Let's talk about CS projects in progress

[MissyBeaucoup]

@MissSarah I just love your little bunny! What a sweet story! I’m so happy you are sharing this fun hobby with us. I love it when people are creative and make things their own. Thanks for sharing your projects!

 

[2Neesers]

Ooo I can't wait to see them!
Have you had good experiences with James Allen before?

I have made diamond related purchasing with James Allen and they were always great! This is the first time I’ve sent them CS to set though. I had originally planned to send them a spinel, but was told by the sales rep I was working with that they will only set sapphires, rubies and emeralds.

 

[KristinTech]

Got an update—the earrings are ready!! I wanted the colors to mimic Mary in my favorite stained glass window at church.
I cannot wait to get them!

 

[voce]

Got an update—the earrings are ready!! I wanted the colors to mimic Mary in my favorite stained glass window at church.
I cannot wait to get them!

Wow, how exciting! That stained glass is a beautiful inspiration, and the earrings are superb in terms of color and workmanship!

 

[shelovesinclusions]

Got an update—the earrings are ready!! I wanted the colors to mimic Mary in my favorite stained glass window at church.
I cannot wait to get them!

What a beautiful inspiration. Your earrings are beautiful.

 

[lilmosun]

@voce That ring has tempted me many times as I love the setting...can't way to see your finished ring!

No pictures

I also just started another Lily ring with Yvonne. Green paraiba center, hauyne leaves with tiny pink sapphires on the outer edges...pulling my favorite colors and stones into one piece.

Not having anything new for awhile, I took my box of unset stones to my local jeweler and picked through his used settings. Nothing fancy but was able to put together a few rings cost effectively...so I can at least enjoy looking at them out of the gem box
- Set my inexpensive grandiderites in a 3 stone ring.
- Mahenge spinel cabachon from katharath bezel set with diamond shoulders
- I had three small Russian alexandrite stones from Dudley Blauwet that I didn't know what to do with. He had a simple 18k yellow gold channel set band in his scrap they would fit in with alternating diamonds.
- Pink Garnet from Precision Gem set in a simple WG setting

Picked up the rings from my local jeweler. As you can see, nothing exciting in terms of design...just finally getting some of my loose stones set in budget friendly used settings.

Pink Garnet from Precision Gem



Mahenge Spinel can from katharath


Grandiderite


Russian (Malysheva, Ural Mtn) Alexandrite from Dudley Blawet

 

[lilmosun]

Got an update—the earrings are ready!! I wanted the colors to mimic Mary in my favorite stained glass window at church.
I cannot wait to get them!

Wow...my favorite colors in one of my favorite CRD settings!

 

[elizat]

I have this spinel that will be set with Cadillac cut diamonds on the sides. I had a pad ring made but the stone was too petite for me and too pink. It looked muddy on me. This is not a sapphire- obviously- but is a blend of pink orange that looks better on me I think. It satisfies my size preference too!

 

[2Neesers]

Got an update—the earrings are ready!! I wanted the colors to mimic Mary in my favorite stained glass window at church.
I cannot wait to get them!

Your earrings are stunning! The color combination is gorgeous and I love your inspiration

 

[LilAlex]

Wax model with a chrysoberyl. Just a quick shot from the shop -- I didn't actually plan to phone-focus on the back of the band so you couldn't see the stone

 

[RunningwithScissors]

I have this spinel that will be set with Cadillac cut diamonds on the sides. I had a pad ring made but the stone was too petite for me and too pink. It looked muddy on me. This is not a sapphire- obviously- but is a blend of pink orange that looks better on me I think. It satisfies my size preference too!

Absolutely loooooooove that color!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Gonna get my gray diamond reset with rose gold and black mother of pearl in a flower motif.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

I haven’t set much lately. The local jeweler I trust to set my stones has become increasingly in demand and I sense he struggles to find the time to set my stones in settings I purchased elsewhere when he has expensive custom jobs lined up, which I completely understand! I’m so happy for him, it has just put a damper on me getting around to setting stones.

I took a leap and ordered a couple of settings from James Allen during their 25% off sale and sent a couple of sapphires I purchased from Gene to them to set. They should be back to me in the next couple of weeks. I have never had them set a CS, so I’m a little nervous, but I‘m hoping all goes well!
The purplish-pink sapphire and setting:




The periwinkle sapphire and setting:


I also am switching out a blue sapphire for a spess garnet in a Yvonne Sunflower ring with Mahenge Spinel petals melee, to have a stronger pop of color.

After that, I am going to try to take a break from buying and setting and figure out what my end goals are.
I’m exited to see everyone’s projects!

So James Allen will set your stones into their settings? I didn't know that. I thought you had to purchase their stones.

 

[2Neesers]

So James Allen will set your stones into their settings? I didn't know that. I thought you had to purchase their stones.

They will set outside stones, but I was told the only CS they will set are Rubies, Emeralds and Sapphires. They charge a setting fee of $100 for stones under 7mm, or $200 for stones over 7mm.
Here are more details from their website:

 

[2Neesers]

Gonna get my gray diamond reset with rose gold and black mother of pearl in a flower motif.

I love your new gray diamond and your pendant setting idea! It’s gorgeous!

 

[Lilith112]

So I posted about this in my own pad thread...but now I'm conflicted about setting ideas. Namely I now I have 2 pendant designs, but am also contemplating doing a ring (lol).

The pad in question:




Should I stick with my original idea of doing a pendant:

Lariat design:


Lotus leaf pad design:



OR go in a completely different direction and just create a ring? I've recently fallen in love with the look/feel of McTeigue & McCelland's Flora Embrace design...and think it'd be lovely in rose gold (which I think would pair best with the pad):



Thoughts/comments? Can someone help out my indecisive butt here lol?

 

[JackTrick]

So I posted about this in my own pad thread...but now I'm conflicted about setting ideas. Namely I now I have 2 pendant designs, but am also contemplating doing a ring (lol).

The pad in question:




Should I stick with my original idea of doing a pendant:

Lariat design:


Lotus leaf pad design:



OR go in a completely different direction and just create a ring? I've recently fallen in love with the look/feel of McTeigue & McCelland's Flora Embrace design...and think it'd be lovely in rose gold (which I think would pair best with the pad):



Thoughts/comments? Can someone help out my indecisive butt here lol?

It could be that I’ve gotten so used to seeing it on your hand, but I think it would make an absolutely stunning ring.

Might you have any other pictures of the setting? It looks lovely!

 

[Lilith112]

It could be that I’ve gotten so used to seeing it on your hand, but I think it would make an absolutely stunning ring.

Might you have any other pictures of the setting? It looks lovely!

McTeigue & McCelland's work really is super stunning...more pictures of the setting in question:





But in rose gold since that's just my preferred metal. Plus my jeweler's rose gold alloy is more peachy than pink, so it still contrasts nicely with my pad.

 

[natasha-cupcake]

McTeigue & McCelland's work really is super stunning...more pictures of the setting in question:





But in rose gold since that's just my preferred metal. Plus my jeweler's rose gold alloy is more peachy than pink, so it still contrasts nicely with my pad.

I love your pendant designs, but I'm leaning towards this ring. The pendants would be lovely, but I would want to stare at my gorgeous pad, if it was mine. And the M & M settings are exquisite!!!

 

[Lilith112]

I love your pendant designs, but I'm leaning towards this ring. The pendants would be lovely, but I would want to stare at my gorgeous pad, if it was mine. And the M & M settings are exquisite!!!

M2's designs and their craftsmanship is just so exquisite...I just love the idea of my pad looking like it's "blooming" with petals around it! Also as you said, I just love looking at it!

 

[voce]

I say go with the ring. The only time I see a stone set as a pendant is when I take a selfie or look in the mirror. A ring is so much more enjoyable as I can actually see the stone more often. Plus you've picked out an excellent design for a ring!

 

[Lilith112]

I say go with the ring. The only time I see a stone set as a pendant is when I take a selfie or look in the mirror. A ring is so much more enjoyable as I can actually see the stone more often. Plus you've picked out an excellent design for a ring!

All very true! Well, guess it's going to be a pad ring instead then After browsing McTeigue & McCelland's flora design, I just fell in love with the idea of reflective and lustrous rose gold petals!

 

[bling_dream19]

Got an update—the earrings are ready!! I wanted the colors to mimic Mary in my favorite stained glass window at church.
I cannot wait to get them!

Kristen your earrings are just beautiful! The colors are gorgeous and happy!

 

[Rfisher]

I like the lariat design better, but am partial to a ring over it being a pendant.

 

[voce]

I am so thankful this ring got done, and I have something bright to look forward to receiving in the mail!

 

[Rfisher]

I am so thankful this ring got done, and I have something bright to look forward to receiving in the mail!

 

[CaseyLouLou]

All very true! Well, guess it's going to be a pad ring instead then After browsing McTeigue & McCelland's flora design, I just fell in love with the idea of reflective and lustrous rose gold petals!

After seeing your post, I looked these guys up and their rings are gorgeous. Looks like the company split in two and one of them is still making this design. Do you mind sharing the approximate cost of a setting? I might be interested in setting a stone. Thanks!

 

[Lilith112]

I am so thankful this ring got done, and I have something bright to look forward to receiving in the mail!

Omg soooo bright and cheerful! I love it!

 

[Lilith112]

After seeing your post, I looked these guys up and their rings are gorgeous. Looks like the company split in two and one of them is still making this design. Do you mind sharing the approximate cost of a setting? I might be interested in setting a stone. Thanks!

I'm not sure how much, but I think it's somewhere in the range of USD4000 and up based on past PS posts.

 

[2Neesers]

Picked up the rings from my local jeweler. As you can see, nothing exciting in terms of design...just finally getting some of my loose stones set in budget friendly used settings.

Pink Garnet from Precision Gem



Mahenge Spinel can from katharath


Grandiderite


Russian (Malysheva, Ural Mtn) Alexandrite from Dudley Blawet

These all turned out fantastic! I’m amazed how well the stones fit in the repurposed settings.
I think I have the sister stone to your Gene pink garnet. I love how the garnets shift from pink to purple