DK CAD help for aquamarine ring

[Hivona]

Hello everyone! I am having this pale aquamarine set by David Klass and just received the first round of CADs. It will be 14k white gold & has all the elements I asked for. Overall I like it, it’s a good start, but I don’t love it. something isn’t quite right & I’m not sure what exactly it is..... might be how the shank connects? Should it curve upwards a bit? Hmmmm I’m not sure!

I'd love to hear others’ ideas & thoughts & see pictures for inspiration!
Thank you in advance!

 

[T L]

Do you like E-W orientation?

While I do like that the prongs are covering some of the pointed parts of the girdle, it does so at the expense of taking away from the beautiful gem shape design. I wonder what it would look like if the points are exposed, kind of like this gem. I would place the prongs between the points

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f0/5a/d1/f05ad1228d2b4f8ee5ab9b37a609ae15.png&imgrefurl=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1970393561582153/&docid=7CyazPdrRaDFKM&tbnid=PiQIjf_jSGGAKM:&vet=1&w=284&h=284&hl=en&gsawvi=1&source=sh/x/im

 

[Rfisher]

I think you are on to something with the shank needing to curve up a bit to the basket.

Are you going with his always white never needing plating 14k white?

That stone and that setting belong together! Beautiful choice!

 

[Rfisher]

I have posted this in the colored stone section but I am also going to put this here too. It is my 4.7ct black diamond in yellow gold. I am a little too excited about it.

Let me see if I can find some better pictures of side profile of vespers beauty. I covet it much!

 

[Hivona]

I think you are on to something with the shank needing to curve up a bit to the basket.

Are you going with his always white never needing plating 14k white?

That stone and that setting belong together! Beautiful choice!

You know I had read that he has a really bright white gold and forgot to ask him for it! I would definitely want that bright white! In bright light the gem is more pale with slightly darker blue end tips.

Yes I am happy with E/W for this gemstone, I did request that. Also, low set and The prongs will be claws.

In this picture I circled two question areas. First, the lower left. That’s the area I’m struggling with. Should the meet point curve up a bit? Second, lower right, should the split in the shank be longer?

Thank you!

 

[Rfisher]

Take a look at Niels three stone moval. Split shank and curves up a bit. I think that's what it needs.
My opinion on the split - I like it where it is. You can see it from above.

 

[Rfisher]

I hate to sound like a broken record-
Make sure he's scanned your actual stone before approving cad.
If it's off any, it's gonna show. If it's off a lot, I'm reminded of a certain trillion that was a sad sad story.

And TL is right. At the expense of protecting the stones points, are you only going to 'see' an oval once it's set?

 

[EC8]

May I suggest a cathedral shoulder that ends at the prong?

 

[Hivona]

I understand what is being said about losing the shape with prongs at the points but I’m not a fan of prongs in between the points. For some reason to my eyes I lose the overall shape & see toooo many points then.

Due to prong placement on the two hexes (hexi??lol) below my eyes see the hex shape better... however, I will look at more pictures & see if I can find some with in between prongs that I like!

As for the shank I think cathedral or cathedral-ish is what I’m looking for but couldn’t think of the name!

So far my check list is:
- scanned gemstone
- bright white metal
- cathedral type shank
- accentuate shape with prongs

 

[T L]

I think a hexagon has sharper angles, and therefore the shape doesn’t get lost in translation with prongs covering the points. Your gem shape has more delicate angles and a more oval shape, so as Rfisher said, is it going to end up looking like an oval???

It’s a lovely stone, and I just hope DK optimizes that beautiful precision cut.

 

[Hivona]

I think a hexagon has sharper angles, and therefore the shape doesn’t get lost in translation with prongs covering the points. Your gem shape has more delicate angles and a more oval shape, so as Rfisher said, is it going to end up looking like an oval???

It’s a lovely stone, and I just hope DK optimizes that beautiful precision cut.

Is there a prong shape or type that would be unobtrusive & work with the shape of the gem?

 

[T L]

Is there a prong shape or type that would be unobtrusive & work with the shape of the gem?

You would have to ask DK.

 

[elle_71125]

I don’t have anything helpful to add. I’m just agreeing with some previous posters. I think a cathedral type shank is the way to go and I think the split shank is long enough. It’s pretty noticeable from above. You’re on the right track.

 

[Hivona]

I was also thinking of a petite bezel because I love bezels but thought that prongs might keep the stone more open to light. So what about something kind of like this? Maybe bezel the sides & prongs on the points? Or not good design elements for my gemstone shape?

 

[Bluegemz]

I was also thinking of a petite bezel because I love bezels but thought that prongs might keep the stone more open to light. So what about something kind of like this? Maybe bezel the sides & prongs on the points? Or not good design elements for my gemstone shape?

I like this idea a lot. I think it gives a nice buffer for the stone, and may concentrate the color a bit more with the cupping bezel.

 

[Hivona]

Here is another with prongs & bezel. Is cupping bezel the correct nomenclature?

 

[Bluegemz]

Here is another with prongs & bezel. Is cupping bezel the correct nomenclature?

Lol, I don’t think it is! It’s just how I ‘percieved’ it. Really like this example too! I’m terrible with cads, but the extra heft of the Metal definitely adds substantiality, and a third element to the design, which I find adds a lovely equilibrium. Just my taste tho.

 

[Hivona]

I like the combination of bezel and prongs. I would definitely want the bezel to be more precise and sharper than the green gem. Possibly prongs on the N/S/E/W points? I guess if I went with a bezel/prong style I should get rid of the swoopy pieces that are connecting the prongs underneath the stone??? Might it be too busy with swoops, prongs, and bezel metal? I really do like the swoop elements though... Would I also be able to keep the split shank?

 

[Bluegemz]

I agree, prongs should be finer than the ones in the example ring. And I see what you mean about the swoops with the bezel possibly not working together Maybe there is a way of combining those swoops with a slightly more flared out, buttercup style, as one idea. I’ll have to think about it. Hmmm...I’m probably not being much help here. I can imagine that with the split shank. Btw, I think the original CAD is very lovely too. Beautiful stone!

 

[Hivona]

I might ask for a CAD with the bezel/prongs & then see which direction I prefer & then tweak the design from there. I do like the original too! Everyone that posted has helped! thank you!

 

[meely]

This is looking nice, I love the cut of the aqua. Think the suggestions so far have been spot on, looking forward to seeing your next round of cads.

 

[elle_71125]

Here is another with prongs & bezel. Is cupping bezel the correct nomenclature?

I really like this option. It would let the angles on your oval stand out. I’d definitely use sharper prongs than those ones though. Do you want the bezel style (not sure what this is called tbh) to be so fluid or are you thinking of one that’s sharper / more angular?

 

[Hivona]

I really like this option. It would let the angles on your oval stand out. I’d definitely use sharper prongs than those ones though. Do you want the bezel style (not sure what this is called tbh) to be so fluid or are you thinking of one that’s sharper / more angular?

I am composing the email to DK right now & asked for a similar CAD but definitely with sharper angles! I’d want very crisp lines. I also thought maybe like V-tips that kind of taper into a thin bezel...

And here I thought I knew what I wanted! Haha!

 

[Hivona]

I really am a bezel fan! What about these two for inspiration? Just a simple bezel (top) or bezel with prongs (bottom)? I think I like bezel with prongs. I just really want to accentuate the shape of the gem & don’t want it to look like an oval.

 

[lissyflo]

This one is perfect for a stone like yours, to my eye anyway! I love your stone - do you mind me asking where you got it?

 

[Bluegemz]

I really am a bezel fan! What about these two for inspiration? Just a simple bezel (top) or bezel with prongs (bottom)? I think I like bezel with prongs. I just really want to accentuate the shape of the gem & don’t want it to look like an oval.

Ooh, that bottom one is amazing!!!

 

[elle_71125]

I really am a bezel fan! What about these two for inspiration? Just a simple bezel (top) or bezel with prongs (bottom)? I think I like bezel with prongs. I just really want to accentuate the shape of the gem & don’t want it to look like an oval.

That bottom one is perfect! It will keep the sharp lines of your oval but still gives you the delicious claw prongs.

 

[Hivona]

This one is perfect for a stone like yours, to my eye anyway! I love your stone - do you mind me asking where you got it?

Thank you! I’ll be honest I’m leaning towards that one as well! I knew there was a reason I had it saved with the seeming 1000s of gemstone & setting ideas from Instagram!

The aqua is from Dan Stair, CustomGemstones.com. I really liked that it was not round and not oval, a different shape that wasn’t in my collection. It is quite pale in the middle but a bit darker on the tips & overall very bright!

 

[Hivona]

That bottom one is perfect! It will keep the sharp lines of your oval but still gives you the delicious claw prongs.

How would I have the shank?

 

[lissyflo]

The aqua is from Dan Stair, CustomGemstones.com. I really liked that it was not round and not oval, a different shape that wasn’t in my collection. It is quite pale in the middle but a bit darker on the tips & overall very bright!

Thanks for the info. It’s lovely. The outline is very much my taste. It’s going to look really striking set E/W!