Custom 3-stone help needed.

[stepcutgirl]

I have purchased two .30ct stones from BGD and have a 7.3mm Jeff White sapphire. After going back and forth and flip flopping designs over and over again I have (really, for sure) settled on a 3-stone design. This is for an ering. It is going to be a custom and I am torn between two designs.

I love all things bezel and below is a semi bezel and a prong set version of a 3-stone. I like the below semi bezel because I won''''t have to worry about prongs catching on anything or lifting and it''''s a little bit unique. I would do something like that sans the pave in the shank.

While I didn''''t consider myself a prong girl I am currently leaning towords the prong set like below sans the engraving on the shank because I think the contrast of seeing the diamonds right up next to the center stone w/o the interruption of the metal from the semi bezels looks better since it is a blue center stone.

I''''d love to hear suggestions, opinions or warnings on either style or a style you think would suit my stones better.

 

[stepcutgirl]

Prong.

 

[stepcutgirl]

my stones.

 

[Phoenix]

I love the half-bezel style. In fact, I'm having my 3-stone reset and if there're major modifications to the ring (because of the size increase of the centre stone), I might as well have a new setting and am seriously thinking bezel-set.

Anything to help the diamonds look bigger, huh?

 

[yssie]

I love the half-bezel style too, but I do think for your blue centre a prong style, with diamonds immediately adjacent, would look fantastic from close-up and afar. I would worry that with the half-bezel and the darker centre you would see the outline of the half-bezel more than the sapphire from far away?

 

[Bella_mezzo]

they both would look stunning. I feel like the half bezel setting is more "you"....if we''re just picking between these two I would get the half bezel setting and have them make the center bezel as thin and low as possible so your stone really shines.

Maybe you could get the best of both worlds and have the center set with thin prongs (I LOVE claw prongs and have half bezels for the sides and the same shank as the first ring.

Also, I looked at some three stones that didn''t have any visible metal between the side stones and the center, the bezel went around the outline of the center stone and side stones but not between them...maybe that would be a good option.

 

[stepcutgirl]

Date: 4/18/2010 9:47:34 AM
Author: Bella_mezzo
they both would look stunning. I feel like the half bezel setting is more ''you''....if we''re just picking between these two I would get the half bezel setting and have them make the center bezel as thin and low as possible so your stone really shines.


Maybe you could get the best of both worlds and have the center set with thin prongs (I LOVE claw prongs and have half bezels for the sides and the same shank as the first ring.


Also, I looked at some three stones that didn''t have any visible metal between the side stones and the center, the bezel went around the outline of the center stone and side stones but not between them...maybe that would be a good option.

Any pictures of this kind of look? I can''t quite picture it in my head?

 

[stepcutgirl]

Are you having mods done to the ring you just got Phoenix?!

I agree with your points yssie! So while the semi bezel is absolutely more me, I''m not sure it''s the right fit for this ring.

 

[PumpkinPie]

I think I agree stepcutgirl - I think the prong set idea just fits better for this ring and your stones

 

[AprilBaby]

Your stones are gorgeous! I really think the prongs will showcase the stones better. I have been wearing my prongs for 30 years and not once have I got them caught on anything.

 

[stepcutgirl]

Date: 4/18/2010 12:24:30 PM
Author: AprilBaby
Your stones are gorgeous! I really think the prongs will showcase the stones better. I have been wearing my prongs for 30 years and not once have I got them caught on anything.

Yeah, I am leaning towords doing prongs. My mom has a Tiffany style four prong setting and hasn't had an issue with it in the almost 40 years she has been wearing it and she never takes it off.

ETA-Does anyone think the type of prongs matter? The jeweler who makes this does claw prongs that seriously are as good if not better than Leon's but I wonder if claw type prongs are more prone to catching on things.

 

[oddoneout]

I''m no help because I like both. I think the prongs (though I''m more of a bezel fan like you) showcase the stones more because there''s less metal around them.

 

[redhead02]

So, I adore bezels. I have a RHR aquamarine bezel and I''m working on a 3 stone bezel ring with colored stones. And that bezel example you posted is gorgeous. I can''t think of a better 3-stone bezel setting that.

However. For your stones, I like that prong set. Since your center is little bigger than the sides than in the bezel example, I think the prong set would make it look better. And also because I LOVE that that prong set had only 3 prongs on the sidestones, with the 3rd sitting in the middle of the side of the curve. I love that look - you see it on Leon''s half-moon rings, and it really makes prong-set rings far less "busy" in my opinion, which is my biggest problem with many prong rings.

If you have a jeweler that does good delicate prongs, I''d go for that one. But they''re both gorgeous, so you really can''t go wrong either way. Good luck, can''t wait to see the finished ring!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Prong prong prong... blue next to white = yummy.

 

[stepcutgirl]

I''m 99% with ya Dreamer. Now I just need to decide design like above or trellis...rounded smooth prongs or amazing better than Leon claws?

 

[Bella_mezzo]

I can''t find pics online right now I''ll post if I find any....I saw several like this in the diamond district, some I loved, some not so much.

If you go prongs (which will be gorgeous!), I vote claw prongs all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Amethyste]

All I know is that these proportions make my heart melt!! so so so Beautiful!

 

[Amethyste]

By the way, I think a center bezel would be fabulous! Are you set on one color or a 2 tone?
You know, when I saw this combo, I immediately thought about a tension setting. I don't know why, but it popped in my head.

 

[Dreamer_D]

It may be sacriledge to say this, but prongs are pretty small when they are done well, and unless you photograph your rings, you won''t really be able to tell the little round ones from a claw-type

Maybe Leon craws are different, but in my expeirence, the rest all just look like nice little dots.

I prefer a basket setting. Also, if you want to wear a wedding band, trellis styles will not allow a very close fit between the two rings. Thing to consider.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 4/18/2010 10:21:36 AM
Author: stepcutgirl
Are you having mods done to the ring you just got Phoenix?!

Well, I'm hoping that the setting can be modified, to accomodate a larger stone (I'm upgrading from a 1.52ct G Si1 to a 1.72ct H VS1). It may not be possible though, and I may have to have a brand new setting done altogether

, thus am thinking of different settings now. I might go for the classic 3-stone or the semi-bezel. The crossed trellis is absolutely gorgeous but it's a different look (sidestones tucked under the centre stone, and act more as accents to the centre stone. Also, because of the sideprongs, the sidestones look more like pears) to what I *personally* prefer (three stones more or less on the same plane/ level; and it's more of a 3- stone look with all the stones actually looking round).

Buuuuttt, my current setting has beautiful swoopy curves and it's very exposed, allowing maximum light to filter through whereas the classic 3-stone would block some light out....Difficult decision!

ETA: I wonder if the "regular" trellis (as opposed to my crossed trellis) would allow the 3 stones to sit on the same level, without the sidestones being tucked under the centre stone?

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 4/19/2010 1:25:00 AM
Author: dreamer_d
It may be sacriledge to say this, but prongs are pretty small when they are done well, and unless you photograph your rings, you won''t really be able to tell the little round ones from a claw-type

Maybe Leon craws are different, but in my expeirence, the rest all just look like nice little dots.

I prefer a basket setting. Also, if you want to wear a wedding band, trellis styles will not allow a very close fit between the two rings. Thing to consider.

Actually, Dreamer, my trellis and eternity band sit pretty flush together (I guess it helps that my band is quite low).

 

[stepcutgirl]

Thanks for all the replies. I just noticed that when they moved my thread over that they didn't bring over the first pic which was of the semi bezels!

Ame-I want to keep it all the same metal and thank you for the compliment on my stone proportions! That means alot coming from the owner of the most beautiful pear in the world!

Bella-I think I found what you were talking about yesterday, pretty but didn't make heart pitter patter as much as some others, which is too bad as it would solve my issues!

Dreamer-Flushness is an issue. I expect a gap with whatever design I go with but I want it kept as minimal as possible. Since I ended up going custom I think if they understand that up front I should be ok.

Phoenix-I am wanting to martini set the side stones with the bottom prong lined up with the shank...I've seen this done several times where it makes the stone there look pear shaped. I wonder if there is any way to get around this? In the above image I don't think it looks pear shaped but that may be because it is a close up focused picture. This gives me food for thought to talk over with the designer. Also, thank you for explaining your feelings on the trellis design and it's flushness. good luck with your reset and upgraded stone! I am going more for the accent look myself.

I really like this designers claws, like they seriously knock my socks off and for a girl who usually says meh to any prong style...that is saying a lot. But I can't help but think that claws with their points might catch more.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 4/19/2010 10:44:10 AM
Author: stepcutgirl

Phoenix-I am wanting to martini set the side stones with the bottom prong lined up with the shank...I've seen this done several times where it makes the stone there look pear shaped. I wonder if there is any way to get around this? In the above image I don't think it looks pear shaped but that may be because it is a close up focused picture. This gives me food for thought to talk over with the designer. Also, thank you for explaining your feelings on the trellis design and it's flushness. good luck with your reset and upgraded stone! I am going more for the accent look myself.

I really like this designers claws, like they seriously knock my socks off and for a girl who usually says meh to any prong style...that is saying a lot. But I can't help but think that claws with their points might catch more.

You'd need to see the ring face-up (I think you can see it in my Bella thread). The picture above is sideways. The sideprongs add an extra half an mm or so to the stones on the side, thus giving them the illusion of fat pears. I'm thinking perhaps to ask Brian to shave off the prongs a bit, thus reducing this illusion (but I don't know if it's possible).

Also, another point to note is that since the sidestones are tucked under the centre stone, part of the sidestones are "cut off" or hidden by the centre stone, which also make them look like half-moons. So, yeah...kind of like fat pear-shaped half-moons...not sure if I'm making sense here, LOL!

I totally agree that your sidestones, acting as accents to the centre sapphire would really compliment and bring out the beauty of the centre stone.

Would love to see what you end up with. I'm really bummed out that I may have wasted $1.2k on this crossed trellis setting. I didn't do enough homework to make sure that it is the right look for *me*. Again, not saying that it is not beautiful because it really is. It's just not my personal taste. But then again I'd absolutely leave the setting alone if I didn;t have to change my centre diamond (another case of my not doing my homework properly

). It's really great that Brian and Lesley are working with me to see which is the least costly of options - they are such sweethearts. Thank God also for upgrade policies, otherwise I'd be stuck with a stone that is not mind-clean enough for me.

Oh btw, the prongs - well made prongs should not catch on things. Sure, you might get the odd fluff or two, but they do not catch on things. I've never had any problem in that regard with my LM ring and this new 3-stone ring.

 

[stepcutgirl]

Date: 4/19/2010 11:07:54 AM
Author: Phoenix

Date: 4/19/2010 10:44:10 AM

Author: stepcutgirl


Phoenix-I am wanting to martini set the side stones with the bottom prong lined up with the shank...I''ve seen this done several times where it makes the stone there look pear shaped. I wonder if there is any way to get around this? In the above image I don''t think it looks pear shaped but that may be because it is a close up focused picture. This gives me food for thought to talk over with the designer. Also, thank you for explaining your feelings on the trellis design and it''s flushness. good luck with your reset and upgraded stone! I am going more for the accent look myself.


I really like this designers claws, like they seriously knock my socks off and for a girl who usually says meh to any prong style...that is saying a lot. But I can''t help but think that claws with their points might catch more.

You''d need to see the ring face-up (I think you can see it in my Bella thread). The picture above is sideways. The sideprongs add an extra half an mm or so to the stones on the side, thus giving them the illusion of fat pears. I''m thinking perhaps to ask Brian to shave off the prongs a bit, thus reducing this illusion (but I don''t know if it''s possible).


Also, another point to note is that since the sidestones are tucked under the centre stone, part of the sidestones are ''cut off'' or hidden by the centre stone, which also make them look like half-moons. So, yeah...kind of like fat pear-shaped half-moons...not sure if I''m making sense here, LOL!


I totally agree that your sidestones, acting as accents to the centre sapphire would really compliment and bring out the beauty of the centre stone.


Would love to see what you end up with. I''m really bummed out that I may have wasted $1.2k on this crossed trellis setting. I didn''t do enough homework to make sure that it is the right look for *me*. Again, not saying that it is not beautiful because it really is. It''s just not my personal taste. But then again I''d absolutely leave the setting alone if I didn;t have to change my centre diamond (another case of my not doing my homework properly

). It''s really great that Brian and Lesley are working with me to see which is the least costly of options - they are such sweethearts. Thank God also for upgrade policies, otherwise I''d be stuck with a stone that is not mind-clean enough for me.


Oh btw, the prongs - well made prongs should not catch on things. Sure, you might get the odd fluff or two, but they do not catch on things. I''ve never had any problem in that regard with my LM ring and this new 3-stone ring.

I''m glad Lesley is working with you to make you as happy as possible. She is such a doll.

Your above post was VERY helpful. I asked Erica many questions about the custom I am doing and decided on a 4 prong side stone setting for both being more secure and to not give that pear-ish appearance even though she thought it was possible to do a martini setting on the sides w/o it looking pearish. I also decided not to tuck the stones under but to have them slightly lower but almost girdle to girdle in closeness to 1) get all the size out of them I can and not hide any of the stone and 2) to not make the round stone appear to be another shape.

So thank you so much for bringing these things to my attention, it was really helpful and in the end helped me make some decisions for my own setting!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I meant to add that the proportions of the diamond to your sapph are perfect, simply perfect. This is going to be one killer ring!

How are the SI2 daimonds for you? I assume they are fine since you are keeping them?

 

[stepcutgirl]

Date: 4/19/2010 3:30:21 PM
Author: dreamer_d
I meant to add that the proportions of the diamond to your sapph are perfect, simply perfect. This is going to be one killer ring!


How are the SI2 daimonds for you? I assume they are fine since you are keeping them?

Thanks Dreamer! I really feel good about the proportions which is good because there was no way we could afford any bigger!

The SI2''s are keepers for me. They might bother some people as they definitely have inclusions and one of the diamonds has black inclusions that are very clearly visible when looking through the loop. But even knowing exactly where they are in the diamond once I put down the loop and search with my eyes I can''t find them! The only concern I had was that I feel like I can see a tint of warmth. Slight but there. The reason I decided to keep them is that 1) I think I''m imagining the hint of color. I can''t see even a tint in G''s so to think I can in H''s I believe is my mind playing tricks on me and 2) even if I am so color sensitive that I can pick up color in H''s, the setting they will be going into will be mostly closed on the sides so I will really only see them face up.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 4/19/2010 3:45:07 PM
Author: stepcutgirl
Thanks Dreamer! I really feel good about the proportions which is good because there was no way we could afford any bigger!

The SI2''s are keepers for me. They might bother some people as they definitely have inclusions and one of the diamonds has black inclusions that are very clearly visible when looking through the loop. But even knowing exactly where they are in the diamond once I put down the loop and search with my eyes I can''t find them! The only concern I had was that I feel like I can see a tint of warmth. Slight but there. The reason I decided to keep them is that 1) I think I''m imagining the hint of color. I can''t see even a tint in G''s so to think I can in H''s I believe is my mind playing tricks on me and 2) even if I am so color sensitive that I can pick up color in H''s, the setting they will be going into will be mostly closed on the sides so I will really only see them face up.

I am with you, who cares about seeing them with the loup? You don''t carry it around with you... well most people don''t.

I doubt you are seeing a tint in H diamonds of that size, to be honest. Withough a higher color next to it, it is hard to know if it is just ambient lighting adding the tint or whether it is really in the diamond. I would wager that Gd would also show "tint" in the lighting where you are seeing tint.

I can''t wait to see your finished ring, it is going to be amazing.

 

[stepcutgirl]

Thanks! I think you''re right about the tint. I was too scared to take them out of the box they are in outside so the light I was looking at them in was my kitchen light which you can see in the image above with my three stones together has a yellowish tint to it.

I''m very excited about this ring. I''m glad i backed out of the Sholdt purchase and went custom. The Sholdt was beautiful but this is going to be perfect for me.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Are you using BGD for the custom setting?

 

[stepcutgirl]

No, prior to me actually speaking with Lesley about buying the stones I had felt like I had gotten the brush off from them. I had asked for so many quotes over the period of a year that I wasn''t surprised when the quotes started getting quite high and emails were going unanswered. So I no longer considered them a possibility and moved to other vendors. I understood their frustration with me, heck, I was frustrated with me and my many, many flip flops and changes in what I want. However when I finally got to really talk to Lesley all of that disappeared and she was wonderful to me. I truly feel like that connection has been made again and I hope to work with them in the future.

For this project I am using JbEG, specifically Erica. I love her and I am so excited about doing this with her!