Earring design questions inside!

[decodelighted]

Sooooo... seeing as how my recent birthday &/or anniversary present scouting trip to see my favorite local jewelry designer''s latest pieces did not result in any fresh prospects ... I''ve been daydreaming about initiating a (gasp) custom project. VERY unlike me. Was looking for some input & guesses re: the specs of my inspiration piece.

Specifically:

1) If you were going to have "inspired" by earrings made ... who would you get quotes from?
2) What size diamonds would you guess are in the "inspiration" earrings?
3) Is this a silly thing to try to reproduce or reimagine? The originals are over 3K & it just seems too high for such small diamonds in a relatively simple setting.

Here are the pictures:

 

[decodelighted]

And a close up. Pink/rose gold ... eight small diamonds total.

 

[decodelighted]

If it were *me* answering my question .. I''d say "Save up & get the original!" But those just aren''t worth three thousand dollars to me. But I find them so tempting, so compelling - more than other ideas/items etc lately.

Thoughts?

 

[jet2ks]

deco, those are really cute, but you are right--there is no way they are worth $3k.

What about checking with Sally from Etsy? She has many fans in the Jewelry Pieces forum and the pendant she just made for LovingDiamonds is beautiful.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

My guess is that the diamonds are around .05-.10 each. Probably closer to .05

Much of my decision would come down to how much $ I had toward the project. As a person always on a budget, I would call around and find someone to make them for less. The only design I''ve had copied was the DBTY pendant and that was by a local jeweler. I prefered that because I already had the stone (from my mom''s eng. ring) and had printed out photos of every angle of the pendant and could talk in person one-on-one. For the design you''re looking at, I would call WF because of their high quality of diamonds and their ability to create pretty stuff.

If I did have money to blow, I would over-pay for the branded earrings.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 6/23/2009 11:36:03 PM
Author: jet2ks
What about checking with Sally from Etsy? She has many fans in the Jewelry Pieces forum and the pendant she just made for LovingDiamonds is beautiful.

I was thinking about Etsy & posted a question on that thread just today ... but Arjujuna reminded me that I might need to source my own diamonds. I wouldn''t mind a more "rustic" look to my pair ... or a brushed matte finish or tweaking it in someway to make it less "copied". Thanks for your input!!

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 6/23/2009 11:36:06 PM
Author: MC
My guess is that the diamonds are around .05-.10 each. Probably closer to .05 For the design you''re looking at, I would call WF because of their high quality of diamonds and their ability to create pretty stuff. If I did have money to blow, I would over-pay for the branded earrings.

Hee! I know, the Cartier ones would be fantastic right! Thanks for the guess on the size ... its hard for me to tell from the picture. They look so small even WITH a bezel but maybe that''s because the bezel isn''t a *white* metal. Hmmmm. Whiteflash ACA melee would be tempting ...

 

[Gypsy]

I'd do 5 pointers. I'd get a qoute from BGD, and they would be my preferred vendor for something like this, plus the BGD melee are gorgeous. Maybe ERD, Mark's always lovely and accomodating. Wink is great, period.

GOG doesn't do custom in house. I won't do Quest or WF. And Leon would probably be insulted or cover the things in pave.

 

[mrssalvo]

I second Gypsy on the BGD''s suggestion. I think they understand pricescoper''s and our picky nature and would do a great job...not sure the pricepoint though. I''d ask them to estimate the diamond size too. they really do look tiny. i think 3 point diamonds are usually 3mm with the bezel so I would guess those are 3 pointers, maybe 5??? They might be able to give you a better idea on the size ratio too. love the earrings btw...

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/24/2009 8:09:12 AM
Author: mrssalvo
I second Gypsy on the BGD''s suggestion. I think they understand pricescoper''s and our picky nature and would do a great job...not sure the pricepoint though. I''d ask them to estimate the diamond size too. they really do look tiny. i think 3 point diamonds are usually 3mm with the bezel so I would guess those are 3 pointers, maybe 5??? They might be able to give you a better idea on the size ratio too. love the earrings btw...

Me three, no doubt.

deco, how big are you wanting them to be? that will play into how big the melee need to be... .03 might be just fine for a more delicate look, .05 for a more substantial.

I don''t know if this will help you at all, but I have this pendant in the 7mm diameter, and the melee are .03''s.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 6/24/2009 1:10:57 AM
Author: Gypsy
Leon would probably be insulted or cover the things in pave.

LOL. You''re so right! This is *not* a Leon project! Thanks for your guesses & advice. Your pendant is gorgeous & with that & your e-ring you know what you''re doing custom-wise! I''m just a dabbler. A modifier. A tweaker. This would be a first .. but still not nearly as imaginative as your pendant .. If only I could mind-design as well as you do!

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 6/24/2009 8:09:12 AM
Author: mrssalvo
they really do look tiny. i think 3 point diamonds are usually 3mm with the bezel so I would guess those are 3 pointers, maybe 5??? They might be able to give you a better idea on the size ratio too. love the earrings btw...

The size is such a toughie ... the more I look at it & then look at Ellen''s pendant I think maybe they are TWO pointers?? Unless Ms. Garner has elephant lobes or something. They are TINY. Glad you love them too!

Just a little different than traditional bezel studs, right? The shape reminds me a bit of your Lily pendant ..

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 6/24/2009 9:03:29 AM
Author: Ellen
deco, how big are you wanting them to be? that will play into how big the melee need to be... .03 might be just fine for a more delicate look, .05 for a more substantial.

Verrrrry delicate -- almost painfully delicate. Which is probably a bad instinct because I'm a big gal. LOL! Thanks Ellen! The pendant picture helps -- gotta go find some neck shots or something too


ETA: Ellen! I searched through fourteen pages of yr. topics & couldn't find a neckshot of your pendant! Did I miss it??

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/24/2009 11:15:04 AM
Author: decodelighted

Date: 6/24/2009 9:03:29 AM
Author: Ellen
deco, how big are you wanting them to be? that will play into how big the melee need to be... .03 might be just fine for a more delicate look, .05 for a more substantial.

Verrrrry delicate -- almost painfully delicate. Which is probably a bad instinct because I''m a big gal. LOL! Thanks Ellen! The pendant picture helps -- gotta go find some neck shots or something too


ETA: Ellen! I searched through fourteen pages of yr. topics & couldn''t find a neckshot of your pendant! Did I miss it??

Oh God, how painful! lol

Here''s the thread. There is one really crummy neckshot pic later in the thread. But what might help you more is the pic on the first page with a dime, I think that gives a better sense of the size. My scattered band is first, so scroll down a bit.

And I think if you want really delicate you should go for it, I don''t think it''s a bad idea.

But I wouldn''t go higher than .03 for that....

Linky

Gotta run out now, so if you have any more questions, I''ll address when I get back!

 

[chrono]

$3K seems pretty excessive…how about contacting Pearlmans? I recall MrsS doing a custom pendant and this should be a breeze for them. Depending on the size of your lobes, you might want bigger melees if you have a lot of ear real estate.

 

[geckodani]

Date: 6/24/2009 11:05:04 AM
Author: decodelighted

Date: 6/24/2009 8:09:12 AM
Author: mrssalvo
they really do look tiny. i think 3 point diamonds are usually 3mm with the bezel so I would guess those are 3 pointers, maybe 5??? They might be able to give you a better idea on the size ratio too. love the earrings btw...

The size is such a toughie ... the more I look at it & then look at Ellen''s pendant I think maybe they are TWO pointers?? Unless Ms. Garner has elephant lobes or something. They are TINY. Glad you love them too!

Just a little different than traditional bezel studs, right? The shape reminds me a bit of your Lily pendant ..

Weeeell.... DH says Ms. Garner has, "Big floppy elf ears."

So it''s possible.

I agree with Gypsy''s recommendations.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 6/24/2009 11:01:13 AM
Author: decodelighted

Date: 6/24/2009 1:10:57 AM
Author: Gypsy
Leon would probably be insulted or cover the things in pave.

LOL. You''re so right! This is *not* a Leon project! Thanks for your guesses & advice. Your pendant is gorgeous & with that & your e-ring you know what you''re doing custom-wise! I''m just a dabbler. A modifier. A tweaker. This would be a first .. but still not nearly as imaginative as your pendant .. If only I could mind-design as well as you do!

That was very sweet Deco. Thank you.

I''m watching your project with EXTREME intersest because I need to get a gift for FMIL. And these would be PERFECT for her. (And um... for me

). They are gorgeous.

Can''t wait to see what you decide!

 

[decodelighted]

Thanks Ellen, Chrono, Geckodani & Gypsy! The neck picture was very informative Ellen, even if finding it was hard fought!

And Gypsy, I took your advice & made my first contact with BGD. We''ll see.

Its occurred to me that *next* year is my 4th anniversary and the four stone studs would particularly relevant *then* ... but I NOWANNAWAIT.

 

[Kaleigh]

BGD would be my choice as well. I am looking forward to seeing what they say. I am loving their work.....Fun project!!!

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 6/23/2009 11:22:39 PM
Author: decodelighted
If it were *me* answering my question .. I''d say ''Save up & get the original!'' But those just aren''t worth three thousand dollars to me. But I find them so tempting, so compelling - more than other ideas/items etc lately.

Thoughts?

HI:

To be sure, the originals are beautifull. But outrageously priced....by conparison (and not even a good one) these T & C''s are bargoons"!

http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=12453159&mcat=148210&cid=287464&search_params=s+5-p+18-c+287464-r+101323351-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

cheers--Sharon

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/24/2009 9:32:36 PM
Author: decodelighted
Thanks Ellen, Chrono, Geckodani & Gypsy! The neck picture was very informative Ellen, even if finding it was hard fought!

And Gypsy, I took your advice & made my first contact with BGD. We''ll see.

Its occurred to me that *next* year is my 4th anniversary and the four stone studs would particularly relevant *then* ... but I NOWANNAWAIT.

I think you''ll find Lesley a joy to work with should you decide to go with them, I always did. And I say make it an early anni gift, that''s what I did with my upgrade!

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 6/24/2009 10:29:53 PM
Author: canuk-gal
To be sure, the originals are beautifull. But outrageously priced....by conparison (and not even a good one) these T & C''s are bargoons''!

http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=12453159&mcat=148210&cid=287464&search_params=s+5-p+18-c+287464-r+101323351-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

cheers--Sharon

Indeed. And when is Tiffany''s ever a bargain!

Its interesting though ... the Tiff ones are about the same carat weight BGD is proposing. I have an inquiry in about the TCW of the originals. Maybe that will tell the tale. I keep thinking *smaller* than .05-ers. **shrug**

Anyone have earshots of the Tiffany ones?

 

[decodelighted]

Thanks Ellen & Kaleigh! Will keep you posted on my thoughts. BGD got back to me super fast with some #s. I''m sleuthing around a bit more to see if I can determine the TCW of the originals. The scale is really important to me.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 6/24/2009 10:29:53 PM
Author: canuk-gal

Date: 6/23/2009 11:22:39 PM
Author: decodelighted
If it were *me* answering my question .. I''d say ''Save up & get the original!'' But those just aren''t worth three thousand dollars to me. But I find them so tempting, so compelling - more than other ideas/items etc lately.

Thoughts?

HI:

To be sure, the originals are beautifull. But outrageously priced....by conparison (and not even a good one) these T & C''s are bargoons''!

http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=12453159&mcat=148210&cid=287464&search_params=s+5-p+18-c+287464-r+101323351-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

cheers--Sharon

The Tiff. ones are very cute, too!

 

[decodelighted]

I agree MC!

OKAY -- MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT

I remembered that SanDiegoLady had a similar pair made for her amazingly supermodelish daughter''s graduation. Here is that thread. Now she used .05 stones & I have to say, I think it is a considerably *bigger* look than the Cartier version. Its probably very similar to the Tiffany (and VanCleef) versions -- and GORGEOUS ... but it seems larger than the Cartier to my eye.

What do you guys think? I''ll try to post a side by side ... but I don''t wanna zoom too close in on SDL''s daughter w/o her permission!

 

[decodelighted]

It could be the added width of the beaded edge that throws off the comparison .. but ... what do you think? This is as close I could get to matching the scale of the two photos.

 

[Gypsy]

To clarify, question is... Cartier Shape. But with milgrain added at the edges (to make the copyright change), and four 5 pointers in each ear?

If that's the question I say... GO FOR IT baby!

One thing though deco, the model's ear is 'fat' compared to SDL's daughters. She's got skinny lobes.

 

[decodelighted]

I sure picked a bad day for project questions, huh?

(RIP Farrah Fawcett & Michael Jackson)

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 6/25/2009 6:22:49 PM
Author: Gypsy
To clarify, question is... Cartier Shape. But with milgrain added at the edges (to make the copyright change), and four 5 pointers in each ear? If that's the question I say... GO FOR IT baby!

LOL! Actually my question is kinda: are .05's too big? Do they create a bigger look that I'm going for? I never even considered adding the miligain but that's a cool idea. It would tie in more with my wedding set that way. Based on this picture do you think that maybe the Cartier version uses .03ers? Or Jen Garner just has fatter ears (as do I ... heh!)?


ETA: The other factor that could be tricking my eye is the larger bead in the center of SDL's daughter's earrings (and the Tiff ones). It is almost the width of one of the diamonds. If that was removed & the other stones smushed together into the Cartier shape with a tight bezel around the whole schmeal ... maybe the ARE .05s???? Gah!

 

[Gypsy]

You are cracking me up.

You KNOW what we are going to have to do right?

Come deco. Get out a piece of paper. Some scissors and some tape and a pen. draw out 4 five pointers in the Cartier shape put a small frame around them. Cut it out and tape them on your ear.

You know it's the only way.

OR just go for 4 pointers and call it a wash. I gots fat ears too.