Help picking out loose stones…

[Sparkling Princess]

I’m looking for someone to steer me in the right direction, I have a gold ring that lost its center stone years ago. I’m thinking about finally getting something reset into the ring, as it’s an heirloom. It’s a very simple modest ring, the center stone setting is a small oval shape. I love pear shapes, and one of my questions is if it would be feasible to set a pear shaped stone into this setting?

The other question is whether I should have the stone replaced with my birthstone (peridot) or a small diamond. I’m leaning towards my birthstone as I don’t have a birthstone ring yet.

If I go with Peridot, how should I go about picking a loose stone?

And finally, should I go to a local jeweler or send it in to someone? I’m leaning towards a local jeweler. Any ideas how much I should plan for this project? I’m very new to all of this so just looking into what would be reasonable to expect when I bring it in. The setting will need to be retipped, that much I do know. I’ll attach a photo of the ring

 

[Sparkling Princess]

 

[LilAlex]

Pretty ring! Pretty dirty, too! Looks like the basket would accommodate a bigger stone, too, since you need new prongs.

Budget would help. If it were not an heirloom, I might not invest too much.

I would not do a pear there since it is others so symmetrical.

Peridot is too soft, imo. Tourmaline is a touch better and can be reasonably priced but probably also too fragile. Good-sized rhodolite garnet would be inexpensive and would seem to fit the vintage/antique vibe.

 

[Sparkling Princess]

Pretty ring! Pretty dirty, too! Looks like the basket would accommodate a bigger stone, too, since you need new prongs.

Budget would help. If it were not an heirloom, I might not invest too much.

I would not do a pear there since it is others so symmetrical.

Peridot is too soft, imo. Tourmaline is a touch better and can be reasonably priced but probably also too fragile. Good-sized rhodolite garnet would be inexpensive and would seem to fit the vintage/antique vibe.

Pretty ring! Pretty dirty, too! Looks like the basket would accommodate a bigger stone, too, since you need new prongs.

Budget would help. If it were not an heirloom, I might not invest too much.

I would not do a pear there since it is others so symmetrical.

Peridot is too soft, imo. Tourmaline is a touch better and can be reasonably priced but probably also too fragile. Good-sized rhodolite garnet would be inexpensive and would seem to fit the vintage/antique vibe.

I’m not planning to invest too much, so probably should just take it in to the jeweler and let them source a peridot for me. What I would love is to replace those diamond specks with marquise diamonds that actually fill those spaces. So now I’m envisioning a slightly larger oval peridot flanked by four marquise diamonds now that I would actually wear!

 

[Sparkling Princess]

Now I wish I knew how much to budget for that vision, as I’d love to have somewhat of an idea before going in. I like having time to mull things over

 

[LilAlex]

I’m not planning to invest too much, so probably should just take it in to the jeweler and let them source a peridot for me. What I would love is to replace those diamond specks with marquise diamonds that actually fill those spaces. So now I’m envisioning a slightly larger oval peridot flanked by four marquise diamonds now that I would actually wear!

That's more surgery. Not sure if there are "a jour" piercings behind those tiny diamonds like you would want with bigger diamonds.

I still think peridot is too soft for a "wearable" ring that will take some hits. Better a big one for a seldom-worn cocktail ring, imo. See what they suggest. They may have a decent lighter-tone heated sapphire. This would certainly be a four-figure undertaking.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I suggest that you get yourself a pretty peridot oval and set it in the ring. Have it cleaned and buffed and polished and just enjoy it. Peridot is soft, but it is also very cheap and if the stone gets damaged, you can replace it you could do this with a local jeweler. Peridot is so common that they can definitely get you ones that look pretty. My mom has a peridot ring and she really enjoys it.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Now I wish I knew how much to budget for that vision, as I’d love to have somewhat of an idea before going in. I like having time to mull things over

It would probably be pretty expensive to do what you’re suggesting because those openings aren’t really made to hold marquise shapes. They’re made to hold rounds. So instead of doing such extensive surgery on that setting, which won’t be financially worth it, you could just replace the rounds with better quality diamonds or colored gems.

 

[Sparkling Princess]

Hmm. I see what you’re saying. I guess I’ve been watching too many jewelers repair videos. They make it look so simple, because to me it looks like the setting was made for marquise stones and they cheaped out and put diamond flecks in instead. Lol. I will take it in and see what they say about replacing the center stone and at least making it wearable again. It’s not something I can spend much on and it’s not going to be an everyday ring

 

[Gloria27]

Chrysoberyl is cheaper than sapphire and if you like peridot, you might like it. It's sparkly, usually very clean and very durable.

 

[Sparkling Princess]

Chrysoberyl is cheaper than sapphire and if you like peridot, you might like it. It's sparkly, usually very clean and very durable.

I’m pretty set on peridot… but I’m looking for advice on where to source a decent stone.

 

[caf]

Thread 'List of Vendors For Reference'

Dec 9, 2014

Please do not comment in this thread. Ella is going to replace the old sticky thread with this one.

Please do not leave comments on this thread!

These are the list of vendors that some people have had a good experience with. Your experience may not be the same. Please search the vendor in this forum for reviews. If you open up a review, put the vendor name in the title so others can easily search for and retrieve your review. Prior to purchase, please be sure to familiarize yourself with the vendor's policies as to shipping/insurance, returns, and restocking fees (if...

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• Replies: 30
• Forum: Colored Gemstones

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Start looking ^. I don’t know of a “just peridot” vendor. As @Dreamer_D stated above, peridots are soft and inexpensive. Look through the vendors and see if there are any.

Here are 9: https://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=view&cat=80

I don’t see how you could put a pear in that setting without reworking the entire ring. I don’t think it would be worth it. Measure the stone area/opening you have in mm length and width and depth. Then you’ll have a better idea of what would fit. Maybe a 7x5 oval or 8x6? It’s very hard to tell much about the size. Best bet - take it into your jeweler and ask them what size stone in mm and how much work/$ to make ring wearable.

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www.etsy.com

She also has good stones. There are more good vendors - just start searching.

Desertrosegems.com might also have peridot.

Does that help?