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Mahenge Spinel E-Ring

ScarletRpsdy

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 17, 2015
Messages
36
Hello everyone! My search for a glowy Mahenge spinel finally concluded! I ended up selecting a 1.3 carat oval from Prima Gems. Natalie informed me that a parcel was coming in just for the HK show so I immediately made arrangements to fly over. In retrospect, I wished I had taken pictures of the parcel because it was just so cool to see little piles of spinels in front of you. Regrets, regrets.

Anyway, I was hoping to ask for advice in the setting. I was looking at Whiteflash and Victor Canera because ideally, I'd like a ring that is heirloom quality and they seem to fit the bill. However, I'd like to be very involved in the designing process and have read that VC may be a little impatient with too many requests. Does anyone else have any vendors they've worked with and enjoyed?

As for the setting itself, I'm thinking platinum with a floral diamond halo and a plain shank. I've always liked how those rings look like little flowers, and I think with a red gem in the center, it would look very nice. :) If anyone would like to share inspiration pictures, that would be much appreciated!

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Niel

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 23, 2012
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20,044
I can recommend a few but it really depends in your budget, Erika grace is amazing, but will probably end up double what you want to spend.
 

elle_71125

Ideal_Rock
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Joined
Jan 29, 2012
Messages
6,194
Beautiful mahenge! :love:

I like the flower halos too.

I'm hoping to use this inspiration pic, for my own project, in the future.
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dk168

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 7, 2013
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12,491
Lovely stone :love:, thanks for sharing, and I too second the LM setting.

DK :))
 

dk168

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Joined
Jul 7, 2013
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12,491
Here is a couple of flower ring designs that I like:

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DK :))
 

mochiko42

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 28, 2013
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2,663
Congratulations on finding your engagement ring stone after a long search :) :appl: It looks gorgeous! Please post more photos, it would be great to see more close-up shots.

As far as I know, Whiteflash does not set colored stones purchased elsewhere, only customer diamonds. They could possibly make the empty setting and you could have it set locally.

A floral halo sounds gorgeous. Since it would be an engagement ring, I've suggested some more lower-key halos that would work for everyday wear. :razz:

What is your budget for the setting? Having a ballpark figure would help others to recommend more relevant setting designs for you.

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chrono

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Joined
Apr 22, 2004
Messages
38,364
Knowing the budget will help us recommend the right vendor. Whiteflash will no longer do custom settings for CS but may make an exception for prior customers. VC will cost and arm and a leg. ERD/Brilliantly Engaged can do an excellent CAD/cast custom setting that looks handforged. David Klass does excellent work at very affordable prices but communication can be spotty (you have to be patient and willing to call him).
 
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SparkliesLuver

Guest
Congrats on finding your stone! :D :appl: You must post more pictures, please, when you can. :naughty: What a cool story, too. Here are a few additional options that might be slightly out of the box. I've only worked with David Klass, but I've always been very happy with the craftsmanship and the final cost.

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_lovesvintage_

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
817
Congrats on finding your center stone... she's a beauty. Here are my inspiration eye candy for you to consider.

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_lovesvintage_

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
817
Here are the more modern ones.

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Acinom

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
May 15, 2013
Messages
10,535
What a beautiful spinel!!
Have you selected some inspiration rings yourself as well? It helps to determine your style. Personally I would keep it a more subdued flower design since it is your everyday e-ring. Do you like more modern designs, vintage designs or with an organic touch?

Victor is a very charming person and a breeze to work with. It will only work though if you do not micromanage him. The outcome will be stunning though. He is a designer with a strong aesthetic vision and if you love his work, you have to let go.
With David Klass you have more of a say in the design. He works with CAD drawings which will enable you to make all the tweaks you like.

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Acinom

Super_Ideal_Rock
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May 15, 2013
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10,535
Two flowery inspiration rings by Victor Canera:

By the way, especially with a flower design it will be good to have ideas on your wedding band beforehand. Especially since most designs will not allow for a flush fit look.

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ScarletRpsdy

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 17, 2015
Messages
36
Thank you for all the lovely suggestions everyone! I think I might go with the Leon Mege designs. I noticed that his halos look bezeled. Do you think that looks better than a exposed diamond halo? I'll include my inspiration pic as well.

My budget is 2-3k and my fiancé and I are feverently hoping it's enough. I really do love Victor Canera's work. I'm not particularly partial to the hand-forged look, and his rings come out looking just right to me. Unfortunately, I have a lot of requests (comfort fit band, tulip-shaped basket, raised center stone, and minimal prongs). I feel like if I told him that, he would either laugh in my face or tell me to get out of his shop haha. Whiteflash was another vendor I was considering because I felt like they both have that same "look" I was going for, but I see that they stopped doing custom settings for outside purchases. :cry: I also tried contacting DK, but they seemed to be so inundated with orders that I feel like it's going to take forever. :((

I'm trying to take better close up pictures, but I haven't bought a new camera yet and my old one is broken (more things I need to spend money on!) Tried to take more close up pics of the spinel, but they get blurry past a certain point, so this will have to do for now.

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ScarletRpsdy

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 17, 2015
Messages
36
Good point about the wedding band, Acinom! Unfortunately, the agreement I made with my fiancé is that if I get to have input on my E-ring, he gets to decide on the wedding band. I think I'll end up wearing my E-ring on my right hand and my wedding band on my left to prevent any clashing. :)
 

chrono

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Apr 22, 2004
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38,364
Leon's even touchier to work with so if you have specific requests, he's not someone I would feel comfortable working with. He is about as pricey as Victor Canera.
 

ScarletRpsdy

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 17, 2015
Messages
36
Thanks for the heads up, Chrono! I think I'll just take inspiration from his rings instead haha.
 
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SparkliesLuver

Guest
ScarletRpsdy said:
Thanks for the heads up, Chrono! I think I'll just take inspiration from his rings instead haha.

That'd be my advice. ;-) :)
 
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