Good Settings for Medical Professionals?

[blackpearl]

Hi everyone,
I''ve been reading these forums for a few weeks, and you all are so helpful, I''ve learned so much.
I''m a medical student about to start clinical rotations and (hopefully) get engaged soon. We''ve been ring shopping a few times and I''ve had a terrible time trying to find a setting that I''d feel comfortable wearing at work. I''d love it if anyone had any suggestions for settings that will fit under gloves, not scratch my patients, and can take the abuse my hands will inevitably go through in the next few years. I''ve considered an x-prong/trellis setting, but since my diamond will probably be about 05.-0.75 cts, I was hoping for a little more "bling-y" setting. I''ve also thought about asking for an eternity band instead of a solitaire, but my boyfriend is pretty traditional, so I doubt he''d go for that. I know not wearing the ring at work is also an option, but that would mean hardly ever getting to see my ring. I''d love to hear any ideas/suggestions. Thanks!

 

[neatfreak]

Bezel set!!! I'll find some pics for you...

 

[belle]

hey blackpearl

welcome to ps!

i opt for not wearing any jewelry to work but that is just a personal decision. really, anything that is not set too high would work. ideally, a bezel set diamond would probably be the best.

i don''t know of too many people that get to see their ring at work much anyway. it just gets gunked up with all of the hand washing and lotion and doesn''t look as good as it should! besides, it is like seeing again for the first time if you haven''t worn it for a few days and it is sitting there waiting all sparkarrific!

best of luck with whatever you decide!

 

[neatfreak]

This is the general idea, but I''d get something custom made with a thinner band...Tiffany''s also has a great collection called Etoile that are all different bezel set stones.

 

[kcoursolle]

The one thing I would keep in mind is to get a setting where the center stone is set very low. This will keep you from banging it into things, it will make putting gloves on easier, etc. Here''s a nice low-set solitaire: http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=261&rn=1075&action=show_detail

If you want to make the center stone look larger and have great durability, I''d get a bezel. This will make the stone look large. Here''s a bezel setting. http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=261&rn=767&action=show_detail and here''s a half-bezel setting: http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=261&rn=763&action=show_detail

However, if you want something more delicate, I''d get a halo with the center stone sitting low "a la ritani endless love." Halos make the stone look large. However, in this type of design you will probably have to replace small sidestones occassionally. Something like this setting except set lower: http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=203&rn=1041&action=show_detail or this one for a round: http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=203&rn=1086&action=show_detail

 

[ladykemma]

i understand the issue.

as a chemist and teacher, i wear gloves, and have the same constant hand washing issue. i have a plain solitaire rock holder. my small stone doesn't stab anyone but my 1.25 carat is a lethal weapon.

i went through several settings because i was destroying white gold prongs. may i suggest getting platinum prongs. for me, they are holding up much better now.

for you i would vote for the best 0.5 carat D-F VS2 (with medium to strong blue fluorescence) i could find, that way you have "the best", and put it in a plain solitare. if your work destroys the setting so what, get a duplicate. i have found that the smaller stone doesn't stab anybody.

might also consider the gelin abaci tension set. way cool.

 

[jstarfireb]

I am also a medical student and had the same concern. Unless I have to be sterile for a procedure, I''m not taking my future engagement ring off! While I agree that a bezel set is probably best for this purpose, I don''t really like the look. My suggestion is to go through Whiteflash. I''m customizing my ring through them, but they would be very amenable to "lowering" one of their stock settings. Also, the Vatche Royal Empress (found at Good old Gold) is a very low setting to begin with, if you like a princess-cut solitaire!

 

[dfb]

you may not like this idea - but my wife and I went through the same thing - she is a Doc and we were getting engaged at about the stage it sounds like you are at in terms of rotations - she looked and looked for something that would fit such a criteria - she could not come up with it - and we got her the setting she wanted - and the matching band she wanted - and then we bought a real neat woven gold wedding band - so when she was at the hospital that was what she wore and left the others at home - granted she did not where them much for a while since she bascially lived at the hospital for a lot of those first years - but once she was in her practice she had a set she liked and did not start to look to change right away (even though we are now upgrading 11 years later) - I think she was glad she went that route in the long run - and even now she occassionally wears that woven band for some reason - I have never asked her why - but maybe for ''old times''

 

[ladykemma]

here is a stone i would choose for you in a sturdy platinum setting

ebay 150120142692 reliable vendor.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

There are some beautiful settings from this jeweler:

http://crossstylebook.com/default.htm

They recommend taking good care of rings and not wearing them when they will be exposed to extra wear and tear. But they have some styles that might be better for you.

If it were me, I''d probably go for a diamond wedding band that could be worn alone, and just not wear the engagement ring to work.

 

[blackpearl]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! The bezel set idea would be perfect, but I''m with jstarfireb in that I''m not really a fan of the look, unless it''s a bezel set halo. The halo from knox that kcoursolle suggested is very pretty. Is there anyway that kind of setting could be lowered at all? Do they have a diamond database online? I only had a chance to look briefly and didn''t notice one.

The ring ladykemma suggested is very pretty, but it''s been an uphill battle convincing my boyfriend to consider buying online, I don''t think there''s any way he''d ever go for an ebay purchase.

It will probably be a 12+ month engagement, so I''d like to have something to wear to work, but wearing the wedding band as an engagement ring seems almost like "cheating." Or is that just me being silly?

I have been looking at Whiteflash. I really love the Legato Micropave setting. But I''m afraid I''d lose those tiny diamonds all the time.

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/The--Legato--with-Micro-Pave_1071.htm

The Legato sleek line solitaire is also nice. Is this a setting that could be lowered or is it going to have to be as is?

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/-Legato--Sleek-Line_1118.htm

Thanks again!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 5/11/2007 7:45:44 PM
Author: blackpearl
Thanks for all the great suggestions! The bezel set idea would be perfect, but I''m with jstarfireb in that I''m not really a fan of the look, unless it''s a bezel set halo. The halo from knox that kcoursolle suggested is very pretty. Is there anyway that kind of setting could be lowered at all? Do they have a diamond database online? I only had a chance to look briefly and didn''t notice one.


The ring ladykemma suggested is very pretty, but it''s been an uphill battle convincing my boyfriend to consider buying online, I don''t think there''s any way he''d ever go for an ebay purchase.


It will probably be a 12+ month engagement, so I''d like to have something to wear to work, but wearing the wedding band as an engagement ring seems almost like ''cheating.'' Or is that just me being silly?


I have been looking at Whiteflash. I really love the Legato Micropave setting. But I''m afraid I''d lose those tiny diamonds all the time.


http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/The--Legato--with-Micro-Pave_1071.htm


The Legato sleek line solitaire is also nice. Is this a setting that could be lowered or is it going to have to be as is?


http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/-Legato--Sleek-Line_1118.htm


Thanks again!

Whiteflash can customize almost anything, I would call them and ask. They''re great to deal with.

I agree with you, please don''t buy something as important as an engagement ring off of ebay. Not reliable enough for such an important purchase. Too many horror stories on here...

 

[ladykemma]

i have really good luck on ebay. anyway if you like the sleek line solitaire, what shape were you thinking of and what budget?

 

[ladykemma]

i like this one.

0.53 ct F VS1 A Cut Above H&A
$2,226.00 Item Available - Ready to ship



Item Code: AGS-7712508

. Report: AGS
. Shape: A Cut Above H&A
. Carat: 0.530
. Depth %: 61.6
. Table %: 57
. Crown Angle: 34.8
. Crown %: 15
. Star : 49.2
. Pavilion Angle: 40.9
. Pavilion %: 43.1
. Lower Girdle %: 75
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 5.17-5.22X3.20
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

 

[icekid]

hi blackpearl,

I am a third year so I hear ya! For me, the solution was going with a halo. You can probably my ring pics around still. And it''s definitely got bling-power

The profile was made such that it doesn''t stick straight up and I''ve had no problems wearing gloves or getting caught on anything. Might be a good solution for you as well since you''re looking for lots of sparkle it seems.

Of course, I personally never wore my ring on any rotations where I would be scrubbing regularly as you cannot wear a ring then under gloves and I would be too nervous about losing it!

Good luck and let us know what you choose

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 5/11/2007 7:45:44 PM
Author: blackpearl
Thanks for all the great suggestions! The bezel set idea would be perfect, but I''m with jstarfireb in that I''m not really a fan of the look, unless it''s a bezel set halo. The halo from knox that kcoursolle suggested is very pretty. Is there anyway that kind of setting could be lowered at all? Do they have a diamond database online? I only had a chance to look briefly and didn''t notice one.

The ring ladykemma suggested is very pretty, but it''s been an uphill battle convincing my boyfriend to consider buying online, I don''t think there''s any way he''d ever go for an ebay purchase.

It will probably be a 12+ month engagement, so I''d like to have something to wear to work, but wearing the wedding band as an engagement ring seems almost like ''cheating.'' Or is that just me being silly?

I have been looking at Whiteflash. I really love the Legato Micropave setting. But I''m afraid I''d lose those tiny diamonds all the time.

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/The--Legato--with-Micro-Pave_1071.htm

The Legato sleek line solitaire is also nice. Is this a setting that could be lowered or is it going to have to be as is?

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/-Legato--Sleek-Line_1118.htm

Thanks again!

knox can easily make just about anything custom, so if you want the setting lower...they can do it! I''ve had two custom made rings from them and both were reasonably priced and very well made. Brian is really easy to work with and really cares about the little details and making his customers happy.

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I am a nurse so I can relate. When my hubby proposed, he picked out a pear solitaire that I wore to work every day during our 15 month engagement and after the wedding as well. I never had any trouble with it scratching anyone or getting caught up in the gloves. I think that anything set lower with rounded prongs would work out just fine for you.

 

[Love in Bloom]

Hi Blackpearl,

I am not in medicine but I do work in a biology lab and wear gloves a lot. My hands take a real beating! At first I wore my engagement ring on my finger no matter what I was doing at work. My stone is not set particularly high, but it isn''t low either, and it did snag gloves and attracted gauze/rayon fuzzies like a magnet. Sounds like the bezel idea would indeed work best since you said you do not want to take your ring off, but I am not crazy about bezels for myself. If you feel the same way about bezels, maybe you can wear your ring(s) on a chain like a pendant. That is what I am doing nowadays. The chain hasn''t so much as scratched the ring at all, which was a concern I had at first (both ring and chain are platinum). Have you seen the TV show Scrubs? I got the idea from "nurse Carla." it looks really cute, and you still get to show off your ring(s), just not on your finger.

Just a though but, I understand about wanting to wear your ring all the time. Can''t wait to hear what you decide

LIB

 

[kohdy]

blackpearl! I am not a medical doctor but I do use my hands a lot at work: I am a Chiropractor.

I initially had a cathedral solitaire setting, which had my diamond pop up quite a bit more than I would have liked. This, of course, got in the way of dealing with patients. I found myself knocking my ring against hard surfaces in my honest attempts to protect my patients from scratches! Then I got myself a trellis type three stone antique setting, which allowed my diamond to be set slightly lower. Well, this time it was all the engraving (thus antique setting) on the band that was rubbing against my fingers hurting me more than the patients. Since this was a bigger problem, I then put my stone back into my original cathedral setting. After being disatisfied for a while, I decided to reset my stone for a third time with a Ritani Endless setting. You can check the new setting out on a thread that I started while back: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-ring-is-finally-here.61305/

I am not sure if you can get a good idea about how low the diamond is set, but it is pretty low. I have been wearing it for a few weeks now and I am very comfortable with it. In fact, I forget that I am wearing it most of the times. I used to have to take off my ring and place it on a stool while performing certain procedures before, but I no longer have to do that. The bezel set also puts my mind at ease as I feel that my stone is well protected.

Also I don't have to worry about prongs getting lose or catching people's clothes, etc. I think I have chosen the best setting for my profession and I strongly encourage you to consider it!

 

[diamondboy77]

Hi BlackPearl--

As a jewelry professional, I recommend the following. Wear the ring that you want to wear. When you talk about a prong setting vs. a bezel or low setting diamond, we are talking very minor mm differences (unlike saving someones life where a cm can mean life or death). I have many clients that are members of the medical community and work very long hours. All of my clients choose to wear rings that they desire on off hours and do not wear them to work. My clients (and i agree) feel it is unprofessional to wear any jewelry under their latex gloves with the exception of a plain half round band. Whether you wear a prong, low base or bezel set diamond ring, there will always be a chance of damaging your protective gloves. So choose what you want to wear on your off hours and nothing (or a plain band) while working. Remember true love and marriage is not defined by what you wear on your finger, but what you have, feel and share in your heart. Best wishes and good luck on your medical rotation.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yes, in thinking about this some more, I agree with diamondboy that a smooth band would be best for work. But I''d also get the wedding set you really want. So basically you''d get two wedding bands when you get married. I think that would be really useful at other times, too, such as travel out of the country and that kind of thing.

 

[InlovewithJHK]

I''m a dental school student so I wear gloves all the time and was in the same situation as you.... I''ll link to my ring https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pics-of-my-e-ring-and-wedding-band-g-vs2-1-28-carats.58835/

I''ve never had any problem with it!

 

[tanuki]

I have known so many people who lost their ring in the myriad ways that they can be lost in this profession while in training that my advice to you would be to get the ring you plan to wear for life with an eye to the future and then go out and buy an inexpensive "stunt double" ring similar to your real ring but using CZ and wear that to work and keep your real ring at home for the days that you are off.

 

[jstarfireb]

Date: 5/12/2007 7:25:18 PM
Author: tanuki
I have known so many people who lost their ring in the myriad ways that they can be lost in this profession while in training that my advice to you would be to get the ring you plan to wear for life with an eye to the future and then go out and buy an inexpensive 'stunt double' ring similar to your real ring but using CZ and wear that to work and keep your real ring at home for the days that you are off.

I'm planning on wearing mine to work, but I always still have this kind of concern. I do see most docs wearing their engagement rings to work and safety-pinning them to their scrubs or putting them on a necklace when they have to be sterile.

To add another suggestion...if you do wear it to work, do NOT keep it in your scrub pockets!!! Hospital-issue scrubs have sneaky little holes in the pockets all the time. I was wearing mine on OB/Gyn and got called into a C-section, so I put the rings I was wearing at the time right into my pants pocket and went to the OR. Turns out that one of them slipped right out of the pocket! Fortunately, a nurse found it on the floor and saved it for me.

Also, I mis-spoke in my previous post...turns out the Vatche Royal Empress is available for a round stone (I thought it was just for a princess):
Round
Princess

I still like the princess one better though.

 

[diane5006]

Hi BlackPearl

I am an NP and I had the same concerns whe I was picking out my setting...

My ring is in my Avatar...I have with it a 2mm plain platinum band...then a sapphire and diamond 7 stone e-band (diamonds about 10pts)..

My diamond is less than a carat...but the sidestone help with the spread and bling it up a bit...it is in a Vatche truffle...

I was going to post the link to cross jewelers for you...but diamond seeker beat me too it...

I love their rings...especially the Lady Captain...and the Lady Admirial...among others...I also believe they also let you supply your own diamond...

Best of luck with your search

 

[angeline]

Date: 5/12/2007 4:32:04 AM
Author: diamondboy77
Hi BlackPearl--


As a jewelry professional, I recommend the following. Wear the ring that you want to wear. When you talk about a prong setting vs. a bezel or low setting diamond, we are talking very minor mm differences (unlike saving someones life where a cm can mean life or death). I have many clients that are members of the medical community and work very long hours. All of my clients choose to wear rings that they desire on off hours and do not wear them to work. My clients (and i agree) feel it is unprofessional to wear any jewelry under their latex gloves with the exception of a plain half round band. Whether you wear a prong, low base or bezel set diamond ring, there will always be a chance of damaging your protective gloves. So choose what you want to wear on your off hours and nothing (or a plain band) while working. Remember true love and marriage is not defined by what you wear on your finger, but what you have, feel and share in your heart. Best wishes and good luck on your medical rotation.

I thought this was most sensible. I wouldn''t choose a ring to fit my work: I would choose a ring that I LOVED! and work around it from there. I''d rather wear a ring I ADORED for 2 hours a week that set my heart on fire, than wear a ring that was practical 24x7. Although if you can get both together then... ideal solution!

a

 

[diamondboy77]

thank you for agreeing with me angeline. I also agree with you statement to choose what you like, even though you may only wear it two hours a week.

 

[jstarfireb]

Date: 5/12/2007 7:48:44 PM
Author: jstarfireb
I was wearing mine on OB/Gyn and got called into a C-section, so I put the rings I was wearing at the time right into my pants pocket and went to the OR.

Oops! Meant to say that I wasn''t wearing an engagement ring because I don''t have one yet. I was just wearing two of my favorite silver rings.

The issue of damage to gloves really depends on what kinds of gloves they stock. I always wear a ring on each hand to work, and I''ve never had any trouble with gloves tearing because of it. However, I think the plain powdered latex gloves are much easier to tear than the clear vinyl or blue/purple nitrile gloves. Use the latter 2 if you can! And you can always bring a safety pin or sturdy necklace chain if you have any qualms about wearing your ring under gloves.

I also agree with choosing a setting that you love first and foremost, which is why I''m not going for bezel. I just happen to dislike high settings, so that helps for me!