Suggestions on what to do with this (Aquamarine) rock.

[Lorelei]

Wow Ellen my dear - I am late to this thread! What I would do is maybe consider having it trimmed down a bit but keep the Emerald shape to still be able to show the transparency and colour of that lovely stone. Maybe around the 2.5 to 3 ct mark might be more manageable? Seems like I am going against popular opinion here!

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 11/17/2006 10:15:28 PM
Author: MINE!!
OH PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not recut this stone... please don''t please don''t!!!

What mine!! said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

get a different stone if you want something different!!!!!!!

 

[decodelighted]

The way heirlooms STAY heirlooms is that inheriters keep their personal tastes OUT of it.

I know that seeing the stone on your hand everyday would remind you of your grandma ... but could you do as another poster suggested -- scratch that colored stone halo itch with a smaller NEW ring purchased in HONOR of gramma. A reminder of her ring - to be passed on to future generations of folks whose tastes/hand-size/appreciation of historial jewelry might be a better match.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/18/2006 7:55:30 AM
Author: Lorelei
Wow Ellen my dear - I am late to this thread! What I would do is maybe consider having it trimmed down a bit but keep the Emerald shape to still be able to show the transparency and colour of that lovely stone. Maybe around the 2.5 to 3 ct mark might be more manageable? Seems like I am going against popular opinion here!

Good lord woman, do you hear yourself? Talk like that''ll get ya shot in here. *hands friend bulletproof vest*

Yes, that''s a real consideration, but I wouldn''t do it if it will lose color as someone else suggested. I would need to find that out before doing anything.

And thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Lorelei]

I know, I have taken a risk and have donned my flame suit

- I will take the bullet proof one too, thanks Ellen!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/18/2006 10:42:38 AM
Author: decodelighted
The way heirlooms STAY heirlooms is that inheriters keep their personal tastes OUT of it.

I know that seeing the stone on your hand everyday would remind you of your grandma ... but could you do as another poster suggested -- scratch that colored stone halo itch with a smaller NEW ring purchased in HONOR of gramma. A reminder of her ring - to be passed on to future generations of folks whose tastes/hand-size/appreciation of historial jewelry might be a better match.

deco, please, don''t beat around the bush, tell me how you really feel.

OK, I hesitate to say anything, cuz, I basically can''t win here. But, what the hell. *throws caution to the wind*

So you''re saying, even though I was left a ring, that I personally find gaudy, I should leave it in it''s original state for posterity''s sake, for a granddaughter that may or may not ever exist? I will never be able to enjoy this ring, save for taking it out of the safe every once in awhile to look at it in rememberance of my gramma. It will sit in a box, where no one else will ever admire it, and to be perfectly honest, we don''t know that anyone ever will.

I am asking this sincerely, do you really think that was my grandmothers intentions when she left it to me?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/18/2006 11:09:33 AM
Author: Lorelei
I know, I have taken a risk and have donned my flame suit

- I will take the bullet proof one too, thanks Ellen!

lol! You are a true friend.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/18/2006 11:13:50 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 11/18/2006 11:09:33 AM
Author: Lorelei
I know, I have taken a risk and have donned my flame suit

- I will take the bullet proof one too, thanks Ellen!

lol! You are a true friend.

So are you Miss Ellen!!

 

[MINE!!]

Date: 11/18/2006 11:12:47 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 11/18/2006 10:42:38 AM

Author: decodelighted

The way heirlooms STAY heirlooms is that inheriters keep their personal tastes OUT of it.

I know that seeing the stone on your hand everyday would remind you of your grandma ... but could you do as another poster suggested -- scratch that colored stone halo itch with a smaller NEW ring purchased in HONOR of gramma. A reminder of her ring - to be passed on to future generations of folks whose tastes/hand-size/appreciation of historial jewelry might be a better match.

deco, please, don''t beat around the bush, tell me how you really feel.

OK, I hesitate to say anything, cuz, I basically can''t win here. But, what the hell. *throws caution to the wind*


So you''re saying, even though I was left a ring, that I personally find gaudy, I should leave it in it''s original state for posterity''s sake, for a granddaughter that may or may not ever exist? I will never be able to enjoy this ring, save for taking it out of the safe every once in awhile to look at it in rememberance of my gramma. It will sit in a box, where no one else will ever admire it, and to be perfectly honest, we don''t know that anyone ever will.


I am asking this sincerely, do you really think that was my grandmothers intentions when she left it to me?

Date: 11/18/2006 11:12:47 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 11/18/2006 10:42:38 AM

Author: decodelighted

The way heirlooms STAY heirlooms is that inheriters keep their personal tastes OUT of it.

So you''re saying, even though I was left a ring, that I personally find gaudy, I should leave it in it''s original state for posterity''s sake, for a granddaughter that may or may not ever exist? I will never be able to enjoy this ring, save for taking it out of the safe every once in awhile to look at it in rememberance of my gramma. It will sit in a box, where no one else will ever admire it, and to be perfectly honest, we don''t know that anyone ever will.


I am asking this sincerely, do you really think that was my grandmothers intentions when she left it to me?

YEP, that sums it up.

Heirlooms are heirlooms. I WISH that I had been more appreciative of that when I was younger. I was given am emerald bracelet. (by my grandmother) It was STUNNING.... Tennis bracelet type. I had it appriased and everything. I didn''t like it though. Thought it was not my "style" and that it was rather ugly. So I took out 2 of the emeralds and made studs out of them. The other 15 emeralds (about 1+ carat each, I sold for about 200$... (YES PSCOPERS!!!! I WAS AN IDIOT!!!!) Where are the studs? I am not sure... stuck in some jewelry box in the attic... BUT I would give anything to go back and slap myself, my grandmother is getting older and I know that I would want to be able to wear it now, or at least have it nearby. My grandmother loved that bracelet, she loved me so much that she gave it to me, just as your granmother loved that ring, so much so that she passed it along to you. I wish I could go back and I would not change a think.. I would probably still think it was ugly, but I would love it cause my grandmother did...

And that sums it up too.

 

[Ellen]

Sorry Mine, I disagree. I know my grandmother gave me that ring to enjoy. I think it''s silly to hold onto a gift you don''t like because someone who doesn''t even exist, and may never exist, may want it someday.

I have decided, if it''s doable, to keep the emerald shape and just go down in size.

Thanks for all the comments, but I''m done with the thread. No need to keep defending my position. I appreciate your views, but we''ll all just have to agree to disagree on this one.

 

[MINE!!]

I do not think anyone was being agressive here Ellen, you ask for peoples opinions, people who love colored gesmtones gave you their opinions.

We do disagree, we see gemstones and heirlooms differently, and I think people see this as you have expressed, by disagreeing. But you asked for the opinions of Pscopers.

That being said, I hope that you are always happy with your decision and hope that it turns out as beautiful as you want it to be.,

Good Luck!!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/18/2006 3:32:25 PM
Author: MINE!!
I do not think anyone was being agressive here Ellen, you ask for peoples opinions, people who love colored gesmtones gave you their opinions.

We do disagree, we see gemstones and heirlooms differently, and I think people see this as you have expressed, by disagreeing. But you asked for the opinions of Pscopers.

That being said, I hope that you are always happy with your decision and hope that it turns out as beautiful as you want it to be.,

Good Luck!!

Mine, you're right, I did ask for opinions, on what I could cut this into. Not, should I do it?

And that's what the majority of responses were. While I knew there would most likely be a few, I guess I had hoped that once people understood where I was coming from, that they could put their personal feelings aside and give me some suggestions. That's what I would have done.

And thanks, hopefully I can get it to a more suitable size, and enjoy wearing it the rest of my years!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I would leave the stone as is BUT take it out of its setting and replace it with a new one. That way you can try out a new shape and decide if that is what you really want to do. I posted my grandmother''s opal diamond halo ring on here before and it is HUGE. I can totally understand having a grandmother with big taste but I personally could never change it. Maybe you do have the right idea. Change it so you can wear and enjoy it as much as she did. I would just take baby steps.

 

[pricescope]

Ellen, i guess we were misguided by your thought about halo so the size of the head of this ring did not appear to be a main issue to readers.

I reduced the stone''s surface/top view area for about 10%, see if you like it better. Or if you would like i can try to make a halo with a cushion of approximate size on your hand.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 11/18/2006 2:41:42 PM
Author: Ellen
Sorry Mine, I disagree. I know my grandmother gave me that ring to enjoy. I think it''s silly to hold onto a gift you don''t like because someone who doesn''t even exist, and may never exist, may want it someday.

I have decided, if it''s doable, to keep the emerald shape and just go down in size.

Thanks for all the comments, but I''m done with the thread. No need to keep defending my position. I appreciate your views, but we''ll all just have to agree to disagree on this one.

No one needs to agree - it''s your ring, you do whatever you want with it!!

They keep tearing down gorgeous old houses around here, up to 100 years old.... lots of detail, still in good shape - to put up row houses. Every time I see one go down it breaks my heart. BUT it isn''t my decision and I cannot insist others find value and love for that which was loved yet is no longer found practical in the mind of its owner.

 

[Ellen]

Tacori, I think you may have missed an earlier post, I have decided to keep the Emerald shape, and just trim it down. That may allow me to keep the same setting as well. And thanks, I think she definitely wanted me to enjoy it.

Pricescope, I did say the ring was too big, but I guess I could see that issue getting lost when I mentioned the halo. I know a lot do that to add size. My thought was a much smaller stone, with a halo that would still not be overwhelming. I just thought about it because they''re pretty. Thanks for the photoshop! I think it should still be smaller, but how much I don''t know. Maybe make it 2/3''s of the original?


Cehra, thank you. Where were you EARLIER?

 

[partgypsy]

I think it''s perfect as is.

That is a PERFECT right hand ring; just wear it for special occasions, and remember your grandmother.

 

[partgypsy]

Sorry, I didn''t read all of the posts. It''s just that I personally think that both the stone and setting go so well together, if you take it down in size you will probably need to get another setting, with recutting costs and all might as well buy a new ring.

Now I could get shot here- but here me out- it may just be better to sell the ring to someone who loves it as is, and use the proceeds to buy a ring that will remind you of your grandmother (even another aqua) yet is more keeping with your taste.

 

[ladykemma]

redundant post

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 11/18/2006 11:12:47 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 11/18/2006 10:42:38 AM
Author: decodelighted
The way heirlooms STAY heirlooms is that inheriters keep their personal tastes OUT of it.

So you''re saying, even though I was left a ring, that I personally find gaudy, I should leave it in it''s original state for posterity''s sake, for a granddaughter that may or may not ever exist?
I am asking this sincerely, do you really think that was my grandmothers intentions when she left it to me?

Hi again Ellen,

I know you said you were done with this thread, but I wanted to answer your question -- not to argue, but to explain just MY thought process.

Tastes change. Trends change. Heirloom jewelry so rarely survives tastes & trends. It''s too MUCH of a temptation to give into tastes & trends.

Respectfully, even your OWN tastes changed -- as you liked it previously (or else she might not have left it to you .. as you mentioned she left it to you specifically BECAUSE you admired it. Surely out of love as well ... but ... in fairness, she thought you loved it "as is".)

If you''re certain you''ll never change your mind again & believe that your grandmother would give her blessing (not that you have to believe this to act) ... then ... I hope you''ll find a style/design/configuration that''ll make you happy for years to come & remind you of your grandmother & the ring she once wore.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 11/19/2006 7:48:39 AM
Author: Ellen
Tacori, I think you may have missed an earlier post, I have decided to keep the Emerald shape, and just trim it down. That may allow me to keep the same setting as well. And thanks, I think she definitely wanted me to enjoy it.

Pricescope, I did say the ring was too big, but I guess I could see that issue getting lost when I mentioned the halo. I know a lot do that to add size. My thought was a much smaller stone, with a halo that would still not be overwhelming. I just thought about it because they''re pretty. Thanks for the photoshop! I think it should still be smaller, but how much I don''t know. Maybe make it 2/3''s of the original?


Cehra, thank you. Where were you EARLIER?

don''t get me wrong - I think you should leave it as is but it isn''t my choice! lol

as for a shape - is there *another* of her rings you didn''t get that reminds you of her that is maybe a different shape? I''d hate to ruin that color though... it''s probably the prettiest aqua I''ve seen.

 

[Ellen]

deco, I understand where you''re coming from, and thank you.

Cehra, I knew you didn''t want me to change it, but you got the fact that it is my decision.



Now, I spent a lot of time thinking about this thread yesterday and the responses, because I really do value and respect them, and all of you. I understand the passion behind them, but I felt like people didn''t understand me, and my view. I felt as if everyone thinks I''m wrong to do this, and to me, there is no right or wrong here, only a decision to change the ring or not.

If you look up the definition of heirloom, this is what you get:

A valued possession passed down in a family through succeeding generations.
An article of personal property included in an inherited estate.


Nowhere in there does it say, "To be kept in original condition". There is no law saying one can''t change something. That''s not to say the majority of people might not, but that is their personal decision. This was a gift from my grandmother, given without stipulation. Had she actually put it in writing in her will that the ring stay in it''s original condition, there would be no question I would abide by her wishes. But I honestly believed she gave me the ring to enjoy, and to remember her by.

While I wished I could ask her, that obviously wasn''t possible. So I went to the next best person, my mother, her only daughter. I didn''t tell her about this thread, just told her what I told you. In the slight chance it would offend her, I didn''t say I found the ring gaudy, but instead told her when I put it on, I feel like a little girl playing dress up with her moms jewelry. She laughed, she understood. I then asked her, Do you think nanny left me this ring to wear and enjoy, or do you think she would want me to keep it as is and possibly pass it down.

She replied unhesitatingly that she knew nanny would want me to wear it and enjoy it, and if that meant resizing it then fine. So, I am at total peace now with my decision. (Wouldn''t it be comical if I now find out cutting it at all would lose some color, in which case I won''t do it)

While I understand some may view pieces left them as sacred, and not to be changed, I wonder how the giver viewed them? Did they leave them to sit in a jewlery box, away from admiring eyes, the intended recipients especially, or did they simply leave them with the intention, and comfort, of knowing the intended would wear the piece and think of them (regardless of what that may or may not take to help the recipient find it wearable)? I would tend to think it''s the latter, at least, that''s what my intentions will be when I''m gone and my things are left to whomever. To me, it will not be important if the item I left is kept in the original condition, I''m dead, what do I care? It will be FAR more important that the recipient do whatever it takes to love that piece as much as I did, and to remember me, and the love we shared.

Just my humble opinion.

 

[pricescope]

Hi Ellen, considering an importance of this stone i would recommend you to ask Bill Bray www.BrayScore.com about re-cutting it.

I have a ring from gran-gran-ma, the setting is original and beautiful with single cuts. The original center OEC was exchanged in 1942 on a black market for 2 lb of bread and much later replaced with cheap pink tourmaline. I don''t wear it, don''t like pink, but it will stay as is, but then again i am not into jewelry in general.
We all have our ways of enjoying things, if you want to wear it - it''s all that matter, your mom''s re-assurance is more important than anything.

 

[Cehrabehra]

it being an "heirloom" was a tiny part of it to me... I do get that it can *mean* the same to you recut and reset and "heirlooms" mean nothing if they don''t mean something - kwim? hahaha

the #1 "objection" I felt was just messing with such a gorgeous stone and possibly making it average. The #2 objection is the gorgeous setting - what do you do with that? If you could cut the stone down and get the stone AND halo into that setting you could preserve the setting, which is beautiful...

Talk to an expert about it.

 

[Cehrabehra]

my aunts have been pretty staunch about not breaking up 0ne of my grandmother''s rings but we''re gonna do it anyway. She made it as a compilation of two rings plus two opals she had.... it is the ugliest thing, no one wears it.... and 20 years ago we all decided we''d divide the stones up. But the aunts don''t want to bust it up. One of the diamonds went with a band I have and married with.... I''ve got no guilt about breaking up *that* heirloom and once you see the pics you''ll beg me to get them to do it sooner!!!! lol It''s hard to agree with you on your ring though because it''s sooooooooooo beautiful, as is. But - your choice, you do what makes you happy.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/20/2006 10:32:41 AM
Author: Pricescope
Hi Ellen, considering an importance of this stone i would recommend you to ask Bill Bray www.BrayScore.com about re-cutting it.

I have a ring from gran-gran-ma, the setting is original and beautiful with single cuts. The original center OEC was exchanged in 1942 on a black market for 2 lb of bread and much later replaced with cheap pink tourmaline. I don't wear it, don't like pink, but it will stay as is, but then again i am not into jewelry in general.
We all have our ways of enjoying things, if you want to wear it - it's all that matter, your mom's re-assurance is more important than anything.

Thank you so much for the recommendation, I really appreciate it. I have heard/read good things about him, and I certainly don't want just anyone cutting this.

What a shame your ring had to lose the OEC...

And yes, asking my mom was the best thing I could have done!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/20/2006 10:44:00 AM
Author: Cehrabehra
it being an ''heirloom'' was a tiny part of it to me... I do get that it can *mean* the same to you recut and reset and ''heirlooms'' mean nothing if they don''t mean something - kwim? hahaha

the #1 ''objection'' I felt was just messing with such a gorgeous stone and possibly making it average. The #2 objection is the gorgeous setting - what do you do with that? If you could cut the stone down and get the stone AND halo into that setting you could preserve the setting, which is beautiful...

Talk to an expert about it.

To Cehra, and all, I think some of my postings have been missed, so I''ll reiterate again for clarity.


I am only going to trim it down if possible, keeping the Emerald shape. If that means losing color, I will NOT cut it.

I am NOT going to halo it.

I will try hard to KEEP the original setting.

Sorry, didn''t mean to yell, but I had said all these things before, but they kept getting missed. Hopefully everyone understands now.

 

[Cehrabehra]

hey ellen!!! good news is - we all *really* love your ring

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/20/2006 11:13:38 AM
Author: Cehrabehra
hey ellen!!! good news is - we all *really* love your ring

Thanks Cehra. I hope it''s all doable, I so want to wear this AND love it on my hand!

 

[dtnyc]

Your ring is stunning!

I think that preserving the style and cut of the ring is a great idea. Hopefully if the stone could be only improved upon by having it re-cut, and hopefully you will love to wear the sized down and improved upon stone in the gorgeous original setting.

I will say that there is something to preserving the original settings & look of heirloom pieces. As someone who has a transitional brilliant cut family stone in her e-ring (I believe it was removed from a necklace that a "recycling project" of the early 60''s) and the inheritor of a recycling project ring of the 60''s that holds 2 OMC''s and 1 OEC- you have to be careful what you do with these old stones, as they can look out of place in modern settings.

I saw the necklace that the family stone in my e-ring was taken from and it was pretty but a mish-mash- the same w/ the ring I inherited. When I initially heard that a family necklace had been dismantled for my e-ring I felt a little bad, but after seeing the necklace I realized that the necklace probably wasn''t the stones original home anyway. Same for the stone from the ring that I am now having put into a pendant.

I turned 30 the day after I got married and basically decided that I was now old enough to wear "big" stones and love cocktail rings. I don''t have huge hands, but it really is a matter of how you carry yourself. They aren''t for everyday wear but they can be a lot of fun and a great spotlight accessory if you let them.