James Meyer's 1345 Setting

[cookies]

After seeing so many pictures of James Meyer's 1345 rings, I am contemplating getting one too. I really like large purple/violet/lavender/aqua blue gemstones (11mm round is my sweet spot), and was wondering if a large stone (10.5mm-ish) would look good in James Meyer's 1345 setting. Would you please share your opinion? The finger size is 7.5.

 

[heliotrope]

well to give you some idea - I have a size 7 finger and my OMC is 7.92 x 7.84mm

Jim has a few larger stones set up on his site - but mainly in the ring area and not in the setting you are after

IMO - on a larger sized finger one could go up a few mm in diameter for sure

Coati's stunning ring has a larger finger coverage - I do recall her fingers are tiny compared to mine

AJ has an amazing coloured cushion set platform style too - maybe look up her stats...??

also - it is best to chat with Jim - as he is not taking on outside stones right now - he does work with sapphires quite a bit - so maybe he will have something on hand just like what you desire...??

 

[arjunajane]

hey cookie- ditto everything heli has said. Just off hand, I think my cushion umbalite in the 1345 is ~10mm. I personally think the setting is very nicely suited to larger stones.

 

[cookies]

Thank you heliotrope and AJ. It is great to hear that his setting could work for large stones. I am also considering E-W oval, and round-ish cushion. I will try calling (or visiting) him next week, and see what he will say.

 

[arjunajane]

Thank you heliotrope and AJ. It is great to hear that his setting could work for large stones. I am also considering E-W oval, and round-ish cushion. I will try calling (or visiting) him next week, and see what he will say.

You're welcome Cookie - actually, I think it is one of those settings that suits larger stones more so than smaller ones, jmho...
as heli said, the proportions of Coati's original one look awesome.

My vote would be the round-ish cushion, and I love lavender/violet stones; very jealous that you are close enough to visit him in person!
Please keep us updated, I'd like to hear how your project goes - may I ask is this for a RHR or engagement ring?

 

[cookies]

I just found Coati's ring in the bezel ring thread -- OMG! I am totally sold! I have to get something like that, especially the great finger coverage.

AJ - I am already engaged and have an aqua halo E-ring, so the new ring will be a RHR ring. Oh wait, maybe I could wear it as my W-ring, or pair it with a W-band? Luckily, my left ring finger has the same size as my right ring finger, so I can decide later. But I will keep you posted

 

[minousbijoux]

Hi and thanks for this thread. As many of us do, I have several loose stones that I have been looking to mount. I can't believe it, but somehow I had never been to the James Meyer website and seen all his beautiful settings. So here is my question: is there a way just to buy the setting, or do you know of other places where I could find similar, simple elegant, bezel and not too much bling settings?

Thanks,
-M

 

[heliotrope]

Hey Minousbijioux

Jim's work is all hand forged - he is a true artisan in many ways and works to create a piece that is in harmony with the stone

as I mentioned before - he is not really taking on outside stones any more as he wishes to focus on his own work as well as his sketches and etchings (print making)

are you after bezel settings in particular...?? (I don't think I have seen a single prong in any of Jim's work)

 

[minousbijoux]

Cookie: sorry to borrow your thread for a second.

Heliotrope: I am looking for settings that have little or no diamond accents, instead having the focus of the ring be the center stone. James Meyer's settings all seem to accomplish that, in a delicate, understated but elegant way. I love prong settings as well, but its not often you see handmade prong settings that have some individuality without diamond accents. Any thoughts you have would be great.

Cookie: thanks for the thread, and I'm in total agreement that the 1345 is delicate and beautiful.

-Minou

 

[arjunajane]

hey bijoux, I am not Heli but I totally hear you on the mounts minus diamond accents, so perhaps I can help. My very first suggestion to you is check out Etsy.com, there are many talented jewellers on there who can do good bezel work. Check out the 'etsy thread' over in the jewellery forum of PS, where everyone posts new items and good jewellers from etsy they discover. I can personally very highly recommend Julia Kay Taylor (if you do a quick search she has many very satisfied PS clients, also referred to as JKT), who does her business through etsy and has a reputation for exemplary bezel work I hope this gives you somewhere to start -apologies I cant link you right now as I'm on my phone, but if you have any more questions pls feel free.

 

[minousbijoux]

AJ:

Thanks for your help - I am definitely checking out etsy!

So am I to understand that James Meyer once accepted stones from customers for setting, and now no longer does? Is this related to liability, or his desire to create from his own inspiration, or a little of both?

 

[cookies]

Minou, I am not sure if you are into trellis settings, but here is a simple custom 4-prong setting that I have been considering for a while: http://freecz.com/images/store/Fery-tourmaline.jpg. It's shown with two small trillion side stones (about 0.27ct each) and a large center stone (about 10.3mm in diameter). It can be custom made to fit different stone sizes. The vendor (Wink) works on customer's stones.

 

[cookies]

Minou, I am not sure if you are into trellis settings, but here is a simple custom 4-prong setting that I have been considering for a while: http://freecz.com/images/store/Fery-tourmaline.jpg. It's shown with two small trillion side stones (about 0.27ct each) and a large center stone (about 10.3mm in diameter). It can be custom made to fit different stone sizes. The vendor (Wink) works on customer's stones.

I just realized that I would have to postpone the purchase of either 1345 or 3-stone trellis setting, as I cannot get two rings in one year. I love them both.. Which one shall I get first?

 

[pixies]

Cookie: I was curious if you've received a quote yet (or anyone else who has submitted a quote request to JM). I submitted a quote request to James, Caleb, and Ann today and was wondering how long it will take to get a response. I don't want to thread-jack, but was just curious how long it takes. I read in another JM thread that he has a really long waiting list, and it can be a while before a quote request is responded to. Then I saw this thread where it was stated that he is no longer using customer's stones just as I was rounding up OEC candidates for a three stone ring. I hope I haven't waited too long to get my dream ring! I'm already married so I'm not in a rush to have a ring made, I am just hoping he's not to swamped to take on new work. I hope your project works out!

I love the 1345 that you are considering and would have that ring made first. While lovely, I feel like many PS vendors could make the other ring you posted whereas there is only one James Meyer. Even when he is compared to other designers working in a similar style, I feel like there is something different about his rings. When I'm looking at Ann McCay's catalog before I even read the captions I know which pieces are his. His proportions are spot-on and even the heftier rings seem delicate. Caleb and Ann make lovely rings as well but each of them have their own styles and a different feel. I'd chose them for a project in their niche (both of them make amazing three stone rings). I also requested a quote for the solitaire 1345 (in addition to the three stone version of this ring), and I just can't imagine anyone else producing anything that can touch it design/execution wise. If I can't/don't get the 1345 solitaire from James I wouldn't want a similar style from anyone else. I would just chose a different style. I wouldn't move forward with the other project you are considering unless you'd like to chance James Meyer not taking on projects down the line once you are ready(the same could be said for any designer, as most retire at some point ). Sorry for rambling. I've been debating which direction to go in for my project, and that was the logic I used for making my decision. Hope that helps!

 

[cookies]

Hi pixies, I asked him for a quote last week (for a setting very similar to 1345). He replied the next day with a quote, as well as pictures of a few stones he picked out for me. One of his stones has the exact shape and color I want, but is smaller than I asked. Then he said he would look around at his dealers for something that might interest me. It's been two days since then. I know exactly how frustrating the wait is -- I keep refreshing my mailbox just to see if he has replied. Hopefully he will provide you a quote soon!

You are right that he no longer takes customer's stone. From what I have read/seen so far on PS, he has great taste in stones. I would trust him in finding a wonderful gem for me. Once he finds it, I guess it will take him a few weeks to finish the ring, but I am in no rush either.

I totally agree on that his settings have some unique attributes that cannot be easily replicated. I have my whole heart set on his setting, and would not look else where unless he could not find a stone for me, in which case I would probably contact some of the reputable custom gem cutters to cut something that meets all or most of my preferences, and think about the setting later.