CAD Advice: OEC and French Cut Diamond Ring

[Paisley2628]

I wanted to add that it was not my intention to waste anyone's time with the CAD.

I was looking for just a general opinion of the larger French cuts with a not so large center stone. I should have worded my initial post more appropriately.

 

[kgizo]

Someone on PS had a band they didn’t wear much and sent it to DK to add milgrain and they loved how it turned out. Sadly, can’t remember who it was. You know your tastes, do you think any tweaking the band might help you love it? Would stacking it give you the presence you are looking for?

 

[Rfisher]

oh no! I did not mean to imply you are wasting our time!
My thoughts were pointed towards liking a cad after working on it -and then finding out your stones cannot be done with that exact design/scale! Changing scale of an element will really change the all over design/look/feel of this ring.

I agree with @distracts
I could see myself liking very well your design with the larger FC

if you are open to more thoughts -
I think your FC are definitely larger than 3mm and the center in the band is the largest. So that would be the one that doesnt get used in your design. I think the center three (at least) are elongated.

I think if what @lulu_ma posted (while gorgeous!) is really what attracts your eye - you won’t get that feel of design/scale at all with your current stones, and would hate to see any disappointment.

I think the size of the round single cut melee (maybe even graduated) will be key to creating design flow in your design. And just totally guesstimating at your fc size/elongation here - I only have elongated them in one direction

 

[lulu_ma]

I would prefer using single cuts - to keep with the vintage look. I'm not sure if brilliants mixed with old cuts would work.

Almost all of my diamond purchases were from Ebay finds. I have never purchased a GIA diamond with paperwork. I spent a lot of time on Ebay in the past searching for items that I could afford. I was never in a position to choose faceting patterns that I fell in love with. Honestly, I was just happy to have been able to purchase OEC diamonds.

Here are some photos:

These rings are both gorgeous! I'm going to keep looking for inspo pics for you.

 

[Paisley2628]

oh no! I did not mean to imply you are wasting our time!
My thoughts were pointed towards liking a cad after working on it -and then finding out your stones cannot be done with that exact design/scale! Changing scale of an element will really change the all over design/look/feel of this ring.

I agree with @distracts
I could see myself liking very well your design with the larger FC

if you are open to more thoughts -
I think your FC are definitely larger than 3mm and the center in the band is the largest. So that would be the one that doesnt get used in your design. I think the center three (at least) are elongated.

I think if what @lulu_ma posted (while gorgeous!) is really what attracts your eye - you won’t get that feel of design/scale at all with your current stones, and would hate to see any disappointment.

I think the size of the round single cut melee (maybe even graduated) will be key to creating design flow in your design. And just totally guesstimating at your fc size/elongation here - I only have elongated them in one direction

Wow! - How did you do that?

The melee definitely does make a huge difference. Thank you so much (I'm guessing you are a very artistic person!) I wouldn't even have thought of that myself (me- not artistic!)

I wanted to let everyone know that I appreciate their time (knowing there are a million other things to do than respond to me!).

I agree with you about potential disappointment.

 

[Paisley2628]

Someone on PS had a band they didn’t wear much and sent it to DK to add milgrain and they loved how it turned out. Sadly, can’t remember who it was. You know your tastes, do you think any tweaking the band might help you love it? Would stacking it give you the presence you are looking for?

Thank you @kgizo

I think it is that I want to admire the French cuts in a ring versus in a band.
The band is beautiful, but in my opinion, subdued. I'd like a "bling" ring!

 

[Paisley2628]

These rings are both gorgeous! I'm going to keep looking for inspo pics for you.

Thank you @lulu_ma

Your ring is also on my "dream ring" list!

 

[ksluice]

@Rfisher what you did with your CAD design is awesome—to my eye, that creates a much more stable visual balance to the ring.

A couple things further that come to mind—the first one because since your french cuts are bigger, there might be some advantage to putting them at the corners where there is more space when you create a squarish halo with a round center stone. The ring below is using baguettes, but you can see there is more distance there to absorb a larger stone (totally changes the feel of the ring though to emphasize the X vs the cross, so figuring this isn’t to your taste, but to my eye the X can be a softer design move since the band of the ring and one’s finger are creating their own cross)



The second thing one might consider is doing something similar to what @lulu_ma’s ring does, where the center stone is prong set and and slightly elevated, so parts of the halo tuck under the edge of the stone. This gives a very different effect to the one created when each stone in its bezel (as you can see by comparing Lulu_ma’s horizonal side stones and how different that is to the ring below). This could be another way balance the size of French cuts you have with the rest of your halo. Doing that does create a strong linear effect, which you can work to balance the way Rfisher’s suggestions do, or lean into the way Lulu_ma’s ring does if you wanted to just use 2 of the French cuts and make a very horizontal statement.

Anyway, just some thoughts that I hope are useful.

 

[Paisley2628]

@Rfisher what you did with your CAD design is awesome—to my eye, that creates a much more stable visual balance to the ring.

A couple things further that come to mind—the first one because since your french cuts are bigger, there might be some advantage to putting them at the corners where there is more space when you create a squarish halo with a round center stone. The ring below is using baguettes, but you can see there is more distance there to absorb a larger stone (totally changes the feel of the ring though to emphasize the X vs the cross, so figuring this isn’t to your taste, but to my eye the X can be a softer design move since the band of the ring and one’s finger are creating their own cross)



The second thing one might consider is doing something similar to what @lulu_ma’s ring does, where the center stone is prong set and and slightly elevated, so parts of the halo tuck under the edge of the stone. This gives a very different effect to the one created when each stone in its bezel (as you can see by comparing Lulu_ma’s horizonal side stones and how different that is to the ring below). This could be another way balance the size of French cuts you have with the rest of your halo. Doing that does create a strong linear effect, which you can work to balance the way Rfisher’s suggestions do, or lean into the way Lulu_ma’s ring does if you wanted to just use 2 of the French cuts and make a very horizontal statement.

Anyway, just some thoughts that I hope are useful.

Thank you so much for your ideas! They are very helpful.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Do you think the stones in the band are graduated? I think they'd need to be the same size.

 

[Lookinagain]

Do you think the stones in the band are graduated? I think they'd need to be the same size.

I'm interested in the answer to this. They didn't look graduated to me in the photos I looked at but I think they did to some. If they are graduated, then she won't have the number she needs for the design unless she only uses two like the second photo above posted by @ksluice

 

[distracts]

They look graduated to me, but I think it would still work as long as you leave the center one out and just use the side ones. Just put the matching ones on opposite sides. Perhaps the bigger ones on top and bottom and the smaller end stones on left and right.

 

[Paisley2628]

Do you think the stones in the band are graduated? I think they'd need to be the same size.

I have been analyzing my ring for the past half hour or so - looking at magnified pictures and through a loupe.
I think the center diamond is longer than the other stones. I never noticed that before.

And you are all correct that the only way to really know is to measure each diamond- which means I need to decide whether to take apart the band without truly knowing what I can do with the diamonds.

 

[Rfisher]

I have been analyzing my ring for the past half hour or so - looking at magnified pictures and through a loupe.
I think the center diamond is longer than the other stones. I never noticed that before.

And you are all correct that the only way to really know is to measure each diamond- which means I need to decide whether to take apart the band without truly knowing what I can do with the diamonds.

~Left field suggestion~
Looking for a way to embrace the elongated/graduated possibility and to utilize all 5 stones (unless you have plans for the 5th?)
How do you feel about asymmetrical or a spray design instead of a target/halo
Not exact - but you get somewhat the idea with this


Feel free to tell me to zip it

 

[lulu_ma]

A couple more inspo pics…


Do you have one of these? Someone posted about this one and I bought it. It’s pretty useful

General Tools 1433 Fraction Plus Digital Fractional Caliper, Carbon Fiber, 3-Inch https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B002RHP...abc_MS8FH80PVXP4M884ZYVF?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Paisley2628]

~Left field suggestion~
Looking for a way to embrace the elongated/graduated possibility and to utilize all 5 stones (unless you have plans for the 5th?)
How do you feel about asymmetrical or a spray design instead of a target/halo
Not exact - but you get somewhat the idea with this


Feel free to tell me to zip it

Thank you for your suggestion! I appreciate all ideas on what to do with the stones.
Please post more photos if you come across any more interesting designs!

 

[Paisley2628]

A couple more inspo pics…


Do you have one of these? Someone posted about this one and I bought it. It’s pretty useful

General Tools 1433 Fraction Plus Digital Fractional Caliper, Carbon Fiber, 3-Inch https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B002RHP...abc_MS8FH80PVXP4M884ZYVF?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Thank you for the suggestion on the caliper - I just bought it! It will be very useful-much better than me using a standard ruler and a magnifying glass!
The inspo pics are wonderful. I hadn't run across them before in my searches.
I am hoping that my general design will be able to work out. I know I will never be able to get the "dream ring", but if I could get close - I would be happy.

 

[Paisley2628]

@Rfisher what you did with your CAD design is awesome—to my eye, that creates a much more stable visual balance to the ring.

A couple things further that come to mind—the first one because since your french cuts are bigger, there might be some advantage to putting them at the corners where there is more space when you create a squarish halo with a round center stone. The ring below is using baguettes, but you can see there is more distance there to absorb a larger stone (totally changes the feel of the ring though to emphasize the X vs the cross, so figuring this isn’t to your taste, but to my eye the X can be a softer design move since the band of the ring and one’s finger are creating their own cross)



The second thing one might consider is doing something similar to what @lulu_ma’s ring does, where the center stone is prong set and and slightly elevated, so parts of the halo tuck under the edge of the stone. This gives a very different effect to the one created when each stone in its bezel (as you can see by comparing Lulu_ma’s horizonal side stones and how different that is to the ring below). This could be another way balance the size of French cuts you have with the rest of your halo. Doing that does create a strong linear effect, which you can work to balance the way Rfisher’s suggestions do, or lean into the way Lulu_ma’s ring does if you wanted to just use 2 of the French cuts and make a very horizontal statement.

Anyway, just some thoughts that I hope are useful.

Your ideas are very helpful! And the inspo rings are beautiful.
I may ask for another drawing with the french cuts at the corners. I would like to be able to use four of the stones- ( I don't think there is a design where I could use all five- if there was, I would try it!)
Thank you!

 

[Rfisher]

Thank you for your suggestion! I appreciate all ideas on what to do with the stones.
Please post more photos if you come across any more interesting designs!

How do you feel about art nouveau?
I think you could insert your stones into the floral/vine swirls (but don’t think I’ve seen any with step cuts/fc - you’d definitely need a designer to make it flow)

And how do you feel about decagons?

either filling in with some melee or you can see my poor attempt at denoting engraving. It’s a larger face up, but I think you could reduce some of that I show, plus putting a tilt on the halo will also decrease it a bit. Probably throw some milgrain in there too

 

[diamondseeker2006]

In case I didn't say it earlier, I really like the design in your CADs if the french cuts are that size or smaller! I think it is the best way to incorporate 4 stones, and I love cushion shaped halos! I don't think you really need to veer from your original idea. I just think the size of the french cuts will dictate whether it will work or not.

Do you know what the ctw of the french cut band is? Just curious.

I feel like if you sold the french cut band, then with that money you could have the best size french cuts cut for your ring design. That way the fairly rare antique ring stays intact, and your custom ring can be more perfectly designed, perhaps???

 

[LightBright]

Thank you all for your responses-
I guess the thing is, I love the French cut diamonds, but I don't love wearing it as a band ring.

I was attempting to make due with what I have - based on a limited budget (which is what I've always done) to create something new.

HI Paisely, I’ve been thinking about what you are saying. I think I hear you saying that you want to see your French cuts in a ring like this, which also showcases your OEC. I’m not as skilled as other posters in design. But I love your original CAD best out of all these ideas.

I also think that if you have to take apart your five stone FC ring in order to accomplish something you will enjoy more, I say YES, DO IT.

So, I’ll change my thoughts to say: I think using the measurement program LuLuMa posted about, or even just sending your FCs to DK to remove gently from the setting, and seeing how they work with your original design is what I think you should do. If for some reason the FCs are bigger relative to your center stone, I think you can “visually enlarge” the center stone with a bezel or false bezel (along the lines of a collet setting).

If you want to see big, high color French cuts in a ring you want to wear, I think that should be your goal and the rest of the ring would be made with that goal in mind.

So, I would go for it. You own the stones, you want to keep them and see them in a different way... IMO that’s cool and a good goal IMO.

 

[Lookinagain]

Do you know what the ctw of the french cut band is? Just curious.

I feel like if you sold the french cut band, then with that money you could have the best size french cuts cut for your ring design.

OP did post the ring for sale in pre-loved quite a while ago and I gather had no success selling it. She gave the following information so I'm guessing the stones are just about .25ct each?

The specs I have for the ring is:
1.25 total carat weight, F color, VS 1 clarity.

 

[Paisley2628]

OP did post the ring for sale in pre-loved quite a while ago and I gather had no success selling it. She gave the following information so I'm guessing the stones are just about .25ct each?

The specs I have for the ring is:
1.25 total carat weight, F color, VS 1 clarity.

Yes, I did have the ring up for sale. I had interest in the ring, but out of all the pieces I put up for sale, this was the one I was unsure about parting with. I chose to keep the ring and take down the listing for it.

 

[Paisley2628]

In case I didn't say it earlier, I really like the design in your CADs if the french cuts are that size or smaller! I think it is the best way to incorporate 4 stones, and I love cushion shaped halos! I don't think you really need to veer from your original idea. I just think the size of the french cuts will dictate whether it will work or not.

Do you know what the ctw of the french cut band is? Just curious.

I feel like if you sold the french cut band, then with that money you could have the best size french cuts cut for your ring design. That way the fairly rare antique ring stays intact, and your custom ring can be more perfectly designed, perhaps???

Thank you,

The ctw of the band is 1.25 carats. I've come to realize that I really love the cushion shape design. Since I don't own a cushion cut diamond, the next best thing is to create the cushion shape halo!

This may sound weird- but I feel an attachment to the stones in the current band, and I don't think I would feel the same about a new ring if the French cuts were newly sourced.

 

[Paisley2628]

HI Paisely, I’ve been thinking about what you are saying. I think I hear you saying that you want to see your French cuts in a ring like this, which also showcases your OEC. I’m not as skilled as other posters in design. But I love your original CAD best out of all these ideas.

I also think that if you have to take apart your five stone FC ring in order to accomplish something you will enjoy more, I say YES, DO IT.

So, I’ll change my thoughts to say: I think using the measurement program LuLuMa posted about, or even just sending your FCs to DK to remove gently from the setting, and seeing how they work with your original design is what I think you should do. If for some reason the FCs are bigger relative to your center stone, I think you can “visually enlarge” the center stone with a bezel or false bezel (along the lines of a collet setting).

If you want to see big, high color French cuts in a ring you want to wear, I think that should be your goal and the rest of the ring would be made with that goal in mind.

So, I would go for it. You own the stones, you want to keep them and see them in a different way... IMO that’s cool and a good goal IMO.

@LightBright
Thank you for your post- you were able to succinctly sum up my feelings towards the ring!

Did you have a similar experience with a piece of jewelry?

 

[Paisley2628]

How do you feel about art nouveau?
I think you could insert your stones into the floral/vine swirls (but don’t think I’ve seen any with step cuts/fc - you’d definitely need a designer to make it flow)

And how do you feel about decagons?

either filling in with some melee or you can see my poor attempt at denoting engraving. It’s a larger face up, but I think you could reduce some of that I show, plus putting a tilt on the halo will also decrease it a bit. Probably throw some milgrain in there too

I do admire Art Nouveau pieces ( I was a collector of vintage jewelry for some time). My tastes have changed a bit, and I am looking for a less "fussy" design. I got that term from the owner of an antique jewelry store. He spoke of how a persons taste changes in jewelry styles. I was telling him how I was feeling about some of my pieces, and that is when he said I was looking for something "less fussy"!

I like the decagon shape (I've seen octagon pieces, but I don't think decagon). My first choice would be to keep with a cushion outline - I seem to always go back to cushion shapes in a ring. I like though how you incorporated all five diamonds!

DK recently created a round cluster ring for me (also with stones that I already owned). That ring is a round shape, so I'm also liking the idea that the cushion shape will look very different than the cluster ring.

 

[Tourmaline]

Quite frankly, I think people are giving you a really hard time needlessly. I love your idea, the design can be modified to fit the stones exactly without losing its character, and I think the ring will be lovely!