Confession: I''m ready to upgrade or is it the setting?

[ButterBean]

Mrs. T, your center stone is TO DIE FOR!! I think it just needs a narrower shank to make it pop. I''m not a fan of baguettes generally, as they don''t sparkle enough imo. Maybe something with 2 shared prong RB on each side .25 ea?
I wouldn''t mind having your dilemma . . . .

 

[Mrs.Hall(almost)]

Yep those are my pork sausages! I get really upset whenever I go to try on rings or settings and I have to put them on my pinky. I can never really imagine what a stone or setting will actually look like until I have purchased it. By the way, my center stone is 1.34 ct. I have a severe case of DSS

I definitely think that it''s my setting and the camera that makes my stone appear bigger than it actually is.

I think that it''s great that the 20 pointers didn''t overpower you 2ct, I often times find that the more diamond accents makes the center stone pop even more. I must say that I do love that Memoir setting, and you really cannot go wrong with a 2, 2.5 or 3 ct center. It''s all up to you and if your a woman after my own heart...well bigger is kinda always better!

Keep us updated

 

[js_diamond]

I think a thinner eternity setting would be amazing w/your center stone and make it look huge! I mean it''s already huge to me at 2 cts.

 

[honey22]

Yep, I''m in the change the setting camp. Putting that gorgeous rock in a thin solitaire setting will make it go WOWZER!!! I dont think putting a larger stone in that setting will have the same impact. Don''t you dare forget pics!!!!!!!!!!

 

[iluvcarats]

Date: 8/19/2008 8:25:46 AM
Author: Mrs.T
Thanks everyone for the honest opinions and compliments.


I am happy with my center stone. My pics don''t do it justice.


Just a note on the ''Chriscut'' baguette by Christopher designs. Those baguettes really sparkle.

Which is why I''ll probably keep the ring and set a colored stone in it. I was thinking of a yellow grossular garnet but they apparently are hard to find. I might even put in a CZ and use the ring when I travel.


What other shape stone could I use in my current setting? Would a cushion look nice?


Akmiss: I requested a price quote at LM and Mark Morell. LM was sky high for just the ering - 7k. I love his work but can''t afford it. Mark Morell is pretty steep too but better price for the pair than LM. I''m going to also get a price from

Whiteflash.


I think I know that 8 - 10pt accent stones would be a good size. Probably the 8pt if I want my center to pop.

What really puzzles me is how some designs of the eternity style bands have a low profile and others are deeper.

I know this has to do with the size of the accent stones. The larger the stone the deeper the profile.

All I know is that my daughter has a fake eternity with a height of 3mm and that is very uncomfortable on my finger but I like the size of the stones.


I''ve been to some of my jewelers in the area. One does amazing pave work. Of course every ring I like has a 3ct stone in the center. I''ve seriously considered the style below but worry that I''m a bit too mature for that kind of thing?

I''m married 27 years already. My local jeweler does the same thing with a round halo and any day now is calling me in to see a matched set he made for a lucky bride to be.

I think that you ring is really stunning Mrs. T, but after 27 years of marriage, you should get whatever you want!

 

[MrsT]

Mrs.Hall(almost): You have lovely hands! It certainly helps to have nice nails. Enjoy your ring and best of luck with wedding plans.

Iluv:I think that you ring is really stunning Mrs. T, but after 27 years of marriage, you should get whatever you want!


I''ll be sure to pass that truth along to DH!

Well I submitted a request for a price quote from WF. It''s different from what many suggested but I think that is because of the size of my hand and ring size. Thin doesn''t look good on my finger. I will take one more shopping trip to be sure but I requested a quote for a 6stone ering and 7stone band with 20pt sides and petite prongs.

As things progress, particularly if DH says its a go, I''ll be updating with details and probably more questions.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[tberube]

I almost can''t believe that you think of your ring as "small" and with "not enough bling". The two things this ring REALLY HAS is size and bling!!!

With that said, it''s all about preference. If I had a 2ct diamond that would be enough for me, but my style is probably a lot different from yours. And....this site has a way of making DSS hit you really hard, no matter how much you love your ring. The less time I have to spend on PS, the more I love my own ring!! (how bad is that?!

)

Do what will make you happy, darlin. But again...your ring is beautiful and I love it.

 

[erica k]

Oooh, the memoire single prong Purity setting is gorgeous with larger center stones. here''s fansynancy''s memoire eternity with 3.29 ct RB.

 

[MrsT]

tberube: It''s all about having masculine looking hands. Putting on these delicate rings just doesn''t cut it. And, hanging around PS can have the DSS effect. I am truly trying to convince myself it''s aesthetics and not ring envy that has pushed me in the upgrade direction.

Erica: Thank you for that link! Pretty ring! It is so helpful to actually see these rings on peoples hands.

Do you know how many points the accent stones are?

I''d be very curious to know what size side stones she used with such a large center stone. It''s very nice and well proportioned. I couldn''t find the band details perhaps I read it too quickly.

I''m attaching a photo of the same style ring with a very large center stone. It illustrates a potential problem when using this setting with a large center diamond. I think the larger the stone in the center the higher the head and IMHO it can look top heavy. I also can''t tell but the ring size of this ring look like it must be a 4.

I think the point is when customizing a ring from scratch there are many details to be aware of like the size of your stone, the ring size, final width and coverage which also can alter the look. I may start a larger ring size thread when I''m finished.

 

[MrsT]

Oops! That''s not the picture I selected.

I''ll try again. If this doesn''t work I''ll try again later.

 

[erica k]

I think fansynancy chose the 2ctw eternity setting. I''m not sure how many pointers each melee would be, maybe around .8-.9?

As for the massive-appearing head, I think one way to get around that is to choose a custom head that cradles the stone. Also, shaving the prongs down as much as possible would help minimize their appearance. I don''t think you should worry too much about the stone and head looking overwhelmingly large in comparison to the shank. If we were talking about a size 4 with a 3ct+ stone, then maybe....Us reasonably sized gals don''t have to worry about that

 

[MrsT]

I'm excited in a cautious kind of way. I'm excited that I know for sure that the 20pt sides are just fine with a 2ct on my hand! Cautious because I can't believe the prices I'm getting!
I was able to find a jeweler locally who had both the Memoire band and ering in both 15pt and 20pt settings. It really helped to finally see both the band and ering together. IMHO I think the 20pt sides look fine with my center. I also realized how beautiful my center stone is and I can't sacrifice color for a larger stone so I'm sticking with my diamond and changing the setting as so many have suggested.

I have received proposals for a custom 6stone/7stone matching set. The best price is WF and Pearlmans gave a great price for the Memoire set. There is a dramatic price difference with Memoire being much more expensive. Both vendors are terrific to work with.

I've read many of the posts about WF vs Signed Pieces vs Memoire etc.,etc.
I've already made a big mistake with my setting and I don't want to make another one.

I really like how Memoire settings fit together. Does anyone think that I will be disappointed with the custom setting from WF? Does anyone know if they have designed their partial eternities to fit like a puzzle like Memoire?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hi, Mrs. T,

I''ve read sooo many threads on here where there were problems with the stones on the 2 rings rubbing each other and causing chips. I wouldn''t consider anything other than Memoire. I can''t ever recall hearing a problem with those. Plus, they offer lifetime trade-up.

Good luck on your decision!

 

[UCLABelle]

Personally, I love your setting. However, I totally understand if you want a different setting...Your stone is great, if you can, I would try and keep it!

 

[risingsun]

Mrs T~I have the HOF version of the Memoire set you posted. It has the same scalloped look to the diamonds on the band. The bands do not rub against each other. My center stone is 1.234, but I have the 20 pointers on the both rings. In person, it does not look as if it overpowers the center stone...so you will be fine with your 2 ct diamond. If you click on my avatar and then click on gallery images, there is a photo of my set. If you do get the settings, I think you will be very pleased.

 

[MrsT]

Marian: Your wedding set is stunning! Your center stone looks great with 20pt stones! Your center stone looks huge not lost at all. Thank you so much for the real life example of this kind of ring with larger side stones. I was feeling ok about the size and now I''m absolutely sure.

Do you mind telling me the width of each ring and perhaps the depth?

I mentioned that I have been getting prices and the best price vendor said the only way for them to avoid damage from the rings rubbing together is to solder them.

It''s too bad because I think DH would be happier with the price. But as other posters mentioned, you get what you pay for. I know that the rings would be beautiful from the vendor but I think the issue of damage is too important to ignore.

Thanks again!