Please help me find a setting

[pregcurious]

I am looking for a setting in which the stone is prong set, but has a metal ring around the girdle of the stone so it almost looks bezel set from the top. I cannot find a picture of one. Can anyone help me?

 

[FrekeChild]

Maybe these will help?

 

[pregcurious]

Yes, like the first one, but on a ring. Thank you, Frekechild!

Does anyone have a pic of ring like this from the top and side (to show the gallery)? I am thinking of getting a ring modified and need a pic to show the jeweler.

 

[chrono]

Why is it done this way? Extra security in holding the stone? So the bezel can be thinner and not cover up too much of the stone?

 

[pregcurious]

Hi Chrono, there are a lot of older settings that are done this way, but I'm not sure why. If the bezel part is fully closed (I cannot tell in the first instance, but it probably is closed in the second), I think it might be made this way because it is easier to secure a stone with prongs than a bezel. That way you get the look of a bezel, without the full work of setting a stone in a bezel.

In contrast, I am looking for a prong setting that only looks like a bezel from the top. I like it because fully closed bezels look chunky to me in some settings (in others they look great.) I also like looking at the side of a stone, but like the framing of a bezel from the top.

I am thinking of modifying the ring you see in my avatar and putting in a larger stone with a different head. (My jeweler said he could make a new head to fit a 7 mm diameter stone. It is currently hold a half carat diamond.) I think a gold bezel would be more consistent with the modern look of the rest of the ring. I am trying to choose between a cushion yellow sapphire, or something green. (I like the way yellow and green look in yellow gold.) Basically, I dislike this setting and am trying to reuse it somehow. I am open to suggestions.

 

[innerkitten]

I think it's just done for the look of it. Also it's easier then building a basket if it's done by hand. I'm trying to learn how to do prongs and made a ring with a similar design. Now I'm trying to make a regular basket by hand and it's all over the place.

 

[innerkitten]

Also the bezel part isn't holding the stone at all. It's usually pretty shallow and just a seat. The prongs do the work.

 

[pregcurious]

Does anyone have a picture of the jbEG setting with the metal, textured halo? I think it's called the Linda, or Lisa? I would be happy with that kind of head on a ring also.

Basically, I am looking for something that looks like a bezel from the top, but is open like a prong head from the side.

 

[FrekeChild]

Why can't you just sell it and start over? If you dislike the setting now, it's not likely to change much with a new head? What is it that you dislike so much?

 

[pregcurious]

I'm not in love with it because I think it would look much better with a modern head that bezels the stone. I was going for something like the Tiffany Etoile, but with a less bulky head, so I picked a prong head. Now that I've had for a few years, I realize I want the look of the bezel without the visual weight. That's the short version of the story.

The longer version is that I also have a WG eternity ring that I got for an anniversary. My plan is to wear it as part of a new WG wedding set; I will take the center diamond from the YG ring, and put it in a WG graduated five stone (more finger-coverage) to wear with the anniversary band. This gives me the opportunity to put a new stone in the YG ring (bigger one because I have major DSS), and I thought I might as well improve the head while I am already getting a new head made. I am leaning towards buying a yellow sapphire, or even a warm rose-cut diamond for the new version of the YG ring, and I think it would look nice with a YG bezel.

 

[pregcurious]

Freakchild, I am basically thinking of something like that looks like this from the top, but with my band:

 

[chrono]

Ah, so the bezel is purely decorative, not functional. Is this even doable on your setting? Will such a change void all workmanship guarantees?

 

[pregcurious]

Good questions, Chrono. This ring was originally made by a vendor who told me it was impossible to modify it to its current state. I brought it to Quest Jewelers, and they fabricated the new head, and seemlessly attached it to the shoulders with their laser welder. Therefore, no warranty issues anymore because I already voided them (and I would never work with the original vendor again). Also, Quest said they can change out the head again if I need further changes. (I heart Quest.)

I believe it is possible to add the metal band or even a bezel, based on the head on the Lynda setting (yeah I found it!). The head is very similar to mine, except it has a band around the top (metal halo), instead of a "U" shape like my ring on each "side" of the head. The more I think about it, I would prefer a true bezel like the Lynda.

Aesthetically, what do you PSers think of bezel/prong head for my ring, with a cushion ~7 mm yellow sapphire? It currently holds a half carat diamond.

 

[chrono]

Can you please post a magnified picture of your setting so I can try to visualize the new head onto it? Also, I can't see the prongs in the new pics.

 

[chel180]

daniel m did a pendant like that- with a bezel and prongs.
http://www.etsy.com/transaction/46033074

 

[pregcurious]

Thanks for your interest, ladies. Here is a close shot of my ring.

It has a brushed finish now (unlike in the pic), which makes the diamonds really pop, the YG look very mellow, and it looks much more "now". (I have an issue with bright YG reminding me of the 80s, but that is my own personal issue.)

Imagine this with a larger stone (~7 mm versus 5.1 mm). I am set on the larger stone. I am not decided on the head, or the exact stone (cushion yellow sapphire OR round rose cut diamond?). Any input is welcome.

 

[pregcurious]

Chel, thank you for that! I will post pics here to help visualize with the ring above.

 

[chrono]

So the only thing holding the "basket" to the rest of the ring is this super thin strip of gold around the girdle of the stone, pronged to hold the stone. Is this strip strong enough so that a simple bump isn't going to rip the whole "basket" off? I'm concerned that this design may not be structurally sound. I know it's not a basket but don't know what else to call it.

 

[Upgradable]

Thanks for your interest, ladies. Here is a close shot of my ring.

It has a brushed finish now (unlike in the pic), which makes the diamonds really pop, the YG look very mellow, and it looks much more "now". (I have an issue with bright YG reminding me of the 80s, but that is my own personal issue.)

Imagine this with a larger stone (~7 mm versus 5.1 mm). I am set on the larger stone. I am not decided on the head, or the exact stone (cushion yellow sapphire OR round rose cut diamond?). Any input is welcome.

Great idea!! I like the modern concept of that mounting with an unexpected head. Keep this project alive. I think we could help you come up with some great ideas.

As for a new stone, I personally wouldn't choose a yellow sapphire. I think it would be lost due to the similar color. I do LOVE the idea of the rose cut diamond though.

 

[pregcurious]

Good point, Chrono. In addition to have more metal overall than the pendant setting, the basket will also probably have to have some type of structural pieces on the side. On the jbEG Lynda head they use a curly element, but I would want something more modern and geometric.

Uppy, thanks for your post. This is the project that started my interest in Pricescope. I keep on working on this project (and actually did the new setting, and then the new head), but I'm kind of stuck right now. I don't want to give up on the setting b/c my wedding ring is YG and it's very close to what I like in YG. My taste for WG is traditional and blingy, but with YG, I want it to exude warmth and smoothness. I've considered a green stone because it's the other stone I like in YG, but I think I might get tired of it. Hence, I default to diamond.

I would also consider a white sapphire to save on $, and b/c I don't feel like I need another diamond. Has anyone seen a cushion cut white sapphire in person?

Again, any suggestions are welcome.

 

[Upgradable]

Here's the SingleStone ring I was looking for. What about a cushion bezel?

 

[Upgradable]

Freke, where did that first pendant come from? It is beautiful!

 

[pregcurious]

Thank you, Uppy! Do you have a picture of the gallery? I am trying to figure out how the basket is made, structurally.

 

[Upgradable]

It was Coati's ring and I do not have a side picture. But I had an "inspired by" setting made. There isn't a basket, but more a cup, thick and solid, with a cut off bottom to clean.

 

[pregcurious]

Uppy, do you a thread for your ring? I remember Coati's ring from another thread but that's all I remember.

I love the look, and something I've realized about my YG setting is that I should embrace the YG and go towards bold/chunky, or at least away from the WG delicate prongs that are currently on the ring. I love the lines of Coati's ring, and wish I had the aesthetic sense to figure out what type of head would look good with my shank.

 

[Upgradable]

I can't find one.

 

[Upgradable]

This looks rather cool.

 

[pregcurious]

Interesting...based on the Adwar setting, I could make the bezel portion heavier, and maybe avoid cross-bracing in the basket. I will have to ask what is possible. I think some chunkiness in the bezel from the side would complement the rest of the ring. I think I want the bezel part from the top to not be too heavy. I am probably going to have to draw some pictures instead of verbally conveying this. Drat. I dislike doing complicated customs settings--that why I'm in the conundrum in the first place. Thank you, Uppy for the inspiration!

 

[corundum_conundrum]

If you wanted to go with a white sapphire, a tinted yellow or green might be fun. You still get a lot of the savings, and a touch of color to keep it interesting!

 

[packrat]

I have this pic saved.

ETA I don't know who the ring belongs to, tho I did get the pic from here.