Help with demantoid garnet setting

[QuietStorm]

Hi all!

I'm finally de-lurking to see if anyone can help with setting ideas for a 1.9ct demantoid garnet I recently purchased*. It's oval-to-"roval", and measures 7.1mm x 6.1mm x 5.1mm deep.

Since it is a softer stone, a local jeweler recommended a necklace...but I'm rather partial to a ring.

Does anyone have ideas?

* photos etc at http://www.etsy.com/listing/130082065/reserved-oval-demantoid-green-garnet. I will post other pictures, if need be, in this thread as soon as I can.

 

[peacechick]

If you're aware of how soft it is and don't mind the wear it will eventually suffer, I say go for the ring. I am exclusively a ring person myself, don't wear earrings or bracelets and few very necklaces. I also just bought a neon apatite to set into a ring

That said, maybe get a setting that surrounds the stone on all sides like a halo? And then try to set it low so it's not going to knock into a lot of things by virtue of sticking out.

I have been reading about the pros and cons of bezeling. Bezeling is great for protecting a soft stone but the tricky thing act about bezeling needs to be done by someone you trust won't damage your fragile stone while hammering on it and who won't bezel it too tightly.

 

[JewelFreak]

I'd recommend a prong setting for that stone. A bezel doesn't allow as much light into the stone & will darken it; since it's already fairly dark, you might want to avoid that.

What style do you like? Simple? Fancy? Modern? Antique-y? Metal color? Do you want other stones with it -- halo or side stones? What budget range?

--- Laurie

 

[chrono]

I agree that an open prong setting will be best for the garnet as a bezel will darken it further. Just be aware that this will not be an everyday wear ring and that it requires extra care. It is the least durable within the garnet family so expect to see wear and tear such as nicks and chips much sooner in a ring.

 

[QuietStorm]

Thank you all for your input! I usually prefer prong, antique-y settings. A low-set halo sounds like a definite contender.