Pale Pad E-ring

[ashleighd]

Hi everyone!

A very long time ago I asked for advice when choosing a pale pink stone for my e-ring. With a lot of luck, I ended up with the perfect stone (and the one most recommended by you guys!) from Brad at The Gem Trader.

Anyway, I just got a macro lens and some decent pictures, so I thought I should share the final outcome with those who helped me choose so long ago!



Thank you again for all of the helpful information on these boards!

 

[innerkitten]

Congratulations! It looks like a really nice ring. Very pretty delicate color. Any chance of closer pics? Where is the stone from?

 

[chrono]

Yes, more pics please WAY up close with the macro mode on. Hand shots are a must too.

InnerKitten, looks like the stone is from Brad of TGT.

 

[ashleighd]

Thanks guys! Here are a couple more pics. Still working on my macro technique, so they're not perfect. The handshot is outside in direct sunlight. The other is inside with some natural light coming in through a window.

 

[minousbijoux]

How pretty! I love the color of the gold with the color of the stone.

 

[KaeKae]

I love it. I'm actually considering a way to add pink side stones to my own ring. I would just love a pink center!

 

[chrono]

So delicate! Is that yellow gold?

 

[FrekeChild]

It's gorgeous!

 

[Euphony]

So delicate! Is that yellow gold?

I was wondering the same thing. Is it portugese (reddish-yellow) gold by any chance? Very pretty!

 

[minousbijoux]

So delicate! Is that yellow gold?

I was wondering the same thing. Is it portugese (reddish-yellow) gold by any chance? Very pretty!

Now you have me wondering too! I assumed it was yellow gold - 18K - but now I'm wondering if its not rose gold too. It truly is a great combination.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

It is so hard to photograph jewelry isn't it? lol I love your E-ring. Simple, elegant and unique. I love your pale pad, and want to congratulate you on your engagement!

 

[ashleighd]

Thank you so much for your kind words, everyone! I am constantly drooling over all of the beautiful stones posted — it's nice to finally have something of my own to show off!

It's just yellow gold! It is 14K, so that could give it a little more of an orange/copper tint. I ended up choosing 14k over 18k incase I decided to use my mom's original wedding band, which is 14k.

 

[minousbijoux]

The other benefit of 14k is that it will stand up better over time...fwiw.

 

[Euphony]

The other benefit of 14k is that it will stand up better over time...fwiw.

Most modern alloys have 14k and 18k at similar levels on the vicker's hardness scale, sometimes with 18k actually winning. The jewellery industry purposely perpetuates that belief that 18k is soft because most big chains use 14k and want to be able to claim its superiority. In truth, both are very nice and quite durable. A lot depends on the particulars of the alloy that is being used, but for anyone curious about such things, this is one of the leading suppliers of metal in North America: http://www.stuller.com/pages/51284/

If you look in the column marked "Vicker's Hardening" you will get a good idea of the relative surface hardnesses of various alloys. It gives you a real appreciation for how much alloying strengthens pure gold.

I think 14k suits this ring beautifully. It is lovely. It is not unusual for 14k to look a little reddish, which works well with a pad.

 

[minousbijoux]

The other benefit of 14k is that it will stand up better over time...fwiw.

Most modern alloys have 14k and 18k at similar levels on the vicker's hardness scale, sometimes with 18k actually winning. The jewellery industry purposely perpetuates that belief that 18k is soft because most big chains use 14k and want to be able to claim its superiority. In truth, both are very nice and quite durable. A lot depends on the particulars of the alloy that is being used, but for anyone curious about such things, this is one of the leading suppliers of metal in North America: http://www.stuller.com/pages/51284/

If you look in the column marked "Vicker's Hardening" you will get a good idea of the relative surface hardnesses of various alloys. It gives you a real appreciation for how much alloying strengthens pure gold.

I think 14k suits this ring beautifully. It is lovely. It is not unusual for 14k to look a little reddish, which works well with a pad.

Thanks for this, Euphony, I had no idea! Surprising to find this out, but makes a lot of sense.

 

[chrono]

Euphony,
I'd like to start a thread about pure and high karat gold, alloys, hardening, durability and etc and hope you have time to participate. I've always wondered why most 24K and 22K gold in Eastern Europe and Asia hold up incredibly well when they are supposedly very soft.

Ashleigh,
I would not have guessed 14k yellow. The colour is unusually tinted blush which compliments the stone very well. Do you have a band to go with it yet?

 

[ashleighd]

All this information about hardness of alloys and what not is so interesting and good to know for future reference! Hardness really didn't matter to me since I work a desk job with some portrait photography thrown in. Shouldn't get bumped around too much.

I ended up going with 14k because I may use my mom's original wedding band for my wedding band and hers is 14k. I really love the idea of using hers, but it is mostly gold with a tiny row of melee and I think my stone blends into it too much. I'll have to get a picture later to show you guys and see what you think.

I tried it one with another one of her rings that was just a row of small diamonds and I loved how it made the color of the stone pop. So I'm thinking a half eternity pave or something similar. I also love bands with milgrain but I want to make sure I get something I won't get sick of... hence my decision to have my sapphire set in a solitaire setting... I just couldn't decide!

 

[Euphony]

Euphony,
I'd like to start a thread about pure and high karat gold, alloys, hardening, durability and etc and hope you have time to participate. I've always wondered why most 24K and 22K gold in Eastern Europe and Asia hold up incredibly well when they are supposedly very soft.

I forgot to reply, but I am always up for talking about gold. Metal properties are every bit as fascinating to me as gemstones, so just point me in the right direction if it ends up in a different sub-forum.

 

[chrono]

I shall start it later today if I have time. I wish I could put it in CS but it ought to be under Jewellery Pieces, I suppose.