Opinions wanted!

[ah2bqat]

OK y'all.  I told you I was going to recycle my DH's mother's setting.  so here are some shots of it, with thanks to OMC for his photo tips. 

Now how can I make it worth DBL's time without costing more than an arm.  and remember, we're only dealing with 14k gold.  Not sure about the mounts, but probably the same in white. Still have a year or two to put it together.

[Mrs Mitchell]

Oh, how pretty!
What are your colour preferences?  Are you thinking white diamonds, gemstones or coloured diamonds?

What about a yellow flanked by a couple of white diamonds? Or a sapphire with some nice warm coloured 'antique' whites? If you could get older cuts to fit the mount, that could be very pretty. Mmm., nice project.

Oh, one last thought - what about rubies either side of a white or yellow diamond / diamonds either side of a ruby.

Of course, if you wanted to make it really special, there's always the chance that David could find a pink diamond to fit the setting...

What are your thoughts at this stage?

Jen

[Diamondsbylauren]

Wow- cool project!
I think Jen has started you off with some great suggestions.
Colorless diamonds would also look great in that ring (IMO)

[oldmancoyote]

Another thought is - if you have three mineral species that have special meaning for you (e.g. your parent's birthstones and yours, or your children's birthstones, or...), you could set the ring asymmetrically with one gem for each species.

[Mrs Mitchell]

This may not be what you want to do, or may not work technically, but what about taking three of the stones from the bracelet/collar that your kitty wore? If they are the right size, that could make for a really sentimental ring!

Or just go for broke, and have three pretty pink diamonds!
 
Jen

[ah2bqat]

Right now I'm wearing a 3 stone ring he bought for my 55th.  His son, the mini-he, was born in April and his daughter was born in May.  I have a little oval emerald with 2 little RB white diamonds.  It's not a high end ring, by any means, but to me it's almost priceless.  His son, Ryan, picked it out, and that just blew my socks off.  He's only 13. 

So I thought about doing that again, although I think I'd prefer radiants all around or an asscher for the emerald - and much better stones. 

On the other hand, I also thought about a good Fancy Blue or grayish blue - sky to denim in hue, flanked by really good whites, maybe a radiant center with asscher sides.  That starts getting REALLY pricey, even tho the sizes are not very large. 

And I'd really like to get sort of matching yellow radiants of similar size - like 1+ carats each, and use one for my engagement ring, and one for his wedding band.  He likes that Half Bezel Men's  semi-mount.  His ring size is probably 12.5 - so I'm not sure if I want to do a 3 stone or solitaire.

On yet another hand, maybe we should match color for the wedding bands and do both as 3 stones with yellow radiant centers, not sure yellow or whites on the sides.    He really doesn't understand my fascination with sparklies, let alone why he should pay large bills for girl in hand.

But  I can buy Ryan.  A new wetsuit or boogie board, and I get the kid to push on my side.     He's already planning on moving back in with us for next school year.  That makes his Dad VERY happy. 

So many choices.  It's giving me a headache! 

[ah2bqat]

I am SUCH a  rudesby!  My apologies Mrs. M. and OMC!

Thank you both for your suggestions, they are great, and much appreciated. 

Mrs. M. I'm a blue girl, altho I have looked at purpleish-pink stones on some other sites.  I get grumpy b/cause I really like (read that drool over) the pink center oval 3-stone that DBL has in stock.  You know, the R1340.  But no way I would ever think about it seriously, when I want to make something really special with his Mom's ring. 

The stones in the bracelet average .09 to .10 points per, and look to be a bit too small.  Plus, they really aren't the quality of stone I'd like to use.   A lovely idea, however, since I never wear the bracelet anymore.  Rather bad form to wear a 5th anniversary present from a former husband, even if Stitch didn't mind.

As for other stones with birthdays, OMC, both my seniors are April babies.    yeah, that's a shame.  But DH and I have not so good stones to use.  He is a December baby , so we see turquoise or blue topaz; while my own are either a pearl or moonstone.

[Mrs Mitchell]

Well, I'm thinking you're narrowing it down to blue sapphire / white or warm white diamond combination, or going extra special and making it blue diamonds or blue and white diamonds. In fact, it's shaping up to be a ring I'd rather like to borrow!

Do you have a timeline for this project? I'm dying to see it set, it has a lot of potential!

Jen

[ah2bqat]

no timeline set, Mrs. M.  we are legal in the eyes of the state of Texas, the IRS, and the Feebs, and our assorted seniors are good with us as is. 

Truly we are waiting for my father to pass.  He has bad Alzheimer's and I don't want to marry without my Mom there.  With him in this condition (he's a timex - just keeps on ticking), she can't travel and neither can he.  And it would be too much effort to throw the burden of the wedding on her, when she lives in S.A TX and we're on the west coast.

[webmistress]

I'm not sure the mounting will hold anything but rounds. I could very well be wrong.

I think three colorless rounds or one colorless flanked by round gemstones. Pink or blue sapphires.

[titania]

That is a very beautiful, complex ring that you want to reset. The gold looks so warm - I do see it with a mix of sapphires or rubies and white diamonds.  Fun project!

[GIAGirl]

That is a very beautiful, complex ring that you want to reset. The gold looks so warm - I do see it with a mix of sapphires or rubies and white diamonds.  Fun project!

That is what I was thinking.  Good luck!

[Mrs Mitchell]

no timeline set, Mrs. M.  we are legal in the eyes of the state of Texas, the IRS, and the Feebs, and our assorted seniors are good with us as is. 

Truly we are waiting for my father to pass.  He has bad Alzheimer's and I don't want to marry without my Mom there.  With him in this condition (he's a timex - just keeps on ticking), she can't travel and neither can he.  And it would be too much effort to throw the burden of the wedding on her, when she lives in S.A TX and we're on the west coast.

I'm so sorry, this must be really hard for you all. So sad. I totally understand that you want your mom there, though. As much as  mine drives me crazy, I wouldn't have had her miss my wedding for anything.

So, are you still thinking blue diamond?

Jen

[ah2bqat]

I'm not sure the mounting will hold anything but rounds. I could very well be wrong.

I think three colorless rounds or one colorless flanked by round gemstones. Pink or blue sapphires.

You may have a point, webmistress.  I am hoping that with a classic 4 prong mount for each stone, I could go to the radiant side; but I'm sure David will let me know my limitations.

Highest on the wish list would be a blue diamond center with pale yellow, high white, or emerald sides; second would be to make 'matching' 3 stones, starting DH's ring with the Half Bezel Men's Ring, where color and cut would match, if not size.  (he's a size 12.5, at least), and my ring is much more delicate; so I'd have to get diamonds of an appropriate size for his ring.  On the other hand, I could be happy  with the R2695 asscher flanked by matching emeralds (if the setting could hold something of that size), a reverse of the ring he gave me for my 55th, but still the kids' birthstones.  Fourth is a toss up of 3 high white or 3 Fancy yellow, preferably radiants.

So many choices, thank goodness there is time to dream.  The only problem is, everytime someone makes a suggestion, it immediately sparks more choices.  I know ...'ahhh, poor baby!'

I'm loving all the suggestions,  they are really opening up my imagination.


  

[ah2bqat]

[
I'm so sorry, this must be really hard for you all. So sad. I totally understand that you want your mom there, though. As much as  mine drives me crazy, I wouldn't have had her miss my wedding for anything.

Really, it isn't so bad as one might think.  Dad will be 98 this April, and there are days when he recognizes me, at least when I'm there.  He still knows Mom, too, most days.  And because of her devoted care, he still lives at home.  To my way of thinking he's on borrowed time; so every time I can visit, it's a bonus for me that he is alive and well.  Whether he knows us kids or not, he's still the best dad anyone could wish for, and I count every day he is with us as a special blessing. 

My poor Mom is getting the rough end of it, tho.  At 84, it's not easy to take care of someone with the mental capacity of a young toddler that is both taller and outweighs you.  My sister and I are still trying to convince her that she needs helps getting him washed and dressed, at least. 

[webmistress]

Wow, ah2, that's a reality check. I know it's hard to see a parent digress like that. She's lucky she has you and your sister.

As for the ring, David would have to evaluate it. You do want those prongs looked at carefully.

[Mrs Mitchell]

Wow. Your mom must be an amazing lady. Glad your dad can stay at home, that must make things a lot better for him.

Jen

[ah2bqat]

She is, and it does.  Mom refuses to recognize that 'can't' exists.  She raised us kids the same way, with a good dose of that solid Germanic work ethic thrown in. 

'Won't' is a different matter.  She recognizes that word and won't compromise on Dad's care or quality of life.  For us kids, similar encounters were generally met with a hairbrush. 

She's one of the strongest. most capable women I've ever met.  Definitely, my hero. 

[BigRed]

You go mom!!!!!!