Okay, I need your help again...picking sidestones now for my Leon

[Fly Girl]

Shields. Those are so cool!!!

 

[anne_h]

Shields all the way! IMO, they''re more unique and therefore special, and are less likely to have a dated look as the years go by... (no offense to pear lovers, btw!)

Anne

 

[angeline]

Date: 5/9/2007 6:36:49 PM
Author: FireGoddess

Date: 5/9/2007 6:11:08 PM

Author: angeline


FireGoddess, do you have any examples of what you might mean? I''m not too good with knowing what a vintage design looks like, I''ve always been drawn to more modern designs but I am growing (rapidly) in appreciation of other styles since reading PS.

I had a hard time trying to find something that represents what I envision, but when it comes to vintage inspired design I think things like milgraining, less sleek design. The angularity of the shields speaks to me in an Art Deco sort of way. Here''s a vintage piece from Fay Cullen, and while not exactly what I would envision, you can see that the inner section of each side of the band even looks like the shape of your shields. Know what I mean? That''s what hits me when I see the shields next to the round. I wish I could give a better example - there are better jewelry designers than me on PS though!!! LOL.

FireGoddess - thank you for posting that photo. I do see what you mean. I like the Art Deco reference, from what little I have seen I love that period. I think I understand now what you are seeing in the shields. I love that ring, love that stone by the way.

 

[angeline]

Date: 5/9/2007 7:38:08 PM
Author: starryeyed
Angeline, I like them both, but I like the shields better. I would probably be fretting too because it''s a big commitment and sometimes it''s easier to go with the classic solution. You can''t go wrong with the pears - the look is really nice.


Something about those shields though - for me, this would be my hands-down choice. The shape is so different! The other thing I like about them is the degree of ''action'', for lack of a better term. I think the degree flashiness of the cut for the shields compliments the RB nicely, rather than competing.


Does that make sense?

Starry I think you nailed it. I am scared to do something different because it is a big investment and there are so many gorgeous examples of rb''s with pear sides and I know it''s a classic choice (just look at TIffany). I also hear you on the degree of ''action''. This is what scared me too a little because they look much busier than the rb, or different or something, whereas the pears blend in more. But I do love the geometry of the shields.

 

[angeline]

A big thanks to everyone else that has voted, I value all of your comments. It is a big decision for me and it helps to get different points of view. I''m leaning toward the shields for the ''being a bit different'' reason. It will probably change by tomorrow morning though!

a

 

[Gothgrrl]

I like the shields. It will be unique and original. It will look kind of vintage with a twist.

 

[angeline]

and with Gothgrrl''s vote the shields edge ahead by one vote!

Pears: 9
Shields: 10

It''s interesting, I thought pears would win hands down..

a

 

[angeline]

Here''s a pic from Leon''s site of a pear with shields. I try to imagine it with the bottom bit of the pear cut off to see what a round might look like with shields...

 

[Dogmom]

Another vote for the shields. I really like the vintage "feel" they add to the overall design.

 

[golden]

hey! how is everyone?

My vote is for the pear side stones.

I think the shields look better with emerald cuts or any stone that is squarish, not round. The pear stone actually looks good with the shields, but I think that is because they both come to points.

 

[Murr4168]

I''m voting for pear sides too....of course I tend to choose classic over different so I may be biased. I just prefer to keep stone shapes somewhat similar when worn together. I love how the round and pear sides just flows together so beautifully. To me, the shields just make it look choppy. I really think though you can''t go wrong with either though!

 

[Cehrabehra]

I like the shields, I like that they''re different, and I think they offset the round nicely

 

[surfgirl]

I wanted to like the shields better but I cant because ultimately, when they''re set they''ll look mainly like tapered baguettes at least that''s my guess looking at that pear ring above). Whereas the pear sides have a more graceful look on the finger, IMO. I think that classic RB center with pear sides sort of "sweeps" across the hand in an "prettier" manner. I think the shields would be as nice but look more hard-edged because of the baguette look to the sides. Not as soft and sweeping in their lines...

 

[chrono]

If designed properly (which I'm sure LM will), my preference is for the shield. Yes, the pear is a classic, but the shield, which are unique also complements the center stone. I like the vintage style ring that FG posted. However, in a plain 3 stone setting, I'm not sure how it'll play out. Anyone care to photoshop that?

Angeline, what is the design you had in mind? Plain 3 stone ring or with lots of embelishments?

 

[angeline]

Date: 5/10/2007 12:49:39 PM
Author: Chrono
If designed properly (which I''m sure LM will), my preference is for the shield. Yes, the pear is a classic, but the shield, which are unique also complements the center stone. I like the vintage style ring that FG posted. However, in a plain 3 stone setting, I''m not sure how it''ll play out. Anyone care to photoshop that?


Angeline, what is the design you had in mind? Plain 3 stone ring or with lots of embelishments?

Just a plain 3-stone Chrono. The budget probably won''t stand for too much more than that

 

[angeline]

Date: 5/10/2007 11:21:50 AM
Author: surfgirl
I wanted to like the shields better but I cant because ultimately, when they''re set they''ll look mainly like tapered baguettes at least that''s my guess looking at that pear ring above). Whereas the pear sides have a more graceful look on the finger, IMO. I think that classic RB center with pear sides sort of ''sweeps'' across the hand in an ''prettier'' manner. I think the shields would be as nice but look more hard-edged because of the baguette look to the sides. Not as soft and sweeping in their lines...

I was a bit worried too Surfgirl about the way part of the shape of the shield disappears from the top. hmmm...

 

[surfgirl]

angeline, I think it all depends on whether or not you prefer the round w. baguette look or the round with pear look. Do you have a Tiffany''s near you? If so, I''d go there and try on the same center stone you''ve got with baguettes and with pears and see what it looks like on your hand.

 

[BunniBling]

If you''re still on the fence, I vote for shields. The pears are certainly lovely; beautiful in a conventional sense. The shields, IMO, offer a very unique, yet incredibly elegant look. Can''t wait to hear what you choose!

 

[aljdewey]

My vote is for the shields......all the way.

When I saw your first pic, my first reaction was "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooo- how cool and what GREAT lines!"

When I saw the second pic (pears), my reaction was "eh - bland.....been there, done that."

I feel like the shields complement the center more nicely. They add to it *without* competing with it. The pears, I feel, distract from the center and minimize the look of the size of your center stone.

 

[kohdy]

Hi Angeline,
So I see that you have changed your mind about the setting you want while I was blinking!?

I thought I was going to be the only one voting for the shields when I was scrolling the screen down on the first page, but now I see that I may be joining the majority of the votes! I love the fact that the shields are so stunningly unique. It is so striking to look at... It is just so gorgeous!

The pear sides are wonderful, too, but if you want a true jaw dropper, I would say SHIELDS!!!

 

[angeline]

Date: 5/10/2007 2:37:49 PM
Author: kohdy
Hi Angeline,

So I see that you have changed your mind about the setting you want while I was blinking!?

I thought I was going to be the only one voting for the shields when I was scrolling the screen down on the first page, but now I see that I may be joining the majority of the votes! I love the fact that the shields are so stunningly unique. It is so striking to look at... It is just so gorgeous!

The pear sides are wonderful, too, but if you want a true jaw dropper, I would say SHIELDS!!!

Kohdy - yeah, I''m pretty hopeless when it comes to making up my mind! My poor dh gave up a long time ago. I''m set on the 3-stone now though, I''m kinda glad I won''t have to baby any pave along and I can US the heck out it!

 

[angeline]

Date: 5/10/2007 1:31:32 PM
Author: surfgirl
angeline, I think it all depends on whether or not you prefer the round w. baguette look or the round with pear look. Do you have a Tiffany''s near you? If so, I''d go there and try on the same center stone you''ve got with baguettes and with pears and see what it looks like on your hand.

Surfgirl - my local Tiffs, in fact all jewelry stores within a 25 mile radius are sick of the sight of me. Her again they say, and she never buys anything! It''s so hard to envision though what the real deal will look like, they never have things in the size or proportions I want.

 

[angeline]

I think I''m going to go for the shileds. My gut reaction was for them, I get distracted by the classicism of the pears. I like what the shield voters have been saying because deep down I do want something a little bit different so I guess that means shields.

Thanks again for everyones input. I might just check with Leon that eh thinks the shields aren''t tooo big for my stone. I''ll keep you all updated!

Cheers, a