My first asscher, please help with setting

[1001smiles]

I finally got my first asscher. It is also my first colorless colored stone... It's 2.29 carat Burmese spinel from Dana, 6.8mm x 6.1mm deep. It looks kind of steel greyish with lots of sparkes in the sun and a light lavenderish blueish otherwise, almost colorless. Here are some photos in different light, including the vendor photo...




I wanted to ask for your help in setting this. I wanted something that could look more casual, no diamond halos. I think it looks best in rose gold because it brings out the blueish/purplish color and I think it would look good in a bezel. I also think it may look good with these very light pink round spinels I have. I took some pics of the combo in different light...




Maybe bezeling all three, similar to this CM ring, but with rose gold bezels and silver everything else?



So that's as far as I got. Any other suggestions or inspiration photos would be much appreciated.
Thanks as always for your help!

 

[loriken214]

This sounds like a project for Liz, Freke!

Lori

 

[T L]

I think the side stones are the wrong shape and size next to the asscher. I personally would do a halo, as these kind of very very light toned spinels really look beautiful in halos. The halos give them extra tone, and enhance the facet shadows. Depending on your budget, you could do small trillion diamonds, or just set it in a bezel (that would also enhance the faceting and color).

 

[1001smiles]

Thank you for your suggestions, TL. I agree, scratch the side stones... So back to the drawing board, I guess the only thing I know is that I like rose gold with it...

Here is a dumb question, what is the advantage of prongs vs. bezel on a stone like this? It's very sparkly, and I wanted to keep it that way. Would a bezel enhance the color and facet pattern, but would it also possibly make it less sparkly?

Any inspiration photos or additional advice would be much appreciated, I am really out of ideas on this...
Thanks!

 

[T L]

Thank you for your suggestions, TL. I agree, scratch the side stones... So back to the drawing board, I guess the only thing I know is that I like rose gold with it...

Here is a dumb question, what is the advantage of prongs vs. bezel on a stone like this? It's very sparkly, and I wanted to keep it that way. Would a bezel enhance the color and facet pattern, but would it also possibly make it less sparkly?

Any inspiration photos or additional advice would be much appreciated, I am really out of ideas on this...
Thanks!

I don't think asschers "sparkle" that much. You see more of a mirror effect in asschers IMHO. I think traditional faceted gems, and portuguese cut gems sparkle more. Therefore, I think your best bet would be a halo or bezel, as it will enhance this "mirror effect" and also the color.

Here's a bunch of photos of asschers in various setting styles. I really love Mochi's chrysoberyl which was done in green gold by Whiteflash

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-gemstone-asschers-in-a-setting.144832/

 

[Love in Bloom]

I like this setting for asschers:

http://www.langantiques.com/university/images/a/af/10-1-2846_asscher_example.jpg

 

[1001smiles]

Thanks, TL. That link has nice examples.
This one is actually quite "sparkly", I was surprized. I should go take some pictures... That's what I like the most about it. I wanted to make sure the sparkles don't go away in a setting. Would prongs be safer then? Or would a bezel be just as sparkly? I never had an asscher before, so I don't know what to expect.

 

[1001smiles]

I like this setting for asschers:

http://www.langantiques.com/university/images/a/af/10-1-2846_asscher_example.jpg

This is pretty, thanks for the idea.

 

[Love in Bloom]

Welcome

 

[1001smiles]

OK, here are some pictures of "sparkles". They are really hard to photograph...
Soooo... If I wanted to make sure this stone stays just as sparkly when set, is it safer to go for prongs? Or would it stay sparkly in a bezel?
Much appreciate your advice!

 

[T L]

Wow, you've proven me wrong, it does sparkle. I honestly don't think a thin bezel will impede the sparkle. It's so light in tone, the light coming in, will surely come back out.

 

[1001smiles]

Does anybody have this setting from jewelryhoo? It seems to be well priced and not too blingy. They can probably modify the head size, right? Would it look ok with an asscher (for somebody who does not like too square-ish stuff)?

 

[Kismet]

I think Lauren the Partier has a stone in that setting.

 

[chrono]

Looks like a great setting for your asscher stone, especially in rose gold.

A thin bezel will be great too; it'll highlight the cut off corners of the stone, plus the bezel will deepen the tint of colour.

 

[T L]

I think Lauren the Partier has a stone in that setting.

You took the words out of my mouth. I believe she does. It's a Cartier 'copy.'

 

[1001smiles]

Thank you all for your feedback. I couldn't find Lauren's setting, but it seems that a lot of her older pictures are not showing up, which is too bad. Lauren, if you happen to read this, could you please post a photo?

TL, thank you for pointing out that this is a Cartier replica, I did not know that. I just liked how it "neutralizes" the square shape.
I looked at the stone some more this morning, and I think I like how clear it is and that it shoots little sparkles off the sides too. So I think I'll go with prongs for this one. But if I ever get another asscher, I will definitely do a bezel as you suggested.

I have two more questions, please. Do you think orienting the stone diagonally would look more interesting (and less "square")? I don't know what it's called, kite maybe?

Also, has anybody done a customized setting with jewelryhoo? I got an e-mail from Lee with a quote, which is reasonable. But he completely ignored the depth of the stone in his note. How do I make sure they make the setting that fits the fat asscher belly? For those of you who have done custom work with them, did the stones fit well? Also, should I ask for double prongs instead of those big fat prongs or would these be more secure?

Thanks again for all your help!

 

[T L]

Thank you all for your feedback. I couldn't find Lauren's setting, but it seems that a lot of her older pictures are not showing up, which is too bad. Lauren, if you happen to read this, could you please post a photo?

TL, thank you for pointing out that this is a Cartier replica, I did not know that. I just liked how it "neutralizes" the square shape.
I looked at the stone some more this morning, and I think I like how clear it is and that it shoots little sparkles off the sides too. So I think I'll go with prongs for this one. But if I ever get another asscher, I will definitely do a bezel as you suggested.

I have two more questions, please. Do you think orienting the stone diagonally would look more interesting (and less "square")? I don't know what it's called, kite maybe?

Also, has anybody done a customized setting with jewelryhoo? I got an e-mail from Lee with a quote, which is reasonable. But he completely ignored the depth of the stone in his note. How do I make sure they make the setting that fits the fat asscher belly? For those of you who have done custom work with them, did the stones fit well? Also, should I ask for double prongs instead of those big fat prongs or would these be more secure?

Thanks again for all your help!

I always buy customized jewelry from Lee, and what I do is I take a photo of the gem or gems in question, and put the measurements on them (vertical and horizontal) with paintbrush or the graphics software of your choice. Never had a problem. My heart shaped mint garnet setting fits like a glove. It's perfect, and it was one of his settings. Hearts are very difficult to get right. I think the photo also helped him because it shows the general shape of the stone instead of saying, "oh it's an asscher, a heart, an oval, etc. . . "

Tell him it's a deeper stone, and request longer prongs.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Just realized you asked to see the setting I have from Jewelryhoo. It's a 3.45 ct. Peridot. Here are pictures of the setting. I really hope that helps.

 

[1001smiles]

Wow, Lauren, thank you so much for posting pictures. Your collection is amazing!
Are you happy with this setting? Do you think it would look good with an asscher?
Interesting that it has some diamonds on the bridge between prongs, I haven't noticed that in the ebay listing, I am glad you posted pictures. Thank you!

 

[T L]

Hi Lauren!! Thanks for the photos.

BTW, he doesn't publish this, but he charges a $50 fee for a new mold, so if you can find a setting that already fits your stone, you'll be saving $50. It's not a lot of money for a custom piece for the additional labor, but I thought everyone should know.

 

[bleeblue]

I'm so gald someone from here snapped that baby up!

I cant wait to see how this turns out

 

[minousbijoux]

Wowza!

That is unbelievable sparkle you got there! That color will look amazing in a rose gold version of that Jewelryhoo setting. It is enough to make me want to find a spinel of similar color just to put it in rose gold. What is not to love? This is one that I cannot wait to see finished. Hurry please.

 

[1001smiles]

Thanks guys. I've been e-mailing back and forth with jewelryhoo and it's getting kind of frustrating. Lee only answers one question at a time and ignores the others and even those answers are hard to understand. And then this morning he asked me to remind him what item we are talking about... I am gettign kind of nervious that he will send me a wrong thing and then I'll have to deal with returning it to China... TL, any tricks to commincating with him easier?
Thanks!

 

[T L]

Thanks guys. I've been e-mailing back and forth with jewelryhoo and it's getting kind of frustrating. Lee only answers one question at a time and ignores the others and even those answers are hard to understand. And then this morning he asked me to remind him what item we are talking about... I am gettign kind of nervious that he will send me a wrong thing and then I'll have to deal with returning it to China... TL, any tricks to commincating with him easier?
Thanks!

Don't email him through ebay as those emails kind of get eaten by cyberspace. I email him through his email address. I would send photos of the stone on its side with a line on it specifying the depth, and a face up photo specifying the length and width. Use very basic and simple English.

ex: Please see photos. Please quote price on stone that is ?? x ?? x ?? mm in 14K white gold, size 8 for this listing.

[insert listing link here]

Thank you.

He might not be able to do the depth you need, and I have never asked him to modify the depth, so that might be an issue.

 

[1001smiles]

TL and whoever else worked with jewelryhoo, how quickly does Lee usually respond? I am getting kind of frustrated with this. I sent him photos and measurements to his e-mail over the weekend and no answer. I e-mailed through ebay yesterday and the response was "ok i will check it soon", that's it. And still nothing. Am I being too impatient here?

 

[Love in Bloom]

I know others have been satisfied with him, but I was not. I experienced similar communication issues, and even got unwarranted angry responses from him! Maybe you could see if LOGR would make this style? I have ordered from them twice and their communication was waaaaaay better.

 

[1001smiles]

I know others have been satisfied with him, but I was not. I experienced similar communication issues, and even got unwarranted angry responses from him! Maybe you could see if LOGR would make this style? I have ordered from them twice and their communication was waaaaaay better.

Thanks for the suggestion. I agree that LOGR communication is much better, I think I have more settings from them than from anybody else. But I have to say, my last setting was from an auction last month that said VS diamonds and it was not cheap at all, but the diamonds were so bad, that I just sent it back. At least their returns are easy. I just e-mailed them with a link to the listing, so we'll see what they say. Thanks!

 

[1001smiles]

Well, better late than never, the ring is finally finished. The setting is from Jewelryhoo in rose gold and upgraded diamonds. I really like the way this came out, the stone is open and sparkly in this setting, the rose gold brings out the warmer lavenderish tones in the spinel, and the swirly sides look nice with the square stone (and I don't usually like squares). Thank you all for your advice and thanks to Dana for the spinel.

 

[minousbijoux]

Wow, that stone is a chameleon, and looks great with rose gold. You're right - it really brings out the lavender in the stone! Enjoy it!

 

[NKOTB]

Looks great!!