My SNQueens Setting Journey

[madelise]

Hi PS,

I've been meaning to post here for a while. I wanted to make a progressing record of my journey creating my dream setting for my OEC I purchased from GOG last month.

I started out wanting to get a temporary setting for my diamond, since the diamond already exceeded our budget. Every temp option I had that was under $300 was not appealing to me. I really, really don't like the looks of the most simple, usual peg-head solitaire. The only temp option I had that was under $500 was to get the fishtail prong setting from Poppyseed.. but then my jeweler would have probably wanted to charge me a fee to set it anyway. Despite my big spending habits, I am cheap. Spending $500 on "nothing", which to me felt like nothing since it would be replaced down the road, seemed silly. The more I wanted to prettify a temp to look good enough to wear more long term, the more expensive it got. I pretty much ended up with a 1-2k quote for all the ideas I had in my head.. and I wasn't exactly sold on any of those ideas at all. So SO and I decided to take the plunge and go ahead and get my dream setting.

My dream setting started to come together about 2 years ago. I drew a sketch of my absolute dream setting, and even had dimensions and notes written in on the side for SO to take into a jeweler with him. Since I ended up with a round instead of a square shape, I had to alter the drawing a bit, so back to day dreaming and scribbling again! I knew I wanted a halo ultimately, and I knew I was absolutely in love with the proportions of Frankie's ring. I created a list of what exactly it was I wanted.

- tilted halo, no airline, minimal metal
- halo size to appear to be the same width as shank when tilted
- a lotus design in the gallery
- mini double claw prongs

Eventually I came up with these scribbles:

 

[Gypsy]

I'd curve the struts. Either convex or concave, no matter, but with a curve.

 

[madelise]

^ Those scribbles show my possibly inaccurate math skills.. but I came up with me needing 13.2mm from the outside of the halo to end up with the same proportions that Frankie's ring has on her finger.

So I made another appointment with Sylva at SN Queens and brought these scratch drawings in to see her. She drew up a more true to life size rendition of what would be the gallery, so I can envision what would exist. If I stuck in little marquise diamonds for the petals of my lotus, it might look messy since it's actually pretty tiny IRL. We decided to just keep the halo petal's open, and put diamonds where it would fit, and put little milgrain beading where it wouldn't fit (corners)

The list now became more detailed:
- 90/10 platinum/iridium
- all hand forged
- single cut melee in J-K color to match well with my M stone
- double bead prongs instead of double claw
- 8 mm sizing bar at the bottom to give me +/- 3 sizes difference, since rheumatoid arthritis runs in the family and my joints are already hurting and creaking
- pave set 'grand panier', with little shallow "W" cuts instead of the "U" cut pave I thought I'd like. This creates a little bit of sparkle in the platinum, and helps "melt" and blend the edges
- 2.2mm shank and halo
- halo to be at a 25 degree tilt? (will be finalized when making)

The drawing here was made using calipers to make an attempted true to size drawing.. and the last photo is of silly me trying to "try it on". Hehe.

 

[madelise]

I'd curve the struts. Either convex or concave, no matter, but with a curve.

Thanks, Gypsy, but I actually decided no struts Sorry, I'm posting in chunks because PS has eaten a few of my longer posts..



So even though the setting will be made freehand and by hand, I still requested CAD images. I get antsy at custom made work, and I felt that at least this way, I could get a good visual. I went back a week later to check out her drawings. SO kept bugging about putting 4 lotuses, 2 E/W and 2 N/S.. The way HE would make it. So Sylva made me drawings of that idea.

The first photo shows what SO wanted.. and how it would be flawed because the sizes of the gallery space on the sides and the N/W orientation are different. So we scrapped that idea, and she drew over it with what I thought would be better: 2 larger lotuses, on the N/S orientation. But that left me with a little tiny space in between, on the sides, where I could either stretch the lotuses out to touch each other, or stick some sort of a design in.

The second photo shows what approximate space I have to put some other design in.

The third photo is of us changing it back to being jus 2 larger lotuses, on the N/S orientation.

 

[madelise]

So Sylva went back to work, changing those CADs, while I went home and thought of what I could put on the sides. I took these drawings home with me and asked some PSers on FB for help. In the end, I wasn't happy with stretching of the lotuses because I wanted the full visual of the whole lotus when looking straight-on. And I wasn't happy with any ideas of designing anything in the side spaces because I didn't want anything to detract or mush with the lotuses.

I had an appointment last Friday with Sylva, and these were the updated CADs she made for us. I decided I just want to stick a little round melee stone in between each of the lotuses, in a milgrain bezel.

 

[madelise]

I told her I didn't like how the lotuses were stretched out, and I preferred it to be smaller so that they can be viewed fully when just looking at them straight. She's going to make the lotuses smaller, with a larger gap in between the 2, and stick in a larger round melee stone.

Sounds even MORE silly of me, and this is not the practice people use when going with something handmade at all.. but I'm also getting a wax mold made, since she made the CADs anyway. It's an extra charge, but I feel like I can get a good visual of the dimensions on my fingers, and from there, decide if I'm getting too gaudy even for my own taste with the halo.

The mold should be ready by later this Friday. If it is ready earlier in the evening, I will swing by Friday and pick it up. If not, I won't have time until the following Monday to go get it..

 

[webdiva]

Sounds exciting - can't wait to see it! SN Queens makes such beautiful stuff! Just a note - you're ok with not having a flush band, right? It looks like the space between your ring and the band would be quite large?

 

[madelise]

Sounds exciting - can't wait to see it! SN Queens makes such beautiful stuff! Just a note - you're ok with not having a flush band, right? It looks like the space between your ring and the band would be quite large?

Yup I am absolutely ok with a gap. I don't think I'll wear the set together too much other than for the wedding, pictures, and maybe for some events.

 

[madelise]

I just scheduled to go in on Friday after finalizing all the last details, it will be in production! And she promised photos heh I need all the indulgence I can get, since I'm not sure when I get to see it IRL!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I like it. I much prefer halos with galleries like you are making, where the base of the ring is larger, rather than the HW style where they perch atop a super small donut. Its just a personal esthetic thing, but yuor setting is up my alley!

 

[Dreamer_D]

And as a long time ring wearer I think you should stretch the lotuses and leave out the melee.

Put your hand in your lap in repose. You do notice how your view of your ring finger is at an angle? With small lotus flowers NS that do not stretch you actually will have to put your hand in an awkward positoon to see them! Stretched a little you will see the petals when worn. Remember, your own view of your ring is not straight on the NS faces. Your view is at about 45 deg from the NS axis.

 

[madelise]

Thanks Dreamer! The basket will be made based on the size of the diamond. The "donut" area, or in my case, really a lack of donut.. is just going to be a tad smaller than the diamond itself. I wanted as much space as possible underneath in the gallery to stick designs in it.

Hmmm.. good point about my own personal viewing angle. So do you think the sizes of the lotus and the angles she drew up for me would be better? I still don't want them to touch each other, so there will still be 1 melee stone on each side to separate the two lotuses..

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think its a brilliant idea to have the wax made so you can try it on! You will know how yu feel when you see it. I don't have any good suggestions other than to perhaps listen to your designer, or ask her suggestions? I am not sure about the melee between the petals, I can't quite picture it even with the drawings, and somehow wonder if something more organic would be better? Let me see if I can find any examples of what I am thinking...

 

[madelise]

Dreamer, you never replied! I was interested on what you were going to attach.


I got to see my wax mold on Friday, and took a few photos. It was very delicate, definitely not a rubber mold! I was imagining I could try it on, but Sylva said if I did, it would break! Eek! So here she is!

 

[madelise]

..

 

[webdiva]

I really like it - what do you think? I can see the whole lily in that first shot, which is good!

And btw - next time you're downtown you HAVE to check out Perch. Yummy food and a GORGEOUS rooftop. In fact, maybe book a table by the fireplace for the day you pick up the finished ring to celebrate!

 

[madelise]

She stated that the halo will look extra chunky because there aren't any melee stones there, and the metal isn't "cut in". She stated she usually does NOT like to do CADs/models for clients because you really have to apply some imagination, and not take the designs literally! I'm trying my best. The halo part does look too chunky for me, but there goes that whole finger coverage vs. too gaudy argument in my head. I asked if she could just make sure that from a top-down view, that the shank of the setting and the halo were the same size. She actually advised against going much smaller (to a 1.8mm) just because of my apprehension due to the wax model. She said the 2.2mm will be good. I'm just going to trust her on that one.. since it was my original want anyway!

She asked what I wanted to do with that space underneath the lotus. I didn't want any MORE melee there, to detract from the lotuses, so I'm just getting some milgrain designs there.

I'm sticking with this proportion of the lotus because I feel I can still see the full lotus when looking at it's exact North and South orientation, yet at the same time, as seen in the second to last photo, at a natural tilt, I can still enjoy the image. Thanks again, Dreamer, for bringing that to my attention or I would have had her make the lotus even SMALLER!

Now it is completely 100% out of my hands! She will be sending me a couple of progress photos of the ring in the making, by my request, to help me ward off this anxiety I have for the wait as well as have for scrapbooking/memory purposes. I can share those when they come SO will not let me see it in person until he proposes, and who knows how long he'll make me squirm. He's totally sadistic like that, and would probably LOVE holding on to it! So here's to waiting! And waiting.. and waiting… 8 to 10 weeks, you better pass quickly!

 

[madelise]

I really like it - what do you think? I can see the whole lily in that first shot, which is good!

And btw - next time you're downtown you HAVE to check out Perch. Yummy food and a GORGEOUS rooftop. In fact, maybe book a table by the fireplace for the day you pick up the finished ring to celebrate!

Thanks! I'm loving it so far! It's just so crazy that what I drew and scribbled 2 years ago, PRE-PS, is coming to life! It's gone through so many revised scribbles throughout the last 2 years.. and here was a tangible wax mold of what I've been dreaming of for years! I was definitely floating on clouds for a bit! I wish I can find that first photo I drew 2 years ago. I folded it neatly and put it away for safe keeping.. and of course I always hide things too safely even for myself to find! I'd have fun posting that here, too, just to keep a little keepsake thread for myself.

Thanks for the rec! I just added Perch to my list of "to try" bookmarks on Yelp. I don't think SO will allow me to know when he picked up the ring, as he plans to try to put some element of surprise into all of this.. He was even giving me hell about wanting photos of the process! So I think I'll just have to visit Perch whenever we have a reason to doll up a bit I've never heard of Perch! I've gone to the Standard's rooftop lounge/bar, and the rotating one that isn't rooftop at the Bonaventure.. and the rooftop restaurant at the Omni Hotel. I loveee rooftops.. and watching the city lights!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I couldn't find anything useful!

I look forward to the progress shots!

 

[Laila619]

I like it. I much prefer halos with galleries like you are making, where the base of the ring is larger, rather than the HW style where they perch atop a super small donut. Its just a personal esthetic thing, but yuor setting is up my alley!

Me too. Also, I like having a gap between the e-ring and wedding band. I think it looks great.

It is going to be SO gorgeous, Madelise!!

 

[Laila619]

Instead of having the two melee diamonds on the sides, what about just extending the shank arms up to connect to the basket there?

 

[madelise]

I couldn't find anything useful!

I look forward to the progress shots!

Thanks, Dreamer!

 

[madelise]

I like it. I much prefer halos with galleries like you are making, where the base of the ring is larger, rather than the HW style where they perch atop a super small donut. Its just a personal esthetic thing, but yuor setting is up my alley!

Me too. Also, I like having a gap between the e-ring and wedding band. I think it looks great.

It is going to be SO gorgeous, Madelise!!

Thanks, Laila! I won't be extending the shanks higher. I thought about it, but my other two rings have that, and I really wanted something different. I know it would have probably given it more support, but I wanted more of a "rock" on "circle" look for this.

I just gotta sit in nervousness now!!

 

[CaprineSun]

Wow, madelise! That ring is going to be a knockout!!! And, how amazing is that you are using a designed you've dreamed of for so long--- now coming to reality! I can't wait!

 

[pandabee]

eeee madelise it looks so cool!!! I forget are you not planning on wearing wedding band with the ering? Hope these next 2 months go by fast!

 

[madelise]

Wow, madelise! That ring is going to be a knockout!!! And, how amazing is that you are using a designed you've dreamed of for so long--- now coming to reality! I can't wait!

Thanks! Yeah I'm super excited too! I really do wish I can find that very first drawing that I stored away! It was meant for a cushion since I totally 180-ed to get to the OEC lol.

 

[madelise]

eeee madelise it looks so cool!!! I forget are you not planning on wearing wedding band with the ering? Hope these next 2 months go by fast!

I guess I won't be :X I really wanted enough space to create a nice gallery. I knew no hand would sit flush, but I had no idea exactly how much it would protrude! Oh well. I wouldn't want them rubbing anyway! I was thinking I could just use a spacer in between, but this amount of protrusion won't even work with a spacer! Lol!!

Rt hand e-ring, lt hand WB it is!!! Or whatever I figure out. I'm not exactly a traditional gal in that sense since I already wear rings on both my LH and RH.. So =X it won't bother me much!

I really, really. Hope. He'll propose sooner than later... >_< I'm going to be dramatic and say I dieZ until he does!

 

[madelise]

I've had these for about 2 weeks, and just shot off another email to see if there are any more updates. I'm getting antsy here! SO better not wait forever to give it to me because this is torture!



I'm still nervous about the thickness of the halo.. and I was hoping the tilt would be more tilted.. but I'm sure I'll be enamored when I see it IRL.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Hm. It does look rather chunky. Have you seen samples of their pave? What type of pave are they doing?

 

[webdiva]

I've seen their pave and it's quite delicate. They had a super delicate HW-style in stock, plus a version of my current ring. Pictures always look so much chunkier, did it look that way in person? E.g. my e-ring is so much more delicate than the pictures, I just can't capture it correctly.