Choice between two rings- Help!

[Chicago1575]

Okay, the choice is between a 3-stone oval or a 6-prong Tiffany style round solitaire. Yes, completely different styles but my GF likes them both...which makes the choice difficult for me!

3-stone oval:
1.15 center (G/VS2)
.5- tcw sides (G/VS1)
Platinum, baskets

Solitaire:
1.4 G/SI1
platinum, Tiffany-style, 6-prong

Any thoughts, pros or cons on either one???

 

[BrightSpot]

Chicago,

But both sound lovely, but if it were me, I''d rather have a larger center stone.

You also might want to consider what type of wedding band she could wear with the engagement ring.

Once you have more information on the diamonds you''re considering, be sure to post it for the experts here at PS.

BrightSpot

 

[Chicago1575]

I can get the specs on the diamonds tonight, so I''ll post them tomorrow.

My thought was that the 3-stone oval would offer more versatility b/c after we''re married it can be worn by itself on her right hand and the wedding band can be worn alone. We''ll probably get her 1 or 2 eternity bands, which then makes this make more sense, don''t you think? I mean the soliatire would really only look good with the eternity band(s), but not by itself if she wants to wear it on her right hand.

?????

 

[headlight]

How long do you expect her to wear this ring? I ask because if it will be for a long time, she may "outgrow" that "just engaged" solitaire look whereas the three-stone ring can carry her for years.
Some women are strictly solitaire "girls", but given that she told you that she likes the three-stone ring, I would go in that direction.
I had a three-stone ring, then went to the solitaire and it just wasn''t "enough" bling or whatever for me, and I went back to a three-stone design.

 

[Cath]

It''s definitely a personal preference. Do you know if your gf plans to wear her e-ring and w-band on different hands? I agree with you that the 3-stone looks better by itself than the solitaire, but if your gf probably won''t separate the two then it''s a moot point.

I guess the pros for the solitaire would be:
- Larger center stone
- More classic engagement setting
- Leaves the door more open to buying her a 3 stone as an anniversary present down the road.

Pros for the 3 stone oval:
- More unusual setting, not something that a lot of other women have
- A "band of bling" on her finger. Even though the center is not as big there will definitely be plenty of sparkle factor on the ring.
- Versatility as you mentioned

Since your gf has already stated that she likes either style, you definitely can''t go wrong!

 

[Sunni79]

I would like the three stone oval. The round is bigger but I don''t like six prong setting because I think it makes the diamond appear smaller. That''s just my opinion though. It''s hard to say without any specs. Which one does your gf like more?

 

[headlight]

Honestly, I think that the three-stone oval ring will have a greater "wow" factor than the solitaire, even though the solitaire is a little larger.
As for bands, I personally don''t care for a band with a three-stone because to me that is already a "banded" look. However, the one thing, if you do want to do bands, that is really nice with a three-stone ring are the micro-pave'' eternity bands -- they don''t compete or overpower the three-stone ring.
Also, you can have a band made that "fits" with the three-stone as it "hugs" the line of the ring, yet this wouldn''t be able to be worn on its own and to me, it takes away from the three-stone look.
What about just get her a band for the ceremony that she will always have to wear when she doesn''t want to be wearing her diamonds, like for travel and yardwork, etc.

 

[Chicago1575]

Thanks for everyone''s feedback- I met with the jeweler last night and went with the 3-stone oval!!

Headlight- I agree with everything you said, and since she likes both rings equally as much (I found that out last night, but let her believe I was far from buying) I''m going with the versatility and "wow" factor of the 3-stone oval. The sides are a little small compared to the center (1.15:.25 sdes), but going with 1/3 sides takes me out of my budget. So that''s my only concession with the ring.

The center stone is 7.68 x 5.66, or a 1.36:1 ratio. It really is a nice stone with a lot of sparkle, and since it''s G/VS2 and the sides are G/VS1 the clarity is very nice.

I''ll be sure to post a picture of the finished ring in a couple weeks!

 

[BrightSpot]

Congrats on your purchase--the ring sounds lovely! I can''t wait to see the pictures of the finished ring & hand shots after you propose!

 

[headlight]

It is going to be fabulous and I can''t wait to see the finished piece. I think she will be very happy with it, and after wearing it for even just a short time, I think she will say that she is glad you didn''t go with the solitaire.
Congratulations!

 

[MissAva]

Congrats on your pruchase! I will be very intreasted in seeing the ring.

 

[Kaleigh]

Congratulations, can''t wait to see it!!!

 

[Chicago1575]

Kaleigh- what are the specs of your oval center diamond?

 

[nolimitjohn]

just out of curiosity ... did you deal with someone in the Chicago area? if so, how was your experience (and price)?

 

[Chicago1575]

Yes, I spent a few months talking and visiting with jewelers on jewelers row and doing my own research on the internet expecting to get the best prices that way, but ended up working with a jeweler on the North side. I expected the prices to be outrageously high, but they were very reasonable, the rings are all custom made in one-piece and you see the wax mold before its cast, and the people are wonderful. I really can''t say enough about the experience, I changed my mind on diamond shapes and settings more than a few times over a 2 month period and they were always very nice and actually fun to work with.

Steve Quick Jewelers on Clark, just north of Fullerton. I highly recommend a visit to them before you buy. I worked with Maureen, but everyone else was always there to help me. They made the entire buying experience 20 times better than I expected because of their personal service, they really care about making the perfect ring for you. I''m sure I could''ve saved maybe 500 hundred bucks total if I bought the diamonds loose on jewelers row and had them set somewhere, but knowing that the ring is custom made for my GF in one-piece to fit the specs of the diamonds and the personal service I received make it worth it.