A moment to vent... about melee

[vickygigi]

Question: why WHY why are so many of the semi mounts available for our stones covered in melee??? I like to think that I acquire sizable quality colored stones. Why would I want to then set these beauties in a semi mount with a bunch of crappy/small diamonds??? (I don't) I'd much rather have an all-gold (rose or white) mounting either sleek and plain or with some engraved detail. Where can I find mountings like this??? Any links appreciated. My custom jeweler charges an arm & a leg to cast something for me. If I have a calibrated stone, I should have choices for stock mounts that are WITHOUT melee and stylish/beautiful. Right???

 

[chrono]

Because many ladies, myself included, love the blingy sparkle of melees. Not just ordinary melees though as my preference is for ideal cut melees like ACAs by Whiteflash. You should be able to find an all metal setting or engraved style from your local jeweller. Stuller has many options which your jeweller can source easily. The following is from the recommended vendors' sticky thread.

Ebay Setting Vendors (they also carry non-melee settings)
American Set - http://myworld.ebay.com/americanset/?_trksid=p4340.l2559
Lan.bo4 - http://www.ebay.com/sch/lan.bo4/m.html
diamondmounts - http://myworld.ebay.com/diamondmounts/
jewe2004 - http://stores.ebay.com/jewe2004
LOGR (Lord of Gem Rings) - http://stores.ebay.com/Lord-of-Gem-Rings
leejewelry
beyondjewelry3

Etsy Setting Vendors
Daniel M (Dan) - http://www.etsy.com/people/danielmjewelry
Adzia - http://www.etsy.com/people/AdziasJewelryAtelier
Sally of Heart of Water - http://www.etsy.com/people/HeartofWaterJewels
Julia Taylor (JKT) - http://www.etsy.com/people/juliakaytaylor
Kyleanne - http://www.etsy.com/people/kyleannemetals
Maddie of OneGarnetGirl - http://www.etsy.com/people/onegarnetgirl
Jill of janishjewels - http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanishJewels?ref=ss_profile

Custom Setting Vendors
Brian Gavin Diamonds (BGD) - www.briangavindiamonds.coom
Victor Canera - www.victorcanera.com
Michael E - http://gemshoppe.com/
Green Lake Jewelry - www.greenlakejewelry.com
Steven Kirsch http://www.timelessluxury.net/
Quest Fine Jewelry http://questfinejewelers.com/
Hunt Country Jewelers http://huntcountry.com/
Peter Lees Jewelry http://peterlees.com/

Other sites
www.jewelsbyericagrace.com
Pearlman's www.pearlmansjewelers.com

 

[vickygigi]

Thanks Chrono! I wish all melee was well cut and quality stones. Unfortunately, from what I've seen, that's the minority so it has turned me off. I appreciate all of the links and I will be using them for my search! Again, thanks!!!

 

[maccers]

I know what you're saying, lol! I like the look of pave but it's not something that interests me for MY jewelry. But with pave being so popular right now, I feel like an odd duck for NOT wanting it. And of course melee-free designs can be found but it takes a bit more sleuthing depending which website you're visiting.

What kind of setting are you looking for?

 

[vickygigi]

Thanks for asking maccers! I generally shy away from small stones on any of my settings. The smallest I like to go is a 4-5 mm side stone in a 3 stone ring. Right now, I have my eye on a trillion stone that is 8.9 x 9.5 x 6 mm. I would like to set it in either rose gold or white gold. I don't want it to be just like an "engagement ring", but I want it to be the only stone in the setting. Short of having my jeweler make something, I am at a loss. Everything that would hold this stone (that I've found) has a melee halo or shank. Not for me. Advice???

 

[chrono]

I don't think I've ever seen a 3 stone setting for trilliants because it's just such an odd shape for a 3 stone setting. This will probably have to be a custom Etsy job for someone like Daniel M or else it'll have to be a solitaire style but with a twist so it's not too plain.

 

[maccers]

So you don't want to go custom? You'd prefer to find a stock setting? And to be clear (I haven't had coffee yet and will promptly do so once I send this post), the trillion will be the centre stone in a three-stone setting? If that's the case, I think you'll have to go custom...I'm assuming you already checked here: https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/trillion-cut-diamond and read the threads about trillions attached to it?

 

[vickygigi]

Here's a photo of some of my favorite colored stone rings.... no melee but ALL custom made and $$$. I don't mind the idea of custom if it won't cost me in the 4-digits like I've been paying for a gold setting. I like the twist idea a LOT Chrono. I like the metal to be sleek and the stone(s) to stand on their own. I like single stones (that don't look like engagement rings since this is a RHR) and 3 stone rings. Either one works for me. With this trillion, I want a single stone, not a 3 stone.

1) Pink tourmaline fancy cut - 7 cts
2) Oregon sunstone with VS diamonds (almost 1 ct in TDW)
3) Peridot
4) Unheated blue sapphire and unheated aquas

 

[airplay355]

I know how you feel!! I wanted to avoid diamonds but the wifey to be was in love with sparkly halos. So, alas, she got the sparkly halo she wanted.

I really like some of the color combinations people here come up with. Mahenge spinels and peridot for example. Very pretty and more interesting than a single stone IMHO. Unless of course your single stone is just

 

[maccers]

vickygigi - did you look at Stuller for ideas? http://www.stuller.com/search/results/?query=trillion&page=1&facetValues%5B0%5D.First=cat&facetValues%5B0%5D.Second=3%7C

It's a hodgepodge of rings/earrings/pendants but could be used for inspiration? Stuller is really affordable and maybe your jeweller could alter one of the designs somehow.

I have to say, you're picking the most difficult shape to not go custom with. Trillions can be tricky business.

 

[LD]

A trilliant trilogy? I don't understand how this would sit together.

TBH it's difficult finding stock settings for trilliants because they vary so much in dimension that very few places stock them - with or without melee. I suspect that you'll have to go the custom route anyway.

 

[FrekeChild]

I go custom with Daniel M. I'm also not a huge diamond melee person, but I have a *thing* for fancy cut sidestones. Which makes life even more expensive.

 

[vickygigi]

A trilliant trilogy? I don't understand how this would sit together.

TBH it's difficult finding stock settings for trilliants because they vary so much in dimension that very few places stock them - with or without melee. I suspect that you'll have to go the custom route anyway.

NO, a trillion set alone. I was just saying I prefer either the stone by itself or with larger side stones. See my rings in the photo I posted for examples. I like the metal to be clean. The sunstone ring is the only ring I have with more than 3 stones. But with that ring, the 4 diamonds are almost .25 apiece.

 

[vickygigi]

I go custom with Daniel M. I'm also not a huge diamond melee person, but I have a *thing* for fancy cut sidestones. Which makes life even more expensive.

I hear ya! Sounds like we agree.

 

[distracts]

I just did a custom ring from DanielM for a trillion in 14k rose gold... it was not in the four digits though pretty close. I had one ring done by him previously that was Argentium silver and it was less than half the price - it's holding up nicely a year later with multiple-times-weekly wear.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/mint-garnet-trillion-in-rose-gold-ring-complete.184505/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/mint-garnet-trillion-in-rose-gold-ring-complete.184505/[/URL]


(not meaning to threadjack, just to share my experience with/ring from DanielM + trillion setting idea)

I don't mind melee stones but if I want to buy the nice stuff that would mean significantly fewer setting purchases, and it's easy enough for me to find designs I like without melee.

 

[vickygigi]

I just did a custom ring from DanielM for a trillion in 14k rose gold... it was not in the four digits though pretty close. I had one ring done by him previously that was Argentium silver and it was less than half the price - it's holding up nicely a year later with multiple-times-weekly wear.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/mint-garnet-trillion-in-rose-gold-ring-complete.184505/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/mint-garnet-trillion-in-rose-gold-ring-complete.184505/[/URL]


(not meaning to threadjack, just to share my experience with/ring from DanielM + trillion setting idea)

I don't mind melee stones but if I want to buy the nice stuff that would mean significantly fewer setting purchases, and it's easy enough for me to find designs I like without melee.

I guess now is the time when I should confess that I have a photo of your ring saved in my MUST HAVE 1 LIKE THIS folder. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your ring. I am into rose gold right now, I like a trillion cut and I want a merelani mint. I think the way you set it is SO CLASSY and beautiful. I adore how clean it is. You could not have made better decisions with that lovely garnet and I am jealous!!!!

 

[minousbijoux]

Vicky: I agree that it would be nice to find a source for something less than melee/pave and something more than a simple solitaire and that it is frustrating! I love some detail like engraving or scrollwork and I, too, agree that distract's trillion Daniel M ring is a beauty (and I'm just saying, you may not be the only one who saved it to an inspiration folder...)

I know you likely would anyway, but please come back and share your progress in your hunt?

 

[vickygigi]

Vicky: I agree that it would be nice to find a source for something less than melee/pave and something more than a simple solitaire and that it is frustrating! I love some detail like engraving or scrollwork and I, too, agree that distract's trillion Daniel M ring is a beauty (and I'm just saying, you may not be the only one who saved it to an inspiration folder...)

I know you likely would anyway, but please come back and share your progress in your hunt?

Sure. I'll keep ya posted. Sounds like we have similar taste! Scroll work and engraving are right up my alley. You can probably see that from my pink tourmaline ring. I had the setting custom made and I really like it!

Distracts got a lot of positive feedback on her ring. It truly is just so perfect! The stone, the mounting the colors - love all of it!!!

 

[minousbijoux]

I see what you mean! Here's another. Quite intricate, but definitely up there in my pantheon of delicate detailing but no pave rings:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/opal-ring-from-seven-fingers-jewelry.166336/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/opal-ring-from-seven-fingers-jewelry.166336/[/URL]

 

[vickygigi]

Loving that opal's setting! You get it..... Exactly the kind of thing that would call my name.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I recently had a chubby trillion set this past summer and opted to go custom because I just didn't like any of the stock settings and wanted some quality diamond accents. It ended up around 650$ I think and I supplied the 5 point accent diamonds diamonds.

 

[vickygigi]

That's not so bad. Who did you use?

 

[minousbijoux]

I recently had a chubby trillion set this past summer and opted to go custom because I just didn't like any of the stock settings and wanted some quality diamond accents. It ended up around 650$ I think and I supplied the 5 point accent diamonds diamonds.

MTG: I LOVE that description - "chubby trillion!"

 

[vickygigi]

I think that's cute too. I'd say the one I have my eye on is chubby. It is not the same on all 3 sides, so if I do get it, I'd put the long side up and a point down.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I went with a local philly jeweler, unfortunately she's pretty busy and I don't think she takes many mail orders. :/

But here's my chubby sapphire, you can probably see why I had to go custom, lol.

 

[ChrisA222]

MTG, did you see its sister in the current TGT drop? Wow. I want but I cannot afford.

 

[vickygigi]

I went with a local philly jeweler, unfortunately she's pretty busy and I don't think she takes many mail orders. :/

But here's my chubby sapphire, you can probably see why I had to go custom, lol.

Beautiful ring MTG!!!! Love it!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

MTG, did you see its sister in the current TGT drop? Wow. I want but I cannot afford.

I did. I think it's unfortunate that the stone is a carat smaller but significantly more expensive than mine. I guess it's all the hype around sapphires these days.