Full cut vs single cut melee halo? Post photos!

[ylapis]

I initially went into my local jeweler to look at re-setting my engagement ring in a pre-made setting. After the meeting (and probably in horror to my recent fiance), I decided to design my own setting. I'm hoping some of you lovely ladies with your amazing halos may help me with this task. As I've done some prelim research, I noticed there are 2 types of melee, and I wasn't sure what type would be the best for my ring. I would love it if I could see some photos of these! I'm a bit concerned that the full cut may detract from the center stone, as my ultimate goal is to highlight the center. I would love it if you could post photos of your halo settings and is possible, let me know what type of melee was used. Help!

My stats:

Cushion Modified (not crushed ice)
1.51, I SI1
6.46 x 6.41 x4.47 mm

 

[Enerchi]

This is the "bible" of putting together a cushion halo - you should get all your answers here, plus search the SMTB threads for photos of halos.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/#post-3338217']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/#post-3338217[/URL]

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Be very careful about who makes it. All custom work is not equal! I'd personally work with Victor Canera and I am sure he can show you examples of both.

 

[SB621]

I"m going to have to ditto what DS stated above. While many jewelers can do pave that doesn't mean they do it well. Before anything check with your jeweler and see examples of the pave work they have done. Even then I would question who exactly did it. Was it a particular person at their store/ bench? My local jeweler does pave, though not very well. He quoted me about $1200 less then some of the quotes I got from the holy trinity (LM, SK and VC). For the money I decided to really go with VC and I"m very glad I did. HIs work was nothing like the pave from my local jeweler. If the holy trinity aren't in your budget then discuss a custom ring with Engagment Rings Direct as I think they due a beautiful CAST/ CAD pave halos. Just my .02 cents.

 

[vr4_rider]

Sarahbear,

Did you go with full cut or single cut halo?

I have a 2.6 carat round brilliant and I am not sure which I should go with.

Thanks!

 

[minousbijoux]

This is the "bible" of putting together a cushion halo - you should get all your answers here, plus search the SMTB threads for photos of halos.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/#post-3338217']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/#post-3338217[/URL]

Wow, OP, thanks for asking the question, and Enerchi, thanks for providing the link. I have never seen that thread before! Thank you, Charmy Poo! What an awesome job - I do believe I have a new bible!

 

[SB621]

Sarahbear,

Did you go with full cut or single cut halo?

I have a 2.6 carat round brilliant and I am not sure which I should go with.

Thanks!

For my VC halo we used full cut melee.

 

[mrg1]

Highly, highly recommend Bob Levine of Levine Jewelry Design in Pittsburgh. He did a fabulous full cut (57 facets on each stone) melee in a hand-forged cushion-shaped halo around my RB a few months ago. Nearly all of our communication was long-distance b/c I don't live in Pennsylvania (actually, a good chunk of his clients are outside of Pittsburgh). There seems to a closed loop around the frequently-recommended and well-loved PS vendors that are listed in the fabulous "Bible" article. Bob's made four rings for me and each one of them stands up to - if not above - the best work of any of them.

Good luck!

 

[vr4_rider]

Highly, highly recommend Bob Levine of Levine Jewelry Design in Pittsburgh. He did a fabulous full cut (57 facets on each stone) melee in a hand-forged cushion-shaped halo around my RB a few months ago. Nearly all of our communication was long-distance b/c I don't live in Pennsylvania (actually, a good chunk of his clients are outside of Pittsburgh). There seems to a closed loop around the frequently-recommended and well-loved PS vendors that are listed in the fabulous "Bible" article. Bob's made four rings for me and each one of them stands up to - if not above - the best work of any of them.

Good luck!

Hi, mrg1.

This is good info to know in general for anyone looking for custom work. Do you know if he hand makes all his stuff or does he cast?

Also, in regards to what I have bolded above; have you seen LM/SK/VC work to compare against Bob's to say that his work is as good, if not better, than let's say VC?

Thanks!