Update from Schimke Jewelers...
Got another text today. Sadly no pictures, but what are you gonna do? The ring is all sanded, polished and pretty. :) I'm not sure if it's been plated yet, but I'm going to guess not, since plating doesn't hurt gemstones, and often it is referred to as the "final step" in making white gold jewelry. Kevin reports that yesterday he carefully drilled the holes along the gem rope of the ring (as opposed to the plain rope that forms the wedding band) and that today he will begin setting all the tiny stones. Cool! :)