Custom Project Begins....Follow it here

[rparker1998]

Howdy PS'ers.

Well my first custom project is officially starting. I have contacted my local jewler and sent him a mock up of what I want. Here it is for you PS'ers who have followed the previous thread on the Rose Gold Piece with modifications. I decided to NOT go with that piece as the price was IMO just too expensive.

The setting will be 14K rose gold, split shank with 2 to 3 MM G-H, VS Diamonds down the shank, and the 5x5 .85 tcw indian apatite side stones and then the 5x7 oval salmony/pink/peach tourmaline. (Oval_momproject.jpg) I also included a pear version that I was considering but after looking at the differnt stones IRL i decided the oval was more like the tourmaline I have that my mom loves.

feedback/input welcome!

***ETA*** Please keep in mind these are rough photoshop photos so the oval looks like it's scratched but it's just the graphic from my hurried renderings.

Thanks!
rparker

 

[StonieGrl]

Like the mockup! Excellent skill.

I love mixed colors in rings so of course I like what you are showing with the mockup. Will follow along!

 

[Kismet]

I like the mock up. The colors look really pretty together. I have to ask though, is your jeweler okay working with apatite? I hear that it's really a pretty fragile stone.

 

[rparker1998]

Thanks Ladies!

It's supposed to be like a salmon/peachy/pink rose - deconstructed into jewels

As far as the apatite goes, he hasn't gotten back with me on it yet, but i'm sure he will be fine. He is VERY well known in this area and has been doing jewelery for 30+ years i'm sure....

 

[chrono]

A jeweller may be well known and in the business for many years but it could well be that he only deals with diamonds and sapphires as that is what most people only know about, so jewellers only stock those and deal with those on a regular basis. Do NOT presume that he has the skill to set apatites.

 

[rparker1998]

I understand what you are saying Chrono. Good idea not to presume anything. I will be sure to check with him on it.

 

[brandy_z28]

I'd be very wary of putting apatite in a ring as well. Is it too late to check out a tourmaline or a light tsavorite garnet trillion pair instead?

 

[Indylady]

Who are you working with? I'm always interested in reading reviews on local jewelers!

 

[rparker1998]

If he tells me he can't do the apatite, then i'll look for alternatives, as I've already purchased the apatite and my mom is very careful with her jewelery.

He is a local guy here in NW Ohio. Tadsen's Custom Jewelers in Northwood, OH.

 

[T L]

Apatite will probably chip if you stare at it. It's that fragile.

 

[marcy]

Love those colors together!

TL, LOL at peridot will chip if you stare it.

 

[Indylady]

Apatite will probably chip if you stare at it. It's that fragile.

 

[rparker1998]

LOL @TL I will e-mail the jeweler to see what his thoughts are on the apatite....*sigh*

Thanks for the positive vibes on the color combo.


I should have a cost next week. The Jeweler is sourcing 2 or 3 mm diamonds for me to go down the side. I want something more substantial than what this ring has.

 

[rparker1998]

well - thought i'd give an update on this ring. The 2 and 3 mm diamonds put the project WAY WAY WAY over budget as did the basket I wanted. SOOOO back to square one. At this point, he is quoting me a price of 1mm and 2mm diamonds, and then also a band with no diamonds.

*sigh* maybe my expectations are just too high.

 

[Nashville]

well - thought i'd give an update on this ring. The 2 and 3 mm diamonds put the project WAY WAY WAY over budget as did the basket I wanted. SOOOO back to square one. At this point, he is quoting me a price of 1mm and 2mm diamonds, and then also a band with no diamonds.

*sigh* maybe my expectations are just too high.

I bet you could scale down the ring a bit and still get a great effect.

 

[soberguy]

What if you purchased the accent diamonds yourself? And then had him do the gold work? I have done that in the past and found very nice diamonds at a price FAR lower than the local jeweler offers them. Here is the company I used to buy calibrated diamonds:

http://www.israel-diamonds.com/Calibrat ... F-VVS.aspx

They have extremely fast shipping, I even got an order on a Sunday lol! Their prices are very reasonable, and the diamonds I have purchased from them have all been well cut, and very flashy! I gave you the link for the DEF, VVS round brilliant calibrated diamonds. Hope this helps!

 

[rparker1998]

I will def check that out! Thanks!

 

[Arcadian]

Looking forward to seeing the finished piece!

As for apatite, do double check that your guy can do it since they're so soft. They do take quite a lot of experience. Mine will set (He did a humongous pendant which was amazing) but generally charges extra. He's set 2 of my sphenes at my regular price but only because I gave him the puppy dog eyes

I always make sure he knows exactly what he's getting from me so there arent any suprises on his part.


-A

 

[rparker1998]

Well, My original plan fell to pieces..My budget was just too tiny. BUT here is what I came up with....

I ended up using the same tourmaline I wanted to, and ended up trading in some old jewlery and a family piece for cash; to be able to make this. The family piece I kept the diamond out of and didn't feel bad about because it wasn't something I would EVER wear and its proceeds are going back to something my mom will wear so it's staying in the family

ETA: I pick up the finished piece tomorrow and we are giving it to her Saturday for her birthday!