OEC or antique cushion for pendant?

[kathleenmv]

Hi everyone!

I hope you can help me make up my mind.

I’m looking to make a pendant with a .75-ish antique stone, and I’m torn between using an OEC or an antique cushion.

I like the idea of a cushion because I already have two OECs (rings), and I love that cushiony shape.

On the other hand, I like the idea of an OEC because it seems like it might work better with a bezel (which I like for the added oomph). Plus, the round shape is pretty classic.

I actually have a cushion in-hand and, really, it is lovely. I just want to make super-duper sure it’s what I really want.

Which do you think would make a better pendant? It’s probably a matter of personal preference/opinion, but I’d love to hear yours!

Thanks!!

 

[arjunajane]

Hi Kathleen,
I think a cushion sounds like a fab idea, especially since you already a couple of OEC''s - do you have any photos of this cushion?
Also, I would think a bezel will still work with an antique cushion, as they tend to be quite rounded - is that how yours is?
Either way, it sounds like a fun project!

 

[Rhea]

I think a cushion sounds nice. I''ve always loved the shape. Do you have any photos of the one you currently have?

 

[kathleenmv]

Thanks for the replies, arjunajane and Addy!

Here is an image of the cushion from the vendor. As you can see, it''s somewhat rectangular.

I really did like the idea of a bezel, but Green with Envy recently posted in the Jewelry Forum that bezel-setting her cushion didn''t flatter the stone, which got me thinking. She did say that she thought milgraining might help with an antique stone such as this, but now I''m a little unsure. Of course, if I keep the cushion, I can set sans bezel. A little nervous about the thin girdle, though. And then there''s the whole E/W vs. N/S thing.

Oh decisions, decisions!

 

[neatfreak]

I love the idea of an antique cushion, but I don''t think that a bezel would highlight it well at all because it''s uneven. A bezel worked well on my modern cushion because the sides are even. In antique cushions one side is often wider, the corners are uneven, etc. which I think a bezel would only highlight and not hide.

I''d go 4 prong if you want the cushion.

 

[Green with Envy]

I went to every fancy jewelery store in town yesterday trying to see examples of different pendant styles and i finally found a store that had cushion pendants... they all were set in prongs with delicate halos and they looked PERFECT! personally I am not a halo lover, especially with RBs and modern stones because I like seeing just the stone, but the chunky facets and the tiny micropave complimented each other really well and that is how i am going to reset my cushion.

You stone is beautiful! just imagine a Harry Winston type soft tiny halo around it... I wish i could get mine back sooner to show the finished result for you.

 

[kathleenmv]

Hi Neatfreak and Green with Envy!

Neatfreak, good point about the assymetry of the stone. Hadn''t thought about that, but you''re absolutely right.

Green with Envy, I loooooooooooove delicate halos on cushions! I can''t wait to see yours!!

Not sure a halo pendant is right for me with my super casual/mommy lifestyle. I could just see it sitting in my jewelry box waiting for a special occasion (other than going to Arby''s, that is!

).

I''m sort of talking myself out of the cushion, although it is so darn beautiful. Am I being crazy?

Thanks again for all of your feedback. The advice here is always so sound!

 

[surfgirl]

kathleen, I think if you lean towards a bezel, then Ari does fantastic antique style bezels with tiny milgrain and to me, he does them very well. He''s got a standard style he does with cushion/OMC for studs and drops and they are verrrry lovely. But I agree that it does depend on the symmetry of your stone. If it''s very wonky around the edges, the bezel might look odd, though I''ve seen many OMCs in the milgrain bezel at SS and they all look mighty fine to my eye...

 

[Green with Envy]

I understand about the wanting to wear it everyday thing... but I realized that since the antique looking cushion cuts don''t have the same light appearance as modern RB... if you get one a bit smaller and add a halo... it will have similar brightness as the RB solitaires that folks were daily.

You can have it hang down with a bale... or stationary like this heart pendant.

 

[Green with Envy]

http://www.estatediamondjewelry.com/item.cfm?int_item_id=398&cat_id=7

Imagine your cushion set like these earrings... I think the milgrain makes a huge difference and I did mine stationary Est/west and I would not do that... do something more traditional like this.

 

[kathleenmv]

Hi Surfgirl and Green with Envy!

Surfgirl, I was hoping you''d weigh in because your ring was the beginning of my old cut obsession.

Ari was who came to mind when I was initially thinking about the milgrain bezel thing. I have an OEC in a Singlestone bezel mounting, and the work is just exquisite. Here''s a pair of lovely Singlestone earrings with bezel-set cushions. (Hope it''s okay to post this image!) Whaddya think? If I do keep the cushion, I was toying with E/W. Or is that weird with a bezel??

Green with Envy, good point about adding a little bling to the stone''s subtle glow. I did find this pretty cute setting (casting? something like that) from Adwar. Just not sure if it''s too blingy for me.

 

[kathleenmv]

Here''s that Adwar mounting...

 

[kathleenmv]

Hi Green!

Looks like we were posting at the same time.

Ooooooooo...those earrings are beautiful. And I do like the smaller round stone as an accent.

So...you think no on E/W? Even with a somewhat smaller cushion? (It''s 5.9x5.4mm-ish.)

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Since you already have OECs and have a lovely cushion in mine I vote for the cushion. Post pics!

 

[CrookedRock]

I think if you choose the cushion it would be gorgeous bezel set, east west, with milgrain set as a stationary pendant. I think it would be really different yet classic! I vote for the cushion too!

 

[surfgirl]

hey kathleen! Glad to hear that my ering started your obsession, but my apologies to your wallet!

Yes, that delicate milgrain is what I meant and I know you''ve seen it in person before at SS, yes? So you know how pretty it is. I don''t care at all for that adwar bale...bleh. It looks "mall-ish" to my eye...I think you could ask Ari to do a bit more overt milgrain that what''s in those earrings and it would look great. It''s all about your budget and whether or not this is an everyday necklace or a special occasion piece. Do you want added bling or a stand alone as is piece that focuses on the stone?

 

[kathleenmv]

Thanks, Tacori, CrookedRock and surfgirl!

Lots of cushion votes. Guess I need to put my big girl pants on and make up my mind. I''ll post a follow-up when (if?) I come to a decision!

Thanks again for all of the input. As always, I appreciate the insight and suggestions!

 

[Green with Envy]

Actually- I sort of like this Adwar mounting. As long as the pave halo does not have a lot of metal... it could look great!

I prefer stones east west... but it comes down to the ratio. leon set another Pser''s ring, Scarlet i think, east west even though it was not a huge stone and it looks good because stone more rectangle than square. I think if you are going with the stone set stationary you can do east/west... but if adding a bale than set the traditional way.

 

[kathleenmv]

Thanks Green with Envy! I love an East/West cushion, too.

What''s the latest with your cushion pendant design quest?

So I''ve come to a decision about whether to get an OEC or a cushion. The answer is...neither!

I found a beautiful Old Mine Cut!

It''s a little larger than the other stones I was looking at, so I''m not quite as hung up on bezeling (although I still might to protect the girdle--dunno!). I have an email into Ari at Singlestone to see what great pendant ideas he has.

Thanks again to everyone for the input, ideas and suggestions!!

Stand by for Chapter Two.

 

[surfgirl]

standing by, awaiting orders...

 

[kathleenmv]

Heeeeeeeeee! I''ll post the stone as soon as I get it. AND I''ll post any idears Ari comes up with so y''all can help me make up my weak, feeble mind.

Can''t wait to see the stone!!

 

[innerkitten]

I know this post is a few month old but I''m wondering what you came up with?

I would LOVE an old cut pendant myself one day.

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 7/11/2008 10:51:36 AM
Author: innerkitten
I know this post is a few month old but I''m wondering what you came up with?

I would LOVE an old cut pendant myself one day.

Me too, the design sounds lovely! I hope that it''s in the works!!!