- Joined
- Nov 6, 2008
- Messages
- 923
Hi ladies 
I have started my "ultimate" engagement ring upgrade project, finally. But a little (not so little) back story first, and then some preliminary photos to follow
...so if you don't want to read scroll down for some initial photos, I will be back with more as the project continues.
LONG STORY/baring my soul...
I have over about ten years, accumulated (bought/gifted) a substantial about of gold and diamond/gemstone jewelry which I never wear, and a handful (
loose diamonds of varying quality all under .50ct which I haven't ever done anything with. In the past I have sold some small pieces of jewelry to put money towards various other pieces, but not a whole lot of quality as I tend to spend small amounts often instead of saving and spending a little more on nicer items, basically I'm an impulsive shopper. I've started RHR or pendant projects with some of the loose stones, even going so far as to have wax molds made with Patrick Irla, but have yet to follow through. After some time I realized that I have so much jewelry but none that really speaks to my heart, nothing that I can't live without. Even my original engagement ring has some sentimental value but was chosen pre-pricescope and was the nicest one my DH and I could afford at Zales at the time 
When my DH and I finally started talking about beginning a family I reflected on how much time and money I have wasted on my jewelry obsession. So I went a very long time (about a year) without spending any money on my habit, not even costume jewelry. After having many difficulties, and many months of trying to conceive without success, I was very down in the dumps. After DH watched me become so melancholy he suggested I buy myself something nice. I thought why waste when I already have so much I don't wear. Then I got angry at myself and scooped up the first five rings that I haven't worn in over a year went to pawn shop and sold them. Afterwards I realized that was probably the stupidest thing I could have done. So I contemplated on my actions and realized that I had the right idea but poor execution. I went back to my jewelry box and took stock of everything I own. After setting aside an emerald ring, sapphire ring, diamond RHR, solitaire pendant, diamond studs, a gemstone pendant, and my engagement ring, I still had a large amount of jewelry left. So I began the liquidation process. I sold everything, some to friends, some to co-workers, some online, until it was all gone. I felt much better, I had a lighter conscious. I debated on what to do with the money, save it, put it towards Christmas gifts for family, etc. But I didn't want to. This was years and years of my previous gems that I spent so much time obsessing over all lumped into a small pile of cash. So I did nothing with it. One night I was having dinner with the in-laws when my MIL brought up that her wedding band that was over thirty-five years old had finally cracked and was going to cost a decent amount to rebuild the shank. She said she and FIL discussed it and after some tears she was going to get a new wedding set. Immediately my instincts kicked in and I started giving her all my recommendations. Recommendations that I had never used myself. I realized that I wanted a wedding set that I would cry over replacing 50 years from now, or never want to replace. Suddenly I knew what to do with my little pile of cash. I had $1,500 plus my original engagement ring for trade, which wouldn't be much as DH and I only spent $1,000 on it to begin with. I started with finding a setting that would speak to me. I looked at EVERYTHING, Beverly K, Tacori, and Kirk Kara were among my favorites, but I realized I was picking those designers because they all have a vintage floral feel, but for me it was not what I was looking for. FINALLY on pinterest of all places I saw a ring that got my interest. I followed the link to Anjays Designs on etsy and was IN LOVE! After putting together my ideal setting inspired by his designs I went to my jewelry store of choice to talk shop. 5th Avenue Designs in Cherry Creek North is a wonderful place with trusted people there to help me, they had done all my appraisals and clean my jewels on regular basis. The three stone setting was going to cost me $1,400 not including the three center stones, and they were going to give me $700 trade for my original engagement ring. This left me $800 for my diamonds. I knew I wanted an OMC or an OEC. So I searched, everywhere. Finally I found my diamond on eBay. An OEC, .46ct, H, VS2, no fluorescence, GIA certed, that looked like a perfect flower ready to bloom. At only $600 I had $200 left which I used for two OMC's at .21ct and .22ct (both J, I1, no certs) for the side stones.
So all my pieces are in place, I should have a CAD from the jeweler sometime next week so I'll come back with that when It's ready. For now I have seller photos of the center stone and photos from Anjays that are the inspiration for my setting. My new engagement ring will be done in 14k rose and green gold. Everything will be in rose gold except the leaves in green gold. The two flowers one on each side will be made to hold the side stones. The half halo will be made with E-H, VS1-VS2, accent diamonds, and there will be three .05ct diamonds flush set on the inside of the shank at 3,6, and 9:00. The center stone will be held with claw prongs. I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!
I have started my "ultimate" engagement ring upgrade project, finally. But a little (not so little) back story first, and then some preliminary photos to follow
...so if you don't want to read scroll down for some initial photos, I will be back with more as the project continues.LONG STORY/baring my soul...
I have over about ten years, accumulated (bought/gifted) a substantial about of gold and diamond/gemstone jewelry which I never wear, and a handful (
loose diamonds of varying quality all under .50ct which I haven't ever done anything with. In the past I have sold some small pieces of jewelry to put money towards various other pieces, but not a whole lot of quality as I tend to spend small amounts often instead of saving and spending a little more on nicer items, basically I'm an impulsive shopper. I've started RHR or pendant projects with some of the loose stones, even going so far as to have wax molds made with Patrick Irla, but have yet to follow through. After some time I realized that I have so much jewelry but none that really speaks to my heart, nothing that I can't live without. Even my original engagement ring has some sentimental value but was chosen pre-pricescope and was the nicest one my DH and I could afford at Zales at the time When my DH and I finally started talking about beginning a family I reflected on how much time and money I have wasted on my jewelry obsession. So I went a very long time (about a year) without spending any money on my habit, not even costume jewelry. After having many difficulties, and many months of trying to conceive without success, I was very down in the dumps. After DH watched me become so melancholy he suggested I buy myself something nice. I thought why waste when I already have so much I don't wear. Then I got angry at myself and scooped up the first five rings that I haven't worn in over a year went to pawn shop and sold them. Afterwards I realized that was probably the stupidest thing I could have done. So I contemplated on my actions and realized that I had the right idea but poor execution. I went back to my jewelry box and took stock of everything I own. After setting aside an emerald ring, sapphire ring, diamond RHR, solitaire pendant, diamond studs, a gemstone pendant, and my engagement ring, I still had a large amount of jewelry left. So I began the liquidation process. I sold everything, some to friends, some to co-workers, some online, until it was all gone. I felt much better, I had a lighter conscious. I debated on what to do with the money, save it, put it towards Christmas gifts for family, etc. But I didn't want to. This was years and years of my previous gems that I spent so much time obsessing over all lumped into a small pile of cash. So I did nothing with it. One night I was having dinner with the in-laws when my MIL brought up that her wedding band that was over thirty-five years old had finally cracked and was going to cost a decent amount to rebuild the shank. She said she and FIL discussed it and after some tears she was going to get a new wedding set. Immediately my instincts kicked in and I started giving her all my recommendations. Recommendations that I had never used myself. I realized that I wanted a wedding set that I would cry over replacing 50 years from now, or never want to replace. Suddenly I knew what to do with my little pile of cash. I had $1,500 plus my original engagement ring for trade, which wouldn't be much as DH and I only spent $1,000 on it to begin with. I started with finding a setting that would speak to me. I looked at EVERYTHING, Beverly K, Tacori, and Kirk Kara were among my favorites, but I realized I was picking those designers because they all have a vintage floral feel, but for me it was not what I was looking for. FINALLY on pinterest of all places I saw a ring that got my interest. I followed the link to Anjays Designs on etsy and was IN LOVE! After putting together my ideal setting inspired by his designs I went to my jewelry store of choice to talk shop. 5th Avenue Designs in Cherry Creek North is a wonderful place with trusted people there to help me, they had done all my appraisals and clean my jewels on regular basis. The three stone setting was going to cost me $1,400 not including the three center stones, and they were going to give me $700 trade for my original engagement ring. This left me $800 for my diamonds. I knew I wanted an OMC or an OEC. So I searched, everywhere. Finally I found my diamond on eBay. An OEC, .46ct, H, VS2, no fluorescence, GIA certed, that looked like a perfect flower ready to bloom. At only $600 I had $200 left which I used for two OMC's at .21ct and .22ct (both J, I1, no certs) for the side stones. So all my pieces are in place, I should have a CAD from the jeweler sometime next week so I'll come back with that when It's ready. For now I have seller photos of the center stone and photos from Anjays that are the inspiration for my setting. My new engagement ring will be done in 14k rose and green gold. Everything will be in rose gold except the leaves in green gold. The two flowers one on each side will be made to hold the side stones. The half halo will be made with E-H, VS1-VS2, accent diamonds, and there will be three .05ct diamonds flush set on the inside of the shank at 3,6, and 9:00. The center stone will be held with claw prongs. I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!
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