LOW cost projects -- pendant question

[katiedid]

I have to make my next few jewelry projects very low cost, so one thing I''d been thinking about since I got my earrings reset in the martini settings a while back was to reset my pendant stone into a martini (or a bezel). I saw all the recent talk about bezel vs martini settings for pendants and thought I''d ask you guys your thoughts.

The stone is a .75 ct G, SI1. Very pretty stone--I''ve always loved it. (It was my engagement ring from my first marriage back in 1990). After my divorce, I removed it and set it in a white gold pendant setting. It''s a cool setting, but is a little dated now and I think a martini or bezel would really set it off better. I''d also like one of those settings because I think they are more a casual/everyday kindof a look.

Do you think a martini or a thin bezel would look better on a .75 ct? I think the bezel might be a little much on that size stone. Is the martini really fragile? I wonder if it''s more likely to break than the bezel? Maybe not since they both have the rings that attach them to the chain. I think I may ask the guy who reset my earrings into the martini settings if he can order a similar necklace and set my stone in it. I''d like to see what his price is since he was SO cheap to reset my earrings ($60 for white gold martini settings for .75 ct each stone!) I''ll post a pic later today of the pendant I have now so you guys can see if you think the bezel or the martini would be best. The martini would match my earrings exactly (the pendant is the same size as each of the earrings) but I don''t really care--I think a bezel would be perfect too. I don''t want something that''s going to flip over a lot. And I keep wondering if something on a fixed chain like the ones I keep seeing (and loving) will slide off center of your neck a lot?
Is that something you can wear all the time (to bed, to shower, to work out...)? I''d love to have something I could wear and not have to take on and off every day. I wouldn''t wear it all the time, but it would be nice to be able to sleep in it and not worry so much!

 

[katiedid]

Here''s the pendant as it is now. I think I martini or bezel would show off the stone much better!

 

[snlee]

I think a .75 would look great in a martini setting! I''m not sure if it would flip often. I have a 4 prong basket setting and don''t have any problems with it. I wouldn''t worry about the martini setting being fragile. It''s on your neck so it''s not going to get banged around. I have a fixed chain and I don''t have any problems with it going off center much. I wear mine all the time, to sleep and everything. It doesn''t bother me at all. With a martini or bezel setting, you should be able to wear all the time if you want.

 

[oldminer]

A pendant is best set with a flat or rather broad base. A martini setting comes to a point and the stone will always be turned away from facing directly outward unless something is altered to make it stay face front. A low base, 4 prong setting is the least costly approach. A bezel is very popular and helps make the diamond look a little larger in diameter.

 

[katiedid]

so a martini will flip more than a four prong?

 

[snlee]

Yes, that's what David is saying, which makes sense. I'd go with either a 4 prong basket or bezel setting. I think a 4 prong basket setting would cost the least.

 

[katiedid]

I love WF''s four prong - it says it''s $280, while their full bezel is $199. Does anyone here have the WF 4 prong? I agree--I''d think the 4 prong would be less since it seems like a bezel would involve more work.

 

[katiedid]

snlee, is your pendant from WF or somewhere else? I''ll search the forums to see if I can find a photo of yours. thanks!

 

[snlee]

Hi Katie, I just saw this. I started a thread with pictures of my pendant, which I had set at a local jeweler, but the pictures aren''t showing up anymore. I think I paid around $150 for 14K WG about 2 years ago. I didn''t take any great shots but here''s a picture of it. Have you received a quote from your local jeweler yet?

 

[Kissmark]

Date: 7/15/2007 9:08:39 AM
Author: katiedid
I love WF''s four prong - it says it''s $280, while their full bezel is $199. Does anyone here have the WF 4 prong? I agree--I''d think the 4 prong would be less since it seems like a bezel would involve more work.

Hi I am getting whiteflash 4 prone setting ( think name is four corners or something?). I''m just waiting for the right stone, and still debating between white gold and platinum setting. Will it be really different between the 2?

 

[katiedid]

snlee, that is gorgeous! I''m so in love with the WF 4-corners setting, but I don''t think we can swing the $280 plus $50 setting fee... I talked to a local jeweler last night who guessed the setting itself would run around $80 or so. I''m guessing a small setting fee on top of that. Now that, I could do! They''d be making it custom for me since this isn''t something they stock or anything. I''m just worried they won''t do it exactly right like WF would!

I''m going to check a couple other local places. I know I can get it done much cheaper locally but I''m so WF-spoiled now! I just can''t ask my hubby to spend that kind of money on my bday since we just spent a lot on my upgrade...


kissmark, I plan to go with white gold to keep the cost lower. I think with a necklace, it''s ok to have white gold. I''d love to get platinum (since that''s what my rings are) but it ups the cost too much!

 

[Skippy123]

How about a bezel; mine is in a bezel and it looks huge!!!

 

[Fly Girl]

I''d encourage you to shop around locally. I found a jeweler who sets nearly all the jewelry in their shop, so I had lots of samples of their work to look at. Setting prices turned out to be good as well. I have been very pleased with the work I have done there. They have a fancy downtown store, but keep three setters in a tiny room in a nearby building. I''d never have known until I spoke with the owner.

Good luck.

 

[katiedid]

skippy--I like the look of the thin bezel but since my stone is .75 ct, I thought it might be a little overwhelming on me. I''m kindof on the petite side. The prong set would match my earrings better too, although that''s certainly not a big concern of mine. I''m still open to thin bezel and prong set though, so who knows!

fly girl--I''m going to check around locally, since I really can''t afford the WF version (although I wish I could!). thanks all!

 

[snlee]

Date: 7/17/2007 9:07:36 AM
Author: katiedid
snlee, that is gorgeous! I'm so in love with the WF 4-corners setting, but I don't think we can swing the $280 plus $50 setting fee... I talked to a local jeweler last night who guessed the setting itself would run around $80 or so. I'm guessing a small setting fee on top of that. Now that, I could do! They'd be making it custom for me since this isn't something they stock or anything. I'm just worried they won't do it exactly right like WF would!

I'm going to check a couple other local places. I know I can get it done much cheaper locally but I'm so WF-spoiled now! I just can't ask my hubby to spend that kind of money on my bday since we just spent a lot on my upgrade...

Thanks! I had my pendant custom made as well and it turned out beautifully. I think it's a good idea to shop around locally and get it done.

 

[katiedid]

snlee--what is the thickness of your chain?

 

[kcoursolle]

I love bezels obviously since I just bought one. However, it seems like you are worried about it looking too big in a bezel and like the look of prong styles to match your earrings.

A .75 in a martini style setting would look amazing. It would be like a beautiful floating sparkle on your neck, just gorgeous.

 

[snlee]

Date: 7/17/2007 3:19:26 PM
Author: katiedid
snlee--what is the thickness of your chain?

No clue! If I had to guess, I''d say about 1mm. It''s very thin.

 

[oldminer]

Before you commit to a heavy bezel please check out an optical wire style bezel. This design covers only the girdle of the diamond and is soldered with the diamond in place. A link on each side makes it attach directly to a chain. I think this sort of bezel is very effective for a solitaire.

An optical wire bezel is like the thickness of the bezel which holds eye glasses in the frame on light weight eye glass frames.

 

[katiedid]

I''m not really considering a bezel. I think I''m going to go with 4 prong basket (floating) on the chain.

 

[katiedid]

I shouldn''t have said I''m NOT considering a bezel, because if I could find a really thin one that didn''t flip and roll, I would certainly entertain that idea. So I guess a this point, it''s down to the THIN bezel or the 4 prong.

All advice/suggestions welcome!