Help, finalising design is driving me nuts !!!

[Scarlett1]

Hi all,
I'm in the process of finalising design with Steven for my upgrade
and would love some help regarding finalising design.
There are two main things I need to finalise.
1. Should I go for a double halo or have a multi row pave halo.
I want a nice delicate look but
Steven has some lovely double halo's. I'm just wondering
would it be too much going on esp with added side detail.
The specs on center stone are .91ct 6.01x5.09mm
2. Now speaking of side detail. Should I go for something like first pic with
flower and leaf micropaved
Or should I go with similar detail to neatfreak's ring.
I wanted the detail to start on the shank rather than at side of halo,
if that makes sense. Would that look odd?
Appreciate any advice or help,
Scarlett

 

[liaerfbv]

I think a double halo with floral sides will be overkill IMO. However without seeing what you're imagining in your head, it's hard to say what would work!

 

[soxfan]

I think a double halo with floral sides will be overkill IMO. However without seeing what you're imagining in your head, it's hard to say what would work!

I agree. Can you find any more images that would represent closer to what you are looking for?

 

[SB621]

I have a few questions....

1- First, what does Steven think would look best?
2- Can he do a flower detail like in your first picture?
3-Are we trying to max finger coverage, make a truly unique ring, have an art deco look, or something more modern?

To me right now you are trying to jam antique and contemporary together- which is competely doable but you just have to make sure it is done well and with editing. I totally trust SK when it comes to editing designs. He won't make it if he doesn't think it will look magnificent. That is why Im curious as to what he thinks would look best.

And as for my .02 cents I would not do the flower because it isn't my personal style of timeless/ classic (yes slightly boring) pieces that I lean towards. However, I can see SK doing an edited version of the flower and blowing it out of the water with a mulit row single halo. Talk to him and discuss concerns and looks. I think this ring will be spectacular when completed!!!!

 

[Sky56]

The ring in the first picture may be uncomfortable for daily wear. It looks like the leaves below the flowers would bulge into neighboring fingers. I think a double halo would be overkill. I see elements in these pictures which are very pretty, it looks like you are going for a curving, organic, romantic look.

 

[Scarlett1]

Thanks everybody for your help,

However without seeing what you're imagining in your head, it's hard to say what would work!

Liaerfbv, this is exactly my problem, I'm finding it hard translating what's in by head and I can't draw to save my life. Soxfan can find absolutely no images of what I'm after (from hours of searching )
SB, you got it completely right and love the way you phrased it I am trying to jam antique with modern, but I don't want it to look modern at all and Sky, yes you are right, want a delicate romantic feel. SB I too have concerns that I would get sick of the flowers but I want the detail to start on the shank rather than coming out of it iykwim and it was the closet picture I could find to that.
I do really want a timeless antique feel to the ring, but with a little twist. The designs Steven was playing around with for side detail were all beautiful but much more modern than what I had in my head, I definitely wasn't clear enough with him as to what I wanted so waiting to hear back from him now Wow, translating what you want is much harder than I thought
Thanks for input, much appreciated,
Scarlett

 

[pinkjewel]

Thanks everybody for your help,

However without seeing what you're imagining in your head, it's hard to say what would work!

Liaerfbv, this is exactly my problem, I'm finding it hard translating what's in by head and I can't draw to save my life. Soxfan can find absolutely no images of what I'm after (from hours of searching )
SB, you got it completely right and love the way you phrased it I am trying to jam antique with modern, but I don't want it to look modern at all and Sky, yes you are right, want a delicate romantic feel. SB I too have concerns that I would get sick of the flowers but I want the detail to start on the shank rather than coming out of it iykwim and it was the closet picture I could find to that.
I do really want a timeless antique feel to the ring, but with a little twist. The designs Steven was playing around with for side detail were all beautiful but much more modern than what I had in my head, I definitely wasn't clear enough with him as to what I wanted so waiting to hear back from him now Wow, translating what you want is much harder than I thought
Thanks for input, much appreciated,
Scarlett

Scarlett- I believe that Steven does hand forged rings as opposed to any cast elements-is that correct? If so, it is very difficult to get the swirly,organic look of the first picture with hand forged. Yes, there can be some curve to the flowers and leaves-but not really like that first picture. That may be why Steven's drawings are coming out more "modern" looking. I agree with the others that a double halo would be overkill. Did you decide what color halo you're going with-weren't you considering a yellow diamond halo at one time? Also, what size ring do you wear? That will also help with how much space you have. Maybe leaf designs with yellow diamond melee accents on either side of a multi white diamond single halo would be an option.

 

[SB621]

So to me it sounds like you want an antique ring with an etheral vibe going on.

What about just doing some beautiful whimiscal engraving up the shank. I think that might be a very good twist without venturing into the world of contemporary. You could also add in a spordiac diamond here and there for a whimiscal/ romantic touch.

some other ideas:

 

[Niel]

I think if it were me u would split your design ideas into two rings. I'd make the current ring a tiffany solstice style split shank double halo (maybe the halo closest to the stone is yellow too??)
Then wear a floral band with it.

 

[dragonfly411]

What if you simply add stones to the areas I've highlighted here? Along the u between the prongs? I think that having stones on the flowers and leaves would be overwhelming, and I like the brushed look the image shows them with. It really brings out the details.

 

[Niel]

I think if it were me u would split your design ideas into two rings. I'd make the current ring a tiffany solstice style split shank double halo (maybe the halo closest to the stone is yellow too??)
Then wear a floral band with it.

Or, make the halo floral?

 

[Enerchi]

I love the LM top ring SB posted.

I'd defer to Steven's expertise. Chat with him, give him examples of what you are contemplating then rely on his skills and sense of proportion plus functionality, as to what would work best. Sometimes, you can put too much into a ring - I did it with my original 3 stone - and regretted it! - and I have since had it remade to what is now in my avatar. Maybe have 2 rings if you want leaves + double halo.

IMO , a double halo can be too much on some stones. You have a fine line to walk there - large stone w very small melee looks lovely and delicate but a smaller stone w 2 rows can look a bit like trying to overcompensate... KWIM?? (I'm not meaning that in a nasty or harsh way, but its all about proportion... and that's what takes me back to advising to consult with SK on this...)

I hope you end up with your dream ring!!

 

[liaerfbv]

I love the LM top ring SB posted.

I'd defer to Steven's expertise. Chat with him, give him examples of what you are contemplating then rely on his skills and sense of proportion plus functionality, as to what would work best. Sometimes, you can put too much into a ring - I did it with my original 3 stone - and regretted it! - and I have since had it remade to what is now in my avatar. Maybe have 2 rings if you want leaves + double halo.

IMO , a double halo can be too much on some stones. You have a fine line to walk there - large stone w very small melee looks lovely and delicate but a smaller stone w 2 rows can look a bit like trying to overcompensate... KWIM?? (I'm not meaning that in a nasty or harsh way, but its all about proportion... and that's what takes me back to advising to consult with SK on this...)

I hope you end up with your dream ring!!

I agree. The very first custom ring I ever had done was a disaster and it was MY fault because I didn't listen to the advice my jeweler gave me on the design.

 

[maccers]

Are you looking for the floral motif to be realistic/literal like your first picture? Or more like the second picture (or the first pic that SB posted)? The two pics you posted are very different styles. The ones Niel posted, imo, are the least floral-like. Making this decision may help you move along in your design.

 

[Scarlett1]

I love the LM top ring SB posted.

I'd defer to Steven's expertise. Chat with him, give him examples of what you are contemplating then rely on his skills and sense of proportion plus functionality, as to what would work best. Sometimes, you can put too much into a ring - I did it with my original 3 stone - and regretted it! - and I have since had it remade to what is now in my avatar. Maybe have 2 rings if you want leaves + double halo.

IMO , a double halo can be too much on some stones. You have a fine line to walk there - large stone w very small melee looks lovely and delicate but a smaller stone w 2 rows can look a bit like trying to overcompensate... KWIM?? (I'm not meaning that in a nasty or harsh way, but its all about proportion... and that's what takes me back to advising to consult with SK on this...)

I hope you end up with your dream ring!!

Enerchi you are so right. I need to stop over thinking the whole thing. I'm usually very easygoing and not a micro manager by nature. Every time I go to the hairdressers I tell them to do what they want, from cut to colour, I love the surprise of a new style and my hairdresser loves the freedom I give her. I don't know why I'm not like this here I just need to be more trusting and supportive of Steven really and let him do what he does best.
Hi Neil, thanks for the suggestions, but have a plan for a floral halo as a right hand ring down the line.
SB, I love that first pic you posted, and that is prob more realistic of an achievement
Dragonfly, thank you for your ideas, I know exactly what you mean about too much meelee as overkill. I am just over complicating things I think.
Pink jewel, yes I want all yellow gold and all meelee to be yellow also. That is something that I definitely want . My ring size is about a 6 I think.
Maccers I think that is one of my big problems, just trying to miss mash a whole lot of styles together which just doesn't work
Thanks everybody for feedback. Just going to let Steven work his magic and stop obsessing

 

[Enerchi]

I think in the end, you will be very pleased!! think of Steven as the hairdresser to your diamond!!

 

[Christina...]

I totally understand obsessing!! I too, was (am) considering a halo with a floral motif of sorts around the gallery. Finding inspiration pieces is incredibly difficult. I was fortunate in that I found a designer that knew instinctively what I was looking for and was able to provide images for me to consider. It CAN work, but I agree with the others that you need to allow SK some artistic freedom. Tell him what is most important to you, supply a few inspiration pics like above and then allow him to draw up a few designs for you to consider. From there it will become much easier to add or change elements, but at least you will both have one design and a clear sense of what the other is thinking, then work from that.

I'm really excited to see what you come up with!!

 

[Scarlett1]

I think in the end, you will be very pleased!! think of Steven as the hairdresser to your diamond!!

Ha Lol Enerchi
Thanks Christina, you made some great suggestions, near impossible to find a pic of what exactly I want and I think it's harder having to communicate that by email rather than in person. Think I'll just have to embrace the design process rather than let it send me around the twist

 

[Dreamer_D]

Here is the thing. With custom, even if you try to micro manage to the T, usually it doesn't turn out exactly like you expect. Some people will then remake a ring a few times until is DOES match exactly what they want, but usually the first time can be a surprise! If you want totally predictability, pick one of Steven's stock/commonly made pieces. If you want something unique and original and custom, then give him all the images for inspiration and then let him come up with something gorgeous! it won't be what you expect but it will be beautiful.

 

[Scarlett1]

Thank you dreamer D, you've hit the nail on the head. The reason I'm going custom is to get that unique and original ring, otherwise I would have just purchased one ready made up. From seeing Stevens work, all his rings are stunning, so I know he'll create something beautiful for me too. Thank you for the perspective.

 

[astar11]

What if you simply add stones to the areas I've highlighted here? Along the u between the prongs? I think that having stones on the flowers and leaves would be overwhelming, and I like the brushed look the image shows them with. It really brings out the details.

+1 on this

 

[Dreamer_D]

Thank you dreamer D, you've hit the nail on the head. The reason I'm going custom is to get that unique and original ring, otherwise I would have just purchased one ready made up. From seeing Stevens work, all his rings are stunning, so I know he'll create something beautiful for me too. Thank you for the perspective.

I do think that you will need to narrow the elements a little though. I don't think he can do a double halo with floral sides... but that would be something HE can tell you not us!

This is a big leap of faith. Its why I have never done custom.

 

[Scarlett1]

Well it's been a while since I posted but Steven has come up with a phenomenal design for my yummy radiant. Still have a few things to finalise but the general gist is all yellow gold with fancy yellow halo (still to be decided whether single, double or multi paved) with a plain yellow gold shank and rather than have side detail on shank, Steven suggested having floral detail on basket, like a chain of flowers circling the stone. Going to get the flowers micropaved, probably pink petals with yellow center. So from head on view, the ring will look like a yellow halo gold ring but the profile will show the pink flower detail, a little surprise. Can't wait to get the ring started, very very excited

 

[yennyfire]

It sounds amazing! What's the ETA?

 

[pinkjewel]

Well it's been a while since I posted but Steven has come up with a phenomenal design for my yummy radiant. Still have a few things to finalise but the general gist is all yellow gold with fancy yellow halo (still to be decided whether single, double or multi paved) with a plain yellow gold shank and rather than have side detail on shank, Steven suggested having floral detail on basket, like a chain of flowers circling the stone. Going to get the flowers micropaved, probably pink petals with yellow center. So from head on view, the ring will look like a yellow halo gold ring but the profile will show the pink flower detail, a little surprise. Can't wait to get the ring started, very very excited

wow- that sounds awesome!!!!!! can't wait to see it!

 

[Enerchi]

Oh Scarlett!! That sounds AMAZING!! I love the 'surprise' element you are planning!! We do often forget about the gallery when doing a halo - so how creative and clever of you and SK to come up with that!!

And.. when do we get the big 'reveal'????

 

[Christina...]

Oh Scarlett!! That sounds AMAZING!! I love the 'surprise' element you are planning!! We do often forget about the gallery when doing a halo - so how creative and clever of you and SK to come up with that!!

And.. when do we get the big 'reveal'????

inquiring minds want to know!!

 

[Acinom]

Sounds amazing!!!
I am really excited for you. Happy waiting

 

[Scarlett1]

Thanks everybody, just can't wait to get it. Yenny and Christina, stilll a few tiny things to finalise, then Steven will send me the work order, so will keep ye updated on waiting time , will know more on Monday

Oh Scarlett!! That sounds AMAZING!! I love the 'surprise' element you are planning!! We do often forget about the gallery when doing a halo - so how creative and clever of you and SK to come up with that!!

And.. when do we get the big 'reveal'????

Thanks Enerchi, but the design was all Steven. I did what ye all suggested, sent a few photo's and told him the general feel of ring I wanted and this is what he came up with. He is fantastic.
Thanks pinkjewel and Acinom, can't believe it is eventually coming together

 

[Scarlett1]

Yay, design is finalised and Steven is sending me the work order as we speak
Going for a double fancy light yellow halo on a plain 18kt gold shank with the flower detail on basket micropaved with hot pink spinels with intense yellow centres
Can. Not.Wait