Setting project vs new stones - what would you do?

[chrono]

Obviously my priority is going to be different from others because we are all different. If it’s a stone that I’ve been looking for for ages and it now becomes available, I am going to get it first. The setting will always be there but gemstones cannot be made to order. If you think you will feel no regret that someone else buys those stones while your OEC is being set, then it is clear that your setting should come first. If not, get the stones first, and get the setting when you are able to afford it. For me, the entire package is important (stone and setting) but I’d rather wait on the setting to get the right stone first. If I’m too antsy to wait, I will consider an inexpensive temporary setting in the meantime although that has also bitten me in the behind as I’ve found that even Stuller quality bugged me to no end.

 

[rosetta]

I'm with chrono on this.

 

[arjunajane]

Good to hear you've made a decision AJ - that's probably exactly what I would have done! Hope we get to see these new stones soon, and I can't wait to see your new ring before too long!

Hey Cell, cheers for chiming in! Absolutely, after all the genuine advice I've received here, I'll be more than happy to share many pics of the stones when I have them..and of course the ring

Whatever you decide, I'll be looking forward to seeing the end results, especially your project with the OEC. Such a lovely stone.

Like you, I really buy gems to wear or give as gifts, so I do completely understand the dilemma.

Thanks Aoife, for your comments on my OEC and your posts.

AJ-my 3 stone is on hold until I can scrounge up the down payment. I sent my chryso and zircons back to Michael, so they're just hanging out for now. I've got some stuff to list elsewhere (which I've been saying for months now I'm going to do and never do it) and hopefully it goes so the project can be started.

Hey, how's your bracelet project coming along w/JKT? I'm dying to see the final product-I've got an earrings/bracelet idea I want to do..but it's #7 in line so it will be a while!

Hey pack-
ok, cool - well I look forward to when you move ahead with Michael - he's awesome to talk you.
The bracelet project is coming along - as its quite intricate, Julia doesn't feel as if its suitable for her to do some, go away, come back, do a little more..if you kwim? She would prefer to 'get in the zone' so to say and concentrate on completing it.
So I'm happy just letting her do her thing - she is clearing some other projects first, and than she will be finishing mine
I'm really excited to see the end result too.

Hi Arjuna,

A donation -Yeah right! I'm going to be seeing them in a few weeks time in connection with the Phoenix ring so I'll leave my donation at their door

ya ya, yuck it up Klewis little did you know I was completely serious....I mean, don't you think folks should make some sort of contribution for my supply of eye-candy..? ..ok, I'm reaching
I love the ideas for the chages to your phoenix ring and it will be like wearing a work of art, seriously - you know I can't wait for development on that project.

Wow, it sounds like you're much more patient than you think! I completely understand the reason for both threads. You asked me in the other one what my project was, it's a set of rose gold stack rings by JKT with some diamonds. I bought the stones (tanz, tsav, and indicolite cabs) as a present to myself after my first year of college and my parents are paying for them to be set as my 20th birthday present. JKT is eventually going to make me thin bands with spaced out diamonds to wear in between each cab ring, hopefully we'll be able to do that by Christmas. I can't wait to see your OEC set and/or new gems. Whats the project your doing with JKT? Whatever it is I'm sure it'll be fabulous.

ha, I guess so BB! However, as explained above I have absolutely no issue with Julia taking extra time, as I know it means she is being super-dedicated to the project, as is her way. I'm sure it is the same in your case too - I recall now these stackers, they are a lovely idea and I am really keen to see how they turn out. I have a strong feeling you may start the next jewellery trend
My project is a bracelet that has 5 gem stones of varying size, colour and species (all in the same colour group) set in bezels, made with YG and a sterling base. It will have an iris flower motif that will show quite strongly through the design.
Julia came up with up with the design after I had shown her some loose inspiration pics, and if it turns out anything like the sketches I think it will be beautiful.
Thankyou for your interest!
Here is a (not the best) pic of the 5 stones in question - (the specs on each are around in another thread..)

 

[arjunajane]

AJ, I don't know how old you are or how old everyone is who has voiced an opinion on your thread, but I am 49 in September and despite the fact that most of me looks like a total babe, my hands are starting to feel and appear their age.

Just this week, I noticed a suspicious Osteo arthritic lump on one of my knucles on the index finger of my right hand. My thumbs have been suffering painfully for the last couple of summers. I'm a professional gardener, a well as being the vainest person I know, so I am acutely aware of the dwindling amount of time I have on my hands (pardon the pun) for my rings to look their best.

Now you might be in your twenties or thirties for all I know and have all the time in the world to build rings that are going to look gorgeous on you, but if you are on the wrong side of 40, take a cold hard look at how long you might have to enjoy looking at your jewellery on youthful, beautiful hands.

Set the damn stone woman! Just do it!!!

Just a thought .....

Hey Gailey,

Thank you for this thorough reply - it certainly is a different take on the situation, yet makes complete sense!
Actually, my b'day is tomorrow (well, it may be 2 days for the US posters..27th) - so, although you didn't ask - I am the upper side of 25 but not yet 30 .
I would have hoped my hand pics would be proof enough...but alas, clearly my hands look older than I
(Don't worry, I am only kinda kidding here)

I am sorry to hear that you are having pain in your joints -( I do know you as an avid gardener, and understand such conditions do tend to plague green-thumbs).
You have made an excellent point though that I simply have not factored into such an equation before, and given some food for thought, for sure..so I appreciate your post, thank you.

(Oh, and I have No doubt the rest of you is a *complete* babe Gailey, even if you think your mitts are showing a different side of the story )

 

[arjunajane]

Obviously my priority is going to be different from others because we are all different. If it’s a stone that I’ve been looking for for ages and it now becomes available, I am going to get it first. The setting will always be there but gemstones cannot be made to order. If you think you will feel no regret that someone else buys those stones while your OEC is being set, then it is clear that your setting should come first. If not, get the stones first, and get the setting when you are able to afford it. For me, the entire package is important (stone and setting) but I’d rather wait on the setting to get the right stone first. If I’m too antsy to wait, I will consider an inexpensive temporary setting in the meantime although that has also bitten me in the behind as I’ve found that even Stuller quality bugged me to no end.

Hi C,

cheers for this post - as usual, your thought process is quite close to mine and what you have described is pretty much the frame of mind I have reached on this topic..
Yep, I would feel regret about the stones if I were to miss out.

I am right with you re. waiting on the correct setting for the stone, and vise versa.
I think I mentioned it earlier or in my other thread, but I'll re-hash here quickly; I was originally going to set the OEC in a temp setting with pre-fab parts from Stuller or a similar Co.
But as time went on, I realized (I guess luckily) that although I'd happily pursue that route with a great vendor for perhaps a less valuable coloured stone down the track, it just wasn't right for my OEC.
I had quite specific ideas on what I wanted, and some of them couldn't be filled without going at least semi-custom.
From there, it wasn't a huge jump (financially) to full custom - and once I saw the work on Klewis' ring, I knew I had to have my own project with RDG

I am glad I bailed out, as I would've been pretty upset to spend ~1k on something I regretted in the end, as you say..
When I really think about it, I am more comfortable admiring the OEC in its box for the extra time it takes toward saving the custom dosh.

So, thank you for the advice and helping clarify my thoughts!

I'm with chrono on this.

Thanks Rosetta - it appears, so am I

 

[baby nurse]

I posted a reply in your other thread and now, forgive me, I'm moving in the polar opposite direction. Originally, I thought you should focus on the ring project and forget about new stones, because there will always be another. However if these gems are special and you've searched for a long time, I do think you should grab them first. They are unique and won't wait, but the setting will.

Gosh, please do share those pictures as soon as you can!

 

[arjunajane]

I posted a reply in your other thread and now, forgive me, I'm moving in the polar opposite direction. Originally, I thought you should focus on the ring project and forget about new stones, because there will always be another. However if these gems are special and you've searched for a long time, I do think you should grab them first. They are unique and won't wait, but the setting will.

Gosh, please do share those pictures as soon as you can!

ha ha, thanks baby nurse for updating your input!
Isn't it interesting what a different context can provide..

I do promise photos asap.

 

[Burberrygirl]

Wow, it sounds like you're much more patient than you think! I completely understand the reason for both threads. You asked me in the other one what my project was, it's a set of rose gold stack rings by JKT with some diamonds. I bought the stones (tanz, tsav, and indicolite cabs) as a present to myself after my first year of college and my parents are paying for them to be set as my 20th birthday present. JKT is eventually going to make me thin bands with spaced out diamonds to wear in between each cab ring, hopefully we'll be able to do that by Christmas. I can't wait to see your OEC set and/or new gems. Whats the project your doing with JKT? Whatever it is I'm sure it'll be fabulous.

ha, I guess so BB! However, as explained above I have absolutely no issue with Julia taking extra time, as I know it means she is being super-dedicated to the project, as is her way. I'm sure it is the same in your case too - I recall now these stackers, they are a lovely idea and I am really keen to see how they turn out. I have a strong feeling you may start the next jewellery trend
My project is a bracelet that has 5 gem stones of varying size, colour and species (all in the same colour group) set in bezels, made with YG and a sterling base. It will have an iris flower motif that will show quite strongly through the design.
Julia came up with up with the design after I had shown her some loose inspiration pics, and if it turns out anything like the sketches I think it will be beautiful.
Thankyou for your interest!
Here is a (not the best) pic of the 5 stones in question - (the specs on each are around in another thread..)

Thank you for the compliments, I'm very excited about my stack ring project. Your bracelet sounds amazing, I love the colors of the stones and the iris theme! I can't wait to see pictures!

 

[Largosmom]

For me, no question, I'd rather have the stones I've been waiting for. I'd rather save up gradually for the setting, and hope someone adds to the savings at the holidays or birthdays.

Laura

 

[arjunajane]

Wow, it sounds like you're much more patient than you think! I completely understand the reason for both threads. You asked me in the other one what my project was, it's a set of rose gold stack rings by JKT with some diamonds. I bought the stones (tanz, tsav, and indicolite cabs) as a present to myself after my first year of college and my parents are paying for them to be set as my 20th birthday present. JKT is eventually going to make me thin bands with spaced out diamonds to wear in between each cab ring, hopefully we'll be able to do that by Christmas. I can't wait to see your OEC set and/or new gems. Whats the project your doing with JKT? Whatever it is I'm sure it'll be fabulous.

ha, I guess so BB! However, as explained above I have absolutely no issue with Julia taking extra time, as I know it means she is being super-dedicated to the project, as is her way. I'm sure it is the same in your case too - I recall now these stackers, they are a lovely idea and I am really keen to see how they turn out. I have a strong feeling you may start the next jewellery trend
My project is a bracelet that has 5 gem stones of varying size, colour and species (all in the same colour group) set in bezels, made with YG and a sterling base. It will have an iris flower motif that will show quite strongly through the design.
Julia came up with up with the design after I had shown her some loose inspiration pics, and if it turns out anything like the sketches I think it will be beautiful.
Thankyou for your interest!
Here is a (not the best) pic of the 5 stones in question - (the specs on each are around in another thread..)

Thank you for the compliments, I'm very excited about my stack ring project. Your bracelet sounds amazing, I love the colors of the stones and the iris theme! I can't wait to see pictures!

Cheers BB!
Julia is working on the bracelet now - I am off for a work trip next week for 10 days, and with some luck I will have a happy email with the finished product waiting for me when I return

 

[arjunajane]

For me, no question, I'd rather have the stones I've been waiting for. I'd rather save up gradually for the setting, and hope someone adds to the savings at the holidays or birthdays.

Laura

Thanks Laura for your thoughts - he he, it is kinda difficult getting family/friends to add to special occasions with $$, now that they know the addiction it goes towards. They love me so don't want to feed my bad habits

 

[Largosmom]

Hmmm, I bet those same family and friends have their own habits equally "bad" (let's see, bet they include crafts, cars, motorcycles, electronic gadgets, fishing, hunting....). At least yours will qualify as family heirlooms someday!