Round vs Octagon Bezel for a 5-stone OEC ring

[alene]

My next big jewelry project will be a 5-stone OEC ring. I knew I wanted an antique-looking, probably deco-like setting and up until recently I was pretty set on a round migraine bezel setting, possibly with sapphires similar to Pixie’s gorgeous ring. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/five-stone-art-deco-inspired-setting-for-my-oecs.176384/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/five-stone-art-deco-inspired-setting-for-my-oecs.176384/[/URL]

Then in the past few months, the octagon bezel, like Logan Sapphire’s amazing ERD ring [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/erd-ring-is-done.200640/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/erd-ring-is-done.200640/[/URL] piqued my interest and now I’m completely torn because I love both.

I realize that, ultimately, it’s all about personal preference, so I’m not just asking which one you like better (though I’d love to hear that too) but what are the pros and cons of each? For instance, would the round one be easier to clean with no beads to get in the way? Would the octagonal one be more symmetrical given that the OECs I have are not perfectly round? Would one protect the stones better than the other? I’d welcome any thoughts you might have on the two kinds of settings. I have plenty of time to figure it out but I’m definitely obsessing at this point.

 

[Diamondbug]

My vote would be for the octagon shape setting which you can also set with milgrain bezel instead of bead set. I think the octagon is a more unusual and interesting shape. Pix attach is a hexagonal shape E-ring that CvB Design is making for me. I think she can easily make it milgrain bezel set if I wanted it.

 

[Logan Sapphire]

Hi

What size stones do you have? Will they be graduated or all the same?The only con to me (at least aesthetically) is that the octagonal frames have a little bit of a space (airline? negative space?) between the frame and the stone. I'd have the prongs made as small as I could safely get away with. You might be able to see it a little in these pics, but it's really only when I nitpick the ring that I notice.

Otherwise, I have no complaints! I was afraid, initially, that it'd be hard to clean, but it's not been a problem. I chose the octagons because as Diamondbug said, they're a little more unusual and I already have a three stone round engagement ring, so i wanted something that looked very different. I don't think my stones are too wonky, but I do think the frames help even out any small wonkiness that might exist. I love Pixie's ring too and had saved it when I was looking for inspiration for my setting. I also have a somewhat similar OEC three stone ring so I didn't want to replicate the look. It's beautiful though!

 

[alene]

Thank you both!

Diamondbug - I love your kids and can't wait to see how the ring turns out! Not sure what you mean by a bezel instead of beads? How would that work with a round stone?

Logan Sapphire, hi! I'm so glad you chimed in! I adore your ring and it's really invaluable to hear about your first-hand experience. Mine will be graduated too, though with more subtle graduation, 5.3-4.8-4.2 (still looking for the second 4.8 one). Do you think it makes a difference? I do wonder if it would even fit across my finger though with size 6.5, I have a good bit of real estate to cover. The space between your stones and the metal looks really tiny, even in the magnified shots, but I'd guess it does add to the overall diameter, which would generally be considered a good thing unless it just makes the ring too big.

 

[Logan Sapphire]

Thank you both!

Diamondbug - I love your kids and can't wait to see how the ring turns out! Not sure what you mean by a bezel instead of beads? How would that work with a round stone?

Logan Sapphire, hi! I'm so glad you chimed in! I adore your ring and it's really invaluable to hear about your first-hand experience. Mine will be graduated too, though with more subtle graduation, 5.3-4.8-4.2 (still looking for the second 4.8 one). Do you think it makes a difference? I do wonder if it would even fit across my finger though with size 6.5, I have a good bit of real estate to cover. The space between your stones and the metal looks really tiny, even in the magnified shots, but I'd guess it does add to the overall diameter, which would generally be considered a good thing unless it just makes the ring too big.

Yours will be 4mm wider than mine, which came in at 19.3. It definitely hangs over my finger, but the low-set bezel-ness is really comfortable to wear and doesn't irritate my fingers at all. I'm sure whatever you choose will be beautiful! Do you know who you'd want to do the setting?

 

[alene]

Good to know it's comfortable. I'm also wondering about the possibility of raising the stones a bit so the profile can be open on the side, though I have no idea if that would work or be comfortable at all.

ERD is actually pretty high on my list, especially since they're local. Though I'll probably try to get a few quotes first.

 

[starrylight]

You could contact Grace to see if she would modify the below band. I particularly like the space under the bezel.
http://jewelsbygrace.smugmug.com/Custom-Work/The-Leora-Eternity-Band/i-kGSL8pQ/A

 

[alene]

Thanks Starrrylight! I haven't seen this one but JBeg has a similar 5-stone that's definitely on my "inspiration list."
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Client-Folders/5-Stone-Band-for-YT/35549807_LbQRg6#!i=2984924559&k=rv7hFMp

 

[Logan Sapphire]

Good to know it's comfortable. I'm also wondering about the possibility of raising the stones a bit so the profile can be open on the side, though I have no idea if that would work or be comfortable at all.

ERD is actually pretty high on my list, especially since they're local. Though I'll probably try to get a few quotes first.

I think raising the stones depends on how low or high you want the band to sit. Also, you probably need to take into account if or how much your stones' depths will vary, though it sounds like there won't be much of a difference. I wanted mine to hug my finger as low as possible and not too much graduation in terms of height/step. I had also asked Mark about opening up the profile and he said he could do it but it'd make the gallery too boxy when I wanted a more delicate look. I was concerned that it would be too bulky but in real life, the stones are pretty small and so is the gallery.

 

[alene]

I definitely see the advantage of having the stones set low to wrap around your finger, which I guess would mean a closed gallery. Wonder why opening up the profile would make the gallery boxy? I do see why it would mean the stones would be set higher and may not fit across my finger unless they're tucked in somehow, which I don't want. I'll definitely have to figure out the finer points of the design later on, once I decide on the general design!

Good to know it's comfortable. I'm also wondering about the possibility of raising the stones a bit so the profile can be open on the side, though I have no idea if that would work or be comfortable at all.

ERD is actually pretty high on my list, especially since they're local. Though I'll probably try to get a few quotes first.

I think raising the stones depends on how low or high you want the band to sit. Also, you probably need to take into account if or how much your stones' depths will vary, though it sounds like there won't be much of a difference. I wanted mine to hug my finger as low as possible and not too much graduation in terms of height/step. I had also asked Mark about opening up the profile and he said he could do it but it'd make the gallery too boxy when I wanted a more delicate look. I was concerned that it would be too bulky but in real life, the stones are pretty small and so is the gallery.

 

[Logan Sapphire]

Maybe boxy was the wrong word- I think bulkier would've been better. They would've had to make the gallery part thicker with more metal in order to include a cut-out.

 

[yennyfire]

Another vote for octagonal (of course, I'm biased!)...

 

[alene]

Yennyfire, thanks! Yours is another huge favorite of mine! Love the profile of your ring too, I wonder if a 5-stone version of it is possible.