Help picking a setting for a petite hand.

[hihowareyou]

My partner and I have been searching few a few months for the perfect E ring. We''ve decided what we want in the stone (0.5-0.6ct chunky facetted cushion with 1:1 ratio, no less than a G and VS2) and are just waiting to find the one that really speaks to us.

She has a size 3 and 1/2 finger and where we live we are strapped for quality options. It is not just finding a setting that we like the look of but knowing that it won''t look overwhelming or strange on a small [read] finger. We are set on having the ring handmade by a custom jeweler but don''t want to go into the process completely blind. We''ve tried chain stores and other jewelers to try and get an idea of what looks good on a small finger but most have not been accommodating. None have stock anywhere near small enough and most won''t show us more than a few tiffany style and knife edge bands before telling us to ''go look on the internet and come back when we have a better idea of what we want''.. certainly the kind of customer service that gets people back through the doors

.


So here I am, on the internet asking for help! What sort of setting to you think would look good with the above mentioned style of stone and a petite hand?


These are the qualities that we are interested in:
- a balance between stone, metal and skin
- a clash of old and new, old style cut with a modern/minimal setting

Aslo, we keep being told that we can''t have a band as thin as we think would look good with a wedding band paired (keeping in mind from the base of the finger to the knuckle is only around 2cm) as it wouldn''t be durable enough. How thin is too thin for a band that will be worn everyday?

 

[D&T]

I have a petite hand ring size about 3 and 7/8 up to a short 4 and I also have short finger, I have gone from semi bezels to now double prongs and I absolutely love this look now. I think its more in the shank size that will make a difference. Are you planning on wearing a wedding ring as well? I find the my hands look the best in between 2-3mm shanks and that I like the tapered shoulder look -where it tapers near the diamond (it almost makes the diamond look a little larger) but thats just my personal opinion. Are you in the states? if so, I recommend you checking out Jareds on their scott Kay collection like the picture, looks fantastic and well balance I thought on my hands. But its a matter of preference though, and I don''t know your style.

Another trick is to see how the setting actually will sit on the finger, is to slide a cloth on the underside of the finger through with the the ring that you want to try on, it will just feel snug and more proportioned (hope that makes sense) becuase most of the jewelers rings seem to stock a size 7

 

[CharmyPoo]

I think you should target for a thin pave band (under 2mm). This will make the diamond pop and not overwhelm the hand.

I have a size 3 finger with a split shank but it is not overwhelming at all. However, I wouldn''t consider myself having short fingers.

 

[Lula]

How about a bezel setting? This could be worn alone and you wouldn't need a second wedding band. This is James Allen's version, though Stuller makes a similar setting and you should be able to order it at any store that carries the Stuller brand.
Bezel solitaire

Wink Jones from High Performance diamonds has this custom design on his site, which I've long admired, and I think it would be gorgeous on a small hand with an antique cut stone.
gypsy set ring
Again, no need to wear a wedding ring with this style.

Also, have you considered titanium? I can't think of any other metal that would give you the combination of modern and antique better than titanium! I've never seen an antique cut stone set in a titanium setting, but it would definitely be eye-catching and different!

Boone titanium is highly recommended on PS. Do a search for "Boone" and you can read some threads about the business. Here is a link to their site:
Boone

 

[tyty333]

Date: 8/8/2009 10:40:16 AM
Author: CharmyPoo
I think you should target for a thin pave band (under 2mm). This will make the diamond pop and not overwhelm the hand.

I have a size 3 finger with a split shank but it is not overwhelming at all. However, I wouldn''t consider myself having short fingers.

I would also think a thin pave band would look very nice on a short finger/thin finger.

 

[hihowareyou]

Thanks for all the advice.


We like the image that you posted D&T, that is the sort of style she is interested in. We are very keen to leave the stone as a solitaire with no other stones at all and have not considered a pave band (she feels its too much 'bling' for her, I'm sure the girls here will think she is crazy

).

I should have posted this at the start but we are in Australia. I'm not really confidant in buying unseen from overseas and we've found a jeweler here we'd like to use once we make a decision on what we want.


Can anyone comment on durability of thin bands and how thin we can go for an everyday ring? If we go thin is one metal better than another, etc?

 

[D&T]

Date: 8/8/2009 10:19:17 PM
Author: hihowareyou
Thanks for all the advice.


We like the image that you posted D&T, that is the sort of style she is interested in. We are very keen to leave the stone as a solitaire with no other stones at all and have not considered a pave band (she feels its too much ''bling'' for her, I''m sure the girls here will think she is crazy

).

I should have posted this at the start but we are in Australia. I''m not really confidant in buying unseen from overseas and we''ve found a jeweler here we''d like to use once we make a decision on what we want.


Can anyone comment on durability of thin bands and how thin we can go for an everyday ring? If we go thin if one metal better than another, etc?

Thin band with diamonds in it? or just thin solid band? you won''t see many thin plain band at 1mm its very hard to find, but 2 mm I think is still pretty thin. What metal color are you interested in? white gold or platinum. Plantinum will be durable for a very very very long time, Platinum is the softest metal choice but the most durable as well it will not just "break" so to speak. White gold sometimes depending on what the composition is will require rhodium plating (how often depends on the chemistry on the individual) some also have nickle which on some people they are allergic to thus they prefer platinum. Platinum over time will develop patina, but can easily be buffed out and become shiny and newish looking again. The metal purity of white gold whether you are interested in 18k or 14k is something to think about. 18k is richer but softer than 14k and may not retain its shape as well as 14k, but 18k is more durable in terms of it bending more before it breaks off so to speak vs 14k, and down the line. When there is less gold purity, it will become more brittle so to speak but the shape is retained better hope that makes sense. So it all depends on what you prefer. Some also the heft of platinum.