Need opinions on re-working an existing ring

[ksinger]

OK...
I''m looking for opinions. At some point I plan on getting another RB or a cushion. If that sounds indecisive, it''s not...I want BOTH, but let''s get real. My finances won''t allow.

Also, since the price of platinum is becoming increasingly ridiculous, I would like to be able to rework a ring I currently have. (The mounting was originally purchased to hold a .80 marquise I have, but when I got it in, I didn''t like it, so I just put the smallish round I had in it. It looks OK, but it could certainly handle a much larger stone. Love the engraving and the weight of this ring...) The side stones are approx 2.5-ish side to side, and 4-ish on the diagonal. The space across the center, from inner prong to inner prong of the sidestones, is 7mm.

What I''m thinking: Get a cushion or RB, mount it simply, to the necessary height (within reason of course) to visually cover the center space. Replace the not-fabulous side princesses with 4mm RB''s - .33 ctw as I recall. Questions: could this be done with the existing baskets, that are clearly made strictly for square stones, or would it look stupid? I''m thinking a nice rounded cushion shape would look stupid with all the sharp edges of a princess, which is why I''m thinking of going to rounds... but again, dumb? How about small cushions the same size as the princesses? Are they brutal to find?

Another option: cut out the entire center section, sides and all, and have someone replace that space with a halo mount that fits flush against the finger. (This would also allow a smaller stone. ) Is this a reasonable thing to be thinking about?

Here''s a top view of the ring... (size 5.75)

Oh, and yeah...I''m currently drooling on 1.5-ish cushions AND a 1.74 O, IF round at GOG. Lucky for my pocketbook, that my size aspirations are not impeded by my color sense: I have none! That O stone is just making me hyperventilate!

 

[ksinger]

Here''s a side view of the ring...

 

[ksinger]

OMG!!! LMAO!!! What have I DONE????

Sorry guys, really. That''s just freakin'' HUUUUUGE!!

 

[Steel]

Hi ksinger,

It seems to me that you are being very felxible in your options in order to get your mitts on some sparkles in a cut you love. You are resticting yourself with a setting which will require some reconstuctive surgery to house your new pretties. i am wondering if you are not approaching this backward. It is not like this setting is antique and in your family for generations, so why let it dictate/infulence your stone purchases.

Think outside the setting and what would you like, 3 stone, cushions, rb, asscher? You can reuse that setting later, if it does not fit here.

Ps. I am thinking the setting would took trememdous with sapphires!

 

[ajourklaus]

Hi ksinger,
everything can be done in some way.
Most of your dreams are feasible. Be a little careful when you want to replace square stones with round ones and the other way around possible but seldom pretty.
The idea of replacing the center is great and will look super.
For problems like that make sure you work with the best bench guy in town, if you do you will never know the ring looked different before. Work with a hack and you will be crying here for months.
A good jeweler will work wonders, your ring has a great basis to start with. A little expertise and money and you will be happy as a clown.

 

[ksinger]

Thanks guys. I pretty much think that the princess to round thing is pretty iffy. Just wondering out loud I guess. I suppose the best bet for that setting, is to simply get a larger round and be done with it, or maybe even an oval. I really do like the mounting as-is. It''s just that I seem to be hip-deep in 1/2-ish carat diamonds and little else. I mean, don''t get me wrong, I''m CERTAIN I can figure something out for them, but I really just need bigger stones...

Don''t we all !!!