Suggestions on stone selection PLEASE :)

[stepcutnut]

Hi all

I''ve had this setting sitting around for sometime, just waiting for the perfect center stone to come around. I am not sure if stepcuts or brilliant cuts look the best in it since the setting has both. I just wanted to get the opinions from a few others-thanks in advance!

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I really like the stepcut with it - not sure what it is, but it just looks "right" to me

 

[stepcutnut]

BEG-thanks for your vote

Here''s the side view.

 

[Catmom]

I think it''s perfect with a light colored stepcut.

 

[stepcutnut]

Catmom-thanks for your opinion, what color stone do you see in that setting?

 

[innerkitten]

Almost looks like it''s made for a step cut doesn''t it. But with a really nice stone you could go either way. How about an aquamarine?

 

[stepcutnut]

Date: 3/9/2009 12:52:06 PM
Author: innerkitten
Almost looks like it''s made for a step cut doesn''t it. But with a really nice stone you could go either way. How about an aquamarine?

IK-I''ve been looking for a nice aqua, just haven''t for one in the color I''m looking for. The jeweler I purchased the setting from was completely convinced that the setting was only for a round stone!!! But, I''ve been leaning towards a stepcut since I bought it!

 

[innerkitten]

The right one might show up and you could always have one cut. What stones do you like? I''ll keep an eye out for you.

 

[stepcutnut]

IK-thanks for the offer I am usually not a pastel girl unless the stone has alot of dispersion or a great cut. The stone needs to be fairly tough too-I work with my hands and need substantial jewelry. Other than that I am really open to what species of stone I will set in the ring. I know probably not much help!

 

[innerkitten]

I''m the same, sort of rough on my jewelry. Maybe you can get a medium toned garnet or something? Pale spess or mint garnet, even a lighter sapphire.

 

[stepcutnut]

Date: 3/9/2009 1:25:38 PM
Author: innerkitten
I''m the same, sort of rough on my jewelry. Maybe you can get a medium toned garnet or something? Pale spess or mint garnet, even a lighter sapphire.

I am currently looking for a Malaya peachy-pink

 

[mercoledi]

How about something like the first stone listed here, it''s a round with a step-like pattern in a lighter, gold color.

 

[FrekeChild]

I like the stepcut too.

 

[hoofbeats95]

I like the step cut but I''m not sure it''s a fair comparision. First of all the other stone looks a bit too dark for that setting. And the angle isn''t the same. It''s hard for me to even judge that one. So I lean towards the other one. I''d like to see the pics be from the same angle. That being said, I see a red stone in that setting. Or a blue one - but the right blue that isn''t too dark. Gorgeous setting BTW!

 

[innerkitten]

Very pretty. Looks like it sold already. Gene has some malaya rough I think. You might mention what your looking for to him.

 

[ma re]

And here''s the first vote for a brilliant cut - not without an explanation, off course

:

- you''ve got step cuts surrounded by brilliant cuts on the shank; why not balance that with a brilliant cut surrounded by step cuts
- a step cut might get overpowered in that setting cause, my God, there''s a lot of bling in it.

As to color choices, I totally see something dark blue in it. It''s quite geometrical and reminds of art deco pieces, which were off course, known for strong contrasts. I also think that a low contrast piece would get lost in such a blingy piece. A nice sapphire maybe, or even a spinel, or tourmaline would probably do in terms of durabilty. But I wouldn''t put just anything in there, cause it''s a really nice setting with an unusual design (probably wasn''t cheap either), which IMO deserves a nice quality stone.

 

[TravelingGal]

I love them both, but oddly I am drawn to the dark round in there a bit more!

 

[BWise]

Step cut for sure. Lighter color stone (pink, yellow or light red), mint green will be so pretty!

 

[stepcutnut]

Date: 3/9/2009 1:42:56 PM
Author: mercoledi
How about something like the first stone listed here, it''s a round with a step-like pattern in a lighter, gold color.

That is a lovely stone, I just returned a Mali, it really didn''t speak to me-might have been the cut on it-normally I love the dispersion of garnets

 

[stepcutnut]

Date: 3/9/2009 1:43:26 PM
Author: FrekeChild
I like the stepcut too.

Thanks for you opinion Freke

 

[stepcutnut]

Date: 3/9/2009 1:51:32 PM
Author: hoofbeats95
I like the step cut but I''m not sure it''s a fair comparision. First of all the other stone looks a bit too dark for that setting. And the angle isn''t the same. It''s hard for me to even judge that one. So I lean towards the other one. I''d like to see the pics be from the same angle. That being said, I see a red stone in that setting. Or a blue one - but the right blue that isn''t too dark. Gorgeous setting BTW!

The pics were taken on separate days with really different lighting conditions. I had to angle the handshot today with the iolite because the stone kept moving on me. The first pics was taken on a really sunny day without any flash, the second pic was on a really dark day with flash too. I did try my red spinel in the setting and liked the color, but the stone isn''t large enough for the setting, so would need to search for another. I would love love love an asscher cut blue sapphire-still haven''t found one that would fit the setting and have tried numerous cutters(5 I think) to try and get one cut and have come up empty handed. Thanks, I really love the setting

 

[stepcutnut]

Date: 3/9/2009 1:54:56 PM
Author: innerkitten
Very pretty. Looks like it sold already. Gene has some malaya rough I think. You might mention what your looking for to him.

Thanks, maybe I will

 

[stepcutnut]

Date: 3/9/2009 1:57:03 PM
Author: ma re
And here''s the first vote for a brilliant cut - not without an explanation, off course

:


- you''ve got step cuts surrounded by brilliant cuts on the shank; why not balance that with a brilliant cut surrounded by step cuts

- a step cut might get overpowered in that setting cause, my God, there''s a lot of bling in it.


As to color choices, I totally see something dark blue in it. It''s quite geometrical and reminds of art deco pieces, which were off course, known for strong contrasts. I also think that a low contrast piece would get lost in such a blingy piece. A nice sapphire maybe, or even a spinel, or tourmaline would probably do in terms of durabilty. But I wouldn''t put just anything in there, cause it''s a really nice setting with an unusual design (probably wasn''t cheap either), which IMO deserves a nice quality stone.

Thanks for the explanation of your opinion. I love contrast and am not really a pastel girl. And no the setting wasn''t cheap, so I really need to set a nice stone into it. I would love a nice sapphire for it.

 

[stepcutnut]

Date: 3/9/2009 1:57:03 PM
Author: ma re
And here''s the first vote for a brilliant cut - not without an explanation, off course

:


- you''ve got step cuts surrounded by brilliant cuts on the shank; why not balance that with a brilliant cut surrounded by step cuts

- a step cut might get overpowered in that setting cause, my God, there''s a lot of bling in it.


As to color choices, I totally see something dark blue in it. It''s quite geometrical and reminds of art deco pieces, which were off course, known for strong contrasts. I also think that a low contrast piece would get lost in such a blingy piece. A nice sapphire maybe, or even a spinel, or tourmaline would probably do in terms of durabilty. But I wouldn''t put just anything in there, cause it''s a really nice setting with an unusual design (probably wasn''t cheap either), which IMO deserves a nice quality stone.

Thanks for the explanation of your opinion, that is why I am a little torn with a step cut or a brilliant cut. I love contrast and am not really a pastel girl. And you are correct that the setting wasn''t cheap, so I really need to set a nice stone into it. I would love a nice sapphire for it.

 

[stepcutnut]

Date: 3/9/2009 1:59:37 PM
Author: TravelingGal
I love them both, but oddly I am drawn to the dark round in there a bit more!

Thanks TGal

 

[stepcutnut]

Date: 3/9/2009 2:00:30 PM
Author: yingh
Step cut for sure. Lighter color stone (pink, yellow or light red), mint green will be so pretty!

Thanks yingh, I''m not usually a pastel girl-so the stone, if light, would have to have fantastic dispersion and cut!

 

[ma re]

Just a reminder that a cushion would probably fit in there - and sapphire cushions are not THAT hard to find

 

[stepcutnut]

Date: 3/9/2009 3:13:21 PM
Author: ma re
Just a reminder that a cushion would probably fit in there - and sapphire cushions are not THAT hard to find

Thanks Ma re, yes a cushion or square radiant would fit nicely. I am currently looking for a 8-9mm nice blue sapphire for the center in another project that I have in the re-works! So, would probably hold off on purchasing another blue sapphire for this setting right now, but that is originally what I wanted to set in this ring

BTW-this setting would need a 7.5-8mm size stone.

 

[musey]

Date: 3/9/2009 1:59:37 PM
Author: TravelingGal
I love them both, but oddly I am drawn to the dark round in there a bit more!

Ditto, I guess we''re the odd ones out TGal - I much prefer the dark round in that setting!

 

[stepcutnut]

Date: 3/9/2009 3:56:19 PM
Author: musey

Date: 3/9/2009 1:59:37 PM

Author: TravelingGal

I love them both, but oddly I am drawn to the dark round in there a bit more!

Ditto, I guess we''re the odd ones out TGal - I much prefer the dark round in that setting!

musey-I actually really appreciate your opinion about the round as well, I am obviously torn as to which way to go with this setting, since I''ve had it sitting empty for so long.