Time to reset “Winter” my 3.01 ACA!

[MamaBee]

I completed my final upgrade last year to “Winter” my 3.01 ACA. I had her set in a Valoria setting from Whiteflash. I love the setting but I miss my tapered baguette setting. I don’t want it exactly like my last one. Libby, my former 2.03 diamond, looked like she was swallowed up in the setting I had done. It was close to a very low set vintage Tiffany. It bothered me so I reset her yet again to a higher setting. She looked much bigger in that setting but it was still not what I wanted even though David did everything I told him to do. This time I want to get it right. I want it like Goldilocks..not too tall…but not too low.. Winter is larger than Libby so I’m not too concerned about her being swallowed up..I’m not a fan of the tapered baguettes coming up so high on the sides. Ideally I would love the baguettes to be as low as possible with the head more defined. I love the swoopiness (I made that word up..) of the Valoria setting. She looks like she’s cradled in a bowl. I would love a six prong setting too...but I don’t want a thick prong bar in front of the side view..I think I would change the prong orientation to avoid that. I also don’t want the baguettes to look like epaulets..So far I have a few inspiration photos. I love the side view of the Valoria setting. How do I incorporate the baguettes with the swoopiness. Do they go together? Also, what size baguettes would I need? I don’t want them too long or too short..I seem to have the Goldilocks syndrome…Any thoughts would be appreciated! @nala @mrs-b?

 

[MamaBee]

 

[MamaBee]

Winter in the Valoria setting. I love this side view..

 

[nala]

This was my 6 prong version which was not too high and not too low. It was a stock setting that my bench inserted a peg head in so not recommending this route, lol. Just a visual.

 

[MamaBee]

This was my 6 prong version which was not too high and not too low. It was a stock setting that my bench inserted a peg head in so not recommending this route, lol. Just a visual.

It’s so beautiful! Do you have a side view?

 

[nala]

It’s so beautiful! Do you have a side view?

I just spent 10 min searching my old pics and nope! Prob bc it was a Frankenstein ring lol

 

[MamaBee]

I just spent 10 min searching my old pics and nope! Prob bc it was a Frankenstein ring lol

Thank you @nala!

 

[tyty333]

I'm excited to see what you come up with @MamaBee ! Didnt someone do a tiffany style head with baguettes? I looked around
but couldn't find the thread. It seems like it was a CBI stone but I'm not really sure. Wish I could find it to see how they connected
the baguettes up to a prong (without a crossbar).

 

[MamaBee]

I'm excited to see what you come up with @MamaBee ! Didnt someone do a tiffany style head with baguettes? I looked around
but couldn't find the thread. It seems like it was a CBI stone but I'm not really sure. Wish I could find it to see how they connected
the baguettes up to a prong (without a crossbar).

Thank you! I’ll try to find it!

 

[MissGotRocks]

I really like the ones on @nala’s ring - a bit fatter and shorter. Maybe there were two baguettes on each side laid side by side?

 

[MamaBee]

I really like the ones on @nala’s ring - a bit fatter and shorter. Maybe there were two baguettes on each side laid side by side?

I like fatter baguettes but not two side by side. I’ll have to check out fat baguettes!

 

[MissGotRocks]

I like fatter baguettes but not two side by side. I’ll have to check out fat baguettes!

They are just more pleasing to my eye and I don’t feel like they just blend in with the shank. Just a thought!

 

[MamaBee]

They are just more pleasing to my eye and I don’t feel like they just blend in with the shank. Just a thought!

Thank you!!

 

[lulu_ma]

Here’s an idea. Don’t love it. I’ll try to find a better one.

 

[MamaBee]

I'm excited to see what you come up with @MamaBee ! Didnt someone do a tiffany style head with baguettes? I looked around
but couldn't find the thread. It seems like it was a CBI stone but I'm not really sure. Wish I could find it to see how they connected
the baguettes up to a prong (without a crossbar).

I did one..It could be me! I just don’t want the thicker prong arms..I’m not sure what they’re called! I’ll see if I can find a photo.

 

[MamaBee]

OMG I found the post of my last reset before I sold Libby..my 2.03 diamond... I did more tapered baguette resets than I thought! I forgot I also did a bezel milgrain baguette version..Yikes!
I seemed to like the last one the best so I may just go from there. I’ll attach pics of it so you can tell me what you think..I still want the same thing..prong set baguettes instead of bar set. I don’t to reinvent the wheel.
I’ll contact David on Monday..

 

[MamaBee]

I just sent David an email with the last bunch of pics, verifying insurance info, etc. If everything is good I’ll mail it off on Tuesday!

 

[SparklieBug]

@MamaBee I am sooooo following your journey! I'm thinking (always thinking and rarely acting, due to analysis paralysis...) about re-setting my "trannie" to something similar. Mine was originally was a four-prong with the most gorgeous old tabs, which I changed to a bezel. I still am not in love with the bezel but am stalled with what to do to. I want six-prong, but to keep the bags on the side. Hence, am loving your photos and CAD of the first iteration, and am really keen to see what you think of this for Winter.

Will you do the exact same thing as last time or do you have some tweaks to accommodate for the larger stone? Out of curiosity, why do you prefer prong-set bags vs. bar-set?

 

[mrs-b]

Hi @MamaBee!


So. My thoughts....

Firstly, I love a round with tapered baguettes, so I definitely think you're onto a classic here.

Secondly - be wary of using the word swoopy or swoopiness - I've been using that term for over a decade with Amy (you'll see it in basically every one of my new ring posts), and she knows *exactly* what I mean - which may not be what *you* mean. So you might need to clarify. (...and you might not, too, of course!)

If you and I are on the same page, tho, you really can't incorporate a swoop with baguettes, because, while you can curve metal, you can't curve a diamond. So it has to be straight - no option.

I like the 6 prong idea for Winter, but I'm not fond of the prong idea for the sides, as prongs on baguettes tend to protrude and give a visual impression of being way bigger than they are - even when they're very small. You want them to look like they continue seamlessly from the band, and seamlessly into the head. Of the photos you've posted, the best example is in post #1. You can have the tail end of the baguette pushed down, so it doesn't make a step up from the band when viewed in profile. You can also see in those images that the bar doesn't have to extend to the sides, so it doesn't need to stick out at all. Since it can flow seamlessly, it will go the closest to implying a curve; it *won't* be a curve, but it also won't go up in steps - so it will look smooth and soft, rather than angular.

Other than that, I don't have much to contribute, except to say....

This is going to look GORGEOUS!

 

[MamaBee]

Hi @MamaBee!


So. My thoughts....

Firstly, I love a round with tapered baguettes, so I definitely think you're onto a classic here.

Secondly - be wary of using the word swoopy or swoopiness - I've been using that term for over a decade with Amy (you'll see it in basically every one of my new ring posts), and she knows *exactly* what I mean - which may not be what *you* mean. So you might need to clarify. (...and you might not, too, of course!)

If you and I are on the same page, tho, you really can't incorporate a swoop with baguettes, because, while you can curve metal, you can't curve a diamond. So it has to be straight - no option.

I like the 6 prong idea for Winter, but I'm not fond of the prong idea for the sides, as prongs on baguettes tend to protrude and give a visual impression of being way bigger than they are - even when they're very small. You want them to look like they continue seamlessly from the band, and seamlessly into the head. Of the photos you've posted, the best example is in post #1. You can have the tail end of the baguette pushed down, so it doesn't make a step up from the band when viewed in profile. You can also see in those images that the bar doesn't have to extend to the sides, so it doesn't need to stick out at all. Since it can flow seamlessly, it will go the closest to implying a curve; it *won't* be a curve, but it also won't go up in steps - so it will look smooth and soft, rather than angular.

Other than that, I don't have much to contribute, except to say....

This is going to look GORGEOUS!

Thank you @mrs-b! I emailed David this morning but I can always change it. I don’t like where the the baguette pinches in when it meets the metal. I like them to be even..I didn’t mention swoopiness..haha

 

[MamaBee]

@MamaBee I am sooooo following your journey! I'm thinking (always thinking and rarely acting, due to analysis paralysis...) about re-setting my "trannie" to something similar. Mine was originally was a four-prong with the most gorgeous old tabs, which I changed to a bezel. I still am not in love with the bezel but am stalled with what to do to. I want six-prong, but to keep the bags on the side. Hence, am loving your photos and CAD of the first iteration, and am really keen to see what you think of this for Winter.

Will you do the exact same thing as last time or do you have some tweaks to accommodate for the larger stone? Out of curiosity, why do you prefer prong-set bags vs. bar-set?

Ooh..I’ll be looking forward to seeing yours. I just don’t like a bar set. I did have the flush baguette setting in my asscher ring..but it didn’t have much oomph…for me. I’m still undecided with what to do with the baguettes.

 

[mrs-b]

Thank you @mrs-b! I emailed David this morning but I can always change it. I don’t like where the the baguette pinches in when it meets the metal. I like them to be even..I didn’t mention swoopiness..haha

I agree with you re the pinching in. But there's no reason why that line - from baguette to band - shouldn't be completely flush/straight. That would also give you a more flush set with your bands, which is always nice.

 

[MamaBee]

I agree with you re the pinching in. But there's no reason why that line - from baguette to band - shouldn't be completely flush/straight. That would also give you a more flush set with your bands, which is always nice.

Thanks! I just sent it to him. It’s the weekend so I don’t expect him to get back to me until next week..Hopefully!

 

[mrs-b]

Thanks! I just sent it to him. It’s the weekend so I don’t expect him to get back to me until next week..Hopefully!

Good luck! Holy Grail / final resting place / destination pieces are soooooo tension inducing, as far as I'm concerned! The pressure to get it right is so much more than you ever think it's going to be! Ugh!!

 

[MamaBee]

Good luck! Holy Grail / final resting place / destination pieces are soooooo tension inducing, as far as I'm concerned! The pressure to get it right is so much more than you ever think it's going to be! Ugh!!

Thanks!! I agree! I’ll be sweating this one out!! If it comes close I’ll be happy! I want it done and on my finger so I can stop obsessing about it!..I’ve been brewing details on this reset for a long time. When I read my old thread it just solidified that I have to do what I’ll be happy with. At least I have Emmy to wear in the meantime!
Do you think 2mm is okay for the whole shank? Please scroll up to see part of a cad where he has the height of 1.8 and width of 2mm. I think I want the whole shank 2mm..I want it to feel sturdy. Since I prefer 18k white gold which is lighter..I feel like I should at least make sure it’s 2mm. Thoughts?
*Correction-I sent the photo of the flush baguette..not the ring. I’ll be a wreck when that happens!

 

[mrs-b]

I have all my rings made at 2mm thickness - I like the extra heft. I think, tho, that I'd have this one 2.5mm at the back and taper it a bit at the front or else it's going to rotate. This might not be to your taste, so it's just a suggestion.

And for what it's worth, I AGONIZED over beloved before it was done! I'll probably switch it up next year - the year after at the latest - and that will be agony again, despite the changes being minor. I LOVE that ring and don't want to do anything to wreck it!

 

[MamaBee]

I have all my rings made at 2mm thickness - I like the extra heft. I think, tho, that I'd have this one 2.5mm at the back and taper it a bit at the front or else it's going to rotate. This might not be to your taste, so it's just a suggestion.

And for what it's worth, I AGONIZED over beloved before it was done! I'll probably switch it up next year - the year after at the latest - and that will be agony again, despite the changes being minor. I LOVE that ring and don't want to do anything to wreck it!

When you say the back..are you saying the bottom tapering up to 2mm next to the baguettes?

Believe me..I know…The agony is real..

 

[MamaBee]

@mrs-b ! I just got the first cad and I didn’t even send my diamond yet! I plan on doing that tomorrow. Please look at this cad and tell me what you think! I am going to ask him to bump up the 1.8mm at the bottom to 2mm. I don’t like the stabilization bar. I think I like the cad from my previous setting better..That’s the second one..
If anyone has anything to add please feel free to add your thoughts!

 

[SparklieBug]

CAD-newbie question—would you just have a short “stabilizer” section where the bags attach to the head? So, at the 3:00 and 9:00 sections?

 

[MamaBee]

CAD-newbie question—would you just have a short “stabilizer” section where the bags attach to the head? So, at the 3:00 and 9:00 sections?

I just don’t want the stabiliazarion bars on the head. I don’t think it needs it with six prongs. It also lets in more light. I’m trying to get him to make the baguettes flush with the metal on the shank like @mrs-b mentioned..but I wouldn’t be opposed to a little bump..There wouldn’t need to be stabilization bars there to hold the baguettes at 3 & 9.