Dark pear garnet - How to set?

[blingbunny10]

Hi all!
I know dark garnets aren't everyone's cup of tea, but please bear with me here! I really wanted a dark, rich red stone with dark flashes rather than bright sparkle for this project -- Think "vampire bling..."
So I went with a big garnet from Dan S. I envisioned a rich yellow gold setting with a thick, dramatically sleek band.... But now I'm worried such a setting would darken the stone completely. Any ideas about setting dark garnets?

Malaya Garnet
4.83 Cts.
Brilliant Pear
8.54 x 11.77 mm

 

[blingbunny10]

One more photo. These zoomed in pics really make me want to slather on some lotion, lol. I had no idea my hands looked like this!

 

[ForteKitty]

If vampire bling is the goal, may I suggest an oxidized look? I think it'll look cool against the red.

like this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/93171292/rose-cut-rhodolite-garnet-ring-18k-gold?ref=v1_other_2

But with the band like this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/93171292/rose-cut-rhodolite-garnet-ring-18k-gold?ref=v1_other_2

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

If it was me I would want the darkness of the stone and the red flash to stand out. I would do white metal with diamonds.

 

[mimB]

I have no experience setting stones, but imagining the read pear in yellow gold - would look gorgeous!

From what I know, though, if the gallery of the setting is left semi-open, the light from the sides would light the stone somewhat?
Were you imagining prongs, or a bezel, or something else?

 

[Coco914]

Hi there... Just wanted to say that I love the cut of this pear! I've actually admired this garnet on Dan's website many times in the past. Also, I can understand why you (or anyone for that matter) might want a darker than "ideal" gemstone. Some of them just have such beautiful flashes of color. I've actually been looking for a deep blue sapphire (*gasps*), the likes of which might be snubbed by many. Anyway, your garnet does have some beautiful, bright flashes of color in addition to the precision cut. The term vampire-bling was very fitting. I can definitely see your garnet set in yellow gold. I think as long as you have it prong set, rather than bezelled or semi-bezelled you should be alright. It may darken a teeny bit, but not go entirely black.

 

[Enerchi]

I like the idea of high contrast - deep "Vampire" garnet set beside bright white diamonds - sort of how you see in your photo with the pear close to your wedding set. To me, that really intensifies both ends of the spectrum.

Would you look at a vintage/antique type setting? or a modern halo? or something sort of Singlestone styled?

 

[chrono]

The stone is already dark; my concern is that something enclosed like a bezel or halo will completely black out the stone. Have you tried to see the effect by cupping the pavilion of the stone?

 

[T L]

It's so dark that you may want to emphasize its darkness like someone would want to emphasize a black diamond. There is probably no way you'll see much flash of light whether it's an open setting or a more enclosed one like a halo, so I would do something that emphasizes it's shape and darkness, like a white metal halo.

 

[blingbunny10]

Thanks, everyone for your replies! This is my first gemstone purchase, so I'm definitely still learning from you all!

ForteKitty - Those rings look nice and rich and vampire-y, indeed!

LisaRN - I hadn't thought about white metal.... White gold would avoid the traditional garnet/yg and modernize the look. Hm, and more diamonds are never a bad thing!

mimB - I think you're absolutely right. I was also thinking prongs, hoping a more open setting would preserve the dark flashes.

Coco - A deep blue sapphire sounds yummy.

Enerchi - I'm not sure what kind of setting. I'd envisioned single-stone, prong set... but I also want a bit more going on to modernize it. A few people have mentioned white gold/diamonds. Maybe that is the way to go!

Chrono and TL - It doesn't go black, but also doesn't give off much flash - Just stays a very deep, dark red. I certainly hope that setting the stone doesn't turn it too dark!