Heirloom stone - help!

[Jossyw]

Hi everyone. First, I wanted to say that this site is wonderful! I''ve already learned so much just reading around. I still have some questions though so I wondered if y''all could give me some advice.

I have a .81 ct round cut diamond that is currently in a pendant setting that I would like to reset for my e-ring. The necklace has been in my family for a number of years but I know nothing of it''s history. I had it appraised and learned that it is an old European cut stone, sv1, color I. I can''t remember the other details but the gentleman who appraised it suggested that the stone was of high quality and he said that it has a thin girdle. He recommended that it be set in a bezel setting to protect it. (note: I don''t think I want a bezel setting for reasons I''ll get into shortly)

Question: what is the right way to go about finding a jeweler to reset the diamond? I''m moving to San Francisco in a month so it may be best to find someone there. OR should I take it to a jeweler I know I can trust (my mother’s jeweler in CT)? I feel a little paranoid about having the diamond swapped out... is that something I really need to worry about? What''s the best strategy to use to prevent that from happening. I do not have a grading report or anything on the stone other than the appraisal I just had done.

I''m still figuring out what setting I want for the ring (ideas are welcome!). I will be using another heirloom piece for my wedding ring. It is an eternity band with channel-set princess cut diamonds . It looks like this one: http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=6265&catid=8&filter_id=0&nav1=band_channel.asp&page=1&show_all_pages=1&col=3&row=29&pos=87

I''m hoping to have the diamond set in such a way that it looks good with this band and I do not think that a bezel setting would look good. I think I want a solitaire but I would be open to some side stones if it looked good with the band.

Any ideas/recommendations for me?

Thanks in advance for any help you might provide!!!

Best,
Jossyw

 

[Gypsy]

My suggestion would be a setting with the same style of channel set princessesin the band into the shoulders of the shank on either side of the head of a setting... and with a bezel head. If some nice and creative person with the skills and software would take the blue nile band and but a simple bezel round head on it (Europeans are the round ones right? Or wait... are they the square ones? well, whichever it is... that bezel head) to give you an idea. Granted it needs some design help from there on to make it look like one ring (instead of two spliced together) but... it shouldn't be that hard for a jeweler to make for you. I think Facets has bands like that channe set one... you could ask them if they could come up with something.

But basically, its an heirloom. You want to preserve it for the future... therefore you should definately get a bezel for it since the appraiser recommended it. If that means going custom... well, then I would go custom. In WG, it won't be that bad. And you'd get a unique piece to hand down... and unique set, actually.

BTW I would millgrain the existing band on either side of the channel, and the bezel and the shoulders of the setting were me. More sparkle.

 

[chrono]

I''ve read about so many heirloom stones getting small chips over time here on Pricescope that I was worried enough about mine to protect it by putting it in a bezel setting. Most Old European cut diamonds have very thin/thin girdles that makes them even more prone to chipping, thus probably why the appraiser suggesting a bezel setting. My original setting was a 4 prong setting but as the OEC is so dear to my heart and very difficult to replace, I decided to bezel set mine. Virginia posted a link to it in this thread.

 

[Jossyw]

wow that''s beautiful - I love the milgraine.

If I do go with a bezel setting, do you think though that I can find a way to set it so that the band I already have looks good with it?

Would a halo protect it/look good?

I''ll try to post a pic of the diamond for you all so that you can see the setting it is in now which is one that the appraiser said protects it well.

Thanks for all your help!!!
J

 

[Gypsy]

Something like this... but with channel set princesses instead of the paved rounds (gotta love tiffany) on the shoulders/ shanks would be outrageously stunning. No matter if the diamond is round or square (you''d think I would just go and look that up wouldn''t you?).

 

[Gypsy]

This Ritani is another idea... imagine channel set princesses in there... and a full bezel arounf the diamond (I''d still add millgrain).

 

[Gypsy]

Okay so European is round.

Here''s another-- more streamlined option that would still look great with that band.

http://www.markschneiderdesign.com/bridal-group7-2.html

 

[FireGoddess]

1. Get that stone insured while it''s still in the pendant. That way if the stone is chipped during setting into a ring, you won''t be SOL (sh!!t out of luck). The insurance co may require copies of the appraisal documents.

2. If the appraiser suggested a bezel, I would go with that. MrsSalvo''s OEC had a chipped girdle and the stone was submitted to the insurance co, which is how Chrono ended up with such a great setting at a steal of a price. Note Chrono also did a bezel setting. I don''t love bezel settings myself, but I do think that one is stunning and it doesn''t have to be a thick, imposing bezel in the least.

3. If you want to jazz up a bezel setting, consider doing a halo similar to the beautiful Ritani endless love erings we have on here, or even a 3 stone bezel...there truly are a lot of options!!