Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!!!

[marymm]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

This is so exciting - and even though the thrill is purely vicarious I am so enjoying this!

It seems to me like JBEG is kind of basing their design on the MC2 blue sapphire w/pear side stones design, and Greenlake is basing their design mostly on the MC2 yellow-gold and green sapphire (is it?) ring.

For me, I like the proportions JBEG came up with for the pears; I definitely don't think you should go any smaller and I'm not sure I agree that fatter pears would look better -- your GF has very small fingers and also doesn't want a biggish ring - I think if the pears went bigger the finger coverage would be ginormous for a size 4.5. (But I'm just guessing and imagining, who can tell at this stage?)

For the Greenlake concepts, at this point I'm loving #A-5 and also #D - both of those suggest the elements I myself favor from the original MC2 ring, and they also have a really nice flow to them (at least on paper / monitor). Both of these rings to me are beautiful and seem rather timeless in design so they should withstands trends and fashions while always looking current.

I'm slightly favoring the Greenlake rings only because I personally prefer three-stone rings to be RHR or anniversary rings and not so much as engagement rings but I definitely love a blue sapphire with diamond pears...

Steve, it's great you now have several gorgeous designs to work with!

 

[FrekeChild]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

B. I think E reminds me of the Krikawa Carved curls ring. Perhaps you should check that one out?

http://www.krikawa.com/jewelry/body-of-work/details.aspx?style=23&cat=9

 

[E B]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

Those are nice, Steve! I like B and D the most.

 

[pixies]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

I like A2, B, and D. I'm wondering if all the "curls" on ring E would snag? Something to think about (wearability). I have "curls" on my ring but it's underneath, not out to the sides so it doesn't snag. I'd ask them. The tips of the curl look like they almost touch the metal (not hanging free/high, can't think of a better way to put this in to words ) so it may not be an issue. I'd just ask them about it if you were to pursue this option just to make sure.

This chart shows finger coverage for RBs. Steveneedsaring is using a sapphire, but the finger mm would be the same. Her finger should have a diamater of 15.3mm (according to Blue Nile http://www.bluenile.com/pdf/ring_sizing_guide_0610-US.pdf).

My ring is a size 4.25. I have a three stone and the stones measure to total 15.43. They are bezeled so that adds width (not sure how much on top of that total). I have 100% finger coverage so if my ring had any side detail you wouldn't be able to see it face-up. Rings sit up a bit higher (not directly on the finger like a band) so you have a little bit more space to work with than just the width across. I'd be cautious about the size of the sides though with her small finger size since this ring will have a lot of detail.

 

[packrat]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

I like B and D the most as well.

 

[movie zombie]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

B is the one i like.

MoZo

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

One more vote for B!

 

[SB621]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

For greenlake I like B best---but i still like JBEG best of all.

 

[chrono]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

The one that stands out the most as bespoke, yet unique, attractive and wearable is B. The rest have concerns with wearability (I can see the curls of E catching on clothes and a few others looking rather common or traditional for your GF).

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

B, a resounding B! Plus you could nestle a pear perfectly in the split of the leaves without it looking forced. It seems the most organic without being too trite.

 

[Aoife]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

I like several of the Greenlake designs, but for a ring that would be worn every day I think B has the most potential. The proportions of the pear diamond and the petals/leaves could be tweaked to get the perfect balance with the sapphire, and to get the effect you want. The question is, is it too much of a departure from your inspiration rings?

I do very much admire Greenlake's determination to respect Mc2, and not infringe in any way on the original design.

 

[movie zombie]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

The one that stands out the most as bespoke, yet unique, attractive and wearable is B. The rest have concerns with wearability (I can see the curls of E catching on clothes and a few others looking rather common or traditional for your GF).

exactly: wearability issues abound with some and not unique enough for the unique woman in your life, steve.

MoZo

 

[Harriet]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

Steve,
Another vote for B.

Aoife,
I agree. Greenlake is acting both respectfully and with artistic integrity.

 

[jstarfireb]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

I like D, followed by B. Hopefully the curls would be done well enough not to catch on anything.

 

[velouriaL]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

I like B, but I'd prefer pears. And I think I'd like a modified-with-pears-and-no-melee Lily from JbEG the best. I like the view it gives of the pavilion.

 

[skingsland]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

Another quick update...

I asked Erica about fatter pears, just to see what they'd look like; see below for sample CADs. Also, had a conversation with her regarding copyright protection and MC2's work, and she made it extremely clear to me that she has the utmost regard for McTeigue & McClelland's work, and would not in any way duplicate or copy their designs. She is merely using their rings as inspirational pieces for my project, and I'm sorry if I gave any indication to the contrary in this thread. I just wanted to clarify this important point, so that everyone knows this project is on the up-and-up, regardless of whether I go with Green Lake or JbEG.

5.5mm x 3.5mm pears:




6mm x 4mm pears:

 

[skingsland]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

B. I think E reminds me of the Krikawa Carved curls ring. Perhaps you should check that one out?

http://www.krikawa.com/jewelry/body-of-work/details.aspx?style=23&cat=9

Yeah, I can see the similarities. I like the curls, but prefer GL's E to the Krikawa because I like the prongs with V-shaped basket better than the half-bezel. I think Pixies point about the curls snagging is a good one, too.

In the end, I think B is my 1st choice of the GL designs, as well. It's tough for me to see, though, cause the diagrams are pretty rough. B seems to have really tiny side stones, and I think I like the look of Erica's larger pear side stones better.

 

[movie zombie]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

Freke, i like that one, too. but i think "B" is the winner still for me.

MoZo

 

[Harriet]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

Steve,

No worries. I don't think you misled anyone. The various e-mails you quoted show the difference between JbEG's and Greenlake's business practices.

Independently of both companies' approaches, I still vote for B. The reason is that it is a simpler (but still elegant design). Hence, the chances of it being beautifully executed are higher than with a more complex one.

 

[Clairitek]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

Bumping in hopes of an update!

 

[pixies]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

I've been anxious for an update too!

 

[maebelle]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

Haha, me three!

On a side note, if you check out Maevona's facebook page they have apparently been getting lots of requests for pictures of sapphires in their settings. They have posted pictures of quite a few, like... right after we originally photoshopped the Poppy in this thread

 

[skingsland]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

OK, I actually just heard back from Shelly at Green Lake; here's what she said:

So, I've been working on sketches for you but I just keep running into problems getting the designs to NOT look like the other artist made them, or rather, like we are trying to copy.

I added pear diamonds to the sketch of mine that you thought you'd like (B), but the pear diamonds only come as small as 4x2.5mm which is actually quite large. When I added those to my design, it looked too much like their design.

I'm posting what I worked on so you can see the dilemma. I think it comes down to this:

We either need to try for the top face details that are inspired by the other artist, OR the side face ones (the way the 2 tone head meets the shank), BUT we can't do both or the ring infringes on copyright.

Let me know what your thoughts are and what other details you want to see. Their design is so unique that it's hard to modify and still keep the same spirit...

What do you guys think?

I can certainly appreciate the challenge of trying to use another artist's work as inspiration, but not copy it directly. However, I figured that with so many different (and varying) "inspiration" rings to use, including a few GL rings, that there was no way the end result would look like any single one of them.

 

[skingsland]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

On a side note, if you check out Maevona's facebook page they have apparently been getting lots of requests for pictures of sapphires in their settings. They have posted pictures of quite a few, like... right after we originally photoshopped the Poppy in this thread

I looked at their albums, and their wall, but I didn't see any rings with sapphires in them. Can you post a link?

http://www.facebook.com/maevona

 

[pixies]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

I'd rather keep the shank detail of the MC2 ring instead of the profile. That's what makes the ring! It's tricky -- you can't infringe but you like the look. I hope it doesn't get lost in translation. I love the Maevona rings but they seem to be more simplistic than the other designs you've considered. Here is the sapphire ring I saw on FB. I didn't see any others.

I like MC2 and Maevona. They are just very different to me. Is JbEG out of the running now?

 

[Harriet]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

(Edited: Will write when fully awake )

 

[maebelle]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

OT, These as well.




I'm actually really considering the Maevona Poppy with a sapphire, I've contact one of their retailers and they will work with outside stones so I'm just waiting for my boyfriend to have time to go shopping!

Steve, I really wish that greenlake would be willing to go with the pear side stones. but I'm loving the concept they have going! I think two round diamonds will be more than enough augmentation to the organic design.

 

[maebelle]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

Question: Have you definitely decided to go with Green Lake and not JBEG?

 

[skingsland]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

Question: Have you definitely decided to go with Green Lake and not JBEG?

No, but I need to make a decision pretty soon. Erica at JbEG has provided me with mocked up images of different pear sizes with a sapphire that is about my size, but she hasn't sent me any designs, drawings, CADs, etc. of what her ideas are for my actual ring. I'll need to pay her 50% up front before she'll do any designs of my setting itself. Based on my collection of inspiration photos and her latest email, I think she has a really good idea of what I'm looking for, though.

I've been getting updates over the last couple weeks from Shelly at Green Lake, and she's sent me the design drawings that I posted here. I like getting to see some designs from her before I commit money, but I'm not sure that she "gets" exactly what I'm looking for. However, if I can keep working with her to get a rough design of the setting before committing, then there will be less risk for me in going with her since I'll already have a good idea visually of what she'll produce. With Erica the "CAD rendering and ring design stage" starts AFTER I pay her a 50% deposit, and I don't think that any of her rings are that close to what I'm looking for. (none of them are really as flowery or "organic looking" as I want)

Of course, I know nothing really about these 2 women, and it could be that Erica would end up creating a far better setting than Shelly, even though it's a complete divergence from the rest of her online ring portfolio. I just don't know; both companies come highly recommended, even though I haven't heard any specific mention of Erica or Shelly personally.

edit: removed frustrated rant about me being a perfectionist and taking too long to propose

 

[FrekeChild]

Re: Got a great JW sapphire, let's find the perfect setting!

For the record, Erica and Grace were two old cut (diamond) lovers who met here on PS as customers and bonded over their love of...you guessed it-old cuts! Old European, Old Mine, etc.

I really haven't read threads from anyone who has used GL for an ering, although I know they are out there somewhere. I have read a TON of happy customer posts here on PS from JbEG customers. In my own JbEG experience, with an antique piece, it wasn't so great, but from what I can tell, with their custom work, they have really stepped up to the plate and I haven't seen any complaints.

I don't know. I guess I'd lean towards JbEG before Greenlake. Not just because of the PS affiliation (although it's a really cool story) but because I see stuff I like a LOT on their custom site. I see those pieces that they have produced and I can see that a lot of attention to detail and effort went into those items.

Honestly, I'm kind of meh on GL. The drawings look nice enough, but I'm not as enthralled in general.

Lets put it this way: I hope to one day have a piece from JbEG. I highly doubt I well ever have a GL piece.

But that's my own opinion.

ETA: Does she have any idea that you're working really hard on this ring? I think when it's all done and over with, you should show her your threads here on PS. I bet she'd be super impressed. I know I am!

ETAA: And I'm not a diamond-y sidestone-y type person. I have about a million solitaire erings (I think I'm around 15?) and I'd say that a lot of what JbEG offer is not what I'm interested in--but I trust them to make something that I'd love. Does this make any sense? If not, I'm sorry, I've been sleep deprived and I'm rambling...