Blue zircon on its way to me :) Help me set it!

[Jereni]

Hi everyone! Very excited, just purchased this oval from Dana at mastercutgems. I looooove the color, and its a great size for a ring (9mm x 7mm).

I hadn't been trolling for an oval though - so I need your setting suggestions! I looked through 3 or 4 'show me ovals' threads, and while there were plenty of gorgeous rings, nothing has struck me so far. I don't think I want a halo out of this one...

Anyone have any unique solitaire settings for ovals that they love? Or heck, unique solitaires in general that could be adapted for an oval? Definitely open to sidestones.

 

[FrekeChild]

couple non-halos...

 

[chrissy0116]

Here is my e-ring which is a 3.21 carat spinel. I'm not a bling-y person, so i like the simplicity of this setting. My ring size is a 6.75.

 

[innerkitten]

What's your jewelry style? A friend of mine has a blue zircon set in hammered high carat yellow gold, and it a very pretty combo.

 

[Jereni]

Thanks FrekeChild! I like the first ring you posted. What kind of sidestones are those?

Good point innerkitten. In general, I would say I like clean, contemporary/modern settings. So my designer obsession right now is MaeVona, whose styles are modern and unique but not overly 'industrial'.

At the same time, I've loved pretty much every Leon Mege stone I've ever seen on this forum, including the more vintage pieces. And I have my eye on a Beverly K sapphire band that I'd love to get in the long run.

I guess in the end it depends on the stone for me, and for this stone I feel like I shouldn't go too vintage, hence the avoidance of halos. If it is as it appears, which is a really neon, slightly teal stone, I don't know if I feel like it would make sense in a vintage setting...

 

[Jereni]

You know innerkitten, I think you are a genius. I googled pics of zircon in yellow gold and it makes for quite a combo! I tried do some photoshop-ing with a yellow gold Sholdt ring.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[athenaworth]

I've always loved ovals set east west. Here's mine. It's not technically an oval, but I think you get the idea.

 

[minousbijoux]

Wow, who knew? I like all these rings! I agree about yellow gold and like the photoshopped one, but think a little more detailing would make it look less...generic.

 

[chrono]

This will be an occasional wear only ring, correct? Also, you'll have to scout around to find a bench who has good hands and nerves of steel to bezel set a zircon. Zircon can be on the brittle side so aren't really recommended as a ring stone but if worn with extreme care and caution, it is doable. Prong set is a safer bet in terms of getting it set.

 

[Jereni]

Thanks, minousbijoux! Yeah I'm not necessarily sure about the channel of diamonds along the shank of that ring, but I liked the look of the shank flaring out as it gets up to the stone. What kind of detailing would you recommend?

Chrono, yes absolutely this will be an occasional wear ring And I agree, I wasn't going to do a bezel, I was thinking prongs for sure. I was going to use Quest Jewelers for the setting, so hopefully they are ok with setting it in a ring...

Dana's comments on the stone were as follows:
" This gem was cut by me from my red-brown facet rough that I had heated some 15 years ago. This is a medium fine blue that has a lot of dispersion and flash. It is a nice ring or pendant size; totally tested and very clean. I really love zircon and its properties as to me it is one of the gem minerals that gives you a lot for the money. it is not an everyday gemstone but I have clients that have had their zircon ring for 15 years and it still looks as good today as it did when they bought it. You just have to take care when wearing this gem mineral just like most all the rest."

I haven't owned a zircon ring before though, should I rethink it?

 

[Mikla]

Gorgeous color! How about a bezel to protect the stone? I'm not even sure that they can do that if the stone is that brittle, but trying to think of something that's not run of the mill . . .

 

[chrono]

I think you'll be fine with it. I know there are those who take very good care of their rings. I'm too chicken to set and wear my zircon because it's a Richard Homer stone (pricey work of art).

 

[Jereni]

Oh ok, thanks Yeah I'll be sure to be careful with it. Of course, I still need to see how the stone looks IRL.

Btw, I meant to mention that I love your oval athenaworth! I too am a huge sucker for east/west ovals....in fact my engagement ring is set that way For that reason I figure I should avoid making too many rings just like it, haha.

 

[txgreeneyes]

Drool worthy gem! You must upload pictures when you get it set!

Did you decide yellow or white gold? If you did, sorry for asking again...

 

[Jereni]

Thanks txgreeneyes! I too loved the color in the photo but - as a general update - the stone arrived and in person I didn't love it. It didn't really present the slight tealness I thought I saw in the photo, and had a bit too much of a bow tie for me. Very clear stone though, and good size. I should have taken pics for you all, but I sent it back straight away.

 

[chrono]

No worries. Sorry it didn't work out for you. It would have been nice if you'd taken a comparison picture and updated it in the vendor / customer photography sticky. It gives others a good idea what to expect from looking at a vendor's photograph.

 

[Jereni]

You're right, next time I definitely will. Amazingly, in all my trolling on pricescope I'd never looked in that thread!

I bought a garnet from Dana too, so I will post comparison pics of that one.