How much (size) does a bezel REALLY *add*???

[Lula]

Hi, Lynn, I, too, have been following your "Bezet-bezel" saga. I love the look of the Bezet, but I agree, the profile is a bit odd.

In my experience with bezels (I''ve had a diamond and several colored stones set in bezel designs) a bezel does make the stone look significantly larger. The .45 stone set in this setting from James Allen that I used to own made the .45 stone look huge -- close to 3/4 carat. But this setting had a thick bezel. I was not a fan of the chunky look of the setting, though. One problem with all this metal is that from the sides all you see is metal -- boring! I prefer to see more of the stone or a prettier, more dramatic profile.

The profile of most bezel settings leaves a lot to be desired, imho. Either they look like a "space helmet" as someone mentioned earlier, or they have a vintage look (James Meyer''s profiles are stunning). The problem seems to be creating a modern/contemporary bezel with an attractive profile. Why is this so hard to do?

Here''s a bezel setting I saw on the Dimend Scaasi website:
Tango

Good luck!

 

[D&T]

Date: 10/4/2009 10:10:06 AM
Author: sarap333


Here''s a bezel setting I saw on the Dimend Scaasi website:
Tango

Good luck!

love that setting!

 

[Lula]

Date: 10/4/2009 11:29:58 AM
Author: D&T

Date: 10/4/2009 10:10:06 AM

Author: sarap333



Here''s a bezel setting I saw on the Dimend Scaasi website:

Tango


Good luck!

love that setting!

I''m going to Dimend Scaasi on Weds. for the Crafted by Infinity Meet the Cutter event, so I will check out the Tango setting IRL and report back. Also, I''m sure the friend I am going with won''t mind if we stop in at Tiffany''s so I can see the Bezet.

 

[Lynn B]

Hey you guys... THANKS for all the comments, replies and links. I really appreciate it!

I am really struggling with this! I have decided that I absolutely want to do a reset... I am ready for a change, and I want to be able to put my dang e-ring in the ultrasonic and otherwise be able to keep my center stone squeaky clean.

So do I do a bezel? Or something else -- namely a simple solitaire?

Stone Hunter above likened a bezel to an "illusion" setting... and that thought is really ringing in my ears. I never really cared for those old illlusion settings... and the thoughts that I'm trying to make my stone *appear* larger than it is (simply to "fool" people) is kinda sitting heavy with me! I mean, really, it's an AGS-0 2.36 RB for pete's sake... granted, I have chronic DSS and DDS

, but even I know it doesn't need the "illusion" of size to be beautiful -- and substantial. Maybe I would do better to simply embrace the size and show it off cleanly and openly "as is" (ie, in a simple 4 or 6 prong solitaire setting)... no "tricks"! I don't know!!!

Lord knows I am not having any great success in finding a bezel that from the side says, "This is IT!" anyway. Like Sara said, the side views always seem to be so limiting.

ACK! I need a doctor!!!

**********************************************************************************

PS, ETA: Sara, I wish I could go with you to DS and T&Co! If you go, can you maybe take some pictures, please?! And I would love to hear your opinion of the round bezet once you have seen it in person!

 

[bgray]

LynnB: I dont know whay you think its bad to make it want to look bigger but it should be in a mouthwateringly beautiful mounting.........

 

[bgray]

like this OR

 

[bgray]

or this OR

 

[bgray]

this...........

 

[MissGotRocks]

How about a three or five stone setting? Nothing elaborate or paved but a couple of extra stones will give you more finger coverage. . . just a thought. There are alot of settings to choose from - maybe you need to get out and try some of them on!

You're not nearly as crazy as you think you are - and yes, your diamond is BIG and BEAUTiFUL!

 

[KittyBling]

Date: 10/4/2009 4:45:33 PM
Author: Lynn B
Hey you guys... THANKS for all the comments, replies and links. I really appreciate it!

I am really struggling with this! I have decided that I absolutely want to do a reset... I am ready for a change, and I want to be able to put my dang e-ring in the ultrasonic and otherwise be able to keep my center stone squeaky clean.

So do I do a bezel? Or something else -- namely a simple solitaire?

Stone Hunter above likened a bezel to an ''illusion'' setting... and that thought is really ringing in my ears. I never really cared for those old illlusion settings... and the thoughts that I''m trying to make my stone *appear* larger than it is (simply to ''fool'' people) is kinda sitting heavy with me! I mean, really, it''s an AGS-0 2.36 RB for pete''s sake... granted, I have chronic DSS and DDS

, but even I know it doesn''t need the ''illusion'' of size to be beautiful -- and substantial. Maybe I would do better to simply embrace the size and show it off cleanly and openly ''as is'' (ie, in a simple 4 or 6 prong solitaire setting)... no ''tricks''! I don''t know!!!

Lord knows I am not having any great success in finding a bezel that from the side says, ''This is IT!'' anyway. Like Sara said, the side views always seem to be so limiting.

ACK! I need a doctor!!!

**********************************************************************************

PS, ETA: Sara, I wish I could go with you to DS and T&Co! If you go, can you maybe take some pictures, please?! And I would love to hear your opinion of the round bezet once you have seen it in person!

I have just two words for u..... Mark Morrell!!!

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 10/4/2009 5:15:23 PM
Author: MissGotRocks
How about a three or five stone setting? Nothing elaborate or paved but a couple of extra stones will give you more finger coverage. . . just a thought. There are alot of settings to choose from - maybe you need to get out and try some of them on!

You're not nearly as crazy as you think you are - and yes, your diamond is BIG and BEAUTiFUL!

You know, I have thought about that... and...well... I already have 2 killer studs, each about .75 that would look awesome!!!

I have toyed with the idea... and I love it... and I think it's probably inevitable somewhere down the line

... but who knows when???!! Sooner? Later? In between???! But honestly, it is a very appealing idea! So... do you have any ideas for me in swimming around in that pretty little head of yours?!!

Lord help me! I am telling you guys, I am sicksicksick!!!

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 10/4/2009 6:05:48 PM
Author: KittyBling

I have just two words for u..... Mark Morrell!!!

Yeah... or Leon... if he wasn''t such a doodie!!!

 

[bgray]

Date: 10/4/2009 6:52:32 PM
Author: Lynn B

Date: 10/4/2009 6:05:48 PM

Author: KittyBling


I have just two words for u..... Mark Morrell!!!

Yeah... or Leon... if he wasn't such a doodie!!!

he is a doodie -there are plenty just as good. have you looked at mctiegue and mclelland? their rings are unbelievable-they did mine

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 10/4/2009 7:16:14 PM
Author: bgray


... have you looked at mctiegue and mclelland? their rings are unbelievable-they did mine

No, I haven''t. Can you possibly provide the links, please? Thank you!

 

[bgray]

http://www.mc2jewels.com/

They are the most fanatical I have ever worked with regarding the perfection of the finished product and the quality of the stones and materials. I have worked with Quest Jewelers, Leon Mege, Whiteflash (Brian and Lesley), and James Allen.......Walter McTiegue and Tim Mclelland are unbelievable. For what its worth the website photos do not come close to doing their work justice.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Date: 10/4/2009 6:48:09 PM
Author: Lynn B

Date: 10/4/2009 5:15:23 PM
Author: MissGotRocks
How about a three or five stone setting? Nothing elaborate or paved but a couple of extra stones will give you more finger coverage. . . just a thought. There are alot of settings to choose from - maybe you need to get out and try some of them on!

You''re not nearly as crazy as you think you are - and yes, your diamond is BIG and BEAUTiFUL!

You know, I have thought about that... and...well... I already have 2 killer studs, each about .75 that would look awesome!!!

I have toyed with the idea... and I love it... and I think it''s probably inevitable somewhere down the line

... but who knows when???!! Sooner? Later? In between???! But honestly, it is a very appealing idea! So... do you have any ideas for me in swimming around in that pretty little head of yours?!!

Lord help me! I am telling you guys, I am sicksicksick!!!

Well, .75 sides would make a huge ring paired with your stone! How about if you contact BGD and float the idea out there with them? If you have all of the stones, you just need a master craftsman to put it all together for you. Are you sure you want to give up your earrings for a three stone ring though? Tell them you would like to make more of an impact with your 2.36 stone and see what they suggest!

 

[luv2sparkle]

Hey Lynn- I have a suggestion for you. When I upgraded my stone, I was not sure what I wanted so I asked Brian and Lesley for an inexpensive temporary
setting and Lesley directed me to a site called Unique Settings of New York. They had a lot of bezel and most times you can see the side view. They will do
gold, platinum or palladium. My setting was about 450-500 if I remember correctly. You could try a bezel even in white gold and see if you like it.

It''s not like it''s free, but it''s not a huge outlay either. Wear it for a while and if you want to you can reset to your original. My setting is a semi bezel and the
band might be a little thick for you but I know they had others. I am sure they have a close copy of the bezet. I am really lame at this posting pic thing
but I am sure B & L have a photo of my setting. Brian didn''t actually make it, so they didn''t post it to their site.

Cant wait to see what you come up with.

 

[luv2sparkle]

Okay Lynn, I found what I think you are looking for. Unique Settings of New York, #ENR8960 for your size diamond. I have ENR7246. I think it''s pretty close.

 

[luv2sparkle]

One more thing, B & L would order it for you and Brian would set it. At least that is how they did it for me.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 10/4/2009 6:48:09 PM
Author: Lynn B

Date: 10/4/2009 5:15:23 PM
Author: MissGotRocks
How about a three or five stone setting? Nothing elaborate or paved but a couple of extra stones will give you more finger coverage. . . just a thought. There are alot of settings to choose from - maybe you need to get out and try some of them on!

You're not nearly as crazy as you think you are - and yes, your diamond is BIG and BEAUTiFUL!

You know, I have thought about that... and...well... I already have 2 killer studs, each about .75 that would look awesome!!!

I have toyed with the idea... and I love it... and I think it's probably inevitable somewhere down the line

... but who knows when???!! Sooner? Later? In between???! But honestly, it is a very appealing idea! So... do you have any ideas for me in swimming around in that pretty little head of yours?!!

Lord help me! I am telling you guys, I am sicksicksick!!!

Of all the ideas, I LOVE this one the best, but because I'm selfish and am considering making a three-stone ring of more or less the same proportions as your three stones, he he!

Seriously, if you want a HUGE, SUBSTANTIAL look and you don't mind giving up yr studs for a while, that *is* the route I'd take if I were you.

Like someone else said, you needn't spend a whole load of $$$ either. I think you can easily get a three-stone setting in 18k WG (nothing too fancy, ie. no micropave or halo or anything like that) for a few hundred dollars and if you decide down the road you miss your solitaire and studs, you can have them reset into the original setting (and perhaps have s.o. cut some gemstones for the three-stone setting so it won't go to waste).

Honestly, if my two sidestones were a good match (ie. without having to be recut), I'd have a local jeweller reset them and my 3-ct into a three-stone setting in a heartbeat!

INSTANT BLING GRATIFICATION!!

 

[Lula]

Wow, a lot has happened on this thread since I last checked in.

I was going to say, sure, Lynn, I'll be glad to check out the Bezet and Tango (and take photos if possible) when I'm Chicago on Wednesday, but now I have to say, I love the idea of a three stone!!!

Your diamond is lovely and your fingers are so small -- I think a three-stone would be a nice inoculation against DSS.

There are so many beautiful 3 stone designs; you'd have a great time comparing designs from vendors.

I have to say, I am a bezel girl, I love bezels, but it does really bug me that the profiles are so boring, and, often, "weird," too. I mean, if Tiffany can't figure out how not to make it look like a space helmet, who can?

And having worn bezel settings, I find it annoying that the "view" I have of the ring when looking down at my hand is not so pretty

The exceptions I've seen are Glitterata's new ring (for her S color Infinity) made by Julia Taylor, and anything by James Meyer. But again, these bezels have more of an "old world" look to them -- they're not contemporary imho.

ETA: And elle-chris's Sholdt is another example of bezel that is beautiful from all sides -- and is contemporary in design -- but the bezel is very thin, as she mentions. It would be cool if Sholdt did that design with a slightly thicker bezel.

 

[melz]

How about something like this Lynn? 3 stone, with half-bezels to let more light in ..... I''m sort of loving it.

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/sholdt-jewelry/rings/02ZZ1/28/

 

[luv2sparkle]

wow, i love that sholdt, but that thing is 5K! yikes! For me that would be a ''make darn sure it''s forever'' setting! Although with Lynn''s earring stones it would
be less for sure.

 

[1981]

Hi Lynn,

I stumbled across your topic awhile ago. I just had an OEC placed in a bezel setting for my girlfriend. The original mounting was prong set. Anyway, here is a link to my bezel set thread. The stone is 1.28 ct if that helps you decide if the bezel adds size. I''m honestly unsure.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/as-promised-here-is-the-ring.126755/

 

[Lynn B]

LOL, you guys are the best!!! I just got done checking out and looking over every link and suggestion. THANK YOU!

I swear, I should just hand you guys over my checkbook and let you do it for me!!!

OK... I am thinking it all over.

Some of those semi-bezels are really pretty... but for me, I think it needs to be a full bezel, or no bezel at all. I''m just weird that way, I guess!

The idea of a 3 stone is rather exciting... and like I said, I HAVE considered it on more than one occasion! Buuuuut, I''m not sure I am ready to give up the studs -- yet! I think maybe the 3 stone idea should go on the back burner for now, and maybe I can plan on that being my *NEXT!* reset after this one!

I just keep coming back to the idea of a simple solitaire and a plain plat w-band. I guess that''s what I am jonesing for -- (right now!)

Now will that solitaire be a BEZEL? Or a 4-prong? *THAAAAAT* is the $64,000 question!!!

And *I dunno!*

 

[KittyBling]

Demelza's solitaire set is one of the most beautiful ones on PS imo

I knw u said bezel or 4 prong but honestly I think that 6 prongs visually makes a diamond look slightly larger than 4 prongs for some reason. I have 2 fakey round 2ct rings at home that I bought once for a 'Glamorous' dress up party and 1 is a 4 prong silver setting and the other is 6 prong. Side by side the 6 prong looks rounder than the 4 prong and slightly bigger even though both are the same size... just something to think about