Yssie's reset thread!

[yssie]

Cheers Haven

I think you and slg hit the proverbial nails in terms of the trellis design itself - which also affects the trellis/shank meet. My issue with the front profile view is the way the last stone seems to just kinda be floating in mid-air - the under-wire prong swoop thingy addresses that. And the side view outward swoop that you talked about - thank you for your ideas on that! I can't quite envision it though, so I'll wait for the pic.

 

[sapphirering]

Yssie, wow, what a whirlwind experience! I'm so sorry that things aren't working out with the ring, although with all of your points, you're 100% right and although it's more money to be spent, you ought to be happy with the final outcome.

I truly hope that DBL will give you everything you want!

TBH, I got confused re: cross bars. I thought you were adamantly against them... and they weren't in any of your drawings...
Anyway, post-hand-forged experience, now you'll have as much wax to play with as necessary and all of your wishes will come to fruition!

Thanks WD - it really has been!

DBL has received the ring and is talking to the designer this afternoon, so I should have a better idea of how we're moving forward either today or soon after the holiday. I think there's a lot of misinformation floating around - I had no idea prior to a few days ago that a hand-carved wax can translate into a finer piece than machined wax, for example - so I fully intend to document everything as best I can here. Apparently several of their pieces have elements that are hand-forged, some are fully hand-forged... David emailed me to say he's completely confident they can get this right, which is very comforting. He also said he'll be sure to send in-the-process pics to save me some driving it sounds like he'll be amenable to my posting some of them, though I'll have to make sure.

Re. crossbars - I *was* adamantly against them, but I acquiesced when VC said they'd be necessary, and looking at the finished ring I think they actually add to the design, especially with the milgrain

I did request the under-wire design change - where the trellis wire swoops off the centre and joins the endprong under the basket of the last stone. I'm looking forward to hearing what the designer thinks!

I hope I didn't give you false info, Yssie. It was just my personal comparison, and I'm sure that other posters may have difference experiences on hand-carved versus machine wax. I'm actually really looking forward to any info that you can share with your ring design process.

 

[MissGotRocks]

One point to clarify: is DBL making a whole new ring (I assume with talk of a wax) or just trying to modify what you currently have?

 

[yssie]

sapphire - what you said is actually pretty much word for word exactly what David said, so it would seem you have keen observation But yes, I will be sure to double check before I post anything as Fact.


MGR - DBL has recommended making a new piece. I would not have been comfortable asking them to work on the VC anyway, given that VC himself expressed discomfort with the idea, and certainly my trellis proves beyond doubt that he knows what he's doing with regard to his craft. Despite the route I've chosen I truly have nothing but respect for him and the beautiful pieces he creates.

I don't know exactly how that piece will be made - in a brief conversation a few minutes ago David mentioned handforging, but with lots of in-the-making photos to be sure I saw and approved the details every step of the way.

I don't know that I am comfortable with this even with the process photos, as it still entails a level of uncertainty. I need to clarify
A) that they fully understand all my concerns, qualms, and gripes with the current design. This is super important because if they understand the concerns, and they really understand the aesthetic I'm looking for - all elements swooping and flowing and curving - they know what to address. It's easier this time around in a lot of ways because I *do* have a 3D prototype to work from - it's not all nebulous design anymore, like with Butteflies v. 2...
B) what they recommend as the best way to get a superbly made and finished piece - whether that's handforging, casting from wax... I now realise that I don't care about the method of manufacture, I care about durability, quality of workmanship, quality of finish, and delicate precise claw prongs
C) what happens if I don't like some detail in the photos, and we need to go back a step and/or re-think,
D) what happens if I don't like the final product. Addressing concerns every step of the way as per (C) should avoid this.

 

[sapphirering]

sapphire - what you said is actually pretty much word for word exactly what David said, so it would seem you have keen observation But yes, I will be sure to double check before I post anything as Fact.

whew. Glad to have it confirmed by a jeweler. I just want to mention, though, that the method of fabrication is only as good as the skills of the bench executing it. My local bench happens to be a good hand carver, but it might not always be the case that hand-carved wax can hold more delicate details than CAD. Actually, I just picked up a custom band from my jeweler, made by the same platinumsmith again, and also with a hand-carved wax cast. I can post a photo for you if you like, although it's totally different than your setting.

 

[yssie]

sapphire - what you said is actually pretty much word for word exactly what David said, so it would seem you have keen observation But yes, I will be sure to double check before I post anything as Fact.

whew. Glad to have it confirmed by a jeweler. I just want to mention, though, that the method of fabrication is only as good as the skills of the bench executing it. My local bench happens to be a good hand carver, but it might not always be the case that hand-carved wax can hold more delicate details than CAD. Actually, I just picked up a custom band from my jeweler, made by the same platinumsmith again, and also with a hand-carved wax cast. I can post a photo for you if you like, although it's totally different than your setting.

Would love to see your pics!

 

[sapphirering]

Ok. It's an art deco inspired band. I saw the original on PS and tried to replicate it. The stones were from a vintage band I got from eBay, about 90 pts total, OEC.


Each stone has 4 double prongs. They are, like, microscopic tiny. I can barely see them at all with my eye 2 inches away. For scale, I took a photo of the band next to DH's toothbrush.



I did find a pair of SS pearl earrings on loan from my mom. The prongs on them are about the same size as BGD, maybe just a tad larger, by that I mean maybe 5% larger. Here's a shot:


And the two together- these photos are all taken with my iphone by the way so sorry for the slight blur.


I hope you can see the difference in prong size. IRL it's very very apparent. I'm sorry to threadjack, but here's a last one of all three of my hand-carved wax cast bands:

 

[yssie]

Well - I just had a very, very reassuring conversation with David. He made it clear that:

1. I would be kept in the loop every step of the way, with conversations and photos, and
2. If there's something I don't like I will be able to say "we need to step back", and that's what will happen - and if it can be changed it will be, and if it can't we'll work to find acceptable alternatives.

In short - he (and apparently his bench ) understands I'm a picky customer and knows what he's getting into and, equally importantly, he won't let me wind up in the position of ending up with a piece I don't adore with no option but to go elsewhere. Their bench recommended handforging as the best way to get the look and finish I want, and so that's the way I'm leaning... I would not be considering it for even a second if I was not reassured that I'll be involved and have right of decision throughout the process.


If I'm honest... I'm still trying to figure out what "reasonable expectations" are. Of course there are extremes, like Charmy described - but I'm not going to suddenly decide I want twelve prongs on the centre or three-sided pave. On the other hand earlier I talked about taking a big step back, and, well, I just can't do that - I'm not wired that way. I *did* step back and trust in the vendor's understanding of the aesthetic I wanted, and it didn't end the way I hoped, so a huge part of me wants to go the other way and overcompensate, and I'm consciously reigning myself in...

The bench does flawless work - so I have an expectation that the finish will be as incredible as on the pieces I saw.
The bench does incredible prong work - so I expect beautiful, precise claw prongs everywhere.
The bench creates beautiful, seamless, flowing designs - and I want a seamless and flowing design, and I think I made clear that if there's a better way to achieve to achieve seamless and flowing than what I can envision, I want to hear about it. Hmm... maybe I should emphasize this more...


So - we'll be getting started soon after the holiday, I'm really excited! DBL also has my OECs and will be setting them for me next week, so I'll have those back soon too

 

[yssie]

sapphire - thanks for posting those! I can barely even *see* the prongs in your photos - so I believe they're teen tiny! They do look very different to those on your mum's earrings. Maybe the style of setting contributes to needing different prongs, too? I don't know, just thinking out loud...

I really like the design you picked - and it looks fantastic stacked with the other two in the last pic



ETA: they okay'd me posting some pics of the leaf design on the last page - pics are blurry though, sadly

 

[CharmyPoo]

In my opinion, you should decide on every detail and leave little freedom for them to decide. For my wedding, I hired a high end florist and gave her artistic freedom. Let's say .. I was really unhappy with the result because it wasn't what I wanted. It looked great to everyone else but I was really unhappy (in fact - still am thinking about it).

I say this because of a personality like yours (and mine) - we have an end vision in sight and will likely not be happy when it is not executed.

 

[yssie]

Charmy - we seem to be on the same page. I definitely want to hear about other ideas or recommendations for improvement that they might have, but I don't want things moving forward without my explicit okay... to their credit DBL seems to understand this and is willing to work with it.

I did not seek and explicitly discuss this sort of arrangement with VC, and I cannot but believe that to have been a mistake.


I'm sorry about the flowers though! I let my florist loose and I couldn't believe what she came up with - it was more beautiful than anything I had envisioned. One of the few times backing off has worked out well for me, I think!

 

[Rockdiamond]

HI All!
I just wanted to poke my head in and first of all, say hi
Here's my take on custom work:
When considering jewelry design, it involves utilizing the artisans properly.
In some cases, that means telling them specifically how you want it done.
In some of those cases it involves them telling you why it can't be done that way.

Now, we have to make a decision.
Is it a weakness on the part of the artisan?
Is it merely a difference of artistic vision?
Is it outside their specialty and expertise?
Or are they correct in a physical sense that a design is impractical?

The point is, sometimes you can dictate what you want, and sometimes you can't, if you want the artisan to produce results consistent to those you've come to expect from them.
A piece of advice given here that I agree with is: look at the pieces a shop has made, and use that as a barometer to what to expect.
A shop that does not do shaped prongs ( for example) may say yes to the job, and produce sub par results.

My advice to those undertaking a custom job would be to pick a maker that has shown designs you prefer- with elements you prefer.
Be as specific as you want- but be prepared for elements you have in mind that many not work for a variety of reasons.
You want to pick a maker who's vision matches yours so you'll feel comfortable taking their advice.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Ok. It's an art deco inspired band. I saw the original on PS and tried to replicate it. The stones were from a vintage band I got from eBay, about 90 pts total, OEC.


Each stone has 4 double prongs. They are, like, microscopic tiny. I can barely see them at all with my eye 2 inches away. For scale, I took a photo of the band next to DH's toothbrush.



I did find a pair of SS pearl earrings on loan from my mom. The prongs on them are about the same size as BGD, maybe just a tad larger, by that I mean maybe 5% larger. Here's a shot:


And the two together- these photos are all taken with my iphone by the way so sorry for the slight blur.


I hope you can see the difference in prong size. IRL it's very very apparent. I'm sorry to threadjack, but here's a last one of all three of my hand-carved wax cast bands:

Please excuse the interruption, Yssie! Sounds like you are making progress! Can't wait to see what you create this time!

Sapphirering, I think you should start a thread on Show Me the Bling for your new ring! I am interested in the design. Your mother's earrings are incredibly beautiful, too! Also, I saw on another thread where you are having a sapphire set in a BK setting. I'd love to know more about that project as well!

 

[CharmyPoo]

Have you seen this ring from Leon? Look at pictures 2 and 3 for the side view.

http://artofplatinum.com/vault/index.php?page=shop.product_details&product_id=1389&flypage=flypage.tpl&pop=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1#

 

[yssie]

Thank you, DS - and you aren't interrupting! I really appreciate everyone's thoughts and support in this thread so far. I have a much better idea of what questions to ask, I think... and second time round I fully intend to ask them, and not leave things to implication or assumption.


RD - I think as long as both sides are clear in their expectations, and reasonable about following them, things go smoothly... it's when there are surprises that trouble can crop up! But I feel like I should reassure you that I'm really neither dragon nor bloodhound If we discover something I ask for can't be done for practical reasons - durability, impossible to make, impossible to maintain - I'll want to look into alternatives, and if there's something your bench thinks there's a better way to achieve, I'll want to hear their ideas!


Charmy - Huh... y'know, I have to admit I actually don't like that at all - what a rare thing to say of LM's work! The way the trellis struct meets the shank looks - unfinished, with that inner wire on the last stone just cutting off like that...

How *exactly* to integrate the trellis head with the shank has risen high on the list of concerns. At this point I do think adding the underwire and joining the endprong is the easiest way to achieve a balanced, flowing, integrated look - I'm waiting for the designer's thoughts.



Maybe something like this has potential, too - the split-shank type of meet..?

 

[CharmyPoo]

Any updates? I am eagerly awaiting!

 

[rosetta]

Packy, Zoe - oops! That's VC's pic, not mine - from Adobe Illustrator apparently. It's neat - apparently it's to proportion wrt stone/finger size and metal thickness... all I did was paint in some outlines and email it back to him


Rosetta - I'll still have mine! We're still twins! I want to get some garnets for it - time to resume lurking on CS

Ooh, really? Are you actively searching?

Yay!

I'll look for your post on CS in due course!

sorry to threadjack but rosetta did you see this?
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/stunning-old-european-diamond-for-sale-t166919.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/stunning-old-european-diamond-for-sale-t166919.html[/URL]
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8716

ETA yssie do you have any updates?

Sorry ladies, I'm late to answer. That stone is indeed gorgeous, but I'm looking for an even lower colour (W-Z)


Whoa. OMG. That is GORGEOUS Rosetta!! You know you want to...


Package mailed, deposit sent. We are officially getting started.

I wonder how long it'll take? I suppose I should (remember to) ask him at some point. I've been assuming it'll be a couple of months... but if he routinely finishes rings in four days maybe his idea of *long* is - y'know - two weeks or something...


Thanks Amy!

 

[rosetta]

Ooh, I'm hoping this one goes perfectly yssie!

 

[yssie]

No big updates yet Charmy! I sent David a list of details, and I think he's going to talk to the bench today. His recommendation is to let them "do their thing" given my wants and concerns, and we'll go from there.

I explicitly double checked that if I want changes we can go back and address that - I'm not locked in to this design iteration.

I forgot to ask what the estimated timeline is - at one point early January came up. Since there is going to be this back and forth I don't anticipate a quick turnaround - I guess we'll just take it step by step.


Rosetta - good lord, I hope so! I do feel it will though, because there won't be any guesswork. I was SO nervous waiting for VC's photos because I had no idea how it would all come together, how A joined to B. And, predictably, the result was that I was thrilled with A and fine with B and my issue was with the join! I'm so happy DBL is willing to let me in - whether or not that's their usual way of doing things it's clearly the only way that fits my needs, and I really appreciate that they're accomodating that. I'm not cut out for surprises!

 

[Hospatogi]

Yssie I am so sorry to hear that you were not 100% happy with your reset but I am glad that you have found someone to make it exactly the way you had envisioned it. I know there are certain elements of my engagement ring that I wish were more aesthetically pleasing but luckily its no longer the first thing I notice when I see my ring anymore. I wish you the best of luck with this new ring and cant wait to see the hand shots

 

[yssie]

Thank you Hospatogi! We're apparently getting started!

I had a rather unfortunate discussion today with someone who simply did not believe that more than a couple of vendors are capable of beautiful handforging... I confess, I'm rather looking forward to putting that sort of thinking in the rubbish where it belongs


Your ring is really stunning - it's such a classic design, and in your photos it looks really beautifully executed! I'm really glad that you love it, and have been able to look past the things you wished were otherwise - whatever *we* think, in the end *you're* the one who has to be happy with it.

So... have you decided on a band??

 

[Hospatogi]

Thank you Hospatogi! We're apparently getting started!

I had a rather unfortunate discussion today with someone who simply did not believe that more than a couple of vendors are capable of beautiful handforging... I confess, I'm rather looking forward to putting that sort of thinking in the rubbish where it belongs


Your ring is really stunning - it's such a classic design, and in your photos it looks really beautifully executed! I'm really glad that you love it, and have been able to look past the things you wished were otherwise - whatever *we* think, in the end *you're* the one who has to be happy with it.

So... have you decided on a band??

Thank you so much for the compliment on my engagement ring. I think the glow of being engaged hasnt worn off yet. I still catch myself looking at my ring and wondering if this is all just a beautiful dream .
Its always wonderful when someone chooses to share a new fantastic vendor with the PS community so I am eagerly looking forward to seeing your completed piece ! I simply love your band so I am def going to go with a similar engraved band for my wedding band. Now the only problem is to find a complementary design for my fiance !

 

[yssie]

Thank you Hospatogi! We're apparently getting started!

I had a rather unfortunate discussion today with someone who simply did not believe that more than a couple of vendors are capable of beautiful handforging... I confess, I'm rather looking forward to putting that sort of thinking in the rubbish where it belongs


Your ring is really stunning - it's such a classic design, and in your photos it looks really beautifully executed! I'm really glad that you love it, and have been able to look past the things you wished were otherwise - whatever *we* think, in the end *you're* the one who has to be happy with it.

So... have you decided on a band??

Thank you so much for the compliment on my engagement ring. I think the glow of being engaged hasnt worn off yet. I still catch myself looking at my ring and wondering if this is all just a beautiful dream .
Its always wonderful when someone chooses to share a new fantastic vendor with the PS community so I am eagerly looking forward to seeing your completed piece ! I simply love your band so I am def going to go with a similar engraved band for my wedding band. Now the only problem is to find a complementary design for my fiance !

Our wedding was a year ago and I still catch myself looking at *his* band and wondering how this actually happened. I don't know why it's his band that unravels me, it isn't the least bit sparkly...

Your ring really is lovely - and I really do think a little VC engraved band would complement it beautifully. I completely adore my band - it's the sweetest, most versatile little darling - and so much lower maintenance than something with diamonds!

Men's bands - just throwing out ideas - would he consider something like these? Plain on top, only with matching engraving on the sides instead of the diamonds - or engraving on the interior like the bottom Tacori..?

 

[Hospatogi]

Thank you Hospatogi! We're apparently getting started!

I had a rather unfortunate discussion today with someone who simply did not believe that more than a couple of vendors are capable of beautiful handforging... I confess, I'm rather looking forward to putting that sort of thinking in the rubbish where it belongs


Your ring is really stunning - it's such a classic design, and in your photos it looks really beautifully executed! I'm really glad that you love it, and have been able to look past the things you wished were otherwise - whatever *we* think, in the end *you're* the one who has to be happy with it.

So... have you decided on a band??

Thank you so much for the compliment on my engagement ring. I think the glow of being engaged hasnt worn off yet. I still catch myself looking at my ring and wondering if this is all just a beautiful dream .
Its always wonderful when someone chooses to share a new fantastic vendor with the PS community so I am eagerly looking forward to seeing your completed piece ! I simply love your band so I am def going to go with a similar engraved band for my wedding band. Now the only problem is to find a complementary design for my fiance !

Our wedding was a year ago and I still catch myself looking at *his* band and wondering how this actually happened. I don't know why it's his band that unravels me, it isn't the least bit sparkly...

Your ring really is lovely - and I really do think a little VC engraved band would complement it beautifully. I completely adore my band - it's the sweetest, most versatile little darling - and so much lower maintenance than something with diamonds!

Men's bands - just throwing out ideas - would he consider something like these? Plain on top, only with matching engraving on the sides instead of the diamonds - or engraving on the interior like the bottom Tacori..?

I am sure your husband feels the same way when he looks at your band after all its an outward symbol of the love you share My fiance actually tried on something similar to the Tacori band and felt that the millegrain edges made the band look too narrow. I think he would really like it if the millgrain was more centered if that makes any sense? I am not sure how he would feel about matching engraving but I know I love the idea! My fiance has only a few requirements, that it be comfortable, at least 6mm so it feels substantial, looks like a traditional wedding band, and not be too expensive hahha !