb. I am also thinking a bracelet being too risky , as you both point out, a bezel only protects the sides. Good idea about the longer chain which would allow me to look and admire. Rings... would be beauties but I wouldn't wear them too often as it would mean switching my diamond which I worked so hard for ( 30 year upgrade!).
So I think I will get my thoughts directed back to pendant. Maybe an enhancer so I could attach to different chains including a chunkier one that I have in white gold.
Thanks for thinking out loud with me.

 

[LD]

A word of caution - if you are using a longer chain, gemstones swivel AND you can easily bang them against a table top/edge. A longer chain is actually more risky!

You mentioned you didn't want to take your diamond off but how about a right hand ring instead?

Also, finding a setter to bezel set a tanzanite may be a challenge. Tanzanite has to handled with a great deal of care and the pressure you have to put on a bezel puts the stone at some risk. Of course the skill of the setter plays a big part in this but there is still a chance something may happen even with the best setter. If the stones are great specimens then I would urge caution setting them this way unless you don't mind a bit of risk!

 

[Spirit]

Thanks LD. YOU would be right about the swinging risk. So many considerations. I guess that's why these babies have been sitting in their boxes for so long!
Let's say they are prong set ( very carefully!) but I don't want the regular rabbit-ears type of bale. Would love to see suggestions of some unusual settings, or bales, if any of you can think of some.
As always, thanks for your help.

 

[LD]

These are my two favourite settings EVER! Both are from Tiffany but I love how unusual they are. I was lucky enough to find a Tanzanite pendant that was inspired by the red one below and I love the antique/art deco feel to it. If you like that one, you could replace the bezel with fishtail prongs or spiky double prongs.

 

[Fly Girl]

I agree about longer chains being risky, having hit some of my beauties against the drinking fountain when I leaned over. You do learn to grab them, but there is the ever present risk of forgetting.

I do like pendants, because it is a delight to see them whenever I look into the mirror to check my hair.

Another possibility is a bracelet where the stones remain perched on top. A variation of these by T Lee comes to mind. I'm showing a couple of variations; one is symetric, the other is not.

 

[chrono]

Few jewellers will risk bezeling a tanzanite and some may not even bezel a garnet.

Wow, the Art Deco-like Tiffany pendant LD posted is droolworthy! Yes, if modified with double prongs, I can totally see your tanzanite in this.

 

[Spirit]

I LOVE those colored photos! I have seen that red stone with diamonds before and showed it to my jeweler- guess I was just not ready to pay the price for a custom piece like that, but after waiting so long, I could be persuaded!
Those bracelets are also set so nicely . That is the problem with getting hooked on these colored stones... each one needs a setting
budget !
Love all your ideas and thank you for sharing!

 

[FrekeChild]

Those bracelets are gorgeous Fly Girl! Wowza!

I would probably do a pendant, and just install a LOT of mirrors around! One of my favorite stones is in a necklace, and I don't really get to see it when I'm wearing it, but I still play with it when I'm not wearing it. I just share it with other people too!

 

[SB621]

Just a note of caution against a DBTY style bracelet with larger stones. I have one set and the back part of the gemstone (sorry don't know the technical term) would slice into my wrist sometimes. Litterally I would look down and be bleeding as it would take out a large portion of my wrist. After it happening 3 times I took the bracelet apart. Definitely go with a cuff or some other type of bracelet.

Also, for what it is worth here was my asscher mint garnet from Jeff that I had set in a ring. I have since sold it, but I thought it might give you ideas if you wanted something else besides a bracelet.

 

[chrono]

Sarahbear,
The pointy part at the bottom of the stone is the culet. I think even a DBTY style necklace with larger stones or a pendant gets uncomfortable as the culet has a tendency to poke tender flesh.

 

[innerkitten]

I know. That is a really irritating feature. Slightly OT: I got an inexpensive DBTY gemstone necklace from the website of one of the shopping channels. The gems are commercial quality but nice. But the great part of the design is that the gems are double sided. It doesn't flip, but if it did it wouldn't matter and it doesn't poke. Very comfortable.

 

[Spirit]

Thanks for the new thoughts. Sarabear, your JW ring is gorgeous. Hope it was sold to another in the Pricescope community!
I am listening and do understand that these stones may be too large for that type of bracelet. Ouch! Sounds like some nasty scratches.
Good problem to have , though... stones too big!!!