PLEASE...advice needed about antique vs custom ring setting

[BlingDreams]

C-O-N-F-L-I-C-T-E-D
A-M-B-I-V-A-L-E-N-T

T-O-T-A-L-L-Y N-O-R-M-A-L

But before you said the size of your diamond bothered you. So is it that it bothered YOU, or you were bothered by what others might think of it? Because if it's the latter, your new-found mindset might help make you "mind clean". I've been battling that myself even thought I don't have my ring yet. I live in a very metropolitan area and large bling is pretty common, but it's not common for me and I have some worry over how others might judge/think of me when they see my ring. I think after the first few times I tell someone to piss off I'll feel much more comfortable

 

[tlfiore]

T-O-T-A-L-L-Y N-O-R-M-A-L

But before you said the size of your diamond bothered you. So is it that it bothered YOU, or you were bothered by what others might think of it? Because if it's the latter, your new-found mindset might help make you "mind clean". I've been battling that myself even thought I don't have my ring yet. I live in a very metropolitan area and large bling is pretty common, but it's not common for me and I have some worry over how others might judge/think of me when they see my ring. I think after the first few times I tell someone to piss off I'll feel much more comfortable

Ohhhhhh (((ILikeShiny)))...you and foxinsox and so many others have helped me BEYOND words and I cannot thank you enough. Maybe we can help each other because WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE RING'S TOP-HEAVINESS (which actually helps with my humbleness and embarrassment, right...so the basket and diamond are always falling UNDER my left ring finger-hahahaha) ...minus the heaviness, it is NOT the ring or really the 2.43 ct diamond bothering me...it IS WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE THINKING OF ME and BEING PERHAPS JUDGED that makes me anxious and embarrassed.

YOU JUST NAILED IT!!!!
I know, I know...yes I AM IN THERAPY

And you are tooooo funny! I love your reply. Honestly, I hope I can help you... So, in 2001, I went from nothing really with my Monster Diamond Wedding Band (we actually purchased that as an Engagement Ring in the Diamond District in NYC at the time 'cause my husband and I lived there for 15 years...well he grew up in the North Jersey area), to a 1.30 Transitional Cut, H Color, VSS Solitaire (platinum setting, horizontal baguettes...typical Art Deco thing) to nothing at all (sold that years ago), to my 1.75 tcw Parisian Mine Cut band, to nothing (once again) to CvB Casablanca. And I really had no problem initially with the ring or the diamond...loved it...still do.

 

[foxinsox]

You are completely normal! I know what you mean about not having anyone locally to talk to about diamond dilemmas - none of my friends are particularly into jewelry and me choosing my own ring and planning upgrades etc would have them thinking I'm nuts!
It sounds like you have some completely practical concerns about the size with respect to how it sits on your hand - would sizing beads help with the flop since I assume you need the ring size to be what it is to accommodate your arthritis/knuckle?
I would suggest a couple of things - one, get a cheapie CZ solitaire roughly the size of your stone. Wear that around for a bit and see how you find the size on its own. Second, start wearing your gorgeous ring out and about to see if the worries you have are realistic or go away once you get used to it. So basically put it on in the morning and resolve to wear it for the day and see if it genuinely works for you or if it doesn't.
That will give you some data to help you decide I think. You've got a few things that aren't working as it is - some is mindset whether you'll be judged or not; some of it is practicalities about how the ring sits on your hand with flopping sideways. It may be that the current Casablanca is just too big a halo for your hand and you could get a smaller Casablanca and have no issues. It might be you prefer the size of your lovely stone as a solitaire and it might be able to hold its own with your Monster Diamond Band (love that name ). I think you need to give it a try and see.
Also I think you really need to post many more pictures of your ring - I want to see that "incredible copper glow indoors (with incandescent and natural light)" you mentioned over page!!

 

[foxinsox]

T-O-T-A-L-L-Y N-O-R-M-A-L

But before you said the size of your diamond bothered you. So is it that it bothered YOU, or you were bothered by what others might think of it? Because if it's the latter, your new-found mindset might help make you "mind clean". I've been battling that myself even thought I don't have my ring yet. I live in a very metropolitan area and large bling is pretty common, but it's not common for me and I have some worry over how others might judge/think of me when they see my ring. I think after the first few times I tell someone to piss off I'll feel much more comfortable

I reckon once you've spent a few days staring obsessively at your beauty and have fallen head over heels for it, you won't notice anyone else's opinion it might take a bit to get used to having that honker on your hand tho - my much more modest one did just because I'd never worn a ring on that finger before especially not one that sticks up in any way!

 

[Gussie]

Hey foxinsox...you are so sweet to follow my post and my ridiculous dilemma. The diamond you cited above is GORGEOUS! Believe it or not, as I've trolled for another ring (and I love looking at beautiful diamonds, so I've done this in the past), I'm ALREADY having symptoms of DSS-lololololo

And I cannot say THANK YOU enough for helping me out. See, I have no family to speak of and was transplanted from New York City to Southern Michigan (which I love) in 2006. But it's not like there are folks around here who I can chat it up with about diamonds...and I've not made tons of friends because I've been out-of-the-workforce (and the world) with cancer and other afflictions...

THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME...and thanks to others.

So, why AM I so self-conscious and why AM I taking this darn ring-thing so seriously?

So, My dear husband, John and I go to our little local microbrewery here in town last night, Tecumseh Brewery (which I love) for a microbrew and a sandwich. As I chatted it up with one of the servers there at the bar, who we befriended (she's a dear) and showed her pics and all, she said "Woman...WHAT DO YOU CARE ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK?...put that gorgeous (CvB) ring on, wear it and ENJOY...you've been through a lot!"

So I thought, "Here is a Tecumseh gal with 3 kids...works as a barmaid in a microbrew...about 40 years young...really humble and sweet...grew up here and lived here her entire life...WHY AM I TAKING THIS RING SO SERIOUSLY...WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME???"

Tecumseh Michigan...sweet little train stop farming town (for folks on their way to Chicago from Back East, back in the ol' days)...train depot is now a shop...population 8000

NO foxinsox...THE RING HAS NOT GONE TO CONSIBNMENT YET

Now, Erica just sent me FedEx stuff...

I actually ALSO have a beautiful 1.75 tcw PARISIAN MINE CUT DIAMOND BAND, totally restored to new, which I may part with to fund a new solitaire. I'm toying with the idea of keeping my CvB Casablanca and just buying something OLD in WHITE GOLD to wear with my MONSTER WEDDING BAND...just to have fun with...nothing too spectacular...doesn't even have to be OEC...just switch things out now and again!

I gotta say I REALLY love the diamond in my Casablanca...you would love it 'cause it has this incredible copper glow indoors (with incandescent and natural light).

FEELING LIKE AN IDIOT!!

C-O-N-F-L-I-C-T-E-D
A-M-B-I-V-A-L-E-N-T

I love this sweet barmaid! Wear exactly what you want! If you haven't sent the casa to Erica yet then maybe you should wait a while. I recently upgraded from a 1.3 to a 2.5 and for the first 15 minutes I thought it was too big, lol! My friends don't have rings that big but they all applaud my husband for getting me the new ring. Be confident and you can get away with anything!

Don't feel like an idiot; we have all been there. But take some time before you lose money on your already paid for gorgeous CvB!

 

[BlingDreams]

I reckon once you've spent a few days staring obsessively at your beauty and have fallen head over heels for it, you won't notice anyone else's opinion it might take a bit to get used to having that honker on your hand tho - my much more modest one did just because I'd never worn a ring on that finger before especially not one that sticks up in any way!

Haha!!!!!!!! You made me smile . And you're probably right. I think once i fall head over heels in love with it in I'll tell everyone else they're just jealous - lol!!. I am used to wearing big rings, but not big diamonds. That will take some getting used to... but I think I'm up for the challenge

 

[tlfiore]

You are completely normal! I know what you mean about not having anyone locally to talk to about diamond dilemmas - none of my friends are particularly into jewelry and me choosing my own ring and planning upgrades etc would have them thinking I'm nuts!
It sounds like you have some completely practical concerns about the size with respect to how it sits on your hand - would sizing beads help with the flop since I assume you need the ring size to be what it is to accommodate your arthritis/knuckle?
I would suggest a couple of things - one, get a cheapie CZ solitaire roughly the size of your stone. Wear that around for a bit and see how you find the size on its own. Second, start wearing your gorgeous ring......It may be that the current Casablanca is just too big a halo for your hand and you could get a smaller........Band (love that name ). I think you need to give it a try and see.
Also I think you really need to post many more pictures of your ring - I want to see that "incredible copper glow indoors (with incandescent and natural light)" you mentioned over page!!

So...I should probably start another thread for this but...I am so stoked and YOU ALL HAVE HELPED SO MUCH...cannot thank you enough!!!!

So, I finally chatted with Caysie today for quite sometime, and we sent many texts back 'n forth. She told me "she can make my beautiful copper-fire 2.43 EOC diamond work in a way that balances my hand and my lifestyle." So, Caysie is making a custom setting for me VERY SIMILAR TO the very old Victorian Art Deco LYRE SETTING.

Hearing it from Caysie made it click...she is sooooo sweet, patient, awesome and kind! She LOVES my Q-R VS1 OEC and she said "she WILL make it work in a shouldered solitaire...do not get rid of THAT diamond...repeat...do not sell that diamond...just sell the setting."

Caysie also said what I thought to be true..."While the Casablanca is nice enough, it is WAY TOO BIG AND WAAAAAY TOO MUCH HALO FOR MY HAND...way too big."

Can you believe it??? I am so so so so stoked

Ladies and gentlemen???

 

[tlfiore]

I hope you see I quoted you above, foxinsox...you and ILikeShiny and ceg and everyone are awesome!!! Foxinsox...you nailed it! It's not the diamond but the massiveness of the Casablanca, especially that size on my wonky hands that is not doing it...isn't working for me.

Even Caysie said "that Casa Setting is BOLD, blingy, dramatic and big... it makes a statement...it is NOT for everyone!"

 

[foxinsox]

AARGH!! Yay! so exciting! I do really really like that lyre-shoulder setting so Caysie's version will be TDF

ps I wasn't kidding about more pix of that OEC - pleeeease??

 

[BlingDreams]

Caysie will do an amazing job with her interpretation of that setting. She'll find a way to keep the original vibe but make it flow just perfectly! I can already see French cuts instead of baguettes, single-cut melee, maybe some milgrain, and either perfectly tapered tab prongs or delicately sculpted claw prongs. It'll be gorgeous!

 

[december-fire]

tlfiore,

I'm so anxious to see the new ring, inspired by the lyre-shoulder, that Caysie will make for you!
I'm sure it will be gorgeous!

So much time and energy can be wasted being concerned about what other people think.
This ring will be for you, not them, so just focus on what you want and enjoy the excitement of getting something that will make you smile whenever you glance at your hand.

 

[tlfiore]

OMG EVERYONE...thank you thank you thank you for all the help and encouragement! Please stay with me though, through all of this...should I start a different thread? Is there a problem with this topic morphing from diamond exchanges into custom ring design??

Listen...I cannot believe this but I've been texting with Caysie for about 90 minutes now (after chatting about 45 minutes today). She is a doll! We have so much in common!!

I cannot believe I'm in the throes (good grief) of collaboration on a custom ring setting. You will laugh 'cause I'm sending Caysie thoughts and design ideas, inspirational stuff for her to work with...and she is ooooohing and aaahhhhhing..which I think is Caysie just being nice!!!

She ADORES all her clients and customers out here! She told me "jump on Price Scope and tell them what's happening...get input and ideas."

 

[tlfiore]

Caysie will do an amazing job with her interpretation of that setting. She'll find a way to keep the original vibe but make it flow just perfectly! I can already see French cuts instead of baguettes, single-cut melee, maybe some milgrain, and either perfectly tapered tab prongs or delicately sculpted claw prongs. It'll be gorgeous!

WoW Woweeeeee! Your vision sounds glorious. I gotta get this info to Caysie tomorrow. She had to go 'cause she is picking her son up from a friend's house. THANK YOU!!!

 

[tlfiore]

tlfiore,

I'm so anxious to see the new ring, inspired by the lyre-shoulder, that Caysie will make for you!
I'm sure it will be gorgeous!

So much time and energy can be wasted being concerned about what other people think.
This ring will be for you, not them, so just focus on what you want and enjoy the excitement of getting something that will make you smile whenever you glance at your hand.

Oh gosh...you all are AWESOME and your words nearly made me cry.

 

[tlfiore]

Wanted to share, as a lover of all things with antiquity, especially the aesthetics of the Victorian Era towards the 1920s, I had no idea about the significance of "objects" in Victorian times. Symbolism was very important to the Victorians, apparently...many were highly-superstitious.

So you know I just LOVE the beautiful shoulders of the "Lyre Ring." Now, I'm calling my ring the CvB Lyre Design-smile. So back to symbolism...apparently, the lyre, which of course is a musical harp, was beloved by Victorians based on its connection to the God Apollo and mythical times. The lyre was frequently used in betrothed jewelry to symbolize culture, the Arts, Music...and Apollo.

We have all seen drawings and paintings of cherubs playing lyres or harps, right??

So, Apollo was (apparently) the Greek God of Sun, Light, Music and Poetry. He was also revered for his wisdom about oracles, plagues, medicine, sun and general knowledge...tranquility, even.

So, my dear husband (who works as a QA Engineer Supervisor in a huge Nuclear Power Plant here in Michigan) actually has a BFA in Sculpture and Studio Arts from Syracuse University. In his previous life, he did abstract sculpting, abstract painting and incredible figurative drawing. We both love the Arts and I am (a bit) musically inclined. I'm also a Nurse Practitioner...so although I just ADORE the lyre shoulders on the initial ring, the story behind the lyre is kinda cool...who woulda thunk???

 

[tlfiore]

We just moved from a big ol' farmhouse here in Michigan, to a very wonky, c 1872 in-town house, in a small Michigan town. I'll try inserting a few pics of some of the work we did...the interior needed a bit of cosmetic work...


I love times gone by...not sure why. We live in such a disposable world today.

 

[tlfiore]

Oh cannot forget, too that the lyre is referenced a lot in the Bible

 

[foxinsox]

We just moved from a big ol' farmhouse here in Michigan, to a very wonky, c 1872 in-town house, in a small Michigan town. I'll try inserting a few pics of some of the work we did...the interior needed a bit of cosmetic work...
I love times gone by...not sure why. We live in such a disposable world today.

Your house is beautiful! I love times gone by too but mostly the jewellery - the craftsmanship and skill with hand faceted diamonds or sculpted settings just awes me. I love to think about what things a ring or stone has 'seen' - who loved it, what happened to them etc..

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I am catching up here a bit late, but your home is beautiful! You definitely need an antique diamond ring to fit in your surroundings!

 

[tlfiore]

I am catching up here a bit late, but your home is beautiful! You definitely need an antique diamond ring to fit in your surroundings!

thank you thank you diamondseeker...did you spot the new thread???

 

[soxfan]

We just moved from a big ol' farmhouse here in Michigan, to a very wonky, c 1872 in-town house, in a small Michigan town. I'll try inserting a few pics of some of the work we did...the interior needed a bit of cosmetic work...


I love times gone by...not sure why. We live in such a disposable world today.

OMG I LOVE this house. I am such a sucker for an old house!!!

 

[tlfiore]

OMG I LOVE this house. I am such a sucker for an old house!!!

Thank you so much soxfan!