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Would a 3 stone ring look crazy in the O-P range?

SB621

SB621

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
7,864
To make a long story very short I recently found a very pretty OEC in the O-P range that I would like to make into a 3 stone ring. I was planning on using RB's, just because I recently was given an older ring that I was going to recycle, but when I came across the O-P diamond it just spoke to me. My DH thinks I'm crazy because the color of the diamond(s) might look weird next to each other. And now his thoughts are starting to rub off on me and I'm starting to second guess myself.

The idea was to do a three stone with all 3 stones being around the same color OEC's in a white gold/ PLAT shank and then prong set in either yellow gold or rose gold to play up the lower coloring of the diamond. Will that look fantastic or will people just think I have diamond sludge on my hand? The other issue is the O-P diamond has a fairly noticable inclusion and is a bit wonky shaped. However, instead of turning me off it actually sort of makes me like it more! Sorry I guess I'm one of those people that like something a little different! I'm fairly certain I could hide some of the inclusion with the design of the 3 stone but not all of it-if it does end up bothering me. So I guess my real issue is will the colors look bizarre? I have seen several O-P diamonds in solitares and some with halos but no 3 stones so far so I have nothing to compare it too....and I think now I'm talking in circles!!! Let me know what you think because I'm starting to overanalyze and that is NEVER pretty when that happens! TIA!
 
This is an easy one - done right that would look AMAZING Sarah!! And by "done right" I really just mean "well-made" in whatever style :sun:


I do think the metal and setting style makes a HUGE difference to the way these lower-coloured non-precision-cut stones look, much more so than if you were setting a colourless RB or an almost-FCD. For a couple of reasons -
-From far away stone colour + setting colour = a certain overall *look* - warmer (warmer stone in yg) or cooler (whiter stone in white setting), or more contrasty (very white stone in rich yg, say)...
-The wonky, leaky old cuts actually pick up on and reflect the colour of the metal underneath, so going with yellower vs whiter metal really does change how the stone looks! Mike R's solution is to rhodium plate the insides of prongs when setting white stones in non-white metals to avoid this.


IMO rg is the most unpredictable, I've got 14k rg that's peachy and 14k from a different vendor that's so bright and *pink* it's almost "bluish". I'd definitely want a peachy rg like Haven's - it complements her O/P beautifully ::)


Packrat has a few threads w/ lower coloured multi-AVC rings -

M AVCs in yg
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/m-avc-three-stone-in-yellow-gold.175160/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/m-avc-three-stone-in-yellow-gold.175160/[/URL]
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J/K AVCs in wg
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/packrats-graduated-avc-five-stone-from-gog.171141/page-2']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/packrats-graduated-avc-five-stone-from-gog.171141/page-2[/URL]
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L/M AVCs in unplated wg, alloy not specified
ringband1.jpg
 
Hey Yssie! I was hoping you would chime in. I would definitely go with someone who knows about older stones or in general playing with lower colored stones. DBL and SS come to mind right off the bat. I'm really torn between doing a swooping trellis design (similar to your current ring) or something more chunky like Coati's! Then I do also love Yenny and Tgals ring with all the beautiful miligraining. I'm also worried that if I prong set the diamonds the less then fantastic cut might show more then if they were bezeled.
 
I think either DBL or SS could do a wonderful job!! I'd probably add 23rd St to my contact list based on TGal's pieces and experiences, too :))

Oh I totally understand the setting dilemma :cheeky: What shape are they, and how big, and how many prongs were you thinking of? One of my new earring OECs is significantly out of round but the eight prongs really mask it IRL, it's actually a pretty shocking difference - so I definitely think prongs *can* make wonky antiques look fantastic!

OTOH I also have a pair of N half-carat antique cushions in milgrained bezels - it's a totally different look but it works really well for those stones. They're wonky as can be, definitely lacking in the performance department, but I fell in love with the faceting and the colour... TBH I think the bezels visibly detract (further) from the light return but they play up the outline, and the metal colour (unplated 14k wg that matches the face-up colour of the stones *exactly*) makes the stones look so deliciously buttery...

I love Yenny/TGal/Dreamer's milgrain, it's so delicate! That's the one thing I'd change about my bezels, the milgrain is very bold and I much prefer a very delicate milgrain that blends into the stone so you don't even really see it from afar :love:

Would love to see some pics of your stone! :bigsmile:
 
I think the idea sounds INCREDIBLE!!! I am really drawn to the warmer colours and when I thought mine was an M, I was pumped when it turned out to be a QR - double win for me!!! Same with 3 stones, I love them! Best finger coverage you can get... so if you were thinking you're crazy - then I'm on the boat with ya! :bigsmile: (which is probably why I'm having such a hard time deciding on a solitaire style setting!)

Finding 3 that work well in terms of colour, shape, faceting, could be a tad tricky but if you aren't too particular and like the quirkiness of the stones, I think it would look STUNNING! Bezels do look amazing, but so do prongs - go with what your heart tells you, as both would be suitable for the era.

I hope you go for it, this will be a fun journey to enjoy with you! :appl:
 
Yssie|1349715909|3281584 said:
I think either DBL or SS could do a wonderful job!! I'd probably add 23rd St to my contact list based on TGal's pieces and experiences, too :))

Oh I totally understand the setting dilemma :cheeky: What shape are they, and how big, and how many prongs were you thinking of? One of my new earring OECs is significantly out of round but the eight prongs really mask it IRL, it's actually a pretty shocking difference - so I definitely think prongs *can* make wonky antiques look fantastic!

OTOH I also have a pair of N half-carat antique cushions in milgrained bezels - it's a totally different look but it works really well for those stones. They're wonky as can be, definitely lacking in the performance department, but I fell in love with the faceting and the colour... TBH I think the bezels visibly detract (further) from the light return but they play up the outline, and the metal colour (unplated 14k wg that matches the face-up colour of the stones *exactly*) makes the stones look so deliciously buttery...

I love Yenny/TGal/Dreamer's milgrain, it's so delicate! That's the one thing I'd change about my bezels, the milgrain is very bold and I much prefer a very delicate milgrain that blends into the stone so you don't even really see it from afar :love:

Would love to see some pics of your stone! :bigsmile:
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Here is the diamond. It is just over 2cts but faces up closer to 1.75ct I believe. You can definitely see the wonky cutting and the inclusion at 12 o'clock but for some reason I still really love it. It reminds me of antique lace and I love how it goes from that color to a fancy light yellow. I'm really leaning towards doing a fantastic setting in rose gold but I'm worried in some light the FLY color will not mesh well with that. My other thought is instead of doing sides stones that match the OEC doing super white ones instead making the center stone stand out more. When I decide on a designer I will throw that idea out at them to get their expert opinions. A part of me thinks it would look great and another part of me thinks it will make the ring be a little too modern for what I'm really going for.

I do know that I woud like to do prongs and I think 8 would be perfect. No halo. Definitely want miligraining. For sidestones I realy want some size contrast. I love the proportions of your ring with the center and sides. If I did something similar I think I would sides that are roughly .30ct each (??). I'm pretty sure I will contact David about this ring because I will be in NYC in November. Maybe ERD too though I haven't seen any examples of his miligraining and Leon though honestly his personality to me is a real turn off. And thanks for the reminder about 23rd street. I love Tgal's ring- it is stunning. I'll be interested to see how all the quotes come in.

E- Thanks for the support! You are an enabler! I will contact JbEG and OWD about finding sidestones once I decide if I want them to match or be white. I'm nervous that it will take some time as I'm more of an instant gratification person. I'm pretty sure at this point I'm definitely going to go for it. I have been budgeting for a large OEC for awhile and honestly this one is about 1/4 of what I thought i would be spending so I feel it was meant to be.
 

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Lovely stone :love: . I just set an EGL N oval into rose gold. It has interesting faceting, similar to an old cut diamond. It is most definitely an O-P color, and the rose gold makes it look AMAZING. I highly recommend.
 
I think sides stones that match would be better. I am not a fan of the superwhite idea, but hard to say without having seen it. ::)

The stone looks great!
 
TravelingGal|1349722900|3281643 said:
I think sides stones that match would be better. I am not a fan of the superwhite idea, but hard to say without having seen it. ::)

The stone looks great!
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Thanks Tgal...I think I'm with you on everything matching. I feel if there were white side stones it would look to modern or that I was trying to highlight the dimaonds more yellow color vs. the creamy vanilla (can this even describe diamonds?!?! :twirl: / antique lace coloring that I love.
 
ihy138|1349722054|3281636 said:
Lovely stone :love: . I just set an EGL N oval into rose gold. It has interesting faceting, similar to an old cut diamond. It is most definitely an O-P color, and the rose gold makes it look AMAZING. I highly recommend.
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Hi IHY!

Did you post pictures of your ring? I would love to see it!
 
What a gorgeous stone Sarah! I can see why it spoke to you. I'm in the "sidetones matching" camp. I can't wait to see what you do!! Yay!!
 
Your stone is a beauty!! I love the worn white facet-meets, I always have - the way they outline the facet patterning really is reminiscent of antique lace, and the colour must be beautiful in-person :love: :love: :love:
You definitely won't have any trouble making her look good ::)


I'm partial to a significant size difference between center and sides, as you know!
I have to be honest though, I really don't like the idea of pairing her with super white sides :sick: I know what I'm thinking, bear with me while I try to make it intelligible to anyone outside my head...

Right now my center and first pair of sides are Js, and the endstones are F & H by GIA standards (long story short - I'd asked for J/Ks but the vendor ignored my request and failed to inform me before setting, and having it remade put me signficantly over budget) They're all the same "family": they're all RBs, the cut is fine, the size graduation is lovely, the colour is the only thing that's visibly different, but it doesn't look *deliberate*, it looks careless and out of place. I think that's because my Js are too tinted for the colour difference to blend in, but not quite tinted enough to clearly contrast. Of course an O/P is very different from a J, but it's still in that chameleon range where I would worry that it doesn't look "purposeful".


I'm seeing it in a warmer metal - a gold that's just slightly yellower than the stone itself face-up, not yellow enough to really contrast but no whiter either. The overall effect is "warmth" - it's such an inviting look IRL, and you alternate between studying the faceting and following slow rolling flashes off the crown... Very different from an unforgivingly distracting LookAtMeLookAtMe RB in a white metal setting - it invites a much more leisurely, detail-oriented sort of appreciation...
 
Sarahbear621|1349723654|3281646 said:
ihy138|1349722054|3281636 said:
Lovely stone :love: . I just set an EGL N oval into rose gold. It has interesting faceting, similar to an old cut diamond. It is most definitely an O-P color, and the rose gold makes it look AMAZING. I highly recommend.
Click to expand...


Hi IHY!

Did you post pictures of your ring? I would love to see it!
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I haven't yet! I've been so swamped. I will try to tonight and post one on this thread. :D
 
Yssie|1349725519|3281660 said:
I'm seeing it in a warmer metal - a gold that's just slightly yellower than the stone itself face-up, not yellow enough to really contrast but no whiter either. The overall effect is "warmth" - it's such an inviting look IRL, and you alternate between studying the faceting and following slow rolling flashes off the crown... Very different from an unforgivingly distracting LookAtMeLookAtMe RB in a white metal setting - it invites a much more leisurely, detail-oriented sort of appreciation...
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Yeah I agree with what you are staying and completely understand. I love my VC Emilya halo which holds a 2ct D, but I really want to do something different with this ring and "warmth" pretty much sums it up. Im not sure if that means 14k yellow gold (so not as contrasting as 18k YG) or going with something like unplated white gold. I need to find that thread with all the metal colors in 1 shot. I think that will help me decide.
 
Thanks Yssie! Those photos really help. I'm looking for Gbeg and OWD to sourse some sidestones for me. They said they would take some photos next to the diamond so I can decide on sizing. I will post them as I would love your input (and everyone else's). Stay tuned!
 
Just a quick update as I have been searching for a design and I just can't seem to committ to anything. I think I have found 4 settings that I really love, but nothing is quite perfect. Then I also have a budget limitation so I would like to try to keep this under 4k. With that said I think alot of the settings I lean towards would look funny with my OEC.


Ok here are some of my favorites I would love to hear your thoughts.

#1- I emailed Jbeg as I know their signature settings are coming back but not sure about their antique settings. I just love the kit. Though it is not a 3 stone I love the art deco look. Not sure how an O-P would look in there. I would also change the prongs to double claw. Con- even if JBEG does make it I have a feeling it will be just over my budget which I really want to stick with.

#2- This ring was posted previously on PS and I just love it. I'm pretty sure it was off of Fay Cullen so I would have to have it custom made. I think this is gorgeous as a solitare type of ring but not sure if it would translate into a 3 stone very well. Also since it is antique I would have to have SS make me a custom one as I don't think anyone else could do something similar and that would also break the budget.

#3-I think so far this is my favorite because it still has that antique look but with a more modern flare. The price tag is over 7k in PLAT and I would want to do RS or unplated WG plus I would get rid of the diamonds in between the prongs. My husband thinks this ring would look bizarre with a OEC though. Once again it would have to be custom but I could go with a more budget friendly vendor. I see WF and BGD being able to do this type of setting.

#4- A trellis setting. I dont think I would do diamonds or engraving/ miligraining all over the ring like the inspiration picture. Something between this and Yssie's new DBL ring. I want it to look vintage but still have an understated elegance. Perhaps just diamonds on the baskets?

EDIT for spelling!

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platinum-three-stone-ring_44_detail.jpg
 
I love option two. ;)
 
I ADORE #2!!! That would be a spectacular dream ring --- but it's not the 3 stone you are dreaming of. Hmmm....

I think the 3rd one is a bit too modern and the 4th seems not vintage enough, but its trying!

LOVE #2!!! :love:
 
I really like opion #2 as well!! However, I think if I had one custom made exactly the same it would look too much like an engagment ring and I don't realy want that...plus I do have my heart set on a 3 stone ring. I thought perhaps I could alter #2 to be for a 3 stone?
 
Altering #2 for a 3 stone would be EPIC!!! I can visualize how stunning that would be and I would be MAJORLY JEALOUS of such bling beauty on your hand!! esp in the warmer, lower colours!! Oh, Sarahbear, please please PLEASE make that happen!

If it were me... I'd contact all the usual suspects with pics and specs as to what you'd like and be upfront about your budget. Maybe there are small details that could be altered to keep the costs within range, but that setting ---- OMG!!! Its TO.DIE.FOR!!!!! :appl: :love: :appl: :love: :appl:
 
Option 2 would be my choice. Option one is sitting on a mountain top just asking to be damaged by an unintended bump. Options 3 and 4 are too modern. I'm not sure how well Option 2 will translate into a 3 stone ring. Do you have enough finger real esate for the side melee pattern / design to be seen? I think it'll look better if your sidestones are also warm and old cut. It'll look out of place to have white modern RBs next to a warmish OEC.
 
Chrono|1350662942|3288605 said:
Option 2 would be my choice. Option one is sitting on a mountain top just asking to be damaged by an unintended bump. Options 3 and 4 are too modern. I'm not sure how well Option 2 will translate into a 3 stone ring. Do you have enough finger real esate for the side melee pattern / design to be seen? I think it'll look better if your sidestones are also warm and old cut. It'll look out of place to have white modern RBs next to a warmish OEC.
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hey Chrono! I think I do have enough figure coverage. For a RHR i'm a 6.75 and my center stone is right around 8mm. I want the side stones to be smaller...I'm not sure what size would look good with this style, but I definitely agree they will be matching OEC's to my center.
 
With a three stone (big centre stone too!), I'm concerned there's no room on your finger to appreciate the lovely pattern (with melees) going down the shoulders. I think that design is best suited for a solitaire. You could still keep the pretty basket design for your 3 stone though.
 
I really like option 2 but I LOVE option 3. I think old cuts can look fantastic in both vintage and modern-y settings :love:

I think the precisely calibrated and very open/separate baskets of option 4 might be too unforgiving of slightly wonky stones, whereas option 3 has enough prongs on the center to "round" it out and keeps the sidestone design basic and unobtrusively tucked under so the center takes the stage. I'd do it in a yellowy metal with bright white RBs down the prongs just like in the pic, but make the two bigger melee in the profile rose cuts...
 
ETA keeping everything in-period makes for a beautifully romantic look, like TGal's new threestone - I think soycoffee's OEC in Sally's Lotus has the same "old romance" (I'm just posting soycoffee's as an example, I understand why you wouldn't want to work with HoW Sarah)

file.jpgfile.jpg
TGal's 23rd St [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/old-european-cut-three-stone-ring-by-23rd-street-jewelers.175582/page-8']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/old-european-cut-three-stone-ring-by-23rd-street-jewelers.175582/page-8[/URL]

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Soycoffee's OEC in HoW Lotus [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pictures-of-my-oec-in-its-lotus-setting-made-by-sally.116142/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pictures-of-my-oec-in-its-lotus-setting-made-by-sally.116142/[/URL]


OTOH contrast between stone and setting "style" can be very striking, if that particular stone and setting are complementary -

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derbygal's new anniversary gift [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/20th-anniversary-rose-cut-lots-of-pics.180671/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/20th-anniversary-rose-cut-lots-of-pics.180671/[/URL]

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My mum's WF w/ OECs [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wf-made-my-mum-a-pressie-a-2-25ct-oec-five-stone.173503/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wf-made-my-mum-a-pressie-a-2-25ct-oec-five-stone.173503/[/URL]


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Audball's OEC Sholdt [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/we-bought-a-diamond.171629/page-7']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/we-bought-a-diamond.171629/page-7[/URL]

ETA while looking for Audball's beauty I found a really old post in which someone had asked about putting an OEC in this setting and I anticipated that the contrast would be "glaring" and "obtrusive". Um, yeah, so much for *that*.
 
I like when old cuts are mixed into a modern setting, like Audball's. That's just my personal preference tho. Tgal's ring is fall on the floor stunning-it would not look right on *me*, no matter how much I adore it.

And I toss my vote in the hat for a three stone in the O-P range-I know it will be gorgeous, no matter what setting you go w/!
 
Yssie|1350675737|3288760 said:
I really like option 2 but I LOVE option 3. I think old cuts can look fantastic in both vintage and modern-y settings :love:

I think the precisely calibrated and very open/separate baskets of option 4 might be too unforgiving of slightly wonky stones, whereas option 3 has enough prongs on the center to "round" it out and keeps the sidestone design basic and unobtrusively tucked under so the center takes the stage. I'd do it in a yellowy metal with bright white RBs down the prongs just like in the pic, but make the two bigger melee in the profile rose cuts...
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Yssie thank you so much! You always manage to put into words what I'm thinking. I really love #2 but the more I look at it the more I think though the antique style is beautiful I'm not sure if it would look fantastic on me. Plus I just don't think this setting would translate for a 3 stone and I really want a 3 stone. I think #2 would compete with my Emilya Ering which is another strike against it :nono:

So now I'm leaning towards option 3 in either rose gold or unplated white gold. I will get rid of the RB's inbetween the prongs, but keep the ones in the prongs. I would also add some super fine miligraining in the basket underneath the two smaller stones and perhaps have a more trellis style with the head (is that correct jewerly talk?!). I just want to keep the ring as open as possible. I think I just have to find a way to make this ring translate into old time romance and it will work. I wish I was better at photoshopping so I can "see" it better.
 
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