Last minute advice - pendant setting

[gailrmv]

I hope I am not annoying anyone with all my questions about my pendant.... but.... I need to finalize my setting decision in the next couple hours and wanted any more advice you guys have.

Everyone at WF has been great, very informative and quick to respond to my concerns. I am buying a J, SI2 stone of .40 carats. I chose this stone thinking I would put it in a bezel. I really like bezel settings. Anyway, I really wanted the setting to be smooth on the side, with no grooves. Just found out that the standard bezel that WF uses has grooves on the side for diamonds of this size, and I don't care for that look.

They are able to obtain a sliding bezel from Stuller that has smooth sides. I'll attach a pic if I am able. I like the way this looks from the stuller pic. There will be a few day delay, but no big deal in the scheme of things.

However, while finding out all this info, I started thinking more about the martini setting. Looking over some pics on PS, I really like it. I love that floating diamond look. Also, it will match my earrings. And, a few people on PS changed from bezel to martini to combat flipping. But I'm not quite sure what to do.

Bezel setting will make the stone look bigger and will hide the side view (since it's a J).

Martini setting will show more of the diamond, and will appear to float on my neck.

But is the stone going to look tiny? I'm tall and not petitely built - don't want it to "get lost" on me.

The cost is similar between the two. Well, the martini is about $60 more, but not a big deal in the scheme of things.

THOUGHTS???

 

[chrono]

I have done both. I love the pronged look because it really looked like it was just floating on my neck. However, it looked a lot bigger with the bezel. My compromise is to get a really thin bezel to get the best of both worlds.

 

[gailrmv]

Bezel setting from Stuller (I''d choose White Gold)

 

[gailrmv]

Thanks Chrono! I wish I could go there in person and see all the options... sometimes it''s tough looking at all these highly magnified pics.

I am leaning towards the 3 prong at the moment but I think I''d be happy with either. Do I want a more delicate or more substantial look, that is the question!

 

[gailrmv]

Photo from Picollascimmia that shows how the bezel enhances the stone's size... she was deciding between the two. I think they are similar sized stones. Both great looks! Martini is from WF and bezel is from BN.

 

[snlee]

It''s ultimately your decision on which look you prefer. But I think I''d go with a bezel setting for that size stone since it''ll make it look bigger. I also remember you saying how you really love the bezel look. However, if you decide to go with a martini setting (which I think would look great too!), don''t worry about the stone being a J. You won''t notice the color since it''s on your neck.

 

[chrono]

Date: 5/31/2007 3:48:42 PM
Author: gailrmv
Bezel setting from Stuller (I''d choose White Gold)

Urgh. I saw that bezel in person while changing my pendant setting from prong set to bezel set. Fugly and clunky. I''d pass on it.

 

[gailrmv]

my original inspiration piece, the tiffany bezel set solitaire

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 5/31/2007 3:53:38 PM
Author: Chrono

Date: 5/31/2007 3:48:42 PM
Author: gailrmv
Bezel setting from Stuller (I''d choose White Gold)

Urgh. I saw that bezel in person while changing my pendant setting from prong set to bezel set. Fugly and clunky. I''d pass on it.

Thank you Chrono, that''s extremely helpful. Can you suggest another bezel that is more graceful?

 

[chrono]

Are you looking for a slider style or will it be permanently attached to the chain?

 

[gailrmv]

If this will post, here is the bezel setting that WF typically uses for stones of my size. It looks awesome from the front, but I don't care for the side view. Perhaps I am being too picky but it seems from the photo that the back is quite long/deep. I'm very particular about side views! I don't think this photo is from Bridget S, but I do recall that she has the same bezel setting and had problems with it flipping on account of the depth.

This belongs to a PS member and I did not save that person's name to properly acknowledge the photo. I hope that it is OK for me to repost and I hope that you are not angry with me for what I said about the side view. (Taste is so individual!)

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 5/31/2007 3:55:46 PM
Author: Chrono
Are you looking for a slider style or will it be permanently attached to the chain?

Either way is OK with me. My preferences:

thin bezel
Smooth sides
not too deep
Not a "custom" job so that I can return it if necessary
will not have a problem with constant flipping

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 5/31/2007 3:52:30 PM
Author: snlee
It''s ultimately your decision on which look you prefer. But I think I''d go with a bezel setting for that size stone since it''ll make it look bigger. I also remember you saying how you really love the bezel look. However, if you decide to go with a martini setting (which I think would look great too!), don''t worry about the stone being a J. You won''t notice the color since it''s on your neck.

Thanks, SNLee!

 

[chrono]

Mine is a regular Stuller (I think) that looks like the WF bezel with the thin line at the back. Maybe it's the magnified pictures but mine isn't deep at all. In fact, if I purposely poke my finger into the open back, my nail scrapes the culet and I keep my nails short.

ETA
Looking at the WF picture again, the line seem quite wide. On my pendant, the line is only a fingernail thickness or less. It is super narrow.

 

[gailrmv]

Another WF bezel belonging to another PS member - I apologize I did not save the name.

I really like this look, but this particular setting is not available for a .40 diamond.

I guess another option is to get the bezel that WF can do standard (as I posted above), and see if I like it better in person than in the highly magnified pic.

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 5/31/2007 4:03:57 PM
Author: Chrono
Mine is a regular Stuller (I think) that looks like the WF bezel with the thin line at the back. Maybe it's the magnified pictures but mine isn't deep at all. In fact, if I purposely poke my finger into the open back, my nail scrapes the culet and I keep my nails short.

ETA
Looking at the WF picture again, the line seem quite wide. On my pendant, the line is only a fingernail thickness or less. It is super narrow.

Chrono, that is interesting! My husband suggested that the setting might have a standard depth, with the diameter changing to accomodate various stone sizes. Thus, as the size of the diamond scaled up, the back would be proportionately less deep. I'm not sure if this makes any sense, but since my stone is on the smaller side, I might end up with the very deep, barrel-like proportions. It's so hard to tell from pics. Also, in the Stuller catalogue online, most of the bezels show only a front view, so it's nearly impossible to see what the side would look like. I think that may be why I'm leaning martini - it's more of a sure thing (the side view).

 

[chrono]

Gail,
Why not this one from WF?

Thread here:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-small-beauty-bezel-set-aca-pendant.45391/

 

[canuk-gal]

I have always admired AGBF''s half bezel pendant (there are other variations of half bezels that I also like....)

cheers--Sharon

 

[gailrmv]

Chrono,
Ah, I recognize that - Mara's sister's! Love it!!!
It's not the setting that they offer as part of their standard repertoire. (It's a stuller that was modified.) I don't want to go custom b/c I want to be able to return the necklace if needed without the restocking fee. This is very important to me, since I haven't seen the stone first. The stock stuller setting of that size doesn't show a side view photo...

Canuk-girl - thanks for posting that picture, it's lovely! I'm pretty sure I want to go either full bezel or martini though. Thanks again for sharing the pic!

 

[chrono]

I did a quick check on my pendant which I am now wearing.
The stone measures 4.85 x 4.88 x 2.96 mm
The bezel depth measures 4 mm
So, you can see that it really isn''t all that deep, just a 1 mm difference. I''m going to see if I can find the catalog number for you.

 

[gailrmv]

I would really appreciate that Chrono! Thank you!

Date: 5/31/2007 4:19:02 PM
Author: Chrono
I did a quick check on my pendant which I am now wearing.
The stone measures 4.85 x 4.88 x 2.96 mm
The bezel depth measures 4 mm
So, you can see that it really isn''t all that deep, just a 1 mm difference. I''m going to see if I can find the catalog number for you.

 

[chrono]

Gail,
I checked Stuller and could not find it.

I wonder if it is considered custom because my jeweller put a large bail on it? It was just a bezel with no jump rings and such. She put a bail on it so that my thicker chain can go through it. Do you still want me to follow up on this? I have to leave now. I''ll catch up with you tomorrow.

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 5/31/2007 4:30:27 PM
Author: Chrono
Gail,
I checked Stuller and could not find it.

I wonder if it is considered custom because my jeweller put a large bail on it? It was just a bezel with no jump rings and such. She put a bail on it so that my thicker chain can go through it. Do you still want me to follow up on this? I have to leave now. I''ll catch up with you tomorrow.

Hi Chrono,
Thanks a lot for all of your help so far. I hate to take up more of your time and I hope to get this wrapped up today so... don''t worry about it! Thanks again for ALL your help and I will let you know how it turns out. Also, are there pics of your pendant on PS? I looked through your past threads and didn''t see it. Would love to see pics, I''m sure it is beautiful!

 

[kcoursolle]

In general, I like bezel pendants more than martini pendants because they help with the size issue. On earrings it doesn''t matter as much, but with the whole surface area of a neck, the bezel helps. However, I''m really not loving the stock setting at WF or the stuller one. Even though you want the option to return it...I''d still get a modified bezel. I''d get it super thin and get the side however you want. The stock settings are just too bulky!!

You aren''t going to want to return this, and even if you did the stone is the expensive part and you could upgrade that.

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 5/31/2007 4:47:20 PM
Author: kcoursolle
In general, I like bezel pendants more than martini pendants because they help with the size issue. On earrings it doesn't matter as much, but with the whole surface area of a neck, the bezel helps. However, I'm really not loving the stock setting at WF or the stuller one. Even though you want the option to return it...I'd still get a modified bezel. I'd get it super thin and get the side however you want. The stock settings are just too bulky!!

You aren't going to want to return this, and even if you did the stone is the expensive part and you could upgrade that.

Hi KCoursolle,
thanks a lot for posting. I agree with you, I don't love the stock setting or the stuller one either. I just emailed the photos of Mara's sister's bezel to find out what is involved with it. You'd actually be surprised at how expensive the custom mountings can be - I think I am getting a great deal on the stone, but a truly custom bezel would cost almost as much as the stone! So I hope to get good news about the semi-custom (modified stuller) setting. Who knew this would be so difficult. I am looking forward to receiving this thing!!!

 

[diamondfan]

I like the bezel myself, for a pendant...

 

[gailrmv]

Thanks everyone...
After thinking it over and looking at many pictures and asking many many questions of Vera (and you guys), I decided to order the martini pendant. I really want to get this right and like it right away and not have to mess with returns and resetting and such. When looking at people's martini set pendants, I think they are great, uniformly. I'm especially grateful to Kim N for posting so many great pics here
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-beautiful-new-k-aca-in-three-prong-martini-pendant.55875/

While I also really like the bezel setting, I just felt there were too many uncertainties with the various setting choices.... the mouse ears (how big?)... the side view... the flip factor.... and the martini sounded like more of a sure bet. Not to mention, while I'm sure most stuller purchases are good, last time I ordered something from there it looked much different than I expected and I was dissapointed. Since I would not be able to preview the stuller mounting (in person) before my order was complete, I would hate for this to happen agian. Also, while I'm disappointed that I won't get the size enhancing effect of the bezel, I'm excited that I'll get to view more of my diamond in the martini. Plus, it will match my earrings!

I expect photos on Tuesday and will post them here when I get them. Thanks a lot for your help everyone!

 

[gailrmv]

Oh, and just in case anyone is reading this thread in pursuit of their own bezel pendant... I was told that WF can do the sliding bezel that I posted (from Stuller) or the Mara's sister's bezel (also from stuller) for the same price as the standard WF bezel (currently $199 in WG, plus a bit extra since I wanted a longer chain.) They were more than willing to order these various mountings for me and I would be able to return them if needed. I did not inquire about further modifications. (I believe Mara had the bezel modified to be made thinner.)

Everyone I've spoken with has been great about answering my questions. It is just hard to do business through the mail/internet when dealing with all these details especially with limited photos. I wish I could go in person and see the various styles; I'm sure this would help a lot. I inquired at several local stores but none had much selection of bezel pendants to compare in person. Frustrating! Also, I didn't see a single martini pendant. I saw lots of big bales.

Maybe this thread will help someone in the future. I feel like I have become obsessed with details about this pendant and I need to take a step back!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/31/2007 8:15:21 PM
Author: gailrmv

I expect photos on Tuesday and will post them here when I get them. Thanks a lot for your help everyone!

Can''t wait to see it Gail!

 

[chrono]

It''s time to sit back and wait. I think you''ll be pleased with the martini style. It''s very minimal metal and is all sparkle when worn.

Perhaps when you are bitten by the bezel bug again, visit your local jeweller to see the settings. That''s how I was able to select the best bezel setting for my project. Nothing beats seeing the mountings in person.