Help me with my setting for my old mine

[GemSilica]

I just have to chime in to say that the kozibe on your stone is to die for! Wow!

I like the combination of warm diamonds and rose gold, though that doesn't seem to be something you are considering.

 

[Mjay]

I just have to chime in to say that the kozibe on your stone is to die for! Wow!

I like the combination of warm diamonds and rose gold, though that doesn't seem to be something you are considering.

Awww thank you so much! I love the kozibe effect so much! I think rose gold is beautiful and my original wedding set is rose gold, but for some reason the pairing with a yellow tinted stone bugs me. 18K peach might work but I'd have to see it irl to feel confident about using it.

 

[luckygreen317]

I would personally celebrate the color of your stone. A cup would try enhance something that is already perfect. It’s a beautiful OMC. Setting it in unplated 14KT white gold or 14KT yellow gold depending on what you wear most. The simple bezel setting is perfect.

 

[Mjay]

Just an update for those who are interested. I’ve thrown out the cup idea. I was finally able to spend a decent amount of time playing with my stone. I walked laps inside my house and in my yard with it in my gold paper cup and without. While I don’t feel that my “cup” hindered performance; I do feel that it didn’t make much if any difference in enhancing the color in any light. Depending on the light, my stone either appears shockingly white or a warm buttery yellow. I put it next to a single cut platinum band and it either blended with the melee or looked significantly more yellow- there wasn’t any clashing in between that I observed. I’ve got a plan in place and I’m just waiting to hear back from DK to talk about metals and a few other details. I’m super excited!

 

[Mjay]

Shank width help!

Ok down to final details. I hate to drag on the questions but I’m having trouble with shank width. I want this piece to feel more modern and blingy since my other old mine cut is set in a thin brushed matte gold setting. I want a sturdy luxe feel but also don’t want to overwhelm the center stone. Basically to put it bluntly; I don’t want my center stone to look small because of my shank width, but I want my pave to be blingy and noticeable. Shrinkage is real! He’s got it at 2mm right now. I was planning on increasing a hair to 2.2mm but now I’m torn as to if I should go a hair larger than that. 2.4? 2.5max? I do not plan on pairing this with bands and if I do it will be a thin plain band. Also note that this will be U pave with single cuts. CAD below.

 

[evergreen]

A 2mm shank with pave makes me a little nervous. It will look like a floating diamond, but I am too rough on my hands for that! I don't think that by going up a couple tenths of a mm you will at all overshadow your lovely center stone.

If you're really unsure, maybe David would make you two waxes, one at 2.0 and one at 2.5mm? Then you could try it on to see how it feels. Worth getting right the first time, obviously.

 

[oldcutclubmember]

I think I would go with 2.4 or 2.5 especially since it’s U pave and your center stone is pretty substantial in size.

 

[Mjay]

A 2mm shank with pave makes me a little nervous. It will look like a floating diamond, but I am too rough on my hands for that! I don't think that by going up a couple tenths of a mm you will at all overshadow your lovely center stone.

If you're really unsure, maybe David would make you two waxes, one at 2.0 and one at 2.5mm? Then you could try it on to see how it feels. Worth getting right the first time, obviously.

Thank you! Yes the 2mm is definitely out. This is my first pave ring so I’m having a tough time judging. Making two waxes might just be the ticket. I was leaning towards 2.2 but I’ve been looking at tons of pics and now I’m leaning towards 2.5mm

 

[Mjay]

I think I would go with 2.4 or 2.5 especially since it’s U pave and your center stone is pretty substantial in size.

Thank you! That’s what I’m leaning towards so I appreciate the reassurance.

 

[sweetpea&babycorn]

Maybe this might help though it isn’t showing the pave. I think 2.4mm would be perfect. At 2.5 my impression is that the stone starts to get swallowed a bit.

 

[Mjay]

Maybe this might help though it isn’t showing the pave. I think 2.4mm would be perfect. At 2.5 my impression is that the stone starts to get swallowed a bit.

Thank you! This is very helpful. I’m trying to factor in the bezel adding a bit of bulk as well. I think 2.4mm will probably be perfect. I’m going to ask him to draw it up.

 

[Cerulean]

I’d definitely do 2.5, but I’m fully biased lol. If it helps, our stones are similar enough dimensions and mine has a 2.5 mm shank and it still feels pretty dainty (I actually wish it was 3mm!). I feel like the extra heft keeps it more modern looking and the diamond still looks massive, especially with a bezel! Mine also rarely spins, which I have a feeling is helped by the thicker shank

Pics with measurements for reference are here:

#JOTW - A new sun in orbit! 3.5 S-T SI1 old mine cut from Old World Diamonds

It has been quite the journey! First, I started off with a poorly cut, swampy M that I thought put me off of color forever...then I ricocheted to the opposite end of the spectrum, assuming that extreme color sensitivity = I liked NO COLOR whatsoever, and I got a delightful 1.3 carat E color OEC...

www.pricescope.com

 

[Mjay]

I’d definitely do 2.5, but I’m fully biased lol. If it helps, our stones are similar enough dimensions and mine has a 2.5 mm shank and it still feels pretty dainty (I actually wish it was 3mm!). I feel like the extra heft keeps it more modern looking and the diamond still looks massive, especially with a bezel! Mine also rarely spins, which I have a feeling is helped by the thicker shank

Pics with measurements for reference are here:

#JOTW - A new sun in orbit! 3.5 S-T SI1 old mine cut from Old World Diamonds

It has been quite the journey! First, I started off with a poorly cut, swampy M that I thought put me off of color forever...then I ricocheted to the opposite end of the spectrum, assuming that extreme color sensitivity = I liked NO COLOR whatsoever, and I got a delightful 1.3 carat E color OEC...

www.pricescope.com

Omg you are awesome! I’ve obviously been admiring yours but I missed your shank width. I took the finished dimensions of yours in the bezel and was able to calculate an estimate for finished dimensions of mine since my bezel will be similar! Mine is pretty much the same face up just a hit more elongated. So my finger size is smaller so I wonder how that will translate visually as far as shank width? I’m also wondering if the pave will make it look thinner or wider. Hmmm.

 

[Mjay]

Used calculations from @Cerulean finished dimensions to get an idea of finished dimensions of mine in bezel.

Here is 2.4mm shank

 

[Mjay]

And 2.5mm shank. I already emailed DK requesting to see 2.4mm shank but I have no problem emailing again changing to 2.5mm. That being said I’m not seeing much of a difference but there most definitely will be a difference in melee size between the two.

 

[Mjay]

2.4 vs 2.5? What do you guys think? God forbid I make a decision on my own.

 

[Cerulean]

2.4 vs 2.5? What do you guys think? God forbid I make a decision on my own.

I had the same back and forth over 2.5 and 2.8 lol so I feel you

It won’t matter. Nuff said. If it’s really bothering you, just ask to bump it up, but it’s possible the end result will be 0.1-0.2mm off anyways due to finishing

I.e. I requested 2.8mm (and it was accurate in CADs) and got 2.5 in the end anyways, so I guess fate decided for me

 

[Cerulean]

Omg you are awesome! I’ve obviously been admiring yours but I missed your shank width. I took the finished dimensions of yours in the bezel and was able to calculate an estimate for finished dimensions of mine since my bezel will be similar! Mine is pretty much the same face up just a hit more elongated. So my finger size is smaller so I wonder how that will translate visually as far as shank width? I’m also wondering if the pave will make it look thinner or wider. Hmmm.

Tough to say with pave…what I can say is, the shank appears more delicate IRL than in the database images, bc it’s dimensional and light doesn’t hit it so…flat

Your smaller finger size will make the shank look slightly chunkier. What size is your finger?

 

[Mjay]

Tough to say with pave…what I can say is, the shank appears more delicate IRL than in the database images, bc it’s dimensional and light doesn’t hit it so…flat

Your smaller finger size will make the shank look slightly chunkier. What size is your finger?

My finger size is actually technically a 5 but I like my rings at 5.25. I’m leaning towards 2.4mm because of my finger size.

 

[Mjay]

I had the same back and forth over 2.5 and 2.8 lol so I feel you

It won’t matter. Nuff said. If it’s really bothering you, just ask to bump it up, but it’s possible the end result will be 0.1-0.2mm off anyways due to finishing

I.e. I requested 2.8mm (and it was accurate in CADs) and got 2.5 in the end anyways, so I guess fate decided for me

Wow! It worked out perfectly because yours looks incredible. I love the width.

 

[Cerulean]

My finger size is actually technically a 5 but I like my rings at 5.25.

Got it, similarly I’m technically 7.75 but get 8 or 8.25! I don’t know how much of a difference it’ll make. It’ll be perceived as slightly chunkier, but if you want something different from your other ring, I’m still team chunk. (And really, it’s not that chunky, your diamond will still be large and in charge)

 

[Mjay]

Got it, similarly I’m technically 7.75 but get 8 or 8.25! I don’t know how much of a difference it’ll make. It’ll be perceived as slightly chunkier, but if you want something different from your other ring, I’m still team chunk. (And really, it’s not that chunky, your diamond will still be large and in charge)

I’m so team chunk for this one to!!!!

 

[Mjay]

Ok guys so going to see how the 2.5mm looks on CAD first and I’ll go down if I need to.

 

[sweetpea&babycorn]

Ok guys so going to see how the 2.5mm looks on CAD first and I’ll go down if I need to.

I’m biased, I prefer smaller shanks, but with the added bezel, I don’t think there’ll be a huge difference.
You can also ask David for a wax model of the 2.5 and if it seems too bulky, go down

 

[emmy12]

If you are limited to only getting one wax to try on (unlikely, but possible), I'd do the opposite and go up on the shank width size for the wax model (even up to 3mm if you had any curiosity about a more chunky look). Why? With the wider width you can shave a bit off the side if you think it's too wide and measure with calipers once it feels and looks right to give David your final choice. Always easier to take away than to add.

If you've got good fine motor skills then some fine sand paper taped on a wooden paint mixing stick (wide and flat so it'll get the whole shank at once) or a flat file would do the trick!

Just an idea .... That said, if it's not cost-prohibitive to get multiple designs in wax, i'd rather have those!

Edited: typo

 

[Mjay]

I’m biased, I prefer smaller shanks, but with the added bezel, I don’t think there’ll be a huge difference.
You can also ask David for a wax model of the 2.5 and if it seems too bulky, go down

Thank you! I 2.5mm is definitely the max I’ll go so I’m going to see that visual and then go down if need be. I would have never guessed it would be so difficult to decide between 2.2 and 2.5.

 

[Inked]

I read through your thread and see you have made up your mind about most things so i wont add my 2 cents on anything, but to give you comfort, DK did my ring and the milgrain is stunning.

 

[Mjay]

I read through your thread and see you have made up your mind about most things so i wont add my 2 cents on anything, but to give you comfort, DK did my ring and the milgrain is stunning.

Thank you! I actually kept going back and forth on adding a bit of milgrain to the inner part of the bezel. At this point I’m thinking my design will probably look better without.

 

[Mjay]

Updated CAD for 2.4mm shank! I’m feeling good about it. It looks like it’s going to be nice and sturdy and the proportions look great to me. He’s going to send one for 2.5mm as well but reminded me that won’t be much difference (I know this but just feel I need the visual). I’m usually pretty easy going with these things and have never needed more than one CAD but I’m really obsessing over this ring. It’s a bit embarrassing but I want to feel confident in my decision.

 

[yssie]

Updated CAD for 2.4mm shank! I’m feeling good about it. It looks like it’s going to be nice and sturdy and the proportions look great to me. He’s going to send one for 2.5mm as well but reminded me that won’t be much difference (I know this but just feel I need the visual). I’m usually pretty easy going with these things and have never needed more than one CAD but I’m really obsessing over this ring. It’s a bit embarrassing but I want to feel confident in my decision.

The width in the CAD won’t match the final width.

The width in the CAD represents how the shank will be cast. Finishing and polishing will remove metal, rendering the final shank width anywhere from
0.1-0.5mm thinner.

There’s really really really no point to nitpicking dimensions within 0.1mm.