Matching side stones

[justginger]

I'm still considering doing a 3 stone for my new project -- but matching side stones isn't easy! I don't like the idea of just using whatever a jeweler comes up with; I'd like to see the stones in 'real life' photos, make sure things match up to my eyes (and not have to be that crazy customer who keeps rejecting stones for seemingly silly reasons).

Using MRBs would be a cinch -- but I want cushions.

How closely matched do you all think the colour needs to be? One grade difference is ok? But what if one is an F and one is a G? And then there's L:W ratio. How closely matched do you reckon they need to be to each other, and then to the center stone?

I've watched a whole lot of cushions spinning around on JA, lol. Feels like a giant waste of time, but I'm too Type A to just tell a jeweler to find them. I want the excitement of the perfect pair myself!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Oh boy, you must like a challenge if you want to try and match three cushions! Are you talking about modern cushions??? That surprises me considering your e-ring!

I'd prefer all the same color and the length-width of the two side stones would have to be close to identical. The sides would need to be the same color, but I could go a color grade difference in the center if I wanted them to blend as one color or else use a vastly different color in the center.

 

[justginger]

The center stone is a modern cushion because it is a FIY. So matching it in color is thankfully not an issue - more concerned about the L:W proportions. I thought one color grade difference between the sides would be ok, considering they're very visually separated? I just don't know if it would be wise to have one colorless at F and one near-colorless at G?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Okay, great! That's what I meant by a vastly different color center!

One color grade is one color grade regardless of whether it is F-G, G-H, J-K, etc. I can see the difference between I and J, so it would concern me that I could see a grade difference in other colors. Of course, what you don't know if you shop from a drop shipper is whether a color is at the high or low end of that color grade. It most certainly could work to have a mid to low G and a high H, for example. But the only person I know who'll help with that would be Jonathan at GOG. Actually, it would just be easier to buy two stones the same color!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I do not think the sides have to have the same L-W ratio as the center, though, as long as they are the same as each other. They could be more square and the center more elongated, for example.

Who will make the ring, though? Most ring makers can so easily access matching side stones. I realize you want the fun of it, but they have access to more stones, usually!

 

[justginger]

I do not think the sides have to have the same L-W ratio as the center, though, as long as they are the same as each other. They could be more square and the center more elongated, for example.

Who will make the ring, though? Most ring makers can so easily access matching side stones. I realize you want the fun of it, but they have access to more stones, usually!

I haven't decided who I want to make the ring -- I was sort of hoping I could get all three stones together, and then 'shop around' so to speak. I am very seriously considering using David Klass. I've been exchanging emails with him and he's extremely kind, helpful, and I have liked a lot of the work of his I've seen on FB. I have no doubt there are people here who don't like him, but honestly -- I'm really just wanting this stone on my hand for el cheapo. I've been very good about jewelry budgeting while in uni, but it's beyond time to enjoy actually wearing this stone. I'm walking a fine line between not wanting to splurge too much, and not wanting to 'cheap out' so much that I eventually have to reset somewhere down the road.