Which stone for this setting?

[Agneau]

I am partial to the tourmaline because that is in my color pallet, but it feels right to be in that ring setting to me.
Also, that garnet is awesome! I believe there is a setting out there that will suit it more.

 

[justginger]

Definitely the tourmaline - I don't like to mix 'warmths' and I reckon the cooler stone looks far better with the cool metal. Both are beautiful stones, just prefer the tourm in this setting.

 

[Arkteia]

the tourmaline. simply because i" d love to see such a stone on my hand all the time.

 

[NKOTB]

So, I finally made a decision and went to my jeweller's today, to drop off the tourmaline and the setting. He took a look, and said it would be "dicey". Given the width of the prongs, and the fact that the tourm has a faceted girdle, he was concerned about it chipping during setting (because the facets aren't as wide as the prongs, so there would be pressure on a point, if that makes sense). NOT taking a risk with that stone, and just looked at the garnet, which has a similar girdle.

I apologize for having wasted everyone's time, but really appreciate all of your input!

 

[chrono]

It is never a waste of time to help a friend. I'm sorry that you had no choice in the matter in the end though.

Oh yeah, the rebel gets her way!

 

[NKOTB]

Thanks, Chrono. And you made me smile, but what I'm saying is that since the garnet has a similar girdle, I'm assuming it can't be used, either. So, either I have to look for a new 8+ mm stone (not a terrible problem, to be honest), or the setting won't work for me.

 

[chrono]

My apologies, I read that as a smaller diameter, thinking that the garnet fits. So a harder stone is needed? Or just something a smidge smaller?

 

[NKOTB]

Ha ha, no worries, I appreciated your enthusiasm. The size is actually fine (the tourm is ~8.2mm, the garnet is 8 mm), it's more the smoothness of the girdle. So, a perfectly round girdle would be fine. A harder stone of the same size with a faceted girdle might be less likely to chip, too? But an 8 mm spinel/sapphire/ruby will not come cheap, and then I would be even less likely to want to take a chance.

Sooo...I guess if anyone sees any nice 8.2ish mm stones that would look nice in an 18kwg setting, with a smooth girdle, please let me know!

 

[chrono]

The previous stone in the setting is a spinel with a faceted girdle, correct?

 

[NKOTB]

Yes, a Barry spinel. The setting was custom made for it (don't know if that makes a difference or not, probably not). Whatcha thinking?

 

[FrekeChild]

Big Blue has a thick faceted girdle too....although it doesn't look this thick in real life...

 

[JewelFreak]

Bummer, Freke. I'm sorry. Possibly an abundance of caution but the outcome would be heartbreaking if you risked it. I like that your jeweler gave you the choice. Costly, but maybe fate that you now need a spinel, sapphire, ruby?

--- Laurie

 

[chrono]

Just wondering if it is really the gem size or gem type.

 

[minousbijoux]

I am sorry it didn't work out - and no, you didn't waste our time! We learned yet another thing to look out for: prongs wider than the facet on the girdle. Sigh. *eye roll is not for you, but for yet another thing that one must keep in mind when setting...

 

[NKOTB]

Don't know, Chrono. Maybe the size of the facets as well as both of those factors?

I wonder if Big Blue's facets are wider or anything.

Thanks, Minou. I don't imagine it's too common an issue? Maybe with fishtail prongs?

 

[minousbijoux]

I don't know, I just know that the more I read from poster's experiences here, the more fearful I become of ever setting stones...