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Wedding present, custom earrings. Thoughts

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furs

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Messages
50
Hi all,

I'm looking to have a pair of earrings made so that I can give them to my Fiancee on our wedding day. My thought is to have a pair of french wire dangling earrings made that she can wear the day of as well as on other formal occasions going forward. Basic idea would be to have a center stone and then a halo of small diamonds around it and possibly some additional micro pave going up the wire of the earring.

I had originally through of getting here some alexandrite from multicoulor, and although I still personally like the idea I am concerned that the size of pieces available only about 3x5mm is pretty small and even with a halo might look a bit silly. Additionally even though I personally love alexandrite, I'm concerned that my bride to be might not like it's colorations (particularly in mixed light).

I tried speaking casually about what colored stone she might like and she basically said them all, emeralds, sapphires and rubies. Her eyes are greenish (maybe a little blue/brown mix in them as well), so I thought emerald might be nice, but I'm concerned about how she might fee about wearing these on her wedding day.

Large white diamonds would be perfect, but I think price wise are just too much. If I went just white diamonds I think I'd be looking at 5mm G SI1 (eye clean) studs, about 0.5ct each. Certainly a safe bet and she could wear them going forward, but they just seem too simple to me and not elegant enough for her wedding.

Would love you thoughts on what stones might be workable. Budget likely is $2.5-4K in stones with a max of $5K after setting. So if the stones were more, but the setting simple More could be spent on the stones. For reference she has a old mine brillant cut cushion engagement ring with micro pave. Work would need to be in platinum.

All ideas are welcome.
 
Nothing exactly as you described...In particular, only the circlet at the top is platinum. Unless your FI has a metal allergy, then white gold is likely fine. Earrings are rarely platinum.

https://www.langantiques.com/vintage-jewelry/earrings/antique-platinum-and-diamond-circle-drops.html {2 carat TW}
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https://www.langantiques.com/vintage-jewelry/earrings/vintage-diamond-drop-earrings-1.html

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https://www.langantiques.com/vintage-jewelry/earrings/sapphire-and-diamond-halo-drop-earrings-1.html {silver over gold; the ear wire could be plated in platinum}

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http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...lo-lever-back-earrings-18k-white-gold-5595w18 {you'd have to special order platinum and you could also increase the size of the center stone as they are below budget}
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https://www.etsy.com/listing/476261...1-carat-center-diamond?ref=shop_home_active_5
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http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/ind...h-vs-pear-shape-diamond-dangle-earrings-r5729
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http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/2-00ctw-emerald-and-diamond-art-deco-conversion-earrings
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http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/ind...ld-mine-brilliant-diamond-halo-earrings-r5871 {over budget}
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Quick word of caution - beyond the prudent advice of checking for an allergy to white gold: you may want to compare the weight of these earrings to what your fiancée usually wears.

They are beautiful, but not everyone can wear heavy earrings. I have a pair or two that I can barely tolerate for an hour. There might be some secret trick that I don't know about, given that I see people wearing HUGE earrings.
 
What a lovely idea! :love: Do you know if she has a color theme for the wedding? Say if her bridesmaids are wearing pink - you could add pink gemstones etc. I think personally Alexandrite may be hit & miss color wise especially due to mixed lighting situations :think: I'd stick with blue (something old/new/borrowed/blue!) or green like her eyes. I would choose something small & dainty/light that she can wear again many times over. I like the style you have chosen - very classic. :clap: Some other stones choices beyond the usual you could look at would be: Blue Topaz, Green Garnet or more neutral colour choices could be Moonstone or natural Zircon? :wavey:
 
HotPozzum said:
What a lovely idea! :love: Do you know if she has a color theme for the wedding? Say if her bridesmaids are wearing pink - you could add pink gemstones etc. I think personally Alexandrite may be hit & miss color wise especially due to mixed lighting situations :think: I'd stick with blue (something old/new/borrowed/blue!) or green like her eyes. I would choose something small & dainty/light that she can wear again many times over. I like the style you have chosen - very classic. :clap: Some other stones choices beyond the usual you could look at would be: Blue Topaz, Green Garnet or more neutral colour choices could be Moonstone or natural Zircon? :wavey:
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Great advice. :D I was going to say blue sapphire for the same reason but I really like the idea of matching the bridesmaids dresses (so pretty and thoughtful). :lol-2: I'm going to follow everyone else and say something light weight is essential. I can't wear heavy earrings for more than a hour or two before I start getting really uncomfortable.
 
Hi all,
Thanks for your replies thus far. The bridesmaides have blue dresses and that's one of the wedding colors. For this reason I think sapphires might be a good choice, but I worry about the it classing with her personal outfit. All I know is that she is wearing white (dress design is a secret) and her flowers are primarily ivory and peach colored.

Plain diamonds would likely be a great choice, but for my budget I don't think I can give her a worthwhile pair. I spoilered her on the ring so she is likely used to larger stones. Additionally she's pretty tall (almost 6 ft) so I don't want to go too small.

As for design of the earrings I'd likely have these made as a custom piece (likely Steven Kirsch in NYC). Does anyone have a good online source for sapphires in pairs?
 
furs said:
Hi all,
Thanks for your replies thus far. The bridesmaides have blue dresses and that's one of the wedding colors. For this reason I think sapphires might be a good choice, but I worry about the it classing with her personal outfit. All I know is that she is wearing white (dress design is a secret) and her flowers are primarily ivory and peach colored.

Plain diamonds would likely be a great choice, but for my budget I don't think I can give her a worthwhile pair. I spoilered her on the ring so she is likely used to larger stones. Additionally she's pretty tall (almost 6 ft) so I don't want to go too small.

As for design of the earrings I'd likely have these made as a custom piece (likely Steven Kirsch in NYC). Does anyone have a good online source for sapphires in pairs?
Click to expand...

You'd be surprised what sentimentality will make us ladies do. I would have worn anything, if my hubby had gone through the trouble.

What do you think about bringing someone in on the secret? Maybe her mom or MOH. They could help sway her to pick out a pair of inexpensive blue earrings (or necklace) as her something blue and then your gift would be the perfect swap (no clashing).

What size sapphires are you looking for?
 
So, I'm going to be a bit of a dissenter here, in spite of posting earring that would likely meet your brief.

Assuming you mean for her to wear the gifted earring on your wedding day...

If you've talked with your FI and she knows the earring are coming and knows you are contemplating color, than all is good. From you post, I don't get that impression. So, if not, I would strongly caution you that you may not get the reaction you expect. A lot of women plan their wedding trousseau and jewelry with a very specific vision in mind. They may spend months finding trying to find the perfect earrings. Your vision and hers may differ and she may be quite conflicted when presented with the earrings you had custom made if they don't meet her vision of how she will look. if you expect her to wear them on your wedding day vs. accept them on that day. The introduction of color, while my preference, is not a typical thing you see brides wear. All colorless is the most common, including even Princess Diana and Kate Middleton of the famous sapphire halo ring.

I'm not saying don't do this, but either you need to get her input on the design or present them as a gift on your first night as a married couple. My DH presented me with diamond earring on our wedding night and it was such an unexpected and romantic gift.
 
These are towards the upper end of your budget at $3,395 but the color is exceptional. Almost 2ct total and 6mm each.
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1259

IMG_1709.JPG

ETA: there's a few other sapphire pairs on that site that may interest you.
 
Though you've drifted towards sapphire, I thought I should add my .02...
Even though she has green eyes, I'd try to stay away from emeralds. Natural green eyes are a combination of colors (usually blue yellow and grey in some combination to create green). As a gal with light green eyes, I can say that emeralds and my eyes are not friends. I have 3cttw emerald studs that I love, but natural green eyes are very far from "emerald" green. When I wear my emeralds they actually dull the color of my eyes and make them look hazel next to the brightness of the emeralds. I would not want to wear emerald earrings for my wedding photos because of how they change the appearance of my eyes. Just a thought.
 
Also as to Elle and Rockysalamander's posts, I did talk briefly with her mother about it. I'm also seeing her made of honor this weekend and will bring her in on the surprise. I'm currently leaning towards saphires, but also considering just plain diamonds (likely 5mm rounds).
 
furs said:
I'd assume they are quite expensive. Isn't tanzanite much more costly than saphires?
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Honestly im not sure, im still really new to gem buying
 
I agree that it is a lovely idea and I'm sure she will treasure whatever you choose, but thinking she'll wear them for the wedding might be unfair. Most women spend hours and hours agonizing over coordinating every last detail of their outfit that day. And unexpected curveball might not go over too well (conflict of what she wants to wear and not hurting your feelings). Hopefully her mother/MOH can get some insight in to what she's envisioning, which you can then use for guidance.

As an alternative, will she be wearing a "going away" outfit as you depart the reception? Maybe you could give them to her to wear with that outfit.
 
Frankly I don't care if she doesn't wear them the day of. I did want to consider it though in case she felt compelled (or just wanted to). I know her pretty well and get the sense that she will want to wear them. I also do know that she does not have a "great" (the words of her mother) set of earrings for the day of.
 
I was thinking of writing you about that point. There are many women who plan the minutiae of the wedding attire, but there are probably just as many who are more flexible. In her shoes, I would be delighted to wear such a lovely and thoughtful gift, even if it clashed with something on my outfit.

Have you considered peach sapphire or spinel? That would complement her flowers.

I remember reading that her eyes are green. Can you tell us more about her complexion? Blue sapphires would look good on almost anyone, but other colors may be less suited to certain complexions.

Does she like ornate jewelry? Would she be wearing the earrings often or just for special occasions.

As a sentimental person, I would want to wear the earrings often. That will affect the choice of stone and setting.

furs said:
Frankly I don't care if she doesn't wear them the day of. I did want to consider it though in case she felt compelled (or just wanted to). I know her pretty well and get the sense that she will want to wear them. I also do know that she does not have a "great" (the words of her mother) set of earrings for the day of.
Click to expand...
 
She has a very pale complexion.
 
furs said:
She has a very pale complexion.
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I too am very fair. I look great in most jewel tones. Pastels can wash out on me.
 
Sapphires.jpg

What about these blue sapphires? They're nearly 5mm each, unheated and cost $818. That'd leave a nice chunk for the settings. You could add a nice halo around them or even do a drop-style, keeping them dainty and lightweight but not too dainty for her height. Or you could give her the loose stones with a nice note about designing something together later.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/528509..._query=blue+sapphire&ref=shop_items_search_10
 
Have you thought about a violet spinel or sapphire? Tanazanite comes in violet too.

Blue sapphires are beautiful, and they match the bridesmaids' dresses. But blue might clash with your bride's overall look - just a guess based on the colors in her bouquet.

Going by what fashion magazines advise, violet brings out the color of green eyes. I don't have green eyes and can't vouch for that, but I can vouch that their equivalent suggestion of cobalt blue really does make my brown eyes look their best.

I really think she is going to love and cherish whatever you buy.

furs said:
She has a very pale complexion.
Click to expand...
 
SparkliesLuver said:
Sapphires.jpg

What about these blue sapphires? They're nearly 5mm each, unheated and cost $818. That'd leave a nice chunk for the settings. You could add a nice halo around them or even do a drop-style, keeping them dainty and lightweight but not too dainty for her height. Or you could give her the loose stones with a nice note about designing something together later.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/528509..._query=blue+sapphire&ref=shop_items_search_10
Click to expand...

Ooh, I like. I would set those either in a 6 prong, or a bezel style, that is a French wire, that moves (dangles). Possibly with accent diamonds. I'm one of those folks who is not a big fan of halos, but do like accent diamonds.
 
I think you have a lot of suggestions and here's one more, albeit not in the same $$$ ball park. Have you considered white zircon's for earrings? They aren't diamonds, but the sparkle factor is nearly the same. Just a thought.............
 
furs said:
I tried speaking casually about what colored stone she might like and she basically said them all, emeralds, sapphires and rubies. Her eyes are greenish
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The list is very conservative - perhaps unintentionally ... WWW
 
I have a friend with blue eyes who found big aquamarine earrings that match her eyes and the effect is stunning. I have green eyes and they are more of a combination of colors. Blue or purple seem to go better with them than a different green.

My super sweet mother in law offered me, on the day before my wedding, her antique lace veil that she had worn. I had spent hours making a veil with a different design and just had my heart set at that point. Hers was prettier but even more importantly it was such a loving gesture. She had four sons and no daughters. It is one of the biggest regrets of my life that I lacked the graciousness to accept it. I really wish she had mentioned it earlier instead of surprising me.
 
Hi all,

I figured I'd provide an update. Currently working with a supplier in NYC to locate some prime sapphire pairs. Going to see what's available in both Pear and cushion shapes. I'm still somewhat interested in the Alexandrite idea, but am somewhat concerned about the mixed color appearance for a wedding gift.

My plan is to see what the best option for sapphires is and then compare those to the alex pairs I'd located before.
 
have you brought up this idea with your intended? And if no, are you OK if she doesn't wear them at the wedding?
 
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