General Question about metal color vs gem color

[mastercutgems]

Good Day to all the fashion experts

I have several mounts that I was thinking about setting , rose gold, white, and yellow all the diamond semi-mounts from one of our favorite sellers.

What is the "rule-of-thumb" of metal color vs. gem color ? Or is there one?

I know I have read many posts and you Ladies know so much more than us guys do on this and many other subjects and I just want to be steered in the right direction. I know many years ago when I did this for the trade I made up many thousands of dollars worth of heavy rings and pendants; but when selling them I found out I had put green gems where they wanted pink and used white gold when I should have used yellow.

I just want to make tasteful pieces as most will contain nice well cut spinels and I do not want to waste the time on doing totally the wrong thing.

So any help would be much appreciated

Thank you and Most respectfully;

Dana

 

[Lovinggems]

Hi Dana

How about some photos of the gemstones and the semi mounts? It'll be easier for people to give their comments.

 

[chrono]

Dana,
I’m certainly not a fashion expert but I do notice that certain colours seem to match up better to certain metal colours. Also sometimes, a particular metal colour can play up or play down the modifier in the gemstone. Usually “cold” coloured stones like blue and green do well in a white metal, while “warm” coloured stones like yellow, orange and red do well in a warm coloured metal. That said, stones that are highly saturated will look great in any colour and those that are steely or grayish look better in yellow gold. This is just the general perception but certainly not a hard and fast rule. I noticed that it becomes rather iffy for rose gold; certain shades of grayish green, rich purple, light minty blue green and a few other specific hues appear to have their primary hues enhanced. Usually the best way to make a determination is to place the stone next to said metal (yellow, white and a copper penny) to see how it improves (or not) the colour.

 

[Largosmom]

I can only speak for myself...I won't be using correct "hue and saturation descriptions" because I don't yet know them (working on that!)

Personally, I go for contrast between the stone and the gold...but I prefer white gold most of the time regardless of the color of the stone. Pale stones may need less contrast to build up their color...pale yellow in yellow gold, for example. I also love two tone rings, with white gold or silver shank and yellow or rose gold top.

In rose gold, I would like light blue or green stones as long as the colors don't clash (i.e. light blue zircon, some chrysoberyl's without an orange cast to them. I also like amethyst in rose gold.

In yellow gold, I like medium yellow stones, and red stones. Most people here seem to like spess in yellow gold...if it is a strong orange I like it in white.

In white gold I like blue stones, medium to dark green stones, pink stones, and the same colors I like in rose gold...lighter blues and greens.

 

[Lovinggems]

I'm not very helpful at all, forgot you can't post your own inventory on PS.

 

[mastercutgems]

Thank You LG, Chrono, & Largosmom

You have given me some sound guidelines to go by as I am clueless on the color combinations of metal and gems.

It will be interesting I bought a few for family members for Christmas this year and had about 5 more that were a deal; but I did not want to goof up and put the totally wrong gem in the mount as they are nice mounts for the money, so thank you all for the insight and I will do as you Ladies say as I do not want to be arrested by the fashion police

Most respectfully;

Dana

 

[Aoife]

Hi Dana,

Most people seem to have fairly strong opinions about what color stone looks best in which color gold. Unfortunately, those strong opinions don't always agree, especially since the interplay of light and color in gemstones can be so unexpected. My suggestion would be to pull out some examples of white, yellow, and rose gold and try each stone you're thinking about setting against the examples. That would give you better information than any rules we might come up with. Personally, I'm not that fond of white gold, and yellow gold is usually my default choice.

 

[Arcadian]

Chrono is pretty much right. But I do have to say that those rules have also been broken more than a few times when the right style of setting meets the right color stone.

But for giggles, here was my quandry when I bought all those crazy settings that I have to now fill.

I purchased a dematoid garnet thinnking I would put it in white gold. That seems to be a simple solution really, considering the dematoid I was looking at. However, I tried it in 3 different color settings and had quite the suprise. It looks pretty unhappy in yellow gold, and in white gold is just not that interesting. it comes alive in pink/red gold.

In short Dana, its best to just play around with the stones and the settings to see what you get One color metal may play up a secondary color that makes a stone go from lovely to LOVELY!



-A

 

[LD]

Hi Dana

Interesting question and it's soooooooooooo personal! For example, if you set a blue stone in a rose gold setting (or in fact anything other than pink) I'd be running for the hills screaming! Yellow gold is less popular nowadays but some gems very much benefit from the warmth.

On the whole, white gold is a safer bet for almost everything apart from Spess!

That probably doesn't help one little bit but I'd love to see the stones and settings. Is there a chance that you could sell the gems with an option of setting in X or Y setting for an additional $xx? That may be safer option and doesn't mean you're limited.

 

[mastercutgems]

Thank you all so very much as it all helps... Really

Arcadia I know when you posted all those semi-mounts on your fingers I could not help but laugh as that is what I would have looked like IF I could fit them on my fingers

I see now I will take all the advise; put some stones with them and let the Wife, Sister, and Mom decide; as even though you all have directed me properly I still need the female decision when it is all said and done as that is who it will be for " A Lady"...

It is a shame they do not make interchangeable heads for semi-mounts with the price of precious metals it would be cool if they did

Thank you all again; it does give me direction as the colors of metals that clash with certain body colors of gems and if i understand correctly you are all saying that you want contrast in the two as you want each to compliment the other...

If i am not correct; please correct me

Thank you again as i do not want to waste the mounts or have to send them to my laser friend to get new prongs put back on and some of those mounts look very delicate compared to the ole clunkers you used to buy when gold was 400 a ounce...

Have a great weekend everyone;

Most respectfully;

Dana

 

[Arcadian]

lol Dana, thanks. I swear I need limits! After I received the last one, my husband told me I was done buying settings, just fill the things already! I could never be in the trade because I'd be broke because I'd never sell anything

I think its a great idea to have the ladies in your life take a look to see what works as women tend to be nit pickier in regard to that type of thing. I do have to say that on Pricescope, many of the males here also are very good with their color/metal choices. Many of them have rings Id wear in a NYM!


-A

 

[StonieGrl]

Hi Dana, always glad to see you well and at home and posting!

Re your query: Chrono, what SHE said.

Further, IMHO, if you want a very luxury or RICH look to the setting, spring for 22 kt if you go with yellow or green or red gold, it gives a luxury custom appearance that is unmistakable (think Reinstein Ross, Sepkus, etc).