Deco''s EARRING Poll (Take 2)

[decodelighted]

Finished gathering a bunch of info & was hoping to get some input on which way YOU would take this earring project. Also, would like to hear what you think *I* should do (if its not the same thing ... heh). If you haven't seen the original thread here is the linkie. And I posted a composite pix of my "inspiration" earrings.

THE BASICS
18K pink gold earrings, each with four .035 ct. (approx 2.2mm) diamonds. I'm thinking of them as my alternative to diamond studs. An everyday earring. Maybe more of a fashion choice than, possibly, a lifelong classic? Money is an issue.

THE CHOICES

1. Brian Gavin Diamonds: ($1250)
amazing stones, more control over design, great rep, highest price by far

2. Fave Local Designer: ($700)
know her work, own two pair of her earrings already, but it would be a much modified version of the design - just four bezeled stone clustered into the iconic shape, but no lotus petal design or other embellishments.

3. Sally/Heart Of Water + she supplies stones: ($520)
The design is Thai inspired, which is where she is. She won't reproduce exactly but it will be closer to the original than option #2 probably.

4. Sally/HOW + GOG's H&A melee, H color/SI clarity ($664)
Shipping the stones to Thailand is a bit iffy & might add to the cost. Is it worth it? Sally is confident in her stones. Hmmmm.

 

[decodelighted]

Here is the similar pair of rose gold earrings I currently own, made by the local designer in question. I know, I know ... they are similar ... but the new ones would have more bling & be smaller scale, more delicate.

 

[bright&shiny]

My reply, take 2

I really like the lotus design - the others risk being the ''path most traveled'' thus my vote for number 1 (Brian Gavin). I''ve seen plenty of cluster earrings - but none of them related to the lotus (which is both a great flower & car).

Not related - but do I see a delightful papillon as your avitar? I have a beautiful girl - Lily

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 7/3/2009 12:17:22 AM
Author: bright&shiny
I really like the lotus design - the others risk being the ''path most traveled'' thus my vote for number 1 (Brian Gavin). I''ve seen plenty of cluster earrings - but none of them related to the lotus (which is both a great flower & car).

Not related - but do I see a delightful papillon as your avitar? I have a beautiful girl - Lily

Thanks Bright&shiny. I do think Sally''s version would be Lotus-y as well ... she''d modify the design slightly with perhaps a miligrained edge or other tweak to avoid copyright infringement. The originals are Cartier.

And, yes, I adore my pretty Pap baby ... who is sporting a bit of a puppy cut this summer. Have to get some funny new pix up soon. Is Lily tri-colored also? Aren''t they just loves!!!

 

[bright&shiny]

In that case, I change my vote to your designer with a GOG stone.

Yes, Lily is a tri-color also. Her body is mostly white - but her face is brown (sable) with a little black and white accents. I''ll post a pic tomorrow

 

[tigian]

Hi Deco,
I would go with BGD since you would have the most control over design and will probably be getting the best diamonds. I''m afraid since you have this particular design in mind, that it may be disappointing if the actual finished product was a compromise of some sort (like no lotus petal design). Even though the other options are less expensive, it is still a sizable amount of money to spend especially if it is not 100% what you want.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 7/3/2009 12:45:18 AM
Author: tigian
I would go with BGD since you would have the most control over design and will probably be getting the best diamonds. I''m afraid since you have this particular design in mind, that it may be disappointing if the actual finished product was a compromise of some sort (like no lotus petal design). Even though the other options are less expensive, it is still a sizable amount of money to spend especially if it is not 100% what you want.

Thanks Tigian! I am really drawn to the organic quality of the lotus design ... which is in stark contract to my usual love of art deco/modern type things. The bezels only cluster is more "normal me" -- where the very thing that appealed to me so much about these is how NOT normal me they are. LOL!

 

[VRBeauty]

Deco, I''m not voting because I see reasons to go with either BGD or MOW.

Having seen Gypsy''s lovely pendant, I''m sure BGD could capture the tailored perfection of the Cartier earrings, and give you a fresh interpretation of the Mediterranean-inspired design.

Based on what I''ve seen here on PS, it looks like Sally''s style has a looser, more organic feel to it. What struck me though is that the Cartier earrings have a very lotus-like shape, which might be why Jet2ks thought of Sally to begin with -- her obviously affection for lotuses (loti?)is evident in her work.

And having seen the quotes... I think it would be safe for you to go try on the originals. And if you do walk into Cartier''s with those quotes in mind, but walk out with a little little Cartier shopping bag dangling from your hand, we''ll have to assume it was true love after all!

 

[jstarfireb]

I vote for Sally + GOG diamonds. This way you know you're getting top-notch cuts, and Sally's designs are just gorgeous! It's a good compromise of price and quality/control over design.

ETA: GOG would ship the diamonds, right? If you send them via Express Mail and GOG packages them discreetly, it should be pretty safe...

 

[VRBeauty]

OK, so I cast a vote (#7) so I could see the results. But just to be clear... #7 was totally TIC, right?

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 7/3/2009 1:38:48 AM
Author: jstarfireb
GOG would ship the diamonds, right? If you send them via Express Mail and GOG packages them discreetly, it should be pretty safe...

I''d probably ship them myself ... their oversees shipping is $100 & I''d have to pay by wire for the stones. Probably safety controls of some kind. **shrug**

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 7/3/2009 1:22:57 AM
Author: VRBeauty
Deco, I''m not voting because I see reasons to go with either BGD or MOW.
What struck me though is that the Cartier earrings have a very lotus-like shape, which might be why Jet2ks thought of Sally to begin with -- her obviously affection for lotuses (loti?)is evident in her work.

Thanks again VRBeauty ... Sally was enthused about the lotus aspect, so I know she plans to stick with that. Maybe I will have to get to a Cartier store ... but I have to find one stat as I wanna get movin! I''m an over-analyzer.

 

[Gypsy]

There are pluses and minus for all of them. I know what I would chose, but everyone is different.

I do have another option for you. If shipping is going to be expensive to get the stones to Thialand, why send them? The stones aren't bezel set. Why can't Sally make a semi mount and then you can take the settings into your local jeweler, or send them to GOG, or BGD-- or wherever for the melee? The cost of setting the melee might be similar to shipping the GOG melee overseas.

What made you decide on .035 melee? Was that the closest to the Cartier size? (Just want to know, cause you KNOW I'm thinking of imitiating you!)

I've had a very big shift in my feelings toward my jewelry since my (now two) robberies. I did buy one setting from ebay from Lan.bo4 for my citrine... and if I can find a matching citrine will buy the matching Lan.bo4 pendant setting just to have the set. But... as I told my husband, I really want quality over quantity (though both would be nice...ROFLMAO) going forward (with the one exception of the possible citrine pendant setting). I gave away a bunch of my remaining jewelry to family members just yesterday. The pieces I don't wear for one reason or another. And left the high quality heirloom pieces I've inherited in my safe deposit box to either wear if they suit me later in life, or to pass on when appropriate.

SO, my long winded POINT is that my perspective is different from what you stated.... I want 'lifelong classics' and not fashion choices for as many pieces (especially ones celebrating any special occassion) as possible, so I would personally chose BGD. But my POV isn't yours.

I just wanted to give you another option. I don't have any personal experience with Sally's quality, or your personal jeweler's. I like BGD's quality and have had one great experience with them, and just placed another order with them. I would buy likely from Sally for the right project as I've conversed with her already and have a comfort level with her-- though I'd probably want to see the quality in person from one of the MANY PSers in Nor Cal or who come to visit Nor Cal (cause it's inevitable with the sheer NUMBERS of PSers we meet out here that someone will have a Sally piece). I don't have a local jeweler I have a design relationship with, though I do know of one whose work I have seen extensively, and if they were competitive pricing wise (haven't been so far when I've called for qoutes) I might give them a shot.

I agonize too, so I get it. IF pricing was a big concern for me AND I had your perspective regarding "fashion choice' for the project... I would probably ask Sally for semi mounts, then have the diamonds sourced and set in the US. It seems like the best balance to me.

 

[chrono]

Gypsy,
That''s a super idea! I know Sally has shipped empty settings to the customer so it shouldn''t be an issue. Have her ship it to GOG and GOG will set their diamond melees in the earrings. This should take care of the diamond insurance issues too.

 

[mrssalvo]

if budget were not issue, I''d go with option one.

I voted #3 but would do #3 or #4 probably just due to the cost. I''m not a big earring gal though and just wouldn''t want to spend a lot of money in earrings that I will only see if I''m staring in a mirror. Also, no one will be analyzing earrings like they do e-rings so they wouldn''t have to be as perfect IMO. I''d be happy with pretty close. Plus, I would rather spend the money in 100% for sure life long heirloom type pieces. Not to say those earrings won''t be, I think they are fabulous but just wouldn''t want to spend 1K on them. my (I''m a cheapskate) 02.

 

[makemepretty]

Since price is a concern, I voted for Sally using her own diamonds. I''ve seen Sallys work posted on here and it''s always great. I think it''d be easier, faster, cheaper and just as beautiful if she did the whole thing.

 

[decodelighted]

Hi Gypsy, Chrono, Mrssalvo & Makemepretty! Thanks for the votes & suggestions. I'm gonna think on the "empty setting" idea. Its very intriguing. Wondering since the stones will probably be bead set, would the beads exist in the semi-mount or would GOG need to make them & if so would the color gold match? Does GOG even work in rose gold?

For something as delicate as this my initial instinct is that the diamonds should be set into the finished piece by the person who created the mount ... but I'm thinking about asking the questions at least.

Gypsy -- the .035 ended up being the closest to the Cartier TCW of .29. Its also the size that Sally guessed & recommended from the pictures I sent. I know I'm sacrificing bling for delicacy, but, hey ... at least ours will be different, right?

Unless you've become a delicacy ho overnight?

Oh, and maybe I'm not explaining my "fashion" theory right. Background: I only pierced my ears less than 2 yrs ago at age 40. I own two pairs of "fine" jewelry now & they're both of a casual nature. I hope to have them forever but don't see them as "timeless classics" like bigger diamond studs or a DBY necklace or my future Tiffany Lucida bezel pendant would be. Yet I'm *very* VERY selective about purchasing *anything* -- so the fact these call to me so desperately is unusual. They don't need to be Cartier quality or super refined ... but I will cherish them. Does that make more sense? "Fashion" is more my term for "quirky" maybe -- as opposed to THE BIG PIECES. (Which are years away probably).

Thanks for weighing in pals!!

 

[jet2ks]

Deco, I voted for Sally with the GOG melee. From what I''ve seen of Sally''s work in the Etsy thread, she would do a fabulous job--somehow I think that she would have a special connection to the lotus idea and it would come out in the design and execution. I like Gypsy''s idea of having her send the mounts and letting someone else set the stones for ease of shipping.

Good luck with whichever you choose.

 

[risingsun]

My vote is for Brian. He is an artist and his diamonds are top tier. If I weren''t going with the Cartier, I would trust Brian to reinterpret the design. I still think you should try on the Cartier and be sure that you love the way it looks on you

 

[decodelighted]

Hi Jet2ks & Risingsun .. Thanks for your input. I''ll be near a Cartier next week & may even be with my sister who could be another set of eyes for me. Those are 100% out of the question though LOL.

 

[D&T]

Date: 7/3/2009 11:06:37 AM
Author: risingsun
My vote is for Brian. He is an artist and his diamonds are top tier. If I weren''t going with the Cartier, I would trust Brian to reinterpret the design. I still think you should try on the Cartier and be sure that you love the way it looks on you

ditto! its beautiful!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

These are nice

http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=11993

Try on the Cartier IRL and see if you die for the design--or if you can see the details at all (they are very tiny). If you can, then go with BGD for details; if you cannot see much of the detail then go with your local gal.

cheers--Sharon

 

[VRBeauty]

If it''s "timeless classics" you''re looking fore -- and by the way, I think that''s a great goal -- then BGD gets my vote.

 

[AprilBaby]

I vote for BGD if I could afford it knowing that I would get top quality and no problems if I had something come up later.

 

[risingsun]

Date: 7/3/2009 12:06:50 PM
Author: decodelighted
Hi Jet2ks & Risingsun .. Thanks for your input. I'll be near a Cartier next week & may even be with my sister who could be another set of eyes for me. Those are 100% out of the question though LOL.

I'm going on the record, here. I'm not trying to enable into you buying the Cartier. This is for informational purposes only

 

[mrssalvo]

hey deco,
just thinking you might want to also check with pearlmans and see what Beverley K would charge to make them in rosegold. I''m pretty sure BK will do custom now. it wouldn''t hurt to at least check and get a quote as well???

 

[Dreamer_D]

I voted to just have the whole kit and kaboodle made by Sally. My reasoning is that the price is great, and based on the many high magnification pics from fellow PSers and their testimonies, the workmanship is very good. And while I am an ideal cut lover with the best of them, to be honest, I really don''t think you will notice *that* much difference with melee that size. My original wedding band is a half eternity with 9pt diamonds that are "fair to good" cuts (pre PS) and I recently got a half eternity band from BGD that has 5pt ideal cuts. While I can see the difference between the diamonds, it is not as marked as I thought it would be. Assuming that Sally can source high quality melee, not commercial grade, then I would simply go with her stones. Maybe Sally can take a picture of her melee for you before you commit? You can tell a fair bit about the cut from the pattern in the photo.

 

[hlmr]

Hey Deco, I vote for #3!! Seems like the best bang for your buck.

 

[tyty333]

Decode - I know you have seen this but for some of the people that have not looked at Sally's etsy website...
here is a diamond in one of her rings. (to me it looks like you can almost see some arrows).

I voted for Sally with GOGs but after looking at her website I might just let her pick the diamonds
(with your detailed description of what you want).

EDIT - well darn...I couldnt get the picture to work so here is a link...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22940737

 

[freefly]

I''ve had Sally source some melees for a piece before, and I was not disappointed! They were every bit as beautiful as the diamonds on my Tiffany pieces. I could not tell the difference, and she knows how picky I am about diamonds! I would trust her to do the whole thing any day. Her eye and workmanship are impeccable.