Help setting a round tourmaline

[Module]

Hi, a Newbie here. I recently bought a 4.55ct, 10.4mm round pick tourmaline from Barry at ACS. Per Barry's description, it has medium, slightly reddish pink color, flawless at 10X. It is very bright and performs best under the sun shadow or under the incandescent lighting in my office.

While searching for setting ideas, I ran into an estate jewelry picture and can't keep my eyes off it. It has a pink tourmaline bezel set with a seamless pink sapphire halo around it. I don't know how the sapphire melees are set as I don't see any prongs or bezels around them, but it is amazing how the two shades of pinks compliment each other, and feels like the sapphires flow around the tourmaline like water. The second layer of diamond halo is too much for me though.

https://midwestestatebuyers.myshopi...4k-rose-gold-sapphire-diamond-tourmaline-ring

Here comes my question: if I want to replicate this design, which setting vendor would you recommend for this job? As for the melees, shall I source the melees from another stone vendor first or shall I let the setting vendor to source them? Besides pink sapphire, would pink spinel be a good option? Is there any example of tourmaline/spinel ring?

 

[2Neesers]

Congratulations on purchasing the big beautiful Barry B tourmaline! I absolutely love stones cut by Barry!
Your inspiration picture is a gorgeous ring and I can see why you are drawn to it. It will be a challenge to match sapphire or spinel melee to your center stone, but I think I have seen David Klass source and custom cut melee to create a piece similar to your inspiration in the past. He would be a good vendor to reach out to.

 

[sydneyatl]

Just saw this and thought of you.

 

[Module]

@2Neezers: thanks. As I see how fast Barry's drops are snagged, I feel so lucky to get this one. I will ask David, actually I have one ongoing project with him right now, my first custom project.

@sydneyatl: the color looks delicious. Is Maureen Webber a trusted vendor? I looked up his website and shipping from Thailand is a little nerve wracking for me.

 

[2Neesers]

The spinel suite from Maureen Webber / Gem-Earth looks gorgeous! I’m not sure if they are on the trusted vendor list, but I have purchased from their eBay store and also from one of their auctions on the Jeff Davies & Friends Fine Gemstones Facebook auction group , and both transactions went very well.
Another option to check out is Yvonne Raley / Cecile Raley Designs on Etsy. She has a bunch of melee listed and you could order a couple of stones in a few different shades to see what you like together with your stone in person. Returns are hassle free too .
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CecileRal...name&listing_id=624953806&section_id=23586288

 

[sydneyatl]

I haven’t bought from Maureen Webber directly, but this was posted in Jeff Davies’ FB group and he’s definitely very trustworthy - I’ve bought four stones from him (including my engagement ring stone) and been very happy with all four.

Someone once told me Maureen used to be a PS regular and then went into the trade, but don’t quote me on that...