I cheated and I'm proud of it...bless my heart!

[mrs-b]

Thank you so much, @Tigerlilyrosepetal - me too!

Thank you, @MamaBear - that's so encouraging! I never thought I'd hit "fabulous" or anything like it with this one!

Ooooohhh - @lulu_ma! Your pieces are faboosh - I will LOVE seeing where you land with your sapphire/diamond cluster! Learn from my mistakes: "Spend the money. Get the great sapphire."

 

[Autumn in New England]

@Autumn in New England - thank you for all your help and encouragement in my other thread on the colored gems forum. You were a huge help and so encouraging when I was ready to throw my hands in the air and just "sell her on". I'm very happy with where I landed and I really appreciated your input.

Thank you! <3

Oh my goodness... would you look at her! Swooooon!! I can't believe that stone ever blacked out. It's a gorgeous, almost iolite shade. And let me state this for the record - I don't think that's cheating. No one thinks it's dodgy when we cup yellow diamonds or use rose gold to improve saturation for a padparadscha. In fact, I've seen folks set blue diamonds with a blue rhodium plated cup. It's essentially an illusion, but what I like is that it doesn't devalue the stone like treatment.

So sweet you thought of me.

I'm just tickled for you... hope she brings you a lifetime of happiness, my friend! That dress is something else.

 

[mrs-b]

Oh @Slickk! You always make me chuckle! One man's avowal is another jewelry collector's confession! But from what I'm reading on this thread, it's not so much a confession as a natty idea! I thought I was ahead of the game here, but apparently I'm late to the "make the most of the color you've got" party! I - literally - had 2 months of angst over this ring. I wish I'd known what can be achieved with a little lateral thinking! Colored gems are just not my area; I love 'em, but I know nothing about 'em! So this was all new to me, and I'm very grateful for the folks here who held my hand after the initial shock of realizing I'd bought something quite different to what I *thought* I'd bought, and particularly for Amy, who apparently knows all the tricks and isn't afraid to use them!
On a different note - I've lost a lock on your countdown. I hope time is passing quickly and that your vacation is coming up very soon, if not already upon us! ox

Thank you so much, @BoulderGal. She is a different looking stone altogether in 95% of lighting situations now. She had "a little blue, sometimes" before. Now - inside or out - she's showing blue consistently. Apparently, she just needed a little help.

Yes! That's it in a nutshell, @Lisa Loves Shiny! She really did - and I'm so chuffed!

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Thank you, @springerspaniel - and thank you for your encouragement! ox

@MissGotRocks - "Tomfoolery" - I love it! And I agree - there are no rules here, just what hits the spot for each of us individually.

@AllAboardTheBlingTrain - it never occurred to me that people might use color enhancement in the setting of colored diamonds! I thought I was being very cheat-y! Maybe...not so much?

Using yellow gold cups for yellow diamonds and rose gold cups for pink diamonds is extremely common!

Actually, on an unrelated note, I was at this super high end jeweler’s a few weeks ago, just browsing, and I noticed they’ve started doing something with their coloured stone jewelry where they colour the gold prongs (and sometimes the whole setting) to the exact colour of the coloured stone. So, an emerald ring set in an emerald green setting. It looked really cool and made the emerald REALLY pop! Im not sure how it was done because it didn’t look like enamel (it was shiny, the way gold is) but I didn’t know it was possible to tint rhodium like that. Either way, it looked incredible.

 

[caf]

Gorgeous! Enjoy it.

 

[Bron357]

Love the ring. Nothing wrong with thinking outside the box, it’s the result that counts.
And the heart pendant is also lovely but the ring kiss kiss kiss

 

[Rubies-R-Me]

Wow!! A true case of "turning 2 frowns upside down."
Both of your redo's look great and it's wonderful how things that were just meh have turned into marvelous. Well done!!

 

[mrs-b]

A few more photos and my camera isn't picking up color well on another very overcast day. But I just love it, so...here are a bunch more! Unfortunately, the drabness of the day stops me from getting that sharp, crystal clear look, but hopefully on Tuesday when the sun is meant to come out!

For anyone interested, the setting is in platinum and the polish is very high. Gorgeous finish.







This super-blurry one just because it's a better representation of color:

 

[RunningwithScissors]

I love both these pieces!

I admire the way you think creatively to find solutions to jewelry problems. For example, I'll never forget how you figured out to set your charm bracelet in a straight line because the dangling of the charms bothered you (the dangling would have bothered me too, but I would have never thought of eliminating it). A "simple" solution, but not one I'd ever seen before, and well, kinda genius. And the way you designed your larger hoop earrings with hinges and unique closures and just the right amount of weight. Now this sapphire ring takes the "bling-genuity" (bling + ingenuity) to another level. You had a problem to solve, you ruminated on it, and dang if you didn't figure a perfect solution.

Love the design of the setting too, the ratio of diamonds in the cluster to center is just right, and the scalloped (or tuliped?) sweep of the sides flowing up into the cluster is beautiful.

Enjoy!

 

[mrs-b]

I love both these pieces!

I admire the way you think creatively to find solutions to jewelry problems. For example, I'll never forget how you figured out to set your charm bracelet in a straight line because the dangling of the charms bothered you (the dangling would have bothered me too, but I would have never thought of eliminating it). A "simple" solution, but not one I'd ever seen before, and well, kinda genius. And the way you designed your larger hoop earrings with hinges and unique closures and just the right amount of weight. Now this sapphire ring takes the "bling-genuity" (bling + ingenuity) to another level. You had a problem to solve, you ruminated on it, and dang if you didn't figure a perfect solution.

Love the design of the setting too, the ratio of diamonds in the cluster to center is just right, and the scalloped (or tuliped?) sweep of the sides flowing up into the cluster is beautiful.

Enjoy!

Thank you so much, @RunningwithScissors! It's not a perfect sapphire. It's not even a very good sapphire. But it's definitely blue and nobody will ever have to say to me "So - what color is that meant to be?"

She's blue.

 

[mrs-b]

@MiniMinerva - thank you so much! I'm having a tough time capturing its lovely color while the weather is so bleak. But I'm hoping I might have some rather better photos this week coming. Fingers crossed!

Thank you, @Lookinagain. I'm looking at it in a completely different light these days because - hey! what girl doesn't need a boost from time to time, right?

Thank you, @caf - I will!

 

[mrs-b]

@Autumn in New England -

Awwww - thank you! I'm so glad you like her! I think I'm going to call her Pacific, because she's a true deep ocean blue, and because I love ocean swimming so much and always have, and because the Pacific is the blue that connects the US and Australia. So Pacific has gone from a frightening disappointment, to something so significant to me as to represent something deeply precious and important. And for that reason alone, if nothing else, she's a good ring to be the one piece I have with my DH's birth stone, and which connects my husband and I. Somehow, somewhere in my head it all ties together.

And now, back to the setting adventures of Violet Pearegarde!

 

[mrs-b]

I was at this super high end jeweler’s a few weeks ago, just browsing, and I noticed they’ve started doing something with their coloured stone jewelry where they colour the gold prongs (and sometimes the whole setting) to the exact colour of the coloured stone. So, an emerald ring set in an emerald green setting. It looked really cool and made the emerald REALLY pop! Im not sure how it was done because it didn’t look like enamel (it was shiny, the way gold is) but I didn’t know it was possible to tint rhodium like that. Either way, it looked incredible.

I. Want. This.

 

[mrs-b]

Thank you, @Bron357! Definitely thinking outside the (jewelry!) box on this one! I think we got there in the end. <3

@Rubies-R-Me - LOL! "From meh to marvellous" - I like it! I've always said that one of my strongest suits is my ability to make a silk purse from a sow's ear, but calling my new ring Sooie - which kinda crossed my mind! - seemed like crossing a line!

 

[Autumn in New England]

@Autumn in New England -

Awwww - thank you! I'm so glad you like her! I think I'm going to call her Pacific, because she's a true deep ocean blue, and because I love ocean swimming so much and always have, and because the Pacific is the blue that connects the US and Australia. So Pacific has gone from a frightening disappointment, to something so significant to me as to represent something deeply precious and important. And for that reason alone, if nothing else, she's a good ring to be the one piece I have with my DH's birth stone, and which connects my husband and I. Somehow, somewhere in my head it all ties together.

She IS a mysterious ocean blue! I'm so glad you've come to find happiness with her (and her new wardrobe). Wear Miss Pacific in good health and happiness!!

And now, back to the setting adventures of Violet Pearegarde!

She's being set as we speak.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I. Want. This.

The jeweler is called House of Rose (their website is therose.in) but what they have online is a collection where the coloured stones are set in matching coloured prongs, not that the whole setting is in coloured metal. And they also don’t have any info at all about the treatment of the stones, so I don’t know how good the stone quality is. They’re a bit rich for my blood, I don’t have anything by them. Still, I’m sure they can answer those questions if you ask them, or make you a custom design. Most jewelers in india are very happy to go custom.

 

[mrs-b]

And this will probably be about as good as it gets. What a beauty she is!

 

[mrs-b]

The jeweler is called House of Rose (their website is therose.in) but what they have online is a collection where the coloured stones are set in matching coloured prongs, not that the whole setting is in coloured metal. And they also don’t have any info at all about the treatment of the stones, so I don’t know how good the stone quality is. They’re a bit rich for my blood, I don’t have anything by them. Still, I’m sure they can answer those questions if you ask them, or make you a custom design. Most jewelers in india are very happy to go custom.

I Just tooled around their site for a good long while. What temptation!!

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I Just tooled around their site for a good long while. What temptation!!

I feel like I should point this out since I brought them up earlier… I probed their site a bit further, and wow, I don’t think they certify their jewelry with any trustworthy lab! On one of the pages it said something about a DGLA certificate. Kinda shocking given their prices!! Maybe they do GIA once stones are of a certain size…

I think I’ll stick to my local jeweler after all but the eye candy is lovely.

 

[mrs-b]

Sunshine here in Boston! What I've found with Pacific is that she does well with a slight tilt. Straight on seems to dilute the color, but slightly tilted brings out her best. There are also one or two fuzzy photos here, included because of the way they show her color in certain lighting conditions. As with most colored stones, indirect ambient lighting is her very best friend.

 

[rcjtraveler]

Sunshine here in Boston! What I've found with Pacific is that she does well with a slight tilt. Straight on seems to dilute the color, but slightly tilted brings out her best. There are also one or two fuzzy photos here, included because of the way they show her color in certain lighting conditions. As with most colored stones, indirect ambient lighting is her very best friend.

Gorgeous! Looks beautiful in every shot. That setting . Just love the significance behind her name. Wear Pacific in good health!

 

[missy]

SWOON!!!
PacificLicious!!! Pacificluscious!!!
Wear in good health and bluetiful blingy joy

 

[cushioncutnut]

So as some of you might have read, I bought a 2.51 ct cushion cut blue sapphire online and when it came it was...not all that. In almost all lighting, it blacked out completely. And it had a window. And it was going to be my only sapphire ring (my DH's birth stone). And it ended up being rather disappointing - from pretty much every direction.

I went to the colored gems forum and talked/thought about recutting. Or heating. Or painting it with blue nail polish (ok - not really, but...almost...). And the response was mostly - don't do it. Taking the word of members more knowledgable and more experienced than me, I sent it off to David Klass Jewelry, into the hands of Amy Phillips, who I am fairly convinced at this point is a wizard. My expectations were low, but she asked me what my parameters were and what methods I wanted to employ. No matter what we did, that window needed to go, and anything we could do to help the color on this ring, which was going to be my "one and only", was fair game for me. So Amy suggested enameling the inside of parts of the setting a bright blue, and closing out the base with a tiny cup. So that's what we did.

I sent her off what was essentially a black stone, and today I got back...this. Keep in mind it was a VERY grey overcast day today when I sat outside and took these photos. I absolutely 100% stand by my decision to enamel the cup and the basket rim of this setting. This ring exists for one reason and one reason only; for my enjoyment. So if this is what works for me - that's what I'm gonna do! Cheaters unite - we're out and proud!

When I get a sunny day I'll post some more photos which, I suspect, will be even more beautiful. Yay!














And when I opened the box - I also found *this*: a beautiful diamond heart that started with a smaller diamond heart I bought on Loupe Troop from a previous PS member. The piece I bought was *not* as advertised - the diamonds were sold to me as 10 pointers and were, in fact, 4.7 points on average. But they were, indeed, nice and white and clean, so I asked DKJ to source me 10 more and reset the whole lot into something more classic (it had previously been a somewhat funky setting) in a prettier heart shape (it started out being one of those overly long, skinny hearts). I wasn't expecting this to be ready for some time, but it was with my ring today, so I got a wonderful two-fer! It's 1.5ctw and has the presence I was looking for. Love it!





I apologize for the enormous size of these photos - I have no idea why they're coming out like this. But I do love them and I'm so happy with both pieces!

Beautiful...both of them! What a great idea to do the blue enameling to enhance the sapphire! I never saw the sapphire before it was set but it looks amazing with a steely blue periwinkle color! So glad you took a chance! That setting is divine too! The heart is as well!

 

[bling_dream19]

This is beautiful! The blue is blue! And you know we love a large diamond halo! The halo complements Pacific beautifully! I'm so glad this worked out for you my friend. Enjoy many glamorous excursions with this beautiful ring!

 

[elle_chris]

That's a gorgeous Sapphire color. One of my fave shades.
Incredible how enameling the cup worked to enhance it. What a great idea, beautiful.
Enjoy it!

 

[mrs-b]

Thank you so much, @elle_chris! The cup made allll the difference - not just in reflecting the color better, but also in closing down the window. It was only a very slight window, but any window is a big no for me. So this was a hugely elegant solution!

@bling_dream19 - my dear friend, we do INDEED "love a big halo"!! It was the pendant you bought from a fellow PSer that set me down the "melee can be larger than 3 points" path! And now I just run that path like a track star (all credit to Justin Bieber for that expression)! This sapphire has gone from disaster to life-time piece; it just goes to show - setting is EVERYTHING. Thanks for sharing my joy with me! ox

Thank you, @cushioncutnut. Look, we both know - this sapphire is never going to be like the one in your profile photo. We both know that. But I love it for what it is, and I love its oceanic feel - deep mysterious moody waters - and the diamonds that take it from secretive to "Look at meeee!" I really love where I landed with her.

 

[mrs-b]

@missy - thank you, AG! You are so sweet! Thank you for your enthusiasm for my beautiful, moody girl - she really is very special to me. <3

Thank you, @rcjtraveler! The whole notion of "the things that bind us" is very significant to me, as someone whose heart is perpetually split between many places. I know I'll look at Pacific often and think to myself - home is only a tide away. <3

 

[cushioncutnut]

Thank you so much, @elle_chris! The cup made allll the difference - not just in reflecting the color better, but also in closing down the window. It was only a very slight window, but any window is a big no for me. So this was a hugely elegant solution!

@bling_dream19 - my dear friend, we do INDEED "love a big halo"!! It was the pendant you bought from a fellow PSer that set me down the "melee can be larger than 3 points" path! And now I just run that path like a track star (all credit to Justin Bieber for that expression)! This sapphire has gone from disaster to life-time piece; it just goes to show - setting is EVERYTHING. Thanks for sharing my joy with me! ox

Thank you, @cushioncutnut. Look, we both know - this sapphire is never going to be like the one in your profile photo. We both know that. But I love it for what it is, and I love its oceanic feel - deep mysterious moody waters - and the diamonds that take it from secretive to "Look at meeee!" I really love where I landed with her.

Oh no one would sneeze at that! It is just fabulous with it's own personality in a gorgeous color,cut, and style that no one else will have!! I know if I saw you wearing it in person, I would grab your hand and lace you with many compliments!!

 

[Calliecake]

@mrs-b, Thank you for starting this thread. It’s one of those threads that makes PS special. We all got to share your excitment and had lots of fun right along with you.

 

[caf]

@mrs-b does DK have any photos of the cup before setting? It would be so interesting to see it!

I looked up how to enamel something just cause I was curious. Here’s some info if you’re interested also. https://www.instructables.com/Ename...es.com/Enameling-Metal-Jewelry/?amp_page=true

https://www.thecrucible.org/guides/enameling-6/#:~:text=Enameling%20is%20a%20process%20by,or%20dry%20to%20a%20surface.

And a utube that shows you some process.