Metal dilemma

[Niel]

So I have a yellow chryso. Its not chartreuse or golden, but to my eyes a very nice lemonade yellow. (Pics below)

My concern is what metal to use for the prongs/ bezel (can't decide yet on that part)

Yellow gold from what I gave seen traditionally brings out the green in chrysos. I don't want to bring out any lingering green that might be in there. I also, don't want to bring out any golden hues, which makes me wary of yellow gold.

White gold with yellow seems to wash it out. I don't want to do that....

What do you guys think?

 

[T L]

Re: Metal dilemma

So I have a yellow chryso. Its not chartreuse or golden, but to my eyes a very nice lemonade yellow. (Pics below)

My concern is what metal to use for the prongs/ bezel (can't decide yet on that part)

Yellow gold from what I gave seen traditionally brings out the green in chrysos. I don't want to bring out any lingering green that might be in there. I also, don't want to bring out any golden hues, which makes me wary of yellow gold.

White gold with yellow seems to wash it out. I don't want to do that....

What do you guys think?

And you can't use green gold either, as that will also bring out the green. How does it look on a copper penny? Do you think it would look good in rose gold?

 

[Niel]

Re: Metal dilemma

I thought about that buy my concern is rose gold and yellow doesn't always look amazing, you know ?

If this helps, here are my setting inspirations, prong and bezel.

 

[Niel]

Re: Metal dilemma

Here's my concern, I don't want it to look like this

 

[T L]

Re: Metal dilemma

I thought about that buy my concern is rose gold and yellow doesn't always look amazing, you know ?

If this helps, here are my setting inspirations, prong and bezel.

Well, if you don't want yellow, rose, or white gold, you don't have many options left. Some gems just cannot give the proper look that one wants no matter what you try. I will say its a very pretty stone, but it is what it is, and if it has a slight green attribute, you might have to live with that. Yellow either sways toward green or towards the orange end of the spectrum, as it is right in the middle of those two colors on the spectrum. It is extremely rare to find a pure yellow gem without a little orange (golden color) or without a little green, so you may just need to live with some undesirable secondary color, or you may want to rethink keeping it if you can't live with that.

 

[Niel]

Re: Metal dilemma

I thought about that buy my concern is rose gold and yellow doesn't always look amazing, you know ?

If this helps, here are my setting inspirations, prong and bezel.

Well, if you don't want yellow, rose, or white gold, you don't have many options left. Some gems just cannot give the proper look that one wants no matter what you try. I will say its a very pretty stone, but it is what it is, and if it has a slight green attribute, you might have to live with that. Yellow either sways toward green or towards the orange end of the spectrum, as it is right in the middle of those two colors on the spectrum. It is extremely rare to find a pure yellow gem without a little orange (golden color) or without a little green, so you may just need to live with some undesirable secondary color, or you may want to rethink keeping it if you can't live with that.

It's not a matter of not being able to live with it, its a matter of what metal would accentuate the stone best.

I know its a lovely, very yellow, stone. I am not contemplating the quality of the stone. Just what to do to best set it.

Thanks you!

 

[drk14]

Re: Metal dilemma

Hi Niel,
Does this photo allay your concerns about white metal?

Also, could you set it next to some pale blue or pale purple stones to play up the yellow in your chrysoberyl (in which case the color of the metal may not be as influential)?

 

[the_mother_thing]

Re: Metal dilemma

Here's my concern, I don't want it to look like this

May I ask what/where that ring is from? I happen to actually like it for a 3 stone project I am working on.

Also, maybe going with 14k unplated WG would be nice. It's still white metal, but slightly warmer.

 

[Niel]

Re: Metal dilemma

Here's my concern, I don't want it to look like this

May I ask what/where that ring is from? I happen to actually like it for a 3 stone project I am working on.

Also, maybe going with 14k unplated WG would be nice. It's still white metal, but slightly warmer.

Caleb Meyer! His stuff is lovely isn't it ?

I was actually maybe even thinking unplated 18?

 

[michaeldiamondco]

Re: Metal dilemma

Yellow gold 18k would be nice because of the yellow color of the stone, it'll make the stone pop

 

[pregcurious]

Re: Metal dilemma

I would stick with yellow gold. The color looks pretty neutral, but like any colored stone, it will probably shift a bit towards its secondary in some lighting. I think it's a pretty stone.

 

[artdecolover71]

Re: Metal dilemma

to me, I love wg with a yellow stone!I think it accentuates more than yellow gold, but I am certainly no CS expert by any means

 

[VapidLapid]

Re: Metal dilemma

I was going to suggest 20k white palladium gold without rhodium plating. Bear in mind it will not be brite-white, bit slightly yellowish. Likely it would have to be a custom alloy, but CM probably makes his own already anyway. I would recommend discussing the possible options with the goldsmith. If she/he is experienced with custom alloys then they may already know what to do. If they havent they might be interested in making a few experimental samples for your project that they then could add to their future offerings.

 

[Niel]

Re: Metal dilemma

I was going to suggest 20k white palladium gold without rhodium plating. Bear in mind it will not be brite-white, bit slightly yellowish. Likely it would have to be a custom alloy, but CM probably makes his own already anyway. I would recommend discussing the possible options with the goldsmith. If she/he is experienced with custom alloys then they may already know what to do. If they havent they might be interested in making a few experimental samples for your project that they then could add to their future offerings.

I like that idea. Here's one snafu, this project really needs to use recycled metal so I don't know I'd that's even an option, going so unique with the metal. But unplated white gold does seem like an option, I agree

 

[Starzin]

Re: Metal dilemma

Well, if you don't want yellow, rose, or white gold, you don't have many options left.

Niel - pretty stone but I think you're left with crocheting a little snug for it so that you can take it out every hour on the hour to look at

 

[Niel]

Re: Metal dilemma

Well, if you don't want yellow, rose, or white gold, you don't have many options left.

Niel - pretty stone but I think you're left with crocheting a little snug for it so that you can take it out every hour on the hour to look at

To be fair, I see you guys analize every little bit about a stone.... So no need to poke fun when I've already found a stone I love and I may analize (maybe over analize) what will best keep the color in the stone that I love so much.


And I don't think it's ridiculous to say no to rose gold. Yellow and rose gold isn't flattering.

 

[Niel]

Re: Metal dilemma

Problem solved

 

[VapidLapid]

Re: Metal dilemma

Hmm, recycled may present a problem. That is if you are only interested in using scrap that you already have as the source for the gold. Some refiners may recycle and then make 24k grain from it. Or, if it still fits with your definition of recycled, start with an old 24kt coin

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Re: Metal dilemma

There are refiners who sell only recycled gold (24k). You could negotiate with the goldsmith to supply the gold for them to prepare into whatever alloy you prefer.

 

[JewelFreak]

Re: Metal dilemma

Gee, Niel, how did you manage that setting in your last pic? Who made that for you? Why, I'd hardly know it was there! You'll never have to worry about breaking it either -- just be careful when washing your hands.

--- Laurie

 

[Niel]

Re: Metal dilemma

Gee, Niel, how did you manage that setting in your last pic? Who made that for you? Why, I'd hardly know it was there! You'll never have to worry about breaking it either -- just be careful when washing your hands.

--- Laurie

So modern! So minimalist!

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Re: Metal dilemma

Neil - how about a ceramic ring? The colours are pretty endless. You could have the stone bezel set in an alloy between green and yellow gold (with less copper than usual but not enough for it to be noticeably green).

 

[Niel]

Re: Metal dilemma

Neil - how about a ceramic ring? The colours are pretty endless. You could have the stone bezel set in an alloy between green and yellow gold (with less copper than usual but not enough for it to be noticeably green).

It needs to be for everyday wear. Is ceramic for everyday wear?

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Re: Metal dilemma

Yes - it is the same material used for watches. Check Etienne Perret out - he is a pioneer in using ceramic materials in jewelry.

 

[Niel]

Re: Metal dilemma

Yes - it is the same material used for watches. Check Etienne Perret out - he is a pioneer in using ceramic materials in jewelry.

Thanks! His stuff is so cool.

I am afraid I'm not that out there enough in my jewelry taste to want a ring like that for everyday though.

Right now I'm thinking yellow gold but prongs, I'm scared of bezeleing it.

 

[Niel]

Re: Metal dilemma

Here's a light yellow, similar enough to my stone. They did yg prongs with white, I think it looks good,better than the CM one showing all white
or

 

[OreoRosies86]

Re: Metal dilemma

I say just go all out with high karat yellow gold!

 

[Niel]

Re: Metal dilemma

I say just go all out with high karat yellow gold!

I think you might be right.

 

[Starzin]

Re: Metal dilemma

Well, if you don't want yellow, rose, or white gold, you don't have many options left.

Niel - pretty stone but I think you're left with crocheting a little snug for it so that you can take it out every hour on the hour to look at

To be fair, I see you guys analize every little bit about a stone.... So no need to poke fun when I've already found a stone I love and I may analize (maybe over analize) what will best keep the color in the stone that I love so much.


And I don't think it's ridiculous to say no to rose gold. Yellow and rose gold isn't flattering.

I apolgise if I upset you with my 2am misplaced attempt at levity Niel. Point taken. You have every right to take time to compare the colour and quality of the gold to set your lovely gem to its best advantage. So let me see if I can be a little more helpful in the light of day

While I've seen yellow rose and white gold (and palladium) mentioned there has been little discussion of 10k, 14k and 18k - and your answer may lie in going to a lower karat weight. Not only is it harder and thus less prone to dings and scratches, it should also be a little less expensive if that's a consideration. In Australia we seldom see 10k, 14k or 22k, but a lot of both 9k and 18k - I've had both and often preferred 9k because of it's softer look.

This is NOT aimed at anyone here - it's been my observation that the lower karat golds are somehow regarded as "less than" in the US whereas I have always thought personally that they are often able to "step back" and allow the gem to take centre stage.

Anyway FWIW...
These two next pictures (with Greenlake in between) are from Aide Memoire Jewelry bear in mind that photography also plays a large part in what we see from vendor site to vendor site. For the YG in particular, I'm not sure if you can detect the differences easily but on my monitor at least (iMac 24") the 18k is distinctly yellow, the 14k much pinker without being rose gold and then the 10k is a softer blend of the two.

 

[Niel]

Re: Metal dilemma

Starzin!

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. You know I actually really like the 10k color with it, at least with the pics next to it. One concern there; the recycled aspect. I wonder how easy it is for the normal vendor to get recycled 10k yg material.