- Joined
- Aug 28, 2011
- Messages
- 393
This ring is years in the making, since I fell in love with OECs on this forum, probably about a decade ago. I dreamt that "one day" I will have one and late last year I decided that one day may as well be now. To say I had a lot of help from PS on this project is an understatement. Finally I'm ready to share the second ring that was the result of my search for an antique stone (I posted the other, my transitional Maxine, earlier).
Here is the thread of my search, with a treasure trove of this forum's collective expertise on old cuts and videos of many stones along the way.
And the journey to decide on a setting
The Cora was my front-runner setting all along, and although I considered many other options, in the end I landed right where I started.
And now... introducing Summer Dream dressed up as a princess.
Diamond stats:
1.49 J SI1
GIA: https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=6234225488
Ring stats:
CvB Cora
18k YG with platinum cup and prongs
size 6.25-6.5
I set out to make a really special ring, and I think I succeeded. I call this my fairy princess ring - it looks like it was made by little fairies and it's fit for a storybook princess. Pictures and videos really don't do it justice. The detail is exquisite and flawless - The little scrolls, the incredibly fine millgrain around the center stone, the detail on the shank, the delicate prongs. Caysie even used teeny little OECs for the two north and south melee diamonds, you can see this in one of the pictures. I'm so glad I asked for the platinum cup - although I do like warmer old cuts, I thought the J had the potential to look really white and the contrast would work well in this setting. The super delicate prongs totally disappear. The gold is more yellow than I expected, somewhow I expected a bit more rosey. When Caysie sent me the first pictures and video, I was surprised that it had a frosted finish. I didn't discuss the finish with Caysie and didn't realize that most of the ones I saw here and on her instagram were also frosted. She offered to get it polished but said that this finish is better to bring out the details, and the cup has a mirror finish. I decided to just trust her and I love it the way it is. It arrived in the cutest walnut heart-shaped box. It's earthy and luxe at the same time, and it's my favorite ring box I've ever gotten, so that was a nice surprise.
Finally some videos. They look much darker on my laptop and very washed out when I upload them to imgur, I'm not sure why or how it will look for others. So I included a bunch under different lighting conditions.
Here is the thread of my search, with a treasure trove of this forum's collective expertise on old cuts and videos of many stones along the way.
Hi lovely PS experts! I'm planning a special project this year, and I could use some guidance.
I'm thinking of a 1 to 1.5 ct OEC, possibly in a yellow gold CVB Cora setting. It would be a RHR for myself.
I'm considering true vintage, AVR mined or AVR lab (would also consider CER, but there is not much selection). I think the AVRs would be easy to buy sight unseen, but I'm kind of leaning towards a true vintage stone. I just don't know how to select one. I've scoured a bunch of the usual antique dealers websites, but I don't know how to evaluate cut, or even color. I know I want a very...
I'm thinking of a 1 to 1.5 ct OEC, possibly in a yellow gold CVB Cora setting. It would be a RHR for myself.
I'm considering true vintage, AVR mined or AVR lab (would also consider CER, but there is not much selection). I think the AVRs would be easy to buy sight unseen, but I'm kind of leaning towards a true vintage stone. I just don't know how to select one. I've scoured a bunch of the usual antique dealers websites, but I don't know how to evaluate cut, or even color. I know I want a very...
- EllieTO
- Replies: 285
- Forum: RockyTalky (Diamond Discussion)
And the journey to decide on a setting
I'm planning to have my first custom ring(s?) made soon, and I'm wondering what to expect through the process to help me decide who might be the best fit for me.
How is pricing usually determined? Is there usually an upfront fee to begin working on a design? A fee per CAD and any iterations? Or an all-in estimate? It seems kind of chicken-and-egg because how would they give an accurate estimate without knowing where the design will land? But how would the customer commit without knowing an estimate? I want the vendor to be compensated for their early design work, but I also want to have...
How is pricing usually determined? Is there usually an upfront fee to begin working on a design? A fee per CAD and any iterations? Or an all-in estimate? It seems kind of chicken-and-egg because how would they give an accurate estimate without knowing where the design will land? But how would the customer commit without knowing an estimate? I want the vendor to be compensated for their early design work, but I also want to have...
- EllieTO
- Replies: 59
- Forum: RockyTalky (Diamond Discussion)
And now... introducing Summer Dream dressed up as a princess.

Diamond stats:
1.49 J SI1
GIA: https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=6234225488
Ring stats:
CvB Cora
18k YG with platinum cup and prongs
size 6.25-6.5
I set out to make a really special ring, and I think I succeeded. I call this my fairy princess ring - it looks like it was made by little fairies and it's fit for a storybook princess. Pictures and videos really don't do it justice. The detail is exquisite and flawless - The little scrolls, the incredibly fine millgrain around the center stone, the detail on the shank, the delicate prongs. Caysie even used teeny little OECs for the two north and south melee diamonds, you can see this in one of the pictures. I'm so glad I asked for the platinum cup - although I do like warmer old cuts, I thought the J had the potential to look really white and the contrast would work well in this setting. The super delicate prongs totally disappear. The gold is more yellow than I expected, somewhow I expected a bit more rosey. When Caysie sent me the first pictures and video, I was surprised that it had a frosted finish. I didn't discuss the finish with Caysie and didn't realize that most of the ones I saw here and on her instagram were also frosted. She offered to get it polished but said that this finish is better to bring out the details, and the cup has a mirror finish. I decided to just trust her and I love it the way it is. It arrived in the cutest walnut heart-shaped box. It's earthy and luxe at the same time, and it's my favorite ring box I've ever gotten, so that was a nice surprise.
Finally some videos. They look much darker on my laptop and very washed out when I upload them to imgur, I'm not sure why or how it will look for others. So I included a bunch under different lighting conditions.
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