Two stones to set, which one in this setting?

[4bugzinarug]

Hiya!

With so many projects we are currently working on, we finally caved & purchased an estate setting.

The setting is PT950 platinum with diamond baguettes equalling abot .75 carats, size 8.5, with a horrific center stone that will be promptly removed Even though there are some imperfections in it, the style is great - the price was better - and I just needed to get at least *one* of my stones actually placed on my finger!!

Even better, if the center stone truly is a diamond .. even if it is a BAD HORRIBLE diamond we could still make a little something off resale (not much, but something!). Not counting on that one though.

So the first picture is the setting (on the seller's hands), the other pics are the two stones we are wanting to set. I am leaning towards setting the 1.94 carat tourmaline in this one, and going with something bolder/chunkier looking for the 2.3 carat 8mm round spessartite. Although, that size of stone would look wonderfully huge in this setting. I am torn!

Both stones are from www.customgemstones.com .... we have the congo tourmaline in our ancy hands, but are waiting for the arrival of both the spessartite and the setting (darn snail mail! Can't they just find a way to email us the actual stones ... like BEAM THEM UP!?). We also have a rhodolite garnet 3+ carats, but I think it would be WAY too large for this setting. So whaddya think?

 

[4bugzinarug]

Well beans. I am having trouble posting the pics of our stones. The congo tourmaline is pictured here: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-choosing-between-these-two-tourmalines.58588/

The rhodolite is here: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/3-carat-plus-gemstone-rings.60297/

The spessartite is here: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/jumping-into-the-pool-of-fanta-our-spess.61357/

Sorry I couldn''t get the pics to work. I will work on this tomorrow so you all don''t have to work so hard to find the eye candy!

 

[4bugzinarug]

So in the absence of stone pics, here''s another shot of the ring

 

[4bugzinarug]

Sigh. One more try!

 

[chrono]

I can't tell from your setting pictures but can the head be removed? If it can, then there's no issue of setting a completely different shaped and size stone in it. However, if the current head isn't a peg head, it cannot be removed and nothing else can be set in it other than another stone of approximately the same size and shape.

 

[sundragon]

If I may jump in here and ask a question of Chrono, what is a peg head? And how would you know if your setting had one? Is this an extremely stupid question? By the way, I really like the setting and I think the green stone would be really striking in that setting. Sundragon

 

[chrono]

This is a picture of a peg head:
As you can see, the head is just welded on to the top of the ring or a bar on top of the ring.

Another peg head example (Maxine's ring):

Here's where the head is built into the ring or integrated with the ring:

 

[Dogmom]

I vote for the tourmaline. I''m thinking the spess would look better in a chunky, yellow gold setting.

 

[sundragon]

Hey Chrono, Thanks for the tutorial. You guys are really knowledgeable here, this is really great. Sundragon

 

[4bugzinarug]

Thanks for your responses! The tourmaline is the most likely candidate. We are thinking of something in two tone gold for the spessartite. And I really lean towards having Whiteflash make up a bypass ring for that oval. They have been working with me on a setting quote from Adwar for the tourmaline ... but now we will probably set the congo in this and do custom w/them on the rhodolite.

I think it is a peg head setting, here''s another picture showing the side of the ring. We are going to ask a jeweler to build up the back of the ring shank a little more (I think that can be done?). Have a great day!

 

[chrono]

Yup, that's a peg head. You should be able to mount that tourmaline in it. It'll look great in a white metal. Yes, you can rebuild the shank too. It'll cost anywhere from $80 to $150 depending on your jeweller.