Ellen - question about your aqua ring

[gailrmv]

hi Ellen!

I hope you are well! I have just been admiring your beautiful aqua ring here. I hope to soon have my own! I had a March baby and am hoping to put together a similar ring to mark the occasion. Your ring is absolutely perfect! You know we have the same taste in jewelry, so I wanted to ask you about the setting. I think that a Leon setting will be out of my budget, and I'd also prefer to go with something ready made rather than custom for a variety of reasons. Just wondering if you had considered any other settings, and if so, what? I saw some Vatche settings and also some Sholdt that I think would be great, but it looks like they may cost quite a bit more than the stone, which I'd like to avoid. Also, if you have any other pointers on the project, I'd love to hear them.

I'd also love to get anyone else's input on affordable solitaires for an asscher with clean, modern lines!

Thanks so much -
TanDogMom

PS Ellen, if you don't mind, please don't use my previous screen name when you reply - thanks!!

 

[gailrmv]

bump!

 

[gailrmv]

One last attempt to catch Ellen''s attention!!

 

[beechezz]

thought I would give this another BUMP for Ellen!

 

[Ellen]

Hey you, good to see ya! Sorry, I didn't see this until just now. Congrats on the babykins!!

That is so nice of you to ask for my opinion, we do have similar taste! Tell you what, let me think back on all this, it has been a while. I don't weant to forget anything, so give me just a bit of time, ok?

Be back in a bit!

Oh, could I ask what your budget is? That would help rule in or out any I might suggest. And are you sure it will fit in a stock setting?



And beechezz, thanks for the bump!

 

[gailrmv]

hi Ellen! Great to see you too! Thank you so much for your reply. You know what, good point, I didn''t even think about it not fitting in a stock setting (duh). I am working with a really fabulous cutter right now, and it looks like I will be getting a similar size asscher to yours (probably 8 ish mm). I''d like to keep the setting price around $600. I will post pics of a few that I am considering - although, I totally did not think about it not fitting! Do you know if asscher aquas tend to be deeper than asscher diamonds?

TDM

 

[gailrmv]

Sholdt solitaire - close to budget in white gold (assuming they can do it for asscher - I am pretty sure they can)

 

[gailrmv]

Another sholdt solitaire - i am not sure the price in white gold, may be over budget

 

[gailrmv]

whiteflash full of surprises - within budget, i really like it, but would like to see better pics before going for it

ETA I also have not asked WF if they would set my aqua or not.

 

[gailrmv]

vatche caroline - LOVE it, but is over budget.

You know what would really be perfect??? The Vatche X prong - but I don''t want to have the exact same setting on my RHR as my e-ring!!

 

[gailrmv]

Last inspiration pic - the whiteflash sierra. This is also over budget.

Truthfully, my idea of the perfect setting... is yours.

Looking forward to your input, Ellen, and others too!

Thanks!!

TDM

 

[D&T]

not sure what you think of these? but they are from winkjones.com solitaire, very reasonable, the first is just under $600 for 14k, and the second, you may need to call to inquire. Just a thought.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 7/30/2009 10:40:16 AM
Author: TanDogMom
whiteflash full of surprises - within budget, i really like it, but would like to see better pics before going for it

ETA I also have not asked WF if they would set my aqua or not.

TDM, I have asked WF about setting my Asscher aqua in this setting and they will definitely do it.

Good luck!

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 7/30/2009 10:55:36 AM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Date: 7/30/2009 10:40:16 AM

Author: TanDogMom

whiteflash full of surprises - within budget, i really like it, but would like to see better pics before going for it


ETA I also have not asked WF if they would set my aqua or not.

TDM, I have asked WF about setting my Asscher aqua in this setting and they will definitely do it.


Good luck!

Lauren, thanks!!! That is great to know. What did you decide to do with your asscher aqua?

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 7/30/2009 10:51:32 AM
Author: D&T
not sure what you think of these? but they are from winkjones.com solitaire, very reasonable, the first is just under $600 for 14k, and the second, you may need to call to inquire. Just a thought.

hi D&T, I appreciate the input! They are not quite what I am looking for - I prefer an integrated head to a peg head - but I will definitely keep Wink Jones in mind as a possible person to do the setting!

 

[geckodani]

Have you considered the WF Legato setting? Just a though.

ETA: I really like the first scholdt you posted too - it looks very elegant.

 

[D&T]

or WF hand over hand?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/30/2009 10:42:08 AM
Author: TanDogMom
Last inspiration pic - the whiteflash sierra. This is also over budget.

Truthfully, my idea of the perfect setting... is yours.

Looking forward to your input, Ellen, and others too!

Thanks!!

TDM

Aw, thank you!!

Well, after thinking a bit, there really weren't any actual stock settings I could plop my stone in, because of the diameter. Any setting I looked at, I knew would have to be at least slightly revised. As for the depth vs. a diamonds, I don't know, mine was a recut, so I can't use it as a comparison as it was rather shallow to begin with. I'm not sure you will find too many (if any?) settings you'll be able to just stick it in. But, I could be wrong!


That first Sholdt solitaire has the exact same head (with those lovely curvey prongs) that was part of my original design that Quest tried to do. I didn't get it from that setting, it was from another ring by another designer. But I LOVE that Sholdt setting, obviously!! This is a big contender, as far as I'm concerned.


Almost anything I looked at, is over your budget, unfortunately.

I considered both the WF Legato Sleek Line, and the plain Sleek Line (I liked that one for the open culet area), and that one is in budget at 600.00 in WG. However, it might be slightly more for your stone/modification.

I looked back through settings a bit, and found this one that wasn't around at the time. Love it, but didn't see where she got it. Might have missed it though. katamari's ring

This one wasn't around at the time either. LOVE this!! I know it's over budget, but I wanted to show you anyway. Beautiful!

The Vatche Caroline IS gorgeous, it's a shame it's too much. And I'd try to go with something different than your ering, even though we both love it!

So, I don't know how much help I've been. Of the ones in budget, I'm voting for that first Sholdt! If you decided to up the budget a bit, I could suggest more. And thanks again for asking, I'm flattered.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

I like the first Sholdt one you put up. However, I have to bring this up. Do you think the aqua would be well enough protected? Especially with a little one to chase around. If a bar could be put between the prongs, it would be perfect, but that would ruin the look. Does it have to be a solitaire?

This is a ring I have on my list as a potential settings for the future. James Allen French Pave. When I was looking for settings for my aqua, I found that it looked really pretty with the pave bands. My aqua was too light for a pronged setting though. I know you want a solitaire, but I thought I would suggest it since me and you are kind of jewelry twins .

Well, I would love to see what you end up with.

 

[gailrmv]

hello!!
geckodani Thanks, I do love the head on that legato setting, but I prefer a shank that doesn't taper (I'm picky!) I do love that setting for other people, though!



D&T THat hand over hand is just gorgeous! I have an X prong engagement ring and I think it would be quite similar. It is definitely worth considering though.

Ellen thank you so much for your reply! It's tough that so many of the nicest solitaires are so expensive. It just seems silly to me to spend so much more for the setting than the stone, especially when what I'm wanting is just a simple solitaire. So yeah, I think I'll stick with the original budget (give or take a little). Katamari's ring is from James Allen and is totally in budget! I will definitely keep that one in mind. The other one from Dimend Scaasi is really cool too! And not too far out of budget in case I go that route. Thanks for showing both of them to me. I really like both!


Ltlfirecracker hello my other jewelry twin!!! How are you? You bring up a good point about the aqua being well enough protected. I will ask the gem cutter what he thinks. Is your concern about the prongs, or about it being so high? I really like the James Allen French Pave that you linked, but does its head offer any more protection than the Sholdt really, since it's 4 prong too? And no, it doesn't have to be a solitaire, I was just thinking since I already have a gorgeous pave ring (the Ritani sapphire) that I wanted something totally different and less expensive for this aqua. I'm not opposed to a little pave though

So the more I think about that first Sholdt, the more I am liking it (assuming it gives enough protection to the stone). I also really loved working with Pearlman's, and they carry it, so that's a plus.

thanks again for all the suggestions!

 

[geckodani]

Picky isn''t a bad thing, LOL! I''ve worked with Pearlman''s and had a fab experience.

Let us know what you end up deciding!

 

[LtlFirecracker]

TanDogMom,

I don't think a 4 prong setting is great, but those prongs are a little thicker than the Sholdt. Also, that setting can have a different head attached to it, and JA might have a basket head (not sure if that would bring it over budget though). What makes the Sholdt pretty is that is flows, but that also means you can't change the head .

The Sholdt is still my favorite of all the ones you put up, it is one I have admired in the past.

I will be watching to see what you end up doing.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/31/2009 8:20:27 AM
Author: TanDogMom

Ellen thank you so much for your reply! It''s tough that so many of the nicest solitaires are so expensive. It just seems silly to me to spend so much more for the setting than the stone, especially when what I''m wanting is just a simple solitaire. So yeah, I think I''ll stick with the original budget (give or take a little). Katamari''s ring is from James Allen and is totally in budget! I will definitely keep that one in mind. The other one from Dimend Scaasi is really cool too! And not too far out of budget in case I go that route. Thanks for showing both of them to me. I really like both!

Welcome!

As far as protection, I think it kind of depends on the wearer. I wanted no bars on mine, but left it up to Leon. He put them on. However, I think my ring would have been fine without them, because of how little I actually wear this ring, and how careful I am with it. I only wear it out when I know (as much as one can) that I''m not going to be doing anything that could jeopardize it. i.e. I don''t wear it grocery shopping, etc.. I don''t wear it around the house, I put it on before I leave, and take it off when I get home, unless I''m just sitting around. So I think it would have been fine the other way, but, oh well. If you are wanting to wear it a lot, then it might be something to think about.

I really do love both that first Sholdt and the DS! <------ This one would afford you the extra protection should you decide you need it. The more I look at that, the more I love it. Wish I had another stone sitting around.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 7/30/2009 11:20:25 AM
Author: TanDogMom

Date: 7/30/2009 10:55:36 AM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Date: 7/30/2009 10:40:16 AM

Author: TanDogMom

whiteflash full of surprises - within budget, i really like it, but would like to see better pics before going for it


ETA I also have not asked WF if they would set my aqua or not.

TDM, I have asked WF about setting my Asscher aqua in this setting and they will definitely do it.


Good luck!

Lauren, thanks!!! That is great to know. What did you decide to do with your asscher aqua?

You''re welcome! I still haven''t set it yet. I want the setting to be perfect, and while I love the Full of Surprises setting, I''m not sure if that''s the *ONE* yet.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/31/2009 10:14:51 AM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Date: 7/30/2009 11:20:25 AM
Author: TanDogMom


Lauren, thanks!!! That is great to know. What did you decide to do with your asscher aqua?

You''re welcome! I still haven''t set it yet. I want the setting to be perfect, and while I love the Full of Surprises setting, I''m not sure if that''s the *ONE* yet.

I know.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 7/31/2009 10:35:16 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 7/31/2009 10:14:51 AM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Date: 7/30/2009 11:20:25 AM
Author: TanDogMom


Lauren, thanks!!! That is great to know. What did you decide to do with your asscher aqua?

You''re welcome! I still haven''t set it yet. I want the setting to be perfect, and while I love the Full of Surprises setting, I''m not sure if that''s the *ONE* yet.

I know.

I''m sorry, Ellen.

LOL, I am thinking I may ask my husband to design something for it. It''s a really special gemstone to me since it was my first Gary stone, and I was married in March. I will make a thread paging you if I ever make a decision about it. I promise!

 

[Ellen]

Oh, I''m just anxious to see it Lauren. It deserves a special setting, you should take your time!

 

[MonkeyPie]

This thread is great - I will probably be looking for an aquamarine in about, oh, 7 months

and I would LOVE to have one like Ellen''s. Sooooo pretty.