How should I set my round stone into a pendant?

[peonygirl]

I''m debating between a bezel-setting or a basket-setting, and I''d even be interested in other suggestions. The stone is a .94 carat OEC SI I. There are a very tiny abrasions/chips on the girdle that can be seen under a 10x magnification, so that may affect your suggestions. Thanks so much!

 

[slammie]

I personally love the prong setting which I have. But, it does at times move away from the center position which bugs me sometimes. With the bezel you won't have this problem since the chain will run through the setting. If you do have the girdle issues and it is eye visible you might want to consider the bezel. I doubt anyone will notice those chips on your neck though unless they are close enough to smooch ya!

 

[Kaleigh]

peony,
Since it''s an OEC ( I love them ) with tiny abrasions I would have it bezel set. I would want the stone to be protected,

 

[peonygirl]

Thanks for replies! What do you think about these two pendants?

http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=5058&filter_id=5

http://www.whiteflash.com/Fine-jewelry/Pendants/Full-bezel-pendant_669.htm

I trust Whiteflash, but their version of the pendant looks kinda bulky when you click zoom. My budget is about $150, but I''m guessing WF could make the pendant for me in white gold which would be cheaper than platinum.

 

[MissAva]

I guess it depends on the length of chain you want, mine was the top of your budget and had a 15" chain and was not a bezel which will require more metal.

 

[coda72]

I had Whiteflash''s bezel pendant, and I didn''t like it, so I sent it back and got the 3 prong setting. You''re right, it''s too bulky and looks like a little barrel when you get it because it''s so thick. Plus, it was so heavy, that it seems that it would be flipping on the chain a lot. I like the 3 prong setting. It doesn''t flip, and the prongs are very tiny.

 

[peonygirl]

Thanks for your feedback! If I do go for the prong setting, should I get a 3 or 4 prong setting? Is there a clear advantage to one? Thanks!

 

[peonygirl]

SanDiegoLady, I actually like the Blue Nile bezel design more too, but they won''t sell me just the setting. Ugh.

 

[Mara]

thats really odd PG...i was eyeing up the BN bezel last year and it was for sale on it''s own...can you just try to put it in your cart and see if the sale goes through? that''s really odd they won''t just sell the setting, what is it like $175?!

 

[peonygirl]

Mara, BN actually won''t allow me to put it into my cart period. Too bad because it''s only $150 there.

 

[strmrdr]

What is the mm size of the diamond?
If its close to a standard size you can check www.stuller.com for a setting almost any jeweler can get.

 

[coda72]

I have never had the 4 prong setting, but I like the 3 prong setting a lot. It doesn''t seem to flip much at all or slide around on my neck. I think one person said the 4 prong flips around a bit. The only thing I would do differently is maybe get a longer chain. The 3 prong setting comes with a 16 inch chain, and I''m used to 18 inch chains. It''s a bit difficult getting used to the shorter chain. But I''m not about to send my diamond and setting back again! When I trade up the diamond, I may get the 18 inch chain at that time.

 

[eks6426]

I have the WF 3 prong setting too. I had them make it with an 18" chain with a jump ring at 16 1/2". I wear it most at the 16 1/2" but it''s nice to have the option of going longer....just so you know you''re not locked into the standard chain length.

What about Wink? He does custom stuff?

 

[bstraszheim]

I have the WF 4 prong setting and I do not find that it flips. (I actually really like the symmetry of the four prong and it goes fine with my 3 prong martini set earrings, which I understand the design of the martini earrings works better for the way they sit on the ears needing only 3 prongs.) I got a 16.5" chain and have a 2 inch extender and I find I wear it most at the 18.5" length. I may eventually send it back to have the chain extended, but I like the options of wearing at the 16.5" or the 18.5" lengths. Plus a bonus of wearing it at the 18.5" length is that I can look down and admire my beautiful diamond-throwing-sparkles anytime I want : )

With regard to bezel vs a prong basket setting, pendants are not something that get bashed around a lot, like a ring, so if the damage is done, I don't think you will incur more damage by setting it in a prong basket setting. If you were looking to set it into a ring, I would say bezel, but I don't think that will be a problem with a pendant.

Oh and I think your avatar is very beautiful.

I wish you well,

Bridget

 

[Patty]

Date: 2/1/2006 6:17:39 AM
Author: coda72
I have never had the 4 prong setting, but I like the 3 prong setting a lot. It doesn''t seem to flip much at all or slide around on my neck. I think one person said the 4 prong flips around a bit. The only thing I would do differently is maybe get a longer chain. The 3 prong setting comes with a 16 inch chain, and I''m used to 18 inch chains. It''s a bit difficult getting used to the shorter chain. But I''m not about to send my diamond and setting back again! When I trade up the diamond, I may get the 18 inch chain at that time.

Coda, you could get a 2" chain extender and then wear it as 18" or 16".

 

[coda72]

Date: 2/1/2006 9:53:52 AM
Author: Patty
Coda, you could get a 2'' chain extender and then wear it as 18'' or 16''.

That sounds like a good idea. I wonder if Whiteflash can sell me one of those?

 

[bstraszheim]

I had my extender made by a local jeweller, 18k with a jump ring at the 1" and 2" position and it cost all of $25. Very versatile for all of my neclaces.

I wish you well,

Bridget

 

[just_looking!]

Any chance of pics of the 3 prong setting showing the front and also how the chain attaches at the back?

I''m debating between getting a pair of diamond studs and a 3 prong pendant at the moment. I''ve spotted a stone I really like so the pendant is winning so far!

Which metal did you go for in the end and how much was the chain and fittings?

 

[AGBF]

Date: 1/30/2006 12:07:06 AM
Author: slammie
I personally love the prong setting which I have. But, it does at times move away from the center position which bugs me sometimes. With the bezel you won''t have this problem since the chain will run through the setting.

The chain need not run through the setting with a bezel. (I do not like pendants which have the chain run through them...which means I do not like many of the Tiffany pendants!) One can have a bezel setting with a bale. My pendant is a half bezel, which I like very much!

Deb

 

[AGBF]

Here is a photo (albeit not a great one) of my diamond pendant. As you can see, the diamond is in a half-bezel setting with a bale. I wear it on a necklace of thin yellow gold wires, but can change that if I ever wish a diffeent look since it is on the bale! My stone is around 2.10 carats.

Deb

 

[coda72]

Date: 2/21/2006 5:20:27 AM
Author: just_looking!
Any chance of pics of the 3 prong setting showing the front and also how the chain attaches at the back?

I''m debating between getting a pair of diamond studs and a 3 prong pendant at the moment. I''ve spotted a stone I really like so the pendant is winning so far!

Which metal did you go for in the end and how much was the chain and fittings?

I haven''t been too successful at getting pics of my necklace, but I will try to get some today. I really like the 3 prong setting; the only thing I would advise is that you get an 18 inch chain with a jump ring. I have the 16 inch chain and I''m used to wearing 18 inch chains, so I wish I would have done the 18 inch one. I got platinum because I didn''t want to have to worry about the chain ever turning color on me. I think the chain and setting was $350. I''m sure white gold is much cheaper.