Setting ideas for 0.42 carat "jedi" spinel

[newtojewels]

Seeing @CBianco's stunning new ring and her bracelet for sale made me jump on her stone's little sister, the 0.42 carat spinel that originally belonged to @lovedogs. While I'm waiting for that to arrive to me, I'm already thinking of setting inspiration! I have never done a custom project, and have only bought pieces secondhand. Although I know this isn't much compared to many people on here, I already have three rings for my right ring finger and am not sure I want another one so I'm thinking of looking at bracelets as well. I wear two delicate diamond bracelets every day and was thinking about something that would stack well with them. I'm not totally opposed to a ring, though, but I don't imagine myself wearing more than one ring on a hand at a time so I think a bracelet might get more use. My worry with the existing bracelet was how dressy it seemed compared to what I already own. So however this stone ends up being set, I would like it to be a special but still reasonably everyday piece, if that makes sense.

The stone (photos courtesy of CBianco). I'll post my own when it arrives! It's 0.42 carats and measures 4.16mmx3.99mm. My hands are big but wrists are small, I'm a 6.75 ring size with long fingers, wrist measures just over 5.75".

My everyday bracelets that I might want to stack this with (while trying on the YG Frivole bracelet at VCA -- sadly it's not mine!):


The rings I already have to show things I like (I did keep all three from my previous decision-making process when I was only supposed to choose one -- oops!):

 

[newtojewels]

Random rings and bracelets that I have liked that could maybe be adapted. Please suggest any other inspiration photos you might have! Thanks so much!

Graff Wild Flowers bracelet:

Chaumet Josephine bracelet:

Melissa Joy Manning bracelet:

Antique cluster bangle:

JuliaB Milgrain Bezel bracelet:

Sofia Zakia Paeonia ring:

Chanel Camelia ring:

Stephen Webster Thorn ring:

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

Spinels are a 8, so not as hard as sapphires. I would really protect the spinels if you decide to wear them as a bracelet. Even diamonds will chip there. Bezel or cuff is what I have done. Or maybe you’re not as tough on your hands as I am.

I would want to look at those spinels too.

 

[dk168]

I have a small pink red CS, a cushion cut Balingo Ruby (a pink Sapphire) by Jeff W, and it is too small on its own as a ring for me personally.

Hence I am thinking of setting it in some sort of a bracelet.

I have seen a ring design that I like, can't find a photo anymore, sorry, however, it has a round metal disk with a small stone set in the middle, with star burst engraving radiating from it, which I thought was very pretty.

I am likely to set the stone at 45deg and have diamonds star bursts to boost the bling factor.

The issue I have is that, the disk on its own in a bracelet with a chain is likely to migrate to the underside of the wrist and drive me nuts.

Therefore, I am thinking of setting the disk on a curved bar, then chains on both ends of the bar, so that the bar will sit better on my wrist.



DK

 

[newtojewels]

Spinels are a 8, so not as hard as sapphires. I would really protect the spinels if you decide to wear them as a bracelet. Even diamonds will chip there. Bezel or cuff is what I have done. Or maybe you’re not as tough on your hands as I am.

I would want to look at those spinels too.

I'm only getting the one spinel, but I'll definitely look at it before deciding on a setting -- I'll probably be dithering about this for a while! But good point on a protective setting for it. I always worry about losing cuff bracelets, but maybe they would be safe if they're sized correctly....

I have a small pink red CS, a cushion cut Balingo Ruby (a pink Sapphire) by Jeff W, and it is too small on its own as a ring for me personally.

Hence I am thinking of setting it in some sort of a bracelet.

I have seen a ring design that I like, can't find a photo anymore, sorry, however, it has a round metal disk with a small stone set in the middle, with star burst engraving radiating from it, which I thought was very pretty.

I am likely to set the stone at 45deg and have diamonds star bursts to boost the bling factor.

The issue I have is that, the disk on its own in a bracelet with a chain is likely to migrate to the underside of the wrist and drive me nuts.

Therefore, I am thinking of setting the disk on a curved bar, then chains on both ends of the bar, so that the bar will sit better on my wrist.



DK

What a pretty stone! You're lucky that it's square so you can set it on the diagonal. That sounds like a lovely setting, and the curved bar suggestion makes total sense for a bracelet. You gave me a few more search terms to look at!

Gucci Flora bracelet:

Diamond flower cuff (maybe I could find a small melee stone to match the spinel and be the center of the flower):

Starburst with curved diamond bars:

Buccellati with something that might be kind of like what dk168 mentioned:

Of course this is nothing at all like I originally mentioned, but I used to have a <$100, large flower ring that I wore on my middle finger as a teenager. Time to blow the budget and get an upgrade to that one?

I also liked this Chanel Fil de Camelia ring when I tried it on in person:

A similar motif from Shreve Crump and Low:

 

[cloud_less]

If you are open to the idea of setting it in a ring/band:
I have a very similar Jedi spinel (color and size-wise) made into a band-singlestone-ring-situation. It's surprisingly good and flexible as a stacker!

I was about to list it on LT but I might have changed my mind when I just took it out for a pic...


More info for reference:
This stone is also ~.45ct, a bit more elongated than yours. Ring is size 6.75

 

[newtojewels]

If you are open to the idea of setting it in a ring/band:
I have a very similar Jedi spinel (color and size-wise) made into a band-singlestone-ring-situation. It's surprisingly good and flexible as a stacker!

I was about to list it on LT but I might have changed my mind when I just took it out for a pic...


More info for reference:
This stone is also ~.45ct, a bit more elongated than yours. Ring is size 6.75

It's beautiful, and it's nice to see a stone that size on someone with my ring size! I'll probably realistically end up in a "temporary setting" of some sort of band and then keep it there for a looong time

 

[newtojewels]

Another ridiculous (and ridiculously stunning) flower ring, this time by Cartier:

 

[newtojewels]

Okay, back to the realm of sanity and then real life instead of jewelry hunting

If anyone can think of other floral rings/vendors, let me know! I'm thinking David Klass if I go in this floral pave direction because of Purranha's stunning orchid ring and other pave pieces I've seen, but of course what do I know?

Pippo Perez orchid bracelet:

 

[newtojewels]

So I've gone in a completely different direction from the above and would love some thoughts on the final decision!

I'm getting a snake ring from Cheyenne Weil, who has been AMAZING so far. I just shipped the spinel out to her yesterday.

This was one of the inspiration photos I sent her which I liked the loopiness of:


Here's her wax so far, still a work in progress. She says, "Note that the finished snake will be a little less beefy at the band, but very close to size/width at the upper curled up 'knot'--that part will just have the detail refined a little more"


In my ring size to wear on the index or middle fingers:


The current decisions are

* Metal color (probably 18k yellow gold versus 22k yellow gold)
* Oxidation versus not (only relevant if going with 18k)
* Scaly texture versus smooth

Some photos of her other snake rings:
18k and smooth:



18k and scaly:


18k and oxidized:

22k and scaly:


22k and smooth:

White gold, but I feel like yellow is the better choice for this:

I also wear 18k rose gold but I didn't like how that looked with the stone, I felt like it took away from its color.

Any thoughts? I asked her to weigh in on metal color when she sees the stone in person, also. 22k is a bit more expensive than 18k but not enough to be the deciding factor.

 

[Avondale]

Scaly.
No oxidation.
22k but only if it will be sturdy enough to be worn as a ring. Especially with all the detailing. Otherwise, 18k will look perfectly fine as well.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I also vote scaly. The oxidization is actually a paint that can be removed, and it will come off over time. You can ask to see it before its applied and decide then. but I would vote not to do it. The oxidzation fills the engraved areas making them dull black, but without they are a little shiny and I like that better on my own ring, which was oxidized when I got it but I removed it later and prefer the look.

I am very jealous.

 

[newtojewels]

Scaly.
No oxidation.
22k but only if it will be sturdy enough to be worn as a ring. Especially with all the detailing. Otherwise, 18k will look perfectly fine as well.

I also vote scaly. The oxidization is actually a paint that can be removed, and it will come off over time. You can ask to see it before its applied and decide then. but I would vote not to do it. The oxidzation fills the engraved areas making them dull black, but without they are a little shiny and I like that better on my own ring, which was oxidized when I got it but I removed it later and prefer the look.

I am very jealous.

Thank you both for your opinions! I was leaning towards scaly, 22k, no oxidation and it sounds like you both agree -- and we can't all be wrong! Cheyenne mentioned that the 18k would be a little sturdier than 22k but didn't express concerns with the 22k.

I'm really excited, I think it'll look really nice in the end given the super bright spinel, a rich metal, and her lovely handmade design. My other YG rings are secondhand CvB pieces and I think it will all play together nicely. Plus, like I said, Cheyenne has been super great throughout the process so far.

 

[Mooshi]

I immediately thought scaly but then saw the photos and the smooth are soo luxe looking, with the taper up the top of the back it just looks perfect so that's my vote. I also vote a yellow gold!

 

[newtojewels]

I immediately thought scaly but then saw the photos and the smooth are soo luxe looking, with the taper up the top of the back it just looks perfect so that's my vote. I also vote a yellow gold!

You know, I did the same thing! I always imagined scaly and was thinking that immediately after looking at the photos. But something about that burnished ridge.....

 

[Dreamer_D]

I like the smooth with the carve face. Maybe you can do similar. Carve detail on face and tip of the tail

 

[newtojewels]

We're doing smooth with carved face! Here's the video I just got with the stone in the wax. She said she still needs to do some of the finishing work but I think it looks amazing! I should have it in mid-September.

https://imgur.com/JH5JGLH

 

[Dreamer_D]

Utterly perfect. I’m so incredibly jealous!

 

[newtojewels]

Utterly perfect. I’m so incredibly jealous!

We can trade! You lend me your five-stone when it's done and I'll lend you this! Will a 7.75 fit you?

 

[Dreamer_D]

We can trade! You lend me your five-stone when it's done and I'll lend you this! Will a 7.75 fit you?

I wish!! God the waiting for my five stone is so distressing lol Work will be really busy this fall so I’m hoping it helps time fly!

I was actually planning to have Cheyenne make my star sapphire ring about 18 months ago. But because my finger size was larger it would have meant fully custom and it just wasn’t in budget. So sad. But I am really hoping some day to have something made. This ring you are having made it totally up my alley. So excited to see it completed!!

 

[newtojewels]

I wish!! God the waiting for my five stone is so distressing lol Work will be really busy this fall so I’m hoping it helps time fly!

I was actually planning to have Cheyenne make my star sapphire ring about 18 months ago. But because my finger size was larger it would have meant fully custom and it just wasn’t in budget. So sad. But I am really hoping some day to have something made. This ring you are having made it totally up my alley. So excited to see it completed!!

Well, we all can't wait to see the five stone when it does happen! It's going to be really special. Did you see the ring Dolly posted the other day?

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And what a bummer for the ring size I recently ordered an eternity band and it was also custom for being over a size 7. Unfair! I really hope you get your Cheyenne ring someday and I'll try to post good photos of this one when it arrives for vicarious living! You just need to promise to do the same for your five stone.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Well, we all can't wait to see the five stone when it does happen! It's going to be really special. Did you see the ring Dolly posted the other day?

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

And what a bummer for the ring size I recently ordered an eternity band and it was also custom for being over a size 7. Unfair! I really hope you get your Cheyenne ring someday and I'll try to post good photos of this one when it arrives for vicarious living! You just need to promise to do the same for your five stone.

Oh I suspect I will post so many pictures everyone will die from rolling their eyes lol

That ring from dolly has lovely hand presence. That style setting hasn’t hit my short list, as I don’t like how the little gems in the prongs obscure the diamond outline and I feel like I want to see the plump outline. But I do like seeing comps. I’m such a loser about a deal, it’s nice to know my ring will cost less than what I might have found elsewhere

Your red spinel is amazing. Your so lucky to have it.

 

[newtojewels]

Oh I suspect I will post so many pictures everyone will die from rolling their eyes lol

That ring from dolly has lovely hand presence. That style setting hasn’t hit my short list, as I don’t like how the little gems in the prongs obscure the diamond outline and I feel like I want to see the plump outline. But I do like seeing comps. I’m such a loser about a deal, it’s nice to know my ring will cost less than what I might have found elsewhere

Your red spinel is amazing. Your so lucky to have it.

and it will be your own design too, so even better! And I think we'll all be excited for every photo

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Well, I love me a snickety snack, always. My favorite.
I'm jealous you're getting a Weil.
I would actually go knife edge smooth and see if she can texture the head the and neck into a fade.

*sigh* I guess I'll have to hope you tire of this one day too and then offer to buy it along with that other spinel ring.
((toe tapping commences))

 

[newtojewels]

Well, I love me a snickety snack, always. My favorite.
I'm jealous you're getting a Weil.
I would actually go knife edge smooth and see if she can texture the head the and neck into a fade.

*sigh* I guess I'll have to hope you tire of this one day too and then offer to buy it along with that other spinel ring.
((toe tapping commences))

We're doing the knife edge smooth with some scales on the head! I think the tail will just be plain. I said this in the other thread, but this isn't fully custom -- I'm a prototype for a new shop design -- but I still did get some input! And the good news is that you could get your very own version of this ring instead of waiting for mine

 

[Dreamer_D]

Oh that is very interesting that it’s a new shop design!

 

[newtojewels]

IT'S DONE!

This is my first custom piece (even though it wasn't 100% custom) so I'm even more excited than I would usually be!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Perfection.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

IT'S DONE!

This is my first custom piece (even though it wasn't 100% custom) so I'm even more excited than I would usually be!

I love it.

 

[Avondale]

It looks alive!