Calling All Emerald Cut CAD Experts!!!

[Blingalingaling]

Just got my first set of CADS for my new 6.59 ct. EC with trapezoids to be set in platinum! I decided to go with the smaller set of traps. Please critique these CADS and tell me what you'd change (or not)!
Thank you for your expert help, your experience and expertise! I'm a novice when it comes to working with CADS, so any input you give to me will be most appreciated!

 

[OoohShiny]

I'm no CAD expert but I believe that they include extra metal in the design (on the shank and on the prong length) so it can be cut down/worked as required?

I like the design, I think it's the right width for the centre stone, but I wonder if the traps will get lost, being that size and tucked under the centre stone.

Have you considered lowering the centre stone to make them all the same level? I can appreciate wanting to keep the centre stone visually separate, it will look awesome at that size

I personally would be tempted with a solitaire, just removing the traps, so the rock can be the star of the show!


Personal taste is just that, though, so my taste will surely not be the same as yours lol

 

[Blingalingaling]

Hi, @OoohShiny! Thank you for your comments! Actually, I thought of asking for the traps to be set higher rather than the center stone to be set lower, because the culet of the EC might be too close to the finger if it's lowered more than it is now. My first thoughts were that the trapezoids looked too low by comparison to the EC, so maybe we are on the same page here, you and I!
Yes, I think there is too much metal showing for the prongs and I'm not sure why they do that, but I'm pretty sure that they will not look out of proportion to the ring once the actual setting is made. I was told that CADS are much bulkier than the actual ring will be.
Is there anything else that you'd prefer to see altered?

 

[OoohShiny]

Again, personally speaking but I think the 'side bars' between the prongs might look a little 'heavy'?

But it's hard to tell as they might come out slimmer once polished up, as I'm sure the shank will, and they do match nicely with the shank width to my eyes.

My preference would always be to lower a stone rather than raise it, because I just think they are an accident waiting to happen if they are set higher! lol, but a honker of that size will never be able to be set that low

 

[Emeraldsaremyfavorite]

Have you looked at Leon Mege’s 3 stone EC setting? His is perfection in my opinion and there is a video! Might be worth referencing

 

[PintoBean]

id also agree with raising up the side stones a smidge. I also would ask that when they're finishing the ring, to make the inside shank comfort fit so it slides over your knuckles like butter.

Your EC is giving me DSS. I have man hands!

 

[Blingalingaling]

Oh, I see what you mean, @OoohShiny! Point taken and I'm going to ask about the lowering the center stone as well as the weight of the bars between the prongs! Thank you!

 

[Blingalingaling]

id also agree with raising up the side stones a smidge. I also would ask that when they're finishing the ring, to make the inside shank comfort fit so it slides over your knuckles like butter.

Your EC is giving me DSS. I have man hands!

LOL! My hands are also big-I wear a size 8 glove, even though I'm only 5'2" tall (short!!)!!!
I like your suggestion about making the inside shank a comfort fit. I'm going to ask for that!

I have seen side stones mounted at the top of the side bar, rather than the bottom of the bar or the middle of it, so I'm going to ask if that would be better to level the stones a bit more yet keep the angle. Maybe that will be a better balance so that the traps don't disappear under the center stone too much. I'll ask if it's better to raise the sides or lower the top.
Thanks for your input! I will post more CADS if they modify these for me.

 

[Blingalingaling]

Have you looked at Leon Mege’s 3 stone EC setting? His is perfection in my opinion and there is a video! Might be worth referencing

Yes! I LOVE his work!!! I will study that video and see where it is similar and where it differs from this design. Maybe we can incorporate some of the aspects of his ring! Thank you!

 

[PintoBean]

Honestly, with that glorious stone, I'd let Leon do it bc he definitely has an eye for proportion and flow. I'd also want something very sturdy and dense and hand forged. Just my two cents.

 

[Matthews1127]

I agree: the traps need to be raised to balance the trio, and be more present. There’s no point in having them there, if you can’t see them! This diamond is amaze-balls!! She deserves an entourage!! She’ll still steal the show!! The side stones are her introduction! Let’s see them!
This ring is going to look beyond gorgeous! I can’t wait to see the final product!!

 

[metall]

Might I play devil's advocate and say that I think that the traps are a bit small for this stone? Outside from the traps being set a little low, and I definitely agree that the side bars are a bit chunky, I do also think the size of the traps might be a touch off. I get that this might be the look you're going for sooo if it is pleaser do ignore me, but with how substantial the center stone is I think it will hold up to larger/longer traps. The ring a it stands is very modern and geometric to me.

Also I wonder if part of the look is how the shank meets the traps. Being that the shank is evenly sized throughout it looks a little like steps or the profile shot of stairs....the top of the center stone being the top step, the traps being the middle and where the shank meets the traps/ring being the bottom step. This enhances that feeling of the traps being not quite proportionate....if the shank widened a bit or fluted up to meet the traps it might give the ring more flow....which I am assume is the look you're going for based on the use of traps and not rectangular cut sides. Although if you were going with a more geometric look and not really the flowy look....maybe rectangular side stones might be a better option.

Just some personal observations.

 

[Matthews1127]

Quick question: are you adding any bling to the shank, the basket, or the profile?

 

[Blingalingaling]

Quick question: are you adding any bling to the shank, the basket, or the profile?

Hi, @Matthews1127! Thanks for your comments! You are very kind and encouraging, coming from one emerald cut admirer to another! And, by the way, I think your EC and your other rings are gorgeous!!!

I was planning on keeping this setting very clean with no other embellishments or bling, since my other ring is all about the bling, LOL! I'd prefer this one to be very classic and simple! But I will definitely ask to position the side stones better to let them shine. I think I'm also going to ask about slightly larger traps (maybe not as big as the other pair I was considering, but something in between), as @metall has suggested (Thank you, @metall for your post, too!!!). Now that I see them placed into prongs and angled, I'm also wondering if maybe they're not big enough???

 

[Matthews1127]

Hi, @Matthews1127! Thanks for your comments! You are very kind and encouraging, coming from one emerald cut admirer to another! And, by the way, I think your EC and your other rings are gorgeous!!!

I was planning on keeping this setting very clean with no other embellishments or bling, since my other ring is all about the bling, LOL! I'd prefer this one to be very classic and simple! But I will definitely ask to position the side stones better to let them shine. I think I'm also going to ask about slightly larger traps (maybe not as big as the other pair I was considering, but something in between), as @metall has suggested (Thank you, @metall for your post, too!!!). Now that I see them placed into prongs and angled, I'm also wondering if maybe they're not big enough???

I most def agree that keeping the traps at a reasonably smaller size is the right idea. Perhaps slightly larger (or fatter) traps, but not too much larger. I love this proportion. This 6+ct honker really doesn’t NEED side stones, but they really balance & accentuate the center masterpiece, nicely.
Can’t wait to see the changes!!
Many thanks for the love about my set! I take that as a true compliment!!

 

[LLJsmom]

I like the traps low and small. There is some visual separation between the center and side stones. When you look at it, all the stones will not run together across the top, losing the outline of the center emerald.

 

[Blingalingaling]

I like the traps low and small. There is some visual separation between the center and side stones. When you look at it, all the stones will not run together across the top, losing the outline of the center emerald.

Hmmm...this is NOT easy, @LLJsmom!!! You are probably right about that. Do you think if the traps started at the top of the side bar they'd be too high? I want some definition between the stones, for sure, but I didn't want a complete separation from the center EC, from the side perspective...It's so hard to know the best way to do the gallery..??
Regarding the size of the traps, I asked my jeweler if she thinks we could do slightly larger traps and she said she was thinking the same thing...so we will probably search for those and see which ones will look best!

 

[lambskin]

IMHO, the traps are too small. I would also set the center stone as low as possible as it is a large beautiful stone and will look better and will be at less risk for getting caught or damaged. It will also look prettier on your hand. The less metal the better as long as it is stable.

 

[metall]

@Blingalingaling Glad to be of service. I love looking at CADs and then the final product, it's a great transformation. Please do show us what changes your jeweler suggests as well, this is an exciting project!

 

[Acinom]

Who creates this ring for you?
Below two examples of 3-stone rings by Victor Canera. He uses a groove set system. He is not using prongs on the upper side of the sidestones.

I am not a CAD expert, but I am sure your ring will be spectacular!

 

[LLJsmom]

Hmmm...this is NOT easy, @LLJsmom!!! You are probably right about that. Do you think if the traps started at the top of the side bar they'd be too high? I want some definition between the stones, for sure, but I didn't want a complete separation from the center EC, from the side perspective...It's so hard to know the best way to do the gallery..??
Regarding the size of the traps, I asked my jeweler if she thinks we could do slightly larger traps and she said she was thinking the same thing...so we will probably search for those and see which ones will look best!

First I think you need to decide on the look you are going for. Do you want wall of bling across your finger? If so, then that would explain why you want larger side stones set higher up. All the stones would be on a more even plane. If you just want your side stones to accentuate your center stone, then you would opt for the smaller side stones, which when you look at next to your big huge 6 ct, will make it look even bigger. If set lower than the center stone, the center stone will be allowed to POP. I like the way Victor Canera sets the side stone and I like the height, that they are lower than the center stone. The 6 carat is big enough that it should give you enough finger coverage so I don’t really see how larger traps will serve in terms of covering your finger. If you want larger traps, I would make sure they are angled even more steeply away from the center stone to prevent the wall of bling look because with an emerald that big I wouldn’t want anything to distract from it’s presence. That is just me though. What do you want?

 

[Blingalingaling]

First I think you need to decide on the look you are going for. Do you want wall of bling across your finger? If so, then that would explain why you want larger side stones set higher up. All the stones would be on a more even plane. If you just want your side stones to accentuate your center stone, then you would opt for the smaller side stones, which when you look at next to your big huge 6 ct, will make it look even bigger. If set lower than the center stone, the center stone will be allowed to POP. I like the way Victor Canera sets the side stone and I like the height, that they are lower than the center stone. The 6 carat is big enough that it should give you enough finger coverage so I don’t really see how larger traps will serve in terms of covering your finger. If you want larger traps, I would make sure they are angled even more steeply away from the center stone to prevent the wall of bling look because with an emerald that big I wouldn’t want anything to distract from it’s presence. That is just me though. What do you want?

Thank you, LLJsmom! I think I want the more subtle look that you are describing, rather than the "wall of bling". Initially, I was thinking of doing tapered baguettes. I loved the shape and proportions of the EC and didn't want to distract from that.
The first go-round, my jeweler brought in some baguettes plus two sets of trapezoids - one large tapered set and another pair that were elongated and more rectangular. The baguettes looked pretty, but I didn't think the look was as exciting as the trapezoids. I wanted to see smaller ones so she brought in the smaller pair and that's when I posted the questionnaire on PriceScope to decide which traps to use! The larger traps were the winners in the poll, but I decided on the smaller ones based on some comments PS-ers made about keeping the center stone the focus, which made a lot of sense to me.
I was expecting the traps would be set a little bit higher than they appear in these CADS, but I just got word from my jeweler that the wax is in (!!) and she wants to show it to me tomorrow (I wasn't expecting it yet, since I had just requested to see some slightly larger trapezoids). I'm excited to see it and I guess at that point, I'll be able to tell if the trapezoids are too small or if they look right and how their angle and placement is. I'll take photos and post them to see what you think!

 

[Blingalingaling]

Who creates this ring for you?
Below two examples of 3-stone rings by Victor Canera. He uses a groove set system. He is not using prongs on the upper side of the sidestones.

I am not a CAD expert, but I am sure your ring will be spectacular!

Hi, @Acinom! The two examples you posted are beautiful! I see what you mean about the placement of the traps and setting them in grooves as opposed to prongs. I'm going to see the wax tomorrow morning and I'll bring these photos with me for reference and comparison. I can show them to my jeweler and see if the groove method might be something they can do, as well. Thank you!

 

[Blingalingaling]

IMHO, the traps are too small. I would also set the center stone as low as possible as it is a large beautiful stone and will look better and will be at less risk for getting caught or damaged. It will also look prettier on your hand. The less metal the better as long as it is stable.

Hi, @lambskin! Thanks for your kind compliments and comments! I have asked for the center stone to be set as low as possible, but the pavilion is on the larger size, so there is a limit to how low the stone can be set. I agree that it would look best as a lower-set ring and it's safer for the stone as well!
I'm going to see the wax tomorrow and they will sit the stones (gently) into it. So I will get a feeling for whether or not I need to go with larger traps. I'm nervous with anticipation but at least I know that I can still change my mind and get larger trapezoids if it's warranted!