ilovesparkles
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2006
- Messages
- 2,389
Reset of my 4 carat princess from halo to plain
- Thread starter Sharon101
- Start date
- Status
Monnyjay
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2008
- Messages
- 1,585
btrflygrl23
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2007
- Messages
- 814
kittybean
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- May 2, 2008
- Messages
- 4,125
Thank you everybody for your kind words and enthusiastic responses. Fwiw, there are lots of before pictures in past posts and even in the real life perspective. Would love if someone could bring some over here. Im too unco to know how.
It is on my mind alot to get some great photos to `give back` to this wonderful community just as I have taken so much from you all.
My ring has had so many ups and downs and really consumed more of my time than it probably should have.
First was my drama with the gift of the diamond from my husband (who is a jeweller and promiced me it would look amazing when set). I was nervous about the clarity because it is not eye clean from the side, but is from the top. The colour is very white and it does sparkle enough to drive people crazy irl.
However once I got the notion (from this site) that the cut was not great I wanted to get another stone as I began to imagine that I had made a mistake...you know cut is the most important of the C`s etc etc. I stated to think I had bought wrongly and had made a huge mistake. I fought with my husband who thought I was very ungrateful and silly. He promiced that if I didnt like it after it was set he would take it back and I could start again.
Next was the design process for the ring. Something I was very inexperienced in and had no idea. I somehow found the halo design that I used right here on PS. Something that ended up costing me over $3500 to make....and hate the minute I got it.
I had used very faulty logic and convinced myself that the sparkling halo would cover up any bad cut issues, and that the side coverage would hide any visivle flaws in the diamond. Well, the design turned out to be bulky, uncomfortable and very old fashioned looking. It really looked like an inheritance from an old aunt. I guess thats what you get when you dont even try rings on to see what you like. The craftmanship was very poor on the ring also which did not help things.
At this point I still thought that the diamond was somehow `less` than what beautiful diamonds should be. But I wasnt sure if the ring setting was why I still disliked the diamond or if it was the diamond itself.
I would like to say that even with this setting I recieved so many compliments that it was hard to reconcile the idea that the cut was bad. I felt that maybe the people I mix with dont know about diamonds to think mine is so nice....but I found wherever I went, no matter which part of Australia, even other jewellers gave really sincere compliments.
I studied the rings here more closely...for hours on a daily basis and it hit me that I need to get the eternity look. I was so attracted to this new look that it became like an obsession.
After getting quotes and discussing my plans with a few good jewellers near me I decided to go ahead with the plan.
I ended up choosing to have 7 * 7 pointers on each side of the shank, and an open `V` head which fully exposes my diamond on the side. So yes I can see the side flaw, but noone else can see it at all unless I hold my ring still right up to their eye level and give them a few moments to consintrate. Of the people I have told, they brush it off as a silly thing to mention as the ring is so beautiful.
The eternity band was bought too large as I also misjudged info on this site. It is actually easier to make an eternity band bigger than smaller. Plus a big eternity band sits out too much in the width even if you put sizing beads in it. Another point is that the thinness of the eternity band allows the size to be smaller than a wider ring.
Lastly, I learnt that my finger joint is not long like the models that I look at and so having a wide ring or many stackers doeant fit. Otherwise I would have gotten 2 3 pointer eternity bands instead of 1.
Finally, I want to share about cut because being in the trade, having this ring and loving diamonds no end, I have done alot of research. I have come to the conclusion that size definately plays a huge role in how diamonds are percieved in the real world. Im sure of that 100%.
I also think that fancy cuts are more forgiving of a not the best cut. Maybe people have less set ideas of what a fancy should look like and they just see it as being a diamond. When you think of all the different types of square(ish) diamonds from asscher, radiant, princess, baget, emerald etc there is a huge range of looks. My diamond probably looks more like a radiant (to me) but presents as just a square diamond thats really huge.
However with round brilliants, there are more around to compare with nd we know how they should look. And because of what I know from this site, I try to apply the rules when buying rounds. My next project for the right hand eg eternity band!
It is on my mind alot to get some great photos to `give back` to this wonderful community just as I have taken so much from you all.
My ring has had so many ups and downs and really consumed more of my time than it probably should have.
First was my drama with the gift of the diamond from my husband (who is a jeweller and promiced me it would look amazing when set). I was nervous about the clarity because it is not eye clean from the side, but is from the top. The colour is very white and it does sparkle enough to drive people crazy irl.
However once I got the notion (from this site) that the cut was not great I wanted to get another stone as I began to imagine that I had made a mistake...you know cut is the most important of the C`s etc etc. I stated to think I had bought wrongly and had made a huge mistake. I fought with my husband who thought I was very ungrateful and silly. He promiced that if I didnt like it after it was set he would take it back and I could start again.
Next was the design process for the ring. Something I was very inexperienced in and had no idea. I somehow found the halo design that I used right here on PS. Something that ended up costing me over $3500 to make....and hate the minute I got it.
At this point I still thought that the diamond was somehow `less` than what beautiful diamonds should be. But I wasnt sure if the ring setting was why I still disliked the diamond or if it was the diamond itself.
I would like to say that even with this setting I recieved so many compliments that it was hard to reconcile the idea that the cut was bad. I felt that maybe the people I mix with dont know about diamonds to think mine is so nice....but I found wherever I went, no matter which part of Australia, even other jewellers gave really sincere compliments.
I studied the rings here more closely...for hours on a daily basis and it hit me that I need to get the eternity look. I was so attracted to this new look that it became like an obsession.
After getting quotes and discussing my plans with a few good jewellers near me I decided to go ahead with the plan.
I ended up choosing to have 7 * 7 pointers on each side of the shank, and an open `V` head which fully exposes my diamond on the side. So yes I can see the side flaw, but noone else can see it at all unless I hold my ring still right up to their eye level and give them a few moments to consintrate. Of the people I have told, they brush it off as a silly thing to mention as the ring is so beautiful.
The eternity band was bought too large as I also misjudged info on this site. It is actually easier to make an eternity band bigger than smaller. Plus a big eternity band sits out too much in the width even if you put sizing beads in it. Another point is that the thinness of the eternity band allows the size to be smaller than a wider ring.
Lastly, I learnt that my finger joint is not long like the models that I look at and so having a wide ring or many stackers doeant fit. Otherwise I would have gotten 2 3 pointer eternity bands instead of 1.
Finally, I want to share about cut because being in the trade, having this ring and loving diamonds no end, I have done alot of research. I have come to the conclusion that size definately plays a huge role in how diamonds are percieved in the real world. Im sure of that 100%.
I also think that fancy cuts are more forgiving of a not the best cut. Maybe people have less set ideas of what a fancy should look like and they just see it as being a diamond. When you think of all the different types of square(ish) diamonds from asscher, radiant, princess, baget, emerald etc there is a huge range of looks. My diamond probably looks more like a radiant (to me) but presents as just a square diamond thats really huge.
However with round brilliants, there are more around to compare with nd we know how they should look. And because of what I know from this site, I try to apply the rules when buying rounds. My next project for the right hand eg eternity band!
Kaleigh
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2004
- Messages
- 29,571
Thankyou again.
Here is my old ring
I just wanted to add that the new reset really changed the way my diamond looked. It sort of looked `new` and whiter and even more sparkly than before. And I fell in love with my stone....finally. I really think the setting can change how a diamond is judged, because you often look at the whole package not just the stone.
Im also guessing that the heavy setting stole some precious light that my diamond needed to really be its best.
Things with the new band that I might have changed if I could do it again (1) I might have used slightly bigger side diamonds (9 or 10 pointers) because the smaller ones look more like princess cuts in the 4 claws holding each one. Also my jeweller has graduated them down in size so I think after the first 2 on each side they are not 7 pointers but smaller. ie the ring graduates smaller at the back.
(2) I dont like how the 4 corner claws are not the same size but I try not to obsess about that (too much), and Im not sure if that can be fixed anyway.
(3) I also would have liked a more swoopy profile as mine is a very basic V shape.
And (4) I would have designed the ring and matching eternity band together instread of buying the eternity band and hoping they match / fit each other.
Anyway, you can observe that my diamond is cut really flat on top with not much crown! It is surprising indeed that it does present so brightly despite the cut issues. Even my dh admits that this diamond is a surprise act because its specs on paper are pretty dismal.
As I said before, no one seems to factor in that it has such a flat top because most people dont have set ideas of what a fancy shape should look like. I think a round would be more heavily scrutinised if it had a really low crown and giant table, but a square seems to be forgiven and loved anyway!!!!
Put it this way, I have stopped bothering to explain to my close friends how the cut is not great because some of them pretty much want to punch me for talking what is to them complete rubbish???!!!! And they start arguing that I dont know what Im talking about and act very frustrated with lots of
Here is my old ring
I just wanted to add that the new reset really changed the way my diamond looked. It sort of looked `new` and whiter and even more sparkly than before. And I fell in love with my stone....finally. I really think the setting can change how a diamond is judged, because you often look at the whole package not just the stone.
Im also guessing that the heavy setting stole some precious light that my diamond needed to really be its best.
Things with the new band that I might have changed if I could do it again (1) I might have used slightly bigger side diamonds (9 or 10 pointers) because the smaller ones look more like princess cuts in the 4 claws holding each one. Also my jeweller has graduated them down in size so I think after the first 2 on each side they are not 7 pointers but smaller. ie the ring graduates smaller at the back.
(2) I dont like how the 4 corner claws are not the same size but I try not to obsess about that (too much), and Im not sure if that can be fixed anyway.
(3) I also would have liked a more swoopy profile as mine is a very basic V shape.
And (4) I would have designed the ring and matching eternity band together instread of buying the eternity band and hoping they match / fit each other.
Anyway, you can observe that my diamond is cut really flat on top with not much crown! It is surprising indeed that it does present so brightly despite the cut issues. Even my dh admits that this diamond is a surprise act because its specs on paper are pretty dismal.
As I said before, no one seems to factor in that it has such a flat top because most people dont have set ideas of what a fancy shape should look like. I think a round would be more heavily scrutinised if it had a really low crown and giant table, but a square seems to be forgiven and loved anyway!!!!
Put it this way, I have stopped bothering to explain to my close friends how the cut is not great because some of them pretty much want to punch me for talking what is to them complete rubbish???!!!! And they start arguing that I dont know what Im talking about and act very frustrated with lots of
On a really good day when the lighting was just so....even my old ring would light up like a disco ball.
Perhaps due to the way my diamond was cut, but it seemed to come alive at night with typical indoor lighting.
This worked out well for looking really glamerous at night!!!!! Especially at the casino.....that was a match made in heaven!!!
All rings should look that good as a diamond under casino lighting conditions!!!!!
And I loved when the halo dissappeared into the centre stone and it looked freaking enormous!!!!!! Especially on a moving hand.
Perhaps due to the way my diamond was cut, but it seemed to come alive at night with typical indoor lighting.
This worked out well for looking really glamerous at night!!!!! Especially at the casino.....that was a match made in heaven!!!
All rings should look that good as a diamond under casino lighting conditions!!!!!
And I loved when the halo dissappeared into the centre stone and it looked freaking enormous!!!!!! Especially on a moving hand.
mrssalvo
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
- Messages
- 19,132
How about this for comparison ?
Fwiw, I still have the old setting and will one day fill it with a colored stone. I would love a yellow diamond.
As a right hand ring it would be fine, but still not my ideal choice.
Im sort of torn because the setting is too good to waste and never use, completely unsellable compared to cost, but I wouldnt want to spend too much on it either as I still might not wear it much, especially if I get my dream right hand rings (eternity and pink eternity) one day.
So for now, the setting waits patiently until I find the right stone which might be a yellow saphire, blue aqua, green emerald or who knows????? It could be anything at this stage!!! I also dont really want 2 rings with the same shape centre stone, so I might even choose a radiant.
Can you notice how I cant close my little finger due to the width of the ring? The inside of my little finger started to be rubbed raw and it was painful.
Fwiw, I still have the old setting and will one day fill it with a colored stone. I would love a yellow diamond.
As a right hand ring it would be fine, but still not my ideal choice.
Im sort of torn because the setting is too good to waste and never use, completely unsellable compared to cost, but I wouldnt want to spend too much on it either as I still might not wear it much, especially if I get my dream right hand rings (eternity and pink eternity) one day.
So for now, the setting waits patiently until I find the right stone which might be a yellow saphire, blue aqua, green emerald or who knows????? It could be anything at this stage!!! I also dont really want 2 rings with the same shape centre stone, so I might even choose a radiant.
Can you notice how I cant close my little finger due to the width of the ring? The inside of my little finger started to be rubbed raw and it was painful.
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2006
- Messages
- 11,258
I too was curious so I hunted up the thread where you described how you found the right jeweler for the reset.
All I can say is Wow! What a journey you an that stone have been through!
I love the reset... it''s pretty and feminine, and really shows of your center stone. More to the point, I''m glad you finally have a ring that you love!
Have you considered reusing the old setting for something other than a ring? Would it be possible to craft that halo into a pendant, for example? I guess I''m just not sure how using it with a colored stone would improve its wearability.
Wear your new ring in great health!
All I can say is Wow! What a journey you an that stone have been through!
I love the reset... it''s pretty and feminine, and really shows of your center stone. More to the point, I''m glad you finally have a ring that you love!
Have you considered reusing the old setting for something other than a ring? Would it be possible to craft that halo into a pendant, for example? I guess I''m just not sure how using it with a colored stone would improve its wearability.
Wear your new ring in great health!
And can you see how much trouble this site has gotten me into!
You are right about the why would you bother question?
Part of me just wants to not waste the setting and it does seem to fit my right hand better than my left.
Originally I justified the reset to my dh because I didnt actually get rid of his present, I just seperated the stone from the ring (as oppossed to taking the setting apart for the components). So he thinks Im going to make a cocktail ring out of it, although these days we have both long forgotten about it.
But, if I can find a stone thats cheap and fun, it could work out as a fancy ring for fun????
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2008
- Messages
- 27,710
Steel
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2006
- Messages
- 4,884
- Joined
- May 12, 2006
- Messages
- 6,487
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2009
- Messages
- 216
Thank you to everyone.
I really learnt so much and I hope to be able to pass on many tips to help others too.
Although I might have emphasized the size thing in this case, the one main thing that I learnt here is that I love jewellery that is well designed and well balanced.
So these days if I could do it again I might have just reset my 1.35 rb into an eternity set and been just as happy as I am with my princess stone in the eternity.
And I can really appreciate the beauty and delicateness of a few stacked eternity bands as apposed to just having a big diamond for the sake of it.
I especially love a slender long hand wearing stacking rings!
So my point is that I dont think a diamond has to be big to be attractive, but it is the total look of the setting that I fall in love with.
tigian
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2009
- Messages
- 2,731
Lenamama
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2008
- Messages
- 196
- Status
300x240.png)