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Help me find a ring to layer my wedding band

bossalover

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Hi, I need your advice for finding a ring which I can wear with my wedding band. Little background -- we got married last year but we did not purchase an engagement ring back then. We do have wedding rings. Mine is Tiffany Harmony (Platinum with diamond pavé) and although I love its delicate and understated design, I want to have a little more brilliance when going out for special occasions. Our budget is not very high (Under 1500 is ideal but if it's something I truly love, I don't mind it going a bit higher), but I am hoping to find something!

The challenge for me is to find what works best for this type of wedding band within this limited budget. There is a matching ring suggested by Tiffany (with .17ct diamond = $1275) but I found that a bit too steep for a .17ct diamond. I wanted to see what online retailers offer but the similar design by Brian Gavin wasn't too far from Tiffany's price (with .25ct diamond). We will be in Houston soon, so we could visit some stores if needed (James Allen, Brian Gavin, and Tiffany have their retails in Houston.)

Could you let me know what you recommend? Any advice on style, vender, stones are truly appreciated! Many thanks :)
odd-wedding-band-tiffany-harmony-bead-set-diamond-ring-1116_vert.jpg
 

Winks_Elf

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Believe it or not, Stuller makes a band that looks just like that! Ask your local jeweler to search the Stuller site for #123091.
 

bossalover

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I didn't even consider looking into a pre-owned ring! Thanks for your suggestions :) I am more inclined to getting a new one even with a smaller diamond, personally.

I like the look go YG or RG on my skin but the wedding band is Platinum. Do you think they will look ok together?

If I were to go cheaper and choose JA, we can still afford some of their rings with .3ct diamonds. Which setting do you recommend? Do you think their ring (SKU: 17970Y14) look ok?
 
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SimoneDi

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I didn't even consider looking into a pre-owned ring! Thanks for your suggestions :) I am more inclined to getting a new one even with a smaller diamond, personally.

I like the look go YG or RG on my skin but the wedding band is Platinum. Do you think they will look ok together?

If I were to go cheaper and choose JA, we can still afford some of their rings with .3ct diamonds. Which setting do you recommend? Do you think their ring (SKU: 17970Y14) look ok?

I love mixing metals so I see no problem with having a mixed metals set. The setting is very pretty. There is a similar halo version that I like a lot, but I am not sure if that would interest you: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/e...alo-cabled-diamond-engagement-ring-item-17996

Keeping the solitaire (no halo) setting and your original budget in mind, here is a stone that I like: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3628943
 

tyty333

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I love mixing metals so I see no problem with having a mixed metals set. The setting is very pretty. There is a similar halo version that I like a lot, but I am not sure if that would interest you: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/e...alo-cabled-diamond-engagement-ring-item-17996

Keeping the solitaire (no halo) setting and your original budget in mind, here is a stone that I like: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3628943

She could almost do that stone with the haloed version close to budget. Halo would help beef it up some.
 

SimoneDi

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She could almost do that stone with the haloed version close to budget. Halo would help beef it up some.
True! Not sure if OP likes a halo, but both setting options are nice :)
 

rockysalamander

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True! Not sure if OP likes a halo, but both setting options are nice :)

What about an oval or marquise? They may face up spreadier. Will look when I have a mo...
 

rockysalamander

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There may be more options, but I found this nice oval. Really nice spread.

Stone
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.60-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-3493171 {6.58x4.65; inclusion is on the girdle just to the right of north.}
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.62-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4197736

Setting

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...solitaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-item-7995
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...alo-cabled-diamond-engagement-ring-item-17996 {will push your budget but give you great coverage}

Here's a size comparison between the lovely round linked above and the oval above.

upload_2018-2-19_14-20-15.png

Oval and marquise
upload_2018-2-19_14-18-41.png
 

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bossalover

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Wow, thanks, tyty333 and SimoneDi! To be honest, I did not really consider halo before... but I'd love to see that in person!

Halo definitely gives more volume... I played around with the image of my wedding band and the ones I saw on James Allen. Which one would you recommend? Any other style I should consider? Slide1.jpeg
 

bossalover

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There may be more options, but I found this nice oval. Really nice spread.

Stone
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.60-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-3493171 {6.58x4.65; inclusion is on the girdle just to the right of north.}
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.62-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4197736

Setting

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...solitaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-item-7995
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...alo-cabled-diamond-engagement-ring-item-17996 {will push your budget but give you great coverage}

Here's a size comparison between the lovely round linked above and the oval above.

upload_2018-2-19_14-20-15.png

Oval and marquise
upload_2018-2-19_14-18-41.png

Wow, thanks! I love the idea of oval and simple solitaire! Do you think it will look fine with my wedding band, though?
 

Lookinagain

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I like the first one (top left) for no halo and bottom second from left for halo. I actually really like the top left combo.
 

bossalover

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I like the first one (top left) for no halo and bottom second from left for halo. I actually really like the top left combo.

I agree! These two are my favorites, too, in addition to oval in solitaire... I updated the options :) Slide1.jpeg
 

SimoneDi

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I agree! These two are my favorites, too, in addition to oval in solitaire... I updated the options :) Slide1.jpeg

I hinknrhat it would be great if you can see the options/different shapes on your hand. My advice would be to visit T&Co again and just try on halo/oval/solitaire with your band and see which one you like best. Then come back to the recommendations provided here ;-)
 

Lookinagain

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I think the oval solitaire in rose gold would be very pretty and the oval would give you more diamond size. SimoneDi's suggestion is a good one. Try on these options and see which you like best and aim to try on diamond sizes that would be similar to what your budget will allow so you see the proportions.
 

bossalover

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Thanks again for your wise advice, SimoneD and Looinagain! Unfortunately, I live middle of nowhere (meaning that there is no Tiffany & Co) so I visited a local jeweler. I think this was good because to my surprise I liked pavé over a plain metal and halo looked great, too! (I was thinking that halo may look a bit too much...) I really liked the look of oval!
 

bossalover

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After my visit to a jeweler, I came down to these options. I like all the choices so far. Which setting/stone do you recommend that I get? FYI, I am including the image of my hand with a band and 0.37ct diamond. And my wedding ring. 3mm Platinum band with .25 ct diamonds.

1. Tiffany’s Harmony Engagement Ring (3mm 18K RG + 0.25ct) $1615 Minimum
Pro: I like the unified look - makes sense because my wedding band and this ring is from the same series. I could see this in real life before purchasing it.
Con: Diamond may be a bit small for the price.

2. JA Rose Gold Petit Pave Engagement Ring (1.6-1.8mm 14K RG) $830
Pro: I like Pave and the clean look!
Con: Not sure how a diamond will look on my hand. Will it look too small?

3. JA Rose Gold 2.5 mm Comfort Fit Solitaire Engagement Ring (2.5mm 14K RG) $590
Pro: I like this clean look!
Con: Wonder if I will still love it after the band gets all scratched up. Also, I am not sure if a metal band gives enough weight as #1.

4. JA Rose Gold Pave Halo Diamond (1.8mm 14RG) $830 for setting
Pro: I like how the pave makes the stone looks more substantial.
Con: Will it be out of date soon? (Just because I see halo everywhere…)

5. JA Rose Gold Perfect Pave Engagement Ring (2.0 - 2.6 mm 14RG) $890 for setting (Note: The picture is with 1 carat diamond. My budget will probably allow around 0.4 ct diamond)
Pro: I like how metal looks substantial
Con: Does the band look thicker than what I own?
Slide1.jpeg IMG_5941.JPG
 

ac117

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I really like #4! I like that the oval shape fits perfectly in the tapered part of your band.
 

Krisking

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I would eliminate #2 and #3, because I think they are the least cohesive. You have great options!! Good job photoshopping :love:
 

bossalover

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I cannot get any work done today because the rings are occupying my mind. So far, I like 1, 2, and 4. 1 just looks good together. I like non-halo look in #2 because it looks more modern. #4 is elegant...

I read somewhere that a customer had an issue with JA rose gold... a customer's finger started turning green because of the metal components of JA's rose gold. Is that common? I haven't experienced that with my rose gold jewelry...
 

SimoneDi

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I cannot get any work done today because the rings are occupying my mind. So far, I like 1, 2, and 4. 1 just looks good together. I like non-halo look in #2 because it looks more modern. #4 is elegant...

I read somewhere that a customer had an issue with JA rose gold... a customer's finger started turning green because of the metal components of JA's rose gold. Is that common? I haven't experienced that with my rose gold jewelry...

The customer most likely would have had that problem with any other gold as well. Not everyone can tolerate all gold mixes and theirs is copper in all rose gold alloys. JA has an excellent return policy, so even if you are not happy with the ring you can always return it.

I like your top picks.. is there one that you prefer more than the other? For example, is the tiffany name important to you?
 

bossalover

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The customer most likely would have had that problem with any other gold as well. Not everyone can tolerate all gold mixes and theirs is copper in all rose gold alloys. JA has an excellent return policy, so even if you are not happy with the ring you can always return it.

I like your top picks.. is there one that you prefer more than the other? For example, is the tiffany name important to you?
SimoneDi, thanks for the information about the rose gold! I am glad to know that I won't have to worry about the green finger!

Tiffany's name is not very important to me :) And, I am currently leaning more toward #2... but I do like the classiness of #1... I played with JA's app and these are how they look. I hope the scale of the stone is not too far from what I am envisioning... IMG_5953.JPG IMG_5954.JPG
 

Krisking

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Love the proportions of that halo! (No, I don't think it would eventually look dated, as you asked.)
 

SimoneDi

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SimoneDi, thanks for the information about the rose gold! I am glad to know that I won't have to worry about the green finger!

Tiffany's name is not very important to me :) And, I am currently leaning more toward #2... but I do like the classiness of #1... I played with JA's app and these are how they look. I hope the scale of the stone is not too far from what I am envisioning... IMG_5953.JPG IMG_5954.JPG
I like the halo wih plain shank the best. I think that with 2 you will see the pave difference more and I am not sure if that would be appealing IRL. A solitaire will also look great I think.

Also, I might prefer this halo setting to go with your ring: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/e...ellis-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-item-53050
 

tyty333

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I also like the halo with the plain shank...I've always liked the look of the two different textures together.
 

bossalover

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The oval halo is growing on me now, too :) I tried the floral halo virtually and I like it as well. However, it only comes with the pave band so it will be more expensive than the ones I had in mind so far... I wish it came in a plain rose gold! (First photo = that's how it is supposed to fit...Second photo = resized the ring so that it is closer to the actual carat that we can afford.)

IMG_5960.JPG IMG_5961.JPG
 

bossalover

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What about this one? You could ask if they would set it with an oval.

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/e...e-gold-floral-halo-engagement-ring-item-53439

I was chatting with JA Customer Service as I was reading this message! They can do it but it will be custom made -- and no quote was made instantly, so I am not sure what to expect.

They had what I wanted but it was more than what I originally saw, haha.

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...mond-pave-sunburst-engagement-ring-item-36170
 
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