Bought This Beauty, What Now? - Open Call for Design Ideas

[decodelighted]

You said the stone seemed "small" to you ... keep HER frame in mind. She''s petite? Young ... etc.

Be careful that the necklace doesn''t wear HER!

I''m not sure what youngin could wear that last diamond fantasy (with a HOT PINK stone)?? -- w/o looking like she''s in the Miss America pageant at least

.

When you do get the stone -- maybe talk to a gal pal about it -- hold it up to HER jewelry, her frame & it''ll show you how "POW" the stone ALONE already is. Then go from there.

I really hope I''m not discouraging. I think what you''re doing is FABULOUS & the stone looks PHENOMENAL ... it''s just one of those things that stylistically could go terribly wrong. And since you mentioned that she''s very stylish -- just trying to help!

One more question: how many formal events do you believe you''ll attend a year? If under 5 ... you might wanna think in terms of a more casual piece -- unless you want this to be a special occaision piece ONLY.

It''s hard for most guys to really get in the heads of women & how we thing about getting dressed etc. You are a brave soul & very creative - based on the ideas you''ve come up w/so far!

 

[pricescope]

That''s maybe not a wedding jewelry but def modern looking one, which is good for not a dressy up type of girl. Also it would not flip and it''s hard to mess up in the making. The chain is short of course.

 

[pricescope]

here is the pink in double halo

 

[ILikeBond]

Wow - THANKS!!

The sort-of sideways thing is very cool/unique/different. Thanks for the suggestion and the photoshopping!

 

[Dandi]

OMG!!!!! That''s a winner!!!!

 

[Dandi]

OMG!!! That one neatfreak posted is incredible!!!

 

[ILikeBond]

Hello everyone -

Well, I received the stone today. I only had my cell phone to take pics with, so naturally they''re terrible, but they do give a good idea of the size of the stone. I''d say it faces up about the size of a dime.

Although the pictures do not accurately depict the color, neither does the picture I posted, from the ajsgem website. Its a little darker, not so bright/neon as it seems there, at least in the light I''m looking at it in now. It does show some nice flashes in the sunlight, which the cell phone photos show, but not well.

I''ve got 10 days to decide whether to keep the stone or send it back. Please let me know what you think now that you can see its size - is this something I can make into a beautiful pendant or not?

I''m going to try to get some pictures of the stone on/near my fiancee''s neck tonight (she''s a very deep sleeper), or at least somewhere near her skin to at least show how it looks with her skin tone.

As always, I appreciate any advice you are kindly willing to give.

 

[ILikeBond]

Another, showing the depth.

 

[ILikeBond]

Sparking in my hand in the sun.

 

[ILikeBond]

Last pic, sparkles + shows size relative to my fingers.

 

[neatfreak]

The simpler the better. That stone IS a big one if it''s as big as a dime and especially for a girl who never wears jewelry. Keep it classic with diamonds only and very low profile. No big honking chain, clasps, etc. You are SUPER SUPER sweet for doing this for her, and she will really appreciate the thought regardless...but...

If she is a Jimmy Choo/Gucci kind of girl and doesn''t normally wear a lot of jewelry, that tells me she is a classic type of girl. A classic type of girl is probably not going to wear something pink and green together all the time, but pink and white is muuuuuch more classic. Just my two cents...but I probably wouldn''t wear jewelry that was pink and green together. So if you don''t know what she likes, it''s better to go classic.

I like Starryeyed''s, the sideways one, or the double halo, all with diamonds only. I do NOT like the purple one you posted (sorry! It''s just very 80''s) or the mega ones that have been posted either.

Think classic.

 

[pricescope]

I re-balanced colors to silvery colors of the watch and coins hopefully it shows the sapphire color better.
You posted 10 mm dimension before Bond, but i did not expect most of it be in the pavilion part, it made it harder for the design imo, you would need to keep in mind a very high basket/galley for such stone. In any case i prefer more crown-less pavilion cut.

 

[ILikeBond]

Thanks for the comments and photo work.

I agree - the stone is VERY deep in the pavilion, with the crown almost completely flat. Makes it cumbersome.

I am very much taking to heart what all of you suggest (i.e. white and pink versus white, pink and green), so please know that I appreciate the input.

I''m seriously considering returning this stone, just based on the difficulty of working with it for what I want to do, plus a little disappointment with the color. Maybe get a smaller sapphire with a nice pink color, either that or just matching diamond studs and a pendant (which she really wants), although I don''t think I have enough to get the quality on that I''d want to get right now.

 

[Gypsy]

I really like what I can see of the color... but the pavillion thing makes it quite cumbersome so while I ADORE Irnia''s side way design, I would return it and get three beautiful stones for the earring/pendant combo she wants. Do the earrings have to be studs or can they be small drops? Like a 2 pointer in a bezel with a nice pink pear (bezel set) dangling from it and a matching pendant (I''d do Irina''s pendant personally though) ?

I''d do that.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 4/30/2007 3:21:42 PM
Author: ILikeBond
Thanks for the comments and photo work.


I agree - the stone is VERY deep in the pavilion, with the crown almost completely flat. Makes it cumbersome.


I am very much taking to heart what all of you suggest (i.e. white and pink versus white, pink and green), so please know that I appreciate the input.


I''m seriously considering returning this stone, just based on the difficulty of working with it for what I want to do, plus a little disappointment with the color. Maybe get a smaller sapphire with a nice pink color, either that or just matching diamond studs and a pendant (which she really wants), although I don''t think I have enough to get the quality on that I''d want to get right now.

I LOVE the idea of getting a smaller brighter pink sapphire. Much easier to work with and less likely to look tacky on the wedding day.

I ALSO love the pendant and earrings idea. Those are classic items that she CAN wear on the w-day and every day after! Could you just get the earrings now and buy the pendant later to get the quality you want?

 

[JenniferB]

ilikebond,

1st - this is a very sweet project of you and huge to think up on your own!
2nd - if you are wanting to make this for a wedding present as a reminder re the colors --- the stone you pick should match her pink or green exactlt imho, there are a lot of pinks and greens out there.
3rd - DSeeker2006 --- Thank you for posting my necklace that put a smile on my face *Hugs DS2006*! That is exactly the look I was going for ~ elegant...if your FI is a JimmyChoo/Gucci kind-of-girl (she has been *so* labeled that here...what if she is a Louboutin/Veneta kind-of-girl?

) she likely spent a FORTUNE

on her dress and you DON''T want to distract anyone from that. She will wear that dress once...unlike the gem piece you are designing.

Lastly, here is my recommendation. It seems as if you are unsatisfied with the stone trying to figure something out (color, size, etc)- and you don''t want that lingering over your head for all eternity. For my wedding, I wore diamond huggies (earrings) with an all diamond charm (the cross on left); then I, after the wedding, made these yellow diamond charms (on right) - so now I can actually wear my hoops from the wedding day with the yellow diamonds or the crosses and it is a little reminder. You could do the same with some OUTSTANDING and perfect pink sapphires. FYI, the yellow diamonds are almost .4 ct each with another .4 ct for the white diamonds. She is wanting studs I think you mentioned earlier - but this will be a less pricey alternative and you can get some color in for her to wear at the rehearsal dinner, etc.

Also, what came to mind when you were talking about commemorating colors is to make really really thin eternity bands, one all pink sapphires or tourmalines, and one the same but green and she can stack them, even with her wedding ring if she is planning to wear her e-ring on her right hand. From how you have described her, it sounds like that could match her trendy but subdued style...(I think Bez Ambar makes some really pretty ones) - anyone here know what I mean?

GL and let us know what you decide!!!

 

[JenniferB]

One more pic --- sorry they are not sparkly here, I did not take the time to get good lighting, etc (and they are on a jar of honey I had here in my bathroom for a face mask!

lol) - anyway they are just to suggest an idea and design! ~ Jennifer.

 

[Sparkles22]

Another idea for earrings. Diamond studs, with a pink saphire dangle and peridot studs, then she can switch it up

Something like this... only jackets....

ETA: I think I would bezel or halo the pears though to make it look more finished...

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 4/27/2007 12:17:09 PM
Author: Pricescope
That''s maybe not a wedding jewelry but def modern looking one, which is good for not a dressy up type of girl. Also it would not flip and it''s hard to mess up in the making. The chain is short of course.

Irina, I SO need you to design something for me someday. I love this!

 

[pricescope]

With pleasure TG, here you go, i kept Bond''s colors and the pear shape he likes not to thread jack. So the sapphire is this one i admire for a long time, the metal is Rose gold.

 

[pricescope]

Danburite in white metal. I am tempted to ask Richard M. to cut big ones with flat bottom for me, i have many designs in mind for those.

 

[chrono]

Date: 5/1/2007 3:47:45 PM
Author: Pricescope
With pleasure TG, here you go, i kept Bond''s colors and the pear shape he likes not to thread jack. So the sapphire is this one i admire for a long time, the metal is Rose gold.

I really like this one. The colour combination really makes the stone pop, and the unique design also pulls the eye to it. Love it.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Love, love, love those side/lateral/EW designs from Irina. m m m

cheers--Sharon

 

[TravelingGal]

Wow wow wow...are you sure you are not making a full time career with jewelry design?! I love how your pieces are feminine, yet strong!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 5/1/2007 12:24:55 AM
Author: JenniferB
ilikebond,

1st - this is a very sweet project of you and huge to think up on your own!
2nd - if you are wanting to make this for a wedding present as a reminder re the colors --- the stone you pick should match her pink or green exactlt imho, there are a lot of pinks and greens out there.
3rd - DSeeker2006 --- Thank you for posting my necklace that put a smile on my face *Hugs DS2006*! That is exactly the look I was going for ~ elegant...if your FI is a JimmyChoo/Gucci kind-of-girl (she has been *so* labeled that here...what if she is a Louboutin/Veneta kind-of-girl?

) she likely spent a FORTUNE

on her dress and you DON''T want to distract anyone from that. She will wear that dress once...unlike the gem piece you are designing.

Lastly, here is my recommendation. It seems as if you are unsatisfied with the stone trying to figure something out (color, size, etc)- and you don''t want that lingering over your head for all eternity. For my wedding, I wore diamond huggies (earrings) with an all diamond charm (the cross on left); then I, after the wedding, made these yellow diamond charms (on right) - so now I can actually wear my hoops from the wedding day with the yellow diamonds or the crosses and it is a little reminder. You could do the same with some OUTSTANDING and perfect pink sapphires. FYI, the yellow diamonds are almost .4 ct each with another .4 ct for the white diamonds. She is wanting studs I think you mentioned earlier - but this will be a less pricey alternative and you can get some color in for her to wear at the rehearsal dinner, etc.

Also, what came to mind when you were talking about commemorating colors is to make really really thin eternity bands, one all pink sapphires or tourmalines, and one the same but green and she can stack them, even with her wedding ring if she is planning to wear her e-ring on her right hand. From how you have described her, it sounds like that could match her trendy but subdued style...(I think Bez Ambar makes some really pretty ones) - anyone here know what I mean?

GL and let us know what you decide!!!

Hugs back, Jennifer! You have exquisite taste and I adore those earrings! What a great idea to have two choices of charms!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I Like Bond,

My honest and truthful advice to you is to get her what she really wants...new diamond studs and a diamond solitaire pendant. That is classic, beautiful, and can be worn with everything all the time, if she wants. And it is very appropriate for your informal wedding. I do think your inclination to return that stone is a good one. It is just too large for a pendant except maybe for a large woman. And even then, I just don''t see it as wedding jewelry. A pink sapphire right hand ring might make a great first anniversary present. But a diamond pendant will get far, far more wear. And if you can only afford a small diamond for the pendant, you could set it in one of the halo settings to give it some extra size. This is what I''d rather have in the same circumstances.

 

[JenniferB]

DS2006,

I second that if ILB is wanting to get her what she wants. I guess he only knows that because she has been dropping hints...as we are all want to do...

. One year anniversary is a good idea too to kinda keep the date alive. It is such a downer after all that planning...all the stress...the big day happens...six months later....*crickets chirping*. If you are wanting to do something as a surprise and special, maybe keep with your idea re pink and green, just do something small and sweet so FI is touched...but then get her what she wants....?

 

[Sparkles22]

I Like Bond:

What did you decide to do? Can''t leave us hanging!

 

[ILikeBond]

My apologies - I'm a lawyer and have been working like crazy on this big case, so although I've been watching the thread a little when I can, I just haven't had time to post and respond to all the posts as I would like to.

I think I'm probably going to return the stone. I just don't love the color, and I think the size is proving too difficult to do something with that I really want to do. I'm considering going for either a pink sapphire or spinel, probably. Actually, here's a photo of a spinel I'm considering exchanging for - what do you all think?

This is a more manageable 2.99 carats, 8.4 x 6.8 x 6.2 mm, cushion cut. Maybe I could do a simple, elegant pendant with this, with a diamond halo or something similar. I got a flyer in the mail from Good Old Gold yesterday (where I got the center diamond for her er), which had some really nice gem designs, so maybe I'll ask them to help me out.

What do you guys think of this stone? Any problem with the depth (which I calculate at about 82%)?

 

[ILikeBond]

Here''s another one I''m considering exchanging for - it''s a pink sapphire (which is her birthstone, incidentally - and periodot is mine, part of what I thought would be cool about sort of "joining" those 2 stones in 1 piece of jewelry).

Its about 30% more expensive than the pink tourmaline and the pink spinel I just posted, but I love the heart shape for a pendant (or maybe even a RHR!).

Stats: 2.26 ct, 8.3 x 6.7 x 5.2, heated.