Opal Setting Help Needed

[bright&shiny]

So, this should be the final request for help. After several iterations and nothing really making my heart sing, DH found this inspiration photo that we both love. Not exactly the plain setting I'd originally imagined, but as I said, it makes my heart sing :



To his never ending credit, KDJ responded with yet another iteration for me. Here are the CADS:




Here's the problem, I'm a CAD novice. I'm having a hard time determining if this is as delicate as the inspiration piece. I think the shank outer pieces look very straight comparatively.
I'd asked if the 'rabbit ears' on the inspiration piece could be re-imagined as lotus shapes, but he seems to have moved them to the prongs.

Any thoughts? I am uncertain of melee sizes, etc... but I love this new direction. I'd welcome your learned feedback greatly! Can't wait to get this going - big surgery coming up next week so this would give me something to look forward to while I'm recovering.

 

[ShinyPink]

I'm awful, too. Just wanted to say this is going to be GORGEOUS!!!!!

 

[T L]

I would pick out melee colored gems that highlight the opal colors, like green and/or pink.

 

[bright&shiny]

@MrsKMB Thank you! I am so exited

 

[bright&shiny]

I would pick out melee colored gems that highlight the opal colors, like green and/or pink.

Great idea. I have some beautiful 2 pointers. Will have to see if they will work.

 

[T L]

Great idea. I have some beautiful 2 pointers. Will have to see if they will work.

I saw this on Instagram yesterday. I often save photos for inspiration. It’s a black opal, but colored melee look great with any kind of opal.

 

[bright&shiny]

@T L what A beautiful example! Thank you!

 

[bright&shiny]

@Rfisher, I loved your thoughts on @meely ’s CADs. Also, @mrs-b , your advice on several CAD designs have been very informative. Can I impose on you for your CAD opinions? My concerns are the straight outer shanks, the delicacy of the design (perhaps not as delicate as the inspiration piece?), the shank design (rabbit ears vs lotus flower), curvature - or lack therof- of the prongs - I assume that’s a limitation of the program being used). Also melee size. It will be in yellow gold. I’m sure there’s much more to consider, but this is my first completely custom designed ring. Everything else I’ve been with the jeweler and able to discuss in person. No CADs.

all that said, I’m so excited! I appreciate your attention and any input!

 

[bright&shiny]

@Niel may I prevail upon your cad expertise?

 

[Rfisher]

pretty inspiration!!

I think you are correct in the prongs not being curved, due to the program, but it’s better to ask/confirm.
the melee size- my suggestion is to go thru @elle_71125 threads that show her cads and finished products - a few of her rings I think apply that could show you melee size in shoulder designs that would help you decide by seeing the cad vs finished photos.


ETA
Have you seen Platnumrock’s moonstone version from DanielM?

 

[arkieb1]

Tagging @Niel to look as well she's always amazing with CADS.....

 

[Rfisher]

Here’s a version with smaller melee


I bring up looking at previous CADs vs finished photos to get a sense of what to expect in the translation.

expecting melee to look bigger or smaller, once it’s on your finger - I think it’s somewhat easy to be surprised on.

 

[elle_71125]

I absolutely love your inspiration photo. The little flowers on top holding the stone in is just so perfect and feminine.

As for the cad concerns, do you mean the way the shank connects to the head is too straight? If so, I agree. I think it could swoop more. I wasn’t totally sure I understood the bunny ears to lotus thing but I think you meant the two “petals” on the shoulders. Right? I tried to change the shape of them a little (don’t judge to harshly...I’m no pro ).

 

[bright&shiny]

Thank you so much fir all your replies. I’ve just returned from the doctor - and it looks like I’ll have plenty of time to review all your excellent comments and thread suggestions. I’ll start tomorrow when my head is clearer. I can’t thank you enough for your time and input! Puppy is for cuteness.

 

[Niel]

I would modify the curls between the fleur de lis so they seem more deliberate.

 

[Niel]

Hopefully this makes sense but
I think the lines/bars on either side of the shank detail are too straight and the curve doesn’t look fluid. It looks stiff. I think to solve that i would make the bars straight up until about halfway up the shank and then have the curve begin half way up the detail and have the curve more exaggerated.
Please tell me if that makes any sense.

 

[Niel]

Also I agree with the previous poster who suggested making sure the fleurs are folded down so they don’t catch on anything.

 

[Niel]

pretty inspiration!!

I think you are correct in the prongs not being curved, due to the program, but it’s better to ask/confirm.
the melee size- my suggestion is to go thru @elle_71125 threads that show her cads and finished products - a few of her rings I think apply that could show you melee size in shoulder designs that would help you decide by seeing the cad vs finished photos.


ETA
Have you seen Platnumrock’s moonstone version from DanielM?

In regards to the design change- are you looking to sharpen the cad and keep the bones of the original design or looking for design suggestions?

 

[MjK1]

Oh wow, what happened? Hope you will be ok!
Puppy is adorable *smoochy puppy noises*
Healing good wishes...

 

[elle_71125]

Just throwing some ideas in there. Full lotus style (or at least my best attempt at one).



I agree with other posters. I think the tips should be curved in towards the gem, as they are in your inspo pic. Also, is it just me or does that center one look just a smidge shorter than the others? It’s probably me...I need to go to sleep.


Perhaps I just have a love for symmetry but I would like to see the swirls swooping in the same directions (especially on the section where the shoulder meets).

 

[elle_71125]

I LOVE your pup! My hubs and I have two Papillons but we don’t see a lot of other people with them. Such cute dogs.

 

[bright&shiny]

pretty inspiration!!

I think you are correct in the prongs not being curved, due to the program, but it’s better to ask/confirm.
the melee size- my suggestion is to go thru @elle_71125 threads that show her cads and finished products - a few of her rings I think apply that could show you melee size in shoulder designs that would help you decide by seeing the cad vs finished photos.


ETA
Have you seen Platnumrock’s moonstone version from DanielM?

@Rfisher I love your addition of the lotus in the shank - that's exactly what I meant. I also love the idea of making the shank detail flush - it's going to be uncomfortable otherwise, I think. Thank you so much - I am love your suggestions and observations!

 

[bright&shiny]

Here’s a version with smaller melee


I bring up looking at previous CADs vs finished photos to get a sense of what to expect in the translation.

expecting melee to look bigger or smaller, once it’s on your finger - I think it’s somewhat easy to be surprised on.

It's a great suggestion - I'm on to her threads next!

 

[bright&shiny]

I absolutely love your inspiration photo. The little flowers on top holding the stone in is just so perfect and feminine.

As for the cad concerns, do you mean the way the shank connects to the head is too straight? If so, I agree. I think it could swoop more. I wasn’t totally sure I understood the bunny ears to lotus thing but I think you meant the two “petals” on the shoulders. Right? I tried to change the shape of them a little (don’t judge to harshly...I’m no pro ).

@elle_71125 Isn't that a great inspiration? I love the femininity of it, too.

You've got the shank concern right - and I love your sketch. The rabbit ears are indeed the petals on the shoulders - once I saw the rabbit shape, I couldn't unsee it LOL. I love the reshaping you did of the petals - it flows so much better! Thank you again - your threads are really helping me determine how to evaluate this design more thoroughly.

 

[bright&shiny]

I would modify the curls between the fleur de lis so they seem more deliberate.

@Niel that's a great suggestion - thank you so much for your time and suggestion!

 

[bright&shiny]

Hopefully this makes sense but
I think the lines/bars on either side of the shank detail are too straight and the curve doesn’t look fluid. It looks stiff. I think to solve that i would make the bars straight up until about halfway up the shank and then have the curve begin half way up the detail and have the curve more exaggerated.
Please tell me if that makes any sense.

This makes perfect sense and exactly what I was trying to say. Thank you for interpreting so well!

 

[bright&shiny]

In regards to the design change- are you looking to sharpen the cad and keep the bones of the original design or looking for design suggestions?

I think sharpening the CAD design is what I'd like to do. I started with a very plain design request, but it just didn't work for me in the end. DKJ has done a few iterations and I think this is finally the right direction for this stone. With that said, was there something else you had in mind? It never hurts to look or consider....

 

[bright&shiny]

Oh wow, what happened? Hope you will be ok!
Puppy is adorable *smoochy puppy noises*
Healing good wishes...

Thank you so much @MjK1! I ruptured my quad tendon two years ago and it hasn't healed well at all. So that leg is scheduled for an attempted surgical improvement next week (so another year of recovery...). Thursday, something heavy dropped on my other foot and may have fractured it. That is the foot that will be supporting me for the next few months as the other leg recovers... So I'm trying to rest and wear the boot so they let me have the surgery as scheduled..... Who knew?

The puppy is a wonderful nurse - I am really grateful for your good wishes. I obviously need them

 

[bright&shiny]

Just throwing some ideas in there. Full lotus style (or at least my best attempt at one).



I agree with other posters. I think the tips should be curved in towards the gem, as they are in your inspo pic. Also, is it just me or does that center one look just a smidge shorter than the others? It’s probably me...I need to go to sleep.


Perhaps I just have a love for symmetry but I would like to see the swirls swooping in the same directions (especially on the section where the shoulder meets).

I think you may have just completed the design - I LOVE it! That really feels like the direction I want to go. I'm so glad you noticed the difference in height. I'll ask DKJ to clarify. Thank you so much!

 

[bright&shiny]

I LOVE your pup! My hubs and I have two Papillons but we don’t see a lot of other people with them. Such cute dogs.

Thank you - she will be a year old on the 25th - and is such a great creature! Our first pap passed away and I was bereft - DH insisted we get another and I'm so happy we did. We don't have many around here either - but we are going to look for a second if/when my leg heals up. Are yours related? How about difference in ages? They are so clever and funny!