Please help me choose the next stone to set...

[Autumn in New England]

Hi friends,

I just had a ring made (click), so it will be a while before I embark on another (I need to replenish the disposable income... ). But I like to know which I'm doing next, that way I can play with the design at my leisure. I have quite a few in the queue, so I have to be judicious. I have narrowed it down to the following 4. Please let me know which, if any, you'd like to see set next. They are in the order that I'm favoring at the moment.

Thank you!
Autumn


1. Garnet:



2. Spinel:



3. Emerald:



Opal:

 

[Starstruck8]

That's a good problem to have...

My choice would be: (1) the opal, because it's big and spectacular and I'd like to see what you do with a stone that's more 'random' than typical faceted stones; (2) the garnet, because the cut is special and I love orange and you do err... autumn colours so well; (3) the spinel - it's such a perfect example, but more conventional; (4) the emerald - beautifully clean, bright and strongly coloured, but again conventional.

Then again, it might be interesting to see what you make of the more conventional stones.

But truly, I am not worthy to comment. I'm awestruck by all your wonderful creations.

 

[winnietucker]

How does one even choose when these are the options?

 

[Autumn in New England]

That's a good problem to have...

My choice would be: (1) the opal, because it's big and spectacular and I'd like to see what you do with a stone that's more 'random' than typical faceted stones; (2) the garnet, because the cut is special and I love orange and you do err... autumn colours so well; (3) the spinel - it's such a perfect example, but more conventional; (4) the emerald - beautifully clean, bright and strongly coloured, but again conventional.

Then again, it might be interesting to see what you make of the more conventional stones.

But truly, I am not worthy to comment. I'm awestruck by all your wonderful creations.

I love that you put them in order and shared your reasoning! That was tremendously helpful. I do have something special planned for the opal... and it took me a long time to source the accent stones. Thank you!!

P.S. What?! You have impeccable taste and one of the finest men's collections I've seen!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

What does your ring collection look like now? What is missing?

 

[Autumn in New England]

How does one even choose when these are the options?

Aww that's kind of you to say! They'll all be set eventually (provided I don't go broke in the meantime), so it's really just a matter of who's next. I was leaning towards the garnet, but now Star has me considering the opal. Anyway, I normally rush through this process, but I'm trying to take a cue from other PSers and enjoy it more. lol

 

[Autumn in New England]

What does your ring collection look like now? What is missing?

I love this question, and it's the right one, because that's how I narrowed it down to these 4. I actually have relatively few gems set compared to how many I have loose. So I currently have zero of each of the first 3 colors set (nothing in orange, red, or green). And then I guess the 4th (opal) is kind of in its own category. Another color I have zero of in a finished piece is pink, so there's that. I'm definitely trying to round it out.

 

[LilAlex]

Those are all amazing!

I guess I'll kick things off.

I forget where I saw this but for the garnet you could maybe do something like this:

 

[Odyssey44]

What does your ring collection look like now? What is missing?

I was going to say the same thing as Dreamer. I would go by what color will fill a hole in jewelry I need to match my wardrobe. If there is tie I would break it by setting the more expensive stone.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I do love that emerald. I don’t think I’ve seen that shape or color from you yet?

 

[Autumn in New England]

Those are all amazing!

I guess I'll kick things off.

I forget where I saw this but for the garnet you could maybe do something like this:

Yeah, some idiot is droning on and on about that thing on another thread.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I was going to say the same thing as Dreamer. I would go by what color will fill a hole in jewelry I need to match my wardrobe. If there is tie I would break it by setting the more expensive stone.

Indeed... thank you!

I do love that emerald. I don’t think I’ve seen that shape or color from you yet?

My grape garnet is an emerald cut, but the mounting would be quite different. I definitely don't have anything green set yet though. The only thing about her is she's just 2ct. At the time, I knew I wanted something really fine from George Smith, but my budget wasn't great because of other purchases. So I had to compromise on size.

I wish I'd saved for something a little larger. Luckily beryl is spready, so she is still a respectable size (8.5 x 7.5mm, I believe).

 

[Avondale]

I love spessartites. Luuuuuuuurve them! My close second favourite after blue sapphires. And since the choice here has nothing to do with logic or reasoning, I'm going with what I love the most, which is the spessartite. Amazing stones. They just don't quit and you'll have a bright, eye catching fireball on your finger that'll have you saying "hey, my eyes are up here" several times a day.

Do the spess next.

But also, I wouldn't regret it to see that opal in a ring.

 

[toomuchB]

IIRC you were thinking of saving the red spinel for potentially a toi et moi with a similar sized cobalt you have?

Any other stones you'd consider setting together (not necessarily from these), or do you want them all solo? Worth thinking about to have a 2-in-1.

My immediate thought is the opal if I had to pick!

 

[Saphir]

1. Garnet 2. Emerald 3. Spinel
I would pick the Garnet, Color is good, Cut is great one of my favorite Cuts. Orange is one of my favorite colors in gemstones, after pinkish red and bluish green.
Im not really a fan of the cut from the Spinel, has the Spinel the same cut like this garnet i would pick the Spinel first.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Indeed... thank you!



My grape garnet is an emerald cut, but the mounting would be quite different. I definitely don't have anything green set yet though. The only thing about her is she's just 2ct. At the time, I knew I wanted something really fine from George Smith, but my budget wasn't great because of other purchases. So I had to compromise on size.

I wish I'd saved for something a little larger. Luckily beryl is spready, so she is still a respectable size (8.5 x 7.5mm, I believe).

You crack me up!!! For me that is the perfect size but I like to WEAR my rings not display them in a case as I’ve heard you do with all your masterpieces

2ct is the perfect size IMO for a three stone. I would pair that emerald with a couple of emerald cut gems in a bold contrast. It isn’t your usual style though, as I would do it in a sleek design that let the gems stand out. But you could halo the whole shebang!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I love spessartites. Luuuuuuuurve them! My close second favourite after blue sapphires. And since the choice here has nothing to do with logic or reasoning, I'm going with what I love the most, which is the spessartite. Amazing stones. They just don't quit and you'll have a bright, eye catching fireball on your finger that'll have you saying "hey, my eyes are up here" several times a day.

Do the spess next.

But also, I wouldn't regret it to see that opal in a ring.

You are really making me want a does even though orange is not a color I usually gravitate towards!

 

[dk168]

I voted for the Emerald, the Spinel would be my second choice, then the Opal, and the Garnet would be last.

DK

 

[Niel]

I wouldn’t limit yourself by selecting a stone and trying to find a setting you like for it. Wait til you see a setting you like and see which stone fits the design best.

 

[Rfisher]

Tank /bombe ring for the spinel or emerald.

 

[Autumn in New England]

IIRC you were thinking of saving the red spinel for potentially a toi et moi with a similar sized cobalt you have?

Any other stones you'd consider setting together (not necessarily from these), or do you want them all solo? Worth thinking about to have a 2-in-1.

My immediate thought is the opal if I had to pick!

Good memory! Yes, I had originally considered setting the red and cobalt spinels together, but have since abandoned that idea. Although I am still planning on setting the red with some accent stones. I do have some other toi et moi pieces planned though!

 

[Autumn in New England]

1. Garnet 2. Emerald 3. Spinel
I would pick the Garnet, Color is good, Cut is great one of my favorite Cuts. Orange is one of my favorite colors in gemstones, after pinkish red and bluish green.
Im not really a fan of the cut from the Spinel, has the Spinel the same cut like this garnet i would pick the Spinel first.

Yes, the garnet is precision and the spinel is native. Doesn't have a window, but the cut is just ok. I'm still leaning towards the garnet next, but the emerald seems to be ahead in the poll.

 

[Autumn in New England]

You crack me up!!! For me that is the perfect size but I like to WEAR my rings not display them in a case as I’ve heard you do with all your masterpieces

2ct is the perfect size IMO for a three stone. I would pair that emerald with a couple of emerald cut gems in a bold contrast. It isn’t your usual style though, as I would do it in a sleek design that let the gems stand out. But you could halo the whole shebang!

lol! Most of my gems are in the 2-3ct. range, so I don't know what I'm on about anyway. The pad is one of my largest! I wish they were all @mellowyellowgirl size.

I definitely have some 3 and 5 stones rings in the works, so that's a great idea! I'm one of those people who has to resist the urge to halo everything.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I love spessartites. Luuuuuuuurve them! My close second favourite after blue sapphires. And since the choice here has nothing to do with logic or reasoning, I'm going with what I love the most, which is the spessartite. Amazing stones. They just don't quit and you'll have a bright, eye catching fireball on your finger that'll have you saying "hey, my eyes are up here" several times a day.

Do the spess next.

But also, I wouldn't regret it to see that opal in a ring.

I've always said every shade of orange is my favorite color (which is why I chose a "sunset" pad). I'm still leaning in the spess direction! Although @Dreamer_D has me seriously considering the emerald too.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I voted for the Emerald, the Spinel would be my second choice, then the Opal, and the Garnet would be last.

DK

Thank you for assisting!

I wouldn’t limit yourself by selecting a stone and trying to find a setting you like for it. Wait til you see a setting you like and see which stone fits the design best.

That's an interesting way to decide... I may go though my inspo folder and see what speaks to me.

 

[Avondale]

You are really making me want a does even though orange is not a color I usually gravitate towards!

Imma start tagging you every time I see a nice spess for sale.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Tank /bombe ring for the spinel or emerald.

I'm embarrassed to admit I had to look up those styles. lol I agree... nice for the spinel especially!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Imma start tagging you every time I see a nice spess for sale.

Did you see @LC2016's recent acquisition? It's a large asscher that blew my mind.

 

[2Neesers]

You have the most beautiful stones to choose from!! I voted for the Mandarin Garnet, but it was a tie between that one and the black opal for me. I would love to see the amazing setting you come up with for the black opal!

 

[seaurchin]

The spinel! Because red!!! That is all. :p