Help choosing setting for pink/purple sapphire

[petit_bijou]

Hello CS-ers! I'm back after taking a bit of a break from PS, and would love if you could help me choose an appropriate setting for a stone I purchased awhile ago...

It's a lovely pink-purple sapphire cut by Gene that I absolutely love. The inclusion brought the price down enough so that I could justify splurging on the stone, and in real-life I either don't notice it, or it lends it a bit of a quirky character.


I'd like to set it in a fairly simple solitaire, and am thinking of Etsy, and mostly Daniel M for the job. It would be great to keep the budget down, so i was thinking silver shank, possibly with a gold head. I'd really like to highlight the angularity of the cut, but don't necessarily know how best to do so. Here's what I've been thinking about:

1. a U-prong


2. a pseudo-bezel


3. something like this twig solitaire with a rose/yellow gold head


4. Something totally different

Please weigh in! I could really use your help!!

 

[velouriaL]

I really like the pseudo bezel idea. You could even combine it with the twig idea!

Have you thought about rose gold?

 

[demantoid]

I really like the way this stone is pink and purple at the same time. (I tend to like stones that vary from the usual) I also like the cut. I think our tastes might be different for settings, but I would set it with sparkly diamonds. Possibly even light pink ones that go with the cool tone.

Just curious, how large is this stone?

 

[FrekeChild]

Ohhh!!!! I vote pseudobezel! In yellow gold! I LOVED this stone when he posted it! Can we get some real life pictures PLEEEEEZEEEE???? With cherries on top?

 

[minousbijoux]

Freke: don't hold back - tell us how you really feel!

PB: Welcome back! Good call on that stone! I bet real life will show that that little precious shifts colors frequently. Freke is a great resource as she has worked so often with Daniel M. My only question about a pseudo bezel would be whether it would enunciate the great lines of the stone, or if it would end up looking more cushiony or rectangle. The other concern is how much it would darken up if set, but that stone looks like it has enough going on internally to make it pretty bright. Did you try the tin foil trick? I love the thought of yellow gold around the stone.

 

[FrekeChild]

Freke: don't hold back - tell us how you really feel!

FINE. I'll go back to being reserved and showing entirely too much restraint. Color me subdued.

 

[LD]

I adore adore adore the twig shank. It's so unusual and yummy! I'm not sure how it would work with the very angular nature of the stone? Maybe with a pseudo bezel it would? If you can photoshop can you put your stone in the twig setting for a look-see?

I have exactly the same cut in a different stone from Gene and the only think you need to be careful with is protecting the corners. Your double prongs will be ok IF they are chunky enough to sort of give a rub over effect to the corner (that's probably not a great description - hope you know what I mean).

 

[chrono]

The least expensive option is a standard shank in silver with regular single prongs (yellow or rose gold). Pricing creeps up with more customization. I like the twiggy shank but don't know how much extra it will be. I also like the idea of a bezel but don't know if the bench is good enough to follow the shape all around to highlight it or if the bench will do a generic cushion-like outline where it will not fit right at a few of the pointy corners.

 

[JewelFreak]

Great stone! I LOVE the pseudo-bezel, but also wonder if it would de-emphasize the cut. That setting might be better with a more usual cushion or rectangle. So I vote for a simple prong setting in yg -- it's such a lovely purply/pinky color, seems to me rose gold might be too much of a good thing & yg a pretty, warm contrast. RL pics please!!!

--- Laurie

 

[deorwine]

Ooh. I like all three! I think if it were me I would do prongs because I suspect that will come out to be cheapest, and I keep being low on money (because there are so many more gemstones I want to buy!) but... if they could follow the shape of the stone, the bezel might be very beautiful.

 

[petit_bijou]

Thank you all so much for chiming in!! I've missed PS and the wonderful people

VelouriaL, it hadn't even crossed my mind to combine the pseudo-bezel and twig! I like that..... Chrono and Minous makes a good point about the skill required to follow the angles closely, or risk missing the point with a cushion-y shape though. I might have to ask various vendors who do the twig theme and see what they think. janishjewels seems to do twigs and actual bezels, but there are ONLY bezels so I don't know how willing I am to take a gamble on the prongs.

demantoid, the stone is 6.5 x 8.1, which exaggerates a little bit since I think the measurement is from E corner to W corner (I haven't checked with my calipers yet). Diamonds would be pretty, but I kind of want to play up the mix of modern angularity with "rustic" inclusions... not sure if that makes sense.

Freke, I'm SOOO glad you love the stone- in a weird way it's a huge vote of confidence. Please don't go back to being reserved about it! It's so nice that you share my enthusiasm I've taken a few photos with my iPhone, but it's an overcast and snowy day so they're not the greatest... I'll do better over the weekend with my real camera and hopefully some sunlight!

Thanks so much for the welcome back Minous! I have yet to try the tin foil trick, but I agree that yellow gold will make for a nice contrast with the pink-purple yumminess.

Thanks for the tip regarding the prongs LD. I am pretty sure I know what you mean in terms of protecting them. My biggest concern with a U prong or other prong setting is that the NESW corners would get damaged by being exposed... the pseudo-bezel provides a bit of a "bumper", you know? I also kind of like how the twig/bezel setting would contrast the angularity. It might just clash though... definitely something to consider. Can you post photos of your stone in this cut? Have you set yours?

JewelFreak I had the same thoughts regarding rose gold, though I have waffled a few times. Maybe I'll have to try some photoshopping to see if it makes more sense to save the pseudo-bezel ideal for a different stone.

Good call on the budget side of things deowine! I'm interested to see what everyone thinks about the risk to the corners with only 4 prongs... I don't think it's big enough to warrant 8 prongs, right?

 

[petit_bijou]

The pictures are just iPhone snaps taken near the window, but it's miserable out so they're not great. I promise to take better ones asap!

 

[pregcurious]

Lovely. I am amazed that it's the exact color of the flower in your avatar.

 

[FrekeChild]

OOOO LA LA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[michellechan2211]

*whistles* I'm not one for much pink/purple but...*_* THAT'S GORGEOUS

 

[LD]

Thanks for the tip regarding the prongs LD. I am pretty sure I know what you mean in terms of protecting them. My biggest concern with a U prong or other prong setting is that the NESW corners would get damaged by being exposed... the pseudo-bezel provides a bit of a "bumper", you know? I also kind of like how the twig/bezel setting would contrast the angularity. It might just clash though... definitely something to consider. Can you post photos of your stone in this cut? Have you set yours?

My picture is not clear (sorry) but the zircon is protected to some extent by the halo. The top photo is Gene's. Being a zircon this is not an everyday ring so although I was concerned about making it as safe as possible, knowing it was only a ring to be worn occasionally I didnt take as many setting precautions as I should have (hope that makes sense).

 

[Enerchi]

BEAUTIFUL stone!! Oh, I adore that colour - and it matches the rose in your avatar so perfectly!!

I would be inclined to put YG around the sapphire, but keep the balance of the ring in WG (or a white metal - not sure what you'll go with)
I also have a double claw U prong ring by Daniel M and I think it is VERY well made and secure on the stone and really enjoy wearing it. You have that shown in the 2 tone above. That would be my preference to let the beautiful stone to the talking, not the setting.

I like the idea of seeing the unique cut of the stone rather than 'hiding' it in a bezel or halo. I can appreciate the shape so well in my ring, that I'd vote for that style of setting. (mind you, its only a simple oval, not something more unique like your stone! )

 

[petit_bijou]

Thank you for the compliments on the stone everybody!

pregcurious and Enerchi, I hadn't even realized how close it is to my avatar colour until you mentioned it. I guess it was meant to be my stone

Freke, that was my reaction too when I received it!!! I just LOVE it in diffuse sunlight... hopefully the weather will improve so I can show you what I mean sooner than later. I'm so so happy with it.

michellechan2211, thank you!! It's such a charmer. I wasn't sure I would be able to live with the inclusion, but it is like they say- colour takes all!

LD, thank you for the photos! Your zircon's colour is gorgeous!! It helps seeing it in a conventional halo setting... I think I will likely try to choose something that either really highlights/follows the shape, or a simpler prong setting.

 

[petit_bijou]

You all have given me some good food for though. I am thinking of possibly trying to do the twig shank with a simple yellow gold head, OR a plain shank u-prong. I have another stone (my "grape jelly spinel") that I think might look great in a brushed metal halo like the pseudo-bezel setting I posted, so even though I like that setting I think it might lose its appeal if I tried to make the corners pointy.

Or... (and this is where you can see I need help - I'm all over the place! ) I've thought about trying for something in silver with a gold "halo" that uses the little beads like this to accent the shape, but with prongs instead of a bezel.


Kind of like a Megan Thorne style frame, but my concerns are that it would be too busy and take away from the stone, so far she has only shown full bezels (so prongs are a gamble if she would even do them), and it would not be as budget friendly. Thoughts??

 

[pregcurious]

I think your stone is so pretty in color that it doesn't need a lot of embellishments. Do you want to emphasize the stone, or the setting?

I'm a big fan of Megan Thorne's designs, but I tend to like them for white diamonds, or very saturated colored stones (e.g. vivid sapphires, rubies, emeralds) that contrast with the bold color of the high carat, brushed yellow gold. I think that complicated the designs elements may overwhelm your stone, but I am aware that I like a simple look.

You should do what your heart tells you.

 

[minousbijoux]

I agree with Preg on both counts. The more embellishments, the more likely the unique shape of the stone will be less noticeable. You should follow your heart.

 

[petit_bijou]

I think you guys are right that simpler is better in this case. I have sent a note to Dan and Caren to see whether the twig shank could be done in silver and paired with a Uvprong head. If they don't want to try to do the twig texture, or if it adds too much cost I'll go with a satin silver shank with yellow gold U prong head. My boyfriend also voted for the U prong, so that swayed me a bit. Maybe satisfy my craving for the cushion-y pseudo-bezel setting with my grape spinel next

As a positive side note, now that I'm starting to get my stones set, my boyfriend seems to feel he'd better get a move on to put something sparkly on my finger that he can take credit for .

 

[minousbijoux]

Everything about your last post is awesome - the fact that you're focusing on what shows off the sapphire to its best advantage, the fact that you are now gearing up to set your grape spinel, and, most importantly, the fact that BF feels he needs to get a move on to "claim" some of your finger real estate!

But please remember with each of your stones they will be adorning you so always do what feels right to you.

 

[minousbijoux]

Hey, and what about a Megan Thorne style frame for your grape spinel?!

 

[chrono]

It's such a lovely colour that my vote is to keep it simple to highlight the stone. The bezel bead halo is interesting and should be considered for your other standard shaped stones.