Thoughts on CADs?

[goldie_locks]

Hi All!

I've been working on a ring design with a local jeweler for the mahenge garnet I recently procured from Gene at Precision Gems. I just received the CADs today and was hoping to get some thoughts on it. Mostly I'm curious if 1) it seems too bulky and 2) what your recommendations for material all.

I really wanted a modern bezeled design that shows off Gene's great cutting. I am leaning much more toward the tapered bands versus the straight bands, but considering maybe going down to just two bands versus four. The bands should be quite thin, though they look bulky in the CADs. For material, my original thought was to do a white gold bezel and rose gold bands (the colors are reversed in the mockups), but I'm not so sure about the rose gold/two tone.

What do you all think?

 

[Rfisher]

I like the tapered better.
However the off kilter way of where they meet would bug me.
Are you already experienced on having a ring this wide at the bottom?
What finger size are you?
I'd need to see the stone next to gold colors to opinion on that.
I like where you are going though!

 

[arabella]

Like Rfisher, I like the tapered better and I would assume they would not meet unevenly like that at the bottom but that might be something to clarify because that would bug me as well. Hopefully someone with experience with mahenge garnets or stones of similar color can offer suggestions on gold color choice. It will probably help you to place the garnet next to different gold colors to see which one jives.

I love a good bezel but I have short fingers and small hands so I could never do a ring that wide with the 4 bands. However, that is personal preference and is very dependent on what you want/like.

 

[goldie_locks]

Hm, @Rfisher, I did not notice anything off kilter - do you mean where the four bands meet at the back? I do notice that the color mock ups do not look as even as the CADs with measurements.

I have not worn a ring that is this wide. I almost ended up with a wedding band that was about 6mm, but I found it uncomfortable - I think it was because the ring was not sized properly though. I also was not very used to wearing rings then ... but it is a concern. I'm wondering if a split shank design that is not quite as wide might be more comfortable.

This would be for my left pointer finger which we sized comfortably for a wide band at 7.5.

I do not have pics of the stone with the different gold options, but I do have the pic below that I took of the stone when it first arrived. It's near my white gold (gold/palladium not gold/nickel alloy) engagement ring. I quite like it with the white gold. I will see if I can get the jeweler to take a pic with the rose and white gold.

 

[chrono]

Is this to be a men's or women's ring?
Would you prefer a thinner bezel or you like it thick as shown?
Will there be any diamond accents on the bezel or shank?
4 bands seem overpowering. I would reduce it and add more curvature if it is a women's ring.

 

[Rfisher]

Is this to be a men's or women's ring?
Would you prefer a thinner bezel or you like it thick as shown?
Will there be any diamond accents on the bezel or shank?
4 bands seem overpowering. I would reduce it and add more curvature if it is a women's ring.

I think OP should share with us some jewelry styles they like/inspiration pieces before we make such assumptions.

 

[chrono]

Which is why I asked all the questions above to clarify.
The OP also mentioned reducing the number of shanks in the design in the first post and asked about curvature.

 

[Rfisher]

Goldie_locks
For sure, yes. Get the jeweler to take pictures of the stone sitting next to different colors of gold. If you are near enough- go to the jewlers place to see this.
Yes- the color rendition CAD shows the unevenness more- but it's there in the other as well. And yes - I'm being picky about pointing it out. It's better to point out to the jeweler now, and if they say it will be fine IRL then ok. But if you don't- you become guilty of signing off on a cad and expecting it to look different.

 

[goldie_locks]

@chrono - this is a women's ring. The bezels and bands should only be about 1.5mm tall/wide, so they are not as chunky as they look in the CAD. I should definitely check on this. The garnet it is quite large, in the 8-9mm range if IRC. Initially I had in mind a design that looked like a stacker with the bezel, but this is not quite hitting it. I think you are right about four bands being overpowering and potentially adding some curves. No diamonds or other accents planned, I want a very clean and modern look.

@Rfisher - good idea. Let me find some pics of some styles that I like.

 

[Rfisher]

Which is why I asked all the questions above to clarify.
The OP also mentioned reducing the number of shanks in the design in the first post and asked about curvature.

My apologies. I read "modern bezel design' and in my mind I equated it to cubist/angular for some reason.

 

[goldie_locks]

@Rfisher - I did go to the jeweler in person when we first met and looked at the white and rose gold options. I definitely like the white gold with the garnet better, but the rose gold is so pretty, and I had it in my mind that I was going to do a two-tone design from the beginning - except I had in mind white gold and a dark grey material (based on my first inspiration ring below). Here are some pics that show what my thought process has been:

1) This was my original inspiration photo. I love the contrast of the dark grey and gold (except I'm not a yellow gold fan/wearer). And I love the way the stone is highlighted. But I wanted a cleaner look with more modern lines and this looks quite tall for my finger.



2) I've always loved the look of this kind of stacker, and had plans to work on one, but I bought a giant stone instead of a few small ones ... so I thought maybe I could do the same style with a single stone.



3) This was an early inspiration pic, but now I think it looks a bit too heavy and masculine ...



4) I love these bezel designs, but I do not want something that looks like a solitaire engagement ring. I like the style of the second two bands, especially the way they taper a bit, but my husband says he doesn't like the texturing.



4) Finally, I LOVE this bevelled bezel design, but I think it's muddying the waters. I think I need to choose either the bevelled bezel with a split shank style band, or go with a simpler, thinner bezel with a multi ring or wider band like the pics above.

 

[goldie_locks]

Yes- the color rendition CAD shows the unevenness more- but it's there in the other as well. And yes - I'm being picky about pointing it out. It's better to point out to the jeweler now, and if they say it will be fine IRL then ok. But if you don't- you become guilty of signing off on a cad and expecting it to look different.

I appreciate you pointing this out. It is certainly something that would bug me if it was in the final ring.

 

[goldie_locks]

And for reference, these are the only two rings I current own and wear - engagement ring on the left ring finger in matte finish and wedding band on right with regular polished finish. Both in gold/palladium alloy.

 

[goldie_locks]

Ok! Finally got some updates from the jeweler on the ring design. I took the suggestion from @chrono to at some curve in the shank after moving to a two shank design. Still unsure about going all rose gold, all white gold, or two tone. The jeweler did send some pics of the stone next to the two options.

Would love any thoughts/feedback!!

The new CAD:

Garnet with rose gold:
And with white gold:

 

[Arcadian]

Pretty! Just a couple of things I can see: I see a flying saucer I don't want to put that in your head but maybe a thinner bezel would be a little better. (I apparently watch too much old scifi!!)


On the finish, have you also considerd a brush finish or is shiny your thing?

 

[goldie_locks]

@Arcadian - thanks for the reminder! I meant to ask about the actual thickness of the bezel. You're right that the proportion of bezel to stone is not quite right.

 

[goldie_locks]

Oh, and I think I'm going to go with a brush finish like my engagement ring above (would be worn on the same hand).