Advice for my pear shaped CAD please!

[sgc3301]

I need to know what people think about a couple of things. First, why cant I get the halo ALL the way around this stone? I don't like how the prongs seem to "interrupt" the halo pattern. If you look at the point you can see a space. Also, can anyone tell me if they had concerns about how their CAD appeared and then was happy with what they got? I've read that they aren't to scale when up on our comp screens so it's hard to do the real thing any justice. Also, I asked about the milgrain and the jeweler said they will be tiny and not look like platinum balls on the ring. (probably my biggest concern.) thanks for the help!

 

[lknvrb4]

The halo should be able to go all the way around, I have never seen a halo stop for prongs. Just saying...

 

[Christina...]

I just responded to your other thread, and that was exactly what I was trying to say. I'm not sure why the melee can't go all the way around the halo. How low are you setting the diamond? If it's set to the height of the girdle then I think it shouldn't be a problem. My experience is limited though, but I'm sure that others will chime in.

 

[sgc3301]

I was looking at tacori rings online and it looks like where they have their prongs, the melee stops too but as Christina said they are clearly set below the girdle so it's barely noticeable. I don't like it stops at the point however and will say something. My other concern is where the center is set. Should it be moved up slightly so it's not directly centered with the band?

 

[Mike R]

I'm really no expert with CAD designing (infact I don't have any understanding how to CAD) but it is possible to make a halo for a pear shape without the gaps around the prongs, have another talk to your CAD'er and see what they can do.

I think part of the problem is that the claws and corner claw at the peak look really thick, I would want the thickness of the v prong at the tip to be halved, also the round wire claws are tapered for some reason (they get thicker at the base in your cad)
Thinner claws will make it easier to fit diamonds in the halo with no gaps, I would use four claws plus the v prong, when you have four claws the wire can be much thinner than just two with still the same if not greater durability.

A few other things to think about, the pear in the halo has a v prong at the point but the shoulder diamonds have round wire claws at the point, do you like that? I would want them to match personally.

Also when you look at the last picture you will see that the gallery on your halo tapers but the gallery on you shoulder stones do not, this gives that area a very boxy/cad type look, do you like that? I would want that area tapered too.

Finally, pear shapes are lovely curvy stones, did you wand the band to be flat and boxy like in the CAD, my personal taste would be to have at least a slight half round on the band, I think it gives a more graceful look that matches the pear shapes better. (just my opinion, doesn't make it correct for everyone)

 

[Gypsy]

I agree with everyone, especially Mike and Christina. I wanted to post some pics for you so you would see other pear halos with prongs so you can see they aren't interrupted. And also you can see that they don't have a V at the tip but a claw.

These are all from CAD


http://www.pricescope.com/files/images/1670_BrianGavin_PearHalo3b_032912.jpg[/img
[ATTACH=full]532856[/ATTACH]

Handmade one here

[ATTACH=full]319002[/ATTACH]

 

[Gypsy]

This is one with a V at the tip and claws elsewhere. Personal preference on which to get. But the V at this tip is a ALOT more delicate and less pronounced than yours.


Also here is a thread with a a lovely pear halo with a V-tip, CAD, and no interruption of the halo: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pear-halo-engagement-ring-diamond-cad-ring-proposal-photos.173913/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pear-halo-engagement-ring-diamond-cad-ring-proposal-photos.173913/[/URL]

 

[Gypsy]

OKAY... so here is a general note (and I'm thinking I'm going to be cutting and pasting this often) about CAD work and your local jeweler.

Many people new to jewelry do not understand the disparity in the quality and skills of jewelry manufacturers and how much difference it can make in the product they give you. I'd like to explain take this chance to explain it to you from my perspective.

Here's the key: It's art. And you have to think of it as art. You can have a camera and take pictures? But your pictures and the pictures hanging in the Guggenheim are very different, right? Well it's the same thing with making and designing jewelry. Many people get confused think that it's just a matter of the right mechanics... halo, plus shank, plus little stones = same thing each time, from each person who has a CAD set up. It's very hard for people initially to grasp that there is such a disparity between the skills but most importantly the TALENT of the person designing their piece. And with CAD its even worse and more confusing because -- well it's just a computer program right? So they think that if my local guy has the same program and has some casting equipment then why not go with him? They really don't understand that there is artistry in CAD work too, and that a good CAD person is an ARTIST, not a mechanic. It's very frustrating for us because we really have some of the BEST CAD artists making our pieces on this site and when people come on here and they see the designs they think that it's a matter of replication and that anyone with the equipment and software can do it. And it's really not. Do you want someone making your jewelry is the equivalent of someone who just has a camera and takes pics or do you want the person who can take a camera and create art, who has an eye, a talent, something that can't be replicated or taught, but just is?

And that's just the artistry of it. The mechanics themselves are also very important as well. Casting is a great method, when done right, but a little bit of air can turn a casting into swiss cheese and make it fragile. Insufficient supports and balance in a piece can make a piece weak at certain stress points and even during regular wear and tear they can bend and warp. Going too thin on a shank can do that. Finish details and skills are extremely important too. And so are stone setting skills-- especially with colored stones. All of these mechanics and skills come from experience, and experience and skill demand a higher price just as with anything else. Your football team is in the Superbowl and has two quarterbacks to chose from. Do you want them to start to the kid right out of college who may be good or the guy with two Superbowl wins already? Which do you choose? And which one makes more? Of course you go for the experienced guy and of course you pay more for him. Why would you expect then, that with jewelry, that going with the cheapest quote is going to give you the same quality as paying more for better quality. You wear a ring everyday. With every movement it potentially takes damage, so don't you want something that's going to stand up that kind of wear? Of course you do. Well, you have to pay for that. If your local guy is a lot cheaper than one of the proven PS vendor quotes, there is a reason. I don't care what his sales pitch is, there is a reason he is so cheap.

If you want good CAD and CAST work-- work that is beautiful artistically but that also stands the test of time and is worth the time and effort and expense of custom--you really need to go with someone with a proven record of combining artistry and engineering successfully. Because you need both. Without art you end up with something that's as sturdy as a battleship, and just as pretty. Without engineering you end up with something beautiful that is damaged irrevocably through simple daily wear.

But what does a proven record mean? Does it mean a few yelp reviews from people who don't know anything about jewelry? From your friend who thinks her ring is sparkly and has no idea of the quality other than it's brand or lack there of... or worse, who just thinks it's pretty and that's all that matters. Who recommends a jeweler is a very important thing. A lot of our posters have experience with multiple projects, and have seen different examples of the type of work and really take the time to understand good workmanship and appreciate quality. So please understand when we make a recommendation we have nothing to gain, we are just doing this because we are enthusiasts, and we really want you to get the best quality you can for your budget and we'll try to help you. But you have to listen, too. It's a joint effort.

 

[sgc3301]

Wow! Gypsy brought the heat today! Thank you for great responses. I actually went to my jeweler with some pics of the pear halos and my concerns. He, too, was unhappy with a couple of things. I guess when I gave my description and provided a tacori ring as inspiration (not a complete rip off) the CAD person kind of went rogue and made it a tacori knock off. Without even mentioning some of the advice given here, he said he wanted to change the prongs to be smaller and there will be no break in the halo at the point. The v prong will stay but is not as prominent as shown. He said that if you look at the tacori halo in my example I have him there is an actual break in the halo. I went to a jeweler about 25 minutes after I left and it is true. The halos in some of the examples here have bigger halos than I want so you really can't put a prong "in between" the small pointers. I actually asked him (based on a suggestion from Christina on another thread) to do the milgrain post casting and he said he always does it. I told him flat out I was a little turned off by the CAD. He reminded me that he warned me he only used the CAD as a starting out point to not get to worried. My opinion was he should get a better CAD artist and save the time of going back and forth. One of the reasons I went with him is because the custom pieces he did for my friends were really nice and his brother and partner designs for a big jeweler and he's the one who works with the platinum. I feel a lot better after talking to him today and I'm confident it'll turn out great. Thanks for all the input. I was able to address not only my concerns but the things you guys mentioned that I didn't see. I'll see a wax mold for my final approval on friday and post more pics and info. This is a great site. Thanks again.

 

[Gypsy]

Hi Dana, I really hope the final piece is something you adore.


As for my post, well... it was more a PSA (and I separated it out to a PSA in a separate thread) because we've seen a few local CAD shop creations with major issues either in structure or design (usually design) and it's been percolating in me.

Communication between the jeweler and his CAD could also be a problem. As in the CAD hears what he wants to, or only hears half of what your guys says. It may not be all a skill deficiency. And that's somewhat harder and easier to fix. KWIM? But it's not an issue for you going forward. Just make sure that everything is the way you want it, with a good warranty before all is said and done.

 

[sgc3301]

Thanks, gypsy. Your posts are always so helpful. At this point I haven't even given this man more than 100 bucks deposit and I have no qualms telling him to keep his ring and walk away if it is anything short of what I want. I am fascinated by the CADS I see. Sometimes j wonder if I should have gone for a more basic setting and not worried about these details. I also found it interesting he was not happy with the CAD either but also told me he gave the artist an rough idea with a photo, knowing I would sit with him and essentially pick it apart to my liking. Can you or anyone else share experiences with your CADs if you had any? I feel like there is a little disconnect between cad and final product. For example, I saw the pear halo pic you posted a long time ago but never the cad. And in real life it is so much more delicate and feminine. Is this just a product of a computer program vs real life?

 

[sgc3301]

Thanks, gypsy. Your posts are always so helpful. At this point I haven't even given this man more than 100 bucks deposit and I have no qualms telling him to keep his ring and walk away if it is anything short of what I want. I am fascinated by the CADS I see. Sometimes j wonder if I should have gone for a more basic setting and not worried about these details. I also found it interesting he was not happy with the CAD either but also told me he gave the artist an rough idea with a photo, knowing I would sit with him and essentially pick it apart to my liking. Can you or anyone else share experiences with your CADs if you had any? I feel like there is a little disconnect between cad and final product. For example, I saw the pear halo pic you posted a long time ago but never the cad. And in real life it is so much more delicate and feminine. Is this just a product of a computer program vs real life?

 

[sgc3301]

Thanks, gypsy. Your posts are always so helpful. At this point I haven't even given this man more than 100 bucks deposit and I have no qualms telling him to keep his ring and walk away if it is anything short of what I want. I am fascinated by the CADS I see. Sometimes j wonder if I should have gone for a more basic setting and not worried about these details. I also found it interesting he was not happy with the CAD either but also told me he gave the artist an rough idea with a photo, knowing I would sit with him and essentially pick it apart to my liking. Can you or anyone else share experiences with your CADs if you had any? I feel like there is a little disconnect between cad and final product. For example, I saw the pear halo pic you posted a long time ago but never the cad. And in real life it is so much more delicate and feminine. Is this just a product of a computer program vs real life?

 

[Gypsy]

SURE! I've done two threads of two of my CAD processes. This might yelp you.

A pendant BGD made for me:
CADs
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-pendant-cads-are-here.114084/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-pendant-cads-are-here.114084/[/URL]
Here is the wax:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ps-humor-pendant-wax-neck-and-flower-shots.113675/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ps-humor-pendant-wax-neck-and-flower-shots.113675/[/URL]
Here is the final:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-pendant-is-done.114080/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-pendant-is-done.114080/[/URL]

Here's a diamond band I did with them as well:
CADs and Wax:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/got-cads-of-band-want-opinions.153285/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/got-cads-of-band-want-opinions.153285/[/URL]
Final:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-bgd-aurora-1-2-eternity-is-ready-and-on-the-way.154113/#post-2803288']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-bgd-aurora-1-2-eternity-is-ready-and-on-the-way.154113/#post-2803288[/URL]
Dreamer's pics of the band are much better than mine:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/dreamers-new-to-me-aurora-band.166650/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/dreamers-new-to-me-aurora-band.166650/[/URL]


Here's a CAD process thread by Wink:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/custom-jewelry-design-process-with-cad-by-wink-jones.173306/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/custom-jewelry-design-process-with-cad-by-wink-jones.173306/[/URL]

 

[Gypsy]

Here are some pave CADs too.

CAD from ERD:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/your-opinions-on-cad-images-pls-hw-style-halo-by-erd.167266/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/your-opinions-on-cad-images-pls-hw-style-halo-by-erd.167266/[/URL]
Final ring:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-harry-winston-inspired-rb-halo-from-erd.168484/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-harry-winston-inspired-rb-halo-from-erd.168484/[/URL]

CAD and final from jeweler I don't know:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cad-drawing-of-my-pear-halo.162923/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cad-drawing-of-my-pear-halo.162923/[/URL]

CAD from JBEG:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/just-got-my-kylie-halo-cads-from-jbeg.149768/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/just-got-my-kylie-halo-cads-from-jbeg.149768/[/URL]
Final:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-ring-is-done-check-out-the-glam-shots-from-jbeg.150196/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-ring-is-done-check-out-the-glam-shots-from-jbeg.150196/[/URL]


VERY GOOD THREAD:
Shows CAD and Wax:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/bgd-halo-cads-have-arrived-your-opinions.129172/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/bgd-halo-cads-have-arrived-your-opinions.129172/[/URL]
FINAL:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/bgd-halo-er-finished-pics.129803/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/bgd-halo-er-finished-pics.129803/[/URL]