aesthetic sense needed for redesign

[diamo]

Hi all,

my husband chose me a stone (0.74 F, VVS1) and I wanted to find a setting that is minimal, modern as well as sculptural at the same time.
This is an example I particularly liked, and this is what I gave to the jeweller with the instruction to increase the width of the bezel setting and I encouraged him to build a characteristic rim around the stone.


This is the result:



Now I have ambiguous feelings.
What do you think?
Options:
1. here is another ring of mine.


Shall I simply change the stones? (and than the chunky piece with the sapphire might be redesigned like this: a’la Carmela Soprano )

2. let’s keep the stones with some modifications to get it classy. This is where your sense of style is highly appreciated. Could you assist me please?
- inserting some additional diamonds on the rim?
- carve a channel around the stone?
- build up additional details? (this is the idea of one of my colleagues. Comment of another: don’t you dare :>)

Budget: max 2500 USD

Thanks so much!

 

[diamo]

i try to illustrate

Shall I simply change the stones? (and than the chunky piece with the sapphire might be redesigned like this: a’la Carmela Soprano )

Or I should rather keep the stones with some modifications to get it classy. This is where your sense of style is highly appreciated. Could you assist me please?
- inserting some additional diamonds on the rim (maybe pink)?
- carve a channel around the stone?


- build up additional details? (this is the idea of one of my colleagues. Comment of another: don’t you dare :>)


Please let me know your personal opinion.

Thanks in advance so much!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I agree that the bezel part is just too wide. Have you asked the maker of the ring their suggestions of what would work? I do think some kind of engraving or ridge down the center of that bezel to break it up would be helpful. I don't like that Carmel Soprano design at all. I do think you need to talk to a ring designer, though, because they should be able to better help you.

 

[VRBeauty]

Well, I think your jeweler followed your instructions quite well! If you were to tweak rather than do a total re-do, I'd start by raising the center stone either a little or a lot, so that the center isn't just a flat plane, coupled by somehow adding some dimension or negative space to the center bezel.

For the dimension route, think something like the bezel in Coati's avatar... and maybe punctuate it with a few "bridges" like those in your sapphire example (although I'd go simpler... more stone, less metal).

The negative space route - like your center example - could be simple, or it could also have a few diamond bridges. I prefer simple!

 

[diamo]

I agree that the bezel part is just too wide. Have you asked the maker of the ring their suggestions of what would work? I do think some kind of engraving or ridge down the center of that bezel to break it up would be helpful. I don't like that Carmel Soprano design at all. I do think you need to talk to a ring designer, though, because they should be able to better help you.

thanks for being so prompt and for the hints.
I definitely will talk to a designer, maybe he can draw some sketches.

what do you think about this:



this is what I wanted to improve, you know the result

further ideas are always welcome

 

[diamo]

Well, I think your jeweler followed your instructions quite well! If you were to tweak rather than do a total re-do, I'd start by raising the center stone either a little or a lot, so that the center isn't just a flat plane, coupled by somehow adding some dimension or negative space to the center bezel.

For the dimension route, think something like the bezel in Coati's avatar... and maybe punctuate it with a few "bridges" like those in your sapphire example (although I'd go simpler... more stone, less metal).

The negative space route - like your center example - could be simple, or it could also have a few diamond bridges. I prefer simple!

yes, the jeweler put everything in this ring, no doubt

raising the center stone is a perfect idea, this is one of the features of the "template" I've always particularly liked



a simple and decent solution is my dream too. the idea of the "bridges" with stones could work, what do you think about pink diamonds? won't it be too much?

a photo showing the same stone with a smaller halo has been inserted in my previous comment. do you think it is a proper setting for this stone, or I am right to have it set in the huge sculptural one and we solely ought to perform some decent modifications

thank you so much for your comments in advance

 

[Hera]

Have you just received the ring ? I find the designer did not follow your instruction well as it looks quite different from your inspiration piece. The proportions are completely different and the expanded bezel around the stone is almost twice as the inspiration piece. Did you give them specific direction to just how thick you wanted the bezel? The shape of the expanded bezel seems flatter than the insp piece. Also, did you request milgrain?

Depending on you answers, I would have them remake the ring or get your money back. Adding embellishments would be the last thing I would consider and only if you really like the look.

 

[yennyfire]

To me, the difference between the inspiration ring you showed your jeweler and the ring you got is the proportions. There is too much metal in the bezel around your stone, making the ring appear unbalanced. I like DSs idea of engraving the bezel or something similar. However, I'd be concerned that if your jeweler couldn't get it right the first time, any modifications are only going to make things worse. Can you get your money back and start over with a different jeweler?

 

[diamo]

heraanderson and yennyfire,

thanks you for being diligent and honest.

the story is pretty long, but at least I've learnt the lesson.

The stone is OK. Regarding the setting: the jeweler is a reputable old-school expert and I am old enough to appreciate that. He has an online shop and the setting was ordered online.

Obviously I am not a native speaker and this design is custom made. I think this is a combination that should have been avoided.
I gave instructions in email with attached photos.

By the time the ring was completed, we had relocated to another continent and any further modifications just became difficult (or impossible) and you know I sort of loved it.

And I still do. Only it is not THE RING it is supposed to be.

Lessons learnt:
- local jeweler with regular personal meetings
- clear ideas
a, confirm that the jeweler has the same understanding
b, great manu possibilities to explore, so that I exactly know what I want

so this is my story, you are guys awesome to be here assist me finding my own bling-bling

 

[diamondseeker2006]

It sounds like to me that the jeweler exactly followed the instructions:

"This is an example I particularly liked, and this is what I gave to the jeweller with the instruction to increase the width of the bezel setting and I encouraged him to build a characteristic rim around the stone."

I would never work with a local jeweler on a custom setting because the most skilled ring makers I know are far away. I think your mistake in this case was not having a ring to show him that was exactly the proportions you wanted. But in fact, the sample ring did have good proportions and bezel size had you not asked for a wider bezel. The other option is to have the jeweler provide you a drawing or CAD image of the proposed ring. It is a little risky to have a project agreed upon with no image of the final product.

 

[VRBeauty]

I'm getting the sense you want to incorporate some pink diamonds!

You could go the direction of the musson sun ring you posted, using small bezel-set pink diamonds where that ring has the spacers between the outer and inner bezels. They'd be pretty small though -I'm not sure how well the pink would show at that size.

I claim no design talents, by the way. I'm just looking at your ring and trying to figure out how you can use what you have and not start over again from scratch. However, I also don't know whether these kinds of tweaks are possible technically, or whether the jeweler would need to basically start over anyway... hopefully someone else can chime in on that.