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

[movie zombie]

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

agree that noodling with the design can happen....but putting down $ is a commitment if nothing else to a designer. and for a third time but very clear expression of my opinion, it would be a pity that a fine stone would be hidden. perhaps it if was 12 carats but even then........no, a fine stone deserves to be the star of the show and the setting really is 2nd in line at this parade.

MoZo

 

[skingsland]

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

In regards to your concern about the 23rd St Jeweler ring covering up my sapphire, here's what she said when about it to me:

"Your description reminds me of one of my all time favorite gemstone ring designs by 23rd street, which is not really engagement-y, lol, but I just wanted you to know that I share your taste"

So I think she was just sharing that ring with me to demonstrate that she also likes leafy, organic looking rings with side stones, even if that particular ring was not a good candidate for an e-ring. So I'm not worried about her covering up my JW sapphire with leaves.

She also said that when she was creating the Lily setting, she started with the 2 Mc&Mc rings I sent her for inspiration, but then it ended up quite a bit different. So what I'm thinking is that maybe she still has the CADs from that process, so I can see what the Lily design looked like in it's early stages, when it was closer to the Mc&Mc rings.

Cause honestly, I'm not all that crazy about the Lily split shank setting. It's ok... but to my eye it looks like the "melee" (or whatever the little diamonds are called going up the shank to the center stone) is just bolted on, rather than flowing naturally from the shank like in the Mc&Mc rings. These pics demonstrate what I'm talking about:

 

[movie zombie]

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

i prefer #2 which is all about the color stone. its also more unique and yet simple and elegant.
#1 is all about the diamonds...with your sapphire it would make a nice right hand ring.
but you're looking for an e-ring, have a lovely sapphire that deserves to star in whatever setting w/o being overwhelmed by white diamonds.

MoZo

ps from what you've said about your girlfriend, i just do not see her wearing #1.

 

[Kismet]

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

You're comparing a CAD with a picture of an actual ring. A CAD is always going to look clunkier because it shows the extra metal that will be removed in the finishing process. Look at a picture of an actual Lily setting to see if you still feel meh about it.

 

[velouriaL]

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

Right, you can't compare a CAD to a finished ring.

But, also, in my opinion, you can't reeeeeallly compare the a $10k hand-fabricated ring to a $3k CAD ring. Rings that come from Leon or MC2 are going to be at another level than rings that come from JbEG or Greenlake. But that doesn't mean they won't be amazing! It's like comparing a world-class bespoke Savile Row suit with working cuff buttons and all hand-stitching to a REALLY REALLY REALLY nice one that's hand-finished from pretty-darn-good tailor. I don't think the former is "worth it" for most people, but there is a difference.

The good news is that, again, you're looking giant photos of tiny rings. In real life, I think that the melee from JbEG and Greenlake probably looking pretty darn good. PS does a couple things to warp the brain-- there's of course diamond shrinkage syndrome, but I also think we develop an obsessive eye for details. Not necessarily a bad thing! But imagine how hard it would be to buy clothes if you spent all your time staring at the stitching!

However, setting melee into pave is a skill, and it can really impact the look at the ring, but more so at the highest and lowest ends. It's what sets Leon's work apart, and it's what makes crappy mass produced rings look crappy and mass produced. I think JbEG or Greenlake will be in the upper end of the middle, and will look great in real life. Nevertheless, look closely at the photos of the pave from all the designers you are considering and factor that into your decision.

And by all means, talk about it with designers you are thinking of working with. I notice that on the MC2, the melee is set deeper into the petal, which is almost more concave. This may be something they can work to accomplish. I don't know enough about fabrication to know if that's something that takes a special touch and hand fabrication.

Personally, if I were going to do this, I would go for the pear sidestones and very minimal pave, if at all. I actually like the look of the un-pave-ed "petals" much better. Also, even the highest quality pave is subject to falling out over the decades.

If it were me, have leave the spilt shank petals plain, have bezel-set pears set in between them like this:

And instead of having the petals holding the sapphire, I'd have a basket with a little pave and a decorative design, like this one:

 

[E B]

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

Hi Steve,

While looking for another PSer, I stumbled upon this at Greenlake. What do you think?

Since I can't post the link to it, below is the photo and it's Item No. 50857. (I'd probably go with smaller pears, but it's somewhat close to what you were thinking of at one point, right?)

 

[kelpie]

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

I think it's worth mentioning that the hunt country ring and the greenlake ring above don't actually have pear shaped diamonds, rather melee set in the shape of pears.

 

[skingsland]

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

You're comparing a CAD with a picture of an actual ring. A CAD is always going to look clunkier because it shows the extra metal that will be removed in the finishing process. Look at a picture of an actual Lily setting to see if you still feel meh about it.

Wow, I had no idea that was a CAD! It doesn't look "computer-y" at all!

Here is a better photo of the Lily IRL; it's a lot better, but I think my concern still stands (to a lesser degree, though).

 

[pixies]

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

Do you feel it looks bolted on because of the end wraps and how the pave stops rectangular (straight line) as opposed to the pave stopping at a point like the MC2 ring. I prefer when pave ends for the metal to be pointed. It flows better to me that way.

 

[skingsland]

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

Hi Steve,

While looking for another PSer, I stumbled upon this at Greenlake. What do you think?

Since I can't post the link to it, below is the photo and it's Item No. 50857. (I'd probably go with smaller pears, but it's somewhat close to what you were thinking of at one point, right?)

Yeah, I like that. It doesn't "pop" for me, but it is similar to what I'm looking for -- pears with some flowery stuff and round center stone. All that's missing is some platinum to mix it up a bit.

I just don't get the same feeling when I look at it that I do when I'm looking at the Mc&Mc rings.

 

[skingsland]

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

Do you feel it looks bolted on because of the end wraps and how the pave stops rectangular (straight line) as opposed to the pave stopping at a point like the MC2 ring. I prefer when pave ends for the metal to be pointed. It flows better to me that way.

Because of the "cuff" around the shank (or whatever it's called), it looks like the pave is a layer that's been attached onto the shank, rather than having diamonds laid into the shank like the MC2 ring.

 

[pixies]

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

I understand what you're saying. I'm sure that's any easy fix. I'd just make sure to point out everything you like, dislike, etc. Then once cads come you'll be at a goodd starting point to tweak/refine the design. Have you heard back from Greenlake yet? I can't wait to see how this all turns out!

 

[movie zombie]

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

CAD or not, i don't like it for your sapphire. but then it is YOUR sapphire, your girlfriend, and HER e-ring. still sticking with #2 as i noted above.

MoZo

 

[Harriet]

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

You guys were right, M&M rings are pretty expensive...

The Flora Embrace Ring (#8364 shown with green sapphire) mounting would run approximately $ 8,500 depending on the size of your stone.

The Classic Flora Ring (#0241 shown with cushion sapphire and accent diamonds) mounting ... about $10,000-12,000.

I'm not sure the first one is worth $8K for the setting alone; I mean, that is WAY more than I paid for my center stone. It might be worth seeing if another designer could do something similar, though. (Especially if they can do it sooner!)

Steve, I'm with you- these prices are ridiculous. These are the kind of prices you give to clueless noobs that usually shop at the mall and pay MSRP on their cars. Seriously, some of these setters act like they INVENTED diamonds!

Ilander,
Have you even seen a piece by Mc2? The Flora is their signature setting and took a while to develop. The yellow gold version uses an old and time-consuming technique called "blooming." All their pieces are made by hand. One of the Mcs is always working at their small bench. Lastly, note how creative and refreshing their work is. These gentlemen have true artistic integrity. You won't catch them working from a collage of other jewellers' 'designs.'

 

[Harriet]

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

Steve,
My apologies for the brief threadjack. I wish you all the best on your project.

 

[velouriaL]

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

I kinda think that "the feeling" comes from the fact that they are reeeeeallllly amazing jewelers and thus charge allllllotttt of money. You're kinda starting to have Lamborghini taste on a Lexus budget. It's okay. We all do. Except for those of us (not me!) who actually do have Lamborghini budget. Most people would be THRILLED THRILLED THRILLED to drive a Lexus, but it's incomparable to a Lambo. You can be quite clear about your likes and dislikes and find the perfect Lexus for you, but don't expect to get a Lamborghini. Appreciate the Lexus for what it is and choose a model that plays to its strengths...

Wow, that was some extended metaphor!

And you know, if you're truly in love with the MC2 and can afford it, go for it! I will happily live vicariously through you!

(threadjack)Though I just have to add that I must quite respectfully disagree with Harriet. Although I too admire the work of the MCs, I don't believe that "working from a collage of other people's work" undermines "true artistic integrity." I am friends with a quite original and brilliant and famous clothing designer who regularly creates collages of and studies the work of other designers-- never to copy, more to be inspired, to have a conversation. Art is only possible through appropriation. We wouldn't be able to have a *think* without the cultural commons. Our imaginations are social. Further, ability to pay shouldn't be a barrier to having something beautiful and expressive. I can't tell you how many thrift store skirts I've hemmed to reference designers that were out of my budget and thus participate in the fashion conversation. Well, says me, anyway (/threadjack)

 

[Harriet]

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

Hi Velourial,
Point taken. I should have written that the duo does not copy other jewelers's work.

 

[TravelingGal]

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

I'm surprised how much the MC2 settings cost. They weren't that much when I asked 2 years ago, holy cow!

 

[Harriet]

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

TGal,
I suspect that the price increase is due to increased demand for Mc2's fine work and increased gold prices.

Velourial,
To borrow from your analogy, I cannot afford a Ferrari. But that doesn't stop me from admiring certain models, nor do I assume that their owners are "clueless noobs."

 

[velouriaL]

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

I definitely think that prices in gold impact this... I wish people would stop goldbugging so PSer could get better deals!

(Harriet- Point taken! Although I might think that of the people shelling out big bucks whatever the sports car equivalent is to maul stores...)

 

[velouriaL]

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

More inspiration:
http://www.lizcjewelry.com/jewelry.php?action=item&iid=305&cat=4&page=1

Mostly just the petal-like basket... I saw it while looking at an old thread and though of Ol' Steve!

 

[skingsland]

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

More inspiration:
http://www.lizcjewelry.com/jewelry.php?action=item&iid=305&cat=4&page=1

Mostly just the petal-like basket... I saw it while looking at an old thread and though of Ol' Steve!

That is pretty cool; I like how the basket is done. Although that shimmery blue topaz is pretty distracting, too!

(ETA: wow, that last sentence sure wouldn't have come out of my mouth a year ago. funny how things change...)

 

[movie zombie]

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

yes, the creative use of prongs is worth considering.....nice find, velorial.

MoZo

 

[skingsland]

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

Quick status update on my progress: I'm now working with Erica at JbEG, and Shelly at Green Lake.

Erica is going to send me a price quote soon, including quotes for a couple different quality levels of diamonds for the side stones. Then I'll have to decide if I want to pay her a 50% deposit and commission her to build the setting for me. (As has been pointed out here, I'd just be committing to the designer, not to a particular design, as she seems very interested in working with me via CAD models to get the design exactly right.) I asked her about seeing some of the early stage designs for the Lily split shank, to get a sense of what it looked like when it was closer to the Mc&Mc rings it was based off of, but she said no. Her explanation seems reasonable to me:

The CADs of earlier renderings of the Lily aren't really something I'd want to show you because we had too many challenges. The ring was never a replica of any of the MC2 rings, but rather a hybrid with several changes, but ended up looking awkward until we tweaked it into its current version. Many of our designs go through some ugly duckling stages until we get it where we want it, and I wouldn't want these renderings out there simply because they are not a reflection of our aesthetics or design ability.

I last heard from Shelly 5 days ago, and she said she'd need about a week to post sketches. I gave both her and Erica the same set of inspiration photos, which were a 50/50 mix of Mc&Mc and GreenLake settings, but I made it pretty clear that I really like the Mc&Mc ones a lot more, so I think they are both working on creating a fusion of those rings for me.

I've never gone through any design or shopping process that was even remotely like this, so I'm really excited to see what happens next. I just hope I'm not disappointed; I tend to be a little bit of a perfectionist some times, and this is one thing that's hard to get perfect because I have very minimal input from my gf. So anyway, I'm trying to keep an open mind and be patient. I'll let you guys know when I hear anything, and thanks for all the help and knowledgeable, opinionated advice you've given me!!

 

[iLander]

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

**edited by moderator. please remember PS etiquette**

 

[FrekeChild]

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

**edited by moderator. please remember PS forum etiquette**

A little harsh, don't you think, iLander?

There are MANY MANY MANY posters over on RockyTalky that get their advice, get their ring, propose and are never heard from again. Obviously Steve needed some help, seeing as how he is completely out of his normal territory, and us Colored Stoners are perfectly willing to help him out. I'd say he's doing pretty well to keep coming back to update us and share what he's working on. Too many posters in RT tend to get their diamond, get the first solitaire setting they think looks "engagement-y" and bail. I haven't seen many that hang around for beyond the normal input the way Steve has.

I think you need to chill out because the above post was terribly unbecoming.


Steve, I still can't wait to see what you end up with (when is that deadline again?) and I'm STILL amazed at how much effort you are putting into this ring. If she doesn't like it, I will surely take it off your hands. Seriously, we see a lot of people grab the nearest Tiffany solitaire and that's it, their PS time is over, but I can't help but hope that you'll stick around at least a little bit. And I bet your future wife wouldn't mind you sticking around either--we tend to be big enablers here, and we love to suggest jewelry for any and all occasions...

Like, for instance it's Sunday...must be time for some new earrings!

 

[iLander]

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

**edited by moderator. please remember PS forum etiquette**

A little harsh, don't you think, iLander?

I think you need to chill out because the above post was terribly unbecoming.

You're right, FrekeChild, it was rude and harsh of me to say, but frankly it's been kind of bothering me, and I couldn't keep it in any longer.

We're at over 500 posts to help Steve find the stone and then this ring, and I don't think it's asking too much that he act interested in the other topics on this board. Everyone else on this board posts on other people's topics, not just their own. We are interested in our fellow posters and their projects, we share knowledge and opinions, we discuss, compare, contrast, etc. That is what makes it a forum. If we all just kept to our own topics, it would sure be an empty, boring board.

I'm not trying to be mean, and I'm probably the only one that feels this way, but it just seems a bit much to me.

If it happens a lot in RT, then that would make me mad (if I were a frequent poster over there).

 

[marymm]

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

I have looked through Pricescope's rules and guidelines and have not been able to locate any requirement that posters must participate in more than one thread or forum, or indeed that members must participate whatsoever. In their absence, I find Ilander's recent comments about this thread dispiriting on many levels - I personally have found Steve's threads to be informative and educational, and I have also appreciated his respectful and responsive posts. He is sharing his current consumer experience in a colored gem project and I believe he is participating in the forum in good faith.

If someone is no longer interested in posting or reading this or any other thread, I would have thought it more respectful of the system to simply cease contributing to or reading that thread - making rude personal remarks about someone who is utilizing the forum correctly seems discourteous and rather mean-spirited.

More on topic, these MC2 designs are some of my favorites and I'm eager to see how they're interpreted and what JBEG and Greenlake come up with -- I hope Steve will continue to post here about his quest.

 

[Harriet]

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

Steve,
It's heartwarming to see how much thought you are putting into your future fiancee's ring.

 

[FrekeChild]

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

I have looked through Pricescope's rules and guidelines and have not been able to locate any requirement that posters must participate in more than one thread or forum, or indeed that members must participate whatsoever. In their absence, I find Ilander's recent comments about this thread dispiriting on many levels - I personally have found Steve's threads to be informative and educational, and I have also appreciated his respectful and responsive posts. He is sharing his current consumer experience in a colored gem project and I believe he is participating in the forum in good faith.

If someone is no longer interested in posting or reading this or any other thread, I would have thought it more respectful of the system to simply cease contributing to or reading that thread - making rude personal remarks about someone who is utilizing the forum correctly seems discourteous and rather mean-spirited.

More on topic, these MC2 designs are some of my favorites and I'm eager to see how they're interpreted and what JBEG and Greenlake come up with -- I hope Steve will continue to post here about his quest.

Agreed.