(?) A setting with diamonds that cover 3/4 shank or full/entire shank

[Carrots]

What do you prefer? What''s the difference? What are your thoughts?

My jeweler recommends that we get the 3/4 shank in case I have to get it resized in the future. And, mentions that it saves us a couple hundred dollars. ...Like after spending thousands, it matters. (Obviously, it doesn''t.) I''m assuming that resizing an eternity style band is like adding and removing links on a Rolex. (Officianados, please chime in on this one.)

Anyhow, I think that the full shank is cool because I''ve always liked the look of eternity band and doesn''t look as odd when you''re waving at someone or if I have to slide my ring around when walking through a somewhat dodgy neighborhood.

But, perhaps, I''m ill informed and there is a practicality stance that I haven''t heard of with regards to the 3/4. Can anyone help change my mind?

Thanks in advance.

C.

 

[Maisie]

The diamonds go halfway round my shank and I like it that way. It means I don''t have to be super careful when carrying things or gripping the steering wheel etc

 

[AprilBaby]

I would get the 3/4 the jeweler suggests...fingers change.

 

[JulieN]

3/4 is practical. resizing is usually not possible with full eternities, other than just the slightest smidge, if the ring permits.

 

[Carrots]

Is there a greater tendency of stones to fall out of the bottom (than the top or sides) due to more contract?

 

[Carrots]

contact?

-- grammatical error --

 

[neatfreak]

I don''t think so...the stones I have lost on my pave ring were on the top!

That being said, fingers do change over time so it''s nice to have a bit of room to size. That said, I do love the look of a full eternity and have one myself.

 

[HeartingDiamonds]

I, too, love the look of full eternity but fingers do change over time (I have grown 1.5 finger sizes since my marriage 16 years ago) and I do want the option to be able to re-size the ring at any given time.

 

[lovinsparkles]

A related question: if you have a full eternity, and then your finger size increases, is it possible to convert it to a 3/4 eternity later on (i.e. to basically just remove the diamonds in the part that needs to be sized and afterwards that section would be plain platinum)? Anyone know if that would be possible?

 

[missy]

Hi Carrots,

I wanted to share with you a conversation I had with the guys at Quest jewelers. They told me that you can absolutely resize a full eternity band as they have a certain laser (sorry forgot the name) that allows them to do it. That''s the reason I decided to go ahead and redo my engagement ring with a full eternity band just like my wedding band. I am very pleased with the result and hopefully if at a future date it needs resizing there will not be a problem. I know Quest has a good reputation so I am trusting them on this.

Also, I was informed that you can take some metal off from the inside to allow some play that way. Up to a size difference so that''s another alternative.

Best wishes,
Missy

 

[swingirl]

I have a 3/4 eternity. I do love it but since I have large knuckles and need a larger ring size my band spins around. I adjust it a lot to position the stones up and the plain part down. I make contact with the stones as often as I make contact with the solid part. Just something to consider if your rings spin around.

 

[Carrots]

Date: 10/21/2008 9:59:51 PM
Author: swingirl
I have a 3/4 eternity. I do love it but since I have large knuckles and need a larger ring size my band spins around. I adjust it a lot to position the stones up and the plain part down. I make contact with the stones as often as I make contact with the solid part. Just something to consider if your rings spin around.

Swingirl, would you have preferred to have an full eternity, instead of a 3/4? Thus, no matter which way your ring spun, it would identical in either direction. Or, does that 3/4 have perks of its own?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 10/21/2008 8:41:19 PM
Author: lovinsparkles
A related question: if you have a full eternity, and then your finger size increases, is it possible to convert it to a 3/4 eternity later on (i.e. to basically just remove the diamonds in the part that needs to be sized and afterwards that section would be plain platinum)? Anyone know if that would be possible?

Not really...it probably would require them resetting the whole thing. You can potentially shave off a bit on the inside if there is enough metal, but it''s fairly hard to resize. Especially if it''s a lot as it ruins the integrity of the setting and the stones will then all need to be reset.

 

[oldminer]

A 3/4 is a good compromise, but you can size most eternity rings larger and some can be sized a bit smaller, too. There are just different ways to tackle the issue with each style. Some will need a costly piece inserted to continue the eternity pattern, others can have just a solid bar inserted converting them tio a semi-3/4 style. To make one smaller, one might insert a sleeve which makes the ring fit tighter but does not actually remove any of the original ring.

One must look at the way the diamonds in a ring touch eachother''s edges at the current size. Opening a ring to a larger size brings the edges slightly closer together and maight result in chipping of the girdles if it is not done carefully. The stones might already really be touching tightly and sizing larger would be problematic. Also, sizing any ring with diamonds 1/2 way around or more can make "popcorn" diamonds which jump out of the ring when the sizing is attempted. Putting them back can be a nightmare and the evidence of them coming out may remain visible.

 

[Haven]

My engagement ring and wedding band are both eternity rings, and I wouldn''t have it any other way. A gap in stones would drive me crazy, and a full eternity band just feels so decadent.

But that is just my own opinion. If the gap wouldn''t bother you, or if you don''t really care either way, why not go 3/4?

Have you tried on eternity and 3/4 rings? I didn''t think I''d have a preference until I tried them on, and the 3/4 rings just drove me mad.

My jeweler said he can absolutely resize the eternity bands, so that''s not a concern for me.

 

[lovinsparkles]

Thanks Neatfreak and Oldminer for the info on converting to 3/4 style. It sounds like there is only a small possibility of that working. I would prefer a 3/4 style because I would hate to outgrow the eternity, but the one I have my eye on doesn''t come in the style, so I may have to just go for it and hope for the best.

 

[Carrots]

Date: 10/22/2008 12:08:18 PM
Author: oldminer
One must look at the way the diamonds in a ring touch eachother''s edges at the current size. Opening a ring to a larger size brings the edges slightly closer together and maight result in chipping of the girdles if it is not done carefully. The stones might already really be touching tightly and sizing larger would be problematic. Also, sizing any ring with diamonds 1/2 way around or more can make ''popcorn'' diamonds which jump out of the ring when the sizing is attempted. Putting them back can be a nightmare and the evidence of them coming out may remain visible.

I think the setting has a bit of give. What do you think?

See below.

 

[Carrots]

flat shank view

 

[Carrots]

shank side view

 

[Carrots]

These pictures are of the showroom model at: size 6, 1.5ct center, 3/4 shank. Mine will be: size 5.5, 2.5ct center, full shank (preferred, hence topic).

 

[swingirl]

Date: 10/22/2008 11:50:20 AM
Author: Carrots

Date: 10/21/2008 9:59:51 PM

Author: swingirl

I have a 3/4 eternity. I do love it but since I have large knuckles and need a larger ring size my band spins around. I adjust it a lot to position the stones up and the plain part down. I make contact with the stones as often as I make contact with the solid part. Just something to consider if your rings spin around.

Swingirl, would you have preferred to have an full eternity, instead of a 3/4? Thus, no matter which way your ring spun, it would identical in either direction. Or, does that 3/4 have perks of its own?

I''m not sure yet if I would prefer one over the other. They both have their advantages. I wish my rings didn''t spin around. I have a 3/4 shared-prong eternity from WF and the stones are very well protected from surface hits. I guess I would like the full eternity. I am older and don''t think my finger size is going the change anymore. So that''s another consideration if you are young and pre-kids.

 

[Carrots]

Date: 10/23/2008 12:29:41 AM
Author: swingirl
I am older and don''t think my finger size is going the change anymore. So that''s another consideration if you are young and pre-kids.

Like, how many sizes are we talking about here?

I mean, I understand the concept. When I graduated high school, my shoe size was a 5AAA. Now, it''s like a 5.5B/6AA.

Oh, maybe we shouldn''t have kids. ...kidding, of course.

But, in terms of ring size, given I stay in a range of 10-lbs after them, do I move up... 1/2 size, 1 full?

Maybe I should ask my mother... or, aunties.

 

[swingirl]

Everyone is different with ring size, pregnancy, aging, swelling, etc. My finger is probably the same size it was 25 years ago even though I am 20 lbs heavier. But my knuckles are larger and that has made the difference in ring size. My hands and fingers are thin. I say get what you like now and make the change when you need to since it is impossible to predict what size your finger will be in 10 or 20 years.

 

[Carrots]

thanks, swingirl.

i called my aunt (being we have similar genes) and she said almost the same as you.

she also added, if i fall far from the tree, to tell him that the original is no longer fashionable and i need a new one (when it doesn''t fit anymore). lol

 

[Fly Girl]

Normally, I''d say get the 3/4 eternity due to resizing issues. My knuckles are larger after two pregnancies. But, since you are going into this with your eyes open, I say get what you want.