Setting brainstorm for a small stone?

[MakingTheGrade]

I have a .97ct sapphire, but don''t know how to set it! It''s pretty small, about 6mm x 5.3mm. I tend to not like halos much, and I like clean streamlined looks. I''m waffling on diamond accents or just a simple solitaire to let the stone shine? Eeee..too many choices!

I''ve been browsing eyecandy threads, but many of the colored stones and diamonds are of much bigger dimensions so it''s hard for to picture if it would work on a small scale. If anyone has photos of a sapphire or diamond ring of about the same size, I''m all eyes!

Heh, this sapphire is actually heavier than my diamond, but so much smaller in size! Darn their density.

Some pics of the sapphire:

 

[4ever]

My first reaction is somthing rather simple with a really thin delecate band as to not overwhelm that beautiful sapphire.
But then, I adore the sapphire and daimond combo so the other part of me wants to see some sparkles with it.

 

[elle_chris]

Your set looks similiar to mine (your e-ring and the band), and I also like clean streamlined looks but- I can totally picture a baguette or tiny emerald halo around the sapphire. or baguette sides.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I see it with a delicate halo, plain shank to keep it modern.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Would it go too dark in an E-W bezel. The shape is so cool, I think a thin fluid bezel would look really unique...

Or a three stone with half moon or traps on the side...

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I'm assuming the smallest kind of halo or diamond band would be micropave, but I'm pretty sure that's really expensive, and I'd like to keep the setting around 600$ if possible (should have said that at the start, haha).

So yeah, mostly looking at options around the 600$ mark. My default plan is to go with Sally at HOW for a simple type of solitaire with maybe 2 small accent diamonds of some sort. But I"d love more options/ideas

I like the idea of baguette sides, can I get them that small though?

 

[Indylady]

Have you taken a look at the under 1ct diamond thread? Personally, I would love to see a halo on that sapphire. Perhaps a non-traditional halo of pears and rounds, or maybe a halo with an airline.

If you are looking for a very streamlined look, I would bezel the sapphire in alternating colors of gold: the first a white gold bezel, and the next a yellow gold or rose gold bezel. Or yellow gold first and then white gold. I think it could be a neat effect.

 

[Kismet]

My little sapphire is 5x4mm and I set it east-west in a split shank. Not sure if this would work for your stone''s shape but it''s an idea.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Thanks for the ideas!

I don''t think I want to bezel since I think the color and tone is perfection right now and I also want to show off the outline of gene''s cut.

I''m not really a halo person, I love to admire them on others, but I''ve always been more of a solitaire or 3 stone type of person. (However, I''m debating getting a temp setting and saving up a bigger budget for this stone''s "forever" home since the color is something special)

Right now I''m wondering if you can do double claw prongs on a stone this small....

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Also, aside from Leon, who else would you recommend for the claw prong look? The pointier and more delicate the better!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 1/12/2010 6:43:06 PM
Author: MakingTheGrade
Also, aside from Leon, who else would you recommend for the claw prong look? The pointier and more delicate the better!

BGD.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

I think BGD has done some nice claw prongs...

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Thanks! Do you guys have any idea approx how much a solitaire would be through BGD? He only has a blog and not a store front so I don''t have any way of gauging pricing...

 

[Bella_mezzo]

I don''t...I''m sure if you email Lesley for a quote you''ll hear back really fast though. Usually his prices are pretty similar to WF so I''m guessing $250-$400 for a simple wg solitaire depending on how much customization has to happen for your stone. but that''s a total guess.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Thanks!

I had emailed an inquiry earlier, but she wrote back saying I should call. But I feel bad calling before I know what I want, lol. I don''t want to just ramble on the phone!

 

[Maisie]

I would just go ahead and call her. She is a lovely lady. I have chatted to her many times by phone. She won''t put any pressure on you. she doesn''t do hard sell. She will discuss your options with you and leave you to make up your own mind.

 

[Kunzite]

I can see it as a three stone with two half moons in a white metal. So beautiful!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Date: 1/12/2010 7:31:19 PM
Author: Maisie
I would just go ahead and call her. She is a lovely lady. I have chatted to her many times by phone. She won''t put any pressure on you. she doesn''t do hard sell. She will discuss your options with you and leave you to make up your own mind.

Thanks! I''m not as worried about pressure, and I am feeling guilty about wasting her time since I don''t really know what I want. Haha.

Right now my top contenders for design (I think) are a simple delicate solitaire, a 3 stone with tapered baguettes or traps, or a solitaire with 3 small pave diamonds on each shoulder.

Here are some more pics of the sapphire next to some different metal colors, what do you think? Yellow or white?

 

[4ever]

YG and white metal are both totally different looks but I do prefer the white metal with it. It actually looks really great with the little band in the photo and I can totally picture it in a solitair with a neat detailed shank like that.

I have to agree that you should give Lesely a call. If you give them a price range and what kind of looks you were thinking of for it they might be able to help by coming up with some possible options for you that they think would look good.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

I would wear the white more, but I have to say it really pops against the yellow! I''d probably still set it in white gold...call Lesley, she''s great and will talk you through your options.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

Date: 1/12/2010 6:54:10 PM
Author: MakingTheGrade
Thanks! Do you guys have any idea approx how much a solitaire would be through BGD? He only has a blog and not a store front so I don't have any way of gauging pricing...

Mine is as simple as it comes and it was $250

I commented on your other thread, and you might not be able to pull this off now, but what about trillion side stones????? Or maybe half moons??

 

[CLEICS]

HI first thing what a beautiful sapphire!!!

I was given a sapphire ring for my birthday a couple of years ago and its about the same size, mine is set in white gold with a smaller round brilliant diamond each side which i think is lovely as it brings a little bit of light to the ring and sets the sapphire off

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Thanks CLEICs! Do you have any photos of your ring?

My other concern is what kind of prongs to use to preserve the nice outline..

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Are you setting N-S or E-W?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Definitely N-S.

Right now I''m thinking either a 3 stone with tapered baguettes or traps or trillions, a solitaire style with 3 small diamonds on each shoulder for a little accent sparkle, or something art deco. I know this doesn''t narrow things down much does it..haha.


Art Deco:

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Here''s an online example of a 3 stone with trills.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Nice! Just a suggestion, but I think trapezoids or half moons would look better than the trillions and help to accent the shape of your stone...for prongs I''d do the msot delicate claw prongs you could find...that is going to be a killer ring either way!

 

[Gypsy]

How about this.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 1/12/2010 7:44:17 PM
Author: Kunzite
I can see it as a three stone with two half moons in a white metal. So beautiful!

Bingo, that was what I was thinking!!!

 

[acebruin]

another vote for the half moons on white...