Designing my 20th Anniversary Ring

[newtojewels]

My plastic model arrived



I love it. It’s very delicate like I wanted, the height is perfect, the spread across the finger is just right. Looking down all I see is diamonds but it doesn’t go between my fingers at all. The semi-bezels in the end were the right choice because it’s very comfortable, I don’t feel it at all. I love the proportions just as they are! Wheeeee!

As I hoped, I really like how it looks with my antique Belais 18k wg band.



I had been thinking about engraving the shank but I’m going to leave it plain. I really can’t see the shank when I’m wearing it at all and I want to pair it with textured (engraved, diamond etc) bands and I think plain will work best that way.

My only pondering still is metal choice. I love the color of my Belais band and I’m wondering about doing the entire five stone ina similar color unplated wg?? Would that be more versatile than mixed metal in terms of pairing it with bands? Would two tone still work with my Belais band and if so, should I do an 18k unplated gallery instead of platinum?

The proportions look perfect!

For whatever it's worth, I think platinum prongs/gallery would be totally fine with an unplated wg band. It looks like you'll see very little of the shank when worn so it probably doesn't super matter whether it's two-tone or all white for stacking, I think it's more what you would enjoy more abstractly and when wearing it alone. I love the idea of two-tone for this ring so will reiterate that.

 

[lala646]

My plastic model arrived



I love it. It’s very delicate like I wanted, the height is perfect, the spread across the finger is just right. Looking down all I see is diamonds but it doesn’t go between my fingers at all. The semi-bezels in the end were the right choice because it’s very comfortable, I don’t feel it at all. I love the proportions just as they are! Wheeeee!

As I hoped, I really like how it looks with my antique Belais 18k wg band.



I had been thinking about engraving the shank but I’m going to leave it plain. I really can’t see the shank when I’m wearing it at all and I want to pair it with textured (engraved, diamond etc) bands and I think plain will work best that way.

My only pondering still is metal choice. I love the color of my Belais band and I’m wondering about doing the entire five stone ina similar color unplated wg?? Would that be more versatile than mixed metal in terms of pairing it with bands? Would two tone still work with my Belais band and if so, should I do an 18k unplated gallery instead of platinum?

I love the idea of unplated WG for the gallery! And the model looks absolutely perfect!!

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

I was bored today and did a deep dive in yellow gold, rose gold colors and peachy/apricot gold tones

I saved this pic Yssie posted a while back (I hope it’s ok Yssie to post this… but I found your post extremely informative and helped solidify a band decision for me - so thank you!)

*pink thinner plain band is 14k RG
*wider yellower plain band is Tiffany 18k RG.
*pearl eternity is CVB’s peach gold (I wonder if this is the same as DK’s)

Yssie mentioned the 20k peach gold is in-between but leans closer to the 14k.

If you are wanting to stay traditional: platinum + 18k antique gold

If you are wanting something slightly different… 18k white gold (warmer tone vs the grey in platinum) + peach gold and I think a thin solid peach/apricot band in between your 5 stone and a platinum diamond band would be incredible

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I have personally decided on having a 14k plain rose gold band made cause I want PINK PINK lol

 

[LightBright]

My plastic model arrived



I love it. It’s very delicate like I wanted, the height is perfect, the spread across the finger is just right. Looking down all I see is diamonds but it doesn’t go between my fingers at all. The semi-bezels in the end were the right choice because it’s very comfortable, I don’t feel it at all. I love the proportions just as they are! Wheeeee!

As I hoped, I really like how it looks with my antique Belais 18k wg band.



I had been thinking about engraving the shank but I’m going to leave it plain. I really can’t see the shank when I’m wearing it at all and I want to pair it with textured (engraved, diamond etc) bands and I think plain will work best that way.

My only pondering still is metal choice. I love the color of my Belais band and I’m wondering about doing the entire five stone ina similar color unplated wg?? Would that be more versatile than mixed metal in terms of pairing it with bands? Would two tone still work with my Belais band and if so, should I do an 18k unplated gallery instead of platinum?

So, I’m late to the party. First thoughts are if you love the color of the Belais band, and the two fit well together, yes consider doing a ring in unplated white gold and ask David to match.

These are just thoughts but unplated white gold to match the Belais will look along the lines of an Edwardian style ring which were usually done in all platinum. But with white gold you get the weight of gold (lighter than platinum, and a softer feeling metal.

Since you already have a two color ring (I think your George ring is bicolor?) and a warm yellow gold ring (your star sapphire), maybe all white gold will allow a little change up, give you “one of each” so to speak.

Here’s all White Gold

Early 20th Century 18ct White Gold, Five Stone Diamond Ring

A lovely 18ct white gold ring that was made circa 1910-1920. It has been claw set with graduated old mine cut diamonds in a lovely curve that frames the finger. The double claw set diamonds are well matched bright white stones with a total approximate weight of one and a half carats. It would...

www.antiquejewellerycompany.com

Here’s white gold and yellow gold shank

Edwardian Diamond 18K Yellow and White Gold Five Stone Band For Sale at 1stDibs

For Sale on 1stDibs - Center Stone: 5 Diamonds Cut: Round Brilliant Weight: Approximately 1 Carats Color: H Clarity: VS Metal: 18K Yellow Gold and White Gold Era: Edwardian

www.1stdibs.com

Looking at the two side by side, I personally adore the pop and warmth of a yellow gold shank with white prongs, to me the “all white” looks more serious while the two color is romantic, IMO. . So now I’m giving mixed messages! Just some thoughts.

Ps did you tell the story of finding your Belais ring anywhere? I’m glad you found it!

 

[Lookinagain]

I think it looks perfect! As far as metal color, that's truly personal. If by saying "more versatile" you mean you may mix it with white, yellow or rose, then I'd go with all white metal just because I'm not a fan of mixing yellow and rose. If mixing means white and yellow, then I'd go for the mix of white with a YG shank. Just what I'd do, but I'm sure you will make the right choice for you. You have a great eye.

 

[Dreamer_D]

@lavenderdragonfly23 The color of Yssie's ring is spectacular!! Its 20kt though, so I'm not surprised! RICH.

I hunted down pictures of DKs 18k peach -- there are two PSers who have rings made with it -- and I'm leaning away from that. Its a subtle metal, less saturated than the example above. I think I want a very rich and saturated metal for this ring. I love the antique 18k and its very rich. BUT... my other rings are 18k YG, and I feel like it might be weird for this ring to be different but not SO different than those rings? Like, different enough to catch my eye and be like "whats wrong here?" but not different enough to be purposeful. If this ring is going to be different metal than my other two rings I want it to look purposeful. Now, 14k RG would look DIFFERENT...

@LightBright your thoughts are exactly what has been making me ponder a solid WG ring. And I agree also about serious/Edwardian vs romantic Victoria. I want this ring to compliment my others well as I will likely be wearing them all together or in various combos fairly often.

A reminder of my other rings:


I don’t like my three stone with my Belais at all FWIW. The contrasting textures and metal colors really turns me off. It just looks jarring to my eyes.

Ps did you tell the story of finding your Belais ring anywhere? I’m glad you found it!

Yes! So hard to find a delicate ring like this in size 10.75, but bless the full-figured woman who bought it 100 years ago. I hope she is happy to see me wearing it. I really love it.



@Lookinagain mixing white and yellow. I don’t own any rose gold and I agree I don’t think I would like it with yellow. Which maybe makes my decision for me… I have struggled over the years to find wedding bands I like. I think maybe I like things to match???

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

That band is such an incredible find, it’s beautiful. I’m thinking match the 18k white gold/sheen of the band for the gallery, and use the same sheen in 14k rose gold for the shank.

The two rings together would be incredible

“Romanic Edwardian Era”

 

[maryjane04]

I was toying with the idea of the apricot gold for my cluster and DK told me to go the antique gold as it'll look better so I trusted him lol. My preference is for two tone platinum prongs and YG shank. As it'll be plain and not engraved the textures won't be as jarring. The other option is all white metal. Either way you can't go wrong but I'd hesitate to do RG if you don't have any other RG pieces.

 

[Lookinagain]

@lavenderdragonfly23 The color of Yssie's ring is spectacular!! Its 20kt though, so I'm not surprised! RICH.

I hunted down pictures of DKs 18k peach -- there are two PSers who have rings made with it -- and I'm leaning away from that. Its a subtle metal, less saturated than the example above. I think I want a very rich and saturated metal for this ring. I love the antique 18k and its very rich. BUT... my other rings are 18k YG, and I feel like it might be weird for this ring to be different but not SO different than those rings? Like, different enough to catch my eye and be like "whats wrong here?" but not different enough to be purposeful. If this ring is going to be different metal than my other two rings I want it to look purposeful. Now, 14k RG would look DIFFERENT...

@LightBright your thoughts are exactly what has been making me ponder a solid WG ring. And I agree also about serious/Edwardian vs romantic Victoria. I want this ring to compliment my others well as I will likely be wearing them all together or in various combos fairly often.

A reminder of my other rings:


I don’t like my three stone with my Belais at all FWIW. The contrasting textures and metal colors really turns me off. It just looks jarring to my eyes.




Yes! So hard to find a delicate ring like this in size 10.75, but bless the full-figured woman who bought it 100 years ago. I hope she is happy to see me wearing it. I really love it.



@Lookinagain mixing white and yellow. I don’t own any rose gold and I agree I don’t think I would like it with yellow. Which maybe makes my decision for me… I have struggled over the years to find wedding bands I like. I think maybe I like things to match???

If you don't have other RG pieces, I agree you should not go in that direction.

 

[bee24]

My plastic model arrived



I love it. It’s very delicate like I wanted, the height is perfect, the spread across the finger is just right. Looking down all I see is diamonds but it doesn’t go between my fingers at all. The semi-bezels in the end were the right choice because it’s very comfortable, I don’t feel it at all. I love the proportions just as they are! Wheeeee!

As I hoped, I really like how it looks with my antique Belais 18k wg band.



I had been thinking about engraving the shank but I’m going to leave it plain. I really can’t see the shank when I’m wearing it at all and I want to pair it with textured (engraved, diamond etc) bands and I think plain will work best that way.

My only pondering still is metal choice. I love the color of my Belais band and I’m wondering about doing the entire five stone ina similar color unplated wg?? Would that be more versatile than mixed metal in terms of pairing it with bands? Would two tone still work with my Belais band and if so, should I do an 18k unplated gallery instead of platinum?

What a ring! I cannot wait to see the final piece. I think it’s really clear how much thought you put into it, it fits your hand perfectly and those baskets !!

I think it makes sense to keep the band plain since you don’t like the different patterns between your three stone and belais band. I love a two tone ring, like the one @LightBright shared but considering you want to wear this ring w your band and you don’t like mismatched things perhaps unplated wg that matches is your best option?? It will look fabulous regardless.

When is the 2 week countdown??!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I’ve asked David a couple questions so waiting to hear back to hopefully make a metal decision.

Sizing question for five stone owners:

Do you find your five stones fit similarly to your other rings? The donuts on my ring are about 4mm which is fairly wide. I’m wondering if I need to size up.

The plastic model fits but is a little snug, but I’ve read the molds shrink after they’ve been made so I shouldn’t judge fit based on them. But the width of the gallery gives me pause. My three stone is a 10.5 and that’s a loose fit with room for stacking or hot weather swelling. Should I size the five stone the same?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Sally, Rita, and perfect came back from GIA! I'm pretty happy with the results.

Sold to me as JK SI1 and 1.44cttw.

Local appraiser said H/I color for all three, I1 clarity for Sally and Rita and SI2 for Perfect, 1.65cttw

GIA says 1.57cttw


Sally: L SI2 0.53ct (Chip, Etch Channel) <-- this is interesting because we were wondering what the inclusion were, maybe thought the one of the crown was a natural, but nope, its a chip! And the other surface-reaching inclusion by the girdle is an etch channel, which is interesting.





Rita: K SI2 0.51ct (Crystal, Chip, Feather)






Perfect: L VS2 0.54ct

 

[Dreamer_D]

The gals. Miss K, Linda, Perfect, Sally, Rita

 

[Inked]

The gals. Miss K, Linda, Perfect, Sally, Rita

There are all so beautiful together!! Absolutely stunning! I think in this picture D is my personal fav! Im sure as you move them you see all their personalities really come out.

My husbands wedding band is rose gold from DK and i would call it more coppery thank pink, but i ASKED DK for coppery rose so that could be why!

I mix my rose gold clash de cartier with yellow and white daily, but I feel that the clash is very subtle rose, it's not really pink pink LOL

And yes, you're correct that the wax shrinks! My 5 stone is just my normal size... but my "normal size" means snug over the knuckle and then spins once on, so annoying having giant sasquatch knuckles.

I'm so excited to see your ring! I want a video of them dancing in candlelight!!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

There are all so beautiful together!! Absolutely stunning! I think in this picture D is my personal fav! Im sure as you move them you see all their personalities really come out.

Yes I'm pretty obsessed with D as well. I would love to clone her to be about 8mm!

My husbands wedding band is rose gold from DK and i would call it more coppery thank pink, but i ASKED DK for coppery rose so that could be why!

I mix my rose gold clash de cartier with yellow and white daily, but I feel that the clash is very subtle rose, it's not really pink pink LOL

I love coppery gold. I will add some to my collection. But I think this piece isn't right for that.

And yes, you're correct that the wax shrinks! My 5 stone is just my normal size... but my "normal size" means snug over the knuckle and then spins once on, so annoying having giant sasquatch knuckles.

David confirmed that the mold shrinks after its made. So its a teensy bit snug but it should be fine in metal.

My fingers are the opposite! The base is larger and soft and pillowy so I hate when rings are too tight and indent into my finger But they never spin! I can't stack though, it doesn't work at all.

I'm so excited to see your ring! I want a video of them dancing in candlelight!!!

I'm excited too! I just approved moving it to production today

Aaaahhhh!

 

[vitona526]

I am so excited for this! The mold looks beautiful and the unplated white with rich gold shank. Yum! I wish I had something intelligent to add but I’m just here to ooogle. And commenting so I get the updates

 

[Dreamer_D]

I decided to go with the consensus and went with platinum gallery and antique 18k gold!

 

[zekensunshine]

Agree, platinum with YG shank. Ask DK for photos of his antique gold. It was posted somewhere a few years ago but I didn't save it.

I just got pictures of my antique 18k yellow gold and platinum ring from DK today. I will have a long weekend waiting for it to arrive because I think it will look richer in color in real life because the one above from Skymonkey is my sisters and I HAVE seen that in real life and the color is perfect. I think the reflection makes it look brighter and less yellow. Hopefully this help you decide for sure

 

[lulu_ma]

I’ve asked David a couple questions so waiting to hear back to hopefully make a metal decision.

Sizing question for five stone owners:

Do you find your five stones fit similarly to your other rings? The donuts on my ring are about 4mm which is fairly wide. I’m wondering if I need to size up.

The plastic model fits but is a little snug, but I’ve read the molds shrink after they’ve been made so I shouldn’t judge fit based on them. But the width of the gallery gives me pause. My three stone is a 10.5 and that’s a loose fit with room for stacking or hot weather swelling. Should I size the five stone the same?

I just measured an end stone on my 5 stone. The stone is 5.5 mm and the donut is around 4 mm. The stones in my ring are graduated so the donuts get larger towards the middle.

Can't wait to see your finished ring!

 

[bee24]

Do we have an update on your ring @Dreamer_D ?! It feels like we should have one soon! Cannot wait to see it completed!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Do we have an update on your ring @Dreamer_D ?! It feels like we should have one soon! Cannot wait to see it completed!

I approved it going into production two weeks ago. I have no idea how long production will take I didn't ask lol

 

[bee24]

I approved it going into production two weeks ago. I have no idea how long production will take I didn't ask lol

It took just about two weeks for my ring w DK! I bet you will be getting your glamour shots soon!

 

[Dreamer_D]

It took just about two weeks for my ring w DK! I bet you will be getting your glamour shots soon!

That's a fast turnaround! It was closer to 6 weeks with my two previous custom projects. But those were both small-scale designers who work exclusively with one bench and don't work at high volume.

I'm not in a rush! I told them I wanted it finished to a level that @mrs-b would accept so maybe it will take longer