Sapphire halo engagement ring - got CADs!

[emcee]

Hi all,

It's been a heck of a journey designing my engagement ring, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!

I decided that I wanted something different (but not too different) and sapphires were the perfect match. The stone took many excruciating months to find with too many disappointments to count, but I finally ended up with a magnificent 3.07 ct oval stone from Dan at www.gemcuts.com.. The color and brilliance are absolutely amazing and I decided to set it in a halo to accentuate the color and sparkly-ness. This ([URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/maytal-hannah-sapphire-engagement-ring-experience.168600/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/maytal-hannah-sapphire-engagement-ring-experience.168600/[/URL]) was my inspiration ring that I never thought I would have, but it seems like I might actually end up with something close! I considered many vendors for the setting and ended up going with ERD.

I'm so excited to finally have my CADs! Here are a few photos of my sapphire and the first round of CADs. Things have been hectic (to say the least) with ERD being in New York and a few details are not quite as I requested. I expected the band and struts to be quite a bit thinner and I definitely wanted to remove the donut so that a wedding band could sit flush (similar to this style: http://youtu.be/eIyG0aTDHWI). Also, I know it's not the norm but I definitely want a halo with a plain band so that it would go with a pave eternity wedding band in a non-matchy way.

Anyhow, what do you all think of the ring so far?? Would love to hear your thoughts and I definitely welcome any advice to help me get this ring as delicate and beautiful as possible!

 

[distracts]

I love it! Your sapphire looks great. If you remove the donut, I'd caution you about making the band too thin, because then a knock on the head of the ring could twist it more easily, and with a sapphire that size + halo, you're going to accidentally hit it no matter how careful you are. To me it looks like the band in the CAD is no more than 2.5mm, which is pretty thin, and I'd absolutely under no circumstance go thinner than 2mm. I think you should have a 2.5-3mm shank. But then, I'm a thick shank proponent - my e-ring is 4mm wide and I would have gone wider except my fingers are really short and I only have 7-8mm for rings and I needed enough space for a wedding band.

eta: also if you look at the proportion of the shank to the stone as it rests on your hand, I think it's going to be pretty thin?

 

[emcee]

Hi distracts!

I did ask Mark from ERD about whether I need to be concerned about it being too delicate without the donut and he said it wasn't a problem. Essentially, there are two ways of attaching the halo to the band without a donut: (1) like http://www.victorcanera.com/jewelry/engagement-rings/the-emilya-with-flush-fitting-stems.html and (2) like http://www.stevenkirsch.com/showroom/engagement-wedding-bands/halo/ref-0109.html..

I definitely prefer the method that SK uses and ERD has done this with many of their rings in the past as well. It seems much more stable than the method VC used, which looks like the halo could come apart if I ever hit it (though Mark said that wouldn't happen even to method 1). Anyway, he seemed to think it would be ok without a donut?

As for the shank, I agree that from the CADs it looks to be around 2.5mm, but he had originally told me that he would make it in 1.8mm. He wasn't entirely comfortable going down to 1.7 but he seemed happy enough with 1.8. I have definitely read that long PS thread about bands being too thin, but I figured this would be ok since I'm going with a plain band and not a pave band? Many of the pave bands around PS seem to be around 2mm, but maybe I should be concerned even with a plain band.

Definitely have some things to ponder over. Thanks for your feedback, distracts!

 

[emcee]

Oh yeah, I should add that I have really skinny fingers so I definitely prefer a more delicate look. Haha, it was a personal struggle for me to decide on going with a 3ct halo-ed stone since I know how large that would look on me.

My ring finger is a size 2.5 (yes, really) and numerous sales associates have told me that they have only seen 1 other client with that ring size in their 30+ years in the industry

 

[Justin_Cutter]

emcee, I am so happy for you! I can't wait to see your ring finished! The stone is nicely saturated and a beautiful tone of blue!

Are you ok with the stone darkening a little bit? Not wanting to be a downer at all but more just to make sure your prepared for it to happen. Without seeing the stone in person it would be hard for me to say how much but it will change. I had the same decision to make. Still glad I went with the halo but I did notice a change in mine.

So excited!!! Thanks for sharing!
~Justin

 

[emcee]

Hi Justin!

I definitely had some concerns about the stone getting more extinction, but I wouldn't mind a slightly darker tone. I asked Dan (my gem vendor) and Mark and Mark's colored stone specialists, and they all reassured me that the stone is great and wouldn't have any issues. Haha I hope they're right! Maybe it would make a slight difference but hopefully it's not too noticeable.

 

[Justin_Cutter]

Hi Justin!

I definitely had some concerns about the stone getting more extinction, but I wouldn't mind a slightly darker tone. I asked Dan (my gem vendor) and Mark and Mark's colored stone specialists, and they all reassured me that the stone is great and wouldn't have any issues. Haha I hope they're right! Maybe it would make a slight difference but hopefully it's not too noticeable.

Awesome! If they feel confident then you should be good to go! And I am so happy to hear this! Now we just need it finished haha!
~Justin

 

[VRBeauty]

Your sapphire is a beautiful color and size. Can't wait to see the finished ring!

 

[lknvrb4]

I cannot wait to see the finished product!

 

[MizNina]

Stunning blue sapphire

 

[Christina...]

Oh! I think I'm going to have another PS favorite! Your sapphire is gorgeous!! I can't wait to see the finished piece and hand shots!!

 

[farmer gal]

This is just stunning

 

[Rosebloom]

This is going to be a gorgeous ring!!! And I think you're right to be asking for delicate since you do have such lovely tiny hands. If ERD thinks a thinner shank will work I'd be inclined to go for it. I can't wait to see this beauty!

 

[yssie]

I opened your thread, saw the cads, and thought "very pretty!"

Then I scrolled down a bit and saw that first pic of your stone and literally gasped out loud. Your stone is... beautiful isn't the half of it


I'd definitely agree (not that ERD needs my opinion ) that if you're going to remove the doughnut the SK method looks a lot safer and more durable than the VC style - molding the band around the head structure instead of attaching the head to the top of the band at a pinpoint. The one thing I'll add is that the doughnut will add some N/S stability when you're actually wearing it - especially since you do have a pretty big stone plus halo, it's going to be a top-heavy ring.

I like the shank thickness and struts thickness exactly the way they are - the shank looks very proportional to the head (I don't think it's 2.5mm btw - looks more like 1.8-2.2mm to me) and I dislike very thin wire elements in rings, IMO they start to look more like scaffolding.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Beautiful!!!

 

[Niel]

that sapphire is FANTASTIC!

Shoot thats going to be a fantastic ring when it is finished.

 

[stargurl78]

I think the CAD is perfect as is (but I don't like flush wedding bands) and your sapphire is absolutely GORGEOUS! I do like the struts in the SK ring you posted better. I really wouldn't go too much thinner for the band, 2mm would be my minimum.

 

[CharmedOne]

Very beautiful stone, love the color. Love the setting. Virgo here and I love rings with sapphire as the center stone and a halo to boot. Just Magnificent!

 

[AprilBaby]

Just stunning color and style! Bet you can't wait to get that on!

 

[emcee]

Thank you everyone for your kind words and feedback!

I contacted Mark with some of my feedback and he explained in his response that things look very exaggerated in the CAD so the thickness will be at 1.8mm, as we had discussed. I was mostly concerned since the first photo I saw was of the profile view (attached below) and it was the most exaggerated and thick there. I'll think about it some more and I guess I'll have to decide shortly whether to bump it up to 2.0mm or keep it at 1.8.

There are two other details that I'm starting to reconsider. First, what do you guys think of the rounded band? Should I keep it that way or make it more squared off? I want this to pair well with a pave wedding band so I want to ensure that they are both rounded or squared off and at a similar width and height.

Lastly, this ring was supposed to be made in a blend of 95% platinum 5% iridium but I'm learning that that's the softest platinum blend and quite susceptible to scratches and dings. I think that ERD can work with different blends (at a cost) but I'm not sure if it's worth it. I'd probably go with 90% platinum 10% iridium or maybe 95% platinum 5% ruthenium if I had the choice and it wasn't too much more expensive.

Oh and I guess I should ask - does the halo look OK to you guys? I just want to make sure that there is not too much metal between the diamonds and that the diamonds on the halo are as close to the sapphire as possible.

Thanks! And here's a video (and more photos) of my sapphire for anyone that's interested - https://vimeo.com/48348119

 

[minousbijoux]

That seems really fast! Your stone looks vivid and sparkly; your ring will surely be lovely.

 

[yssie]

Rounded band. Matching rounded wedding ring.

All metals will scratch and dent. Cast platinum of any alloy will be more prone to scratching/denting/patina'ing faster than cast 18k gold, cast metal will be more prone to scratching/denting than handforged metal. Eventually all platinum will patina, some alloys w/ some methods of manufacture will get there significantly faster than others - in my experience 95/ir is one of the most easily scratched, so yes, I would choose a different alloy.
My photojournal of the patina in-progress here: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/platinum-vs-white-gold.147732/#post-2668608']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/platinum-vs-white-gold.147732/#post-2668608[/URL]
My die-struck 95/ru band now looks exactly that same way - actually much worse - , so I'll iterate that all platinum will get there eventually if you actually wear the piece.. I personally can't stand patina, depending on whether/how much it matters to you YMMV

 

[marcy]

Gorgeous.

 

[VRBeauty]

Oh and I guess I should ask - does the halo look OK to you guys? I just want to make sure that there is not too much metal between the diamonds and that the diamonds on the halo are as close to the sapphire as possible.

Funny you should ask! i was just thinking how much more I like your halo that the halo on the Kate/Diana ring! Yours is more like a river of diamonds, and I like the way the prongs sort of become one with the diamonds. ( ) I think it'll be spectacular!

 

[Jereni]

Love it! I personally love halos without pave on the band, I think it makes for a nice contrast!

Also, your hands are friggin gorgeous and I'm jealous.

 

[Niel]

leave the band round, I think its beautiful the way it is. If it were me I would feel more comfortable with it being 2mm, but thats just me

I have to second the fact that I have major envy for your beautiful hands!!! Me and my sausage fingers are put to shame

 

[woofmama]

Your stone is amazing! Can't wait to see the finished ring.

 

[Enerchi]

WOW! Holy mackerel! That is going to be a stunning ring!! your stone is TDF - that blue is exceptionally appealing to my eyes!! And the halo - YUMMY YUMMY YUM YUM!! I find that CADS are somewhat chunkier than what the actual ring ends up being - plus its enlarged so much on your screen so anything is easy to 'pick at' and obsess about (what??? who obsesses on PS??? )

IMO - that is going to be a GORGEOUS "jewel of the week" once you come back and post it!!

 

[emcee]

Goodness, thank you so much everyone! I certainly didn't expect all of your amazing comments. You are all too kind! I will be sure to post pictures of the finished ring. It will be a few more weeks and I can't wait! I should have revised CADs from Mark early next week so I will definitely share those as well.

Yssie - I definitely did see your photos of patina developing and they were a huge help since it's so hard to imagine what minor or strong patina is like without photos. Hopefully 95 plat/5 ru or 90 plat/10 irid would not cost too much extra and I will be sure to go with one of those. I think it would be worth a bit of extra cost though since it would save me the cost of numerous extra polishings anyway.

VRBeauty - Thanks for your thoughts on the halo! Haha, I never really intended to have a ring like Di/Kate's since I originally wanted a 2-ish carat cushion, but I fell in love with this oval and couldn't let go of a halo setting, so here we are! I definitely think this setting is more delicate and less prong-y so the diamonds are the star of the show (well...more like background singers compared to the sapphire ).

Jereni - I looove the look plain band halos. I don't know why they're not more popular!

nielseel - I've gone back and forth on it but I think I will stick with the round band! I took out a ruler and 2mm is not nearly as thick as I expected. I think that in my mind, the CADs looked more like 3-4mm to me so that had me worried since that wasn't the look I wanted. Haha and thank you for the compliment about my hands

Enerchi - Wowza, I never thought I would have a ring nice enough to make Jewel of the Week but I sure hope everything turns out as nice as I hope! Thank you for all your lovely comments Haha and nooo...whatever could you mean about obsessing over something on PS...

 

[CharmedOne]

I love the plain round band. It is so unique and will look AMAZING!! Can't wait to see it!