E-Ring for a female carpenter?

[Dave Cole]

my first time post; terrific forum though, and i am glad ot have found it. any advise or suggestions would be greatly apprecciated.

my dilemma is this:

my girlfriend is a carpenter. anything she wears on her hands are going to take the same beating her hands do. is there a setting rugged enough for her to wear to work? and could such a setting do justice to the stone--i mean, diamonds have to let light in in order to sparkle, right?

my other option is to go with a more exposed setting, but then she could only wear the ring around the house--kind of a bummer.

i do not have a lot of money to spend (i am a working sculptor) and so will be buying a small stone, in a simple but high quality setting.

i prefer round to oval or square stones, and if i do not opt for some kind of bezel (?) or recessed (?) setting, i will most likely choose a tiffany-type setting. simple and traditional. (except, of course, that my gf spends all day swinging a hammer and running power tools)

again, any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

dave

 

[JulieN]

Rings are a safety hazard...is her work safe enough for her to wear a ring?

Stones that optimally return light do not need an open setting to improve performance.

 

[jenniegirlm]

Date: 10/24/2006 1:57:12 AM
Author: JulieN
Rings are a safety hazard...is her work safe enough for her to wear a ring?

Stones that optimally return light do not need an open setting to improve performance.

My husband worked as a mechanic for some time and her didn''t wear his w-ring to work for safety reasons - that and it would''ve been badly scratched up.

Dave Cole, how about getting your GF a nice ring and she could wear it not only around the house but when you go out, when she''s not working, etc.?

 

[diamondfan]

I think it is going to be tough for her to wear a ring at work, even a plain band might get caught on something. I think she might just have to leave the stone ring at home during work for safety and practicality. Maybe get her a band that is super durable, made out of something other than gold and she can enjoy the stone when she is not working! JMHO..

 

[kcoursolle]

hmmm, I don''t know about wearing a ring while doing carpentry...just doesn''t seem like a good idea. I think I would get her the sort of ring she would really like and then she can wear it when she is not at work. It''s just not the sort of profession where jewelry or fancy clothes make any sense...which is a bummer, but better than getting a finger torn off.

 

[Dave Cole]

well...

she actually does wear a ring while working already, just not ''that'' ring. if you guys want to tell her that she should take it off for safety reasons feel free, but i know better than that

i am mostly just curious about my options--does anyone know of a way to set a stone that would hold up a little better to rough treatment--i suspect that even if it doesnt go to work it will be treated pretty rough. she is just that kind of woman. i sure would hate to lose the stone.

 

[kcoursolle]

It she is going to wear one, I would set it very low so it doesn''t catch on things or get in the way. I would also set it in something like a bezel, so that it has a sleek profile with no prongs. White gold can take a little more beating than platinum as well, but either way she might have to replace settings a little more often than the average female. A brushed finish instead of a shiny finish would cover up bangs and scratches better than a shiny finish, but you should make sure she will like this sort of ring.

 

[JulieN]

For a 6 prong setting or a bezel setting, I can't imagine that you would lose the stone easily. But things like it sitting loose in the setting may be unavoidable.

4 prongs: http://www.dimendscaasi.com/build/step1.asp?prodID=1A2A

Also, a low-set six prong with a cathedral might help to deflect blows. Fisher's ring in her avatar picture, side profile https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/our-engagement-ring-thank-you-wink-and-whiteflash.49708/

There are full bezel options, like http://www.etienneperret.com/rhalo.htm

And half bezel options:
http://www.dimendscaasi.com/build/step1.asp?prodID=1A3F
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Crescendo-Hand-Engraved-Half-Bezel_745.htm (love this one, but you won't want the pave or engraving)

And more low-set/bezel options here: http://www.crossstylebook.com/

Then there is the issue of longevity and the associated cost. A thicker or denser setting may last longer, but that means she has to wear it longer, and in the case of platinum, it will quickly dull. She may prefer a cheaper setting and replace it more frequently.

 

[ladykemma]

a low profile gelin abaci tension ring might work too.

like this
http://www.gelinabaci.com/html/product_detail.php?id=174

 

[Lord Summerisle]

I understand your problem - my wife has a similar problem, in that she''s working with her hands in some harsh environments - working with concrete and soils in a lab

the ring i had made kept the diamond low, in a half tension/2 prong setting, with the diamond held against the band. She also tends not to wear the ring on her finger, but slips it onto a leather thong to wear round her neck, tucking it under her shirt.

My sis has a similar thing that shes a dentist, and is needing to wear rubber gloves all day, and a tiffany style ring would catch. so he had her diamond set in a bezel setting.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/24/2006 5:20:03 AM
Author: JulieN
For a 6 prong setting or a bezel setting, I can''t imagine that you would lose the stone easily. But things like it sitting loose in the setting may be unavoidable.

4 prongs: http://www.dimendscaasi.com/build/step1.asp?prodID=1A2A

Also, a low-set six prong with a cathedral might help to deflect blows. Fisher''s ring in her avatar picture, side profile https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/our-engagement-ring-thank-you-wink-and-whiteflash.49708/

There are full bezel options, like http://www.etienneperret.com/rhalo.htm

And half bezel options:
http://www.dimendscaasi.com/build/step1.asp?prodID=1A3F
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Crescendo-Hand-Engraved-Half-Bezel_745.htm (love this one, but you won''t want the pave or engraving)

And more low-set/bezel options here: http://www.crossstylebook.com/

Then there is the issue of longevity and the associated cost. A thicker or denser setting may last longer, but that means she has to wear it longer, and in the case of platinum, it will quickly dull. She may prefer a cheaper setting and replace it more frequently.

I love the etienne ring but get it in gold!!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

One of the female carpenters on "Trading Spaces" wears her wedding set on a chain around her neck while she is working. That would be a good option. Otherwise I would go with a bezel setting.

 

[sanfranciscoellen]

I say...get her the ring she wants and make sure it is insured! There are lots of styles that would be more practical. They also tend to be the settings that make my heart go pitter pat! Here''s a lovely one from Union Street Goldsmith here in San Francisco...sturdy and strong yet very elegant.

 

[sanfranciscoellen]

Another from them that I love...a radiant set in a platinum bezel...

 

[sanfranciscoellen]

A side view of their unique "Saturn" setting...another way to halo/bezel a radiant...

 

[sanfranciscoellen]

A Saturn Setting with a round diamond...

 

[sanfranciscoellen]

A cool low bezel set emerald cut / baguette...

 

[diane5006]

I would stick with a bezel setting...unless you know she would hate it...

I will try to post some pics of some bezel sets that I think are nice

Best of luck

 

[diane5006]

Okay so I tried to post pics but they are all too big

Here is a link to the website where I found them

http://www.crossjewelers.com/dia/stl/default.htm

Best of luck

 

[diane5006]

Hopefully this works

 

[diane5006]

Another one

 

[diane5006]

Another one

 

[diane5006]

Another one

 

[diane5006]

This is one of my all time favorites

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I don't think you'll find many jewelers who'd agree that she should wear a diamond ring to work! We see enough chipped stones on here as it is! I think she needs a sturdy wedding band, but you are just asking for a problem, IMO, if she wears a diamond to work as a carpenter. Many workplaces do not allow any rings or other jewlery. It is a safety hazard.

 

[diane5006]

As for the safety factor...only she knows what her risk is...I think it is great that you are taking her job into consideration...is there anyway you two can work together to pick out the ring...one she will feel safest wearing, that fits well under gloves etc...and that has the style she likes

Best of luck

 

[JoangA]

Dave, You got some great examples: I also love this one.. Mokume Gane from George Sawyer, these look like wood grain, and the scratced don''t show up. They are very strong and well made. You can also pick the metals too. They also make matching bands for both if that''s your style.

http://www.georgesawyer.com/html/diamring2.htm

 

[Gale]

Hi Dave

I particularly like the first model wallermama showed on this thread. It is very similar to my own ring.

If you think your girl would like to wear her engagement ring every day while at work, a smaller diamond set in a similar setting might be very practical, and can still be very very lovely. My stone is just over 4 mm deep, and the flush setting keeps it from being banged around a lot since it does not sit above the band. Total height of the ring is less than 5 mm. The band has a little twist to it and is asymmetrical, adding a bit of visual interest (sorry, digital cam broken and no pic available). My wedding ring fits into the curves on the ER, and is also assymetrical. One of the reasons I love the ring(s) so much is it does not snag on anything since nothing sticks up, and I love it''s sleek and modern lines. Something like this might not be appropriate if she would like a more elaborate style ring. Can you tell us a bit about her style?

 

[crowmama]

Your girlfriend reminds me of me! After I got engaged, I suddenly found myself changing a water pump in my car and forgot to take my ering off! Duh.

Just some thoughts about the engagement ring and the setting, from a women who does plumbing, carpentry, general handyman stuff, and is the family mechanic. First, if she''s hard on her hands (and rings), the ideas about different settings posted by others are great suggestions. Bezels and channels are nearly tomboy proof. If you select a prong setting, get the prongs in white gold or plat for more durability. Make sure to get six prong, rather than four prong -- those extra two claws have saved my stone a hundred times, I think.

We think "OH! Can''t wear it to work" but we should also think about not wearing the ering to bed (extra wear on prongs). Or, my biggest hazzard is getting my Pear caught in the shopping cart when unloading from Costco. Just wearing the ring can present hazards..

I think that with carpentry, your girlfriend has more of a chance getting sawdust in her setting than damaging it. Auto repair and plumbing would be definately more hazardous. So I wouldn''t worry too much.

 

[FireGoddess]

white gold bezel is what I would do...