Help with mixed shape "diamonds by the yard" necklace!

[lindsaylou]

Hello all,

Longtime (like super duper longtime) lurker here. I have enjoyed watching so many of you create gorgeous pieces over the years and I thank you for letting me vicariously enjoy the process. I need to someday share different projects I've completed over the years- a couple 3 carat stones in that mix just to tease.

I've run into a bit of a pickle though with my current project and I wanted to pick your brains. For the last year or so, I've collected smaller diamonds in various shapes to make into a fun mixed shape diamonds by the yard necklace. Some have been purchased off Loupe Troop, some from local diamond vendors here in Dallas and some have been gifts from my husband. I'm attaching a photo here of the 8 stones- old mine, round, oval, heart, marquise, radiant, pear, and emerald cuts all varying from .3-.4 carats each. I'm wanting white gold bezels around the stones and a rose gold chain. In between each diamond will be two small single cut stones. I'm attaching a rough drawing I made for my jeweler (please forgive, I'm not at artist at al. You can see on the left side of the drawing, I made a mock scale of how I want the diamonds to be set along with two tinier melee in between. I drew the rest of it with no smaller stones, but I've decided that single cut stones in between bring a cohesive look. Anyway...my dilemma is I don't want one stone to be the "star" per se of the show and I want the necklace to be able to turn and not have an end or beginning which means the clasp will be a big part of how this will work. I'm wanting the necklace to be shorter- like maybe 15-15.5" long so making something long enough to go over the head won't work unfortunately. I know this length sounds short, but I'm petite and my 16" is pretty long on me plus I like to layer necklaces. I have searched the forums and googled hidden and invisible clasps but nothing seems to either be secure or hidden enough. Can you guys think of good, safe clasp that wouldn't be noticeable? Kind of like how a tennis bracelet comes together, you know? But is this possible with cable chain? My jeweler is scratching his head, so I thought I would come to you guys. Thank you so much in advance!

 

[marcy]

What a cool idea. I am anxious to see the finished necklace. Before I got to the end of your story I was thinking the same thing about a bracelet clasp. I wonder if a barrel clasp would work? For safety though I'd still go with that little fold over latch. Sadly that would make it stick out a bit.

 

[Lookinagain]

could the clasp be built under a bezeled stone? Something like this? or would that make it too bulky

 

[lindsaylou]

Marcy and Lookinagain, both are great ideas that I will suggest to the jeweler so he can check with his bench. If I mix both of your ideas, maybe I could do a small profile barrel under the bezel? Thank you for the ideas. If anyone else has seen something with this style of necklace, please let me know!

 

[dkata]

Unfortunately I can’t contribute to your search for a suitable clasp, but the idea for this necklace is just brilliant! I can’t wait to see the finished product!

 

[lindsaylou]

Unfortunately I can’t contribute to your search for a suitable clasp, but the idea for this necklace is just brilliant! I can’t wait to see the finished product!

Thank you, Dkata. I'll be sure to post it once it's finished.

 

[doberman]

I've always wanted a necklace or bracelet like that! Can't wait to see it.

 

[mrs-b]

This doesn't help re the clasp idea, but here's a pair of earrings I own of a similar style. I am currently having them extended with 2 rounds and 2 princess cut stones. The smaller round diamonds are 9 or 10 points, and the larger stones, in order, will end up being .4ct princess, .3 pear, .31 emerald cut, .32 round brilliant, .5 pear - all alternating with the smaller diamonds. They're currently set in platinum but I'm switching them over to yellow gold. All up, they will end up being 4.54ctw, all larger stones E/F, all smaller stones D/E.

I know you didn't ask for pictures, but I thought this might be helpful. The first photo is of the earrings as they currently are - the second photo is with the new stones, during re-setting. The order will change, with the princess cuts up the top, and they'll be going into yellow gold - but you get the general idea.

 

[luv2sparkle]

I love everything about this necklace. I have often thought of this kind of style for myself. I love it. I love lots of shapes of diamonds but can't afford a huge stone in each shape. This gives you all of it. I would probably use the heart for the clasp- you could include it in the top and have a little pave on the clasp hook or pincher part to make it a feature. It would probably look best to be a tad over sized to make it a distinctive feature and not an after thought.

 

[lindsaylou]

This doesn't help re the clasp idea, but here's a pair of earrings I own of a similar style. I am currently having them extended with 2 rounds and 2 princess cut stones. The smaller round diamonds are 9 or 10 points, and the larger stones, in order, will end up being .4ct princess, .3 pear, .31 emerald cut, .32 round brilliant, .5 pear - all alternating with the smaller diamonds. They're currently set in platinum but I'm switching them over to yellow gold. All up, they will end up being 4.54ctw, all larger stones E/F, all smaller stones D/E.

I know you didn't ask for pictures, but I thought this might be helpful. The first photo is of the earrings as they currently are - the second photo is with the new stones, during re-setting. The order will change, with the princess cuts up the top, and they'll be going into yellow gold - but you get the general idea.

mrs-b- I love your earrings and that is so helpful to see these photos. It is such a fun but sophisticated look! I bet they will dazzle on your ears.

 

[lindsaylou]

I love everything about this necklace. I have often thought of this kind of style for myself. I love it. I love lots of shapes of diamonds but can't afford a huge stone in each shape. This gives you all of it. I would probably use the heart for the clasp- you could include it in the top and have a little pave on the clasp hook or pincher part to make it a feature. It would probably look best to be a tad over sized to make it a distinctive feature and not an after thought.

This was exactly my next thought...if they use one of the bezel stones hide the clasp, which one should it be? The heart may be a good option. I was tossing around the idea of the radiant or one of the longer stones, but the heart would be work too. The jeweler just emailed to call him back with ideas from his bench. I'm excited! I'll be sure to post once it's done!

 

[luv2sparkle]

One of the elongated shapes would work well too. My only thought with the heart, was that you said that you didn't want a particular stone to grab all the attention and my guess would be that the bench would put the heart right at your throat. It kind of feels like that is where it should go. It would be lovely there. Whatever you decide, it will be wonderful!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I don't think I'd use a stone for the clasp as it would sit higher than the other stones with the clasp part under it. I like the clasp to be spaced as another station, basically, and so the stones would start an inch or so after the ends.. I'd use a simple round clasp like Tiffany does. That's what is on my DBTYs and I usually have to look closely to see where the clasp is. I'd also say at 15.5" that I would only put one single cut stone between each larger stone. I think it might be too much putting two.

 

[lindsaylou]

One of the elongated shapes would work well too. My only thought with the heart, was that you said that you didn't want a particular stone to grab all the attention and my guess would be that the bench would put the heart right at your throat. It kind of feels like that is where it should go. It would be lovely there. Whatever you decide, it will be wonderful!

Thank you so much for the encouragement. The jeweler agreed with you that the heart would be a great one since it was the least deep stone of the 8. That way, the profile of the clasp wouldn't be too overwhelming.

 

[lindsaylou]

I don't think I'd use a stone for the clasp as it would sit higher than the other stones with the clasp part under it. I like the clasp to be spaced as another station, basically, and so the stones would start an inch or so after the ends.. I'd use a simple round clasp like Tiffany does. That's what is on my DBTYs and I usually have to look closely to see where the clasp is. I'd also say at 15.5" that I would only put one single cut stone between each larger stone. I think it might be too much putting two.

Thanks for the advice. If what is in my head can't come together while at the bench or it will look like too much, I've told the jeweler that the Tiffany style clasp is the alternative. I agree it is simple, small and not too noticeable. I talked at great length last night with the jeweler so we should have a plan in place soon once he gets the bench's final thoughts.

Interestingly, they suggested I think about using modern round brilliants for the smaller in between stones instead of single cuts. Since the DBTY style often turns while on, the jeweler is worried that the bottom of the stone on a single cut may not give as much shine as a modern brilliant would if turned over. Thoughts on that?

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

Did you finish this necklace yet? I would love to see it. I am considering having one made in mixed shapes but with spinel instead.

 

[lindsaylou]

Hi @Mrs_Strizzle! The necklace was completed and I love how it turned out. Here are some photos. My phone case is not helping with color and I’m clearly not a jewelry photographer so forgive the amateur quality. The stones are lively and white, so I’m not sure why they yellowed in these photos. The chain is rose gold and the diamonds are bezel set in white gold. There is a little hook on the pear stone and while it doesn’t look secure, it really is. The necklace is 14 inches and I layer it with a heart diamond solitaire. I can’t wait to see how your necklace turns out!

 

[AprilBaby]

Wow that is spectacular! I love how the clasp was made! Do you have a neck shot?

 

[lovedogs]

This is so lovely!!! Wow, congrats on such a unique and great piece!

 

[Golden_bird]

Hi @Mrs_Strizzle! The necklace was completed and I love how it turned out. Here are some photos. My phone case is not helping with color and I’m clearly not a jewelry photographer so forgive the amateur quality. The stones are lively and white, so I’m not sure why they yellowed in these photos. The chain is rose gold and the diamonds are bezel set in white gold. There is a little hook on the pear stone and while it doesn’t look secure, it really is. The necklace is 14 inches and I layer it with a heart diamond solitaire. I can’t wait to see how your necklace turns out!

That looks stunning !!! Neck shot plz !!!!!so unusual and extraordinary

 

[lindsaylou]

Thanks for the kind words. Here are some neck shots.

 

[Happytobemrsg]

You created the most incredible necklace!

 

[facetgirl]

This is gorgeous.

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

So lovely! I am truly inspired now! I would love to see the clasp more closely as I think it's brilliant to make it as camouflaged as possible!

 

[Lookinagain]

ditto on seeing the clasp more closely. from your photos it doesn't even seem like there is a clasp!

 

[lindsaylou]

Yes, I love that the clasp is concealed so well! It’s just a little hook that is attached to the pear. I hook it to the other side at the chain and do a little twist on the hook so it’s tight and not subject to fall off. It’s not easy to take off and on so I rarely do. I’m not sure all jewelers would love the way this was done, but we couldn’t figure out another way to implement my vision.

 

[Austina]

Oh my goodness, it’s absolutely lovely

 

[whitewave]

It’s gorgeous. Do they flip over?

 

[lindsaylou]

It’s gorgeous. Do they flip over?

yes, some of the stones flip over occasionally, but it doesn’t really bother me too much.

 

[IssyBelle]

This is simply exquisite