Does white gold wash out yellow stones?

[packrat]

Just something I've been thinking about in my musings about my projects. I tried searching to see if it's been discussed before but I can't seem to get anywhere w/the new search function.

What about unplated wg? I'm under the impression there's a bit of a yellowish cast to it? Would that be better than plated if you were thinking about doing a white metal?

A lot of the yellow stones I see have a white shank but the prongs/head are yellow. (the 3 stone I'm working at a snail's pace towards, for instance would have yg prongs on the yellow center-I just thought that would help it pop more w/the white side stones and metal)

Would a yellow stone in a white bezel be too washed out?

 

[T L]

Just something I've been thinking about in my musings about my projects. I tried searching to see if it's been discussed before but I can't seem to get anywhere w/the new search function.

What about unplated wg? I'm under the impression there's a bit of a yellowish cast to it? Would that be better than plated if you were thinking about doing a white metal?

A lot of the yellow stones I see have a white shank but the prongs/head are yellow. (the 3 stone I'm working at a snail's pace towards, for instance would have yg prongs on the yellow center-I just thought that would help it pop more w/the white side stones and metal)

Would a yellow stone in a white bezel be too washed out?

To me, it depends on the saturation of the yellow, but for me, and this is strictly my personal opinion (others may disagree), I always prefer a yellowish stone in any other metal than white gold. I personally do not think white gold does much for yellow stones. Even yellow diamonds are typically set in yellow baskets. If people like white gold, I think they would be better off going with a white shank and yellow basket. JMO.

 

[lavatea]

I had a small yellow diamond ring made. Many, many people suggested using yellow gold, but I was set on platinum because I thought it would hold up to daily wear better. I really wish I would have listened to them and at least used yellow for the prongs.

Here's my ring in different lighting. It looks best when under strong light or when really close to my white diamond, lol.

 

[Gempassion]

hi packrat,

I suppose it does depend on the saturation of the yellow stone. But, I like the contrast of white gold and a yellow: gem. Like this etsy vendor's ring, for example:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52964282/yellow-sapphire-in-14k-white-gold

 

[chictomato]

Hi packrat! I just had my yellow Chrysoberyl set in a wg ring If you wanna take a look at my recent thread.

Hi Lavatea- Honestly, I think that your yellow diamonds stand out better and look great in the platinum setting! I though that they will 'dissapear' should they be mounted on yg JMHO

 

[packrat]

Gempassion, that's a cool looking ring at that Etsy store. I'll have to explore that place a little more later!

This would be if I had Michael replace the stone in my ering. Gah, I know, I can't get off that kick, but I can't help it. It's just a thought I had the other day while playing with my project book. I've been going back and forth between lavender and yellow. But I want to explore all my options and make the best decision b/c I want it to be *right* this time if I'm going to take the chance on replacing it b/c of the bezel.

 

[RockHugger]

I think it does. I put my yellowish green diamond in a white setting and it looked....dead and grey. I put it in a yellow basket and it popped.

If a stone has any yellow, go with yellow.

 

[packrat]

I guess we have a couple more minutes before we run out the door so I didn't have to hurry my reply before.

If my setting were yellow I get the feeling it would overpower a yellow stone, and if it were a lighter more delicate setting in all yellow, it would accent it. Maybe?? If the ring Gempassion linked to were yg, I don't know that I'd notice the stone as much. Still..I don't know.

I like Lavatea's in platinum, tho I think it would be beautiful either way.

Chic, I saw yours in that other thread and I think it looks so pretty!

Dangit now he's tapping his feet at me so I guess it really is time to go.

 

[T L]

Chic,
I saw your chrysoberyl in white gold, and for me, I would have probably liked it in yellow, but that's my own preference. For people that want a white gold setting, but think yellow gold would overpower the stone, I think a two tone option would be a good idea. Again JMO.

 

[tradergirl]

Interesting. I am getting this and was going to set it in platinum. Since the stone is a light yellow is that a problem?

http://www.finewatergems.com/new-gemstones.html

(mine is the yellow asscher sapphire)

 

[T L]

If you think about it, why would anyone set a yellow stone in a white gold head? The yellow metal would give the color some "ooomph" that it could use, even if it's a more saturated gem. I think white gold just takes away from the color if it's set in white gold prongs or a basket. Even vivid yellow diamonds are still set in yellow gold heads. Yellow is a light color to begin with, and it rarely comes very saturated, so yellow gold does help.

 

[marymm]

I just had a Golden Yellow Sapphire prong-set in a yellow gold head with a white gold shank -- I really like how it turned out; the yellow gold goes well with the sapphire's rich yellow (with a tinge of orange almost) color. But to me the yellow gold almost disappears and all you notice is the sunny gemstone -- which is what I wanted for this ring.

However, I have a square Yellow Beryl I am looking to set, and at first I thought I would do the two-tone thing again (white gold shank, yellow gold bezel) -- but for fun I bordered each side of the Yellow Beryl with white gold shanks from other rings, and the Yellow Beryl actually pops more and to my eyes is enhanced by the white metal. This surprised me -- I really thought yellow gold would be the best choice for a yellow gemstone but now I'm going with all white for the Yellow Beryl.

I will say that in general I much prefer White Gold (or white metals); I only go with Yellow Gold when the gemstone really requires it and even then I have a white gold shank. But based on this recent experience I would suggest that not all yellow stones are washed out by white metal, and that some yellow stones can be complemented by white metal and may not require a yellow gold setting.

 

[packrat]

Le sigh. The only way to get any yellow gold in my bezel setting is if when Michael remakes it he was able to rework the bezel to kinda how JM and CM do theirs when it's two tone. If it could be done I think it would be pretty, but I'm not sure how labor intensive/costly it would end up.

 

[T L]

I think it does. I put my yellowish green diamond in a white setting and it looked....dead and grey. I put it in a yellow basket and it popped.

If a stone has any yellow, go with yellow.

Your stone is darker toned though and the primary color is green. If we're talking strictly yellow stones, or a primary color of yellow, then I think that's a different story.

 

[packrat]

Tradergirl, that yellow asscher is gorgeous! Maybe when you get it put it next to white and yellow settings and see which it looks better next to? What kind of setting are you thinking for it? I'm glad a PSer got it so we can see more pics of it!

Rather than a lighter yellow, I'd like something more like these, or like BabyNurse's new yellow chryso from Barry. Does that make a difference, or no? I put my setting in there too for reference.

Would taking the plating off the setting (if that's even possible, I don't know) make it not such a stark contrast?

If it's going to look like poop, it's going to look like poop and I'll stick w/looking for a lavender spinel, but I want to make sure I explore everything with the idea first. I'll see what Michael says if a 2 tone bezel could be done or not b/c I do like the idea if it's possible.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts and opinions with this very much!

 

[T L]

I think, but don't quote me on it, but JKT does two tone bezels.

 

[packrat]

Yeah, I think she does too. I know JM and CM have done them. Michael would be doing it b/c he'd be taking the spinel out that is in there and remaking the whole shebang. I *figure* a 2 tone bezel could be done in the remaking process but I'm not sure how much of a hassle (costly) it would be rather than doing it when you do a ring from scratch.

I wish I could turn back the clock to last year and avoid this whole mess. Or just live w/it the way it is.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

hi packrat,

I suppose it does depend on the saturation of the yellow stone. But, I like the contrast of white gold and a yellow: gem. Like this etsy vendor's ring, for example:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52964282/yellow-sapphire-in-14k-white-gold

Small tangent - $600 for a 14kt gold, CAD designed, rather simple setting seems very oper-priced. Ooof, glad to get that off my chest!

 

[packrat]

Oh heck, I didn't think it was that bad-show's how much I know!

 

[chrono]

Most people want to play up the colour as much as possible, even ones with a faint yellow cast, thus yellow diamonds are almost always set in yellow gold. Personally, I feel that only a very strongly saturated yellow is able to stand on its own in a white metal.

 

[packrat]

Thanks Chrono, and thanks to everyone else as well! I kinda *figured* that's what the answer was going to be but still had to check it out. I don't want to take the chance of changing it when I'm not loving what's in there already only to find out I made another bad choice and end up unhappy again if it doesn't look it's best. Unless it can be a two tone bezel, then I might still do yellow. Otherwise I'll stick w/looking for a lavender for it. Haven't heard back from Michael yet on the two tone.

 

[Arcadian]

Most people want to play up the colour as much as possible, even ones with a faint yellow cast, thus yellow diamonds are almost always set in yellow gold. Personally, I feel that only a very strongly saturated yellow is able to stand on its own in a white metal.

+1

-A

 

[Nashville]

Like others have said, it really depends on the saturation of the stone.

 

[T L]

It does depend on the saturation of the stone, but even the most saturated yellows would benefit from a yellow basket at the very least.

 

[platinumrock]

Most people want to play up the colour as much as possible, even ones with a faint yellow cast, thus yellow diamonds are almost always set in yellow gold. Personally, I feel that only a very strongly saturated yellow is able to stand on its own in a white metal.

+1

-A

+2

Unless it's a strong yellow saturation, it can potentially get lost in the white gold. A yellow gold head helps, even prongs.

 

[packrat]

I heard back from Michael and he called white gold more neutral b/c it's not really white but totally reflective when polished. I asked about doing a 2tone bezel anyway just b/c now that the idea is in my head it sounds really pretty. He said it's possible.

Still, I'm not sure which way I want to go yet, lavender or yellow. Think on it some more I guess. I'm watching some stones on Ebay for possible recuts, I might post pictures to get opinions.

 

[Lee Little]

Of course we want either contrast or compliment in color to make a statement. The truth is that gold is gold toned, it is never white. Other metals mixed with it will make it look pale but gold is only yellow, never, never white. Platinum is white. Best regards, Lee

 

[brandy_z28]

Most people want to play up the colour as much as possible, even ones with a faint yellow cast, thus yellow diamonds are almost always set in yellow gold. Personally, I feel that only a very strongly saturated yellow is able to stand on its own in a white metal.

+1

-A

+2

Unless it's a strong yellow saturation, it can potentially get lost in the white gold. A yellow gold head helps, even prongs.

+3.