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Opal ring design help

bright&shiny

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
1,259
Hi all - I have an opal that David Klass is going to set. I'm super excited. This is my first go at having a stone set by someone other than the seller of the stone. Its also my first - from the ground up project. I'm turning to you experts to learn what I should consider and what settings might be good.

The opal:
Welo semi-transparent
Cut: Cab
dimensions: 17.84 mm x 13.61 mm X 6.51 (so its not small)
Weight: 8.12 ct.

It's got a ton of color and movement - super fun!
I bought it from Jim McCormick - who has been great - I am very happy with our interactions.

My RH size is 5.5, so I don't have very wide fingers. For that reason, I am not really thinking big halo - even though I dream of @missy's amazing ring. But this is not an Australian stone, and crystal so it behaves very differently and probably the diamonds would be more attractive to me than the opal - Lol.

My priorities:
I want the opal to be the star - and for the setting to get the best performance out of it.
It needs to be wearable in multiple circumstances (not just blinged out going out - because that's not happening for awhile and I have other stones still to set for those occasions)
I don't want it to be too big to wear, and its already on the bigger side for my hand (see pictures).
I don't want to pay a ton more than the stone - but already will be with the proposed simple gold halo. But I could be tempted...

David Klass (amazingly fast responses from him, BTW - awesome!) I sent him some inspiration pics (also posted in the thread linked below. He asked if I'd be ok with a thin gold halo, which I probably am, but then I wondered if it should be decorated in some way. He must have been reading my mind, because his next email asked if I would want any engraving on it. Lol Then I started to think about tiny bling in a thin halo..... (eye-roll).

DK sent me a few CAD renderings, but I don't know if its ok to share. But I think its ok to share the basics: approx 20 X 16 mm with the halo. The stone will be cupped. Ring size 5.5 Shank 2mm throughout. Height of the setting with the stone will be 7.4mm.

So, all you wise PS'ers. What would you do?
Any suggestions for basics since it's my first project (like shank shape, if I should plan to stack other bands with it, or other "I wish I had thought of that" learnings)?
Is simple the way to go?
Any inspirations for engraving? I LOVE flowers and vines... and have an obsession with taking photos of hummingbirds...


I'd appreciate your input - so excited to have my first real CS project underway!


Stone pics on super dry hands (RH & LH) - I hate winter!
View attachment 807892 tempImage4dRW9g.png


My first opal thread: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thoughts-on-this-opal-definitely-an-opal.263240/
 

bright&shiny

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
1,259
The second photo is by David Klass and one of the inspiration photos I sent him :kiss2:
 

Tartansparkles

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Feb 23, 2017
Messages
928
No design inspiration but the stone is gorgeous and a fab size (and the green flashes are perfectly matched to your sleeve!).
 

bright&shiny

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
1,259
@Tartansparkles - LOL - you can't imagine how neon my sleeve is - and I never bothered to get it out of the photo. I'm only wearing it because its just me and the puppy right now so I can't blind anyone :cool2::lol-2: Thanks for the compliments - I can't wait to get this made and wear it (I'll be sure to not wear the neon sweater, though).
 

Rfisher

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Oct 19, 2013
Messages
5,486
Random inspo
A170F020-8874-4DFB-854B-A898C36363D3.jpeg
1C3AAA6F-2241-4A0E-94A1-4D7D74CA50C0.jpeg

with of course individualizing the engraving / inserting hummingbird somewhere sounds like a beautiful idea. Maybe insert some recessed enamel in there somewhere with the hummingbird? How do you feel about art nouveau?

PS-
Is that potch lines on your pretty opal, not crazing right?
 

bright&shiny

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
1,259
Random inspo
A170F020-8874-4DFB-854B-A898C36363D3.jpeg
1C3AAA6F-2241-4A0E-94A1-4D7D74CA50C0.jpeg

with of course individualizing the engraving / inserting hummingbird somewhere sounds like a beautiful idea. Maybe insert some recessed enamel in there somewhere with the hummingbird? How do you feel about art nouveau?

PS-
Is that potch lines on your pretty opal, not crazing right?

Those are beautiful settings - thank you! No potch, no crazing. Just a close up and lights hitting some areas and not others. It’s eyeclean and transparent (if you look at the other post it has the specific data from the seller - plus more photos
 

lambskin

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
3,053
I just love amazing opals and when you have one no need to ‘guild the lily” with an ornate setting. Let the stone speak for itself. I love the plain bezel.
 

Mrs_Strizzle

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jun 14, 2018
Messages
1,567
I just wanted to say I also purchased an opal from JM that is waiting to be set so I'm anxious to see what you and DK design. I've gone back and forth about melee, but thinking my opal certainly can carry the whole show on her own. I saw this emerald on IG and like the simplicity of the setting (without melee). Screenshot_20210124-201435_Instagram.jpg
 

bright&shiny

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
1,259
I just wanted to say I also purchased an opal from JM that is waiting to be set so I'm anxious to see what you and DK design. I've gone back and forth about melee, but thinking my opal certainly can carry the whole show on her own. I saw this emerald on IG and like the simplicity of the setting (without melee). Screenshot_20210124-201435_Instagram.jpg

That’s beautiful! Can you share a photo of your opal? I can’t wait to see what you create!
 

Mrs_Strizzle

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jun 14, 2018
Messages
1,567
Screenshot_20190619-155430_Chrome.jpg

@bright&shiny Mine is 6.7 ct I think, and he called it pinfire. The colors are tiny but so sparkly like a disco ball, vs like the northern lights. I had never seen one like it and so I had to have it, lol.
 

bright&shiny

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
1,259
Screenshot_20190619-155430_Chrome.jpg

@bright&shiny Mine is 6.7 ct I think, and he called it pinfire. The colors are tiny but so sparkly like a disco ball, vs like the northern lights. I had never seen one like it and so I had to have it, lol.

I saw it and was seriously tempted - so glad a fellow PSer got it. Can’t wait to see what you do with it!
 

bright&shiny

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
1,259
Here are two design ideas from DK. Any thoughts? I’ve seen many CAD designs, but somehow it seems so different when it’s my project.... Anyone else have that Problem?

here’s the simple design:

CCBEB34F-6030-46E7-8131-E30F51DD9CB1.png CCBEB34F-6030-46E7-8131-E30F51DD9CB1.png

then he mentioned etching and I gave him a few ideas. This is his next mock-up.
FAB826D6-F49E-4E02-8935-5F99B838ED31.jpeg
Any thoughts?
 

ItsMainelyYou

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jun 27, 2014
Messages
4,756
I'm obsessed with engraving, so automatically in my head I'm, "Is there engraving? There's so much room! Even the bottom, why the hell not? Engraaaving!"

*Now, (all outwardly cool) and to you I ask, "I love that opal, what do you plan to do?" 8-)
 

bright&shiny

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
1,259
These were some inspiration pics I sent DK.
CE36E341-21C2-4DDF-B940-30AB88097A19.jpeg 0CB6EDA0-F66F-4924-AA7B-0C167D9D8F43.jpeg 00BAF9AC-4B9D-47A5-BB9B-3E808E49F773.jpeg E9D638A1-6249-41C9-A6E0-25098A684E24.jpeg [ATTAC
 

bright&shiny

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
1,259
I'm obsessed with engraving, so automatically in my head I'm, "Is there engraving? There's so much room! Even the bottom, why the hell not? Engraaaving!"

*Now, (all outwardly cool) and to you I ask, "I love that opal, what do you plan to do?" 8-)

You crack me up! I have to say, I agree. So much room. The second pic @Rfisher posted above is also beautiful, but perhaps something more floral and less geometric?
 

ItsMainelyYou

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jun 27, 2014
Messages
4,756
Floral! It will fit the rolling pattern in your opal, which by the way, is particularly lovely Welo example.
Did he show you a natural light shot on the hand? I really want a snakeskin pattern someday.
 

dk168

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 7, 2013
Messages
12,492
My inspirations for my own jelly Opal:

Screenshot_20190524-024635_Facebook.jpg

20-carat-blue-star-sapphire-gent-s-ring_1_30-1-1839.jpg

LongOval.JPG

Capture#3.PNG

DK :))
 

bright&shiny

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
1,259
Floral! It will fit the rolling pattern in your opal, which by the way, is particularly lovely Welo example.
Did he show you a natural light shot on the hand? I really want a snakeskin pattern someday.
Thank you. I haven’t sent the stone to him yet - and it’s too cold right now, so next week I’ll send it to him. The photos above (especially the last few) are mine. I’ll post a few in completely natural light
 

dk168

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 7, 2013
Messages
12,492
These are so pretty! Have you decided?

My Opal was a bargain and I am not going to spend a lot of money on the setting. Therefore, I am likely to opt for thick metal halo instead, in Rhodium-plated Silver.

775837

DK :))
 

ItsMainelyYou

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jun 27, 2014
Messages
4,756
@ItsMainelyYou Here she is at the back door. No indoor lights at all. Only indirect lighting from outside (shaded because the sun is so low). 0253F053-5908-4519-B723-03BD898FB737.jpeg 0253F053-5908-4519-B723-03BD898FB737.jpeg 09B77CD6-8EF7-45F2-9EB7-1BA6E67DEA5E.jpeg FAAB5AD3-574D-4AF7-93D2-4D101C84B094.jpeg 96326E26-AD92-4548-A8C8-1624E2BBC9F7.jpeg A61BD524-ED8E-4EBD-8D0A-DB0370CC4BF9.jpeg 3D0D31C3-C6DB-4CA1-A1E0-7B282FE49781.jpeg

Thank you!
Oh, she really is a beauty and I see some snakeskin patterning in there as well! I can't wait to see how this comes out.
 

bright&shiny

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
1,259
My Opal was a bargain and I am not going to spend a lot of money on the setting. Therefore, I am likely to opt for thick metal halo instead, in Rhodium-plated Silver.

775837

DK :))

She’s a beauty! Mine wasn’t expensive either, but I’m allergic to many metals so it’s 18k or nothing I’m afraid.
 
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