Advice on a custom ring?

[chicago1234]

Hopefullly my girlfriend isn''t visiting this forum anymore.

I previously posted about the idea of making a celtic custom ring. Well, I had been working on a design and had been awaiting a wax model. Much to my surprise, the designer decided to build the actual ring because they didn''t think they could execute things in the wax model effectively enough. So here''s the pictures of the actual ring.

I''m under no commitment to purchase it given that they went ahead with building the ring when all we talked about is a wax model. I''d love to get some feedback. The original concept for the custom was the trinity knot prongs, which I like a fair bit in terms of how it came out. The side scrollwork was in an effort to capture some of the spirt of a Tacori ring my girlfriend really liked.

I''m thrilled to see that the prongs worked and I like the bead work under the basket. I go back and forth regarding whether the scroll work is too much or not.

Thoughts? I know that the thoughts that matter the most are hers, but I''d be interested in reactions. She liked the design I had but was most concerned about three things: (1) the ring being thin in the band (which I think is hard to tell without comparison to a thin band she likes); (2) the prongs blocking too much of the view of the diamond (which I don''t think they do) and (3) the scroll work being too guady/too much (which I''m not sure about).

Feedback is welcome!

 

[chicago1234]

Not sure how people get pictures to appear in the thread. (If someone can figure that out and fix things for me, that would be great.) But here''s another photo.

 

[cara]

Uh... were *I* your girlfriend, I would probably be stalking you on this site!

But I like the ring! The side view is quite lovely and intricate without being too much, and the top view is quite simple (and what most people will see.) The prongs don''t block too much of the diamond per se, but do create a certain rounded look to the diamond. I''m one of those that prefers 4-prongs head on all but ginormous stones but many people have a different preference. Not sure it is possible to do better with the tulip head - that often seems to be the tradeoff necessary for such a beautiful side view.

Looks good and good luck!

 

[D&T]

I honestly love the prong/gallery work! Its absolutely magnificent! what a beautiful piece of art for sure and I think they executed it well indeed! I really don''t see a need to change, unless you wanted something less intricate on the shank, and they can somewhat smooth it out without a problem.

 

[divergrrl]

Wow, that''s awesome. I particularly like the knotted prongs. Wow. If its not right for you, have them re-do it, but again...wow.

 

[diamondringlover]

Wow I really like that, it very pretty love the side view.

 

[tyty333]

The side view is lovely! The prongs/basket is to die for. If I wanted something celtic, I would really like this ring.

 

[emeraldlover1]

Those prongs are sick! I think its overall a lovely design.

 

[yssie]

You ring is a work of art

The profile view is gorgeous!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think it looks great! A matching wb with smooth top and scroll work on the sides would look wonderful.

I say propose and let the gf decide if she wants to change it. Make it clear it will not hurt your feelings if she does (after the glow of proposal of course).

 

[LGK]

I think it''s very unique and lovely. I''m very picky about workmanship and it looks like they did a beautiful job!

 

[Ara Ann]

I think it''s lovely too! Very well done! I don''t think I''d change anything, but I agree, if she wants to change something after seeing it, is that alright with the jeweler?

About band thinness...some people like very thin bands, but IMO an engagement ring needs some substance to it, so it keeps its shape long term... a squashed wedding ring, after a few years of driving, etc. is not a pretty sight!

 

[sunseeker101]

The trinity knots for the prongs are some of the loveliest Celtic details in a ring I''ve ever seen

The stone is eminently visible in the side view -- and the prong-shape from face up seems to help to enhance the size of the diamond. The repeating design on the shank side might look a little busy (at this magnification anyway) -- but that''s no odds from normal viewing angles. Very very nice

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 12/17/2009 2:53:15 PM
Author:chicago1234
Hopefullly my girlfriend isn't visiting this forum anymore.

I previously posted about the idea of making a celtic custom ring. Well, I had been working on a design and had been awaiting a wax model. Much to my surprise, the designer decided to build the actual ring because they didn't think they could execute things in the wax model effectively enough. So here's the pictures of the actual ring.

I'm under no commitment to purchase it given that they went ahead with building the ring when all we talked about is a wax model. I'd love to get some feedback. The original concept for the custom was the trinity knot prongs, which I like a fair bit in terms of how it came out. The side scrollwork was in an effort to capture some of the spirt of a Tacori ring my girlfriend really liked.

I'm thrilled to see that the prongs worked and I like the bead work under the basket. I go back and forth regarding whether the scroll work is too much or not.

Thoughts? I know that the thoughts that matter the most are hers, but I'd be interested in reactions. She liked the design I had but was most concerned about three things: (1) the ring being thin in the band (which I think is hard to tell without comparison to a thin band she likes); (2) the prongs blocking too much of the view of the diamond (which I don't think they do) and (3) the scroll work being too guady/too much (which I'm not sure about).

Feedback is welcome!

This ring is seriously impressive

. I like it far more than the tacori rings I have seen and it isn't too busy. Who designed it? I am really impressed with their work.

 

[Collee]

That side view is GORGEOUS. What amazing detail. And the prongs? WOW, perfection.

Only suggestion that I have (total personal preference) but what about a satin/matte finsh for the shank to compliment the side view finish?

 

[AprilBaby]

I love the prongs! The scroll work on the side I am not crazy about, but you can''t see it from the top. ALL in all a beautiful ring!

 

[chicago1234]

Thanks everyone for the feedback so far! The warm reception it is receiving gives me real confidence she will probably react the same way. It is amazing the difference of looking at the real thing versus a sketch.

I think I see what the first poster means about the six prong approach creating a certain roundness to the head. I think I don''t mind it. I''m not sure what others think, but I would worry going down to four prongs might take away from the effect of the trinity knot prongs.

As for the thickness, I am going to have them take pictures next to the ring she tried on with the thickness that she thinks she likes.I think it will be close, and she specifically likes the flat edge. (I''d have otherwise gone with something else. It was a nice discovery when she tried on examples.) I''m curious on the comment -- do people who have bands that are thin find that it''s true they bend pretty easily? I think this one is supposed to be closer to 2.5mm whereas the one she liked a lot was 2mm.

I''m really pleased with the prongs. I wanted to do something celtic but all the examples I could find did everything on the top edge of the band and looked too gaudy to me. I''m really thrilled that we got this approach to work. The funny thing is I contacted a lot of the favorite designers on PS and none were too eager to try or others worked with me some to try and come up with something but didn''t think it would be possible to execute the prongs. In striking comparison, this designer sketched it out so quickly in response to the first request that I kept prodding about whether it would actually be able to be manufactured.

As for the designer, I don''t know the shop. It is an independent shop that Borsheims uses on a contract basis. Borsheims has been coordinating everything. But I can probably find out.

When we were just looking at a sketch she wasn''t sure about the scrollwork and last said she would probably prefer it plain. (Which is the irony that they jumped straight to the finished piece as the wax model wouldn''t have had the handwork.) I''m still not sure what I totally think of that detail. But the reaction it has received here makes me more confident that she will like it in the finished product.

(And if she doesn''t we''ll figure out what she would like!

)

 

[bleeblue]

The design is amazing. I like how it''s understated and the profile is so detailed. The prong design has left me speachless!

 

[gr8flmo]

I come from a really Irish family and when I first saw the prongs, they took my breath away. Brilliant idea. (Sometimes the American perception of Celtic "stuff" can be a little hokey - but those prongs really work.)

I hope she loves it.

 

[chicago1234]

I definitely welcome other feedback, but I had a question:

I originally had planned, once seeing the wax model, to send the diamon off to be appraised independently and then authorize the construction of the ring. I'm pretty confident that the diamond is of good quality. (It's an I, VS2 (i believe -- can't remember at the moment), depth of 62.4%, table 55%, crown angle of 33 degrees, pavilion angle of 40.8 degrees.) But I had planned on checking it of course.

How constrained is an appraiser now going to be in validating that the diamond I asked for is the one in the setting and in generally evaluating the diamond, now that it is in the setting?

Neil Beaty: If you happen to see this thread, how constrained would you be? You looked at another diamond for me, so I had planned to contact you specifically to check out the new one. I had assumed I would be sending it to you loose and not in the setting. Looks like that might not be the case now!

 

[chicago1234]

Another picture. This is the ring, side by side with the Tacori ring that she liked. Votes on which you would choose?

 

[ms.halo]

I'm a bit confused and admit that I haven't read your other threads, but:

She has three concerns about this design (thinness, scroll work and blocking prongs) so I'd try to fix these issues so that she's 100% happy. She's the one who has to wear it everyday. Or maybe get her the Tacori??

 

[chicago1234]

Date: 12/18/2009 2:24:07 PM
Author: ms.halo
I''m a bit confused and admit that I haven''t read your other threads, but:

She has three concerns about this design (thinness, scroll work and blocking prongs) so I''d try to fix these issues so that she''s 100% happy. She''s the one who has to wear it everyday. Or maybe get her the Tacori??

Just to be clear: she has seen the design and generally loves it. This isn''t me responding to her comments about loving the Tacori ring and responding to it by ignoring it and doing something custom. She saw the design in the store and then snuck peaks at subsequent iterations. She indicated she would love either ring.

I think the chief worry for her is whether the design could really be executed. Neither of us had done anything custom before and we didn''t think we''d end up with an opportunity like this where the ring is made and we are not committed to purchase it. So the worry was, what if we do the custom and hate it. I think they executed beautifully.

On the prongs issue: I don''t think she was ever saying to me she needed the basket to be wide open. She was just worried about whether the prongs would make the diamond completely invisible from the side versus show some of it. Having seen it now, I''m not worried about the ring meeting her expectations on that front.

On the thinness issue: to my eye, they seem darn close. I don''t think she''d even be able to tell if there was a .2mm difference between the two. Nonetheless, I''m mindful of her wishes on this one and that''s one of the reason why I asked them to generate the side by side picture so I could compare and see if I think that will be a concern for her or not.

On the scrollwork issue: this is the one that looms largest in my mind. From the sketch, she just had a tough time deciding whether she thought in execution it would be too much or not. Seeing the latest picture, I''m really starting to like it. But that''s the one that looms largest to me and I want to figure out if she would like it without having to show her the picture of the actual ring to figure it out.

Of course if she ends up deciding she really wants the Tacori, then that''s what I''d get her. But when I said those were her three concerns about the custom, I don''t want to misrepresent how strongly she held those concerns. I think a lot came from also the inability to compare apples to apples (a sketch vs. the finished product). But I could be wrong. Wouldn''t be the first time!

 

[Hest88]

When you first wrote that you were worried the scrollwork would be too much I seriously thought I''d get down to the photo and see some baroque, Essher-like metalwork encrusted with diamonds. I was pleasantly surprised with the actual photo, which is perfect, restrained, and lovely.

 

[sunseeker101]

For my money I'd go with the Celtic ring -- I don't find the face-up view of the Tacori to offer anything all that special, the four prongs look pretty stark there -- while the other looks about the same for thinness in the shank, and the prongs enhance the stone size too. I suppose the extra symbolism of the Celtic motifs would clinch it for me too, on top of the lovely design. That's my 0.02 anyway

Is your stone lab-certified? If so an appraiser can check for the hallmark inclusions after setting to verify that it's the exact same stone. If the stone wasn't mapped at all before setting, a good appraiser can still verify the stats for you even when set.

 

[chicago1234]

Date: 12/18/2009 11:26:33 PM
Author: sunseeker101
For my money I''d go with the Celtic ring -- I don''t find the face-up view of the Tacori to offer anything all that special, the four prongs look pretty stark there -- while the other looks about the same for thinness in the shank, and the prongs enhance the stone size too. I suppose the extra symbolism of the Celtic motifs would clinch it for me too, on top of the lovely design. That''s my 0.02 anyway

Is your stone lab-certified? If so an appraiser can check for the hallmark inclusions after setting to verify that it''s the exact same stone. If the stone wasn''t mapped at all before setting, a good appraiser can still verify the stats for you even when set.

The stone has an AGS certificate so I assume the answer is yes. That''s great to hear, Sunseeker, that it shouldn''t be a problem for a jeweler to evaluate!

And thanks for your comments on the side by side!

 

[packrat]

Holy cow that is cool! I like the scroll work on the side too, and don''t think it''s "too much" at all!

 

[Dreamer_D]

An appraiser should be able to verify the diamond matches the cert based on the inclusions.

I think your ring is lovely and compared favourably to the tacori in width, the basket is gorgeous but you *do* see less of the diamond itself. I might be tempted to consider taking the scroll work back on the shank to better match the tacori, because I like how it ends on the shoulder, but that is minor really.

 

[smileyb]

I think both rings are beautiful! I love the celtic knots, they are very pretty.

Your girlfriend is very lucky to have found someone who has put so much thought into it.

 

[beechezz]

Date: 12/18/2009 11:26:33 PM
Author: sunseeker101
For my money I''d go with the Celtic ring -- I don''t find the face-up view of the Tacori to offer anything all that special, the four prongs look pretty stark there -- while the other looks about the same for thinness in the shank, and the prongs enhance the stone size too. I suppose the extra symbolism of the Celtic motifs would clinch it for me too, on top of the lovely design. That''s my 0.02 anyway

Is your stone lab-certified? If so an appraiser can check for the hallmark inclusions after setting to verify that it''s the exact same stone. If the stone wasn''t mapped at all before setting, a good appraiser can still verify the stats for you even when set.

I agree 100% with sunseeker101, your custom ring is way more beautiful than the Tacori IMO.