Considering Dahlia

[CharlotteYork]

For several years, I have been contemplating a reset for my 3.10 carat I ACA diamond, currently set in a classic platinum Tiffany style solitaire. I just need a little more pizazz! I've considered three stones with heart sides, pears, and rounds... but after trying them on, I did not like the way the side stones seemed to make my center look smaller. I guess I'm used to the "pow!" of a large center stone! So I'm looking for more sparkle, but something that will still allow my ACA to pop.

I'm currently considering using two .20 carat diamonds from a ring of my grandmothers as accent stones. Another thought I'm pondering is adding baguettes... Have you seen these French cut baguettes from CVB?! OMG!! I have fallen in love with Caysie's iconic "Dahlia" setting and am trying to determine what kind of modifications can be made. This ring is designed to be customized! Here are the options I'm considering (if they are even possible):

1. Having my grandmother's .20s added on the sides above the pave shoulders. I'm not sure how this would look, or if it's even possible. Inspirational shots below...

2. Instead of the pave shoulders, could she use classic or French cut baguettes instead?

3. Just going with the pave shoulders, without milligrain. I'm just not sure how much extra sparkle these tiny stones would provide??

4. Asking Caysie if she would consider changing out the head on my current solitaire for the Dahlia head. There is a chance I could be happy staying with a solitaire if it had this beautiful artistry added. I also love the "halo" effect the metal creates around the stone... I've also secretly been suffering from a bit of DSS! This is actually the option I'm hoping Caysie will consider for now so that I can see how I like it.

Here are some pictures!

Option 4 - Dahlia Solitaire
Let's start from bottom option to top with pictures of the Dahlia! This is the original Dahlia, which belonged to @kayla17 aka @ringbling17 . She said she added "more metal in the silhouette/prongs both to protect the diamond and also to have a pronounced flower effect. I think the top view and basket are what makes the ring so special, like a beautiful lotus flower. The height of the shank was purposely made slightly higher too bc I didn’t want a diamond band hitting the basket and chewing away the metal." (see post)

She said in another post this is an 8.6 mm diamond and she thinks the Dahlia with the silhouette effect made it look closer to 9 mm. She said she later upgraded to a 9.3 mm (3 carat) diamond and returned it because it looked about as big as her 8.6 mm in the Dahlia setting!





I also love a high set stone, and I wonder if the basket could be drawn in towards the base, like @valmanin did below (not a Dahlia)... However, I would not want to do anything that would affect the top view of the ring, which provides the floral "halo" . That's my favorite part of the ring! But I do prefer a more tulip shaped basket.



Here is @Vanilla Bling 's gorgeous Dahlia (below)!



The Dahlia solitaire also looks beautiful when stacked... This one belong's to @renwea (I adore her French cut sapphire band!)


And @kayla17 / @ringbling17 's again below...



Option 3 - Dahlia with Pave Shoulders


This one belongs to @ceg aka @Gussie It is divine!! If you see this, @Gussie I'd love to know how much sparkle the shoulders add!

This one (below) is from the CVB Inspired Etsy page...



Here is @Gussie 's ... stacked! (post here)



I cannot remember who this one belongs to, but it is lovely!



Same with this lovely gold Dahlia...




Based on the last picture, I'm now skipping to Option #1: (an idea, really, I don't know if this actually is an option??) But it looks to me like a small .20 accent stone could be tucked in next to the head in the open part of the prong that attaches to the pave shoulder. Then bump the shoulder down to attach to the other side of the accent stone and remove the "cuffs". Here are some similar inspiration images...


(But with a 3.10 carat stone in the middle instead of a .77 as pictured) - video and additional images here



Ooops!! I can only post 15 images, so I'm going to try to include more round accent stone inspiration in my following post, along with my idea for side baguettes!

 

[CharlotteYork]

CONTINUED!

OK, back to Option #1: here's another inspiration image...


I'd prefer not to have the sides bezzled though... I'm thinking either continue the floral "halo" or just put a prong on the outside to hold it in?


And lastly, Option #2: Same format at the Dahlia with pave shoulders, but use tapered baguettes - or even better - Caysie's exquisite French baguettes!!


CVB French baguettes (link)

I look forward to your advice... and would also love to see more pictures of Dahlias!!

 

[lulu_ma]

I love Option #1 with your family stones.

The french cut baguettes are gorgeous but I don't feel that they gel with Dahlia setting...

 

[winnietucker]

I like the idea of using your grandmothers diamonds in the setting. How sweet is that? I’m a big fan of heirloom anything though.

How big are the diamonds? I think a blingy diamond band incorporating your grandmothers diamonds could also be a cool and fun option.

 

[CharlotteYork]

Oh, I forgot to note @ringbling17 's current avatar Dahlia-inspired ring, which I believe she had made by DK?? It is PERFECT!! I cannot seem to find a thread on it, but she is currently selling some of her hand-me-downs.... hmmm

 

[CharlotteYork]

I like the idea of using your grandmothers diamonds in the setting. How sweet is that? I’m a big fan of heirloom anything though.

How big are the diamonds? I think a blingy diamond band incorporating your grandmothers diamonds could also be a cool and fun option.

I love heirloom too, and this would be such a sentimental touch! There are three of them, and they are approximately .20 each. I took them to be measured by the local jeweler yesterday, and now I cannot find the sheet of paper I wrote the measurements down on! But she thinks they are OMC cut, and they sparkle like CRAZY!!! I wonder if another option for them could be a five-stone band? Here is a picture of it next to my solitaire. Note the "illusion" settings which make the stones look so much bigger than they are! Goodness, now that I'm looking at it again, I think maybe I should just have it resized and wear it as a right hand ring!

 

[CharlotteYork]

I love Option #1 with your family stones.

The french cut baguettes are gorgeous but I don't feel that they gel with Dahlia setting...

What would you think about regular baguettes?

 

[lulu_ma]

What would you think about regular baguettes?

The Dahlia head is so curvy-I just don’t think baguettes are the right sides with that head.

I guess Caysie could do a millgrain surround on the baguette which would help…still wouldn’t be perfect imho.

 

[winnietucker]

I love heirloom too, and this would be such a sentimental touch! There are three of them, and they are approximately .20 each. I took them to be measured by the local jeweler yesterday, and now I cannot find the sheet of paper I wrote the measurements down on! But she thinks they are OMC cut, and they sparkle like CRAZY!!! I wonder if another option for them could be a five-stone band? Here is a picture of it next to my solitaire. Note the "illusion" settings which make the stones look so much bigger than they are! Goodness, now that I'm looking at it again, I think maybe I should just have it resized and wear it as a right hand ring!

Huh… would you be sad taking apart the ring? I was thinking it was just two loose stones. A 5 stone band would be beautiful! Especially since you already have a blingy band.

 

[CharlotteYork]

The Dahlia head is so curvy-I just don’t think baguettes are the right sides with that head.

I guess Caysie could do a millgrain surround on the baguette which would help…still wouldn’t be perfect imho.

I think you're right! I definitely wouldn't want to do milligrain... OK, baguettes are out!

 

[CharlotteYork]

Huh… would you be sad taking apart the ring? I was thinking it was just two loose stones. A 5 stone band would be beautiful! Especially since you already have a blingy band.

I just don't ever wear it, and it would be lovely to be able to enjoy the beautiful stones every day. I think incorporating them into my ER would be especially sentimental. But a band is definitely an option as well... In fact, if I go with just the plain Dahlia solitaire, a five stone band might pair beautifully with it!

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

I love heirloom too, and this would be such a sentimental touch! There are three of them, and they are approximately .20 each. I took them to be measured by the local jeweler yesterday, and now I cannot find the sheet of paper I wrote the measurements down on! But she thinks they are OMC cut, and they sparkle like CRAZY!!! I wonder if another option for them could be a five-stone band? Here is a picture of it next to my solitaire. Note the "illusion" settings which make the stones look so much bigger than they are! Goodness, now that I'm looking at it again, I think maybe I should just have it resized and wear it as a right hand ring!

Huh… would you be sad taking apart the ring? I was thinking it was just two loose stones. A 5 stone band would be beautiful! Especially since you already have a blingy band.

How about a 5-stone band with two colored gems alternating in between your grandmother's diamonds? I also love the ring as is. It looks super wearable!

 

[winnietucker]

I just don't ever wear it, and it would be lovely to be able to enjoy the beautiful stones every day. I think incorporating them into my ER would be especially sentimental. But a band is definitely an option as well... In fact, if I go with just the plain Dahlia solitaire, a five stone band might pair beautifully with it!

Your diamond is def large enough to hold its own with a 5 stone band!

How about a 5-stone band with two colored gems alternating in between your grandmother's diamonds? I also love the ring as is. It looks super wearable!

This would be really sweet if someone you happened to love had pretty birthstones too.

 

[yssie]

So Valmanin’s inspo has an S curve, almost, vs. Dahlia’s convex C-shaped “cup” shape - do you prefer the S curve of Valmanin’s? Or the regular “cup” head? I don’t quite follow you on that one. If you prefer the S Caysie could definitely do that I should think. It necessitates raising the stone a bit - which sounds like you prefer anyway!


I’m leery of baguettes or French cuts. Even tapered, their sides are straight - which fights the very slight concavity she creates in the shoulders. And that also introduces a bullet head shape mismatch, unless you either change that shoulder joint shape or get those stones custom cut (green circle):

 

[CharlotteYork]

Your diamond is def large enough to hold its own with a 5 stone band!



This would be really sweet if someone you happened to love had pretty birthstones too.

Oh, that is wonderful! I absolutely LOVE the idea of birthstones!!

 

[CharlotteYork]

So Valmanin’s inspo has an S curve, almost, vs. Dahlia’s convex C-shaped “cup” shape - do you prefer the S curve of Valmanin’s? Or the regular “cup” head? I don’t quite follow you on that one. If you prefer the S Caysie could definitely do that I should think. It necessitates raising the stone a bit - which sounds like you prefer anyway!


I’m leery of baguettes or French cuts. Even tapered, their sides are straight - which fights the very slight concavity she creates in the shoulders. And that also introduces a bullet head shape mismatch, unless you either change that shoulder joint shape or get those stones custom cut (green circle):

Oh, I like the "S" curve! I just wouldn't want that to minimize or eliminate the "halo" the prongs create around the top of the stone. And yes, I love a high-set diamond!

What do you think about adding my tiny side stones? That green circle is where I was thinking they would go. You know I came so close to buying your gorgeous Butterfly from WF!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Oh, I forgot to note @ringbling17 's current avatar Dahlia-inspired ring, which I believe she had made by DK?? It is PERFECT!! I cannot seem to find a thread on it, but she is currently selling some of her hand-me-downs.... hmmm

The Dahlia is my favorite setting ever but since you mentioned it….she is selling a DK ring on LT that is amazing…..you might want to have a look at it. She has shared some pictures of her diamond in that setting and it is gorgeous. Just a thought.

 

[yssie]

Oh, I like the "S" curve! I just wouldn't want that to minimize or eliminate the "halo" the prongs create around the top of the stone. And yes, I love a high-set diamond!

I feel like it could totally be done witho it changing the top-down look! But Caysie would be able to say for sure!

What do you think about adding my tiny side stones? That green circle is where I was thinking they would go. You know I came so close to buying your gorgeous Butterfly from WF!

It sounds beautiful and sentimental 0.20 are sizable stones, so it’ll be more of a threestone (or “solitaire with accent sidestones”) than “solitaire with shoulder pave”… What I mean is - it does change the look a bit.

I love working with Caysie. It’s effortless for me - I know that whatever she comes up with, I’ll love. She made my MIL a ring with a high-colour 1.5ct round diamond, a lower-colour round 0.8ct diamond, and a cushion shaped red spinel. She managed to find a way to put those three very different elements together into a two-tone ring that looks *super* fluid and natural. I feel like I can count the number of designers who would take on that job - and not just take it on, actually want it! - on one hand… And the number who would have come up with what she did - just her!! Long-winded way of saying that I would ask about your alterations options and you can trust her advice

 

[Gussie]

I love the Dahlia setting. My stone is currently set in a EW Margot but I kept my Dahlia in case I ever want to go back to it. I love the way the prongs cup the stone creating a soft halo look. My advice is to stress to Casey that you want that metal halo to really show. I have had 2 Dahlias, one for a 2.5c/8.6mm and another for a 3.1c/9.4mm. The halo was definitely more pronounced in the 8.6mm which is shown in the picture you posted.

 

[Vanilla Bling]

For several years, I have been contemplating a reset for my 3.10 carat I ACA diamond, currently set in a classic platinum Tiffany style solitaire. I just need a little more pizazz! I've considered three stones with heart sides, pears, and rounds... but after trying them on, I did not like the way the side stones seemed to make my center look smaller. I guess I'm used to the "pow!" of a large center stone! So I'm looking for more sparkle, but something that will still allow my ACA to pop.

I'm currently considering using two .20 carat diamonds from a ring of my grandmothers as accent stones. Another thought I'm pondering is adding baguettes... Have you seen these French cut baguettes from CVB?! OMG!! I have fallen in love with Caysie's iconic "Dahlia" setting and am trying to determine what kind of modifications can be made. This ring is designed to be customized! Here are the options I'm considering (if they are even possible):

1. Having my grandmother's .20s added on the sides above the pave shoulders. I'm not sure how this would look, or if it's even possible. Inspirational shots below...

2. Instead of the pave shoulders, could she use classic or French cut baguettes instead?

3. Just going with the pave shoulders, without milligrain. I'm just not sure how much extra sparkle these tiny stones would provide??

4. Asking Caysie if she would consider changing out the head on my current solitaire for the Dahlia head. There is a chance I could be happy staying with a solitaire if it had this beautiful artistry added. I also love the "halo" effect the metal creates around the stone... I've also secretly been suffering from a bit of DSS! This is actually the option I'm hoping Caysie will consider for now so that I can see how I like it.

Here are some pictures!

Option 4 - Dahlia Solitaire
Let's start from bottom option to top with pictures of the Dahlia! This is the original Dahlia, which belonged to @kayla17 aka @ringbling17 . She said she added "more metal in the silhouette/prongs both to protect the diamond and also to have a pronounced flower effect. I think the top view and basket are what makes the ring so special, like a beautiful lotus flower. The height of the shank was purposely made slightly higher too bc I didn’t want a diamond band hitting the basket and chewing away the metal." (see post)

She said in another post this is an 8.6 mm diamond and she thinks the Dahlia with the silhouette effect made it look closer to 9 mm. She said she later upgraded to a 9.3 mm (3 carat) diamond and returned it because it looked about as big as her 8.6 mm in the Dahlia setting!





I also love a high set stone, and I wonder if the basket could be drawn in towards the base, like @valmanin did below (not a Dahlia)... However, I would not want to do anything that would affect the top view of the ring, which provides the floral "halo" . That's my favorite part of the ring! But I do prefer a more tulip shaped basket.



Here is @Vanilla Bling 's gorgeous Dahlia (below)!



The Dahlia solitaire also looks beautiful when stacked... This one belong's to @renwea (I adore her French cut sapphire band!)


And @kayla17 / @ringbling17 's again below...



Option 3 - Dahlia with Pave Shoulders


This one belongs to @ceg aka @Gussie It is divine!! If you see this, @Gussie I'd love to know how much sparkle the shoulders add!

This one (below) is from the CVB Inspired Etsy page...



Here is @Gussie 's ... stacked! (post here)



I cannot remember who this one belongs to, but it is lovely!



Same with this lovely gold Dahlia...




Based on the last picture, I'm now skipping to Option #1: (an idea, really, I don't know if this actually is an option??) But it looks to me like a small .20 accent stone could be tucked in next to the head in the open part of the prong that attaches to the pave shoulder. Then bump the shoulder down to attach to the other side of the accent stone and remove the "cuffs". Here are some similar inspiration images...


(But with a 3.10 carat stone in the middle instead of a .77 as pictured) - video and additional images here



Ooops!! I can only post 15 images, so I'm going to try to include more round accent stone inspiration in my following post, along with my idea for side baguettes!

Actually that 5th picture was my ring that I had before I traded it in and that’s a picture Casey took

 

[CharlotteYork]

I feel like it could totally be done witho it changing the top-down look! But Caysie would be able to say for sure!


It sounds beautiful and sentimental 0.20 are sizable stones, so it’ll be more of a threestone (or “solitaire with accent sidestones”) than “solitaire with shoulder pave”… What I mean is - it does change the look a bit.

I love working with Caysie. It’s effortless for me - I know that whatever she comes up with, I’ll love. She made my MIL a ring with a high-colour 1.5ct round diamond, a lower-colour round 0.8ct diamond, and a cushion shaped red spinel. She managed to find a way to put those three very different elements together into a two-tone ring that looks *super* fluid and natural. I feel like I can count the number of designers who would take on that job - and not just take it on, actually want it! - on one hand… And the number who would have come up with what she did - just her!! Long-winded way of saying that I would ask about your alterations options and you can trust her advice

That is a huge endorsement coming from you, thank you so much! I reached out to Caysie via Etsy a few days ago but haven’t heard back, I’m wondering if text is the best way to communicate?

I’ll ask her about the side stones, but if they look too much like a “three stone” I might see if she would be able to just transform my current solitaire. The band is perfectly the exact width and curve I like, I’m hoping she could just pop off the current head and work her magic. It seems like despite every option I consider and obsess over, I always revert back to my solitaire… But I’m not satisfied with it. I’m actually starting to think Dahlia’s gorgeous floral head might be the perfect touch of pizazz I’ve been seeking, and as a bonus, help relieve my DSS! I’ll also ask her about turning my grandmother’s ring into a five stone... I had been toying with the idea of a blingier band, so this might just be the perfect solution! I don’t know what I’d do without PricesScope to help figure these things out!

 

[yssie]

That is a huge endorsement coming from you, thank you so much! I reached out to Caysie via Etsy a few days ago but haven’t heard back, I’m wondering if text is the best way to communicate?

I’ll ask her about the side stones, but if they look too much like a “three stone” I might see if she would be able to just transform my current solitaire. The band is perfectly the exact width and curve I like, I’m hoping she could just pop off the current head and work her magic. It seems like despite every option I consider and obsess over, I always revert back to my solitaire… But I’m not satisfied with it. I’m actually starting to think Dahlia’s gorgeous floral head might be the perfect touch of pizazz I’ve been seeking, and as a bonus, help relieve my DSS! I’ll also ask her about turning my grandmother’s ring into a five stone... I had been toying with the idea of a blingier band, so this might just be the perfect solution! I don’t know what I’d do without PricesScope to help figure these things out!

I would say text or IG are best. She might take a few days to respond sometimes! But definitely worth the wait

 

[CharlotteYork]

Just wanted to post that I am moving forward with the Dahlia three stone!!! Caysie has made a three-stone Dahlia before, but with a marquis center, so she said it can absolutely be done! My side stones are small enough to complement more as accents, which should continue to allow the center to be the star. She said my grandmother's diamonds are actually transitional cut, and will be beautiful with my ACA and the vintage style of this ring.

I'm also having her replace the head of my current solitaire with a Dahlia head, that way if I ever decide to go back to a solitaire, I can still enjoy the beauty of Dahlia.

I am in the queue for a CAD and will keep you posted!! I couldn't be more excited!! Thank you everyone for your help!

 

[winnietucker]

Can’t wait to see!

 

[MissGotRocks]

So exciting - can’t wait to see the CADs!