Help with ring design!

[MakingTheGrade]

I have 5 2mm benitoites in a color suite and no real idea on how to set them! Help!

I could do a simple prong set 5 stone, very delicate with a thin band, but it sounds kind of...plain?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I was thinking maybe gypsy set in a hammered band?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Or something quirkier?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Common prong?

 

[CaraMish]

How about something like this: http://www.evamartin.com/gallery/morse_ring

with just one row of the five stones instead of all around the ring?

Plain can be beautiful. I like your gypsy set idea too, if benitoites can be gypsy set, that is.

 

[T L]

MTG, You will chip the stones if you do a gypsy setting like the hammered setting above. Benitoite is a soft stone, like tanzanite. Perhaps a pendant?

 

[MAC-W]

So you''re the person who was bidding against me

I had planned to do a pendant with them

 

[Cehrabehra]

as beautiful as they are, I wouldn''t put them in a ring... definitely a pendant!

 

[colorluvr]

Date: 5/31/2010 11:45:57 AM
Author: Cehrabehra
as beautiful as they are, I wouldn''t put them in a ring... definitely a pendant!

I agree, they would make a very pretty pendant.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Honestly I don''t wear many pendants or change them often. I think I would enjoy them more as a ring.

 

[VapidLapid]

would you consider finding a very talented goldsmith to "sculpt" a custom setting like a peapod split open with the benitoites in a row inside so they would be protected? I know if not done well it could be hokey, but it could also be done with delicacy.

 

[SapphireLover]

I like the idea of Swiss setting. I imagined one of those Cartier scattered Love bands with those stones set into it. It would look yummy in a white metal.

 

[Indylady]

I like the quirky setting, or the morse code ring. Do you want it to be benitiotes only?

 

[Indylady]

I like the quirky setting, or the morse code ring. Do you want it to be benitiotes only?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 5/31/2010 9:11:39 AM
Author: MakingTheGrade
Or something quirkier?

Yes!

 

[marcy]

Ooh. They are beautiful. My sister wants some benitoites.

 

[lavatea]

I vote for the quirky!!

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

Can you do the quirky with bezels? I love the design, especially if you did a color grade from top to bottom, but since they are softer, the bezels might help. My Ering, that I have worn every day for over 2 years has 2 small opals that are even softer and there is not a mark on them. They are bezeled and I do baby them, but still, I think you would be ok with a ring.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Thanks for the input guys!

I"m probably going with Sally on this one because she''s set soft stones for me before and I trust her benchmen. I might pick her brain a bit for ideas too

 

[jstarfireb]

Yeah, as you know I have my single 4mm benitoite (as well as other soft stones like tanzanites, opals, demantoid...) in a ring, and I don''t think I''ve damaged it. I''ve always lived by the philosophy that a gem should live where it''s going to be seen and admired, which for you means a ring. Given that Sally''s designs are usually very delicate and intricate, she''s perfect to bring your ideas to life. BTW, aren''t you still waiting for a spinel ring from her?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Spinel ring is actually done. Listing goes up tomorrow!

 

[packrat]

I vote quirky/bezels too! Can''t wait to see your spinel ring!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Here are some pics I took of the stones for perspective. They are very very sparkly! Diamond like dispersion.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

..

 

[MakingTheGrade]

..

 

[MakingTheGrade]

In sunlight (but still under glass because I''m not brave enough to take them out)

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Teaser pic of my spinel ring that Sally sent, the listing should be up today at some point.

 

[Indylady]

MTG, did you figure out what you''re going to do? Seeing the size in perspective makes a big difference! I think a band would be nice.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

I have a similar set (from the same vendor) that is going on a pendant.

For a ring, have you considered setting them on a vertical bar on your finger, with a 2mm split shank (you can do a large split shank, meeting the vertical bar about a third of the way up and down)?. I can see it clearly in my mind (a more modern, sleek look) but I can''t convey it in words clearly. Cery frustrating.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Haven''t figured it out yet. It got put on the back burner as I figure out a diamond project