Pick temp stone for a Van Craeynest solitaire?

[Circe]

The universe apparently decided to make up for my ridiculous migraine by granting me a pick from my Jewelry Bucket List - Van Craeynest! I was literally in the pharmacy waiting to pick up medication when I stumbled across them. I will admit, I DID start to feel better right quick!

I now have THREE gorgeous VC rings - two bands (I think a 912 and a 927?), and the solitaire that matches the 912 with a head that would fit a roughly .25 stone. Now, down the line, maybe for an anniversary, I'd like to set it with an AVC, or the VSB eye-visible fluorescent stone of my dreams (if I'm lucky, I'll put my hands together), but in the meantime,I'd like to be able to WEAR the solitaire, not least of all because these bands flank my french-cut band like they were made for it. Couple'a pics below ....

Two shots of the bands stacked with my 2.5 anniversary ring, and one of them flanking my french band ....

 

[Circe]

And a few close-ups showing the empty head ....

 

[Circe]

So! As it stands, I have one stone that fits the setting almost perfectly, a tiny bright-bright-bright green stone that looks like tourmaline to me, though I'll have to check with the CS folk to see if they have any tips for identification.

Alternately, here's how the setting would look with a sub-one-carat-ish bezel (uh ... no, I'm not thinking of cannibalizing my earrings temporarily!) ... both stacked with the french band first, and then as a plain set:

 

[Circe]

So, what do you guys think? I definitely want to use this setting for something special ... but I don't want to sink a ton more into it right now (I wasn't planning any major jewelry purchases for a while - I'll be purging big-time to make up for it - but I just couldn't resist). That said, I definitely want to enjoy it in the meantime.

I figure my options are to set the little green guy, or to cannibalize my earrings, or to purchase another to-be-named little stone to pop in there. You guys have any suggestions?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Umm, excuse me, but how does one run across VC rings while going to the pharmacy??? (jealous!!!)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/HI1111T7470007A/

But I think the little green stone is perfect for a temp stone.

 

[Circe]

Umm, excuse me, but how does one run across VC rings while going to the pharmacy??? (jealous!!!)

Heheheh - I was sitting in a corner in my dark glasses wishing I had some earplugs to block out the horrible pop music and surfing the web to distract myself and hit lucky on a search on Rubylane!

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/HI1111T7470007A/

But I think the little green stone is perfect for a temp stone.

I LOVE that stone... but I'm afraid it might be too big for the setting? It really does seem to need something below 4 mm (though for the long-term stone, that's definitely up for modification ). But I'm glad you like the little green! I just wish I knew what it WAS - I know my collection backwards and forwards, mostly, but with the smaller stones, I think a lot of time we just sort of handwaved them, eh, probably a tourmaline/diopside/whatever. Argh.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yeah, I am sure the little AVC would need a new head. Just call the green stone a tourmaline. I think that works! I love the green with the yg! Although you could probably pick up an OEC that size really cheap, too.

Apparently I need to check rubylane more often!

 

[junebug17]

I also was wondering how you discovered the rings while at the pharmacy! Gotta love those smart phones Anyway, I think the green stone looks lovely in the setting and would work well as a temp stone. Or maybe browse ebay/pre-loved for a small oec to pop in there? Or how about a garnet?

Beautiful rings!!

 

[GemFever]

Oh Circe, so beautiful! You are a master stacker.

I like the green one. It looks like a tourm to me. Maybe look for a small but super intense sapphire? Or Mahenge? This could be a fun little project!

 

[backwardsandinheels]

Wow, nice find! Maybe the stone color will be determined by how you wear it. Will you wear RHR style or stacked on the left? Do you want it to contrastor blend in? I am having a Morganite/Kunzite thing right now.

 

[Circe]

Yeah, I am sure the little AVC would need a new head. Just call the green stone a tourmaline. I think that works! I love the green with the yg! Although you could probably pick up an OEC that size really cheap, too.

Apparently I need to check rubylane more often!

CS seems to concur it's probably a tourmaline - okay, cool, then I'll feel comfortable wearing it regularly. And, yes, Rubylane is definitely underappreciated, I think ... the jewelry dealers there tend to be very nice!

I also was wondering how you discovered the rings while at the pharmacy! Gotta love those smart phones Anyway, I think the green stone looks lovely in the setting and would work well as a temp stone. Or maybe browse ebay/pre-loved for a small oec to pop in there? Or how about a garnet?

Beautiful rings!!

Heheheh - while I seem to have shaken the headache, apparently there's not much I can do about the absent-mindedness! Wouldn't it be nice if all pharmacies had a bling selection to distract us?

I am thinking about browsing eBay, but if possible I'd like to keep the temp stone and setting as low as possible, no more than a couple of hundred bucks. And given that not that many places carry VC and that after my refurb mess I am now officially paranoid ... I'm betting the setting fee will eat most of that. So it's either this guy, or an AMAZING eBay bargain (eBay gurus, if you want to lend a sister a hand, I won't object!), or some other sort of stone I haven't thought of yet. I need to visit my safety deposit box: given how much red I wear, I'd love to be able to find a really blood-red ruby for it. Or a spinel? Hm ....

Oh Circe, so beautiful! You are a master stacker.

I like the green one. It looks like a tourm to me. Maybe look for a small but super intense sapphire? Or Mahenge? This could be a fun little project!

Hee, thank you! I love it, it brings variety to my drab and colorful world. I used to be a fashion maven, but with the kiddo, I'm lucky if I have time to grab yet another identical black shirt out of my version of Batman's closet before I begin the day. Rings, on the other hand? Take much less time to put on.

Oooo, I hadn't thought of a sapphire! A really brilliant blue would be gorgeous. Something almost electric. Wonder who deals in small, good-quality sapphires. Or ... man, now I wish I could remember what it was, but a poster in CS just posted the most amazing cobalt-blue stone. It almost seemed to glow. Luc Yen spinel? I will need to hunt down that thread ....

Basically, I like this stone a lot. The cut is cool, I already own it, and I would enjoy wearing it. But given that red and blue are much more dominant in what I wear day-to-day, finding a really brilliant stone in one of those families would be pretty sweet ....

 

[Circe]

Wow, nice find! Maybe the stone color will be determined by how you wear it. Will you wear RHR style or stacked on the left? Do you want it to contrastor blend in? I am having a Morganite/Kunzite thing right now.

It will be a RHR, generally flanking the french-cut band. I will guiltily admit I'm wearing it right now, prongs-down, but I'm sure if I do that long-term it will be only a matter of time till I scratch the baby with it. I *may* also once in a while wear it as a set proper, just because it is so pretty that way. It would make me fit in in Sweden a lot better than my usual bling, that's for sure!*

* is now tempted to wear it to Sweden, which also gives a hard deadline for needing it set ....

 

[backwardsandinheels]

Montana sapphire? London blue sapphire? Though that little greenie is pretty good with the gold...

 

[IE_Princess]

Lucky you! I knew those would go fast!

 

[distracts]

I like the little green guy. Green looks so good with gold. So do all other colors though. But I think VC rings in particular look best with a pop of color. It makes them look even more luxurious.

 

[Dreamer_D]

What about removing the head and asking VC to put in a nice little plug so you can wear it as a band?

 

[ForteKitty]

I really like it with the green stone!

 

[Circe]

Montana sapphire? London blue sapphire? Though that little greenie is pretty good with the gold...

Ooo, good suggestions! I actually dropped by the safety deposit box this afternoon, and though (sadness!) no Luc Yen cobalt-blue spinels of an appropriate size had teleported into a gem box, I did find a pretty sapphire that I think could fit: it's pale and bright in hue, if that's not a contradiction in terms, with a nice silkiness that makes it almost seem to glow.

On the other hand, the POP of color from the Green Giant is v. appealing. Decisions, decisions.

I e-mailed Greenwich Jewelers - they're the only ones I know in Manhattan who carry Van Craeynest - and they said I had to come in in person to get an estimate. Bah! With a toddler, this makes it more challenging, but I'll see if I can go on the weekend. It would be veeeeeeeeeeeeery nice to have this set on the spot, if possible! But first I need to decide which ... pics below in late-afternoon sunlight, and in shadowed/normal light below.

 

[Circe]

Lucky you! I knew those would go fast!

You saw them too? Great minds think alike! I think the seller still has a couple ... SO PRETTY, but I know my husband is too attached to his to consider the 5mm one that's left, and another stacker felt like it would be pure indulgence. Still tempting, though.

I like the little green guy. Green looks so good with gold. So do all other colors though. But I think VC rings in particular look best with a pop of color. It makes them look even more luxurious.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who loves the YG! I was starting to wonder (and lest it seems I'm ignoring Sharon, I'm not! I just feel like YG lovers are growing fewer and further between, and I don't know why, because it is so yummy). Couldn't agree with you more about YG and colored stones, too ... I feel like it enhances their brightness via the contrast in a way white metals don't necessarily. And vice verse.

Usually I'm a scarlet woman through and through, but, a) I have no rubies of the right size and shape, and if I were to shell out for the quality the setting deserves, I'd be in (or past) AVC territory price-wise. Blue is my second most worn color, so the sapphire is tempting. If it had that electric GLOW the Luc Yen spinels have, I'd be done and done. As it is, I'm still sort of torn between a color that will coordinate and the really eye-catching green that might clash ....

What about removing the head and asking VC to put in a nice little plug so you can wear it as a band?

I actually just love it as a little solitaire! My brain was kinda going in the other direction - I wonder if they can ADD heads to the others. I'd love to have a band of bezeled stackers. A bezeled ACV, a bezeled AVR, and a bezeled Octavia, all half a carat or less ... that'd take care of the next several anniversaries!

I really like it with the green stone!

Thank you, FK! I respect your taste immensely, so I am pleased to hear it! But if I should perhaps happen to be hunting for an OEC somewhere down the line, I hope I can call on the Empress of Auctions?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

We saw an incredible 4 ct cushion cut ruby at Harry Winston, I think. Price tag....@ $555,000.

I would not pay for a ruby as a temp stone! The green one is gorgeous with the gold! But if you later replace the head, I think a little larger sapphire or ruby would be great!

 

[IE_Princess]

I was close to grabbing them, but a 6 doesn't fit my right hand and I'm not fond of mixing metals. I posted them on the eternity band thread.

When I talked to someone at VC (not the actual bench though) I was told that switching out a small head for a larger one would probably end up as expensive as getting a new ring because of the amount of labor involved. I actually love the little solitaire and think it is pretty with both the colored stones you showed it with.

 

[Circe]

We saw an incredible 4 ct cushion cut ruby at Harry Winston, I think. Price tag....@ $555,000.

I would not pay for a ruby as a temp stone! The green one is gorgeous with the gold! But if you later replace the head, I think a little larger sapphire or ruby would be great!

Woof! I hope you took pictures - scary pricetag aside, that sounds like it must be a tempting sight.

I'm going to give myself a night to sleep on it before I decide ... and in the meantime, maybe poke around CS to see if anybody can recommend any great stones in the 3.5-4mm ballpark, or at least dealers who might carry them. I do loooooooove colored stones, so I think I should at least be aware of the possibility that I will fall madly in love with whatever I set and not want to replace it down the line! If I do, though, I think I'll be hard put to resist the AVC. I've wanted one for ages, and what else would be worthy of the setting?

(Don't tell me about FCDs. DO NOT tell me about FCDs. DO NOT point me towards any of Kenny's threads, whatever you do ....)

(But the temp stone will give me the breathing room to decide without a rush. )

I was close to grabbing them, but a 6 doesn't fit my right hand and I'm not fond of mixing metals. I posted them on the eternity band thread.

When I talked to someone at VC (not the actual bench though) I was told that switching out a small head for a larger one would probably end up as expensive as getting a new ring because of the amount of labor involved. I actually love the little solitaire and think it is pretty with both the colored stones you showed it with.

And as eternities can't be sized ... it's one of the things that makes that thread such sweet agony. I didn't see your post, but I'm cracking up that we both search popular misspellings - great minds think alike!

I ... am wondering if the person who said that knew what s/he was talking about, or if s/he possibly had a vested interest in maintaining the profit margin for the brand, because it seems unfeasible that swapping out a head could cost 2k. If it costs what it cost used, that's another story - pricey, but comprehensible. But first, I'll see what the local carrier says. If I'm told with a straight face that swapping a head costs 2k, I'll take it to my custom guy. I'd trust him to work on a piece like this. But in the meantime, I'll try to get it right (enough to enjoy for at least 6 months, maybe more) out of the gate. I'm glad you like the little colored stones - I'm feeling heartened!

 

[IE_Princess]

I ... am wondering if the person who said that knew what s/he was talking about, or if s/he possibly had a vested interest in maintaining the profit margin for the brand, because it seems unfeasible that swapping out a head could cost 2k. If it costs what it cost used, that's another story - pricey, but comprehensible. But first, I'll see what the local carrier says. If I'm told with a straight face that swapping a head costs 2k, I'll take it to my custom guy. I'd trust him to work on a piece like this. But in the meantime, I'll try to get it right (enough to enjoy for at least 6 months, maybe more) out of the gate. I'm glad you like the little colored stones - I'm feeling heartened!

I was at Emerson Farrar, talking to Paul's right hand man. I think his point was that a larger head doesn't just sit where a smaller head does; he said it would need more room, thus meaning possibly cutting the ring or at least grinding away detail. I didn't quite buy his reasoning either, but I had paid more for the used mounting I was showing him than you paid for yours so he was probably taking that into consideration. I should have asked him to take it back and ask the VC bench.

In case you're interested, I was told that rehabbing a ring is about $225; he did ask the VC bench about that.

But please, if you actually send your rings to VC, make sure that the VC bench will be doing the work, and not Emerson Farrar's bench.

 

[Circe]

I ... am wondering if the person who said that knew what s/he was talking about, or if s/he possibly had a vested interest in maintaining the profit margin for the brand, because it seems unfeasible that swapping out a head could cost 2k. If it costs what it cost used, that's another story - pricey, but comprehensible. But first, I'll see what the local carrier says. If I'm told with a straight face that swapping a head costs 2k, I'll take it to my custom guy. I'd trust him to work on a piece like this. But in the meantime, I'll try to get it right (enough to enjoy for at least 6 months, maybe more) out of the gate. I'm glad you like the little colored stones - I'm feeling heartened!

I was at Emerson Farrar, talking to Paul's right hand man. I think his point was that a larger head doesn't just sit where a smaller head does; he said it would need more room, thus meaning possibly cutting the ring or at least grinding away detail. I didn't quite buy his reasoning either, but I had paid more for the used mounting I was showing him than you paid for yours so he was probably taking that into consideration. I should have asked him to take it back and ask the VC bench.

In case you're interested, I was told that rehabbing a ring is about $225; he did ask the VC bench about that.

But please, if you actually send your rings to VC, make sure that the VC bench will be doing the work, and not Emerson Farrar's bench.

Hm ... that's a thing I'll keep in mind. To be fair, fixing my horribly messed up refurb wasn't much shy of that, there was just more to it than just swapping the head. But I'm guessing that die-cast will require unusual tools, so I will quell my disbelief. And I will *most certainly* keep that in mind about the benches - getting the right man for the job is 99% of the job being done right.

 

[IE_Princess]

Hm ... that's a thing I'll keep in mind. To be fair, fixing my horribly messed up refurb wasn't much shy of that, there was just more to it than just swapping the head. But I'm guessing that die-cast will require unusual tools, so I will quell my disbelief. And I will *most certainly* keep that in mind about the benches - getting the right man for the job is 99% of the job being done right.

Unlike your happy ending, the bench at EF was unable to restore my antique ring to my satisfaction (after they damaged it and tried to pass it off on me as if nothing had happened, like I wouldn't notice a whole new shank and shoulders), and since the diestruck VC shank that they put on while trying to make things right after I complained looked very nice I can only say that it was the EF bench, not the VC bench, whom I wouldn't trust to touch another piece of my jewelry, ever. However, I would warn that communication has to go through EF and that was severely lacking. To be fair, I was given a full refund of the purchase price from 2008, but my beloved ring was damaged beyond repair.

 

[Circe]

Hm ... that's a thing I'll keep in mind. To be fair, fixing my horribly messed up refurb wasn't much shy of that, there was just more to it than just swapping the head. But I'm guessing that die-cast will require unusual tools, so I will quell my disbelief. And I will *most certainly* keep that in mind about the benches - getting the right man for the job is 99% of the job being done right.

Unlike your happy ending, the bench at EF was unable to restore my antique ring to my satisfaction (after they damaged it and tried to pass it off on me as if nothing had happened, like I wouldn't notice a whole new shank and shoulders), and since the diestruck VC shank that they put on while trying to make things right after I complained looked very nice I can only say that it was the EF bench, not the VC bench, whom I wouldn't trust to touch another piece of my jewelry, ever. However, I would warn that communication has to go through EF and that was severely lacking. To be fair, I was given a full refund of the purchase price from 2008, but my beloved ring was damaged beyond repair.

I am really, really sorry to hear that. When you first posted your experience, I had a moment of "... did we go to the same jeweler?!?" because I simply couldn't believe that there would be TWO places specializing in antique jewelry that would be all "la-di-da, I'm sure the customer won't notice that this has been run over with a lawn mower!" Ah, innocent Circe of yesteryear: it actually makes me wonder just how many people out there are walking around having paid good money to have a much-beloved sentimental object destroyed ... and how many of them noticed or got any sort of restitution, because without either expertise or a really good eye for detail, apparently a lot of people just don't pick up on it. Unscrupulous.

I'm really glad you at least got your money back ... was that conditional on your returning the mangled setting, or can you perhaps have it modified into a pendant, or the center reset, or something? (By another jeweler, it goes without saying.) Keeping the sentiment if not the signifier, as it were ....

 

[IE_Princess]

I am really, really sorry to hear that. When you first posted your experience, I had a moment of "... did we go to the same jeweler?!?" because I simply couldn't believe that there would be TWO places specializing in antique jewelry that would be all "la-di-da, I'm sure the customer won't notice that this has been run over with a lawn mower!" Ah, innocent Circe of yesteryear: it actually makes me wonder just how many people out there are walking around having paid good money to have a much-beloved sentimental object destroyed ... and how many of them noticed or got any sort of restitution, because without either expertise or a really good eye for detail, apparently a lot of people just don't pick up on it. Unscrupulous.

I'm really glad you at least got your money back ... was that conditional on your returning the mangled setting, or can you perhaps have it modified into a pendant, or the center reset, or something? (By another jeweler, it goes without saying.) Keeping the sentiment if not the signifier, as it were ....

They kept the entire ring, including the stone as it was sold to DH as a single piece. I hate to think that someone else will buy it from their estate department and not know how beautiful it was before. I might have been able to keep it with the new shank/shoulders (which was a great idea Paul had), but the bezels for the emeralds were ruined and the new emeralds they put in because they couldn't match the old ones (which they may have put in themselves in 2008 - stories were all over the place) were absolutely lifeless (which is hard to believe in jewelry store lighting). And of course it wasn't mind clean anymore, because I got (and still get) upset every time I thought about it. I wanted to give them every chance to make it right but the work wasn't up to par. The bench working on my piece was the owner's son.

As for the damage and not telling me, I would liken it to going in for carpal tunnel surgery and waking up with a new arm, but no one has said anything and they hope you won't notice or mind.

 

[Circe]

I am really, really sorry to hear that. When you first posted your experience, I had a moment of "... did we go to the same jeweler?!?" because I simply couldn't believe that there would be TWO places specializing in antique jewelry that would be all "la-di-da, I'm sure the customer won't notice that this has been run over with a lawn mower!" Ah, innocent Circe of yesteryear: it actually makes me wonder just how many people out there are walking around having paid good money to have a much-beloved sentimental object destroyed ... and how many of them noticed or got any sort of restitution, because without either expertise or a really good eye for detail, apparently a lot of people just don't pick up on it. Unscrupulous.

I'm really glad you at least got your money back ... was that conditional on your returning the mangled setting, or can you perhaps have it modified into a pendant, or the center reset, or something? (By another jeweler, it goes without saying.) Keeping the sentiment if not the signifier, as it were ....

They kept the entire ring, including the stone as it was sold to DH as a single piece. I hate to think that someone else will buy it from their estate department and not know how beautiful it was before. I might have been able to keep it with the new shank/shoulders (which was a great idea Paul had), but the bezels for the emeralds were ruined and the new emeralds they put in because they couldn't match the old ones (which they may have put in themselves in 2008 - stories were all over the place) were absolutely lifeless (which is hard to believe in jewelry store lighting). And of course it wasn't mind clean anymore, because I got (and still get) upset every time I thought about it. I wanted to give them every chance to make it right but the work wasn't up to par. The bench working on my piece was the owner's son.

As for the damage and not telling me, I would liken it to going in for carpal tunnel surgery and waking up with a new arm, but no one has said anything and they hope you won't notice or mind.

Yeeeeeesh. I am *really* sorry, and all the more hopeful I won't have to send it off, then: I really am hoping this will be a nice wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am of a setting job, one that can be done *locally,* and with luck, *quickly.*

I dug a little deeper today (just needed to think outside the box a little, shapewise) and found a few more stones* that I think should work ... the rounds all fit the prongs, though at varying depths, but in this setting I honestly won't mind having a 3mm stone in the slightest, so long as it's the *right* 3mm stone. The oval fits with a little adjustment: the two elongated emerald cuts would require some work, but I'm curious to hear what they have to say about them, because quality-wise, the one at the top is a rather good alexandrite and the one on the right hand side in the third row is an excellent emerald, and if it wouldn't be too much work to make them fit, I'd be massively tempted.

Soooooo ... what do you guys say? Which would you choose? Should I put up a poll? CAN I put up a poll, retroactively?

*From the top, left-to-right:
- Emerald-cut alexandrite, about 4.7x3.2mm
- round brilliant sapphire, about 4.1mm, and cabochon sapphire, about 4mm even
- round green tourmaline, about 3.7mm, and emerald-cut emerald, about 5.5x3mm
- oval ruby cabochon, 4.2x3.7, round brilliant ruby, 3.6mm, and oval ruby cabochon, 4.6x3.7mm

 

[Circe]

Okay, poll now available HERE: https://www.pricescope.com/communit...h-stone-for-a-van-craeynest-solitaire.189965/

Thanks in advance, ladies - if I were smart, I would have gotten my ducks in a row from the beginning, but this has all been a rather delightful whirlwind! Hope y'all don't mind too much.