I bought an aqua! Now to set the thing . . .

[Irishgrrrl]

Thank you to everyone who helped with my aquamarine questions! I won an auction for a Jeff Davies stone last night and I'm so excited! It's a 5.23 carat cushion and it measures 12.23 x 10.48 x 7.73. Here she is:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CUSTOM-CUT-5-23ct-AQUAMARINE-MADAGASCAR-/371792431619?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=Yy2AXBCYF5bW4QyBl9gw4Y7gj0U%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

I originally thought I wanted an emerald-cut aqua, but that cushion just spoke to me. I know it's probably not as bright blue as some aqua lovers would want, but I'm really drawn to the paler blue so I think I'll be pretty happy with this one.

Now I need to pick your brains about setting it! LOL! I found a few possibilities on eBay, but I'm VERY open to suggestions. I know it needs to be either white gold or platinum, and I prefer a vintagey look. Claw prongs are a must! Max budget for the setting would be around $1,000 (less would be great).

This one is 14k rose gold, but Alex at diamondmounts tells me they can make it for me in 14k white gold with claw prongs and upgraded (VS) diamonds for $400:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/192037149685?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

This one is from mydiamondzone, and Ilya says they can rework it to accept a larger stone at a total cost of around $700:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/172418751171?ul_noapp=true

Here are a couple more that I like, also from mydiamondzone. I haven't asked about either of them, but it seems that it would be pretty easy to rework the head to accept a larger stone.
This one is listed in 14k white gold for $419, but is also available in platinum for $825: http://www.ebay.com/itm/152329628020?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
This one is listed in 14k white gold for $259, but would probably be more like $450 to $500 after changing out the head to accommodate the larger stone: http://www.ebay.com/itm/152336252829?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Thank you for reading my novel! LOL! And thanks in advance for all your help with this! I've never bought a setting and stone separately before, so I'm relying heavily on the expertise of all you wonderful PSers!

 

[chrono]

Just confirm to make sure the setting can take a nearly 8 mm depth. Once you customize (not sure whether the ones you are considering is considered custom due to the reworking of the head), it is usually non returnable / non refundable.

 

[kellyfish]

There are some beautiful custom designers on Etsy with great feedback. Do a search for aquamarine engagement rings & lots will pop up. They usually do 14/18 k white gold, rose & yellow. This is one I'm looking at from a etsy shop called Popring

 

[kellyfish]

Here's a link to another Etsy based designer/seller who does custom work
https://www.etsy.com/listing/270618315/8mm-cushion-cut-aquamarine-ring-white
https://www.etsy.com

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Chrono - Good to know! Thanks for the heads up.

Kellyfish - The one in your pic is gorgeous, and so is the one you linked to! Thanks for the ideas!

 

[dk168]

I have not come across claw prongs in diamondmounts' eBay store, and would advise requesting for photos of previous works to be on the safe side.

I have my sight set on this one for my oval natural blue Topaz by Doug M with a wider plain comfort shank and for the centre stone to be bezel-set:



DK

 

[Irishgrrrl]

DK, that LM setting is absolutely gorgeous! I do love Leon's work.

 

[Irishgrrrl]

I decided on a setting! It's the one from diamondmounts, in platinum instead of RG. Also, we're doing larger diamonds on the halo and band, and upgrading them to F-G/VS quality. I got the CAD this evening. It will have claw prongs, although they aren't shown in the image.
I can't attach the CAD for some reason, so I'm attaching my inspiration pic instead. The finished product should look something like this, but with diamonds on the gallery as shown in the original diamondmounts setting and single claw prongs instead of double.