Advice needed re: Daniel M peridot argentium pendant!

[Cherokee1979]

Hi all.

This is my first foray into CS (although I'm a long-time lurker and admirer). I was hoping that you all might be able to lend me your advice and opinions regarding my project with Daniel M & Caren regarding a peridot pendant gift for my wife (to celebrate our son's upcoming first birthday in August, hence the peridot).

I am trying to decide whether to source one of my own stones (I've posted two potential ebay stones below) and have them set it in a simple 4-prong setting, or to go with one of their stock bezel sliding argentium diamond halo pendants, with a 6mm round peridot that Dan & Cara could select for me (pictured below):



Below are two simple sample 4-prong settings for the stones I could source myself:





Finally, below are the two ebay stones that I like, but I am totally open to any other suggestions . I tend to prefer concave cut options (which are reasonably priced), so as to maximize the light return of the stone:

http://compare.ebay.com/like/200916971271?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

http://compare.ebay.com/like/390582997935?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

Thanks so very much in advance for your input!! I really appreciate it and your knowledgeable opinions!

 

[chrono]

Concave faceting will make the stone stand out amongst other jewellery pieces. Add a halo around it and it will be spectacular!

I would ask Gene if he has any other peridot available.
http://www.precisiongem.com/Gemstones/rapidcart/peridot.html

Lisa has quite a few but aren't on her website.
http://www.lisaelser.com/index.html

I am unfamiliar with the 2 eBay vendors hence cannot vouch for the colour accuracy and return/refund policy.

 

[JewelFreak]

I'm not familiar with either of the dealers you linked to either so have no experience with the accuracy of their pictures. The first stone, though, is unevenly colored, pavilion photo isn't impressive at all, and judging from the dimensions I'd not be surprised to see some degree of windowing. The 2nd stone is better -- I like the shape a lot -- but personally, I do not trust vendors who say, "It was appraised at $229 but I'm selling it to you for $110." Used car salemen.

Chrono's suggestion of Gene at Precision Gem is great -- he may have something you like, and you can trust him. It would look super in a halo -- or if a unique shape like the 2nd stone, prong set all on it's own.

--- Laurie

 

[Cherokee1979]

Thank you so much for your replies! I really appreciate it.

JewelFreak- Thanks for the advice regarding the two ebay stones! One major concern of mine was, in fact, windowing, so I'm glad you pointed that out. I actually own two loose oval peridots (non concave cut), but both display considerable windowing, definitely NOT what I am looking for in such a pale stone.

Chrono - I am glad that you think the combination of concave cut peridot + halo would be a good one. In my searching for concave cut peridot, I did search Gene's site. I will certainly follow up with him as to whether he has any other rough available.

My concern, however, is price. I believe that my wife prefers the halo vs. prong-set look, as do I. However, we do not have too large of a budget to spend on the piece. The Daniel M stock argentium halo piece is approx. $250, set with their stone (the stock setting accomodates a 6mm round, and we'd likely have to go with the stock for pricing considerations). That is at about the tops of our budget. Thus, the only way we'd be able to swing a precision cut stone such as Gene's would be if we had Daniel M set it in a cheaper plain argentium bezel setting (the stock setting is approx. $50).

My follow-up question for you ladies and gents would be whether you think it is smarter for the money to (1) go with the Daniel M halo bezel setting with their stone; or (2) is it worth it to pay the premium for a precision cut stone and put it in a simple argentium bezel setting?

Also, does anyone know of any pendant settings, on the secondary market or otherwise, at a price-point that could fit in our budget? I'd prefer to keep my business with Daniel M if possible (and if going new), as Caren has been SO very nice and accommodating, and I love their work (also, I've checked LOGR's offerings in pendants, and they are quite few, and not too cheap.) However, if there is a pre-owned pendant halo setting out there with melee of good quality, from a trustworthy seller, that would also be a great option.

Any advice is MUCH appreciated! Thanks again!

 

[chrono]

Peridot is a material with low refractive index, thus shows a tilt window easily. Having a very good cut, in addition to a "busier" or fancy design will help minimize the tilt window.

Personal preference will dictate whether you prefer a finer make stone or a nicer setting. Daniel M isn't going to select a dud peridot but neither will it look anywhere as amazing as Gene's. I'm not talking about only the cut but the colour selection. If I had to sacrifice something for the sake of budget, I'd get a nice stone and skimp for a plainer bezel setting.

I am not fond of LOGR's products today, much preferring Lanbo and Jewelrywho.

 

[FrekeChild]

What is your total budget? $250?

 

[Cherokee1979]

Thanks, Chrono. Particularly with your advice in mind, I will certainly follow-up with Gene. On that note, regarding vendors that sell precision cut stones, is there anyone else who you could recommend who might be reasonably priced? If possible, I might prefer to go with a 6mm round so as to be able to put it in one of Daniel M's stock settings.

FrekeChild- Hi! I was hoping to hear from you, particularly given your extensive dealings with Daniel M! Yes, my total budget is probably $250. Thanks very much!

 

[chrono]

Not many will have exactly what you are looking for but I would ask anyway in case not all their inventory is listed. Some are better skilled than others, some have better material than others.

Rick Martin of Art Cut Gems - www.artcutgems.com
Dan Stair of Custom Gemstones - www.customgemstones.com
Gary Braun of Fine Water Gems - www.finewatergems.com
Jerry of Gem Art - www.gemartservices.com
Andrew Gulij of Gemfix - www.gemfix.com
John of GemRite - www.gemrite.com
Lisa Elser - www.lisaelser.com
Gene Flanigan of Precision Gems - www.precisiongem.com
Roger Dery of Spectral Gems - www.spectralgems.net
Peter Torraca - www.torraca.net
Gary Dutton - www.diamondexpert.com

 

[Cherokee1979]

Thanks, Chrono! That list is immensely helpful. I will contact the vendors tomorrow. Also, Caren with Daniel M has told me that she will be getting back to me in a day or two after she looks into sourcing potential 6mm peridots of finer cut or color. She informed me that she is not sure whether they can get a concave cut, but I had asked if she could look into sourcing some stones with an apple green vivid color.

 

[tara3056]

I've worked with Dan and Caren on 3 or 4 projects now; two of them were versions of his sliding halo. On one of them, I stuck with the 1pt diamonds but used 14k yellow gold. On the other, I had them upgrade the size of the diamonds (to 1.5pt ea vs 1 pt) and the metal (to platinum) because it was for a special, 7.3mm stone. In both cases, the necklaces turned out beautifully. They have such presence on the neck compared to a plain solitaire. I also am incredibly partial to the clean look of bezels vs prongs. I like that they can look clean and modern, or very art deco, depending on their details.

Normally I would recommend sourcing your own stone and sending it in, but your particular case, where you have a limited budget and a need for a calibrated size to fit a stock setting, I think I would trust Caren to source you a good peridot. I'd ask her to take some pics of the stone before setting, but I'd also be pretty trusting of her honest opinion of the stone, because pics do not always show a stone accurately. (DanielM's pics in general tend to be very cool-toned.) I've seen some other stones that have been sourced by DanielM, and I've actually been pretty impressed. I don't think I'd ever ask them to source a sapphire or spinel, but for amethyst, periodot, blue topaz, etc., I would. I would NOT buy from an unknown source on ebay.

Precision cuts are great, but I'd prefer the finished "halo" package to a solitaire precision-cut stone, so long as Caren can source a pretty stone. I also much prefer traditional faceting to concave faceting. If you've never seen concave faceting in person, it's kind of a love-or-hate thing. I hate it. It can make for a brighter, more interesting, looking stone, but to me it's a very "static" look. They don't shimmer and sparkle the way traditionally-faceted stones do; they're just sort of "turned on" all the time, in a kind of unchanging way. That may not make much sense, but again, if you've never seen one in person, I'd be cautious. Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[JewelFreak]

It's all personal taste, but I agree with Tara; concave cuts aren't my favorite -- most important is what your wife likes, though.

If I had to make a choice between more on the stone or the setting, I'd go for a nice stone & less-expensive setting. A stone you love remains -- you can always re-set it sometime. I'm sure I would end up looking at, say, a lesser quality peridot even in a great setting, with disappointment as time went on. But if the gem itself were a lovely one & the setting nice but not my ideal, I could still be happy & keep the thought of an upgrade in the back of my mind.

--- Laurie

 

[katharath]

It's all personal taste, but I agree with Tara; concave cuts aren't my favorite -- most important is what your wife likes, though.

If I had to make a choice between more on the stone or the setting, I'd go for a nice stone & less-expensive setting. A stone you love remains -- you can always re-set it sometime. I'm sure I would end up looking at, say, a lesser quality peridot even in a great setting, with disappointment as time went on. But if the gem itself were a lovely one & the setting nice but not my ideal, I could still be happy & keep the thought of an upgrade in the back of my mind.

--- Laurie

Definitely agree with Laurie!

 

[FrekeChild]

I'd guess you're going to have to choose to spend the budget on either a stone or a setting. Because I'm neurotic, I'd probably choose to go with a fancy precision cut stone in a good color and stick it in a simple setting for now, with plans to put it in the halo setting as soon as I could save up the funds.

But I can see going with a pretty good stone and getting the halo now too.

One thing to think about is that you can reset a stone into something else, once a stone is set into a bezel setting, you're either going to have to ruin the setting or the stone to free it from the other.

These halo settings are really nice and while I don't have one for myself, a good friend of mine does, and she has nothing but lovely things to say about it, and having seen it in person I think I can say that it's really a special piece.

Plus I think pretty highly of Dan and Caren's work, otherwise I wouldn't have worked with them on so many items myself!

ETA: I don't like concave faceting either, but some people really love it!

 

[LD]

For your budget it would make more sense to ask Daniel to source one for you. They make these sliders pretty frequently so may even have some in. Why not ask if he has any photos to send you?

 

[Cherokee1979]

Thank you all very much for your replies and advice. Sorry for my delay in responding as well ... caring for an 8-month-old can be a handful!

I've spoken with my wife (and shown her your advice) regarding the decision between (1) personally sourcing a more expensive precision-cut stone and having Daniel M setting it in an inexpensive argentium bezel slider or 4-prong setting; or (2) going with one of the 6mm peridots that Daniel and Caren can source for us and setting it in the more expensive diamond halo setting. She seems to be leaning towards the latter choice - the halo setting (also, thank you tara3056 and FrekeChild for your advice regarding Daniel M's settings ). My wife is not as much as a cut-nut as myself, and she likes the halo look (which would sort of match the engagement ring that I gave her about a year ago - a Ritani endless love platinum halo.) I might still contact some of the precision cut vendors who Chrono kindly suggested, but I'm thinking that going that route might be a little expensive for us (particularly if they do not have a 6mm round, as Daniel M would then have to fabricate a more expensive, non-stock setting for us). However, I will certainly take all of your advice and not go with a concave-cut stone.

If you all would be so kind, I'd love to get your input on the peridot stones that Caren will source for me! I will be sure to ask her for some pictures, and will then post them here once I get them to hear your knowledgeable opinions. Also, as tara3056 suggested, I will also certainly take into account Caren's honest opinions about the stone/stones.

Thank you all again! I will keep you all updated!

 

[chrono]

I am very sure that PSers will be more than happy to comment on the stones that Caren finds for you. Ultimately, the wife will be wearing the pendant and if that's what she wants, I'll go that route.

This one is very light and yellowish but I'm surprised at the cut. MC doesn't always have the nicest cut. $8.50 only! It will deepen once bezeled.
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/peridot/ype252aa/&1244716636

Not as nice but is 6 mm
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?-1218994681

Yes, I know this one is 9.4 mm but I like the cutting, colour is decent and only $130 for a 3.6 ct stone.
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?546429371

 

[Cherokee1979]

Chrono, you are amazing... Thank you!!!

Those stones are beautiful, particularly so for the price. I also am really pleased with the quality of the Portuguese cut on the $8.30 stone, and that price.... good Lord! Not surprisingly, though, I love the size, saturation and cut on the more expensive 9.4mm round, but I'm thinking that that one might push me over the budget (if going with the halo setting), as I would have to ask Daniel M to fabricate a larger, non-stock setting with more melee. It is a beautiful stone for the price, though, and I'll certainly consider it (in consultation with the other - better - half, of course! ).

I just forwarded your suggestions to my wife, and will let you all know what she thinks.

As a quick follow-up question, does anyone happen to have an idea as to whether it would be feasible for Daniel M to squeeze a 6.5mm round into a 6mm round stock setting?? I know that this is a question for Caren and Daniel, but it would be awesome if that could work out.

Thanks again!

- Jeff

 

[chrono]

As a quick follow-up question, does anyone happen to have an idea as to whether it would be feasible for Daniel M to squeeze a 6.5mm round into a 6mm round stock setting?? I know that this is a question for Caren and Daniel, but it would be awesome if that could work out.

We aim to please. It is unlikely that a 6.5 mm stone will fit into a bezel setting because those have to be precise. It will definitely fit into a prong setting because those are more forgiving.

 

[Cherokee1979]

Thanks, Chrono. I had a feeling that squeezing a slightly larger round into a stock bezel wouldn't work. Also, I am waiting to hear back from Caren regarding the 6mm stones she can source, and I've asked for pics, if possible. When I hear back from her, I might ask for a quote for how much a halo argentium setting will run for a 9.5mm round (as I really like the cut on the one you found... and the color seems less yellowish as well, and I'd prefer less of a yellow tinge and more of an apple green). Likely out of my price range, but certainly worth a shot!