Please help me choose between two settings for my HG Blue Green Tourmaline

[2Neezers]

Hi Everyone!
A while back I was lucky enough to snag my holy grail Blue Green Tourmaline from a fellow PS’er. It’s one of the few stones I have purchased that really took my breathe away and made my heart skip a beat when I opened it’s package. I usually purchase eBay settings for my CS, but this stone is one of my favorites and deserves a custom setting. I have it narrowed down to two very different setting styles and would love to hear your opinions to help me choose the one.
Up first is my stone:



Setting choice #1 would repurpose a pair of step cut tapered bullet diamond side stones that I already have, in a setting with milgrain bezels around the diamond side stones, like the setting in this photo:


Setting choice #2 would be like the vine shank ring in these inspiration photos, but would have Marquise diamonds as the leaves, like in the last photo:

I would love to know which of these two settings you like best for this stone. Thanks in advance!

 

[Bluegemz]

Beautiful stone! I vote for number 1 because I think it’s visually more clear ( clear lines which don’t compete with the stone) and also looks more substantial to balance the stone. Just my 2 cents.

 

[lovedogs]

Omg what a great stone! So excited for you. Both settings are awesome, but I prefer the first one because I love the idea of bullet/trap sides with milgrain. So yummy!

 

[Acinom]

Gorgeous stone! My vote goes to the simple yet refined elegance of the first design

 

[natasha-cupcake]

I REALLY love the second setting, but I don't know if it's a little too delicate or not for this stone. It could look amazing, but the first one would definitely be lovely as well and is probably the safer choice. Love, love the color of the stone. Nice acquisition!

 

[junebug17]

I'm voting for the first, very timeless and classic. The second setting is very pretty too but seems kind of delicate - I like the more substantial setting for your gorgeous stone.

 

[voce]

I also vote for the first one, in a white metal. Definitely more modern and bolder-feeling.

 

[meely]

What a lovely stone. Another vote for the first setting, much more timeless imho and I think the cut of the stone lends itself far more to a more angular setting.

 

[chrono]

2nd setting, but I also know I’m not much of a classic/traditionalist.

 

[737liz]

First setting gets my vote; the straight lines of the stone would look unbalanced with the swoopiness of the other designs.

 

[eapj]

I really like the first one.

 

[AprilBaby]

I guess I’m the only one that loves number two. The color reminds me of nature and I love the leaf design to go with it.

 

[molecule]

My vote is for the second setting, but with baby pears or rounds as the marquis take away from the leaf shape imo.

 

[2Neezers]

Thanks so much for the input and opinions @Bluegemz @lovedogs @Acinom @natasha-cupcake @junebug17 @voce @meely @chrono @737lizakg @eapj @AprilBaby and @molecule !
It looks like alot of the votes are going for option #1, with a few holding out for option #2.

I would love to get everyones opinion on a third option I have considered.
The setting I was repurposing the side stones from in option #1 does fit a Jeff White Asscher Zircon that I own (the tourmaline does not fit in the existing setting). In option #3, Instead of tearing apart that setting and repurposing the side stones, I would set the Zircon in the existing setting keeping it as is instead. Then set the Blue Green Tourmaline in setting #2.
Here is a pic of the Zircon loosely placed in the existing setting.

Does this option change anyone’s opinion? I would love to hear your input.

 

[lovedogs]

@2Neezers I definitely am 100% in favor of using settings you own whenever possible, and I can't recommend tearing apart a setting when you already have a great stone that fits in it! I love the JW zircon in that setting, and definitely think you can do something different for the tourmaline.

I think that maybe half moon diamond or triangle diamonds would make excellent side stones for the tourmaline, but also like the option 2 you posted above.

 

[Matata]

I like setting #2.

 

[Acinom]

Your zircon feels right at home in your existing setting. It will make a gorgeous ring.

In that case I would vote for:
- setting the zircon in your current setting (and thus not ripping it apart)
- opt for a simple solitaire or different setting for your tourmaline
To my eyes your tourmaline wants a setting with clean lines. I do not feel it ‘matches’ with the romantic vibe of setting #2

 

[lilmosun]

I agree on using the existing setting for your zircon...it's a perfect match...and then you can justify spending more on your custom setting (that's how my mind works anyway). I love setting but agree with Acinon that the tourmaline would look best in a setting with clean lines. Of course, my first thought was who is going to notice the setting with that to-die-for tourmaline

 

[elle_71125]

I vote for setting the zircon in the existing setting. I think it looks right at home there.

Personally, I love setting# 2 for the tourmaline but I see it isn’t a popular choice. Maybe we can chime in with some other ideas...

 

[Rare gem lover]

I prefer the first one. It brings out the clean lines. I’m actually planning on doing the same thing with trillion cut sides and asscher centre so I guess I’m biased !

 

[2Neezers]

Thanks for the opinions on the settings and on using the setting as is for the Zircon @lovedogs @Matata @Acinom @elle_71125 @lilmosun @Rare gem lover ! I agree the Zircon does look at home in the existing setting. I was just focused on setting the tourmaline and thought the side diamonds could work with it, but I think I will set the Zircon in the existing setting instead.
I do have other stones I could set in the style of setting #2 someday in the future if it’s not the right choice for this stone. I would love to see any inspiration rings that might work better for the tourmaline @elle_71125 . If anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate! It’s a radiant cut by Jerry Newman, measures 8.4mm and has a high crown, in case that info helps.

 

[2Neezers]

I'm back again! I was just trying out the Zircon in the setting I was originally going to take apart to use the diamonds for the new tourmaline ring setting. While it does look great in the setting at a glance, it doesn't actually fit in the under basket very well at all. The Zircon sits up very high above the side stones, and the crown sits high in the setting to the point that I would worry about banging the stone on something.
I'm pretty sure now that I will be taking apart that setting and use the side diamonds for setting choice #1. I don't really want to tear the setting apart, but it's not particularly well made and all of my loose stones I have tried placing in it sit up pretty high above the basket and the side stones.
I just wanted to follow up and let everyone who offered their help know what I decided to do. Setting choice #1 isn't my usual style, so I'm a little nervous about it, but am hoping I will love it. Hopefully I can have something made with setting choice #2 someday, it's one of my favorites

 

[737liz]

Setting choice #1 isn't my usual style, so I'm a little nervous about it, but am hoping I will love it. Hopefully I can have something made with setting choice #2 someday, it's one of my favorites

If you're hoping you'll still love it, it sounds like you are talking yourself into a style that isn't you. Despite most preferring the geometric lines, if it isn't you, don't do it! It's an annoying phrase, but 'you do you'. Maybe you could do a test run. That true asscher may only need some fine (cheap) tweaking done to the bullet setting, then you could wear that style for a few months to see if you like it before embarking on a costly custom setting. You may find that you prefer the step cut bullets next to the step cut asscher. It's a hard decision but what a great conundrum to have!

 

[Acinom]

I agree with the above.
Please don’t talk yourself into a style that isn’t you. You will love your rings more if you listen to your own heart

 

[2Neezers]

Thanks for the excellent advice @737lizakg and @Acinom ! Setting stones is always so challenging for me. I’m just never certain the piece will come out as I had envisioned it or if I will like it in the end, so my stones sit waiting patiently in their gem jars. First world problems, I know, lol. I do envy those of you who know what you want and go for it!
I’ll think about how to set this stone a little longer. I’ve looked at so many settings my head is spinning! Maybe I can find a setting that combines clean lines and feminine or vintage details. If anyone has any inspiration pics that could fit the bill I would love to see them.

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

How about something like this?

 

[athenaworth]

I vote for the second in rose gold because the simplicity of the setting will let the stone be the star, but really with that stone, you can't go wrong.

 

[2Neezers]

How about something like this?

I like this a lot! Thanks for sharing it . It’s a strong contender and I can picture my Tourmaline in this setting.

 

[2Neezers]

I vote for the second in rose gold because the simplicity of the setting will let the stone be the star, but really with that stone, you can't go wrong.

Thank you! It’s nice to see the second setting getting more love

 

[2Neezers]

Here’s the setting suggested by @AnastasiaBeaverhausen and my Tourmaline together. I would set it in 14K White Gold. Any thoughts or opinions on this pairing?