Please help me fill in the blank-->

[mercoledi]

I got this lovely setting for a song, but it''s such a strange shape that I''m going to have to have something custom cut for it. Looking at the strange broad prongs, I think maybe it used to hold onyx, or something else thin like that, but I''m not sure. Does it look like an average stone could be secured by those prongs? The workmanship on it seems nice, it''s very light and has little or no wear.

I dropped my meager stash of stones in it to get an idea of what to set. I had been thinking amethyst, but recent discussions of ok v. very nice amethysts have swayed me. Maybe topaz? topaz would at the very least be cost effective. The tourmaline looks nice too.

Any thoughts? Darker stone? Lighter stone?

ps- did anyone see the new opal Dan posted Fri/Sat? I missed it..

 

[mercoledi]

side

 

[mercoledi]

profile hand shot

 

[mercoledi]

Handshot.

 

[mercoledi]

With icky ebay topaz

 

[mercoledi]

With icky ebay amethyst that came free with the topaz

 

[mercoledi]

Tourmaline, always so dark in photos

 

[mercoledi]

Spinel, just for fun.



So... Topaz? Garnet? Something else pretty cheap?

 

[ma re]

That''s one weird looking ring - in a good way. You may be right that it held something like onyx, or maybe lapis, or even coral, but I''d bet on something opaque rather than transparent. Speaking of colors, after seeing how light stones look in it I''d go with...darker ones

It would really make the stone pop, and that''s what you want with this kind of ring, to be bold and daring. But finding such a stone in shape and size similar to this is very, very (did I say very) hard. You''re better off ordering something custom cut, and I really think you should take opaque stone into serious consideration.

 

[MustangGal]

That''s a neat looking setting!

I don''t think you''ll be able to get a regular faceted stone into that, it''s too low of a profile. A cab or rose type cut would probably work best, and unless you want to see your finger through it, I agree that opaque might be the way to go. I also like it with the darker colors. I''m not too familiar with opaque stones, but I''m sure one of the cutters could help you out with ideas.

 

[Kismet]

I have a ring kind of similar to that. My has a synthetic spinel in it. The diamond shaped bit in the center has a teeny diamond in it. The synthetic stone is cut *extremely* shallowly. The entire ring is about an inch long.

I think an opal would look really pretty in that setting.

 

[mercoledi]

Thanks for the feed back! I think it''s cool in a weird way, or weird in a cool way too. It is shallow, so I think the cab theory is a good one. Rick Martin seems to have neat cabs on a regular basis. I''d love an opal, but I think the cost of one big enough to fit will be cost-prohibitive.

I suppose I better learn more about commonly cab''ed stones

. I''ve wanted a Labradorite, but I don''t know that this is the right setting for that, do you think it would show up? I want a really nice piece with lots of blue play to it.

 

[glitterata]

Pretty setting, very delicate. 1920s? 30s? I've often seen these set with black onyx or shell cameos.

Here's a similar ring I have--well, similarish--with what might be aquamarines:

I've also seen these with amethysts.

I think opal would be natural for it. It's a cab and it often comes in funny shapes anyway.

 

[geckodani]

Funky cool setting! I have to say I think opal would rock in there too!

 

[T L]

I like those settings with frosted rock crystal or white topaz. Since it's made for a large stone, it would be cost effective to get a stone that is relatively inexpensive. I know Gene at precisiongem has cut white topaz, and frosted it, to fit a setting in the past. It might be easy to source a stone like a large piece of white quartz crystal or topaz and custom cut it and frost it. It would really look nice in that beautiful setting. I would ask Gene about that.

 

[ma re]

Date: 1/13/2009 12:29:18 PM
Author: mercoledi
Thanks for the feed back! I think it''s cool in a weird way, or weird in a cool way too. It is shallow, so I think the cab theory is a good one. Rick Martin seems to have neat cabs on a regular basis. I''d love an opal, but I think the cost of one big enough to fit will be cost-prohibitive.

I suppose I better learn more about commonly cab''ed stones

. I''ve wanted a Labradorite, but I don''t know that this is the right setting for that, do you think it would show up? I want a really nice piece with lots of blue play to it.

Boulder opal might be an affordable option, but unless it''s this exact shape I''m not sure it could be set. Besides those I already mentioned there is jade (in more colors than green), agates, jaspers, tiger''s eye, blue chalcedony, carnelian or even some kind of pearl (they''re not always round). Mother of pearl (shell) is another option, as well as malachite, moonstone (they come in interesting colors), aventurine, druzy quartz etc. I personally think labradorite wouldn''t give much of a contrast, but if you find the right one, it could work.

 

[mercoledi]

Date: 1/13/2009 12:30:55 PM
Author: glitterata
Pretty setting, very delicate. 1920s? 30s? I''ve often seen these set with black onyx or shell cameos.


Here''s a similar ring I have--well, similarish--with what might be aquamarines:


I''ve also seen these with amethysts.


I think opal would be natural for it. It''s a cab and it often comes in funny shapes anyway.

Oh wow, I love that piece, glitterata! The way the stones are set together is really pretty. I don''t know if it''s authentic, it was an ebay win, and the seller was super sweet, but besides being ''estate'' I don''t know much about it. It would be neat if it is from that time frame, if not, it''s still pretty. I''ve also seen onyx quite a bit, but my MIL has tons of it and I think I''d like something a little flashier.

 

[mercoledi]

Date: 1/13/2009 1:00:27 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
I like those settings with frosted rock crystal or white topaz. Since it''s made for a large stone, it would be cost effective to get a stone that is relatively inexpensive. I know Gene at precisiongem has cut white topaz, and frosted it, to fit a setting in the past. It might be easy to source a stone like a large piece of white quartz crystal or topaz and custom cut it and frost it. It would really look nice in that beautiful setting. I would ask Gene about that.

It is similar to the old camphor glass pieces; I hadn''t though of that. Cool.

Maybe a frosted topaz would be neat, a bit of color to set off the white gold. I''ve emailed Gene in the past and not gotten a reply, should I just keep trying? Have you ever had email issues with him?

 

[mercoledi]

Date: 1/13/2009 12:53:54 PM
Author: geckodani
Funky cool setting! I have to say I think opal would rock in there too!

I think so too, but a nice opal will be a chunk of change. And fragile. Did you ever pick up your own asscher spinel/topaz Dani?

 

[mercoledi]

Date: 1/13/2009 1:02:51 PM
Author: ma re

Boulder opal might be an affordable option, but unless it''s this exact shape I''m not sure it could be set. Besides those I already mentioned there is jade (in more colors than green), agates, jaspers, tiger''s eye, blue chalcedony, carnelian or even some kind of pearl (they''re not always round). Mother of pearl (shell) is another option, as well as malachite, moonstone (they come in interesting colors), aventurine, druzy quartz etc. I personally think labradorite wouldn''t give much of a contrast, but if you find the right one, it could work.

I don''t usually care for jade, but I may never have seen a nice piece set. I have several moonstone and pearl pieces already, so I think I want something new for that. I was looking at the agates and jaspers that Rick Martin has. As for the rest- I have a lot of reading to do! Thanks so much!

I was just at the Smithsonian, but didn''t make it to the gems exhibit in natural history this time, I wish I had now!

 

[T L]

Date: 1/13/2009 1:35:17 PM
Author: mercoledi

Date: 1/13/2009 1:00:27 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
I like those settings with frosted rock crystal or white topaz. Since it''s made for a large stone, it would be cost effective to get a stone that is relatively inexpensive. I know Gene at precisiongem has cut white topaz, and frosted it, to fit a setting in the past. It might be easy to source a stone like a large piece of white quartz crystal or topaz and custom cut it and frost it. It would really look nice in that beautiful setting. I would ask Gene about that.

It is similar to the old camphor glass pieces; I hadn''t though of that. Cool.

Maybe a frosted topaz would be neat, a bit of color to set off the white gold. I''ve emailed Gene in the past and not gotten a reply, should I just keep trying? Have you ever had email issues with him?

He always responds back, but it is possible the emails are getting thrown back.

 

[Elmorton]

LOVE the idea of something dark in there..onyx, or a cab garnet (would the shape work for that?)

 

[Miscka]

I like the tourmaline, but thats just me!

I love the setting, I have one similar with a DARK citrine/topaz/something along those lines in it.

 

[geckodani]

Date: 1/13/2009 1:36:37 PM
Author: mercoledi

Date: 1/13/2009 12:53:54 PM
Author: geckodani
Funky cool setting! I have to say I think opal would rock in there too!

I think so too, but a nice opal will be a chunk of change. And fragile. Did you ever pick up your own asscher spinel/topaz Dani?

Not in the stars yet.

Furniture takes priority.

My mattress money is feathering my nest instead of myself right now.

 

[coatimundi_org]

Love the setting--what about a chalcedony like carnelian?

 

[mercoledi]

I had first thought tourmaline, but I don't know now if the setting is deep enough. Chanceldony could be nice too. I think I'll put out some feelers to find out how much overbudget opal would push me. Also, Kismet, I like the ring you posted and have always like the onyx/camphor glass pieces like that set with tiny diamonds in the middle. Does anyone know anything about how that's done? What types of stones could be used for that? Satin topaz with an inset itty-bitty diamond or sapphire might be neat.

ETA: Dani, I hear ya! Living before bling! Your new band is lovely, I'm sure that helps.

 

[Kismet]

Date: 1/13/2009 3:26:05 PM
Author: mercoledi
Chanceldony could be nice too. I think I''ll put out some feelers to find out how much overbudget opal would push me. Also, Kismet, I like the ring you posted and have always like the onyx/camphor glass pieces like that set with tiny diamonds in the middle. Does anyone know anything about how that''s done? What types of stones could be used for that? Satin topaz with an inset itty-bitty diamond or sapphire might be neat.

I don''t know about other pieces, but on mine there''s a hole through the stone and the diamond applique goes though like a stud earring. The back of the post (more of tube really) is flattened out so that it''s bigger than the hole. I have a camphor glass necklace that has a similar applique and I think it uses the same type of fastening but I''d have to look to be sure.

 

[mercoledi]

Interesting, so it''s a big grommet. I would never have guessed! Thanks!

 

[LD]

LOVE LOVE LOVE that setting!

I would be tempted to put a lovely green tourmaline long slim octagon cut, lengthwise (so there are spaces at the sides on the widest part of the shank (the middle of the ring on the right and left) which would mean removing those claws (or just having them as decoration as they''re a very pretty shape and adding a claw at the top and bottom (not sure if there are any on the top and bottom). OMG that makes me drool just thinking about it!

 

[mercoledi]

Date: 1/13/2009 3:42:01 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
LOVE LOVE LOVE that setting!


I would be tempted to put a lovely green tourmaline long slim octagon cut, lengthwise (so there are spaces at the sides on the widest part of the shank (the middle of the ring on the right and left) which would mean removing those claws (or just having them as decoration as they're a very pretty shape and adding a claw at the top and bottom (not sure if there are any on the top and bottom). OMG that makes me drool just thinking about it!

Thanks, it's really lovely in person! I love all of the detail.

So you mean a mostly rectangular tourmaline? There are prongs (same engraved double ribbon prongs) on the top and bottom. I've even seen tourmalines cut into a similar shape like this one, though that one in particular has a whole lot of extinction going on. Hmm, I'll think on that. I think dark is definitely the way to go.