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Expensive settings for very modest stones

mellowyellowgirl

mellowyellowgirl

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
May 17, 2014
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As some of you may know I bought this lovely chrysoprase which is gorgeous and very inexpensive.

I am looking for a setting for it and nothing is making me happy except this particular one that I can order in RG from a shop. The total cost to set will be approximately $900.

Now I absolutely LOVE this stone but I feel ridiculous spending that kind of money on a setting for it. On the other hand if I buy a setting I am half hearted on then I think well why even bother at all. I have always loved any setting that I pick and really feel that the setting plus stone are both important elements to create a ring that I love.

I just think my vision will be so pretty and I will like it A LOT but is it so silly to work so hard on a stone that is not worth very much? It is a gorgeous shade of green though and I ADORE green.

Any words of wisdom wise ones?
 
mellowyellowgirl said:
As some of you may know I bought this lovely chrysoprase which is gorgeous and very inexpensive.

I am looking for a setting for it and nothing is making me happy except this particular one that I can order in RG from a shop. The total cost to set will be approximately $900.

Now I absolutely LOVE this stone but I feel ridiculous spending that kind of money on a setting for it. On the other hand if I buy a setting I am half hearted on then I think well why even bother at all. I have always loved any setting that I pick and really feel that the setting plus stone are both important elements to create a ring that I love.

I just think my vision will be so pretty and I will like it A LOT but is it so silly to work so hard on a stone that is not worth very much? It is a gorgeous shade of green though and I ADORE green.

Any words of wisdom wise ones?
Click to expand...

My $150 stone in a setting probably more then 6 or 7 times it's cost :mrgreen2:

Screenshot_20180204-111951.png

I clearly don't subscribe to "cheap" stone cheap setting. I go by what I love, what I can afford at the time, how fast I want to wear it, and generally how the stone looks best in my minds eye and reconcile all those factors till we have a solution.
 
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mellowyellowgirl said:
As some of you may know I bought this lovely chrysoprase which is gorgeous and very inexpensive.

I am looking for a setting for it and nothing is making me happy except this particular one that I can order in RG from a shop. The total cost to set will be approximately $900.

Now I absolutely LOVE this stone but I feel ridiculous spending that kind of money on a setting for it. On the other hand if I buy a setting I am half hearted on then I think well why even bother at all. I have always loved any setting that I pick and really feel that the setting plus stone are both important elements to create a ring that I love.

I just think my vision will be so pretty and I will like it A LOT but is it so silly to work so hard on a stone that is not worth very much? It is a gorgeous shade of green though and I ADORE green.

Any words of wisdom wise ones?
Click to expand...

Though I agree with you in principle that the cost of the stone doesn’t matter, I have realised for myself that I will keep on collecting and finding more and more lovely stones. So the way that affects me is later, when I realise I have found something more lovely and unique and then I feel I wish I spent more money on that. Like right now I have realised I cannot possibly set everything I have so I have had to carefully choose, which stone will I never ever give up... like zero chance of it.. that’s the stone I set.

Hey also would you mind sharing the pic of your lovely stone
 
@Gemobsessed I've already lamented about setting this before!

20180117_154314.jpg

20180117_154302.jpg

I decided to set the spinel first because I'm still so torn about how much I should spend on this one.
 
mellowyellowgirl said:
@Gemobsessed I've already lamented about setting this before!

20180117_154314.jpg

20180117_154302.jpg

I decided to set the spinel first because I'm still so torn about how much I should spend on this one.
Click to expand...

It’s really lovely! Wear it in good health!

Oh btw I also factor in if something is replaceable. If not, I usually go ahead and set it anyway.
 
Look, if you don't love the setting, you will never wear the ring. That's just the way it is. So you should get out there and buy the setting that you love. You're going to be enjoying it for years to come! What's $900 over the course of a few years, you know?! :mrgreen2: Now you can see how I rationalize buying everything I really want. :lol:

I'm glad @Acinom posted that thread. I was going to mention it because I can never forget that dipped in sugar, crazy expensive, VC halo ring. The epitome of an inexpensive gem in an expensive setting. Swoon! :kiss2:
 
I’m having the same problem as you at the moment. I want to set a tanzanite with an amazing colour, but it’s so included that it’s probably worth nothing, but I love it! I think Acinom summed it up nicely though, that it’s about the overall look. If you really love a stone, then I think it deserves to go in a nice setting. :)
 
I just go on what the stone “needs”. I have a chrysoberyl which will need to be set with diamonds and a color change spinel which won’t. I paid less for the chrysoberyl.

I just love, love, love your chrysoprase!!
 
I think you should buy the setting that makes you happy and compliments your gorgeous gems. The chryoprase is lovely- very glowy with wonderful color. It will look amazing in a high end setting. And I think it is worth mentioning that many people set their lab stones or other stones that we can't talk about in very high end settings.
 
GREAT thread topic. I have been thinking about this lately. @LisaRN
has a very good point.

I am struggling to even consider a setting that's thousands more than the stone. Look at all the stones or other rings I could get instead! :eek2:

ETA: Off reading the thread @Acinom linked above. I do really want my stone to be the focus but I also don't want to short change the stone. With gold about $1300 an oz US my next setting will cost way more than the stone did just for a plain sturdy setting.

Perhaps like @Arcadian said in that thread it's a combo of the price of the stone and price of the setting that gets the entire cost of the project to an amount that fits with what we're comfortable with.
 
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I have set a few relatively inexpensive stones in much more expensive settings. For me it’s about the love I have for the stone. This is a different kind of ‘value’ aside from the monetary one. It’s how we define value that comes into question here. For me, a setting is like putting a frame around a beautiful painting. One can enjoy the stone fully with a fitting presentation. I say go for settings which match the love for the stones so that the ultimate value communicated is beauty and love of beauty.
 
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I find that I wear the rings with the stones I like the most, irregardless of the setting. I have some stones I'm meh about in gorgeous expensive settings with gold, platinum and diamonds, and I wear those the least. Some people are more into settings than the stones however. If I could, I would love settings to be like Arkteia's ruby ring, which is fit for a queen, and one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my life, but I can't.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-favorite-ring.229259/
 
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I have some stones I bought 10+ years ago, before discovering PS. They were rather cheap. I've been looking daily for settings. I'm not even considering what I paid vs. what the setting costs. I'm looking to set stones I love in settings I love. I find it harder to find settings I can afford that are of good quality. I have a pink tourmaline with a beautiful color and huge window, but I'm still going to set her, because I love the color. Again, it's not the price of the setting so much as finding the right one to show-off my baby!
 
I feel “your pain” and dilemma. I have a lovely swag of gemstones now and as much as I’d love to put them all in rings or pendants - the $$$$ is hard for me to warrant.
I already have a jewel box of rings and a tray of pendants.
But, if it’s a gem that pleases you and you want to wear it and admire it, whether it cost $150 or $15,000 it’s worthy of a setting that you like and you will enjoy wearing.
And yes, being in Australia makes it doubly hard, our prices are expensive.
 
7DC3A94C-662B-4853-BD00-D63DDD6F8D35.jpeg I’m a bit of a cheap skate I’m afraid and these gems I was going to put in “Sure set” brand silver earring stud mounts @$30 (you mount your own gem by pushing it into the prongs).
Then I sort of realized that maybe 6 carats worth of sapphires deserve something a bit better than “set yourself” $30 earrings.
 
Thanks ladies you've given me so much food for thought!

I definately need to love both the stone and setting need to wear a ring lots. My trouble is I'm always attracted to frufru settings with diamonds and this drives up the cost so much.

@Bluegemz I think you've hit the nail on the head with your analogy.

@elle_71125 keke another way I rationalise the cost is that clothes (dresses in my case) can cost a fair bit and a few dresses can add up to a good bit of money anyway. Stones and settings last so much longer :lol:
 
mellowyellowgirl said:
Thanks ladies you've given me so much food for thought!

I definately need to love both the stone and setting need to wear a ring lots. My trouble is I'm always attracted to frufru settings with diamonds and this drives up the cost so much.

@Bluegemz I think you've hit the nail on the head with your analogy.

@elle_71125 keke another way I rationalise the cost is that clothes (dresses in my case) can cost a fair bit and a few dresses can add up to a good bit of money anyway. Stones and settings last so much longer :lol:
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Ah yes, the “frufru” settings, sigh, my favourite.
 
This is why I am where I am today. Hopelessly lusting after gem after gem but controlling myself because I've committed to setting the ones I have before I buy another unset gem. It's hard!

My love for gold and larger more elaborate settings (not to mention diamond or other melee if needed) has controlled my desire to buy a million unset gems.

If there's anything I've learnt from reading these boards and from the more experienced members; its their regret at buying too many "learner stones" or too many stones to set.

I've learnt to buy what I REALLY love and if it's likely to come around again (ALL gems do eventually)! Then I'll wait thanks.

Learning to wait was the hard bit. When you're new to this you get an uncontrollable urge to buy whatever you first see because you genuinely belive you won't find it again. I'm thankful to all the members that told me to slow it down, take it easy and relax - everything, the same and better, will be here tomorrow and next year!

I don't need to own everything I want to own *right now* or even this year. It's ok. It'll all be here in 5 years. Even pariaba hahaha!!!

Gah went on a bit of self reflection there.
 
theredspinel said:
This is why I am where I am today. Hopelessly lusting after gem after gem but controlling myself because I've committed to setting the ones I have before I buy another unset gem. It's hard!

My love for gold and larger more elaborate settings (not to mention diamond or other melee if needed) has controlled my desire to buy a million unset gems.

If there's anything I've learnt from reading these boards and from the more experienced members; its their regret at buying too many "learner stones" or too many stones to set.

I've learnt to buy what I REALLY love and if it's likely to come around again (ALL gems do eventually)! Then I'll wait thanks.

Learning to wait was the hard bit. When you're new to this you get an uncontrollable urge to buy whatever you first see because you genuinely belive you won't find it again. I'm thankful to all the members that told me to slow it down, take it easy and relax - everything, the same and better, will be here tomorrow and next year!

I don't need to own everything I want to own *right now* or even this year. It's ok. It'll all be here in 5 years. Even pariaba hahaha!!!

Gah went on a bit of self reflection there.
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How many loose stones is too many? I have no idea how many loose stones other people on PS have, just waiting to be set. Right now, I think I have 13 waiting to be set in rings. Is that bad?
 
chatoyancy said:
How many loose stones is too many? I have no idea how many loose stones other people on PS have, just waiting to be set. Right now, I think I have 13 waiting to be set in rings. Is that bad?
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I think that's a personal thing. Some people have tens or hundreds of unset stones but that's ok because that was their objective.

For me, my objective was to set most of my stones unless I specifically brought a specimen stone.

My only "learner" ones so far are my amytheiest and citrine; I know I'll never spend a penny to set them purely because I don't see them as special. They are beautiful, the amythyst has flashes of pink and sometimes blue but still not special enough in my mind to set. I'd hate to get more stones like that because my objective never is to just have a bunch of unset stones. I want awe inspiring (to myself) gems for jewellery :Up_to_something2:

I'm impatient so when I get a stone and I really love it, I want to set it asap. Right before my resolve to not get anymore loose ones before I set what I have, I had, 9 varieies of stones (not individual stones - individually a lot more)! Im currently setting 3 (into earrings) and another 3 varieies are earmarked for an earring project when I can get another set of stones for the other earring!

After my current stones with Sally are set I'll feel better about getting loose gems again because the remaining ones are very small so need to be used as side stones in some thing.

I'm lusting after either welo or another black opal :rolleyes2:
 
hehe I have found that for me personally, the cure from accumulating more stones is to keep setting them.

Settings are a big money leecher and I find that I do not have much in the budget after I set something!

It is hard though. I check JD's Facebook page every day and so often I will see a stone and feel trigger happy about it. But I have been slowly adding new rules for myself which have been helpful. Try to stay away from anything that is not green (because green is my spirit colour, my first love) and then try to pick green stones that are tougher and in "normal" shapes that will fit in generic shop settings. Unless the green stone is absolutely magnificent these are my rules to keep me from going on a green bender.

I have one of most of the other colours and am not really into other colours that much so that really helps. But OMG give me green and I feel like I get all zombified!

Of course all this sounds ridiculous when you take into account my username! To be fair I named myself right after buying my dream fancy yellow diamond ring from DBL!
 
Thanks theredspinel and mellowyellowgirl. I have slowed down a bit, I don’t have much left on my wishlist, and I’m starting to get antsy about setting stones I already have. I should really make a rule about no more stones unless I set what I have or set what I buy when I buy it. I’m going to a gem show next month with my friend and I am trying to impose rules on myself that I can actually follow. My husband tells me that gems will be there next year too.

Mellowyellowgirl, I also love green. It is my favorite color. Your yellow diamond ring is fabulous!!
 
@chatoyancy I figure it is all about deriving joy at the end of the day. If you get great joy from playing with all your beautiful stones then what's the harm in that. There is no rule that you must actually set them.

I try and set stones quickly because I wear a ring on each hand and love matching my outfits with different coloured rings. I get a stone and I immediately want to wear it. I also enjoy the settings themselves and the little melee diamonds if that makes sense. Lol this is why I'm low on funds!
 
mellowyellowgirl said:
@chatoyancy I figure it is all about deriving joy at the end of the day. If you get great joy from playing with all your beautiful stones then what's the harm in that. There is no rule that you must actually set them.

I try and set stones quickly because I wear a ring on each hand and love matching my outfits with different coloured rings. I get a stone and I immediately want to wear it. I also enjoy the settings themselves and the little melee diamonds if that makes sense. Lol this is why I'm low on funds!
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While the do want to set all of my stones, and I do plan to set some this year, I also truly enjoy looking at them in different lights and in their gem boxes. I actually get more stressed by imposing restrictions on myself because I still have gems on my wishlist. While the list has dwindled, it is still there.

I guess there isn’t any right way to do it as long as you are enjoying the collecting. It’s sounds like you have a lot of fun setting stones.
 
chatoyancy said:
While the do want to set all of my stones, and I do plan to set some this year, I also truly enjoy looking at them in different lights and in their gem boxes. I actually get more stressed by imposing restrictions on myself because I still have gems on my wishlist. While the list has dwindled, it is still there.

I guess there isn’t any right way to do it as long as you are enjoying the collecting. It’s sounds like you have a lot of fun setting stones.
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I must be the “odd one out”.
I have absolutely no “gems” on my “to buy list” !
In fact, I’ve never even bought a “loose gem” for a project. The only rings I’ve had made are my engagement ring, wedder and eternity ring, everything else is “pre loved”.
Yet now, I have a dozens of gems that I could set and hubby is freaking out.
And what a world world I have entered :appl::appl::appl:
 
If I don't love the setting then I won'd end up wearing the piece so it is false economy for me. I get the setting I want which compliments the stone and wear it often. The price of the centre stone doesn't determine the price of the setting, for me, personally. I'm quite fortunate though to live somewhere at the moment where the cost of setting is not as high is it would be at home in Australia.
 
Loved reading that old post @Acinom ! Thanks!

I agree with the sentiment that if you don't love the ring you won't wear it. If you happen to like fancier settings (me too!), then they're going to cost more. But then you can focus on fewer, more elaborate pieces :D I'll make you feel better, here's my sub-$200 2ct-ish pink tourmaline in a $$$$ Heidi Gibson custom "Waterfall" setting in YG with diamonds and white sapphire. I totally love it and have no regrets!
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Bron357 said:
7DC3A94C-662B-4853-BD00-D63DDD6F8D35.jpeg I’m a bit of a cheap skate I’m afraid and these gems I was going to put in “Sure set” brand silver earring stud mounts @$30 (you mount your own gem by pushing it into the prongs).
Then I sort of realized that maybe 6 carats worth of sapphires deserve something a bit better than “set yourself” $30 earrings.
Click to expand...

Yes these stones deserve more! :lol: Glad you realized that. At least get them into sturdy durable settings.
 
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