Antique cushion found -- setting suggestions?

[justginger]

I must admit that I am yet another long-time PS lurker. I have always been so indecisive about my preferences that I felt as if it would be best to keep mum and read as much as I could!

After doing this for a very considerable amount of time, and keeping in contact with Grace (of the JBEG fame) simultaneously, I have finally decided on a centerstone for my future ring. I''ve put Grace''s 1.73 antique cushion on hold, pending payment. With how much time I''ve devoted to pouring over diamond listings for months, I''m am feeling pretty chuffed with myself!

My biggest issue now is the presentation of the diamond - the setting, its home. I am wanting something soft and delicate, feminine and romantic, with a non-standard profile, and preferably melee and milgraining to keep with the antique feel. I would definitely like to have a small halo (probably claw-set), but if I find something perfect without one, it''s not an absolute necessity.

I suppose what I''m wanting to know is if anyone can think of something that matches this description offhand and make suggestions? I don''t really know how to start - I''ve looked through the cushions halo thread and haven''t been divinely inspired, mainly because there are so few profile photos of the rings. It''s the profile that will be the clincher for me!

I know the tried and true vendors, but I haven''t been able to figure out an acceptable budget yet. I know it all varies considerably, but I am looking for good quality at good value. Perfection is not necessary, but I do not want to end up with shoddy workmanship (especially on the milgraining). What would be an average number to be expecting for milgraining and melee in platinum? I might consider palladium, but need to devote some more time to research...for now platinum is the standard.

I would appreciate any and all opinions or suggestions to find the perfect setting -- I suspect it''s going to be quite a challenge!

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Ginger!

Hopefully mrssalvo will see this, she is a whizz with settings and might know of some settings which might suit you.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/2/2009 7:09:28 AM
Author: Lorelei
Hi Ginger!

Hopefully mrssalvo will see this, she is a whizz with settings and might know of some settings which might suit you.

I just spoke with her, and she''s not able to post at the moment, but said she will try to answer tonight.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/2/2009 10:22:11 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 6/2/2009 7:09:28 AM
Author: Lorelei
Hi Ginger!

Hopefully mrssalvo will see this, she is a whizz with settings and might know of some settings which might suit you.

I just spoke with her, and she''s not able to post at the moment, but said she will try to answer tonight.

Thankies Miss!!

 

[Ellen]

No problemo!

 

[jstarfireb]

I was just browsing the JBEG site and saw this setting - could it work for your stone? Ask Grace if your stone would fit...

It''s third from the bottom on this page.

 

[kimmyintexas]

What about this one from Mr. Leon? Gorgoeous stone BTW!

 

[kimmyintexas]

Or this one? Is is a very pricey Beaudry but I got a quote from Maytal Hannah for it and it was $3500. I think it could look fantabulous with a cushion shape instead of the round. I will post two more pics of it below.

 

[kimmyintexas]

Pic 2

 

[kimmyintexas]

Pic 3

 

[Rock_of_Love]

I''ve always thought this setting would be beautiful for an antique cushion. It''s from 23rd Street Jewelers...but, I think it is a little pricey. It is hand made and has very intricate detailing. I''ve seen it in person and tried it on!!

 

[mrssalvo]

It would really help if you could narrow down a budget. Singlestone is one that comes to mind, but they seem to run on the highend of pricing IMO. For a more budget friendly designer with excellent workmanship I would suggest Beverley K. Pearlmans carry the designer and they post a bunch of rings with profile shots. they will also do a little customizing if there is something you might want to change.


ETA: thanks Ellen and Lorelei for the heads up

 

[justginger]

I can''t help but to have a bit of a smile -- so many of these suggestions are ones I either still have in the back of my mind, or I''ve LOVED and had to dismiss because of the pricing (the 23rd St Jewelers one may have been my computer background for a while...

...but I couldn''t foot the nearly $5000 pricetag). The SS one from Grace was a consideration, but there''s already another interested party who has arranged to see it in person. I''m guessing she won''t be able to take it off.

I would love to narrow down the budget, but I don''t want to be unrealistic. I know I don''t want to spend more than $4k, I would prefer to keep it around 3. I think I remember seeing that someone was quoted 3.5 for a Leon halo creation? There''s another SS setting I like, but it is much less intricate than Leon''s work and is that price as well. Has anyone had a palladium setting done through Leon? I know they''d be a cheaper alternative if really fall in love with an intricate design.

I guess my main difficulty may lie in the fact that I''m not a very good visualizer -- I suspect I wouldn''t be able to think up many quality changes to an existing design (nevermind actually coming up with something new from scratch!).

Thanks to you all for throwing out suggestions -- and especially for giving mrssalvo a heads up! I will certainly start looking through the Beverley K settings and see if I find my winner there.

 

[kimmyintexas]

If you really love the 23rd St. one, email Maytal with it and get a quote for something based (so as not to copy exactly) that design. I would think it wouldn''t be more than the Beaudry one that she quoted for me and it was $3500 (in platinum with hand carving) which I think is an awesome price considering the quality of her work. Anyway, have fun figuring it all out! Oh yeah, I also got a very reasonable quote for an intricate antiquey design (very similar to Grace''s SS one) from wannabuyawatch.com and it was VERY reasonable at only $2600 in platinum. They sell antique rings but they also make castings of them for future replications and I am sure they do custom.

 

[iluvcarats]

Try Shiraz Jewelers on Ebay. They have some similar settings and have a Best Offer option.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/3/2009 9:00:05 AM
Author: justginger
I can't help but to have a bit of a smile -- so many of these suggestions are ones I either still have in the back of my mind, or I've LOVED and had to dismiss because of the pricing (the 23rd St Jewelers one may have been my computer background for a while...

...but I couldn't foot the nearly $5000 pricetag). The SS one from Grace was a consideration, but there's already another interested party who has arranged to see it in person. I'm guessing she won't be able to take it off.

I would love to narrow down the budget, but I don't want to be unrealistic. I know I don't want to spend more than $4k, I would prefer to keep it around 3. I think I remember seeing that someone was quoted 3.5 for a Leon halo creation? There's another SS setting I like, but it is much less intricate than Leon's work and is that price as well. Has anyone had a palladium setting done through Leon? I know they'd be a cheaper alternative if really fall in love with an intricate design.

I guess my main difficulty may lie in the fact that I'm not a very good visualizer -- I suspect I wouldn't be able to think up many quality changes to an existing design (nevermind actually coming up with something new from scratch!).

Thanks to you all for throwing out suggestions -- and especially for giving mrssalvo a heads up! I will certainly start looking through the Beverley K settings and see if I find my winner there.

Not necessarily. The last I heard, he charged the same amount for WG in a ring as he did Platinum....but you could always ask. Also, Palladium is rather new, most jewelers don't know how to work with it. So unless you have someone local who is familiar with it, you might want to go with WG or Plat.

I thought of someone else you might try getting a quote from, Bridget Durnell. Her name has just started popping up, and people seem pleased with her prices/work.

Here's some of her threads.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-bridget-durnell-custom-design-review-d.110714/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-bridget-durnell-e-ring-and-story.114657/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/bridget-durnell-tapered-platinum-ring.115658/

 

[cushionawesomeness]

Check Saturn Jewelers, they have beautiful antique settings and are very affordable!