Setting 3 loose stones?

[montanablue]

Hi everyone. First off, let me say that this community is amazing. It's been a great help for almost everything I've had questions about. But after lurking for quite some time, I've got an additional question...

I'm looking to customize a 3-stone e-ring. The general idea is to have a middle diamond flanked by a slightly smaller colored gem on each side (fairly similar to this ring). I would buy the setting separately once I figure out the sizes I'd like the diamond and the gems to be (just to ensure that everything will be able to fit into the setting nicely). So essentially, I'd be buying the diamond from one place, the two gems from another place, and the setting from yet another place. After looking around the forums a bit, it seems like local jewelers will typically set loose stones for you, but usually only if you buy one of their settings. With that:

• Is this accurate? Or would I be able to go into a jeweler with the diamond, 2 gems, and setting and have them do it? Is this considered a sort of slap in the face for not really buying anything from the actual jeweler?
• Is there anything I should be aware of before going ahead with this plan? I think I have my bases covered if I just make sure the stones will fit in the setting.
• Is there a good size ratio for 3-stone rings? That is, how much smaller should the side gems be to look good?

Thanks in advance! Apologies if this is the wrong forum.

P.S. I wish there was a way to send private messages to users, because I saw this post by TL and specifically would like to know how TL goes about getting loose gems set at this exact location.

 

[chrono]

You don't have to purchase the setting from the jeweller but some might give you grief if you bring in your own setting. Make sure the bench you use has experience with setting stones other than diamonds and sapphires or they might chip your CS. Look at their display case to see the quality of workmanship.

The ratio will depend on the look you want.

If you are in the Chicago area, drop by or call Merry Richards and talk to them about your project. When you are ready, you bring in your 3 stones and setting, get a quote for the work and time frame, and then move on from there.

 

[MollyMalone]

May I ask why you anticipate getting the setting separately, I.e., that you won't be asking the local jeweler to source, or fabricate, the mounting -- or have whoever makes the mounting also set the 3 stones? It doesn't seem that you have an heirloom mounting you wish to use, but rather want a basic 3-stone mounting that would be easy for, say, Merry Richards to produce for you. That way, you can be assured that the stones can be set into the mounting with a minimum of fuss... or insist, if the ring ends up kinda wonky, that they make it right at no additional cost to you. If you supply the mounting, the setting jeweler can "point the finger" elsewhere, perhaps with good reason.

Here are two PS threads about 3-stone rings, with many pics, that could be useful to you as you seek to determine what combinations-proportions are most pleasing to you:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/3-stone-ring-girls-are-you-out-there.75486/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-3-stone-rings.141064/

And here is Leon Megé's article re side stones; LM is a man with strong opinions & you may not agree with all of them, but it's food for thought:
https://leonmege.com/index.php/side-stones