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Fishtail Prongs on a Large (3+ ct) Round Brilliant? (Seeking a less round appearance)

gemshow

Rough_Rock
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Has anyone here ever seen fishtail prongs on a large (3+ carat) round brilliant? I'm fortunate to be receiving a 3-4 carat heirloom stone, but I feel fancy shapes are more flattering on my hand and am looking to reset to make it appear less round. I am not interested in a halo or bezel-type setting.

I understand fishtail prongs are usually part of an illusion setting designed to make a stone appear larger, which would NOT be my goal here. If anything I want to make it more wearable and appear less "honking!"

A similar effect might be achieved with double claw prongs, if spaced sufficiently apart, but I am looking for something more.

Any thoughts?
 

lovedogs

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Congrats! I think fishtail settings and/or similar vintage style settings can make the stone look more square (if that's what you want). Here are some examples from My Diamond Zone (can be found on ebay). Not saying you would buy a setting from them, but they do have some nice examples.

20190203-13516-rhtqc5_.jpg 20200323-25-1fmyzjs_.jpg

I personally prefer the 3prong/fishtail style rather than the bigger square/tab prongs, but that's just personal preference.
 

foxinsox

Ideal_Rock
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I think fishtail prongs would look smashing on a bigger stone. I have them on my much smaller stone and love how they make it look like a cushion. I haven't really seen them as part of making stones look bigger - they're often on illusion settings but I'd always assumed that was just because of the era of the settings. Mine aren't as sharp as the examples above and I find it helps the cushion appearance.
637270

Do you have a picture of your stone?
 

gemshow

Rough_Rock
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I think fishtail prongs would look smashing on a bigger stone. I have them on my much smaller stone and love how they make it look like a cushion. I haven't really seen them as part of making stones look bigger - they're often on illusion settings but I'd always assumed that was just because of the era of the settings. Mine aren't as sharp as the examples above and I find it helps the cushion appearance.
BADB50C3-0793-4F1A-B9FB-BA1FC50130B3.jpeg

Do you have a picture of your stone?

Thank you for your responses.
Foxinsox your setting is lovely! A more cushiony outline like yours appeals to me.

I do love the classic settings these stones are currently in, but I think I'd wear more comfortably by resetting as low as possible, and in a setting which would decrease the "doorknob" appearance.

The stone will one of these two. I don't have specs as they haven't been evaluated in decades. I might also consider sending to Brian Gavin to determine whether a recut is a good option.. Screenshot_20200604-180441_Photos.jpg 20200604_180758-COLLAGE.jpg
 

gregchang35

Ideal_Rock
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6 or 8 prong would be my go to for a round the size you are referring to.

however, I am a sucker/ love love love for fishtail prongs...and given you are looking for a less round look... it would be a fab choice.

love the predicament you are being placed into. A recut from BG- it will most likely knock the bling out of the park!!!

I can’t wait to see what you end up choosing.
 

headlight

Ideal_Rock
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I would definitely urge you to have Brian Gavin recut the one you receive. He recut 2 stones I inherited, both starting out around 2.5 cts each. The transformation is phenomenal. If you have any interest in this, I would do so prior to having a mounting made.
 

MRBXXXFVVS1

Brilliant_Rock
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Dec 5, 2019
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You could also consider a chunkier 4-prong setting which will make it have more of a cushion like appearance.
 

foxinsox

Ideal_Rock
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Thank you for your responses.
Foxinsox your setting is lovely! A more cushiony outline like yours appeals to me.

I do love the classic settings these stones are currently in, but I think I'd wear more comfortably by resetting as low as possible, and in a setting which would decrease the "doorknob" appearance.

The stone will one of these two. I don't have specs as they haven't been evaluated in decades. I might also consider sending to Brian Gavin to determine whether a recut is a good option.. Screenshot_20200604-180441_Photos.jpg 20200604_180758-COLLAGE.jpg
Thank you! I love my ring ☺️

You have such a fun choice ahead! Have you considered getting whichever one you go for recut into an old style? I’m not actually sure if BGD does that - is it Southwest who do old cut styles?
 

elizat

Ideal_Rock
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There was a thread on here a while back about heirloom stones. One of the biggest things that people raised is whether or not it was okay to recut those. I would definitely have a conversation about that prior to doing anything with the stones. I think that a recut could possibly improve them, but I definitely would make sure that whoever is giving these stones is okay with having them recut!
 

gemshow

Rough_Rock
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Thank you all for your replies!
I would certainly make sure recutting will not offend anyone before doing so Elizat, of course.

Headlight I will find your recut threads!

foxinsox I am a huge fan of old cuts, but my understanding is that to avoid losing too much size I would have to stay substantially within the stone's current proportions, which seem more in line with a modern RB.
 
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AV_

Ideal_Rock
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This kind of prongs comes to mind - www [rotated in the right position etc.]
 

AV_

Ideal_Rock
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ctd. rounds not round - www, www , etc. , I cannot know if you have already considered.
 
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foxinsox

Ideal_Rock
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Thank you all for your replies!
I would certainly make sure recutting will not offend anyone before doing so Elizat, of course.

Headlight I will find your recut threads!

foxinsox I am a huge fan of old cuts, but my understanding is that to avoid losing too much size I would have to stay substantially within the stone's current proportions, which seem more in line with a modern RB.
Mmm good point. Tweak the pavilion to have petals then (Just kidding!)
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
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I honestly don't love fishtail prong settings on a modern round. I actually love the setting with the side baguettes but understand your wish to reset. I know you said you don't like halos but I don't think you can make a round look like a different shape without either a bezel like LLJsmom's or a halo such as some done by Victor Canera. I fully support the recut idea if it would make the stone better cut, and I personally wouldn't mention it to anyone. People who are not into diamonds would never even know the difference. Once a gift is given, it's yours to do with what you choose. I had a smaller family diamond and I am so much happier with it being a family heirloom now that it has been recut (by BG).

10147-Split-Band-Cushion-Halo-Ring-1-5c9d0b25cf7a313a0224dafd.png 10303-Tamara-Art-Deco-Octagonal-Halo-1-5c9beb309b7b546a0049dc52.png 10609-Lillian-Vintage-Halo-Three-Petal-Split-Band-1-5c9bdf169b7b54765149dc39.png 10901-Vintage-Halo-Solitaire-w-OEC-Center-1-5cb4cff6e584360befac454f.png
 

LLJsmom

Super_Ideal_Rock
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I honestly don't love fishtail prong settings on a modern round. I actually love the setting with the side baguettes but understand your wish to reset. I know you said you don't like halos but I don't think you can make a round look like a different shape without either a bezel like LLJsmom's or a halo such as some done by Victor Canera. I fully support the recut idea if it would make the stone better cut, and I personally wouldn't mention it to anyone. People who are not into diamonds would never even know the difference. Once a gift is given, it's yours to do with what you choose. I had a smaller family diamond and I am so much happier with it being a family heirloom now that it has been recut (by BG).

10147-Split-Band-Cushion-Halo-Ring-1-5c9d0b25cf7a313a0224dafd.png 10303-Tamara-Art-Deco-Octagonal-Halo-1-5c9beb309b7b546a0049dc52.png 10609-Lillian-Vintage-Halo-Three-Petal-Split-Band-1-5c9bdf169b7b54765149dc39.png 10901-Vintage-Halo-Solitaire-w-OEC-Center-1-5cb4cff6e584360befac454f.png

I love the idea of a cushion halo.
 

motownmama

Ideal_Rock
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Ditto!
 
L

lydial

Guest
@gemshow hi! Did you ever find a 3 ct fishtail sample setting for your stone? I am embarking on a similar setting so any 3 ct fishtail setting samples would be appreciated:)
 

AdaBeta27

Brilliant_Rock
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iirc, this one is an 8mm OEC sim stone in a fishtail that used to be offered by Amcor.
That type of low head with a very square almost solid corners is a head that used to be carried by Southeastern Settings and a few other companies that sell findings. Jewelers seemed to know where to get it around 2005-2007 or so. Not sure about now.

That was the biggest stone of any kind I could find. Maybe take a look at Lang's Antiques, if that site still exists. I have seen some large old diamonds in fishtail settings on there in the past.
 

AdaBeta27

Brilliant_Rock
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I found pictures of a couple fishtail heads that used to be available from Southeastern, I think. The first one is a lower height head. #152 is on the photos.
679081 679078

This one is taller with more massive corners. #151 is on it's photo.
679077
 

AdaBeta27

Brilliant_Rock
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Fishtail heads are vintage and correct era for those older mrbs and European cuts with huge table and low crowns. European cut is different from Old European cut. Kind of polar opposites in character . There's an old Rích Sherwood thread on here that talks about European cut.
 

nala

Ideal_Rock
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Oct 23, 2011
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Bumping this thread because I came about this setting for a 3 carat and it fits the description. I am considering it but I don’t know if it’s the right home for my modern E stone. Would love to hear your thoughts. My concern is do the prongs obscure the diamond?
 

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Ceilimom

Brilliant_Rock
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Sep 5, 2018
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I wanted a more cushiony look to my stone. But I love a vintage look so not sure if that is what you're going for.

FE056F55-C6AC-4284-A4F7-CBE63F03FD07.jpeg
EC149574-AE78-46EE-8584-A3CCFB467555.jpeg

Love this look
 
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