Setting help, please!

[Kelli]

I just bought a 7.5mm round pink tourmaline from gemfix (yay!!!). I definitely want to put it in a solitaire setting but don't know how to find what I'm looking for. I've seen some older looking settings in which the basket that holds the stone almost looks like a crown. I think they have more prongs than the usual four or six. Does anyone know what I'm talking about, and if so, does this style have a name? Thanks in advance!

 

[marymm]

I think it *is* called a crown setting! Here's a couple I already have bookmarked - I hope they help you in your search!

Here's an example of just the crown head from Stuller - it has 8 prongs - you could have your local jeweler buy this head along with whatever shank you prefer, and he'd put the two findings together and set your stone... this one comes in 7.5mm round.
http://www.stuller.com/products/24562/3133272/?groupId=100250


And here are two 6-prong crown ring semi-mounts:
This one jumps from 7mm to 8mm round (no 7.5mm) - the 8mm might work for your stone depending on its depth and the skill of your local jeweler... http://www.stuller.com/products/7198/30686/?groupId=36594


And this comes in 7.5mm: http://www.stuller.com/products/122004/3637972/?groupId=113775

 

[FrekeChild]

Those are great Mary! I love crown type settings, and we don't see enough of them around here!

Kelli, can we see your tourmaline please?

 

[Kelli]

Oh wow! Thank you so much, and how embarrassing I couldn't find that on my own. I even looked at the Stuller website.
I'll try to post the link since I haven't gotten it yet.

 

[Kelli]

http://www.gemfix.com/tourmaline_red_pink.html
Counting from the top, it's the sixth one in the center column. Cool icy pink, also says "sale pending." It'll say that until my return period is over, so please let me know what you think. I'm very new to colored stones but have always wanted to collect some.

 

[marymm]

Oh wow! Thank you so much, and how embarrassing I couldn't find that on my own. I even looked at the Stuller website.
I'll try to post the link since I haven't gotten it yet.

Kelli - no worries - I find Stuller very hard to navigate using their Search box... I don't think any of these came up with a "crown" search - I think I had to put in something like "8 prong ring setting" and "8 prong ring solitaire" to get results for the first two I posted, and the third one is a semi-mount another PSer linked to on her thread (I think she used it to set her old-cut but I can't recall specifically).

Your GemFix tourmaline looks to be a very pretty color based on the pic - have you received it yet or still awaiting it in the mail?

 

[peacechick]

That tourmaline is gorgeous! Beautiful cut. There are also crown set rings on Etsy if you need more inspiration.

 

[SB621]

Yes they are crown settings. I have noticed that alot of ladies who have been getting old cut diamonds from OWD (old World Diamonds) have had them set into crown settings (Missy, Mara etc). I would definiely do a search for OWD if you need some inspiration- or even the setting as I think they are competitive.

 

[Kelli]

Thanks guys!! I'm still waiting on the stone; I don't even think it's been shipped yet but I'm VERY anxious to see it. I emailed them with a few I was considering and they pointed me toward this one on account of its saturation and sparkle. I will definitely check etsy and OWD as well.

 

[minousbijoux]

That looks to be a gorgeous stone! I can imagine that it will sparkle like mad due to it light color. Kelli, as you know, we do love our pictures here.

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

I just love that color. I hope it is as nice in real life.


Annette

 

[SB621]

You can also look on ebay. they have been popping up on there too.

 

[Kelli]

Thanks guys! I got the email that it shipped last night and I'll be more than happy to post pics when it arrives.

As for the setting... I think I may just go with this http://www.stuller.com/products/122004/?groupId=113775 as marymm posted, or for a little twist...

Possibly this basket http://www.stuller.com/products/24562/3133272/?groupId=100250 with this shank http://www.stuller.com/products/sh304/?groupId=105263 (if that's even possible).

I love the lines of the first one and feel it looks more... elegant I guess? (See the last pic with the stone in it). The second option with the twisty rope seems more fun.

I know there are more beautiful settings to be had, but I love the convenience of Stuller since I can drive my stone five minutes down the road and wait as he sets it, and above all else I love the price tag since it leaves me with a little cash left over for my next whim. What do you guys think?

Also, I think I'll go with white gold. I've been wanting to do something in rose, but I feel like the "icy" pink of this stone would probably clash with the warmth of rose gold. You guys agree?

Thanks again

 

[JewelFreak]

Looks like it will be a lovely stone, Kelli -- looking forward to photos! I like your choice of setting (though I'm really loving the ropey shank). Agree that rose gold would be too much of a good thing with the saturation in that stone not needing it. Have you thought of yellow gold? It would give a richness to your pink tourmaline that wg wouldn't, imho. Nice choices all around.

--- Laurie

 

[Kelli]

Thanks! I did consider yellow gold, but I sort of picked out the pink stone to match a certain set of colors I wear often for work- which contains both pink and silver- so I went with the white.

I did go with the twisty shank and the eight prong basket though. My engagement ring is a white gold cathedral with a 7.3mm round diamond so I figured I'd go with something different. Not to mention there was a $90 difference between the two setting choices. I should have it in hand next week!

 

[minousbijoux]

How did you buy the Stuller setting? Can you buy directly from them or do you have to go through a jeweler?

 

[Kelli]

You have to go through a jeweler. I like that better than shipping my stone away though, only because I'm impatient.

 

[Kelli]

Oh man. I just picked up my stone and I LOVE IT!!! Now waiting for the setting to come in is torturous- I don't know how you ladies wait for all your custom beauties. The stone is such a happy, bubble gum sort of pink and sparkles so much more than any other colored stone I've seen in real life. I guess I'm used to the mall store junk and the pictures on here don't show the scintillation. Anyway, I'll post some pictures when I get a chance.

 

[FrekeChild]

We're going to need lots and lots of pics!

 

[Kelli]

Bathroom lighting:

 

[Kelli]

With my engagement ring (1.35 AGS0 H VS2)

 

[Kelli]

With a RHR (.56 AGS0 M SI1 in a stuller illusion setting)

 

[Kelli]

With another RHR (.48 F IF emerald cut, which I do not love. When I upgrade I'll choose size over color and clarity and will not hide the diamond in a bezel.)

 

[Kelli]

Outside:

 

[Kelli]

Family shot for fun (yes, that is the toilet in the background. Oops!)

 

[FrekeChild]

Lol! I take pics in the bathroom too sometimes.

It looks beautiful!

 

[Kelli]

A little closer, and that's all for now. I've already decided to keep it, but let me know what you think for educational purposes. I don't have much experience with colored stones.

 

[Kelli]

Thanks!! Unset stones are crazy hard to photograph, at least for the inexperienced. It wouldn't hold still! It was also tough getting the true color on my iphone camera. It looks a teensy bit darker in real life. Really reminds me of bubble yum or something.

 

[FrekeChild]

It does look like bubble gum! I think it's beautiful! The important thing is that you love it.

It's funny how different it is to photograph colored stones from diamonds, isn't it?

 

[minousbijoux]

So you love it! Yay! How do you find it in comparison to their photos? It looks like its a bit lighter than their photos, maybe? Either way, its gorgeous!