Please help with earring settings!

[Thouarella]

So I''ve bought a pair of round diamonds to be set into a pair of dangle earrings by Leon Mege. I''m torn between two designs. Both will be suspended on french wires like this photo, but without the halo around the stones. I am thinking also of not having diamonds pave on the french wires for a cleaner look.

 

[Thouarella]

Option 1

To have a more antique design like this. Leon suggested setting diamonds in the little round circles and also pave facing backwards to add interest at the back. To be clear these would be suspended from the french wires as dangle earrings.

 

[Thouarella]

Option 2

To have a clean modern look with a basket something like this. Also to have these suspended on the French wires.

 

[Thouarella]

These were my original inspiration earrings. But I decided that I wanted the earrings to swing from the loops rather than to have them fixed.

 

[sparklyforever]

i like the setting of your inspiration photo the very last photo..
why not that setting - but with the swing?

 

[Thouarella]

I think I would prefer not to have the 4 split prong look (possibly too square?) and although I like the open view of the sides, I''m not a fan of the M shape. I do like the open setting, but the diamonds are I colour and I''m wondering if I should cover them up a little from the side so as not to show too much warmth. I haven''t actually seen the stones as yet so not sure how much warmth they show. They should face up nice and white though as they are AGS0s.

 

[Andelain]

I love your idea for the first pair you showed. I''ve always preferred earrings that drop from the ear and your idea sounds beautiful.

 

[CasaBlanca]

Golly, how I wish it were me commencing such a fun project. I love LOVE dangles. I am so thrilled for you!

I lean towards clean minimal lines in almost every thing I choose. So when you suggested the clean basket my first impression was YEA! for that choice.

Then I got real still, realized these weren't going to be mine (BOO HOO) and focused on YOUR dilemma for YOUR earrings. I realized you have the master's EAR so to speak which his intricate touches and details are so delicate it is hard to pass up such an opportunity. He is suggesting something creative and unique on the backside and as scary as the unknown is (you need pictures examples, previous ideas I would too!), but it is sort of fun to imagine that design.

If you wear you hair shorter or pulled back where the backside will be seen often, I think the intrigue of stepping off into the unknown has a lot of merit to select that choice.

I favor plain wires (if you stones are 1 carat or larger), and allow the master to do the back and just wait to open the box!

PS. I see you aren't liking the 4 claw prongs, are you leaning towards just 4 single, perhaps 6 or even 8? I just realized you haven't mentioned stone size, so the 8 may be too much.

PSS. He could still do the W/M technique, just not in the shape. Perhaps swoopy drapey U shapes would be more to your liking?

Here is a swoopy drapey look

Take a peek at the Backside of the basket here. And pretend you are looking at earrings. I wonder if that is the angle he is planning on placing the pave facing back?

Ugh oh...tulipey flower petal design I better stop digging, don't want to add more confusion to your dilemma.

Oops that copied way too small here is the ring...
the tulipy design

 

[Thouarella]

OMG Casablanca, I LOVE the pics you posted. Please please post more interesting things if you find them. I am now totally confused but would rather be confused now than regret not seeing it after the earrings are made!

I am totally a simple clean lines sort of person as well, though lately I've been loving the more intricate antique style stuff, which is why I was trying to go for the best of both by having a clean front and an elaborate back. I almost always wear my hair up so it might be exciting to have an interesting side/back.

With regards to the prongs, I'm leaning towards 6 or 8 as actually I just had a ring made with 4 split prongs so am just looking for something different! And also wanted a rounder profile for the earrings. The stones are 3cts each

so they should be able to handle 8 prongs I think. Details of stones are here

OMG am off to look at the pics you posted again. I love the swoopy look and all that delicate pave!

 

[CasaBlanca]

The stones are 3cts each

Dang WOMAN I bow to your supremacy!

(that was a joke!) Those are incredible stones, the size is really spectacular.

SOOOO that explains why he is wanting to ADD a little something somewhere. That much real estate needs details. In my opinion, at that size they would seem to be, how can I say this with decorum? More costume-y left simple. But if you add dimension and craftsmanship, they are going to make a statement in tune with their massive size and value

! You are creating an Heirloom set afterall! OMGosh!

Learning the size, I really think you gotta go with "Junk IN THE TRUNK" (again that is a joke here talking about the "BACKSIDE" of the earrings in slang term in reference to the backside. Not referring to anyone''s physical attributes just in the application of said earrings-the discussion at hand.

)

Thourella, that first photo I offered, is my ALL time fav Leon. The pave at the bottom of the basket seems so extravagant, as only the wearer knows it. I really don''t think I can top it with more photos. (will try) But I hoped it would convey understanding to you in attempting to comprehend what he meant by pave facing backwards.

SO in your next contact with Leon, just give him permission to add JUNK IN THE TRUNK. Ha. Ha. Ha. I have a feeling he may not know what that means. Cool if he laughs though.

 

[CasaBlanca]

Ok, so I wrong. I was able to find more with under basket details. Some of these are other shaped stones...but you get the idea of what the BACKSIDE has an opportunity to be.

Antiquey basket

Champagne bubbles

Chardonay Bubbles

Fleur D Lis I missed this beauty.

Take a peek at the backside, see that simple little pave pear center? That is understated elegance isn''t it?

Peek at this Backside...

Chocolate bubbles

SO, you still liking this confused state? Swoopy Drapey is still my fav!

 

[Diam100]

I like option 1 with Pave on the circles & back. Love the idea of an antique look. Finished resetting my other diamond studs in Leon's Pave Halos and as a result I agree with you not having a Halo. Just in case you waffle on the Halo because I waffle on a custom setting. My studs a little over 1.5ctw grew from about a 5.8mm measurement to now roughly measuring 8mm so I feel like I'm wearing 4ctw studs. I have petite lobes and the look is striking.

I understand now why so many admire Mr. Mege's work. The prongs are very small and delicate so the decision on the number of prongs should be based on what you like best since I'll tell you I can barely see the 4 prongs on mine. My suggestion is to definitely pave something with Leon because my lord the quality of his pave work and lack of visible metal is breathtaking. I can barely see any metal just a beautiful melee of diamonds. HTH.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

WOW! those are going to be amazing!!! I would ask Leon what he thinks and go with it. His eye for proportion and detail is amazing...