Last minute advice - pendant setting

[Siamese Kitty]

I know it''s a little late to chime in, but just in case anyone sees this thread in the future...

The first bezel photo you posted is the necklace I did for my mom for her birthday. She absolutely loves it, and the setting is actually quite beautiful and more delicate in person. I did, however, ask that the pendant be able to slide on the chain, and we went with a longer length (16 1/2" I think?) The diamond is a .331. She says that it doesn''t really flip much.

Compared to my own pendant, a .554 in a 3-prong martini, I have to honestly say that my mom''s pendant almost looks the same size! I love my pendant, but it does flip a little. It''s not enough to bother me though, and I think it was made better by lengthening the chain a 1/2 " from the standard length. (again 16 1/2" I think

Both are beautiful, but different looks. Honestly, I may reset mine into a bezel in the future-I just can''t help but think how much bigger it would look!

But you really can''t go wrong either way!

Congrats on your purchase Gailrmv! Can''t wait to see the final product.

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 6/1/2007 8:59:45 AM
Author: Siamese Kitty
I know it''s a little late to chime in, but just in case anyone sees this thread in the future...

The first bezel photo you posted is the necklace I did for my mom for her birthday. She absolutely loves it, and the setting is actually quite beautiful and more delicate in person. I did, however, ask that the pendant be able to slide on the chain, and we went with a longer length (16 1/2'' I think?) The diamond is a .331. She says that it doesn''t really flip much.

Compared to my own pendant, a .554 in a 3-prong martini, I have to honestly say that my mom''s pendant almost looks the same size! I love my pendant, but it does flip a little. It''s not enough to bother me though, and I think it was made better by lengthening the chain a 1/2 '' from the standard length. (again 16 1/2'' I think

Both are beautiful, but different looks. Honestly, I may reset mine into a bezel in the future-I just can''t help but think how much bigger it would look!

But you really can''t go wrong either way!

Congrats on your purchase Gailrmv! Can''t wait to see the final product.

Siamese kitty, thank you so much for chiming in. Again, I hope you are not offended that I said I did not care for the side view of your mom''s pendant. I love the front view and I am so glad that you and she love it. I am also glad that the setting is more delicate in person. I am sure it is absolutely beautiful!

Now I am second guessing my choice. I wrote back WF to "proceed" last night but with the time difference I doubt they have read it yet. It''s really the 11th hour but I wonder if I should change. DARN! I remember BridgetS had their standard bezel and didn''t like it for flipping and ended up changing to martini....

When it comes down to it, I like both looks. AAGH! I hope I don''t become one of their least favorite customers with all my questions and flip-flopping!

 

[NYCsparkle]

i like the slide bezel...the other looks like mickey mouse ears to me.

 

[Siamese Kitty]

Gail-

No offense taken in the least!

I agree that the side view looks a little sketchy in the pic!

I hope I didn''t complicate your decision! I think I drove Lesley crazy with the flipping discussion, too, but I think the reality is that either of these pendants will flip from time to time, but not enough to be troublesome (at least not for me or my mom).

The 3-prong is really elegant and does look like a floating diamond. I think you said you were getting a .4? That''s a very substantial size, and will look lovely in that setting. The only reason I would change is because I can''t help the nagging PS mentality that my diamond could look bigger in another setting.

But I do love the martini look-it''s unique and goes easily from day to night.

I would probably stick with what you ordered-you could always change it afterward if you aren''t 100% happy.

 

[Siamese Kitty]

Shameless visual!

 

[gailrmv]

I feel terrible at my uncertainty. I hope I am not driving Vera crazy. Bob is away this week, so Vera''s bearing the brunt of my questions.

DARN IT, I really like both looks. The martini rocks. So does the bezel. I''ve ALWAYS wanted a bezel and I love how big it makes the stone look. The martini has that awesome floatiness about it. Unfortunately my local stores do not carry much that will help me decide. I just need to see it. Nobody has martini setting, and they seem to carry stones in only quarter sizes (.25, .5) and mine is right in the middle, plus everyone has these pendants with big bales which is a totally different look than either the bezel or the martini. I feel bad going to the local stores where I actually buy stuff just to try on, and not buy. So this leaves me going to Jared and Ross Simon and the like, where I don''t have relationships with anyone. Being big stores you''d think they''d have good selection, but not really for pendants!

Closest thing I''ve tried: a partial bezel (horeshoe shaped) around a .15 - made it look huge but also was a LOT of metal. then tried a .5 in bezel, but the bezel was thick and seemed to overwhelm, plus it had the "mickey" look. I couldn''t wear it long enough to see if it stayed in place or flipped.

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 6/1/2007 9:40:41 AM
Author: Siamese Kitty
Gail-

No offense taken in the least!

I agree that the side view looks a little sketchy in the pic!

I hope I didn't complicate your decision! I think I drove Lesley crazy with the flipping discussion, too, but I think the reality is that either of these pendants will flip from time to time, but not enough to be troublesome (at least not for me or my mom).

The 3-prong is really elegant and does look like a floating diamond. I think you said you were getting a .4? That's a very substantial size, and will look lovely in that setting. The only reason I would change is because I can't help the nagging PS mentality that my diamond could look bigger in another setting.

But I do love the martini look-it's unique and goes easily from day to night.

I would probably stick with what you ordered-you could always change it afterward if you aren't 100% happy.

I'm so glad to hear it about the flipping not being a problem. Probably the biggest reason that I did not get the bezel (as of yet anyway) is BridgetS's account of her WF bezel. It flipped so much that she did not enjoy wearing it. She upgraded her diamond and switched to a 4 prong basket setting. (however, I could see in her comparison shots that her .3 bezel looked nearly as big as her much larger basket setting!) Someone else, I can't recall who changed from bezel to martini for the same reason - flippage. But again the size factor, Mara's sister's .15 looks nearly as big as her own .38... so it is a big difference in size appearance.... EGADS, I am making myself and everyone else crazy. Both are nice looks and I cannot go wrong with either.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/1/2007 9:56:37 AM
Author: gailrmv

DARN IT, I really like both looks.

Then I think one of EACH is in order.

In the future of course.

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 6/1/2007 10:22:40 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 6/1/2007 9:56:37 AM
Author: gailrmv

DARN IT, I really like both looks.

Then I think one of EACH is in order.

In the future of course.

I think you are entirely right.
Which do you prefer, Miss Ellen?

 

[Ellen]

Of these two, I prefer the one you ordered.

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 6/1/2007 10:54:10 AM
Author: Ellen
Of these two, I prefer the one you ordered.

The martini? I can barely remember which one I ordered at this point
What''s your overall favorite pendant setting?

 

[gailrmv]

Okay!! Decision made. Martini. I have spent WAY too much time on this! Again, I''m really grateful to WF and to you guys for helping with my questions.

Now, I am going to make myself take a "pricescope hiatus" for a couple days, except maybe the WWT section. I''ve been spending way too much time reading everything available about pendants, and need to get caught up on some other things! I''ll be back with pics when I have them! Thanks again!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/1/2007 11:03:30 AM
Author: gailrmv
The martini? I can barely remember which one I ordered at this point
What''s your overall favorite pendant setting?

I honestly don''t have one. I really like the martini, and I really like Alj''s halo pendant.

But since I haven''t seriously considered one, there may be more...

 

[Kim N]

Gail, I''m glad my photos were able to help you out a little in your decision! The martini is a great choice and really does look like a floating diamond. Looking forward to your pics!

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 6/1/2007 12:36:07 PM
Author: Kim N
Gail, I''m glad my photos were able to help you out a little in your decision! The martini is a great choice and really does look like a floating diamond. Looking forward to your pics!

Kim N, yes your photos were EXTREMELY helpful! Thanks so much again. Are you still enjoying your pendant? I can;t wait to get mine! I should have photos mon or tues. I got a 17 inch chain and my diamond is a little smaller than yours but otherwise I think it will be a similar look. Can''t wait!

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 6/1/2007 12:08:16 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 6/1/2007 11:03:30 AM
Author: gailrmv
The martini? I can barely remember which one I ordered at this point
What''s your overall favorite pendant setting?

I honestly don''t have one. I really like the martini, and I really like Alj''s halo pendant.

But since I haven''t seriously considered one, there may be more...

I love AlJ''s halo as well! I also love sapphires and plan to eventually do some sapphires in halos. My cousin has some earrings like that and they are stunning.

Whenever you do decide to get a pendant, I know it will be beautiful!

 

[elsie]

gail, thanks for starting this thread! I have recently been bitten by the pendant bug and am starting to do some research -- your thoughts and pics really help! Looking forward to seeing the pics and you''ll have to let us know how you like it (with plenty of neck shots, of course!

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 6/1/2007 11:26:15 PM
Author: elsie
gail, thanks for starting this thread! I have recently been bitten by the pendant bug and am starting to do some research -- your thoughts and pics really help! Looking forward to seeing the pics and you''ll have to let us know how you like it (with plenty of neck shots, of course!

Thanks Elsie! I am glad the thread helped someone! I feel I may have gotten too hung up on minor details, but I think a lot of PSers do care about small details so I figured you guys would get it. I''m really looking forward to receiving the pendant and I hope I will love the martini setting!

 

[kcoursolle]

It''s gonig to be beautiful in the martini setting and probably save some money by not modifying the bezel.

 

[gailrmv]

Thanks KCoursolle....
I figured with the Martini, I was 99.9% sure I would love it, right off the bat. With the bezel there was too much that could go wrong and bug me... will let you know! My first e-ring setting had a bunch of little things that bugged me (which is why I changed it eventually) and I''ve decided from then on, only buy things that I like 100%, from all angles. I am perhaps more picky about settings than I am about diamonds even (well, past a certain point.)

I rechecked the stats on my diamond and it''s actually J SI1, not SI2 as I said earlier. I cannot wait to get my hands on it.... hopefully Tuesday! I hope the J is a beautiful as some of the other Js I''ve seen on PS!

 

[Jewels]

I just stumbled upon this thread. Given the choices that you have, I would get the martini. I know you like the look of a bezel as well, but it is a bigger risk to take if you can''t see the setting, or work with the vendor in person.

0.4c is a great size as well for a martini. I am super excited for you. Please post pics as soon as you get the necklace.

 

[gailrmv]

Thanks Jewels... now you can see why I was so interested in your perfect bezel on your new necklace! I would have felt so bad if you said it was Stuller number such and such, and I could have gotten it but missed out. I think if and when I do get a bezel pendant in the future custom may be the way to go. Your pendant is exactly what I would have gotten if that setting had been available as a stock piece.

I''ll post pics as soon as I have them!

Date: 6/2/2007 4:54:16 PM
Author: Jewels
I just stumbled upon this thread. Given the choices that you have, I would get the martini. I know you like the look of a bezel as well, but it is a bigger risk to take if you can''t see the setting, or work with the vendor in person.

0.4c is a great size as well for a martini. I am super excited for you. Please post pics as soon as you get the necklace.

 

[gailrmv]

As promised here are the pics I just received! I can''t wait to see it in person!

 

[gailrmv]

And, here are my earrings which I got back in Feb or March, which I never shared...

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 6/4/2007 2:20:02 PM
Author: gailrmv
And, here are my earrings which I got back in Feb or March, which I never shared...

Wow, gorgeous pendant and earrings!! We still need ear and neckshots!!

 

[Ellen]

Wow, Gail, that's on of the prettiest WF earring shots I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot!

Just gorgeous my dear, as is the pendant. Can't wait to see them in real life!

 

[gailrmv]

Thanks Ellen and KCoursolle! I can''t wait to see it!!

 

[Kim N]

Gail, the pendant and earrings are just gorgeous! Can''t wait to see ear and neckshots! I still love my pendant and hope you get just as much enjoyment out of yours.

 

[gailrmv]

Just a quick update, I got the pendant yesterday and I am very happy with it! I will post some more pics (maybe I should start a new thread?) in the next day or two. A quick summary:

I like the martini setting. It is very unique and you truly do not see the prongs. (Even more so than with my earrings!) It just looks like a diamond floating on my neck. Also, no visible "mouse ears."

I am pleased with the J color! I can see the color next to something colorless, but by itself it looks very white. Also, next to my earrings (H and I) I don't see a color difference face up. I think J is a great value!

I am also very pleased with the clarity. I can see the inclusion under the loupe, but it is entirely eye clean. It is an SI1.

The size is nice. It's noticeable for sure. It is 0.40 carats. I thought it would be noticeably bigger than my earrings (at .34 each), and it is a little bigger but the effect is subtle. it is a really nice size for a pendant, although I wouldn't argue with bigger I was browsing some jewelry stores yesterday and most jewelry on display seems to be bigger, chunkier and/or more ornate. This is very delicate and petite, but I really like it. I think it suits my simple style. I just hope it doesn't get lost on me b/c I am tall and medium built.

It is very sparkly! A friend admired it today and couldn't stop talking about how sparkly it is! I think she was surprised I got it so soon after my earrings (so am I actually) but oh well.

I am glad I got 17 inch chain but actually I think 16 would have been OK. I can pull it down and it hits just below the clavicle (I think it's called) or I can sort of set it back on my neck and wear it like a choker, and it tends to stay that way. i think I prefer it that way, but I'm still glad I got the extra length b/c I know for sure it will never feel too tight.

The chain itself is very delicate and very pretty. It has a bit of sparkle to it. I hope it will hold up. It seems the kind of thing that could break if pulled, but I also think a heavy chain would spoil the floating effect of the martini. I was pleased that the setting and chain are 18K gold, which kind of explains their price.

I can't tell how flippy it is since I can't see what it does while I am wearing it. Usually, when I look in the mirror (especially in the car!) it seems to be centered on my neck and not flipped. I'll ask DH to check it out more over the weekend and see about the flippiness.

I still sort of wish the bezel thing could have worked out because I do love that style and I can't help but think how much bigger the stone would look. I think I might have gotten overly hung up on bezel details and I might have liked the stock WF one just fine. Still, I do really like the martini and it is extremely versatile. For example, I think it might be better for day-into-evening whereas I think of the bezel as slightly more casual. So, I think I will keep this pendant just as it is and try to forget my bezel lust for a while!

So, more pics to come!

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 6/4/2007 4:01:01 PM
Author: Kim N
Gail, the pendant and earrings are just gorgeous! Can''t wait to see ear and neckshots! I still love my pendant and hope you get just as much enjoyment out of yours.

Kim N I am glad you are still enjoying your pendant! Thank again so much for your pics, it was really them that gave me the confidence to try the martini.