Please help me set my round blue sapphire ering

[Niel]

I like the sides of those studs. i like that it gives off a HUGE feel to it.


BUT, if you wanted to get smaller stones, id probably get D-E colored ones. I like colorless stones best when they are with a lovely sapphire, like yours.

Thank you so much, Niel. Huge is always good in my book.

Who would you have set it?

i was going to say SK as well. I, just like Dreamer, was thinking SB's three stone is perfection. Plus, all of his three stones are. If i was doing a three stone, it would be from him ( and in yellow gold )

Well Niel, you know I'm your yellow gold loving sister in bling. I adore it. But for this piece I want platinum so I can wear my original platinum wedding band with it.

But when I win the lotto I'll be buying a big MRB and putting it in a YG Sholdt semi bezel. Mmmmmm!

understandable. I probably just like the idea because your sapphire looks most beautiful in that one picture with the YG.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I thought most of us thought the setting he made Yssie was magnificent before she said it wasn't exactly what she wanted and asked him to alter it (which he later said he never should have done because it couldn't be altered well). So I would still have no hesitation to use Victor for a ring like this, because I thought the ring pictured above was gorgeous when it was originally made...

This is off topic and I don't want us to open a can of worms, but I just want to clarify my reasons: Beyond my personal feelings and interpretation of the situation with Yssie, which I see differently that your quote above, I would not ask VC to make this ring because he does not routinely make rings of this style as far as I have seen, and has not made a three-stone version that I have seen, and I prefer to use a vendor who has made EXACTLY what I want before. SK did make exactly what Rose wants for SB (height is a small tweak), and by all accounts and by all macro images it is perfect, so he is the safer bet in my opinion. I have also been very impressed with his policies and customer service with picky PSers, Charmy has nothing but good things to say about him.

No can of worms! RoseBloom was the one who posted the ring by Victor, and I assumed she must have liked something about it to have posted it. I think it is gorgeous. I totally agree that it is safest to use someone who has made closest to the exact ring, and would I feel confident in using Steven for this project and said so in my original post. I think she wants a little different design than SB's since she wants a 6 prong version more like the WF design, but again, I think Steven will do a great job!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I thought most of us thought the setting he made Yssie was magnificent before she said it wasn't exactly what she wanted and asked him to alter it (which he later said he never should have done because it couldn't be altered well). So I would still have no hesitation to use Victor for a ring like this, because I thought the ring pictured above was gorgeous when it was originally made...

This is off topic and I don't want us to open a can of worms, but I just want to clarify my reasons: Beyond my personal feelings and interpretation of the situation with Yssie, which I see differently that your quote above, I would not ask VC to make this ring because he does not routinely make rings of this style as far as I have seen, and has not made a three-stone version that I have seen, and I prefer to use a vendor who has made EXACTLY what I want before. SK did make exactly what Rose wants for SB (height is a small tweak), and by all accounts and by all macro images it is perfect, so he is the safer bet in my opinion. I have also been very impressed with his policies and customer service with picky PSers, Charmy has nothing but good things to say about him.

No can of worms! RoseBloom was the one who posted the ring by Victor, and I assumed she must have liked something about it to have posted it. I think it is gorgeous. I totally agree that it is safest to use someone who has made closest to the exact ring, and would I feel confident in using Steven for this project and said so in my original post. I think she wants a little different design than SB's since she wants a 6 prong version more like the WF design, but again, I think Steven will do a great job!

Yes, I just noticed the 6-prong thing... that means its a new design for him and that might make me a little nervous! Of course, that is why I have never commissioned a custom piece!

I think the WF butterflies is really nice, personally, and the prongs can't really be seen in person anyways. That is what I would go with myself! But I am risk-averse.

 

[Rosebloom]

My challenge is going to be to figure out how risk adverse I am! My first step will be to call Steven tomorrow and get a sense of his take on this project. I've already had several conversations with Whiteflash. I admit I love the idea of having a CAD to review before the ring is completed. But I've also never seen a SK ring I didn't like. These are tough (and fun) choices!

 

[rocks]

I have a 2.55ct sapphire measuring 8.2mm that is set into a 3stone ring with ideal (xxx) .60 each fvs2's. Perfect proportions IMO!

 

[marcy]

Gorgeous sapphire and your ring will be beautiful. I think even 4mm sides would look good but the 5mm and your earrings will look great as well. I don't see how you can go wrong with any side stones. I can't wait to see your finished ring.

Thank you Marcy!! Some day I want half as many gorgeous rings as you have. I love your collection.

Thanks. PS has given me a jewelry "problem". Ha ha. My all time favorite gem is blue sapphire and yours is gorgeous. I cannot wait to see your finished ring.

 

[mochiko42]

That is an amazing sapphire. Gorgeous rich blue color!

I also have a round sapphire ering , if you want to see pics of sapphire in solitaire settings :

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/color-change-sapphire-engagement-ring.194042/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/color-change-sapphire-engagement-ring.194042/[/URL]

 

[woofmama]

Hi Rosebloom

I'm late to the party on this thread and think you've gotten some wonderful ideas from all who have participated.
Just want to add I also think using your stud stones is an excellent idea! They look perfect in the pictures you've posted.
Also think SK would be a go-to vendor to make your ring. Interested to hear what your thoughts are after you speak with him.

I'm so happy for you! That sapphire is stunning and this ring will be a masterpiece, I'm sure!

 

[yssie]

Oooooh congrats on your sapphire!!! I just hunted down your thread in CS and it's GORGEOUS - that's my absolute favourite colour for a sapphire, it looks like it came out of a fairy tale - just light enough to be bright and eye-catching, just dark enough to be handsome and mysterious you must be thrilled!! And OMG, I'm completely flattered that you like the same curvy styles I've fallen in love with!


So... adding my thoughts to the mix...


I do think the differences between cast and handforged are noticeable, but I don't think they're as obvious as with say pave where you really visually benefit from a minimal-metal look. To be completely honest depending on what you value most I wouldn't necessarily even say that handforged is better than cast, assuming you choose someone with an exemplary bench. Handforging permits a perfect finish on all exterior and interior surfaces and allows for those super delicate pointy prongs, both of which I appreciate, but handforging this sort of setting that involves cutting and curving bits of wire means that graduation in thickness along a single length of wire - which is something I took for granted with Butterflies - isn't possible. A long time ago Leon made a trellis-esque three-stone wherein he addressed that last by changing the guage of the wire he used for the center basket vs. side baskets and it worked very well IMO -




Do you mind if I ask what exactly you love about claw prongs? Since wire is more dense than cast metal handforged claws can be thinner and more delicate but still strong, but if what you particularly like is a precise point and you don't necessarily object to larger/thicker/heftier prongs so long as they're precisely pointed, you can get pretty good results with casting IMO. IIRC my Butteflies was made relatively soon after WF transitioned to "claw prongs" and so those pics aren't great examples of what WF and other vendors can do these days I think - claw prongs can definitely be more precisely pointy than in that pic! They still won't look like handforged claws though (well, they shouldn't, anyway - a couple of recent pieces with frighteningly dainty cast claw prongs by IDJ come first to mind)

BGD


WF


JbEG


OWD



Well, I'm rambling. I'm (honestly!) not trying to saw you one way or another, I just think it can be easy to overlook some of the pros and cons of both methods of manufacture and having BTDT I wanted to share my thoughts!


Vendor. For handforged - SK, LM, or DBL, no question. Personally I'd narrow it further to SK and DBL just to be sure to avoid any possibility of drama. I don't want to derail your thread but I do want to address one topic since it's already come up: comparing photos can be something of a risky venture, especially when the photographer is someone like me who takes over five hundred photos and picks the most flattering fifteen to present! Given what you've shared about your aesthetic preferences I can't recommend VC: as Dreamer noted this type of setting is not a staple in his portfolio whereas SK and LM have consistently demonstrated expertise with it. IRL my VC is more discontinuous, the design elements are more disparate, and it lacks the seamless fluidity that I see in my DBL and that I have come to expect from SK and LM, from Mark Morrell's cast work, etc. With the benefit of several months' hindsight I'm inclined to peg it as a fundamental difference in *vision* - my eyes (and yours, I think) prefer the molten, flowing metal look other vendors excel at. A disclaimer here - SB's SK OEC three-stone is my absolute favourite handforged three-stone setting I think he blew every expectation out of the water with that one!! Though if you want engraving I have to say that VC's engraver does THE BEST work I have ever seen, no comparison.

ITA with Dreamer and DS re. using your studs as sidestones! They're the perfect size I agree with Dreamer, with all-diamond rings you sometimes have to play with the proportions differently to highlight the main stone but your sapphire already takes centre stage, no worries on blending in too much or anything like that!

I just sent you an email

 

[Dee*Jay]

I think the studs are a great size with the sapphire! And my inclination would be to go with the more delicate setting. What a beautiful ring this is going to be!

Thanks Dee!!! This is all totally your fault. When I tried on your freaking amazing sapphire three stone I knew I desperately wanted to upgrade mine! So thank you for showing me how good it can get!

Rut ro! I'm sorry to have contributed to this "problem," but I am thrilled to be a part of the *solution*!

(For what it's worth, the side diamonds on my three stone ring are pretty large proportionally too and I just love them!)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I have a 2.55ct sapphire measuring 8.2mm that is set into a 3stone ring with ideal (xxx) .60 each fvs2's. Perfect proportions IMO!

That is amazing! Can you post pictures? It would probably help her to see those proportions already in a setting!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think the studs are a great size with the sapphire! And my inclination would be to go with the more delicate setting. What a beautiful ring this is going to be!

Thanks Dee!!! This is all totally your fault. When I tried on your freaking amazing sapphire three stone I knew I desperately wanted to upgrade mine! So thank you for showing me how good it can get!

Rut ro! I'm sorry to have contributed to this "problem," but I am thrilled to be a part of the *solution*!

(For what it's worth, the side diamonds on my three stone ring are pretty large proportionally too and I just love them!)

Now wait a minute...speaking of pics, I do not think I have seen your sapphire ring, either!

 

[Rosebloom]

I have a 2.55ct sapphire measuring 8.2mm that is set into a 3stone ring with ideal (xxx) .60 each fvs2's. Perfect proportions IMO!

MUST SEE A PICTURE!!! Please please pretty please?

Here's a picture I often reference - Dee's spectacular, fit for a queen blue sapphire three stone!

 

[Rosebloom]

That is an amazing sapphire. Gorgeous rich blue color!

I also have a round sapphire ering , if you want to see pics of sapphire in solitaire settings :

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/color-change-sapphire-engagement-ring.194042/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/color-change-sapphire-engagement-ring.194042/[/URL]

GORGEOUS!!! I really do love blue stones in yellow gold. Yours and Chrono's blue spinel in a Van Craeynest - amazing! Clearly I'm going to need another stone to do an embellished YG solitaire.

 

[chrono]

I have not worked with SK or VC so I cannot advise anything on that front but I can say that WF's claw prongs have come a long way. It isn't as thick as SK or VC's (from the pictures) but it isn't as stubby as it used to look.

 

[Niel]

ERD seems to do some pretty amazing three stones too. Their claws look nice.

 

[SB621]

RB I didn't read all the responses from everyone so I apologize if this is redundant. Have you checked with the vendors to see if they are willing to make this ring? I made a 3 stone version of Yssie's 5 stone ring from VC/ DBL. I actually ended up going with SK for a few reasons. Some are stated below but he was also willing to work with all my diamonds, the metal type I wanted, and make the changes to the orginal design (mostly to help hide the inclusion).

-DBL would not work with me because I already have my own diamonds. He would only create the ring if I sourced everything through him.
-VC, setting was twice what SK charged and he didn't seem that interested in the project. However I also contacted him in the middle of the Emilya/ Sopha craze so I'm sure he was crazy busy at the time.

Here is my ring if you have any interest. Feel free to contact me offline if you have questions.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/steven-kirsch-jbeg-owd-yssie-2-62ctw-oec-3-stone-goodness.184650/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/steven-kirsch-jbeg-owd-yssie-2-62ctw-oec-3-stone-goodness.184650/[/URL]

Edit- OK so I have learned my lesson to read through responses before I post!!! It seems you already have everything you need!

Yes I LOOOVUURRE the larger size studs and think those would be AMAZING!!!!! I can't wait to see this complete. And for what it's worth my 3 stone is the most comfortable ring I own. I left a lot of the details up to SK and he did not disappoint.

 

[Rosebloom]

Hi Rosebloom

I'm late to the party on this thread and think you've gotten some wonderful ideas from all who have participated.
Just want to add I also think using your stud stones is an excellent idea! They look perfect in the pictures you've posted.
Also think SK would be a go-to vendor to make your ring. Interested to hear what your thoughts are after you speak with him.

I'm so happy for you! That sapphire is stunning and this ring will be a masterpiece, I'm sure!

Thank you, my friend! And thank you for listening to me prattle on and on about this ring online and off!

 

[Rosebloom]

Yssie, this is such a helpful response. Thank you! Since you have so much experience with this setting your input is invaluable.

Oooooh congrats on your sapphire!!! I just hunted down your thread in CS and it's GORGEOUS - that's my absolute favourite colour for a sapphire, it looks like it came out of a fairy tale - just light enough to be bright and eye-catching, just dark enough to be handsome and mysterious you must be thrilled!! And OMG, I'm completely flattered that you like the same curvy styles I've fallen in love with!


So... adding my thoughts to the mix...


I do think the differences between cast and handforged are noticeable, but I don't think they're as obvious as with say pave where you really visually benefit from a minimal-metal look. To be completely honest depending on what you value most I wouldn't necessarily even say that handforged is better than cast, assuming you choose someone with an exemplary bench. Handforging permits a perfect finish on all exterior and interior surfaces and allows for those super delicate pointy prongs, both of which I appreciate, but handforging this sort of setting that involves cutting and curving bits of wire means that graduation in thickness along a single length of wire - which is something I took for granted with Butterflies - isn't possible. A long time ago Leon made a trellis-esque three-stone wherein he addressed that last by changing the guage of the wire he used for the center basket vs. side baskets and it worked very well IMO -

Excellent point about using different gauge wires to have a graduated look to the trellis. Can you help me understand the second picture you posted? I assume that's your Butterflies version 2 on the left and 1 on the right? I love the graduated trellis, especially in version 2.

Do you mind if I ask what exactly you love about claw prongs? Since wire is more dense than cast metal handforged claws can be thinner and more delicate but still strong, but if what you particularly like is a precise point and you don't necessarily object to larger/thicker/heftier prongs so long as they're precisely pointed, you can get pretty good results with casting IMO. IIRC my Butteflies was made relatively soon after WF transitioned to "claw prongs" and so those pics aren't great examples of what WF and other vendors can do these days I think - claw prongs can definitely be more precisely pointy than in that pic! They still won't look like handforged claws though (well, they shouldn't, anyway - a couple of recent pieces with frighteningly dainty cast claw prongs by IDJ come first to mind)

BGD


WF


JbEG


OWD



Well, I'm rambling. I'm (honestly!) not trying to saw you one way or another, I just think it can be easy to overlook some of the pros and cons of both methods of manufacture and having BTDT I wanted to share my thoughts!

OK, these pictures are SO helpful! They really have come a long way. Wow. My favorite prongs of that group are the WF double prongs. Those would make me very happy. I still prefer the teeny tiny DBL prongs from your five stone, but do I prefer it $3K worth? I don't think so, but I need to do some prong soul searching.

Vendor. For handforged - SK, LM, or DBL, no question. Personally I'd narrow it further to SK and DBL just to be sure to avoid any possibility of drama. I don't want to derail your thread but I do want to address one topic since it's already come up: comparing photos can be something of a risky venture, especially when the photographer is someone like me who takes over five hundred photos and picks the most flattering fifteen to present! Given what you've shared about your aesthetic preferences I can't recommend VC: as Dreamer noted this type of setting is not a staple in his portfolio whereas SK and LM have consistently demonstrated expertise with it. IRL my VC is more discontinuous, the design elements are more disparate, and it lacks the seamless fluidity that I see in my DBL and that I have come to expect from SK and LM, from Mark Morrell's cast work, etc. With the benefit of several months' hindsight I'm inclined to peg it as a fundamental difference in *vision* - my eyes (and yours, I think) prefer the molten, flowing metal look other vendors excel at. A disclaimer here - SB's SK OEC three-stone is my absolute favourite handforged three-stone setting I think he blew every expectation out of the water with that one!! Though if you want engraving I have to say that VC's engraver does THE BEST work I have ever seen, no comparison.

Thank you for these thoughts. Since VC will not work with my side stones, he's off the table. For others who might read this in the future, I will share that I just adore his Emilya setting. I've never seen pictures of one I didn't love. I also think the engraved band he made you is absolutely perfect. He has a three stone trellis on his site now that while lovely is a very different profile look than what I am going for:
http://www.victorcanera.com/jewelry/engagement-rings/the-orchid-six-prong-trilogy

Because of this, I would have plenty to think about if he even was an option. Thankfully he's not so I have one less master bench to consider!

I adore LM's work but since this is not his specialty, I will not ask him for a quote on this project (but if I was going for a three stone with pear sides, I'd probably use him as I think he is the master of that look).

I have a quote from DBL already and have contacted SK for one too. If I go cast, I definitely want to use White Flash since they have so much experience with this design. Now I need to decide how much perfect prongs and the ability to see a CAD before completion are worth to me! I will not be able to afford to reset these stones for many, many years so I've got to get it right on the first try.

ITA with Dreamer and DS re. using your studs as sidestones! They're the perfect size I agree with Dreamer, with all-diamond rings you sometimes have to play with the proportions differently to highlight the main stone but your sapphire already takes centre stage, no worries on blending in too much or anything like that!

I just sent you an email

I think it's official that I'll be using my studs as sides. I'm thrilled to be able to do so and that I'll have such a bling-tastic ring!

 

[Rosebloom]

RB I didn't read all the responses from everyone so I apologize if this is redundant. Have you checked with the vendors to see if they are willing to make this ring? I made a 3 stone version of Yssie's 5 stone ring from VC/ DBL. I actually ended up going with SK for a few reasons. Some are stated below but he was also willing to work with all my diamonds, the metal type I wanted, and make the changes to the orginal design (mostly to help hide the inclusion).

-DBL would not work with me because I already have my own diamonds. He would only create the ring if I sourced everything through him.
-VC, setting was twice what SK charged and he didn't seem that interested in the project. However I also contacted him in the middle of the Emilya/ Sopha craze so I'm sure he was crazy busy at the time.

Here is my ring if you have any interest. Feel free to contact me offline if you have questions.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/steven-kirsch-jbeg-owd-yssie-2-62ctw-oec-3-stone-goodness.184650/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/steven-kirsch-jbeg-owd-yssie-2-62ctw-oec-3-stone-goodness.184650/[/URL]

Edit- OK so I have learned my lesson to read through responses before I post!!! It seems you already have everything you need!

Yes I LOOOVUURRE the larger size studs and think those would be AMAZING!!!!! I can't wait to see this complete. And for what it's worth my 3 stone is the most comfortable ring I own. I left a lot of the details up to SK and he did not disappoint.

Your ring is AMAZING. Seriously gorgeous! I can't wait to see what SK quotes me for the project. I had a long talk with DBL about the project but it was before I had sourced my center stone. It could be that now that I've sourced it myself he would no longer be willing to do the job.

As I said to Yssie, my job now is to figure out if I want hand forged or cast. I can make very convincing arguments for each!

 

[SB621]

RB not sure it it helps but when I contacted SK I told him my budget for the ring thinking I couldn't do hand forged and he said he would do it for that dollar amount. So I never actually got a quote from him.

 

[chrono]

Ditto letting the vendors know your budget; you'd be surprised how many will do their best to work within your budget, both cast and hand-forged.

 

[Dee*Jay]

I have a 2.55ct sapphire measuring 8.2mm that is set into a 3stone ring with ideal (xxx) .60 each fvs2's. Perfect proportions IMO!

MUST SEE A PICTURE!!! Please please pretty please?

Here's a picture I often reference - Dee's spectacular, fit for a queen blue sapphire three stone!

Rosebloom, I didn't know you looked at that pic for reference! Here I a link with better shots that give more perspective on the stone sizes: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sapphire-and-diamond-ring-pics-finally.40936/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sapphire-and-diamond-ring-pics-finally.40936/[/URL]

ETA: wow -- my prongs look monstrous in those head-on pics! I swear they aren't humongous in real life!

 

[Rosebloom]

I have a 2.55ct sapphire measuring 8.2mm that is set into a 3stone ring with ideal (xxx) .60 each fvs2's. Perfect proportions IMO!

MUST SEE A PICTURE!!! Please please pretty please?

Here's a picture I often reference - Dee's spectacular, fit for a queen blue sapphire three stone!

Rosebloom, I didn't know you looked at that pic for reference! Here I a link with better shots that give more perspective on the stone sizes: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sapphire-and-diamond-ring-pics-finally.40936/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sapphire-and-diamond-ring-pics-finally.40936/[/URL]

ETA: wow -- my prongs look monstrous in those head-on pics! I swear they aren't humongous in real life!

Gosh that's a gorgeous ring! And believe me, no one looks at that picture and notices the prongs. They just notice the million dollar (looking) ring!!

 

[Rosebloom]

Well, thanks to the excellent counsel of SB and Chrono, I spoke with SK and got a very, very reasonable quote! So exciting!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Awesome ring, Dee Jay!!! I do remember seeing it in the past! I will say that you made a great point. These magnified pictures so prong tips SO much more than what we can see in real life!!! My prong tips are not claws and neither is the real Tiffany solitaire. And you know what? They are so tiny that I don't even notice them!

So on that note, I do want to say to RoseBloom that if she really loves the WF setting, I see no reason not to go with it. Sometimes the perfection of CAD cast rings can have a better outcome than handmade for certain setting styles. Like Dreamer, I prefer when the ring maker has made the exact ring before because then you can tell them you want one just like it, but with tiny pointed prong tips! So you really have two great options, RB...I'd see what the quotes are for both. I am not 100% sure that WF makes all settings when not buying a stone from them, though, so does anyone know that for sure?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, thanks to the excellent counsel of SB and Chrono, I spoke with SK and got a very, very reasonable quote! So exciting!

Oh wow! I had my posting window open and didn't see this latest development! That is good news!

 

[SB621]

Well, thanks to the excellent counsel of SB and Chrono, I spoke with SK and got a very, very reasonable quote! So exciting!

Yay so glad you went with SK. Truly his pricing is very reasonable and competitive, especiallly if you are not doing pave. I never thought he would be within my budget when I did my 3 stone. I contacted him thinking I was probably wasting my time. I just love it when it works out!

 

[Rosebloom]

Awesome ring, Dee Jay!!! I do remember seeing it in the past! I will say that you made a great point. These magnified pictures so prong tips SO much more than what we can see in real life!!! My prong tips are not claws and neither is the real Tiffany solitaire. And you know what? They are so tiny that I don't even notice them!

So on that note, I do want to say to RoseBloom that if she really loves the WF setting, I see no reason not to go with it. Sometimes the perfection of CAD cast rings can have a better outcome than handmade for certain setting styles. Like Dreamer, I prefer when the ring maker has made the exact ring before because then you can tell them you want one just like it, but with tiny pointed prong tips! So you really have two great options, RB...I'd see what the quotes are for both. I am not 100% sure that WF makes all settings when not buying a stone from them, though, so does anyone know that for sure?

Thank you for this advice, DS. I have a big exciting decision to make! Now that the cost is comparable, I just need to decide if perfect prongs and details are more important than the assurance of a vendor who has done the ring before and will show me a CAD before completion. At the moment, those perfect prongs are calling me! But I want to sleep on it to make sure I make a wise decision.

I love Pricescope's collective wisdom! So helpful!

 

[SB621]

Well, thanks to the excellent counsel of SB and Chrono, I spoke with SK and got a very, very reasonable quote! So exciting!

Yay so glad you went with SK. Truly his pricing is very reasonable and competitive, especiallly if you are not doing pave. I never thought he would be within my budget when I did my 3 stone. I contacted him thinking I was probably wasting my time. I just love it when it works out!

oops sorry didn't mean to jump the gun! Good to know you have options and can at least have a choice with what direction you want to go with! Goodluck with your decision!