Setting ideas for a Mahenge

[Jereni]

Ok, thanks very much for the breakdown. I was going to do white gold, with rose gold for the head of the center stone.

I'll start getting some quotes and see how much more I need to save.

 

[chrono]

The price of gold is also way up there, very close to platinum today, so whilst there will be some savings, it isn't all that much these days.

 

[Jereni]

Hi all, returning to this one briefly because I was curious as to your opinions on how the design is evolving.

I'm definitely going to do baguettes as suggested, and I made a mockup of the ring with them on either side. I sized them in proportion to the center stone, so this is what a set of 5x2mm baguettes should look like, roughly.

My question is now, rose gold or white gold for the shank? I can't decide. I know I want to do rose gold prongs on the Mahenge, as pictured, but I'm wondering if a rose gold shank would be good. Or is it too much pink on the ring?

Granted, the color of the metal in this pic is probably pinker than it would actually be:

 

[Snowyrin]

I'm white gold all the way for this. It gives it a clean, simple and classic look.

 

[T L]

Rose gold will probably do nothing for it, as it's a brownish metal. I would do yellow gold basket/prongs and a white gold shank, or all yellow gold. Rose gold really doesn't do much for warm stones IMO.

 

[happybear]

Definitely white gold shank. It makes your spinel pop.

 

[GregS]

I'm not going to make any design suggestions, but I love that stone. The sleepiness really helps the color spread evenly across the stone, love it!

 

[minousbijoux]

I agree on the white gold. Actually, I love rich red and yellow gold as its so darn regal, so I like TL's idea. But if you are not up for that, then I say white gold. Rose gold appears almost to clash with the red of the stone.

 

[JewelFreak]

Either yellow or white gold -- I agree w/Minou that the rose kind of clashes. I'd love it in yg for richness, but wg gives it a simple modern look.

--- Laurie

 

[innerkitten]

What a cool looking stone!

 

[pregcurious]

Probably $2K just for the platinum setting alone (no diamonds) if handforged. I was quoted $2K for a cast platinum setting with side baguettes by Whiteflash (when they used to accept outside stones) prior to the metal price hike.

DBL - it seems to be hit and miss. Sometimes the workmanship is WOW and sometimes it leaves me shaking my head in a bad way.
BGD - has always been the most expensive vendor when I am getting quotes, hence I've never done any projects with them.
ERD - good cast setting but phone calls seem to be their preferred communication method. Can be hit or miss too since they use different benches. Some are GOOD and some aren't so.
IDJ - great for those on a budget. I cannot vouch for the quality since I have not worked with them.

Chrono, who did you work with at ERD? I worked with Chris, and it was all through emails except for the first meet/greet to initiate the project. I had a good bench and ended up with nice pointy prongs that were placed correctly.

If you are in the VA area, you can try Hunt County Jewelers. They do lost wax casting from what I understand.

I'd like to vote for white prongs and shank, or yellow prongs and whote shank.

 

[Jereni]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Wow, I am surprised, I thought for sure the verdict would be the rose gold. But I see the point about the white gold make it pop more. White gold it is!

I see what you are saying about yellow gold too, but for some reason I never saw yellow gold for this stone...