Clairitek
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2008
- Messages
- 4,881
Wow! That title is a mouth-full!
I just received my 30th birthday gift to myself in the mail. Well, it happened to arrive near my birthday but I've been working on this thing for a while now (close to a year), so we can call it my gift to myself.
It all started when I fell in love with Anne's BGD Nightingale ring. That SMTR thread is probably one of my most visited. I resolved to get myself a tiny twin to that ring but after searching for modern RBs I was discouraged by how long it would take me to save for it. Then I started toying with going antique but the task of searching for matching (or closely enough matched for my taste) antique stones on eBay, DB, and other second-hand sources just overwhelmed me.
Then one day I logged on to Diamond Bistro and came across a set of three stones, two matched in facets and then one larger that also matched well with the other two. Our lovely Upgradable was clearing out her stash so I immediately messaged her about them. A few days later then were in my hands and the project had begun!
Fairly quickly after that I found the center stone on eBay. While it is quite a bit warmer than the other stones I couldn't bear to return it due to the beauty of the faceting. It actually has a big black inclusion right over the culet and just barely under the table but the performance of the diamond totally distracted me from this fact.
The last stone was purchased locally in San Jose from Joe Escobar when I was visited with two other PSers (B.E.G. and StarSparkle).
After sourcing all of the stones (from March-November) I collected quotes for the setting. I pinged PS vendors, my local bench, and another jeweler across the country. I ended up going with Hunt Country in VA (our dear Kelpie introduced me to them) and the service I received was wonderful. Communication was excellent and the project was completed on time! I would work with them again in a heartbeat.
The total weight is a hair over 2 carats. The main stone measures about 5.3 mm x 5.1. The two pairs are 4 mm and 3 mm. It is a size 5.75 but it is a smaller 5.5, I think. So it is on my size 5.25-5.5 left hand for now.
ETA: The color grades range from I to M and I am not sure what clarity they were graded to have (beyond the keystone, which I'm 100% positive is an I1 due to the carbon spot). I can tell the difference in colors for sure but it doesn't bother me. I was going for similarity in shape and faceting over color. It is set in 18 kt unplated white gold.
Many many thanks to Upgradable for helping me find the first 4 stones. I bombarded her with endless emails in the beginning talking about this stone and that stone. This wouldn't have happened without her help.
Now, on to the pictures!
I just received my 30th birthday gift to myself in the mail. Well, it happened to arrive near my birthday but I've been working on this thing for a while now (close to a year), so we can call it my gift to myself.
It all started when I fell in love with Anne's BGD Nightingale ring. That SMTR thread is probably one of my most visited. I resolved to get myself a tiny twin to that ring but after searching for modern RBs I was discouraged by how long it would take me to save for it. Then I started toying with going antique but the task of searching for matching (or closely enough matched for my taste) antique stones on eBay, DB, and other second-hand sources just overwhelmed me.
Then one day I logged on to Diamond Bistro and came across a set of three stones, two matched in facets and then one larger that also matched well with the other two. Our lovely Upgradable was clearing out her stash so I immediately messaged her about them. A few days later then were in my hands and the project had begun!
Fairly quickly after that I found the center stone on eBay. While it is quite a bit warmer than the other stones I couldn't bear to return it due to the beauty of the faceting. It actually has a big black inclusion right over the culet and just barely under the table but the performance of the diamond totally distracted me from this fact.
The last stone was purchased locally in San Jose from Joe Escobar when I was visited with two other PSers (B.E.G. and StarSparkle).
After sourcing all of the stones (from March-November) I collected quotes for the setting. I pinged PS vendors, my local bench, and another jeweler across the country. I ended up going with Hunt Country in VA (our dear Kelpie introduced me to them) and the service I received was wonderful. Communication was excellent and the project was completed on time! I would work with them again in a heartbeat.
The total weight is a hair over 2 carats. The main stone measures about 5.3 mm x 5.1. The two pairs are 4 mm and 3 mm. It is a size 5.75 but it is a smaller 5.5, I think. So it is on my size 5.25-5.5 left hand for now.
ETA: The color grades range from I to M and I am not sure what clarity they were graded to have (beyond the keystone, which I'm 100% positive is an I1 due to the carbon spot). I can tell the difference in colors for sure but it doesn't bother me. I was going for similarity in shape and faceting over color. It is set in 18 kt unplated white gold.
Many many thanks to Upgradable for helping me find the first 4 stones. I bombarded her with endless emails in the beginning talking about this stone and that stone. This wouldn't have happened without her help.
Now, on to the pictures!
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