Everyday bangle vs occasional bangle

[maryjane04]

So I've been collecting some loose diamonds and it's time to set them. With gold prices the way they are it's a little expensive to do so many custom projects.

My current options are:

1. To make a simple bangle with diamonds but then have a bunch of stones leftover




OR

2. Use up all the stones in a more elaborate arrangement which maybe a bit too much for everyday.





Which would you choose?

 

[newtojewels]

What fills a bigger need in your wardrobe? I can't remember what you own for bracelets. What would you do with the other diamonds if you went the simpler route?

 

[MissGotRocks]

So I've been collecting some loose diamonds and it's time to set them. With gold prices the way they are it's a little expensive to do so many custom projects.

My current options are:

1. To make a simple bangle with diamonds but then have a bunch of stones leftover




OR

2. Use up all the stones in a more elaborate arrangement which maybe a bit too much for everyday.





Which would you choose?

Number 1 all day! Love its simplicity and ability to dress up or down. Could you make a pendant of some sort with the leftover diamonds?

 

[maryjane04]

What fills a bigger need in your wardrobe? I can't remember what you own for bracelets. What would you do with the other diamonds if you went the simpler route?

Probably an everyday bangle. I'm already getting an occasional bangle next year. Initially I was going to make a cluster pendant with some of the stones but then it still probably wouldn't use them up. I might have enough for a band as well lol but these are adding up :'( I was going to make a bracelet to use them all up but it's probably going to cost way too much that it's cheaper to buy an antique bracelet.

 

[maryjane04]

Number 1 all day! Love its simplicity and ability to dress up or down. Could you make a pendant of some sort with the leftover diamonds?

Thank you MGR. I did initially want a cluster pendant but I might have to redesign it to use up all the stones.

 

[newtojewels]

Probably an everyday bangle. I'm already getting an occasional bangle next year. Initially I was going to make a cluster pendant with some of the stones but then it still probably wouldn't use them up. I might have enough for a band as well lol but these are adding up :'( I was going to make a bracelet to use them all up but it's probably going to cost way too much that it's cheaper to buy an antique bracelet.

If you're already getting an occasional bangle, then do the everyday! You don't need to use all of the diamonds up just to use them.

 

[maryjane04]

If you're already getting an occasional bangle, then do the everyday! You don't need to use all of the diamonds up just to use them.

I think probably because I've had so many loose stones for so long it's kinda annoying just being there and not being able to do anything with it. Hopefully once I start using some of them then it'll give me a distraction until the next project calls. I can always change the layout of the bangle too. Currently it's slightly graduated, could do all similar sizes but I kinda love having the biggest stone the centre of attention on my wrist lol.

 

[Mreader]

I picked everyday but man I do love the design of the 2nd one!

 

[maryjane04]

Haha apologies for the rough photos but I now have 4 projects

1. Everyday bangle
2. Pointer finger 7 stone band
3. New wedder
4. Mosaic medallion pendant

 

[maryjane04]

I picked everyday but man I do love the design of the 2nd one!

Yeah it's a really nice design and will be cheaper to do haha since it's only 1 project vs 4 now.

I got to try on a 5 cluster bangle lol maybe I could make it an everyday thing.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Haha apologies for the rough photos but I now have 4 projects

1. Everyday bangle
2. Pointer finger 7 stone band
3. New wedder
4. Mosaic medallion pendant

You are very creative and I love all the possibilities!

 

[maryjane04]

You are very creative and I love all the possibilities!

Haha thank you but I don't like when I get creative cause that's usually when it costs money lol.

 

[RMOO]

I vote #1 because I'm practical and enjoy a good cost/wear ratio! How about a second lower carat everyday bracelet to stack with the bangle? I love this graduated style BTW. Add a couple more stones to your #1 everyday graduated version to make the stones round the curve of your wrist, and then use the rest for a thinner bracelet to stack with the first and the occasion bracelet to come next year?

 

[maryjane04]

I vote #1 because I'm practical and enjoy a good cost/wear ratio! How about a second lower carat everyday bracelet to stack with the bangle? I love this graduated style BTW. Add a couple more stones to your #1 everyday graduated version to make the stones round the curve of your wrist, and then use the rest for a thinner bracelet to stack with the first and the occasion bracelet to come next year?

Ah yes thank you for reminding me about the good old CPW! It definitely makes the investment worthwhile. Sounds like I need a tennis bracelet but nothing I like is small . I love the graduated style too and I especially adore my big little centre stone. I could change it to bigger stones (I wanted to keep it at 15 for my 15 year anniversary next year). I'll have to learn about this stacking business. I do have a big bracelet on my wishlist for my next milestone birthday and I'm sure it'll go with this everyday bangle.

 

[dk168]

I voted "Other" as I would probably opt for TWO everyday bangles/bracelets so that I could stack them together for dressier events when needed.

Stackers here!

DK

 

[maryjane04]

I voted "Other" as I would probably opt for TWO everyday bangles/bracelets so that I could stack them together for dressier events when needed.

Stackers here!

DK

Omg DK you're a genius haha. You've given me something to think about. I'll have to play around with this layout hahaha but I really love the idea.

 

[Mooshi]

I chose occasional because I love the design and could definitely see it with jeans to wear everyday!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I’m not in nearly the same situation as you because holy cowabunga, how many diamonds have you hoarded? lol I thought I was bad. Anyway I have now hoarded six 5 mm diamonds and I keep thinking I wanna put all my diamonds into one piece for exactly the same reason that you’re wanting to do that because the settings are so freaking expensive.

So I kind of lean towards you using as many diamonds, as you can in as few projects as you can so that you can enjoy them sooner rather than later. So for that reason, I kind of leaned towards what DK was suggesting with making two every day style bangles. Maybe one graduated and one more uniform? You could wear them both on one wrist, one on each wrist, only one at a time. It just seems super versatile.

 

[maryjane04]

I chose occasional because I love the design and could definitely see it with jeans to wear everyday!

Aww thank you. I do love the design too. But I don't think it'll get much wear unfortunately. Hahaha I guess I could collect more diamonds and come back to this design one day.

I’m not in nearly the same situation as you because holy cowabunga, how many diamonds have you hoarded? lol I thought I was bad. Anyway I have now hoarded six 5 mm diamonds and I keep thinking I wanna put all my diamonds into one piece for exactly the same reason that you’re wanting to do that because the settings are so freaking expensive.

So I kind of lean towards you using as many diamonds, as you can in as few projects as you can so that you can enjoy them sooner rather than later. So for that reason, I kind of leaned towards what DK was suggesting with making two every day style bangles. Maybe one graduated and one more uniform? You could wear them both on one wrist, one on each wrist, only one at a time. It just seems super versatile.

Hahaha yeah I bought a few parcels over the last 3 years. At first I wanted an everyday bangle and then a cluster pendant and then somehow I have too many diamonds. I knew you would understand about the setting dilemma. It's really sad haha I have to use 9ct gold lol but I don't care I just want to set them. Thank you to you and DK because I think the two bangles I'll wear everyday more than these other projects just because I have to use the stones up. I'll come back with a layout hahaha. I think I can make two bangles that are both 4ctw each.


Here they are before I went to bed lol.

 

[dk168]

Aww thank you. I do love the design too. But I don't think it'll get much wear unfortunately. Hahaha I guess I could collect more diamonds and come back to this design one day.



Hahaha yeah I bought a few parcels over the last 3 years. At first I wanted an everyday bangle and then a cluster pendant and then somehow I have too many diamonds. I knew you would understand about the setting dilemma. It's really sad haha I have to use 9ct gold lol but I don't care I just want to set them. Thank you to you and DK because I think the two bangles I'll wear everyday more than these other projects just because I have to use the stones up. I'll come back with a layout hahaha. I think I can make two bangles that are both 4ctw each.


Here they are before I went to bed lol.

Can't wait to see how you would set them!

DK

 

[maryjane04]

Can't wait to see how you would set them!

DK

Thank you DK haha now somehow I have to budget for not one but two bangles lol. Thank you to you and @Dreamer_D for your suggestion! I think this is a winner.

 

[HGar]

I’d do a graduated diamond bangle then use the smaller stones for a DBTY long necklace.

 

[Dreamer_D]

OMG total winnnnerrrss!!

I wonder if you have thought about doing yellow gold for the baskets and silver for the bracelet part? You could either use a silver mix that doesnt oxidize or I would personally let it oxidize as then you could polish it a little and have the most gorgeous patina. You could even engrave the silver a little so the patina really shone.

PS what is the millemeter spread on the largest center stone? And how big are the ones in the uniform layout?

 

[maryjane04]

I’d do a graduated diamond bangle then use the smaller stones for a DBTY long necklace.

Aww thank you. The graduated bangle is a definite winner and something I've wanted for so long. I'm not sure a dbty will scratch my itch for a Riviere lol.

OMG total winnnnerrrss!!

I wonder if you have thought about doing yellow gold for the baskets and silver for the bracelet part? You could either use a silver mix that doesnt oxidize or I would personally let it oxidize as then you could polish it a little and have the most gorgeous patina. You could even engrave the silver a little so the patina really shone.

PS what is the millemeter spread on the largest center stone? And how big are the ones in the uniform layout?

Hahaha thank you, so hard to photograph the layout with the sticky tape underneath it lol.

I prefer my diamonds set in a white metal but the bracelet part to be gold but hey since I am having two, I could do opposites for each. One yellow gold and white gold prongs and the other yellow gold prongs on silver? Actually I think I'd like white gold prongs on silver. I also love the idea of the engraved bangle gahh you know me too well haha. I'll have to ask my jeweller to quote it but she's on holidays for the next month.

The largest stone is 6.1mm in the graduated layout. The ones in the uniform layout should be around 3-4mm. Both layouts are close to 4ctw each.

 

[Dreamer_D]

White gold prongs and silver engraved shank that you let oxidize = LOOOOVE

 

[Dreamer_D]

I want to talk more about collecting little stones. Tell me how long it took and what format you usually bought? Did you collect prices and take them apart or loose stones?

I’m feeling tempted because I just found a diamond that matches two stones I have and white I’m not totally set on what to do with those stones I think it’s always good to have three stones for projects! Or more!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I think probably because I've had so many loose stones for so long it's kinda annoying just being there and not being able to do anything with it. Hopefully once I start using some of them then it'll give me a distraction until the next project calls. I can always change the layout of the bangle too. Currently it's slightly graduated, could do all similar sizes but I kinda love having the biggest stone the centre of attention on my wrist lol.

i do understand this ..and i only had 4 loose stones, i was always worreid about loosing them, they had a few trips to the floor -lucky not concrete

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

i vote everyday bangle, i wear my cuff everyday but i have other nicer bangles that get worn maybe once a year

 

[maryjane04]

I want to talk more about collecting little stones. Tell me how long it took and what format you usually bought? Did you collect prices and take them apart or loose stones?

I’m feeling tempted because I just found a diamond that matches two stones I have and white I’m not totally set on what to do with those stones I think it’s always good to have three stones for projects! Or more!

Of course, talk away haha. Anything bling related is always appreciated. So it started with a little parcel where I got the biggest centre stone from an auction house in Australia. I won the lot for about $2000 AUD and there was just over 2ctw in 9 stones (the biggest centre stone was already 1.1ct).



I always had a bangle in mind but didn't have enough stones. Using my rudimentary ruler I figured I needed at least 2 more.. so a 2.2mm and a 4.5mm to make it 11.

I found Michael Maitlin on Instagram and he was selling some old cut parcels. He had what I was looking for and then some. So then I bought another parcel and had enough for a bangle and a cluster pendant. (That cluster pendant was just shy of 2ctw I think from memory I aim for about $1000 AUD per carat).



Anyway so then somehow I kept collecting and ended up with this lol.

 

[maryjane04]

i do understand this ..and i only had 4 loose stones, i was always worreid about loosing them, they had a few trips to the floor -lucky not concrete

Thank you Daisy! That's what I'm worried about too. And the fact that you can't enjoy them in their box. As much as I have fun weighing them, playing with them on sticky tape etc it does worry me if I lose them!

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Here I took everybody out and was so scared I'd lose them on the footpath haha.

i vote everyday bangle, i wear my cuff everyday but i have other nicer bangles that get worn maybe once a year

You are so right Daisy. I would wear a cuff more than a bracelet and I would want something I can wear everyday. I like to wear everything I can and not have anything in the jewellery box lol.