At what size does a 3-stone lose it's lovely aesthetic?

[msop04]

I ask this because I have been toying with the idea of resetting to a 3-stone (thanks a lot, @mrs-b... LOL ) OR having Caysie or DK make a custom wrap... but I feel like my center's size, combined with my smaller finger size wouldn't give the same aesthetic as I love in a 3-stone - that it would just be big.

I have a travel (i.e. fake) ring that looks absolutely stunning on my hand, but is much smaller with an approximate 2-2.25 ct center. I have even photoshopped a three stone onto my finger, but didn't love it... why??

Is there a point that the combo of center/finger size takes away the beauty of this style?? Am I being a crazy person??

 

[Dreamer_D]

I need to see pictures of your travel ring and your photo shop to make an informed decision

WHat proportions are you thinking about? And remind me how large your center stone is?

In the 10 years I spent pining for a three stone, I started about 15 million threads on this topic

 

[msop04]

I need to see pictures of your travel ring and your photo shop to make an informed decision

WHat proportions are you thinking about? And remind me how large your center stone is?

In the 10 years I spent pining for a three stone, I started about 15 million threads on this topic

Ya know... I was just looking through my phone for the photoshopped one AND CAN'T FIND IT! But I guess I can do it again... UGH!! I'm at work, so I can't get a pic of my travel ring right now...

My center is a 3.33 ct (9.8 mm) and finger size is a 4.75.

 

[msop04]

@dreamer_dachsie - I found it!!!

 

[msop04]

I would actually like to have larger sides, but it seemed impossible unless they were a lot more tilted... and I really couldn't do that via photoshop. Now, if anyone is more skilled and wants to give it a go, then I would be good with it!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think you can totally do a three stone and it would be freaking amazing.

What mm are the photoshopped sides?

I actually think you need smaller sides than in the photo shop and they need to be tucked more -- I think the angle and tuck is what you don't like about your photo shop. I'm going to @yssie because that queen loves a three stone and remember she was trying to desperately to make it work with her 4ct honker and her, like, size 2 finger But she couldn't! But you can!

 

[Dreamer_D]

OK I tried a little photo shop but I suck lol

Here is the same size as your original image but tried to tilt/tuck the sides


Here is with smaller tilted/tucked sides (which I like better!)

 

[msop04]

I think you can totally do a three stone and it would be freaking amazing.

What mm are the photoshopped sides?

I actually think you need smaller sides than in the photo shop and they need to be tucked more -- I think the angle and tuck is what you don't like about your photo shop. I'm going to @yssie because that queen loves a three stone and remember she was trying to desperately to make it work with her 4ct honker and her, like, size 2 finger But she couldn't! But you can!

I know I could do a three stone, but my issue is that making the side stones pretty small kinda negates my idea of what makes a 3 stone lovely... (not that I don't like the ones with small sides - I do - but not for this [potential] project). I just can't decide how I feel about how it looks on my hand..

 

[msop04]

OK I tried a little photo shop but I suck lol

Here is the same size as your original image but tried to tilt/tuck the sides


Here is with smaller tilted/tucked sides (which I like better!)

Actually, you did a GREAT job with it! Can you make them a little larger and tuck them?? #challenge

 

[msop04]

I love the 62% (or maybe a bit smaller)... dang, I wish I had my fake ring to show ya'll. I feel like there's no way to do those proportions without it looking crazy.

 

[Dreamer_D]

You know what? I just read back through Yssie's thread where she was trying to make a three stone and she could not make it work with a 4ct center and .16ct sides on her size 4.5 so you may be in a pickle is you want bigger side stones...

 

[mrs-b]

Hi @msop04!

Here's my thinking on this....

With a 3 stone, I feel that if you don't see a little band either side of the outer stones, you lose the full taper from top/bottom center of the middle stone, all the way out to the thinness of the shank. I like seeing that full taper - including the drop from outer stones to band. I think if you don't see a little band, it makes it look out of proportion to virtually any wedder. But this is personal preference and all taste is subjective, so....

Given all of that, I decided a 4ct center - which I considered - was too big for me, and my fingers are about 6.75 - ergo way bigger than yours. It just gets too far off the finger, y'know?, and to my mind that's one of the things that makes it look too big.

I do agree with you, tho - with your photoshopped version, the sides need to be a smidge bigger and more tilted. I've had 3 stones of ALL proportions, and for the ring that will be worn as your e-ring, 20% ct of the center stone for each side is the max I'd do - and is exactly what they are on my current ring. However, when I go up to a 3.5ct center, I won't be enlarging the sides, and I think I'll like the ratios even more. At that point, the sides will be a smidge under 18% of the center stone each (ie 3.5ct center, .625 each sides).

And - to put my cards on the table - I dislike wraps. That don't sit perfectly, you often get a gap between wrap and solitaire as you move your hands around, and you end up with one extra random looking band.

But having said aaaaalllll of that....

I still think you should come to the light on the whole 3 stone thing! The way they hug your finger (if they're done propoerly on a hard curve) is....<swoon>....

 

[msop04]

You know what? I just read back through Yssie's thread where she was trying to make a three stone and she could not make it work with a 4ct center and .16ct sides on her size 4.5 so you may be in a pickle is you want bigger side stones...

I actually thought of yssie's journey... of course, I don't have her lovely fingers. LOL Another option is to trade for a smaller (gasp!!! ::faint center stone and go from there. God, I'm sick at the thought. HAHAHAAAA... #reallysobbing

 

[Dreamer_D]

Putting them all here for easy comparison...

Smaller


Medium


Bigger


Biggest



But I am pretty sure these won't fit without seriously overhanging and sacrificing comfort.

 

[msop04]

Hi @msop04!

Here's my thinking on this....

With a 3 stone, I feel that if you don't see a little band either side of the outer stones, you lose the full taper from top/bottom center of the middle stone, all the way out to the thinness of the shank. I like seeing that full taper - including the drop from outer stones to band. I think if you don't see a little band, it makes it look out of proportion to virtually any wedder. But this is personal preference and all taste is subjective, so....

Given all of that, I decided a 4ct center - which I considered - was too big for me, and my fingers are about 6.75 - ergo way bigger than yours. It just gets too far off the finger, y'know?, and to my mind that's one of the things that makes it look too big.

I do agree with you, tho - with your photoshopped version, the sides need to be a smidge bigger and more tilted. I've had 3 stones of ALL proportions, and for the ring that will be worn as your e-ring, 20% ct of the center stone for each side is the max I'd do - and is exactly what they are on my current ring. However, when I go up to a 3.5ct center, I won't be enlarging the sides, and I think I'll like the ratios even more. At that point, the sides will be a smidge under 18% of the center stone each (ie 3.5ct center, .625 each sides).

And - to put my cards on the table - I dislike wraps. That don't sit perfectly, you often get a gap between wrap and solitaire as you move your hands around, and you end up with one extra random looking band.

But having said aaaaalllll of that....

I still think you should come to the light on the whole 3 stone thing! The way they hug your finger (if they're done propoerly on a hard curve) is....<swoon>....

GAWD... you are soooo right on this, @mrs-b! It is the lovely curvature and slight hint of the band on either side that makes me swoon! I do agree with you on the wraps... I just keep that in the back of my mind, because I know I'm fickle and am afraid I would regret it and miss my soli.

I keep thinking of Bliss and her "3-stone" via wrap. Of course her stone is ginormous and her fingers teeny tiny... but I did prefer the solitaire to the wrapped trilogy. It just looked very large. Sorry, Bliss!!!

 

[msop04]

Bigger


Biggest


But I am pretty sure these won't fit without seriously overhanging and sacrificing comfort.

I love the last two... but as you mentioned, I'm not sure they'd look right on my finger.

 

[Dreamer_D]

 

[Dreamer_D]

I love the last two... but as you mentioned, I'm not sure they'd look right on my finger.

I don't even think it's about looking right on your finger, I think it's about the physics or rock to finger ratio! You don't want diamond between the fingies, not comfy.

 

[msop04]

My BIL's sister has a really beautiful three stone... her fingers are tiny, which makes it even prettier. I had to zoom in on these, so not great, but you can tell it’s lovely (as is she).

 

[msop04]

Okay, so those pics were crappier than I thought... sorry.

 

[Dancing Fire]

I love the 62% (or maybe a bit smaller)... dang, I wish I had my fake ring to show ya'll. I feel like there's no way to do those proportions without it looking crazy.

Yup, I think the 62% looks more balanced.

 

[msop04]

Yup, I think the 62% looks more balanced.

Too bad it won't "balance" on my finger!!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Too bad it won't "balance" on my finger!!

b/c your center stone is too big...

 

[msop04]

b/c your center stone is too big...

...and I never thought that would be possible. HA!

 

[msop04]

I like this proportion best, but as dreamer mentioned, I don't know how it would fit.

 

[msop04]

This brings me to another question... @mrs-b, @dreamer_dachsie, @yssie, @SimoneDi, @diamondseeker2006

At what ratio does the "3-Stone" become just a "Soli w/ Accents Stones"?? Gosh, life is so tough with all these pressing decisions... #firstworldproblems #stillproblemstho

 

[cokitty]

I think a three stone would be stunning. And yes a little bigger on the side stones would be fun too!

 

[pinklemonadegurl]

My solution: Trade ME for my 2.53 as I have a size 7.25 finger and can accommodate larger side stones (I like the 3rd pic from the left, or 2nd from the right, of the 4 proportion pics lined up). I am already considering a 3 stone, and I just received my ring in April. Great minds....

 

[msop04]

My solution: Trade ME for my 2.53 as I have a size 7.25 finger and can accommodate larger side stones (I like the 3rd pic from the left, or 2nd from the right, of the 4 proportion pics lined up). I am already considering a 3 stone, and I just received my ring in April. Great minds....

That's the one I preferred as well... I wish I could find one at a jewelry store to try on, so I could settle this once and for all!! LOL

 

[Lookinagain]

I'm in the minority here, but I would keep it as a solitaire. I think your "gasp" thought of sizing it down to do a three stone is probably what would allow you to have that ring which also shows the curvature to the band. I think your finger size makes it difficult to do that with your big beautiful diamond on your small finger. I wish I had that problem!