Please help with DK three stone CAD!

[FutureChocolateMLK]

Hey everyone! This is my first custom ring so be gentle. Lol! I told him I love the shank and shoulders but the center stone needs to be 6 prong instead of 8. Somehow the “leaves” look out of place too. I’d like them to either be modified to be prongs for the side stones, or eliminated or changed somehow. I also want the basket to follow the lines of the pavilion instead of bulging out like a cup. I don’t want to be able to see any of the basket from above where it changes the look of the stone to be more like a flower.

I need expert help from PS’ers!!

 

[MissGotRocks]

I agree. I would not want any more than six prongs so the entire top of the ring doesn't look too 'prongy'. Often times you see three stones rings with four prongs on the center stone but that's a matter of preference. I would eliminate the leaves; the side stones already appear to have four prongs.

I think you are on the right track!

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

I agree. I would not want any more than six prongs so the entire top of the ring doesn't look too 'prongy'. Often times you see three stones rings with four prongs on the center stone but that's a matter of preference. I would eliminate the leaves; the side stones already appear to have four prongs.

I think you are on the right track!

Thank you! I’m wondering if the”leaves” can be extended so they become north/south prongs on the side stones? And then only have 3 prongs total on each, so north/south and then another where the shank meets the stone. Problem is I don’t want a tapered band so I’m not sure how that would work. I hope the changes I want to make will become more clear once the middle basket is changed to 6 prongs.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

I sent this over to him. The proportions are off, but I figure it’s a good starting point Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions?

 

[mrs-b]

@michellelynn9175 -

What size are the stones? It's hard to comment about prongs without knowing what level of support your stones might need.

But so far...very pretty design! And I like your tweaks.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

@michellelynn9175 -

What size are the stones? It's hard to comment about prongs without knowing what level of support your stones might need.

But so far...very pretty design! And I like your tweaks.

Thank you! Center is 7.5mm and sides are 5.5mm.

 

[mrs-b]

1.5ct center, and 62pt sides?

Oddly enough, I'm in the process of having a 3 stone ring made, with 5.5mm (62pt) sides.

I'm doing 3 prongs on both the outer diamonds, and with stones that size I think 3 prongs is plenty. It also looks very elegant, and not 'over metal'ed

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

1.5ct center, and 62pt sides?

Oddly enough, I'm in the process of having a 3 stone ring made, with 5.5mm (62pt) sides.

I'm doing 3 prongs on both the outer diamonds, and with stones that size I think 3 prongs is plenty. It also looks very elegant, and not 'over metal'ed

Really? That’s awesome! What size will the center stone be? I originally wanted 6 prongs on the center and 3 on the sides, but I don’t know how that would work logistically with the elongated leaves being turned into prongs on the side stones. I was thinking 4 NSEW maybe? This is my first custom design so I’ll take all the help I can get! Do you have a thread started for yours? I’d love to see it!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Your design is very pretty. However, your drawing is large and I wonder how the metal will look scaled down to size? I would ask DK if it would turn out with the detail intact or would it blend together to be non descript? Perhaps if the metal work is finely tuned it will impart the same effect as your drawing but I would certainly ask.

 

[mrs-b]

Really? That’s awesome! What size will the center stone be? I originally wanted 6 prongs on the center and 3 on the sides, but I don’t know how that would work logistically with the elongated leaves being turned into prongs on the side stones. I was thinking 4 NSEW maybe? This is my first custom design so I’ll take all the help I can get! Do you have a thread started for yours? I’d love to see it!

Hi @michellelynn9175

The center stone is 3.05ct, so overall, it will be a different look. But I have to say, given that your center stone is smaller, I'd be looking at keeping the metal to a minimum. If you went back to DKJ, and said you wanted 3 prongs on the side stones, but still wanted to incorporate the leaf pattern, I'm sure they'd be able to work something out without too many problems.

In the meantime, I drew this up. It's not necessarily what you want, but it's an idea.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

Hi @michellelynn9175

The center stone is 3.05ct, so overall, it will be a different look. But I have to say, given that your center stone is smaller, I'd be looking at keeping the metal to a minimum. If you went back to DKJ, and said you wanted 3 prongs on the side stones, but still wanted to incorporate the leaf pattern, I'm sure they'd be able to work something out without too many problems.

In the meantime, I drew this up. It's not necessarily what you want, but it's an idea.

Thank you so much for this! I agree that it needs to be uncluttered and I’m hoping changing the center to 6 prong will alleviate a little bit of that. If he sends the revision and it looks overly metal-y, I will probably delete those side leaves so we’re on the same wavelength there! I’m hoping to get the second round today so I’ll be sure to post.

 

[mrs-b]

@michellelynn9175 - do you want a donut under it so your wedding ring stands out from your e-ring a tiny bit? If so...I did this....

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

@michellelynn9175 - do you want a donut under it so your wedding ring stands out from your e-ring a tiny bit? If so...I did this....

I would actually prefer a flusher fit, since I’m pairing it with a channel set eternity band. I know it will have a slight gap, and I’m ok with that. I also love the shank and cathedral shoulders from the first CAD. I told him to leave those as-is. I think it looks more balanced and less top-heavy if that makes sense.

What setting are you planning on for your three stone? It will be gorgeous and I can’t wait to see what you have in mind!

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

Second CAD. He’s changed the side stones to 6 prong but he’s gonna bump it down. To what, I don’t know. Lol. I agree it’s too busy though with 6 on all 3 stones. I’m also not sure I like how thick the wedding band is. Thoughts?

 

[yssie]

This design has really lovely bones, but I’m going to agree with you and previous posters - way too much going on. You’ve got a lotus petal design, you’ve got a conflicting/contrasting architectural V crossbar as scaffolding underlayment... the result is an extremely busy multi-tier gallery that’s going to be impossible to polish cleanly if cast, and that closes off your view to the center stone pavilion... which clashes with the very open sidestone profiles.

Honestly, this is where having a proficient designer would be invaluable. Doesn’t DK have a designer (Amy?) on staff?

My advice:
1. Choose one direction. Do you prefer a more architectural look or a floral feel?
2. One of the biggest benefits to casting wire designs over handforging them is the ability to graduate wide thickness over the lengths of prongs, petals, etc. in “unnatural” ways. Flower petals are always slightly wider and thicker at the base, and become finer and more delicate toward the tips. Larger, more prominent elements (ie. your centerstone) merit commensurately strurdier, thicker wire. Take advantage of the opportunities casting presents: varying wire thicknesses will add vitality to the design.
3. Having all three lotus petals of the same length and width, and sharing a common root, suggests that the three stones are of similar size in profile view - in reality, of course, the center is significantly larger. Do you want to highlight the size difference in side view, or would you rather equalize it? The second CAD, in its effort to add more prongs in those locations, has the aesthetically-more-noteworthy side effect of presenting a significant alteration over the first in this regard, and I can’t tell if that’s a change you want.
4. Those gaps between the sides of the centerstone and the sidestones are visible face-up in the CAD. In reality, when this is cast and polished, those areas will actually be negative space. On even slight tilt they’ll become gaping maws through which you’ll see right through to either metal (at the rare “good” angle) or black, shadowed nothingness (from most angles). That gap needs to be eliminated from the face-up view, at the very least... my preference is to tuck the sidestones under the center slightly to further mitigate “tilt void”.

Again. This design has SO much potential - but it needs a designer, not just PSers and a competent bench: there are nuances to translation of CAD to cast product that the current rendition doesn’t appear to account for or take advantage of. Talk to your vendor about securing his designer’s services.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

This design has really lovely bones, but I’m going to agree with you and previous posters - way too much going on. You’ve got a lotus petal design, you’ve got a conflicting/contrasting architectural V crossbar as scaffolding underlayment... the result is an extremely busy multi-tier gallery that’s going to be impossible to polish cleanly if cast, and that closes off your view to the center stone pavilion... which clashes with the very open sidestone profiles.

Honestly, this is where having a proficient designer would be invaluable. Doesn’t DK have a designer (Amy?) on staff?

My advice:
1. Choose one direction. Do you prefer a more architectural look or a floral feel?
2. One of the biggest benefits to casting wire designs over handforging them is the ability to graduate wide thickness over the lengths of prongs, petals, etc. in “unnatural” ways. Flower petals are always slightly wider and thicker at the base, and become finer and more delicate toward the tips. Larger, more prominent elements (ie. your centerstone) merit commensurately strurdier, thicker wire. Take advantage of the opportunities casting presents: varying wire thicknesses will add vitality to the design.
3. Having all three lotus petals of the same length and width, and sharing a common root, suggests that the three stones are of similar size in profile view - in reality, of course, the center is significantly larger. Do you want to highlight the size difference in side view, or would you rather equalize it? The second CAD, in its effort to add more prongs in those locations, has the aesthetically-more-noteworthy side effect of presenting a significant alteration over the first in this regard, and I can’t tell if that’s a change you want.
4. Those gaps between the sides of the centerstone and the sidestones are visible face-up in the CAD. In reality, when this is cast and polished, those areas will actually be negative space. On even slight tilt they’ll become gaping maws through which you’ll see right through to either metal (at the rare “good” angle) or black, shadowed nothingness (from most angles). That gap needs to be eliminated from the face-up view, at the very least... my preference is to tuck the sidestones under the center slightly to further mitigate “tilt void”.

Again. This design has SO much potential - but it needs a designer, not just PSers and a competent bench: there are nuances to translation of CAD to cast product that the current rendition doesn’t appear to account for or take advantage of. Talk to your vendor about securing his designer’s services.

Thank you for your thorough and thoughtful reply, I very much appreciate it! As a newbie these points are invaluable. I’ll bring it all to David’s attention, and in my email to him last night I told him I was deferring to his expertise on the design and needed his help. He did exactly what I asked and it turned out...not great...lol. I guess this is probably a rookie mistake and I’ll see what he comes back with for suggestions. Again, thank you for your response! Your 3 Stone was one of my original inspiration rings, so your advice is appreciated! If you have any other suggestions please pass them along!

I agree that the side stones need tucked in, and I’ll mention that to him when he responds. Everything is too busy, and it needs to be opened up and de cluttered especially for cleaning. I was thinking about that last night. I do prefer a more organic design, as the architectural basket designs don’t appeal to me, but I don’t want any additional details like milgrain or engraving so the design itself has to stand on its own and be unique.

I’m hoping I’ll get some good suggestions from him/Amy soon and we can take a step back and try again. I obviously haven’t missed my calling in jewelry design. Lol!

 

[yssie]

Thank you for your thorough and thoughtful reply, I very much appreciate it! As a newbie these points are invaluable. I’ll bring it all to David’s attention, and in my email to him last night I told him I was deferring to his expertise on the design and needed his help. He did exactly what I asked and it turned out...not great...lol. I guess this is probably a rookie mistake and I’ll see what he comes back with for suggestions. Again, thank you for your response! Your 3 Stone was one of my original inspiration rings, so your advice is appreciated! If you have any other suggestions please pass them along!

I agree that the side stones need tucked in, and I’ll mention that to him when he responds. Everything is too busy, and it needs to be opened up and de cluttered especially for cleaning. I was thinking about that last night. I do prefer a more organic design, as the architectural basket designs don’t appeal to me, but I don’t want any additional details like milgrain or engraving so the design itself has to stand on its own and be unique.

I’m hoping I’ll get some good suggestions from him/Amy soon and we can take a step back and try again. I obviously haven’t missed my calling in jewelry design. Lol!

Several of the things I talked about aren’t details any vendor would expect a consumer to be aware of! They’re comments and concerns that would normally be raised by your rep, or by the design team, and that person would explain the “why” behind each one.

We’ve seen many times on PS that when working with DK the client is the designer. And usually the client simply doesn’t have the experience to fulfill the role - it requires both artistry and, probably more importantly, experience with the method(s) of manufacture that the vendor specializes in. That’s why most operations have a dedicated design resource. DK can execute a specific design with excellent workmanship and finish, but he has never driven an incomplete PSer vision to aesthetic fruition... However, it was brought to my attention in another thread that Amy is a designer. I don’t know when/how she normally gets involved, but your project could use that sort of expertise - to lay out the fundamental design - before any more CAD revisions. Get DK’s designer involved!

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

Several of the things I talked about aren’t details any vendor would expect a consumer to be aware of! They’re comments and concerns that would normally be raised by your rep, or by the design team, and that person would explain the “why” behind each one.

We’ve seen many times on PS that when working with DK the client is the designer. And usually the client simply doesn’t have the experience to fulfill the role - it requires both artistry and, probably more importantly, experience with the method(s) of manufacture that the vendor specializes in. That’s why most operations have a dedicated design resource. DK can execute a specific design with excellent workmanship and finish, but he has never driven an incomplete PSer vision to aesthetic fruition... However, it was brought to my attention in another thread that Amy is a designer. I don’t know when/how she normally gets involved, but your project could use that sort of expertise - to lay out the fundamental design - before any more CAD revisions. Get DK’s designer involved!

This isn’t the final design, but it’s close. He still has to modify the prongs on the center basket so they can’t be seen from a top view. Also it seems like there’s a tri-wire thing going on in the gallery that I think he forgot to delete from the last CAD maybe? I’ll be sure to ask about it if it’s on the next one, since he said this is just the progress for my requested changes. Personally, to my (very) untrained eye, I think it’s gorgeous. I sent him a sketch and outlined the changes I wanted, and to see it come to life is so amazing. I just wanted to update and get some opinions

Here’s my sketch:

And the progression of the CADs, which aren’t finalized. He sent them to me REALLY late last night so I’ll probably get the next set early this coming week.