Frustrated, can''t find w-band....re-set?

[E B]

I love my engagement ring. We had it custom made for me, and it's so sparkly and pretty. I love the diamonds and I love the low setting. All would be great, except...I cannot find a wedding band I like. Here are my issues:

1. I have very small hands and short fingers. I believe my e-ring is 2.5-2.7mm wide, and to get a "matching" band would make quite a bit of width on my finger. I love the width I have now and could add a little more, but not another width's more.

2. I don't want a diamond band (matching or not). I know it would completely overwhelm my center diamond and to be honest, it's just too much bling (

don't kill me!).

3. I don't want a plain band. This is my wedding ring, and I don't want to get something just so it won't compete with my engagement ring. As much as I love plain bands with solitaire e-rings (and other combos I've seen here on PS), a plain band looks, well, plain next to my engagement ring.

I'm stuck, and I don't know what to do. The only idea I have at the moment is to take my ring apart, putting the center diamond in a solitaire and using the little diamonds in my band. I'm actually okay with this idea, and FH is okay with it as well. But, I don't know. I really wish I had thought of this before we'd had the ring made, but what's done is done.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Attached is a picture of my engagement ring.

 

[E B]

If it isn''t incredibly expensive, I thought an option might be to put my center stone in a bezel setting and have the diamonds from my previous setting made into a band. Here''s a collage I''ve made with some PSers pictures (alexah, wallermama, kcoursolle, and one more PSer I''m completely forgetting...the beautiful 2 carat K- if you don''t want these pictures up, I''ll take them down!):

What do you think? I don''t know what to do and I''m getting more and more frustrated just thinking about it.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'm getting the impression that you don't love your e-ring setting if your are so willing to switch it, right? I think if you were to keep it, then you'd certainly have to have a maching band made. I don't think those little diamonds would be that blingy myself. And 2 2.5mm bands is not too much on any hand. But if you really want a different e-ring, then you have the luxury of starting all over.

The only issue is, tiny melee like that are not all that expensive, and I am betting you wouldn't really save anything by taking them out of the e-ring. You'd probably do better selling the e-ring setting as is and starting over with new rings.

ETA: I LOVE your current ring and strongly considered something similar, also about 2.5mm. It really and truly was not too blingy at all with a milgrain bead-set wedding band. The bezel you've pictured is such a totally different look!

 

[lizzyd]

Date: 9/17/2006 7:53:08 PM
Author:EBree
I love my engagement ring. We had it custom made for me, and it''s so sparkly and pretty. I love the diamonds and I love the low setting. All would be great, except...I cannot find a wedding band I like. Here are my issues:

1. I have very small hands and short fingers. I believe my e-ring is 2.5-2.7mm wide, and to get a ''matching'' band would make quite a bit of width on my finger. I love the width I have now and could add a little more, but not another width''s more.

2. I don''t want a diamond band (matching or not). I know it would completely overwhelm my center diamond and to be honest, it''s just too much bling (

don''t kill me!).

3. I don''t want a plain band. This is my wedding ring, and I don''t want to get something just so it won''t compete with my engagement ring. As much as I love plain bands with solitaire e-rings (and other combos I''ve seen here on PS), a plain band looks, well, plain next to my engagement ring.

I''m stuck, and I don''t know what to do. The only idea I have at the moment is to take my ring apart, putting the center diamond in a solitaire and using the little diamonds in my band. I''m actually okay with this idea, and FH is okay with it as well. But, I don''t know. I really wish I had thought of this before we''d had the ring made, but what''s done is done.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Attached is a picture of my engagement ring.

"...too much bling..." um, whaaa....

I have a couple of thoughts.

Your idea of dismantling the ering and reconstructing a solitaire with diamond w-band sounds like a good solution, and a fun project. You could think of it as the first of many, many changes and upgrades you will do over your life time.

Another thought is, are you opposed to wearing your rings on different hands? I usually think of e-ring on right hand and w-ring on left hand. Lots of people do this who have e-rings that are just too hard to match, or, like you, just have fingers that can''t handle two rings. Some people really like the idea and the feel of a "set" though, and really don''t want to seperate them.

Another idea is a band with mille graining, filigree, carved detailing, whateber you want to call it. You could get one that is twisted, braided, relief patterning, two-tome, three-tone, etc. The choices are endless. You don''t have to get diamonds on it, so it won''t overwhelm your e-ring, bur it won''t be so plain that it fades into nothing next to the e-ring.

One more idea: take apart the e-ring, and reconstruct it with a thicker pave'' shank. You''d still only be wearing one ring, but it would be as thick as you could go, and it would incorporate your center stone and current small stones, but it would look like an e-ring / w-ring combined into one. These can be beautiful. The center stone could be in a half bezel setting, with pave all around the shank (somebody on the board has one like this, can''t remember who). It could be stunning!

Good lick. Let us know what you decide to do.

Best,
LizzyD

 

[E B]

Date: 9/17/2006 8:07:29 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I'm getting the impression that you don't love your e-ring setting if your are so willing to switch it, right? I think if you were to keep it, then you'd certainly have to have a maching band made. I don't think those little diamonds would be that blingy myself. And 2 2.5mm bands is not too much on any hand. But if you really want a different e-ring, then you have the luxury of starting all over.


The only issue is, tiny melee like that are not all that expensive, and I am betting you wouldn't really save anything by taking them out of the e-ring. You'd probably do better selling the e-ring setting as is and starting over with new rings.


ETA: I LOVE your current ring and strongly considered something similar, also about 2.5mm. It really and truly was not too blingy at all with a milgrain bead-set wedding band. The bezel you've pictured is such a totally different look!

Thanks for the quick reply, and for the compliment!

I do love my e-ring setting very much. As of now, though, I feel like I'm searching for a wedding band that matches, not a wedding band I love...am I making sense? I don't want my wedding band to be just one part of a set, I want it to be special. Another problem: if I were to pair my engagement ring with a matching band, my center stone would just blend in and I don't want that. I've see PSers with this very issue with larger stones (1.2+), and my center stone is just .85ct. While I love how my engagement ring sparkles, I don't just want it to look like I'm wearing a blob of diamonds. I want my center stone to shine.

 

[kcoursolle]

aw, Ebree I'm flattered

Even though all of these rings are bezels, you've really got two different types of looks up here. The garnet rhr is very antique while the other rings are quite modern. Your engagement ring right now is antique looking. Before you pick, you might want to think about whether you really prefer a modern look or an antique look.

With the antique style ring you could wear a matching band made of the leaf pattern that is on the side of the ring. The others are very flexible and could carry a diamond band or a plain band. I really like the ring on the top right. It's modern, but also classic. It will go with anything in your wardrobe and looks matchy...without being too matchy.

Having said this, I think you could probably find a wedding band to match your current set if that is really the issue. A thin engraved band would look pretty and a thin band with colored stones like sapphire would also be really pretty. However...something tells me you are in the mood for a reset, and there's nothing wrong with that

.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Are you sure 5-6 mm would be uncomfortable? I have small hands/fingers (I am only 5''1") and I can wear up to 10 mm comfortably. (My e-ring along is 6 mm)

I agree that maybe it is the larger issue that you are just not crazy about your e-ring setting.

 

[E B]

Date: 9/17/2006 8:11:19 PM
Author: lizzyd

''...too much bling...'' um, whaaa....

I have a couple of thoughts.

Your idea of dismantling the ering and reconstructing a solitaire with diamond w-band sounds like a good solution, and a fun project. You could think of it as the first of many, many changes and upgrades you will do over your life time.

Another thought is, are you opposed to wearing your rings on different hands? I usually think of e-ring on right hand and w-ring on left hand. Lots of people do this who have e-rings that are just too hard to match, or, like you, just have fingers that can''t handle two rings. Some people really like the idea and the feel of a ''set'' though, and really don''t want to seperate them.

Another idea is a band with mille graining, filigree, carved detailing, whateber you want to call it. You could get one that is twisted, braided, relief patterning, two-tome, three-tone, etc. The choices are endless. You don''t have to get diamonds on it, so it won''t overwhelm your e-ring, bur it won''t be so plain that it fades into nothing next to the e-ring.

One more idea: take apart the e-ring, and reconstruct it with a thicker pave'' shank. You''d still only be wearing one ring, but it would be as thick as you could go, and it would incorporate your center stone and current small stones, but it would look like an e-ring / w-ring combined into one. These can be beautiful. The center stone could be in a half bezel setting, with pave all around the shank (somebody on the board has one like this, can''t remember who). It could be stunning!

Good lick. Let us know what you decide to do.


Best,

LizzyD

Thank you for your suggestions, Lizzy! Believe it or not, the one ring idea was the first I considered. It actually sounds like a good option, but FH doesn''t like the idea. I know, I know...it''s my ring, but I want him to like the idea of it too. I really like the idea of incorporating my center stone into a thick ring with leaves or engraving (something romantic and girly), but FH would gag. Luckily, I also love the more modern look.

A while ago, I actually posted to RT asking for help in finding a filigree band, but no luck. The only platinum filigree (with millgrain) bands I''ve found are $1000+, which is a little too out of budget for just my w-ring.

My current setting is made of platinum, but I figured if I had a solitaire and w-band made, I''d look into white gold with palladium, which could lower the re-set cost substantially. The problem with this is that I don''t know much about white gold, and every PS thread seems to favor platinum which is why I chose it to begin with.

 

[Sundial]

Oh please don't take apart your beautiful engagement ring! After all you had it custom made and it looks perfect on your hand. How about wearing it on your right hand and getting some kind of wedding band that you like to wear on your left??? Well I guess you said you don't want to wear one ring, but to me it seems better than destroying the lovely creation that celebrates your engagement!

 

[mrssalvo]

ok, do you really love your e-ring? if so, I''d just get the matching band. I really don''t think it''s too much bling with your center stone. now, if you''re not loving your e-ring then I can see wanting to change to different set, giving the wedding band more thought on the front in

 

[lizz]

Date: 9/17/2006 8:29:03 PM
Author: Sundial
Oh please don''t take apart your beautiful engagement ring! After all you had it custom made and it looks perfect on your hand. How about wearing it on your right hand and getting some kind of wedding band that you like to wear on your left???

Oooh, this is a great idea

 

[E B]

I keep missing replies while I''m typing! I promise, I''m reading and appreciating everyone''s advice.

Date: 9/17/2006 8:17:25 PM
Author: kcoursolle
aw, Ebree I''m flattered

Even though all of these rings are bezels, you''ve really got two different types of looks up here. The garnet rhr is very antique while the other rings are quite modern. Your engagement ring right now is antique looking. Before you pick, you might want to think about whether you really prefer a modern look or an antique look.

With the antique style ring you could wear a matching band made of the leaf pattern that is on the side of the ring. The others are very flexible and could carry a diamond band or a plain band. I really like the ring on the top right. It''s modern, but also classic. It will go with anything in your wardrobe and looks matchy...without being too matchy.

Having said this, I think you could probably find a wedding band to match your current set if that is really the issue. A thin engraved band would look pretty and a thin band with colored stones like sapphire would also be really pretty. However...something tells me you are in the mood for a reset, and there''s nothing wrong with that

.

One of the things I love about your garnet ring is the fact that (to me), it looks both modern and antique-y. The reason I included the side view is because I was planning on seeing how much it''d be to have that detail included on the sides of the bezel. Since I wouldn''t be able to spend a ton on the re-set, hopefully it''d be in budget. I emailed Knox Jewelers yesterday for a quote. If I did go with the bezel (with the leaf detail), I''d probably pair it with a thin diamond band (to match with the diamond detail in the leaves).

Date: 9/17/2006 8:17:51 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
Are you sure 5-6 mm would be uncomfortable? I have small hands/fingers (I am only 5''1'') and I can wear up to 10 mm comfortably. (My e-ring along is 6 mm)

I agree that maybe it is the larger issue that you are just not crazy about your e-ring setting.

6mm would most definitely be uncomforable. If memory serves, you''ve got thinner, more graceful fingers than I! Mine aren''t huge (size 6), but they''re "soft". I''ve tried a 2.5mm band on with my engagement ring and felt like it was making my fingers look like sausages, but it could have been that I just wasn''t used to it.

 

[jcrow]

well ebree, i love your e-ring. i also understand the width issue. i have SHORT fingers too and i just can''t handle that much width either! what i picture with your band is a very tiny antique style band. i think it would compliment your e-ring perfectly without overwhelming it.
let me dig up some pics.

 

[jcrow]

you could do small diamonds? even smaller ones than those in this pic. link

 

[jcrow]

this isn''t exactly what i mean either, but an idea... link

 

[E B]

Date: 9/17/2006 8:29:03 PM
Author: Sundial
Oh please don''t take apart your beautiful engagement ring! After all you had it custom made and it looks perfect on your hand. How about wearing it on your right hand and getting some kind of wedding band that you like to wear on your left??? Well I guess you said you don''t want to wear one ring, but to me it seems better than destroying the lovely creation that celebrates your engagement!

I don''t want to...I really do love it. I know it sounds like I don''t and I''m aching for a re-set, but the only reason why I''m seriously considering the re-set is because I just can''t find a band I like. Regarding wearing them on different fingers, I''m not a big jewelery person and have never worn rings on both hands. I know that when I put my e-ring on my ring finger (right hand), I don''t like the look of it. It won''t fit on my middle finger.

Date: 9/17/2006 8:30:33 PM
Author: mrssalvo
ok, do you really love your e-ring? if so, I''d just get the matching band. I really don''t think it''s too much bling with your center stone. now, if you''re not loving your e-ring then I can see wanting to change to different set, giving the wedding band more thought on the front in

I''m head over heels for my setting!

I designed it myself incorporating all of my favorite parts of different rings. If I could wear it by itself, I would, but I want a wedding band. A matching band might not be too bling-y, but I feel like all the sparkle would just consume my center stone, making it look like a blob of diamonds. Not a bad idea, but...I just want the center to be noticeable. Since it''s smaller, it''s more easily "consumed" by other sparkle.

 

[Mara]

I would just get a plain solitaire for the e-ring, and have the diamond set into it..then have another melee put into your band and make it your w-ring. Classic and simple!

There are so many beautiful e-ring settings out there in solitaire style...you could probably find something lovely in a ~2mm-ish size.

 

[E B]

Thanks, JCrow! I love that second one you posted. I wonder if they''d make it in Platinum?

 

[E B]

Date: 9/17/2006 8:47:56 PM
Author: Mara
I would just get a plain solitaire for the e-ring, and have the diamond set into it..then have another melee put into your band and make it your w-ring. Classic and simple!


There are so many beautiful e-ring settings out there in solitaire style...you could probably find something lovely in a ~2mm-ish size.

This is definitely an option...but I can''t find a solitaire setting I like that isn''t $1000+. I''m being too picky, I know.

 

[jcrow]

ebree, i don''t know anything about the site, i just did a google. i remember someone posting a site a while back that had lots of delicate antique wedding bands. i thought it started with an "m." urgh, i know that''s no help... let me do some more searching.

 

[Mara]

what about something like the fine line by le? i love that setting. it''s $700ish? also there is the cartier-ish soliatire for around there too i think?

 

[jcrow]

also, that ring or something similar probably would be easy to custom make. and i bet it would inexpensive too.

 

[E B]

Date: 9/17/2006 8:53:59 PM
Author: Mara
what about something like the fine line by le? i love that setting. it''s $700ish? also there is the cartier-ish soliatire for around there too i think?

I love the Fine Line too, but the head looks a little too high. One of my favorite parts about my ring is the lowness of the basket head. I''m not familiar with the Cartier. I like the Vatche X-Prong, but in platinum that''s $1100 or more. Plus, would the x-prong overwhelm a smaller stone? I could look into it in 18k with palladium.

JCrow, thanks for looking! I appreciate it mucho!

I feel awful for considering a re-set before I''m even married. I''m just so indecisive and picky, yet there are so many options out there. FH has his band already picked out, so he''s set!

 

[jcrow]

or something similar to this in plat. link

 

[gailrmv]

I really like the first one posted by jcrow - a lot! My second choice would be a simple milgrain band. A matching band would actually be my first choice

Date: 9/17/2006 8:41:40 PM
Author: jcrow
you could do small diamonds? even smaller ones than those in this pic. link

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I like some of the antique bands that have been posted! And you can do a 2mm wedding band with your e-ring and not have so much width. If trying some on made your finger look like sausages, it sounds like to me they were too tight on you. It really would be a terrible waste to basically do away with a cutom made platinum engagement ring. I just wouldn''t consider it if you still love it. You CAN find a thinner wedding band!

 

[pricescope]

EBree, how about a thin colored stones (or diamonds) band? This way your center diamond would not get lost but stands out more.

 

[pricescope]

Here is a sapphire one.

 

[E B]

Ooh, I really like that small band with millgrain, JCrow! And I love

that sapphire band! Thank you both for the suggestions. It looks like 2mm is the way to go.

I''m going to shop around and try everything on (colored stones included...I didn''t even think of those!) with my current setting. Hopefully I can find something locally, but if not, at least I''ll get ideas. Thank you, everyone, for all your help! (((hugs)))

 

[Jelly]

If you don''t like the bulky look of two rings, why get a wedding band at all?

Maybe you can spend your money elsewhere and get a wedding bracelet or pendant instead. I wouldn''t touch your ering...it''s perfect as it is!