gold-plated silver settings?

[deorwine]

So I want to get my yummy blue sapphire from Gene (https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/yummy-blue-sapphire-from-precision-gem.168207/) set so I can actually wear it around. Unfortunately, I cannot stop buying colored stones. With the money I was saving up to set the sapphire (and I almost had enough, darn it!), I went and bought a grey color-shifting spinel from Dana... I'll have to post pics soon; it's gorgeous and the cutting is lovely and I love it! But now I have no money for a setting. Even worse, the stone cries out, to me, for yellow gold. Which I really can't afford now!

So... do any of you know where I could get a cheap gold-plated silver setting? I know the gold would wear off easily; that's okay because I wouldn't be wearing this every day -- it would really just be a temporary setting until I saved up some more money to get an actual nice gold setting. Ideally it would be under $50. I can get a silver setting from Tripps for far less than that, but I have no idea where to find (or get someone to) gold-plated silver.

 

[GemFever]

Beautiful stone!

I'm kind of in the same situation as you. I got a very pretty trillion 1ct sapphire that also wants to be in a rich YG setting, but not money left over for the project. I found a cheap silver setting that I thought I'd use, but... when i saw the poor workmanship (scratchy on the finger, rough around the edges) I gave up on the idea. Just gonna wait till it's time. Plus, I don't want to risk setting and re-setting my stone too much. Just in case.

But if you're set on a temporary setting, I hope you find one you like!

- Anya

 

[T L]

Will your jeweler set a stone in silver though? Just wanted to point that out as many jewelers do not work in silver.

 

[pregcurious]

You may want to do a search on Etsy for "vermeil ring". I found a vendor that was organic style bezels for less than $50:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/93452316/gold-plated-sapphire-ring-gemstone-bezel?ref=sr_gallery_28&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_langid_override=-1&ga_search_query=vermeil+ring&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

You may also looked at "gold filled ring" on Etsy. Gold filled items have a thicker layer of gold than vermeil, and gold filled is supposed to last quite a long time. Here is another organic styled bezel, but this time in gold fill

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85366875/pink-tourmaline-gold-ring-stacking-14k?ref=sr_gallery_54&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=gold+filled+ring&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

I would ask the vendors the thickness of their gold and make sure that it complies with the terms "vermeil" and "gold filled" so you understand what you are getting.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Yes, I would suggest gold fill as well. The gold layer is substantially thicker and it holds up well. However, the design must have no exposed edges, otherwise the base metal will show.

 

[deorwine]

Ah, these are great suggestions. Thanks everyone!