Need advice... emerald cut center with traps...

[akc]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for some advice on an engagement ring that I am building (what a fun & exciting process!).

I have found my center stone and it is an emerald cut diamond: EC 2.16 F VS1, 8.57 x 6.42 x 4.32. I am really excited about the stone - it is beautiful!

I have also found a setting that I like (it was originally built for a 2ct sapphire - see photo below) and it has traps (step-cut) as side stones and pave on the shoulder of the ring (with engraving around the bottom and on the sides - the detail work is really well done).

So, here is my question - I am now trying to select the right size Traps to go with my center stone. I have found a pair that I really like but I am also worried that they may be too big (is that possible for a diamond?) based on my center stone and I'd love to hear some thougths from anyone that has opinions about settings and proportions.

Here are the details on the traps:
- 1.2 total carat weight (F-VS)
- 6.20 x 3.60 mm

My center stone is 8.57 x 6.42 mm and the inside corner to inside corner is 6.40 mm. As you can see from total carat weight of the traps, they are good size, but I believe that what matters most is the length x width ratio. I have looked at other inventory (specifically, www.americanfancies.com) and it looks to me like most of the stones in the 0.8 to 1.0 total carat weight have very similar length x width ratios. So, I am left wondering whether or not I should I be looking at smaller traps or will the traps mentioned above work well with my center stone and the setting that I like??


Here is the picture of the setting that I want to model my ring after.

 

[michela002]

I think what will answer the question for you best is drawing out on paper the exact size of your stone in mm (just as a square) and draw next to it the traps you are considering ... if they look wrong and too big on paper the will in the ring too. It can help you to visualize it. Perhaps try drawing the size of your centre stone, and then draw what size traps you WANT and get a general "between X and Y" measurements.

With a 2ct EC I''d be careful of going too big ... you want your centre stone to be the focus, not to be overwhelmed by side stones.

 

[AChiOAlumna]

Indecisive has provided with a good tool to determine if the traps will be too large...I LOVE EC''s!! I can''t wait to see pictures when you''re all done!

 

[windowshopper]

hi--i just had a ring done with a center Ec of 3.18carats. i think you should rethink the size--its verry hard to say go smaller but my traps are bordering on too much for the stone(4-2 pairs totalled 1.5) If i was computer literate i would post the picture for you.......................

 

[valeria101]

Well... as far as I can imagine the traps will need to be relatively large compared to the center, because very small ones that might look small relative to the center will be swollen by the prongs and look odd.

The usual ring photos online gine no indication of the real size of those stones - the same could be 1 carat center with 10 point sides or 5 carat center with near 1carat of sidestones. In reality, the first "reading" is not even feasible because the width of the shank, size of the prongs and size of the ring will be unfeasible.

I am not saying this is the case with your particular stone - this is just the first question that comes to mind.

Icestore lists a ring with 1.25cts square and 0.5 tcw side traps. The ring is lovely, IMO but the sides are by no means "accents" - they add up to a continuous volume together with the center. Very... architectural. The same look with Windowshopper's 3 carat EC would have produced a BLOCK of diamond and wires on the finger - more "industrial chick" than refined vintage look

Of course, this is not the case - her ring is fab.

The picture below is a drawing based on the proportions you give for the stones. Perhaps not perfectly acurate (as a CAD model would be), but should come close.

 

[windowshopper]

Date: 5/8/2005 4:27:23 AM
Author: valeria101
Well... as far as I can imagine the traps will need to be relatively large compared to the center, because very small ones that might look small relative to the center will be swollen by the prongs and look odd.

The usual ring photos online gine no indication of the real size of those stones - the same could be 1 carat center with 10 point sides or 5 carat center with near 1carat of sidestones. In reality, the first ''reading'' is not even feasible because the width of the shank, size of the prongs and size of the ring will be unfeasible.

I am not saying this is the case with your particular stone - this is just the first question that comes to mind.

Icestore lists a ring with 1.25cts square and 0.5 tcw side traps. The ring is lovely, IMO but the sides are by no means ''accents'' - they add up to a continuous volume together with the center. Very... architectural. The same look with Windowshopper''s 3 carat EC would have produced a BLOCK of diamond and wires on the finger - more ''industrial chick'' than refined vintage look

Of course, this is not the case - her ring is fab.

The picture below is a drawing based on the proportions you give for the stones. Perhaps not perfectly acurate (as a CAD model would be), but should come close.

ana-nice drawing--i think the angle of the side stones makes a big difference

 

[mrssalvo]

here''s a pic of windowshopper''s ring..hope you don''t mind me posting it WS

You can also see more pics here

 

[AChiOAlumna]

Date: 5/8/2005 9:13:27 PM
Author: mrssalvo
here''s a pic of windowshopper''s ring..hope you don''t mind me posting it WS

You can also see more pics here

OMG!!! I''m just drooling!! WS...you''re ring is absolutely gorgeous!!!

I''m jealous now!!!

 

[akc]

Thanks everyone for the feedback - I have a discussion started with one of the fellows at WhiteFlash (I am very impressed with them so far) and I am trying to get in touch with the ring / setting designer that made the ring posted above so that I can have their perspective as well...

And thanks for the images... what a beauty by windowshopper... a double set of traps, wow! I would be curious to know if the ring is 4 traps that are 1.5 total weight or is it 2 sets of traps where each set weigh 1.5... if it is the former, then you are really flanking the 3ct center with traps that weigh somwhere between 0.75 and 1.0 (or thereabouts).

 

[windowshopper]

hi
thanks mrs salvo.....i have a new computer and lost all my photos.........

to answer:

Date: 5/8/2005 11

4:11 PM
Author: akc
Thanks everyone for the feedback - I have a discussion started with one of the fellows at WhiteFlash (I am very impressed with them so far) and I am trying to get in touch with the ring / setting designer that made the ring posted above so that I can have their perspective as well...

And thanks for the images... what a beauty by windowshopper... a double set of traps, wow! I would be curious to know if the ring is 4 traps that are 1.5 total weight or is it 2 sets of traps where each set weigh 1.5... if it is the former, then you are really flanking the 3ct center with traps that weigh somwhere between 0.75 and 1.0 (or thereabouts).

the traps are 1.50 for all 4 stones