I bought an ACA—help with pendant setting, please!

[Tonks]

Hey everyone! I am so excited. This year’s project was slated to be a pendant, and I found the stone earlier than expected.

Here she is:
2.56 I VS2

Here’s the stone on Becca’s hand. She has a great size at 8.77 x 8.76, and she’s a bright white I.



This stone is gorgeous, and basically the little sister to Viv (my ER stone). So…..PENDANT! I would love any and all thoughts on settings.

What I’m hoping to achieve is a piece I can wear daily, for every occasion. Right now I am leaning toward the WF four corners setting, but I can be talked into other options. Here is a WF four corners setting that I have always thought was gorgeous—this lovely pendant belongs to @m-2-b




One of the things I like about it is that the back seems to be flat, and that would be great for preventing flipping.




Decisions to be made:
—metal color for chain (basket will be white—I’m thinking platinum). Considering yellow gold for chain as I am wearing more of it lately, but almost entirely as bracelets. For reference: ER and bands all platinum, watches all white metal, studs all set in platinum. Bracelets are either white or yellow or a mixture. Benefits to a platinum chain: studs and wedding set are all in platinum so it would match. Benefits to yg: it’s a bit more casual and would blend into skin more, also integrates bracelets.



—Fixed vs sliding. Leaning towards fixed, but tell me what has and has not worked in your experience. I do not like the look of a bale. WF has a sliding option that slides through the basket, but from what Becca said that option will limit the chain width. I want a thicker chain than normal for stability, and I do not want to be relocating a clasp constantly. Here’s the sliding option:




—Chain width. I want this to stand up to everyday wear so was thinking definitely 1.5mm at a minimum, but I could be talked into 2mm. For reference, I’m not a small person. Tall, muscular.


—Overall length and options: I know I want to be able to adjust length, but there’s a limit to how many jump rings I want on a main chain. My instinct is for the main chain to be 18” with a jump ring at 17” (that is as short as I can go), and then have WF make a chain extender for whatever longer lengths desired. I recognize that this adds points of failure with additional clasps, but I don’t love the idea of extra chain dangling when I wear it shorter. And if I go with fixed, that would put it very off center. Here’s an image of an extension WF has made:



Finally, an outlying option: something with a super chunky chain like seen on Jennifer Garner below. I love it but I’m not sure it would be as versatile as what I’m considering above. Totally different look.



Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

OMG, that stone is beautiful and it must make your heart skip a beat. I like the basket you have selected with the flat back but fixed or sliding is an individual choice. I prefer sliding but I have trained myself to touch my neck quickly to check the clasp location. Chain size... I'd like the 1.5. It's all subjective, good luck and enjoy.

 

[Tonks]

OMG, that stone is beautiful and it must make your heart skip a beat. I like the basket you have selected with the flat back but fixed or sliding is an individual choice. I prefer sliding but I have trained myself to touch my neck quickly to check the clasp location. Chain size... I'd like the 1.5. It's all subjective, good luck and enjoy.

Thank you! I haven’t seen it in person yet but I am quite sure it will have me in palpitations.

Thank you for the input! I need to go caliper some necklace chains to see if I have one that’s 1.5mm or 2mm. It is so hard to visualize.

 

[MissGotRocks]

That diamond should make a gorgeous pendant! How exciting!

I have always had sliding pendants both with a bale and without. The one I had without was in a bezel setting. The bezel one had the diamond set in a thin white gold bezel and the outside of the setting was in yellow gold. Great contrast and helped with the mixed metals as I like both yellow and white gold (or platinum). I could then use a yellow or white gold chain. The sliding pendants gave me the option of either color chain so something to keep in mind if you want to change up the looks. The fixed pendant is fine as long as they can assure you of no flipping. Flipping would be a killer for me - I would rather cope with the clasp coming around front every so often rather than dealing with flipping. Our necks constantly move so there will of course be some movement of the pendant - which one is the lesser of the two evils for you would be my recommendation. Your stone will have some weight to it so it might be different for this particular piece.

I personally don't like the thick, chunkier chains but again, just personal preference. My current chain for my three stone pendant is a .09 white gold box chain. It has always been enough to keep my pendant safe and the flatness of the links gives a great shine to the chain. I wear it 24/7 and it does not kink - another plus for me.

Just sharing some thoughts - I know you will find exactly what works for you and either way - it will be a gorgeous piece! Congrats on the new ACA diamond - aren't they just killer?? Love every one of mine!!

 

[Tonks]

That diamond should make a gorgeous pendant! How exciting!

I have always had sliding pendants both with a bale and without. The one I had without was in a bezel setting. The bezel one had the diamond set in a thin white gold bezel and the outside of the setting was in yellow gold. Great contrast and helped with the mixed metals as I like both yellow and white gold (or platinum). I could then use a yellow or white gold chain. The sliding pendants gave me the option of either color chain so something to keep in mind if you want to change up the looks. The fixed pendant is fine as long as they can assure you of no flipping. Flipping would be a killer for me - I would rather cope with the clasp coming around front every so often rather than dealing with flipping. Our necks constantly move so there will of course be some movement of the pendant - which one is the lesser of the two evils for you would be my recommendation. Your stone will have some weight to it so it might be different for this particular piece.

I personally don't like the thick, chunkier chains but again, just personal preference. My current chain for my three stone pendant is a .09 white gold box chain. It has always been enough to keep my pendant safe and the flatness of the links gives a great shine to the chain. I wear it 24/7 and it does not kink - another plus for me.

Just sharing some thoughts - I know you will find exactly what works for you and either way - it will be a gorgeous piece! Congrats on the new ACA diamond - aren't they just killer?? Love every one of mine!!

Oh, a two tone bezel! That is an interesting thought. I’m leaning toward prongs for the minimal look of just the stone but that does make me think. For sliding if you wanted to have flexibility with chains you would be limited by the size of the opening. I have a target pendant (the art deco design not the store), and good grief chains have to be tiny to fit.

Now flipping…..I do want to avoid that at all costs. I understand that a neck moves but it would be great to have this stone face forward as much as possible. My current pendant does not flip and it’s fixed but it’s a Seal & Scribe seal so the design is totally different than a diamond pendant. It’s very, very flat.

That current pendant has a 1.5mm chain. Which does not read chunky on me at all. It’s as small as I would want to go.

Yes, super pumped about the ACA. They are so stunning in every possible light condition! It’s funny, for all I agonized over choosing an ER stone, now that I’ve lived with an ACA I am obsessed.

 

[tyty333]

Someone has a pendant on a "chain" made of several very thin chains in mixed metal colors. I've always liked it.
Is that you @Catmom ? If it's not Catmom, I don't remember who it is. I just really liked the look.

Ah, just found it...it is Catmom's. On second thought, I'm not sure how it would do with a plain pendant. Plus, I
think it only works with a bail.



Anyway, here's the link if you want to have a look...

Thread 'Custom 1.21ct FLY Heart Vintage Inspired Pendant'

Jun 10, 2015

I had a [cough] "big" birthday in May. Leading up to it I knew my hubby was up to something with my jeweler. He couldn't take keeping a secret plus he was worried that I wouldn't like it so about 3 weeks before my birthday he spilled the beans. He has always known that I wasn't in love with my current FLY pendant so he and my jeweler were bringing in stones from Antwerp and he was having her make a new pendant. They ended up picking a 1.21 ct FLY heart diamond as the best of the bunch. He wanted the pendant to be right this time so we discussed my likes and dislikes which resulted in the...

• Catmom
• Replies: 58
• Forum: Show Me the Bling! (Rings, Earrings, Jewelry)

• 

 

[MissGotRocks]

Oh, a two tone bezel! That is an interesting thought. I’m leaning toward prongs for the minimal look of just the stone but that does make me think. For sliding if you wanted to have flexibility with chains you would be limited by the size of the opening. I have a target pendant (the art deco design not the store), and good grief chains have to be tiny to fit.

Now flipping…..I do want to avoid that at all costs. I understand that a neck moves but it would be great to have this stone face forward as much as possible. My current pendant does not flip and it’s fixed but it’s a Seal & Scribe seal so the design is totally different than a diamond pendant. It’s very, very flat.

That current pendant has a 1.5mm chain. Which does not read chunky on me at all. It’s as small as I would want to go.

Yes, super pumped about the ACA. They are so stunning in every possible light condition! It’s funny, for all I agonized over choosing an ER stone, now that I’ve lived with an ACA I am obsessed.

Too bad we don’t have messaging here so you could ask @m-2-b about hers. I am assuming if she had flipping issues, she would have said as much. Your new ACA is certainly substantial enough to stand on its own with just prongs. I do like a bezel too though but it depends on the look you are going for I guess. I think we all have a vision of how we want a piece to look and I think you are moving in that direction.
As for the chain, just go with your comfort level. The box chain I have is of course not links so it looks a bit more substantial than it really is in real life. I just didn’t want it to kink or catch in zippers, etc. So far, it has stood the test of time. Isn’t it crazy how many nuances can be involved in just a pendant? You always do your research though, so I have no doubt it will be stunning no matter which style you choose to set it in.
Yep, the ACA diamonds are quite addictive! I had thought I would get a tennis bracelet from WF, but then they stopped making them with the ACAs. That was the whole point - lol! You can upgrade, of course, but then the price is high and I started questioning how much wear I would get out of it. Throw a wrench in my thoughts and there they stop!

 

[Tonks]

Someone has a pendant on a "chain" made of several very thin chains in mixed metal colors. I've always liked it.
Is that you @Catmom ? If it's not Catmom, I don't remember who it is. I just really liked the look.

Ah, just found it...it is Catmom's. On second thought, I'm not sure how it would do with a plain pendant. Plus, I
think it only works with a bail.



Anyway, here's the link if you want to have a look...

Thread 'Custom 1.21ct FLY Heart Vintage Inspired Pendant'

Jun 10, 2015

I had a [cough] "big" birthday in May. Leading up to it I knew my hubby was up to something with my jeweler. He couldn't take keeping a secret plus he was worried that I wouldn't like it so about 3 weeks before my birthday he spilled the beans. He has always known that I wasn't in love with my current FLY pendant so he and my jeweler were bringing in stones from Antwerp and he was having her make a new pendant. They ended up picking a 1.21 ct FLY heart diamond as the best of the bunch. He wanted the pendant to be right this time so we discussed my likes and dislikes which resulted in the...

• Catmom
• Replies: 58
• Forum: Show Me the Bling! (Rings, Earrings, Jewelry)

• 

I have never seen one like that! What a cool design and great with the FLY stone!

My dislike of bales (bails? How the heck do you spell that?) has me leaning in the direction of a fixed pendant. I remember there was one a while back where someone had a gorgeous fixed pendant with two chains but it was problematic and she reset it. Let me see if I can find it…..

Here it is:
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...set-my-2-carat-aca-rb-diamond-pendant.202191/

And here is how she reset it—sliding on a DBTY chain.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/2-008-ct-wf-aca-g-vs2-rb-pendant-re-set.206163/

My head is spinning with options.

 

[Lookinagain]

I am also one who prefers sliding vs. fixed. I have both. For me, it is a choice between maybe moving the chain a bit once in a while as it "travels" or moving the stone to be centered, as my fixed pendant travels as well. I also like being able to change out the chain on the sliding pendants to different color metals. For instance I have one sliding bezel set pendant set in white and I have used white, rose and yellow chains. My one fixed pendant is set in a basket. It doesn't flip but the chain is fairly short and the stone sits in my clavicle area. I had it shortened as it traveled more when it was a bit longer. The dip in the clavicle seems to keep it in it's place a bit better (but not always).

 

[Tonks]

I am also one who prefers sliding vs. fixed. I have both. For me, it is a choice between maybe moving the chain a bit once in a while as it "travels" or moving the stone to be centered, as my fixed pendant travels as well. I also like being able to change out the chain on the sliding pendants to different color metals. For instance I have one sliding bezel set pendant set in white and I have used white, rose and yellow chains. My one fixed pendant is set in a basket. It doesn't flip but the chain is fairly short and the stone sits in my clavicle area. I had it shortened as it traveled more when it was a bit longer. The dip in the clavicle seems to keep it in it's place a bit better (but not always).

Oh, interesting—thank you for sharing. Lots of votes for sliding! I had hoped to wear mine a bit longer than clavicle area so that gives me pause….

Paging @m-2-b if you’re around, I would love to know if there is anything you would change on your pendant.

 

[tyty333]

I have never seen one like that! What a cool design and great with the FLY stone!

My dislike of bales (bails? How the heck do you spell that?) has me leaning in the direction of a fixed pendant. I remember there was one a while back where someone had a gorgeous fixed pendant with two chains but it was problematic and she reset it. Let me see if I can find it…..

Here it is:
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...set-my-2-carat-aca-rb-diamond-pendant.202191/

And here is how she reset it—sliding on a DBTY chain.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/2-008-ct-wf-aca-g-vs2-rb-pendant-re-set.206163/

My head is spinning with options.

I like that look! Would like one yellow/one white gold chain on each side to make it more versatile and a little more casual.
However, would not want to deal with twisted chains, so wouldnt do it.

 

[Tonks]

I like that look! Would like one yellow/one white gold chain on each side to make it more versatile and a little more casual.
However, would not want to deal with twisted chains, so wouldnt do it.

Same! I thought it looked gorgeous but if she said it didn’t wear well, I’m steering clear.

Goal: looks good AND wears well. Pendants are complicated!

 

[m-2-b]

Here I am! I have not been on PS regularly but @diamondseeker2006 just alerted me to your post.

What a beautiful matching ACA to your ER! They will make a lovely set together!

Yes, I still love my WF 4 corners pendant! I wouldn't change a thing after all these years!

It doesn't flip due to the flat base. And I prefer the fixed base in terms of aesthetics of the design. It usually stays put most of the time while wearing at work from my personal experience. However, I cannot guarantee that if you are exercising while wearing it!

Hope this helps! Good luck with your decision!

 

[Lookinagain]

And I prefer the fixed base in terms of aesthetics of the design.

when you say "fixed" base do you mean fixed as to the chain (I thought it slid) or did you mean "flat"?

 

[Tonks]

Here I am! I have not been on PS regularly but @diamondseeker2006 just alerted me to your post.

What a beautiful matching ACA to your ER! They will make a lovely set together!

Yes, I still love my WF 4 corners pendant! I wouldn't change a thing after all these years!

It doesn't flip due to the flat base. And I prefer the fixed base in terms of aesthetics of the design. It usually stays put most of the time while wearing at work from my personal experience. However, I cannot guarantee that if you are exercising while wearing it!

Hope this helps! Good luck with your decision!

Omg thank you so much for weighing in! I was hoping to hear from you as your setting is just divine and has a similar size stone to mine. This is hugely helpful. I’m so glad you still love and wear your gorgeous pendant.

Laughing that you added “if you are exercising while wearing it” because good grief I am predictable and evidently y’all know me. My preferred jewelry is really nice but can stand a good lifting session (but not rings—i would never do that with rings!). So yes, I will be exercising while wearing it unless I’m doing something involving a front rack. And I’m totally fine if it moves when I do.

Thanks again!

 

[m-2-b]

when you say "fixed" base do you mean fixed as to the chain (I thought it slid) or did you mean "flat"?

Yes, I meant fixed to chain. It does not slide.