What to do with a baby grandidierite?

[Ionysis]

Hello my favourite people. I need some ideas. I have come across a little grandiderite, which is a stone I’ve wanted for a long time as I don’t yet have one in my collection.

But it’s very teeny - only 1ct. I wanted to make a three stone ring out of it - with pear diamonds at the sides - but I’m thinking it might be too small. Even if I halo it it’s going to be on the small side - and I do like a good bit of finger coverage.

The only thing I do know is I want it set East west and in white gold and diamonds. Maybe with something pink (melee?) to offset that lovely teal?

It’s about 6mm x 5.5mm.

Any inspiration?

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

That colour.
I don't think it is too small
I vote east west and diamonds
What finger will the ring be for ?

 

[Nosean]

Baby, def. not a small stone. Fine color.

 

[lilmosun]

Baby, def. not a small stone. Fine color.

Definitely not small for a grandidierite! Here is my "baby" with pink stones so you can see how they go.

 

[Ionysis]

Ooh that’s so pretty! Did you set it with Paraibas? Great idea to have it set with other rare stones. Maybe I could get some paraiba melee and set that round it to oomph the wow factor. Like they do with fancy colour diamonds. Something like this?



But perhaps the reason this works so well is the yellow gold. Can you get blue rhodium?! LOL!

 

[Ionysis]

That colour.
I don't think it is too small
I vote east west and diamonds
What finger will the ring be for ?

I’d probably wear in on my wedding finger. As well as wearing a coloured RHR I tend to be relaxed about swapping out my engagement ring for anything else colourful that takes my fancy - so my coloured stones get more airplay. I feel sad for them if they don’t get an outing often enough LOL!

 

[Ionysis]

Baby, def. not a small stone. Fine color.

Yes I fell in love with the colour. It’s not the greatest clarity (pretty tough to find that in grandidierite anyway) but the colour really does pop. I’m really happy with it.

 

[tarung81]

Definitely a very beautiful colour gemstone. Agree on the cut and clarity not being top-grade, but for ultra-rare gems like 'grandidierite', this is 100% acceptable.

Personally, I would custom make it with only white diamonds. Don't want that stone color to get lost in any type of setting. . So my vote will be sticking with simple "East west and in white gold and diamonds"

Best of luck with your custom ring!

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Ooh that’s so pretty! Did you set it with Paraibas? Great idea to have it set with other rare stones. Maybe I could get some paraiba melee and set that round it to oomph the wow factor. Like they do with fancy colour diamonds. Something like this?



But perhaps the reason this works so well is the yellow gold. Can you get blue rhodium?! LOL!

I absolutely love this setting, by the way - would you consider doing something like this for your grandidierite? Green and yellow is also a lovely combination, so you could use yellow diamond melee with it…

Edit: though on second thought, I think the yellow might clash. It’s more blue than I remembered while writing this comment. The paraiba melee would look great though! Or just white diamond melee.

 

[Autumn in New England]

@Ionysis That is the perfect shade of teal! An equal mix of blue and green, and not too dark (like so many sapphires tend to be). I understand it's small, but I'm sure others will be along with some inspiration to jazz it up. I'll spare you my opinion, since this is not my strong suit!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Definitely not small for a grandidierite! Here is my "baby" with pink stones so you can see how they go.

This is crazy gorgeous!!

 

[Autumn in New England]

P.S. @Ionysis They actually do have blue rhodium! I know this because I have a pendant where the melee halo is plated with it. lol

 

[Ionysis]

P.S. @Ionysis They actually do have blue rhodium! I know this because I have a pendant where the melee halo is plated with it. lol

How fantastic! So I could do my tiny Paraiba halo and blue rhodium LoL!

 

[kimberlyqkim]

Hello my favourite people. I need some ideas. I have come across a little grandiderite, which is a stone I’ve wanted for a long time as I don’t yet have one in my collection.

But it’s very teeny - only 1ct. I wanted to make a three stone ring out of it - with pear diamonds at the sides - but I’m thinking it might be too small. Even if I halo it it’s going to be on the small side - and I do like a good bit of finger coverage.

The only thing I do know is I want it set East west and in white gold and diamonds. Maybe with something pink (melee?) to offset that lovely teal?

It’s about 6mm x 5.5mm.

Any inspiration?

Wow I absolutely LOVE that stone! Gem quality Grandiderite is on my bucket list! She is stunning! Do you mind sharing the stone vendor?

Personally I would want the color to stand out, so I would do white diamonds and not add a third type of color/stone

 

[Mjay]

Gorgeous stone! I'd do a chunky halo, a chunky gypsy ring, or a sleek matte finish bezel ring.

 

[Ionysis]

So I decided it definitely needs a halo to make that colour pop. But I really wanted a three stone type of profile on the finger.

Sides have to be brilliant cut because I have an irrational prejudice against mixing step and brilliant. So I decided on pears.

I didn’t want a micropave type halo, I wanted a shared prong style where I can see each individual little diamond.

This was the first CAD.




But I think the pears need to be closer / sort of overlap. Like this style. With a partial halo round the sides.




I’ve asked for an alternate CAD so I can see what it’s like.

Any other suggestions? Anything glaringly ugly that I’m missing?

 

[Autumn in New England]

I feel like this design is very complimentary to the stone. I like your idea to bring the pears in closer by omitting their inner halo portions. But, truthfully, it also looks great in the CAD as-is (more bling with the added diamonds). Either way, this will be a beautiful piece...

 

[Ionysis]

Final CADs. I prefer this one I think.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Final CADs. I prefer this one I think.

You were right... it definitely incorporates the pears into the design better. I look forward to seeing this exotic beauty come to life!

 

[viridian]

Final CADs. I prefer this one I think.

Wow, that setting looks dazzling! I think it'll look mesmerizing with the grandidierite and add extra sparkles to it Hope to see the finished product!

 

[Ionysis]

On my way to pick it up now - so excited !

 

[Ionysis]

Well I think it came out pretty well. I’m glad I asked for a little space between the pears and the centre halo for some distinction.

I actually think the colour is better in indoors / evening lighting. It deepens it slightly.

 

[Ionysis]

For anyone who likes stats:

Pears are 0.24ct each, the round diamonds 0.45ct in total, all F/G VVS to VS
18k white gold with rhodium

 

[Autumn in New England]

That is impossibly gorgeous... and so exotic. You did a fantastic job designing this piece, and it's executed beautifully. Congrats and enjoy!!

 

[CSpan]

That is beautiful, the ratio is perfect and I love the open bottom

 

[Ionysis]

That is beautiful, the ratio is perfect and I love the open bottom

I know I probably sound like a bit of a nutcase but I’m a bit OCD about that. I can’t stand having a piece of jewellery that I can’t properly scrub.

I’ve got a sapphire ring with caddy diamond sides and the way it was made doesn’t allow for me to clean the side stones. Even with the ultrasonic. They always seem to look dull (possibly my mind only but drives me mad!).

So I always try to get my jewellery, rings especially, made with an easily cleanable back.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I know I probably sound like a bit of a nutcase but I’m a bit OCD about that. I can’t stand having a piece of jewellery that I can’t properly scrub.

Same ^ !

 

[Mjay]

Well I think it came out pretty well. I’m glad I asked for a little space between the pears and the centre halo for some distinction.

I actually think the colour is better in indoors / evening lighting. It deepens it slightly.

Holy quickness! Your jeweler is a speed demon and did a fantastic job! It is absolutely stunning! It looks perfect on your finger

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

More than well, it's a beautiful rare example!

 

[Ionysis]

Holy quickness! Your jeweler is a speed demon and did a fantastic job! It is absolutely stunning! It looks perfect on your finger

I really am amazingly lucky to live here. If I was in the U.K. it simply wouldn’t be possible for me to pursue my hobby the way I do. I’d have the opportunity to collect vintage and estate pieces (at a high cost!) but custom work to my own specs can’t be done there or would take months and cost a fortune.

My jewellers bench is ten meters away from his store with some incredibly talented guys. But the cost of labour is so minimal.

This setting cost me $1,800 - which is almost three times what I usually pay given the diamonds in it. My last custom three stone setting in 18K set me back $400, all in.

I can literally come up with any sketch I can imagine on the back if an envelope and they will make it in a couple of weeks. I’m limited only by my own design inexperience and lack of real creativity. If you had a proper talent for it the sky is the limit.

But I love the stones more than the pieces of jewellery - my drive to collect is definitely focussed on the gems themselves.