How to camouflage an open culet in a rectangular step cut stone

[Dee*Jay]

So I've come across a vintage stone that is kinda speaking to me, but it's got a slightly large open culet. I am not a fan of seeing my finger through the stone. If the selling had a sold piece of platinum under the gallery, it would just reflect the white metal up through the stone and look ok... yes? (She asks hopefully!) Thoughts, ideas, all are welcome!

 

[Wewechew]

Could you have a cutter modify the culet?

 

[rockysalamander]

Yes. You can use a cup to make the skin not visible. Just make sure to leave openings to allow cleaning and draining fluids out. Here a thread about using a cup to enhance color, but the concept is the same. Another option is if the culet of the stone can be aligned over a solid shank.

Cup https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/color-enhancement-cup.235049/
Solid shank https://thegemstoneproject.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/img_0898.jpg

 

[the_mother_thing]

Can you post a pic of the diamond? Maybe you could have another stone set in the donut of the setting under the diamond's culet ... either another small diamond or perhaps a colored stone that complements the diamond color (e.g. if it is a lower color, maybe a pale yellow or light pink).

I toyed with this idea a bit when deciding on a setting for my OEC as it has a large-ish culet. I will see if I can dig up the pics I took that show what the result might have looked like. I will post them if I can find them, if you might like to see.

 

[Wewechew]

Can you post a pic of the diamond? Maybe you could have another stone set in the donut of the setting under the diamond's culet ... either another small diamond or perhaps a colored stone that complements the diamond color (e.g. if it is a lower color, maybe a pale yellow or light pink).

I toyed with this idea a bit when deciding on a setting for my OEC as it has a large-ish culet. I will see if I can dig up the pics I took that show what the result might have looked like. I will post them if I can find them, if you might like to see.

I love this idea!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Running out so not a lot of time to respond, but want to reply to the idea of putting a diamond under the culet. It is a rectangular stone so the culet is keel shaped... I don't think the under-diamond idea would work unfortunately. It if were round or square I'd be all over this concept!

Be back later!

 

[the_mother_thing]

Here are the two pics I took, simulating a colored stone under the diamond, to see how the color may look at if it would reflect back, around the diamond, etc. These weren’t the colors I was aiming to use - I was leaning toward a very pale yellow; it was just so I could see them better so I used bright-ish colored paper. But it gives you an idea of how it might look depending on the size & shape of your culet.

 

[the_mother_thing]

Running out so not a lot of time to respond, but want to reply to the idea of putting a diamond under the culet. It is a rectangular stone so the culet is keel shaped... I don't think the under-diamond idea would work unfortunately. It if were round or square I'd be all over this concept!

Be back later!

Even if the donut were also keel shaped? I would think another small EC could work, but I could be wrong.

 

[Karl_K]

enamel in your color of choice under the stone :}

 

[rockysalamander]

enamel in your color of choice under the stone :}

Great idea!

 

[Niel]

Why would you wanna hide it?? I love an open culet

 

[foxinsox]

How big is it? I can’t see skin through the culet of my OEC as it gets lost in the sparkle and facets. Chances are you won’t see it as anything other than a dark keel once the stone is set

 

[KKJohnson]

I had my reset cupped with 18k yellow gold because my diamond is an O/P color so yellow gold worked best.

Terrible keel line



After cupping, huge difference and the keel line is basically invisible

 

[WinkHPD]

Here are the two pics I took, simulating a colored stone under the diamond, to see how the color may look at if it would reflect back, around the diamond, etc. These weren’t the colors I was aiming to use - I was leaning toward a very pale yellow; it was just so I could see them better so I used bright-ish colored paper. But it gives you an idea of how it might look depending on the size & shape of your culet.

Interesting concept Mother_Thing. I fear that with a larger diamond, the height of the stone necessary to mount a stone underneath it is going to be VERY tall.

Wink

 

[tyty333]

I've had this image forever...I'm pretty sure it belongs to a PSer but I dont know who. If it is your's and you
dont want it posted please let me know and I'll take it down.

I always thought this was such a pretty cup.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Thank you so much for the replies and ideas.

It is possible (as foxinsox said) that I won't really notice the culet with all the other stuff going on... I guess I will have to wait and see. But...

The cup idea is interesting, and probably a better solution that what I was envisioning.

KK, the cup worked out GREAT with your ring -- I may end up sharing your pics with the designer if you don't mind. I also love the cup you posted Tyty.

I do like the diamond-under-the-culet concept, but Wink's point about the height of the ring is well taken.

The enamel idea is also cool, and I will think that over.

Niel, for some reason I've just never been a fan... You'd think a love of old stones would include an affinity for an open culet, but for me it just didn't translate to that...

The mother thing -- love the pics with the post its! Just yesterday I mocked up a band and stuck it on my finger to see the size. It always makes me feel better to see other people doing stuff like this too!

 

[WinkHPD]

I will say for sure that I want to see what you decide and especially some good photos of the finished piece.

Wink

 

[foxinsox]

I will second the request for photos - not just of the finished piece but the stone you’re considering!!

 

[KKJohnson]

Thank you so much for the replies and ideas.

It is possible (as foxinsox said) that I won't really notice the culet with all the other stuff going on... I guess I will have to wait and see. But...

The cup idea is interesting, and probably a better solution that what I was envisioning.

KK, the cup worked out GREAT with your ring -- I may end up sharing your pics with the designer if you don't mind. I also love the cup you posted Tyty.

I do like the diamond-under-the-culet concept, but Wink's point about the height of the ring is well taken.

The enamel idea is also cool, and I will think that over.

Niel, for some reason I've just never been a fan... You'd think a love of old stones would include an affinity for an open culet, but for me it just didn't translate to that...

The mother thing -- love the pics with the post its! Just yesterday I mocked up a band and stuck it on my finger to see the size. It always makes me feel better to see other people doing stuff like this too!

Here is the CAD for my cup, it has two very very small holes on each side to allow for easy cleaning. Most cups have one hole directly where the culet is but DK suggested the sides and I haven’t had any issues with oil or dirt buildup. This is what if I am not mistaken they call an open design as opposed to a closed one just being able to have the stone cleaned.

 

[Dee*Jay]

KK, thanks for the CAD, that's very helpful. I've got another idea too, which I will mock up using a different piece of jewelry and a post it note and see what people think.

Wink and Fox, there's a small twist in this... I am really just interested in the stone and I have (perhaps too many) ideas about a permanent setting, BUT since the loose stone didn't sell the vendor is having it made into a ring. That's not the worst thing in the world since I would have had to get it in a temp setting anyway for Travelers to insure it (they won't do it loose), and the setting isn't terribly expensive, so I'll take it in that and spend some time with it before going ahead with a custom setting. Going to see it -- and presumably buy it! -- next Friday in NY.

 

[lambskin]

I am not a fan of obvious cutlets so I would not buy the stone...a real deal breaker for me. If the stone is not exactly what you want, all of the attempts at hiding, masking,and/or minimizing the cutlet by setting is really not going to cure the big cutlet. Plus this 'curative' setting may not be the setting that you really want for the ring. Either you love the stone as is or not. I would look at other EC for comparison.

 

[WinkHPD]

KK, thanks for the CAD, that's very helpful. I've got another idea too, which I will mock up using a different piece of jewelry and a post it note and see what people think.

Wink and Fox, there's a small twist in this... I am really just interested in the stone and I have (perhaps too many) ideas about a permanent setting, BUT since the loose stone didn't sell the vendor is having it made into a ring. That's not the worst thing in the world since I would have had to get it in a temp setting anyway for Travelers to insure it (they won't do it loose), and the setting isn't terribly expensive, so I'll take it in that and spend some time with it before going ahead with a custom setting. Going to see it -- and presumably buy it! -- next Friday in NY.

Good luck.