Help with my new ring please...

[razzledazzled]

My lovely husband 'upgraded' my 1 carat solitaire engagement ring to a 3-stone ring, custom made by a local jeweler. The side stones are .7 carats each. I picked the ring up a couple of days ago and while I LOVE it in many ways (it feels so big and sparkly, and much grander than I probably deserve!) I'm not sure it works with my lifestyle. I have 3 very young kids and the square prongs are scratchy. It also sits up very high on my finger, which feels very regal but I worry it makes it look more ostentatious? Also, the very open setting (underneath) will undoubtedly trap every piece of dirt/suncream etc etc. I want this to be my 'everyday' ring (I used to wear my engagement ring with my wedding and eternity bands on a daily basis) but at the moment I'm very conscious of it, the side prongs catch my middle finger when I'm driving etc and I'm not sure if I'll get used to this or not.

The jeweler said he would consider re-setting it for me if I wanted (although I am worried about offending him as this was his original design). Thoughts and comments welcomed! I am not a lover of bezel set/very contemporary styles in general if that helps, and I've attached some pics

 

[rockysalamander]

An easy fix would be the change the prongs to something very close to the stone. I can see those as very scratchy. My BFF had similar prongs and her daughter called her ring "the mean ring."

Other than trying that, anything else seems to be a major re-work/re-set of the setting. If you go down that route, there are lots of designs that will allow the stones to float over your wedding band, but be very low.

BTW The open gallery will actually be a really good thing as you can get in and clean all the yuck out.

Here's one example. This is a custom ring by TGP, but you can see that the stones are very low and the detail in the gallery allows for a flush wedding band.
https://thegemstoneproject.com/the-resilient/

LaurenB

A trellis setting would allow the stone to also be set much lower, here a profile of one, but you can have the stones much lower than shown here. The minimum height will be defined by the height of your wedding band and the center stone.
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ring-project-and-experience-with-quest.14860/

 

[whitewave]

The jeweler isn't wearing it with small kids around, so please don't worry about offending him. I'm sure he would rather you be happy and wear it than for it to sit in the jewelry box.

Tell him the issues and what you NEED the ring to be.

 

[Fancydress]

I'm agree with whitewave. If you aren't sure about the ring you should think about re-setting

 

[Sparkly2017]

Needs to work for you so I would talk to the Jeweller too! Good luck!

 

[razzledazzled]

Thank you for your responses so far. I'm still not sure what to do! I've attached a few more pics, including one with my eternity band (which I'm not sure 'goes' with this style of ring, sadly) - do you think it sits too high? I tried on some 3-stone rings in Tiffany and their stones sit flush with one another (they are pretty much the same height, whereas my center stone sits quite a bit higher than the side stones), so I'm not sure if I should have mine reset in a similar way (Tiffany makes the side diamonds half the size of the center stone whereas my center is 1carat and the sides are 0.7 each). I'd love some more input, I'm supposed to be seeing the jeweler tomorrow to tell him if I want it reset or not

 

[Austina]

It's a lovely ring, and of course you deserve it! But, I see what you're saying about wanting to wear it everyday and it not fitting that role. It does sit rather 'proud' on your finger, and if it's not comfortable, you'll find reasons not to wear it.

I almost had my trilogy reset in to a trellis mount (I've repurposed it into something else), so I do think that would be a good choice if you decide to go that route.

Good luck with whatever you decide.


(this is what my trilogy was like)

 

[kmarla]

One thing I've learned the hard way is that if something about a setting bothers me, I won't grow to love it or appreciate it more with time. I just end up regretting not doing something while I had the opportunity. It's clear you are very appreciative of the upgrade and the jeweler's work. It's also clear that this setting is just not for you. Style is such a personal thing. I recommend you bring pictures of 3-stone settings you like to the jeweller. Also bring the rings you intend to wear with the new setting, including your eternity ring. This will give the jeweller a better idea of what your taste is as well as how to construct the new setting so that your other bands are a good fit. Just tell the jeweller that while you really appreciate the workmanship of your setting, the style just isn't you. Be clear about what you want i.e., diamonds set much lower, staggered height or same height, smooth prongs, single or double prongs, width of shank etc. Pictures really help for inspiration. I wish you the best!

 

[Siamese Kitty]

My three stone is actually pretty easy to wear and I'm clumsy and have a small child. I do think it's set lower and the prongs "cup" the stone more than stand up straight. For me, the open gallery has been a blessing since I can use one of those diamond dazzle sticks with the little brush attached and get underneath without the ultrasonic.

I do think your ring and the design is absolutely beautiful, though! If you could maybe pare down the prongs a bit, I'm betting you'd be happy with it. It would change the look somewhat, but I think it would still be amazing. Your husband is very sweet-such a nice gift!

ETA My setting would be considered a trellis like rockysalamander suggested.

 

[SimoneDi]

OP if you are not happy with your current setting, you should definitely let your jeweler know and also let him reset it for you. You will be the one wearing the ring and three gorgeous diamonds deserve to be shown and worn, not to stay hidden in a jewelry box.

The Tiffany settings sit low and yes, you are correct in your observation that all stones are pretty much set at the same level and the side stones are slightly tilted. I think that if your jeweler simply orders a setting for you, that may be a better choice or if he is possibly able to replicate it, then that is fine too. Something like this may work well for you, less prongs, lower profile:https://www.stuller.com/products/12...yId=10999&recommendationSource=CategoryBrowse
You can also browse Stullers website just to see the kind of setting you like best.
Tiffanys setting is similar to this: https://www.stuller.com/products/43...yId=10999&recommendationSource=CategoryBrowse
As to proportions, there really isn't a right or wrong answer there, you need to decide what propprtions look good to you. The 70pt sides definitely provide more of a "wall of bling" look vs a defined center, but honestly 50pt will look very similar. If you do end up exchanging the sides, make sure that the total is adjusted accordingly as 70pt cost more than 50pt diamonds.

 

[rockysalamander]

Here's a current tiffany trilogy with a 2.3 carat round. You could find a setting that has a similar look and make sure the culet of your center sits at a similar height from your finger---thus lowering the whole setting. In terms of proportions, I like the .7 sides, but you have to like them!

Current Tiffany



1945 Tiffany (.68 c center, .5twc sides)


Just in case you want to explore a setting without prongs...I know you said you didn't love contemporary/bezel...but just wanted to show all ideas. A semi-bezel might work.

Sholdt Setting



There is also a metal halo with tiny prongs. LoveAffairDiamonds

 

[tlfiore]

@Siamese Kitty I love your three stone ring setting...it is pretty perfect!

@razzledazzled your husband sounds like a sweet and sentimental guy. That is so great! And the ring is very pretty but I totally get everything you are saying. I am not an expert and you've received some excellent suggestions from the others here on PS, most of whom are industry experts and/or people who own a lot more jewelry than I do.

I can give you my input, for whatever it's worth. I have a pretty good design eye and to me, your new setting is quite massive, the stones do sit rather high and in general, the setting is quite traditional. I think a more contemporary setting, similar to the one shown by @Siamese Kitty, or the one shown from Love Affair Diamond, all the settings shown by @rockysalamander would totally hit the mark. And the comments made by others hold lots of useful information also.

To me, your current WB is so pretty and quite contemporary. I'd look for a three-stone setting that is a bit "sleeker," curvier, etc...less boxy than your new setting. I'd explore settings that compliment your band more, as well as ones more suitable to your lifestyle (with the children and all).

If you don't want a complete re-set, having the prongs slimmed down would help make the setting look less massive...won't help the height, but slimmer prongs may help the overall aesthetic of the new ring setting.

And your husband sounds sweet. I think if you approach the subject in a sensitive way (which I know you will do based on your comments here), he will understand your desire for a "simpler" setting. Praise him for the great job done on the three stones (the two new ones) and explain the importance of a simpler, lower, sleeker, lower-maintenance setting!

 

[razzledazzled]

Thank you so very much for all the great advice so far!

I'm still a little stuck... as tlfiore wisely noted, I feel the square prongs etc make it look a bit 'boxy' and don't complement either my wedding band or eternity ring (the eternity is very similar to Tiffany's Jazz full eternity) but I'm having no luck finding a setting that I love! It seems that most settings are pretty 'blah' (like Tiffany's, Cartier's etc - most jewelers seem to use the same setting) or too ornate. In order to sit flush with my existing bands I guess the ring will have to sit a little higher on the finger than I might otherwise like? I hate the idea of consigning my eternity ring to a drawer (it worked so nicely with my original solitaire) but I guess that may have to happen : (

With regards to the mount, I do love vintage styling but I guess that would be tricky to match with my other bands. If anyone has any other ideas (not bezel or super contemporary) I would love to see them! I want to wear and love this ring every day

 

[kmarla]

Here are a few ideas that hopefully aren't too modern for you. I was keeping in mind that you have little one's, so stayed with relatively smooth settings with no sharp edges.

 

[kmarla]

Hopefully these give you a bit of inspiration.

Edited to add the link for the last pic.
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ment-ring-with-scroll-undergallery-item-22571

 

[tyty333]

Have you considered bezel set stones like your eternity band? Something like this minus the smaller stones down the side. Granted these are OECs
and yours are RB, I think it would still look pretty.

 

[razzledazzled]

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions! The jeweler has postponed our meeting until Thursday so I have a couple more days to come up with alternatives. Gulp!