Custom Work with Aquamarine and Diamonds (help!)

[DesiLu]

Firstly, I'd like to thank everyone for letting me be a lurker for the past *five years*!
And also for being such an informative group of people. I'm a diamond-lover, and am now a very educated one, at that (thanks, Pricescope!), however I never had anything "real" to post about, until now!

Secondly, I'd like to add that I've been married six months and will post pics of my e-ring and wedding ring as soon as humanly possible, in the corresponding forum, since I'd love to add my own little piece of "bling" to the boards and feel as if I'm adding it all into the "Hall of Fame" of e/w-rings!!

Alright, then; that said, I'd like to get right down to business...

I'm an obsessed Lucille Ball fan (was even named after her, actually) and did my research and found out that Desi had gifted her with a 40-carat Aquamarine e-ring...so, naturally, I *HAD* to have an aquamarine e-ring AT ONCE!!! So, after hurting hubby's feelings (unintentionally, when he found out I wasn't too thrilled with the 3-stone princess-cut e-ring he proposed with) and finally convincing him that I *NEEDED* to have a large Aquamarine as an e-ring; I finally got "permission" to search for the right stone.

Long story short (sorry, too late, I guess!) for my birthday (last week) I found the perfect Aquamarine (online) and, although I wasn't too thrilled about the setting it was in, bought it anyway...I'm a lighter-colored Aquamarine kind of gal, rather than the more bluish-green colored lover; so that's what I ended up purchasing.

So, I received the ring in the mail today and, naturally, I fell in love with the center stone (3.5ct Aquamarine--light blue hue---*perfect* for what I want!) however, I'm now left with the task of customizing it totally.

I have a 3ctw. tennis bracelet that I don't wear, but would like to "recycle" the diamonds and set them somehow around this Aquamarine and use the rest in an eternity w-ring sort of set.

Now, can anyone help me with designs, as well as whom could possibly do this custom work for me? I'd rather go with a trusted jeweler (such as Wink, Whiteflash, ERD, etc) online than with someone local--simply because I've seen the work these awesome people do and I just love it. However, I'm unsure as to whether or not they are apt to do "recycle" work, with one's own stones or if they will only work on custom pieces if you buy stones directly from them?
Make sense? I hope so!

I'm *very* much into halo settings (in fact, I was hinting at that, as an e-ring, but, alas, he didn't listen, but that's a whole other show!), and would love to turn this into a halo setting; however, this stone is large enough as it is...I have very small hands and don't want this to look like "costume jewelery" or a big 'ol CZ sort of thing--AT ALL. I have a feeling the stones in the tennis bracelet might be too large as they are presently cut...therefore, would it even be a possibility for them to be re-cut to "fit" into the category of smaller melee?

So, with that in mind; can anyone help with design ideas? If I need to post pics of the bracelet and the Aqua ring--as it stands now-- I certainly will be willing to oblige, if anyone needs an idea of how large it already looks on my finger (don't get me wrong, I LOVE the size, as it is; I just don't want to make it look a WHOLE lot larger and not be able to "carry it" well (I just turned 33 last week).

Also, anyone have any idea what the cost for something like this would be (being that they are my own stones; the labor and metals will have to be taken into consideration, I'm sure)? Jewelers, feel free to chime in on this one, as well!!

I also want this to become an "heirloom" piece and possibly hand it down to a future daughter (if I ever have one, that is)...at the moment I have no children but we do intend on having children soon.

(ETA: The Aqua is an emerald-cut)

Help!!

 

[oshinbreez]

Hi. Glad you finally desided to de-lurk.

I found this with an emerald shaped aqua and diamond halo. I love antique rings.

 

[partgypsy]

Desilu - congratulations on your marriage! I am a big colored stone fan, so I think it''s great you picked a colored stone for your engagement ring. I''ve heard that aquamarine is quite often used in engagement rings abroad.
Regarding your question I am a big fan of (re) using what you got, but sometimes we can get carried away with using what we have even if it''s not best fit for the project itself. What I would do is look at designs of rings that you like and start making notes of what you do and don''t like. You may find with the size of your stone for example, that a very delicate halo looks better than a thick chunky one. I would find out what design (and size stones) you like best first, and THEN see if you can use the stones in your bracelet, not the other way around. As far as jewelers opinions of doing work with not their own stones, I would think it would probably vary by jeweler.

 

[DesiLu]

Thank you so much for the suggestions and comments!

I must say that the site that Oshinbreez included in her reply is the *exact* "look" I had in mind! I guess now I need to e-mail some jewelers and see whom would be willing to work with me on a "recycle" project. Wow, my very first "custom" job!

Anyone know if melee can be re-cut into an even smaller size--with regards to my 3.00ctw diamond tennis bracelet stones, that is? I could swear I read somewhere on another post that some melee is already too small and cannot be re-cut, but I may be mistaken.

I''m also hoping to get an estimate on how much this type of project would run--seeming as though I''ve got the main "parts" (stones), would it still be a very costly project or would it be, say, less than $500.00 or thereabouts?

Once again, thanks everyone!! Please feel free to post more suggestions, comments, etc!

Hope everyone''s weekend was, at the very least, restful--since it''s NEVER long enough!!

 

[gemnut]

Hi Lucy and welcome as an active Pricescope poster

I absolutely LOVE aquamarines and I have two giant ones set in as many rings to prove it!

I think aquamarines are PERFECT as the central stone in an engagement ring. As a matter of fact, here in the E,U,, aquamarines are very often used as e-rings.
I also love halos and your idea is fantastic, with one exception... I don''t know how large the diamonds in your bracelet are but I suspect they are way too large for a chic looking halo. As a matter of fact, the latest trend is to make halos out of very small, tightly packed diamonds, which I think it''s a great idea. To see what I mean, check out the halo in my new ring under my "pyrope garnet?" post. As a matter of fact, I''ll try to post one more picture of a haloed ring with slightly larger diamonds that is also quite representative of the trend.
I think it really would help if you posted all the pictures you mentioned (stone, hand, bracelet) to help give ideas to our "resident designers"

 

[DesiLu]

This is the Aqua...

 

[DesiLu]

And another of the Aqua...

 

[DesiLu]

And this is the bracelet...

 

[neatfreak]

Unfortunately, those stones seem waaaay too big for a halo. If you''re going to halo a big stone, they need to be teensy IMO. Have you thought about maybe doing a split shank with pave instead? I think it would be a great blingy look without being over the top like I worry the halo might be since the stone is so big.

Also, there is a LOT of labor involved with setting small melee stones, and I think that is where a large part of your cost will arise. The fewer you set, the better, but it''s still going to be pricey. And don''t forget the price of the metal, which is not cheap right now.

Something like this maybe, perhaps less pronounced would be lovely:

 

[DesiLu]

I agree...the bracelet''s stones are too large for a halo---the darn Aqua is already enormous (on me) enough as it is! I think it might look tacky rather than tasteful...which would totally ruin the look I''m going for!

I do like the idea of the split-shank, however! And I think I could probably have an eternity w-ring made out of the bracelet stones and be done with it...maybe set the Aqua all by itself, even, but set high enough to where the eternity band can be worn with it as well?

Thoughts?

I also posted my e/w-rings on the Show Me The Ring area, in case anyone''s interested!

 

[pinkdreamer]

That ring is gorgeous neatfreak!! Something like that with your aqua would be beautiful and very classy.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 5/20/2007 7:48:40 PM
Author: DesiLu
I agree...the bracelet''s stones are too large for a halo---the darn Aqua is already enormous (on me) enough as it is! I think it might look tacky rather than tasteful...which would totally ruin the look I''m going for!


I do like the idea of the split-shank, however! And I think I could probably have an eternity w-ring made out of the bracelet stones and be done with it...maybe set the Aqua all by itself, even, but set high enough to where the eternity band can be worn with it as well?


Thoughts?


I also posted my e/w-rings on the Show Me The Ring area, in case anyone''s interested!

I think you could certainly make an eternity band out of it. Are the diamonds of good enough quality to be worth it? A plain band for the aquamarine worn with an eternity would also be a really classy look.

 

[neatfreak]

I''d also try Brian Knox of Knox jewelers in Minnesota.

 

[oshinbreez]

Here is another style halo.

 

[DesiLu]

Thanks for suggesting Brian Knox, as well!

OMG, that other halo setting is AWESOME!! Oshin, you''re killin'' me here!!


Choices, choices!!

One thing I''ve just noticed, also-- my Aqua is *really* light compared to others I''ve seen that look really nice in those settings. Anyone know if they can be "darkened" by any known process? I mean irradiation, heat, etc? (I''m not too familiar with what can be done with colored gemstones; although I''m aware of diamond irradiation.)

If not, well, hey, I wanted one on the "paler" side; so that''s what I got; but now that I see these yummy sky-blue ones...GEEZ, it''s like diving into a dang pool!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I''m afraid you''ll be looking at quite a bit more than $500. It would not be cost effective to recut those little stones. It would be cheaper to buy new ones, I''m quite sure. A pave split shank will probably cost over a thousand and maybe more than $2000 depending on the metal you choose. Platinum is very expensive now. I hope you are aware that aquas are not as durable as diamonds, so it can''t be worn all the time. But aquamarines and diamonds make very beautiful rings!

 

[Kismet]

Date: 5/21/2007 7:53:56 PM
Author: DesiLu

One thing I''ve just noticed, also-- my Aqua is *really* light compared to others I''ve seen that look really nice in those settings. Anyone know if they can be ''darkened'' by any known process? I mean irradiation, heat, etc? (I''m not too familiar with what can be done with colored gemstones; although I''m aware of diamond irradiation.)

I''m pretty sure that heating aquamarines just removes any green tone and doesn''t darken the stone.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 5/21/2007 7:53:56 PM
Author: DesiLu
Thanks for suggesting Brian Knox, as well!


OMG, that other halo setting is AWESOME!! Oshin, you''re killin'' me here!!



Choices, choices!!


One thing I''ve just noticed, also-- my Aqua is *really* light compared to others I''ve seen that look really nice in those settings. Anyone know if they can be ''darkened'' by any known process? I mean irradiation, heat, etc? (I''m not too familiar with what can be done with colored gemstones; although I''m aware of diamond irradiation.)


If not, well, hey, I wanted one on the ''paler'' side; so that''s what I got; but now that I see these yummy sky-blue ones...GEEZ, it''s like diving into a dang pool!!

<swoon>

I don''t think you can darken it. Just something that I have noticed in the pictures, but it looks like your aqua has a huge window in it? It appears that you can see your entire peachy finger through the bottom of it on the table? Is that true? If so, that will make the aqua appear a different color too when it''s on your finger. But it could just be the pictures...

Where did you buy it if you don''t mind me asking?

 

[DesiLu]

Yup...I was quoted $700-$900 for what I''m wanting...Might have to just bite the bullet and get the stone re-set into a simple solitaire setting (since those types of funds are tied up elsewhere at the moment).

Let me answer some of the questions you guys have asked:

Yes, the diamonds on the bracelet are clean enough to recycle as an eternity ring; however, I might just be better off buying an already-made one rather than tearing my bracelet apart (I have a feeling I''d miss it! Sorta like cutting your hair when it''s down to the middle of your back and thinking you want the "short" look--then crying over it when you get home! I speak from experience!).

And, yes, the Aqua does have a huge window in it--it looks way lighter when it''s being worn, thanks to my finger showing through...that was just me jumping the gun and buying it because it''s a larger-carat stone (and I was OBSESSED with finding one, no matter what, at the moment) and not really paying too much attention to what it might look like in person.
It''s light enough on its own; but it looks even lighter when worn, unfortunately.

I bought it at Pricegems.com (Hope this is ok to post, but since it was asked, I figured I''d answer!) I''m not too thrilled with them, but, what''s done is done! They sent the wrong color gold and the totally wrong size--they offered to fix the problem, once I returned the ring I bought, but, I''m the type of person that has to have things NOW

...so I couldn''t send it back and wait for another one!

I was just trying to get it to where I can wear it right away, but, it looks like it''s either going to have to sit in a box until further notice, or just have it set in a simple white-gold setting...or nothing at all, if I find a better-looking Aqua later on down the road.

Oh, and, yes I know they''re not for everyday wear, due to lack of hardness--I just *had* to have one...so, there it is...and now, I''m feeling a bit on the

side for being so darn impatient!!

Anyone have any other suggestions?!

 

[neatfreak]

Could you simply return the whole thing and start fresh? We know of some sources for better cut aquas and we could help you find one that you would LOVE and would be worthy of an expensive setting!!!

 

[neatfreak]

For example, I don''t know if you''re set on an emerald cut, but Dan Stair has a gorgeous aquamarine I almost bought myself. Looks nice and he allows returns if you don''t like it. CHEAP too!:

http://www.customgemstones.com/BERYL/aq874.html

 

[DesiLu]

I''ve thought of returning it...in fact, that was my first thought when I first opened the package, and I called the company and told them that even the color of gold was wrong (I realize I bought the ring only for the center stone, however I wanted to be able to wear it at least for a little bit before I re-set it), as well as the size (the setting itself is three sizes bigger than what I ordered).

So, the guy asked me what I wanted to do and I told him I''d return it; he agreed and said he''d ship out the correct color gold and ring size as soon as he received my package back. However, upon studying the stone further; I decided I liked it and could *possibly* let it sit in my jewelry box for a while, before getting it re-set...talked it over with my husband and he said to call the guy back and tell him to, at the very least, knock some money off the price we paid, since it was their mistake.

I hesitated (I have NEVER returned anything in my life and I''m not the type to complain if something isn''t done right; just this "thing" I have that''s totally wrong and I realize I should get what I paid for; but in my mind I see it as "bothering" the retailer!! I know--I''m demented!!) but called the man back and he said he''d take 25.00 off and that was it, because that''s how much it would take to resize the ring and that it was all he could do. So, I agreed to that and let it go at that.

So, now, I would feel bad calling the guy back *yet again* and returning it...so I was thinking I''d take it to my jeweler this afternoon or even tomorrow and have it re-set into a simple e-ring type setting, for now...and also asking them about making an eternity band out of my tennis bracelet--as the stones are *very* eye-clean.

Also wanted to note that I opened the little ring box again, last night, in a different light setting (still need to take it outside and see it in natural daylight, however) both, in the bedroom and in the bathroom, since my husband has installed the "Reveal" light-bulbs in those two areas, and I must say, the Aqua *is* clearly blue....and it doesn''t look as "windowy", when worn, in that lighting, so, I was pleasantly surprised!! It''s a very pale powder-blue, but, nonetheless, unmistakably an aquamarine...so, I''m satisfied...plus I''m hoping a white-gold/plat setting will make the blue "pop" a little more.

I think the purplish tanzanites on either side of the Aqua might "take away" from the color of the center stone, since they''re clearly darker, in color, than the Aqua itself. But maybe it''s just me, I dunno!

Alright, well, if I don''t "talk" to many of you during the weekend: I hope everyone has an awesome, SAFE, restful, eventful, fun-filled, (or at least barbeque-filled, for some of us!) Memorial Day weekend!

 

[DesiLu]

**UPDATE**

I would like to inform those of you who had been "keeping track" of my progress in this post that I finally took the ring to my new jeweler and he's setting the Aqua itself into a simple Tiffany setting, in order for me to be able to wear it as an e-ring (not on a daily basis, however) and have it still sit flush (or as near-flush as possible) with a wedding band/eternity band/etc.

He ordered the particular setting yesterday while I was still in the store and he said if he didn't have it ready by this afternoon, he'd have it ready on Friday midday, for sure!!! I am first in line in his "jobs pending" list!! YAY!!!!

I'll keep everyone in the loop of the progress and will post pics when I get it back!!

Hope everyone has a great day!

ETA: I had the jeweler look at the tennis bracelet in question and I'm happy to inform that he saw no inclusions at 10x magnification; so my "eye-clean" statement was in fact accurate. (I think I remember someone asking if the diamonds were "usable" in an eternity band, since tennis bracelet diamonds are usually not very clean at all--so I made sure to have him look at it--and I took a peek as well. For the money I paid for the bracelet, I was pretty sure they would be clean, even at 10x mag. or at least I was *hoping* they would be!!

 

[ivanadiamond]

hi neatfreak-

sorry for the threadjack, but could you tell me where the first setting you attached is from? It''s gorgeous. My hubby just got be a 4.26 cushion cut aquamarine and I have no idea how i should set it. It might be too big for a ring, but i really like the one you attached- thanks!