Need help with a temp setting for my new G VS1

[Lula]

I just got an e-mail from Wink telling me that this stone http://www.winkjones.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity&id=763 is on its way to him. I'll post photos/videos as soon as I get them.

The color and clarity bugs bit me this year, so I am going up in color and clarity (from an I color, I1 clarity) and down in size (from 1 carat to .77 carat). I know, kind of the opposite of the typical PS upgrade.

Even though I own one of those nifty eye-clean I1's, I started having mind clean issues and began "looking" for the inclusions all the time. It was driving me crazy. And after going from an M color to an I color with fluoro (previous upgrade) I found I liked the whiteness of the I color, especially in office lighting, and I really like the color of the fire in higher-color stones -- it's just different; I can't really explain it. Maybe others here who own (have owned) diamonds in a variety of colors can explain it better. So I wanted to up the color of my stone, too.

I've lost a fair amount of weight this year, and my ring size changed, and my halo felt gigantic on my left-hand (both the ring size and in proportion to my hand). I've also made some lifestyle changes -- more outdoor activities and exercise. So my halo was not being worn as much as I'd like. My halo will become a right-hand ring with a gemstone in the center.

I decided I wanted a lower and more compact bezel setting so I can wear my diamond more often, which meant I could go down in carat weight a bit. I want something similar to this http://www.winkjones.com/index.php?page=store-product-detail&id=123. But until my weight stabilizes, I'll be joining Dreamer and Bean in the temp setting camp.

So which companies make the best-looking basic settings? I'll need to wear the temp setting for at least six months and I'll be wearing it with my 2 mm platinum and yellow gold wedding band, http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Ite...5-p+1-c+288152-r+101323339-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+so it can't be too "bulky." I'd like to keep the price under $500 and I don't care if it's yellow gold or white gold. I'd consider vintage rings, too, if anybody knows of a great deal on ebay!

Here's one I'm considering, from Jewels by Erica Grace, but it's rose gold. It's the first ring on this page http://jewelsbyericagrace.com/semimounts
Wink would have to size it down and repair the prongs (do-able, I think). I wear a size 7 1/4 - 7 1/2 now, depending on the width of the band.

Thanks!!!!
ETA: I just realized the JBEG ring is probably too small to hold a .77 stone. I think finding a vintage setting might be difficult.

 

[D&T]

Hey Lula! Congrats on your weight loss... Whohooo!

As for settings, If you want to try out a semi bezel to see how you like it, I'm sure Stuller or Adwar would be perfect and should be relatively less than $500.

Something like this:
I'm sure Wink can order it.This one can't surely be more than $300 ( I use $120 per x 1.7dtw) this is a very rough estitmate, but I usually come close Granted there maybe additional labor charge or marke perhaps depending on where you go.
http://www.adwar.com/products/styles/23346L/view

Or this:

http://www.adwar.com/products/styles/23248L/view


just a couple of ideas for you. HTH!

 

[Lula]

Thanks, D&T -- I feel so much healthier. And thanks for the links to the settings and your secrets to calculating approximate cost. I like both of those settings. I could actually wear the second one on its own, with no wedding band, or wear it with the band for a different look. I think it's a good idea to order something with a bezel/half-bezel head, to see if I like the design.

I'm not sure if I want to cover up the sides and bottom of the diamond. The first setting you linked looks like it has "cut-outs" in the bezel (?) so that the pavilion is at least somewhat visible.

Here are two from Unique Settings:
http://www.uniquesettings.com/product/view/934?from_style=1
http://www.uniquesettings.com/product/view/12965?from_style=1

The second one reminds me of the WF Keystone setting.

 

[D&T]

yep, that second one does look like the kestone from WF, I'm not exactly sure, but could venture to guess it is where they order from? I never asked them directly.

The thickness of the keystone ring was a bit uncomfortable for me, as with my new e-ring the thick ness was near 2.3mm and similar I thought to the keystone. I had my now ering shaved down a bit.

would you do 18k or 14k? if temp, I might do a 14k especially in bezel or semi bezel I've had no problem with several semi bezels in 14k plus it'll keep cost down.

 

[Lula]

I love 18 kt. yellow gold, but for the temp setting, I'm willing to go with 14 kt. yellow gold (with a white gold head/bezel, if possible). I'm actually liking the look of white diamonds set in yellow gold (thinking of Andelain's ring).

I am concerned about the thickness of the ring (thick rings do not feel comfortable to me) so I appreciate your comments about the thickness of the Keystone. I think Wink could adjust those sorts of things before he sends the ring to me, though.

 

[yssie]

Lula - wow, that will be a very different ring!


Congrats on your lifestyle changes - they are hard to make, and you sound like you are very happy with the results

Just to throw one other idea out there - have you considered Etsy for your temp setting? I had a good experience with DanielM (http://www.etsy.com/shop/danielmjewelry), as have many others. His work is very nice and his prices are very reasonable - you might inquire about a temp bezel, even


Do you have a gemstone picked out for your halo?

 

[Gypsy]

I'd be concerned with the metal weight on the unique settings. Give the high price of metals I would try for settings that are lighter on the metals. I don't think either of those are going to be under 500.

My temp setting was a Unique of NY... metal heavy but as solid as a mach truck.

I'd ask Daniel M from etsy for a quote on a nice bezel setting. You never know.

 

[Lula]

Lula - wow, that will be a very different ring!


Congrats on your lifestyle changes - they are hard to make, and you sound like you are very happy with the results

Just to throw one other idea out there - have you considered Etsy for your temp setting? I had a good experience with DanielM (http://www.etsy.com/shop/danielmjewelry), as have many others. His work is very nice and his prices are very reasonable - you might inquire about a temp bezel, even


Do you have a gemstone picked out for your halo?

Thanks, yssie. Yes, this will be a very different look for me. I really need something without prongs that sits a bit lower. I like DanielM's bezels -- this is the first time I've seen his work. My main concern is the width of the band -- I'm used to wearing two 2 mm rings, and anything over 6 mm in width will be too much for my shorter fingers. So I like the more delicate look of his bezels and also the first ring D&T posted.

But I also need to remember that I'll be wearing my halo as a RHR, so while the two rings don't need to "match," I do want them to complement each other. Now that I think of it, maybe wearing a round halo on one hand and a round bezel on the other hand might be too much of a good thing. The second Adwar ring that D&T posted might be a more sleek look and avoid the "round-bezel-round-halo" look.

Arrggggghhhh -- I thought this would be an easy decision, ha-ha.

Oh, to answer your question, no, I haven't decided on a gemstone for my halo yet. I'm think a light-to-medium blue (sapphire; zircon?) or a green stone (peridot?) I'd love a golden yellow or orange stone to contrast with the sapphire halo, but I can't wear warm-hued gemstones with my skin tone.

 

[Lula]

I'd be concerned with the metal weight on the unique settings. Give the high price of metals I would try for settings that are lighter on the metals. I don't think either of those are going to be under 500.

My temp setting was a Unique of NY... metal heavy but as solid as a mach truck.

I'd ask Daniel M from etsy for a quote on a nice bezel setting. You never know.

Yup, you nailed it -- the cost of gold/platinum is outrageous. And everything I've read leads me to believe prices will go even higher this year. I think this is a good point -- no need to get a super heavy temp setting. It needs to be sturdy, yes, but something without prongs and melee will be a lot easier to wear while traveling, running, biking, hiking, etc.

Okay, this is helpful - thanks!

So, here's where I'm at:

Round halo with a thick band -- may not be comfortable; may be $$$ for a temp setting; may be too much "round" with my halo as a RHR.
Round halo with a thin band -- more delicate and comfortable; less $$$; still have the possible round-round issues.
Half-bezel -- sleek, streamlined, more along the lines of Maevone or Scholdt designs, which I love; avoids the round-round issues; may be more expensive; medium-width band; have to make sure the setting is not too thick on the sides of the ring.

 

[yssie]

I am loving the idea of a half-bezel Your new stone is the perfect size and IMO high-colour for that sort of sleek modern look... my only question is whether you would be happy with sleek and bold on one hand and romantic and vintage-y on the other?

ETA I like green and purple so a deep velvety green (tsav?) gets my vote - not that you asked

 

[Lula]

Yssie -- opinions on the RHR project are welcome! I'll start another thread on that once the new ring is done. I love purple and green, and I would love-love-love a tsav in my ring. I think good quality tsavs are pricey, but I could save up for a nice one (and put an inexpensive topaz in my ring while I wait for the tsav).

You bring up a good point -- combining vintage and modern styles is tricky. I think I'm going to focus less on finding a ring that will complement my halo, and focus more on finding a style that will complement my new stone -- duh! Sometimes I have to type my way through a long thread to see the obvious

I agree with you that the half-bezel will showcase the size, color, clarity of this stone -- and I love the sleek, modern feel of the half bezel.

With a nice tsav or sapphire in my halo, I think I'd be more inclined to wear it as an optional engagement ring, or wear it as a RHR with my 5 mm vintage gold band on my left hand. It's nice to have completely different looks.

Anyway, thanks for your suggestions everyone - they've been very helpful.

 

[yssie]

Ah budgets. They're such party poopers! Your old halo is too pretty not to have a spectacular centre, though


You have said that you don't like to baby your Ering - bezels and half-bezels are *so* low-maintenance! And a bezel temp would be a good thing to try before you invest $$ into the Real Thing.. oooh wait remember AJ's RDG OEC - with the melee trailing down the sides? You might do something like that if you want to make it daintier (is that a word?)...


Looking for the pic..

 

[yssie]

found it! Kinda like this, only trailing down from the semibezel head

 

[Lula]

Thanks for the photo, yssie -- I love AJ's ring. It's a masterpiece! The melee detail on the edge of the band reminds me of this Durnell setting, which I've always admired http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/durnell-jewelry/rings/09AA1/. The bezel temp will give me a "blank canvas" to live with while I think of the details I'd like on my permanent setting.

So here's the update: Wink got the stone in, took photos, and made a video. I'll post all that in a new thread.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with one of the Adwar settings that D&T posted -- thanks D&T!! http://www.adwar.com/products/styles/23248L/view
It's sleek yet feminine and flowing, and the band is not too thick or wide. Plus, I like that the pavilion of the stone is not completely enclosed. I can't wait to use an ultrasonic for cleaning -- woo-hoo, freedom!

Wink's assistant, Melissa, has been so helpful answering my questions about pricing, band thickness, etc. I'm *thinking* I will go with 18 kt. yellow gold, with a brushed/matte finish.

Some progress has been made on the replacement stone for my halo -- the contenders (well within my budget) are a deep purple spinel or a chartreuse chrysoberyl. I'm going to take a look at the spinel this week. I love the chrysoberyl, but I'm not sure the color of that stone will work with my skin tone. On the other hand, I'm concerned that the spinel might not offer enough of a contrast with my halo. I'll know more in a few days! Another option is chrome tourmaline, but that is more $$ and it would need to be custom cut...but that could be cool, too.

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.adwar.com/products/styles/23173L/view GETS MY VOTE.

 

[Lula]

http://www.adwar.com/products/styles/23173L/view GETS MY VOTE.

Thanks, Gypsy -- I do like the look of this setting in yellow gold

 

[yssie]

Ooh just saw the other thread, congrats on your decision! Your stone is *gorgeous*

Can't wait to see it - and what you do with the other ring

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.adwar.com/products/styles/23173L/view GETS MY VOTE.

Thanks, Gypsy -- I do like the look of this setting in yellow gold

It will be stunning especially with a brushed finish

.

 

[D&T]

yay! I'm glad I could help, I've thought about getting that setting for myself, if only I'd browse through the site more, before I chose the keystone on my very first reset, then *maybe* the whole numerous of resets might have ended long before...lol I am excited to see this!
I think you'll be able to pair it with your Lovely Tiffany I covet also it looks very similar to the Sholdt design from the profile view as well.

 

[Lula]

yay! I'm glad I could help, I've thought about getting that setting for myself, if only I'd browse through the site more, before I chose the keystone on my very first reset, then *maybe* the whole numerous of resets might have ended long before...lol I am excited to see this!
I think you'll be able to pair it with your Lovely Tiffany I covet also it looks very similar to the Sholdt design from the profile view as well.

LOL, D&T, I do love my little Tiffany band and am thrilled that it will work with the "Sholdt-esque" Adwar setting. Believe me, I am right with you on the "if only" thoughts. But I'm a person who needs to live with something for a while before I know if it works for me (shrug).

Funny thing is, my halo is very solid and protects the stone well; it just looks a tad out-of-place on the running trail or on my bike! I can't quite channel my inner Liz Taylor (who said that on PS?) enough to pull that look off!

 

[D&T]

yay! I'm glad I could help, I've thought about getting that setting for myself, if only I'd browse through the site more, before I chose the keystone on my very first reset, then *maybe* the whole numerous of resets might have ended long before...lol I am excited to see this!
I think you'll be able to pair it with your Lovely Tiffany I covet also it looks very similar to the Sholdt design from the profile view as well.

LOL, D&T, I do love my little Tiffany band and am thrilled that it will work with the "Sholdt-esque" Adwar setting. Believe me, I am right with you on the "if only" thoughts. But I'm a person who needs to live with something for a while before I know if it works for me (shrug).

Funny thing is, my halo is very solid and protects the stone well; it just looks a tad out-of-place on the running trail or on my bike! I can't quite channel my

 inner Liz Taylor (who said that on PS?) enough to pull that look off

!

too funny

And completely agree, with living with a piece for a bit to know how it will work with your lifestyle.

ETA: sorry I really can't for the life of me, figure out how to delete certain quotes, and then highlight (my highlight font box won't come up ) then I don't know what I did with this "code" button, or even know how to use it...lol ahhhh but you get me

 

[Andelain]

So did you end up getting it in yellow gold? I think that would look great with your bright white diamond. I really love the contrast.

 

[Lula]

So did you end up getting it in yellow gold? I think that would look great with your bright white diamond. I really love the contrast.

Hi, Andelain,
Well, I was ready to order this setting in yellow gold (brushed finish ) but then I found this "vintage" Sholdt setting on ebay:
ETA: Agghhh, the link doesn't work anymore and I can't capture the photos off the listing!

I e-mailed Melissa, Wink's assistant, about the possibility of my stone working in this setting, and she said it would work, and that they could size it for me. I worked out a great price with the buyer and it should be here in a few days!

The seller owns this business, and is someone whose work I've always admired. She said the setting was new old stock from her store and was made by Sholdt in 1999. Here's the link to her site: http://www.jewelryexpert.com/

I'll post photos when I get it. But this was a great solution to my temporary setting dilemma!

ETA II: Trying a new link: http://cgi.ebay.com/18kt-Yellow-Gol...pt=CZ_Engagement_Rings_US&hash=item3cb4075fbe

 

[Gypsy]

Lovely AND a fabulous price! Oh, this is going to be pretty!

 

[yssie]

NICE find!!

 

[Lula]

Thanks, Gypsy and Yssie! Yes, it was a total fluke -- I searched ebay for "Sholdt" and that setting turned up. I'm not crazy about the prongs, but figured for that price, I can live with prongs on a temp setting! It should be here in a few days. I'll post photos then. I hate the hurry-up-and-wait part of upgrading.

 

[Andelain]

That's a really nice setting! It's going to look great with a well cut white diamond contrasting in it.

You may find yourself in no hurry to reset the stone down the road.

 

[Lula]

That's a really nice setting! It's going to look great with a well cut white diamond contrasting in it.

You may find yourself in no hurry to reset the stone down the road.

I do have to admit that your D set in yellow gold was one of my "inspiration" rings! I like the contrast of white-stone-yellow-metal a lot. Plus, it's been years since I've worn yellow gold and it's fun to wear it again. Though I will not be pulling out the shoulder pads and leg warmers that were the height of fashion the last time yellow gold was in style.

 

[Andelain]

That's a really nice setting! It's going to look great with a well cut white diamond contrasting in it.

You may find yourself in no hurry to reset the stone down the road.

I do have to admit that your D set in yellow gold was one of my "inspiration" rings! I like the contrast of white-stone-yellow-metal a lot. Plus, it's been years since I've worn yellow gold and it's fun to wear it again. Though I will not be pulling out the shoulder pads and leg warmers that were the height of fashion the last time yellow gold was in style.

I saw that about my ring, and thank you. I think you can't go wrong choosing a 'G', especially a CBI or equivalent, to set in yellow gold. That's going to pop. No other way to say it, I can't wait to see the pics.

Truthfully I don't know why yellow gold ever went out of style. I've always preferred it and the only white gold I wear is my earrings and my square halo because it came that way. I'm getting a custom white gold ring made now, but that's to contrast a light brown diamond.