Can I get some advice on my CADs and airline size?

[FutureChocolateMLK]

I've contacted DK for a bezel halo ring, and have received 3 iterations so far. In the most recent, I had him slightly widen the airline from .6mm to .7mm and I'm having a hard time visualizing how it would look. For those of you with experience reading CADs and have a better eye for this than me, can you please weigh in with your thoughts? Most of the CADs I've seen on here don't specify the airline measurements. I'd love to hear opinions on the overall design as well. Thanks everyone!

 

[Niel]

He has executed this ring a number of times I would trust his judgment on the proportions.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

He has executed this ring a number of times I would trust his judgment on the proportions.

I agree with that statement 100%, the issue is I requested it be widened slightly. It wasn’t his call, so now I’m wondering if I made a mistake. I can ask him what his recommendation is and maybe send him photos of examples that are pleasing to my untrained eye.

Thank you for the reassurance!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

David made my ring and it has an airline but I didn’t tell him how big to make it, just that I definitely wanted one. In fact the cads for mine don’t specify how big that space is. If it was my ring, I would have him decide on the spacing. You don’t want it to be too obvious because then too large of a gap will detract.

Just my 2c.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

David made my ring and it has an airline but I didn’t tell him how big to make it, just that I definitely wanted one. In fact the cads for mine don’t specify how big that space is. If it was my ring, I would have him decide on the spacing. You don’t want it to be too obvious because then too large of a gap will detract.

Just my 2c.

Actually….I just sent him the IG link for your ring and asked him what the airline measurement was because I think it’s perfect.

Can I ask, do you find that it sits too high off your finger at all? My first CAD was 6.8mm and I had him lower it, tighten the airline slightly and reduce the melee size in the halo so it read less “cluster.” I also had him thicken the shank and told him to use his judgement because I’m clumsy and he took it up to 2.8mm from the original 2.2mm. Curious to hear your thoughts!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I’m really excited to see this ring when all is said and done, it’s going to be beautiful. It’s a process though and trying to get everything just right can be stressful.

I don’t find the height of my ring too high, in fact it is this way so that my eternity band I wear with it sometimes won’t rub against the underside, that’s literally what dictated the height! The only thing I would change in retrospect is I would add a donut but that’s very minor.

For reference from the cad, the height for my ring is 6.54mm, the band is 2.5mm wide and the diameter across the top is 13.20mm. Not sure if that is any help.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

I’m really excited to see this ring when all is said and done, it’s going to be beautiful. It’s a process though and trying to get everything just right can be stressful.

I don’t find the height of my ring too high, in fact it is this way so that my eternity band I wear with it sometimes won’t rub against the underside, that’s literally what dictated the height! The only thing I would change in retrospect is I would add a donut but that’s very minor.

For reference from the cad, the height for my ring is 6.54mm, the band is 2.5mm wide and the diameter across the top is 13.20mm. Not sure if that is any help.

Awww, thank you for the kind words. I’m very excited to see it all come together too. It’s incredibly stressful though, making sure all the details are just perfect and trying to visualize the changes and convey every minute aspect of the piece. So much fun though!

I don’t mind that a band won’t sit flush, and I like the look of a gap, actually. The most recent CAD that I posted first looks a little “squatty” to me since I’ve been staring at it for days on end. I may have him raise it up slightly so there’s a happy medium in between it and the first CAD he sent that was nearly 7mm tall. The donut is slightly smaller as well, which I think I prefer. I do like the thicker band and smaller halo stones so I’ll keep that change. Whatever he changes the airline to so it matches yours I’ll be happy with that. It’s coming together!

 

[caolsen]

Here is a DK similar, not identical, style with I think a .6 airline for comparison.

 

[dk168]

When I had the setting made for my 1.19ct EC, the CAD did not have any measurement for the air line/gap, I just left it to the bench to decide, and it turned out to be great.

Likewise with the latest 2 rings I had made late last year.

DK

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

Here is a DK similar, not identical, style with I think a .6 airline for comparison.

This is very helpful, thank you! The first CAD specifies .6mm so this gives me a visual. I'm waiting to hear back from him to see what his recommendation is.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

When I had the setting made for my 1.19ct EC, the CAD did not have any measurement for the air line/gap, I just left it to the bench to decide, and it turned out to be great.

Likewise with the latest 2 rings I had made late last year.

DK

I think this is my best bet and I should've just left it up to them and trusted it. But the control freak in me just can't leave well enough alone sometimes, unfortunately.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

Does anyone have any input comparing the first and most recent CADs? I've attached them again so they're side by side. I'm not tech savvy enough on my work computer to put them together in the same file.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Is there an element(s) that you’re really waffling about? I ask because I’m trying to pin down if you are happy with certain elements and unsure about one in particular.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

Is there an element(s) that you’re really waffling about? I ask because I’m trying to pin down if you are happy with certain elements and unsure about one in particular.

I guess more than anything I just wanted someone with more CAD experience and an eye for detail that I simply do not have. I think the biggest aspect is the basket design and height. Now that I see them side by side I'm wondering if I should go closer to the first CAD so it looks less "squat" if that makes sense?

I am incredibly indecisive if you can't tell.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

It’s all good, I totally get it.
FWIW I would go with the original height, that was literally the only thing I was going to suggest but didn’t want to mention it if it wasn’t on your radar.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

It’s all good, I totally get it.
FWIW I would go with the original height, that was literally the only thing I was going to suggest but didn’t want to mention it if it wasn’t on your radar.

Thank you so much for confirming my gut. I think I'll reach out to him and see what his recommendation is. I guess I just needed to see it side by side to really make a decision. Also, I wore the plastic model around the house last night until I heard the door open and my boyfriend walk in so I took it off for fear of looking absolutely insane...and I felt it was just a little too smashed down if that makes any sense at all? I feel so terrible having him take it back to the original basket design and height! The man has the patience of a saint, that's for sure.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Thank you so much for confirming my gut. I think I'll reach out to him and see what his recommendation is. I guess I just needed to see it side by side to really make a decision. Also, I wore the plastic model around the house last night until I heard the door open and my boyfriend walk in so I took it off for fear of looking absolutely insane...and I felt it was just a little too smashed down if that makes any sense at all? I feel so terrible having him take it back to the original basket design and height! The man has the patience of a saint, that's for sure.

He really does, I changed my mind so many times, I lost patience with myself lol!

If you feel it’s too squatty wearing the wax then I would have him raise it up.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

He really does, I changed my mind so many times, I lost patience with myself lol!

If you feel it’s too squatty wearing the wax then I would have him raise it up.

Well your ring is amazing so all the stress and indecisiveness most certainly paid off. I think my next quad is #6…YIKES!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Well your ring is amazing so all the stress and indecisiveness most certainly paid off. I think my next quad is #6…YIKES!

You are too sweet, thank you so much. I’ve gotten the most compliments on the ring David made me than any other ring. My SIL tried it on and said “this is fire” apparently that’s a compliment!

Your ring will be fire too, I’m sure of it

 

[diamondseeker2006]

In the last post with both cads, I like the top cads best.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

You are too sweet, thank you so much. I’ve gotten the most compliments on the ring David made me than any other ring. My SIL tried it on and said “this is fire” apparently that’s a compliment!

Your ring will be fire too, I’m sure of it

My 14 year old daughter and her friends say things all the time that confuse me, but I at least know what that means! Haha!

Thank you for the kind words, and thank you for all your help and input!

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

In the last post with both cads, I like the top cads best.

Thank you for weighing in! I agree with you, and I’m taking elements from both and hopefully finalizing the design. I like the smaller halo stones and thicker shank but I’m liking the taller basket from the top CAD the more I look at it. I appreciate your help! It just confirms what my eyes are already telling me.

 

[Lookinagain]

Thank you for weighing in! I agree with you, and I’m taking elements from both and hopefully finalizing the design. I like the smaller halo stones and thicker shank but I’m liking the taller basket from the top CAD the more I look at it. I appreciate your help! It just confirms what my eyes are already telling me.

I think that is a good decision. I definitely like the smaller halo stones and wider shank, but agree, the first CAD's basket looks most attractive. Good luck. Can't wait to see it.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Oh, the shank. Forgot to look at that. I honestly think going from 2.2 to maybe 2.5-2.6 is as large as I'd go. Antique rings generally have slim shanks. My VC halo has tri-wire and I think mine is maybe 2mm. 2.5mm should be plenty substantial enough without being too big.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

Oh, the shank. Forgot to look at that. I honestly think going from 2.2 to maybe 2.5-2.6 is as large as I'd go. Antique rings generally have slim shanks. My VC halo has tri-wire and I think mine is maybe 2mm. 2.5mm should be plenty substantial enough without being too big.

I actually asked him in my last email if the 2.8mm was pre or post polish. I was thinking around 2.5mm as well. I told him I wanted it to be substantial because I'm clumsy, and this will also be my engagement ring so it will be worn daily and I want to be able to pass it down to my daughter one day.

 

[rainydaze]

I'm not adding anything new at this point, but I just wanted to echo you and others that I like the height and airline of the first CAD, with the halo size of the second CAD.

That said, I also agree that you could go in-between on the height as well as the shank. At 6.8mm height I don't think it will get in the way or bash anything while still maintaining an aesthetically pleasing profile. Any higher and I find it starts to get in the way. If you want just a little more assurance I would think you could go to 6.4-6.6 total height without looking squat. I am guessing though, I need to see things to know for sure! I am also with you on preferring slightly thicker shanks - for the same reasons as you. 2.5mm would likely accomplish all goals.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

I'm not adding anything new at this point, but I just wanted to echo you and others that I like the height and airline of the first CAD, with the halo size of the second CAD.

That said, I also agree that you could go in-between on the height as well as the shank. At 6.8mm height I don't think it will get in the way or bash anything while still maintaining an aesthetically pleasing profile. Any higher and I find it starts to get in the way. If you want just a little more assurance I would think you could go to 6.4-6.6 total height without looking squat. I am guessing though, I need to see things to know for sure! I am also with you on preferring slightly thicker shanks - for the same reasons as you. 2.5mm would likely accomplish all goals.

I agree, and I think I'll convey to David that same sentiment. I think there's a happy medium for both measurements. I think she needs to be named Goldilocks once it's all said and done.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

I just got a CAD revision back from David, and he changed the airline to the same size as the ring that belongs to @YadaYadaYada and it's .29mm instead of the .6mm he originally had it at. I never would've guessed it was less than half the space, but I'm trusting my eyes and I absolutely love the proportions on her ring so I think I'm just going to go with it.

He did thin out the band slightly, and I think it looks better. I requested the basket be lowered around .5mm, but he didn't make that change for some reason?

What does everyone think? Keep the 6.8mm height or have him lower it more? I can't decide without seeing it on my finger, and I simply cannot in good conscience ask for yet another wax mold.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Looks good! I wonder if he didn’t lower the basket more on purpose? Maybe there is a reason for it. Looking at my ring I’m trying to visualize it slightly higher and I don’t think it would be a dealbreaker. Not sure at what height you get the flying saucer effect you know?

I am no expert so keep that in mind, I’ve done literally one custom project and just winged it for the most part

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

Looks good! I wonder if he didn’t lower the basket more on purpose? Maybe there is a reason for it. Looking at my ring I’m trying to visualize it slightly higher and I don’t think it would be a dealbreaker. Not sure at what height you get the flying saucer effect you know?

I am no expert so keep that in mind, I’ve done literally one custom project and just winged it for the most part

I think he’s probably fed up with me and my indecisive wishy-washy-ness. Lol. Make it high, no, make it low, no that donut is too small, now I think it’s TOO low, now make it high again, not that high. I’m irritating myself just typing it! Does half a millimeter really make that much of a difference? I’m not sure because this is my very first custom piece, but I definitely do NOT want the flying saucer look. I also feel like he wouldn’t steer me wrong and I should trust his judgement. Hoping others will weigh in that are more experienced than me.