Looking for thoughts on resetting aquamarine stone

[catsinthebag]

One of my grandmothers had a propensity for big jewelry. She and my grandfather would travel internationally and buy stones on their trips. She passed away years ago but I have an aquamarine ring that was hers. It’s pretty large — about 8.35 carats — and a pale blue-green color. It’s set in a plain, 14K yellow gold basket setting. I like the size and shape of the stone but the color is a little meh, and I don’t tend to wear yellow gold. The stone is also set very high, so if I wore it now, I’d be constantly knocking it into things. I’m wondering if I should have it re-set, and if putting it in white gold will have a positive impact on how I see the color. I tend to like deeper jewel tones (sapphires are my favorite), so this aquamarine has always looked a little anemic to me (sorry, grandma!).

So my question is this — have any of you had stones you weren’t in love with reset, and if so, did it rekindle any love for the piece? Or would I be better off just buying something I love, and letting this one sit in my drawer? I don’t want to sell it because it belonged to her and I have very little that was hers.

I’d love to get your thoughts on ideas for resetting this (and it doesn’t have to be a ring — could be a necklace or bracelet). I don’t want anything too formal — the whole idea of resetting would be to make this into something I’d really wear, not sit in the box waiting for a special occasion. Please share thoughts on how to make this more modern and wearable. TIA!

 

[JessicaRabbit1]

I think its a lovely stone! I think it looks gorgeous on you (even if you don't think so haha).

Do you think you would wear it more if it was in white gold with a diamond halo? I think it would look stunning in that kind of design. Maybe something like the attached pictures (from a google search).
Its quite a large stone and it covers a lot of your finger - so im not sure if a three stone design would work.

 

[essiedub]

One of my grandmothers had a propensity for big jewelry. She and my grandfather would travel internationally and buy stones on their trips. She passed away years ago but I have an aquamarine ring that was hers. It’s pretty large — about 8.35 carats — and a pale blue-green color. It’s set in a plain, 14K yellow gold basket setting. I like the size and shape of the stone but the color is a little meh, and I don’t tend to wear yellow gold. The stone is also set very high, so if I wore it now, I’d be constantly knocking it into things. I’m wondering if I should have it re-set, and if putting it in white gold will have a positive impact on how I see the color. I tend to like deeper jewel tones (sapphires are my favorite), so this aquamarine has always looked a little anemic to me (sorry, grandma!).

So my question is this — have any of you had stones you weren’t in love with reset, and if so, did it rekindle any love for the piece? Or would I be better off just buying something I love, and letting this one sit in my drawer? I don’t want to sell it because it belonged to her and I have very little that was hers.

I’d love to get your thoughts on ideas for resetting this (and it doesn’t have to be a ring — could be a necklace or bracelet). I don’t want anything too formal — the whole idea of resetting would be to make this into something I’d really wear, not sit in the box waiting for a special occasion. Please share thoughts on how to make this more modern and wearable. TIA!

View attachment 4232346 View attachment 4232347

I love the idea of resetting jewelry. This piece has a minty green color, which is quite lovely against your skin tone. Are you sure this is an aquamarine? No matter..pretty nonetheless. I think you should make it into a necklace.. in the slider style, set horizontally. You may be able to keep the yellow gold prongs and backing to save a few bucks but The jeweler would need to balance it so it doesn’t flop over or put the invisible bail closer to the top. Then you can wear it on a white gold chain, mini beaded necklace, or teeny seed pearls. For added drama, though a bit more formal, how about a black cord?

 

[MagpieInTraining]

I think you should definitely reset! There's no point in letting jewellery sit in your drawer, and it'll be a nice way to remember your grandma when you wear it. Since its quite a large stone I'd convert it into a pendant, in white gold. Either a halo around the stone, or a 2 stone pendant (like this - https://static1.squarespace.com/sta...8dc2a5a28/1475335971390/EM37.jpg?format=2500w) - you can get a moissanite instead of diamond for the top stone to make it more economical, and not such big prongs. In fact you could play around with both aspects - a moissy on top, and then the aquamarine below with a halo around it, all on a simple thin white gold chain.

 

[Deleted member 629947]

It’s a beauty! Because of its size you might want to consider a pendant but if you like large rings then even better. I think if you go for a modern casual setting the ring can be used as an everyday ring.
By modern setting I mean sth like Marie Helene de Taillac (not my images, found online)


...or Lisa Eldridge, Baccarat or Pomellato those brands all do colour gemstones. Might be worth taking a look at their creations Also the ring is now vertical but perhaps you could consider a horizontal setting (similar to the ring on a pinky - 1st photo)
(Please post back once you make your decision or once the aquamarine is reset!)

 

[Moirai]

It's a beautiful stone and it looks lovely on you. My suggestion is to reset with halo of diamonds in white gold or platinum as a ring or pendant. I would choose which ever you would wear most. For that size stone, I find a pendant easier to wear than a ring.

 

[catsinthebag]

I think its a lovely stone! I think it looks gorgeous on you (even if you don't think so haha).

Do you think you would wear it more if it was in white gold with a diamond halo? I think it would look stunning in that kind of design. Maybe something like the attached pictures (from a google search).
Its quite a large stone and it covers a lot of your finger - so im not sure if a three stone design would work.

I like this setting a lot. Just have to think if I would wear it everyday. Thanks for saying it looks good on me — I actually like the shape and size of the stone, just unsure of the color. And I think you’re right that a three stone design would be too much.

 

[catsinthebag]

I love the idea of resetting jewelry. This piece has a minty green color, which is quite lovely against your skin tone. Are you sure this is an aquamarine? No matter..pretty nonetheless. I think you should make it into a necklace.. in the slider style, set horizontally. You may be able to keep the yellow gold prongs and backing to save a few bucks but The jeweler would need to balance it so it doesn’t flop over or put the invisible bail closer to the top. Then you can wear it on a white gold chain, mini beaded necklace, or teeny seed pearls. For added drama, though a bit more formal, how about a black cord?

I had the ring appraised many years ago and the jeweler said it was an aquamarine, so I’ve just assumed that’s what it is. We’ve since moved and I’ll be using a different (long-established, well-known) jeweler. What do you think it might be?

I love the idea of setting it horizontally as a necklace. I love it as a ring, too, but I’d probably wear it a lot more as a necklace. And the black cord idea is cool! Thank you!

 

[catsinthebag]

I think you should definitely reset! There's no point in letting jewellery sit in your drawer, and it'll be a nice way to remember your grandma when you wear it. Since its quite a large stone I'd convert it into a pendant, in white gold. Either a halo around the stone, or a 2 stone pendant (like this - https://static1.squarespace.com/sta...8dc2a5a28/1475335971390/EM37.jpg?format=2500w) - you can get a moissanite instead of diamond for the top stone to make it more economical, and not such big prongs. In fact you could play around with both aspects - a moissy on top, and then the aquamarine below with a halo around it, all on a simple thin white gold chain.

Thanks for this idea — I knew I could count on tPF ladies for some creative ideas. I’ve never even heard of moissanite, which just shows you how much I know!

 

[catsinthebag]

It’s a beauty! Because of its size you might want to consider a pendant but if you like large rings then even better. I think if you go for a modern casual setting the ring can be used as an everyday ring.
By modern setting I mean sth like Marie Helene de Taillac (not my images, found online)
View attachment 4232562
View attachment 4232561
...or Lisa Eldridge, Baccarat or Pomellato those brands all do colour gemstones. Might be worth taking a look at their creations Also the ring is now vertical but perhaps you could consider a horizontal setting (similar to the ring on a pinky - 1st photo)
(Please post back once you make your decision or once the aquamarine is reset!)

Thank you for all these ideas! I’m not familiar with Marie Helene de Taillac or Lisa Eldridge, so I’m off to look them up next!

I love large rings but don’t tend to wear them. Years ago (when I was 12 or 13) my grandfather gave me a 4 carat green tourmaline. Much later I had it set into a ring with halo diamonds. It’s a stunning cocktail ring but I never wear it. I don’t want to make the same mistake with this aqua. So I’ll either do a pendant or a very modern looking ring.

 

[catsinthebag]

It's a beautiful stone and it looks lovely on you. My suggestion is to reset with halo of diamonds in white gold or platinum as a ring or pendant. I would choose which ever you would wear most. For that size stone, I find a pendant easier to wear than a ring.

That’s what I’m thinking too, that a pendant will be easier to wear and therefore get a lot more use. I still have to go to a jeweler to get their thoughts, so that’s the next step.

 

[Moirai]

That’s what I’m thinking too, that a pendant will be easier to wear and therefore get a lot more use. I still have to go to a jeweler to get their thoughts, so that’s the next step.

Please post a pic when you have it reset. I'm sure it will be lovely!

 

[MagpieInTraining]

Thanks for this idea — I knew I could count on tPF ladies for some creative ideas. I’ve never even heard of moissanite, which just shows you how much I know!

No worries! I hope its helpful! In case you do want to buy moissanite, you can PM me and I can turn you towards some Reddit resources (which I am not affiliated with in any way, just to be clear) that helped me when I bought myself moissy earrings at a super cheap price!! Upto a certain size I think moissanite looks indistinguishable from a sparkly diamond. I have some moissy jewellery that I use for travel purposes (don't like to travel with my diamonds) they come super handy if I have to travel for a big event. It's nice if you want to turn your stone into a pendant inexpensively but still have it look extremely substantial!

Whatever you go with though - please post pictures if you're comfortable! I'd love to see the final result

 

[essiedub]

Thank you for all these ideas! I’m not familiar with Marie Helene de Taillac or Lisa Eldridge, so I’m off to look them up next!

I love large rings but don’t tend to wear them. Years ago (when I was 12 or 13) my grandfather gave me a 4 carat green tourmaline. Much later I had it set into a ring with halo diamonds. It’s a stunning cocktail ring but I never wear it. I don’t want to make the same mistake with this aqua. So I’ll either do a pendant or a very modern looking ring.

Ooh looks like you have jewelry in your blood. I love stories of grandparents and jewelry (well any bequeathed jewelry ) I hope you post the tourmaline ring as it sounds lovely! I wondered if the ring you posted is a tourmaline. It glows like a pale paraiba. But I’m sure your jeweler was correct. It would make a most unusual aquamarine color (most being a more cool blue) So because aquamarines and emeralds are in the same family, perhaps it is a pale emerald? it has very few inclusions !.

 

[SmokieDragon]

Well I can't help but chime in because it's rare to see a fellow LC lover on the Jewelry Box I really think resetting is necessary if that's what it takes to make this beautiful aquamarine which goes so well with your skin tone into something wearable! I think a pendant with a diamond halo setting is the way to go