Recycling v-prong setting for coloured stone

[kmarla]

I have a Jeff Cooper (Greta) solitaire setting in platinum that I really love and want to reuse if possible. It formerly held my 6.90 x 6.91 x 5.03 princess diamond that I no longer have as I replaced it with a RB. The setting has v-prongs. I would love to find a gemstone (garnet, tourmaline, chrysoberyl etc) that would fit in the setting so I could wear it again. I'm having a really difficult time finding a princess cut gemstone with those dimensions. Can a cushion fit in a v-prong setting? All the step cuts seem to have the cut corners, so I don't think that will work. Although I would prefer a step cut, I'm completely happy with a princess cut. Gemfix has one tourmaline with perfect dimensions but it is a light green, which isn't really my favourite color.
Can I have a gemstone custom step cut with pointed corners instead of clipped (maybe Jeff White)? Are there vendors you can recommend for me? I've been going through the coloured stone vendor list for months without much luck. I really want to find a square cut gemstone rather than have the prongs modified to adapt to a different shape if at all possible. I would prefer a color light enough to see step cut detail (yellow, pink, light blue etc). Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Michael_E]

Can a cushion fit in a v-prong setting?

Cushion shapes vary from almost round to almost square. If the cushion you choose is almost square and has sharp corners then it will probably work. The downside is finding one with the correct dimensions. Cushions are measured from side to side and the setting needs to fit the stone diagonally. Since there no way to calculate the diagonal distance of a cushion shaped stone, you need to ask the supplier what that diagonal distance is. You also have tp be concerned about the width of the chevron prongs...if they are too narrow then making the fit will be more difficult. The moral of this long story is that it is probably best to fit this setting with a princess cut stone that has close to the same depth in the pavilion as the original.

Can I have a gemstone custom step cut with pointed corners instead of clipped

Yes, most cutters will cut stones to fit your setting if you are willing to pay the increased price brought on by cutting more off a fine piece of rough than they'd otherwise have to...ask around and see what different cutters have that might work in the colors that you prefer. One thing that I would definitely recommend is to only cut the pavilion break facets. (those closest to the girdle), as sharp squares. I would cut the rest of the pavilion in a pattern closer to an Asscher style of cut. This is because a plain square step cut in a larger stone would not have enough facets to have much sparkle.

 

[kmarla]

Michael E, thank you so much for the feedback. I think at this point I will be looking to have a stone custom cut.

 

[chrono]

Note that you'd better have a bench skilled in setting coloured stones (not just diamonds and sapphires) because the sharp corners are at higher risk of chipping during the setting process. This is also another reason why you don't see many princess cut or pointy cornered coloured stones.

 

[kmarla]

Thanks Chrono. I'll check with the bench I'll be using to set this stone and see what he thinks. Hopefully it's doable but if it's too risky then I'll have to let this idea go.