Finally!!! My long-awaited right hand ring project is complete and now making me a danger to myself and others on the freeway!
For the full saga on the old thread: Linky
Here is the nutshell version. My darling aunt died of cancer in January. She left me a diamond solitaire she'd worn, which had been her mother's (my maternal grandmother's) before her. She knew how much it would mean to me and how much I adored bling, so it was a bittersweet but precious gift to be given. A few weeks after we lost her I found the most amazing vintage ring mounting on e-bay! I had lots of wonderful input from my pricescope buddies (and big thanks to Ana for her AMAZING photoshop magic and input on this type of antique bead-set style) about how the remounting might work.
All I can say is that there was some SERIOUS kismet involved here: I bought the setting sight-unseen on e-bay and didn't know if the stone could even be accomodated by the opening....it was a good hunch, but still a total guess; we figured the jeweler would probably have to shave some metal away around the opening. When I finally took the rings in, the jeweler wasn't sure either--she thought that perhaps we'd prong set it a bit above the opening if it was too large to fit flush with a bead setting (which was my preference.) Neither of us thought it would just fit out-right!
Well guess what: IT DID!!!! The stone fit the mounting PERFECTLY as if it were made for it--it is totally flush with 8 tiny beads holding it in, and it is simply amazing. I love antique settings, and this has just deepened my love affair......the filagree, the detail, the milgrain
!! Seeing the finished product also reminds me of some other PS rings I love like Laurenthepartier's e-ring and Hest88's sister's ring in terms of the look of almost a metal halo/bezel. Mine is technically an illusion setting with the metal around the stone, but my GOODNESS it makes it look so big. The stone really isn't that big, but in this setting it changes! It's amazing!!! (I had the stone mounted, and then the ring sized down to a 6 1/2 and re-plated in rhodium.)
When I inherited the stone all I knew was that it was sparkly and meaningful. After finding a couple of black inclusions after around a week I suspected it was SI range, but really, I had no idea of the specs. But now I do! I didn't get any detailed cut information (just the basics for insurance appraisal) but really--with a stone like this that wasn't the point for me. It's a wonderful AGS Lab, so for my purposes, this was enough.
SO.....I'll stop typing and start uploading in a second here, but here is the juicy dirt that I was so eager to finally learn:
"ITEM -- One white gold (believed to be 14K), diamond ring set with:
One round brilliant cut diamond, measuring approximately 5.06 x 5.03 x 2.97mm, weight .46 carats, SI1 clarity, G color.
Two triangular shaped blue sapphires (believed to be synthetic), measuring approximately 2.5 x 2.0 x 1.0 mm, estimated total weight .05 carat, very dark, moderately strong, blue color, chipped and abraded."
The diamond is bead set in an octagonal shape ring top, flanked by the sapphires. The ring has a pierced work undergallery with an engraved foliate motif down the shank. The ring top measures approximately 9.0 x 8.5 x 5.5mm and tapers to a 1.0mm shank. Approximate weight 1.4 dwt."
(Note: The shank--at 1mm--in the very back is very narrow. I will eventually get it re-shanked and have our three initials (my grandmother, aunt, and me) engraved in it....but gold is so pricey right now that that would have DOUBLED my costs, so I will do it in the future!!)
And G, SI1! Sweet!!! Nice sweet spot
Here's what I was working with BEFORE:
For the full saga on the old thread: Linky
Here is the nutshell version. My darling aunt died of cancer in January. She left me a diamond solitaire she'd worn, which had been her mother's (my maternal grandmother's) before her. She knew how much it would mean to me and how much I adored bling, so it was a bittersweet but precious gift to be given. A few weeks after we lost her I found the most amazing vintage ring mounting on e-bay! I had lots of wonderful input from my pricescope buddies (and big thanks to Ana for her AMAZING photoshop magic and input on this type of antique bead-set style) about how the remounting might work.
All I can say is that there was some SERIOUS kismet involved here: I bought the setting sight-unseen on e-bay and didn't know if the stone could even be accomodated by the opening....it was a good hunch, but still a total guess; we figured the jeweler would probably have to shave some metal away around the opening. When I finally took the rings in, the jeweler wasn't sure either--she thought that perhaps we'd prong set it a bit above the opening if it was too large to fit flush with a bead setting (which was my preference.) Neither of us thought it would just fit out-right!
Well guess what: IT DID!!!! The stone fit the mounting PERFECTLY as if it were made for it--it is totally flush with 8 tiny beads holding it in, and it is simply amazing. I love antique settings, and this has just deepened my love affair......the filagree, the detail, the milgrain
When I inherited the stone all I knew was that it was sparkly and meaningful. After finding a couple of black inclusions after around a week I suspected it was SI range, but really, I had no idea of the specs. But now I do! I didn't get any detailed cut information (just the basics for insurance appraisal) but really--with a stone like this that wasn't the point for me. It's a wonderful AGS Lab, so for my purposes, this was enough.
SO.....I'll stop typing and start uploading in a second here, but here is the juicy dirt that I was so eager to finally learn:
"ITEM -- One white gold (believed to be 14K), diamond ring set with:
One round brilliant cut diamond, measuring approximately 5.06 x 5.03 x 2.97mm, weight .46 carats, SI1 clarity, G color.
Two triangular shaped blue sapphires (believed to be synthetic), measuring approximately 2.5 x 2.0 x 1.0 mm, estimated total weight .05 carat, very dark, moderately strong, blue color, chipped and abraded."
The diamond is bead set in an octagonal shape ring top, flanked by the sapphires. The ring has a pierced work undergallery with an engraved foliate motif down the shank. The ring top measures approximately 9.0 x 8.5 x 5.5mm and tapers to a 1.0mm shank. Approximate weight 1.4 dwt."
(Note: The shank--at 1mm--in the very back is very narrow. I will eventually get it re-shanked and have our three initials (my grandmother, aunt, and me) engraved in it....but gold is so pricey right now that that would have DOUBLED my costs, so I will do it in the future!!)
And G, SI1! Sweet!!! Nice sweet spot
Here's what I was working with BEFORE:
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