Is this too gaudy?

[stepcutnut]

This is a recent estate jewelry purchase.

I haven't received it yet, but am considering what I want to do with it. Does it look too gaudy to leave in this setting temporarily?

The center stone is a 2ct peach pink tourmaline and the setting is 14kt WG and not in the best shape.

 

[stepcutnut]

side view

 

[LD]

I don't think it's gaudy but I'm not sure the setting and stone compliment each other. The setting is all about curves and the stone (which looks gorgeous btw) is all about angles. It's very striking looking but I wonder if the goldwork could do with some rhodium plating to brighten it up a little?

Edit: I've just noticed that the claws (obviously because it had a different shaped stone in it originally) are not evenly placed around the Tourmaline. That would drive me barmy because I love symmetry. Having seen your previous rings I wonder if you do too?????

 

[stepcutnut]

Date: 4/24/2010 10:51:18 AM
Author: LovingDiamonds
I don't think it's gaudy but I'm not sure the setting and stone compliment each other. The setting is all about curves and the stone (which looks gorgeous btw) is all about angles. It's very striking looking but I wonder if the goldwork could do with some rhodium plating to brighten it up a little?

I agree that they do not fully compliment each other, but rather contrast each other.

The ring definitely needs some work, it is not in great shape as it stands-but I really purchased the ring because of the stone. I too love symmetry and am not sure if the prongs couldn't be straightened a bit as to not bother me too much!?!?!

Edit:I looked closer at another photo I have, but can't seem to post, and it seems that only one of the prongs(12 o'clock or 6 o'clock depending) is crooked the others are pretty evenly spaced-still quit beat up though.

 

[ruffysdad]

Hi Stepcutnet,

My first post here but I''ve been playing with stones since the dinosaurs. The tourm is an absolutely awesome color and the cutting looks just as good. I agree that the setting doesn''t do it justice but for temp, a good cleaning and rhodium plating would do wonders for the appearance

. As far as too gaudy is concerned, who cares! If you''ve got it, flaunt it! I once designed a ring for a woman around a 19ct blue zircon. That IMHO was probably a little over the top but it made her happy and that''s the really important thing.

 

[LD]

SCN by evenly spaced I didn''t mean how far apart the prongs were in relation to each other - sorry wrong choice of words! What I meant was where they''re placed over the gem. For example, you''ve got one in the middle of the straight side and then one 3/4 of the way along another straight side. Some of the prongs are in the middle of the shorter edge, some aren''t. I like my prongs to be either spot on in the middle of a straight edge or protecting a corner or in the middle of a corner etc. Does that make sense?

You''re right that one or two appear to be bent out of shape and that won''t be helping - it might be that a bit of straightening would do the trick! I wonder what shape stone was in the ring originally. Do you think it might have been a cab?

 

[stepcutnut]

Date: 4/24/2010 11:19:51 AM
Author: LovingDiamonds
SCN by evenly spaced I didn''t mean how far apart the prongs were in relation to each other - sorry wrong choice of words! What I meant was where they''re placed over the gem. For example, you''ve got one in the middle of the straight side and then one 3/4 of the way along another straight side. Some of the prongs are in the middle of the shorter edge, some aren''t. I like my prongs to be either spot on in the middle of a straight edge or protecting a corner or in the middle of a corner etc. Does that make sense?


You''re right that one or two appear to be bent out of shape and that won''t be helping - it might be that a bit of straightening would do the trick! I wonder what shape stone was in the ring originally. Do you think it might have been a cab?

Yup makes sense I have asked for any history the seller has on the ring or stone-so will be interesting to find out more.

 

[stepcutnut]

Date: 4/24/2010 11:16:26 AM
Author: ruffysdad
Hi Stepcutnet,


My first post here but I''ve been playing with stones since the dinosaurs. The tourm is an absolutely awesome color and the cutting looks just as good. I agree that the setting doesn''t do it justice but for temp, a good cleaning and rhodium plating would do wonders for the appearance

. As far as too gaudy is concerned, who cares! If you''ve got it, flaunt it! I once designed a ring for a woman around a 19ct blue zircon. That IMHO was probably a little over the top but it made her happy and that''s the really important thing.

Welcome ruffysdad! The tourm does seem to have decent cutting, a little on the shallow side. I like the way you think! One thing I have going for me, is that I where a ring size 7-8 depending of the width of the band-so I can carry off bigger stones and settings.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Interesting setting and really pretty stone, but i don''t think they work together. Rhodium plating could help, but honestly, I''d get and LOGR or inexpensive temp setting to showcase the stone.

 

[innerkitten]

It certainly is a fancy setting but it''s not gaudy. It has a hippy feeling to me. It would be fun with a long flowing sun dress.

 

[BeachRunner]

Date: 4/24/2010 12:12:20 PM
Author: innerkitten
It certainly is a fancy setting but it''s not gaudy. It has a hippy feeling to me. It would be fun with a long flowing sun dress.

I''d wear it

The stone is gorgeous, and like the others said, with some TLC, it could work. It''s very unique, but I wouldn''t call it gaudy.

 

[Arcadian]

I like them both, but not exactly together. were the stone round and that color they would both be singing!


-A

 

[fierypyropixy]

I don''t think it''s gaudy at all . . . it''s just a surprise. I love buttercup settings but never would have imagined an asscher in one, especially kite-set like this.

The more I look at it, though . . . it IS very interesting! I''m usually strict about asscher lines vs things that aren''t so linear, but . . .the difference is really growing on me! I think it works. Even if it''s just temporarily.

 

[stepcutnut]

Thank you all for your opinions

 

[T L]

Date: 4/24/2010 10:51:18 AM
Author: LovingDiamonds
I don't think it's gaudy but I'm not sure the setting and stone compliment each other.

You just took the words right out of my mouth!

To me, the stone and the setting don't really go together, although both, separately, are pretty.

 

[marcy]

I have to vote they are both lovely but not a great combination - I can see a nice round stone in the ring and the tourmaline in something like a bezel setting.

 

[oddoneout]

Date: 4/24/2010 10:51:18 AM
Author: LovingDiamonds
I don''t think it''s gaudy but I''m not sure the setting and stone compliment each other. The setting is all about curves and the stone (which looks gorgeous btw) is all about angles. It''s very striking looking but I wonder if the goldwork could do with some rhodium plating to brighten it up a little?


Edit: I''ve just noticed that the claws (obviously because it had a different shaped stone in it originally) are not evenly placed around the Tourmaline. That would drive me barmy because I love symmetry. Having seen your previous rings I wonder if you do too?????

I agree that the stone and setting don''t match. What about a more simple solitaire setting for the stone.

 

[Imdanny]

Well, I liked it from the top, but not from the side. I don''t think it''s gaudy. I just think it''s too high.

 

[colorluvr]

Date: 4/24/2010 3:03:08 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover

Date: 4/24/2010 10:51:18 AM
Author: LovingDiamonds
I don''t think it''s gaudy but I''m not sure the setting and stone compliment each other.

You just took the words right out of my mouth!

To me, the stone and the setting don''t really go together, although both, separately, are pretty.

I totally agree.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I actually like the setting and I love the stone. I don''t like them together though.

Is that setting made for a round stone? I think it will be lovely to replate it and put a round stone in it.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

It''s not too gaudy, but should be a center piece stone (as in if you plan to wear it, don''t wear anything else).

 

[PumpkinPie]

I like the setting (particularly after I saw it from the side!

) and the stone - I think they look interesting together, but in more of a contrasting way than complementary I think cleaning up the setting and maybe re-plating it would help a lot !

 

[stepcutnut]

Thank you everyone for your opinions I think for now(since I have too many other projects to finish up), I will just have this setting spruced up a bit so I can wear it while I decide on a forever home for the tourmaline. At least it will not just languish in my jewelry box until I get around to resetting it I actually have a really lovely round Iolite from Barry, that I think might just fit in this setting perfectly once the asscher is removed. I also have a nice pair of step cut trills, that I was just looking at today, that I am hoping will look nice with the tourmaline too.

 

[Barrett]

Boy..I sure do like that color..very nice