It''s wedding ring decision time, and it''s a sticky sitch

[shertz1981]

I am a board hog this week, sorry!

So, some back story: without going into too much detail, there may be some employment upheaval at the end of the year (wedding is in August). My company is moving to the other side of the country, and FI is in politics, a field that turns over every two years. So we need to make some hard decisions, and nothing''s been decided yet.

This is not the greatest time to be splurging on anything, but we need to get wedding rings.

I was lucky enough to get the *exact* engagement ring I wanted (1 ct amazing solitaire from BGD) and at the time, FI and I agreed that we should at least get my wedding band from him, as it would match my ring the best. That said, I always wanted a wedding band with diamonds, like a 3/4 carat eternity. Or a cool band with alternating shapes.

But the way things are going ... maybe I should get a plain band? The $$ saved would feed our cats for a year.

But ... you know. It''s my wedding band.

So, I attached a canvas, with my ring in the middle and the bands I''m considering (I swiped a pic of the Grace setting with its matching plain band, as there''s no pic of the solitaire type I have online, and this is as close to a "matched set" as I could find.

If there were no $ considerations, which band would you pick?

Since there are $ considerations, would you pick differently? The 3/4 eternity is the most $, then the alternating shapes band with all diamonds, then the micropave, then the plain.

Thanks for listening.

 

[lucyandroger]

My advice is to get the plain band and plan on a diamond anniversary band in the future.

If you had your heart set on one certain diamond band, then I might advise that you go ahead and get that one...BUT since you are still exploring options, I think you should take the financially responsible route and continue to think about which diamond band you like best.

ETA - My favorites are the plain band and the 3/4 Dream eternity.

 

[lilyfoot]

Date: 3/23/2010 11:26:08 AM
Author:shertz1981
I am a board hog this week, sorry!

So, some back story: without going into too much detail, there may be some employment upheaval at the end of the year (wedding is in August). My company is moving to the other side of the country, and FI is in politics, a field that turns over every two years. So we need to make some hard decisions, and nothing''s been decided yet.

This is not the greatest time to be splurging on anything, but we need to get wedding rings.

I was lucky enough to get the *exact* engagement ring I wanted (1 ct amazing solitaire from BGD) and at the time, FI and I agreed that we should at least get my wedding band from him, as it would match my ring the best. That said, I always wanted a wedding band with diamonds, like a 3/4 carat eternity. Or a cool band with alternating shapes.

But the way things are going ... maybe I should get a plain band? The $$ saved would feed our cats for a year.

But ... you know. It''s my wedding band.

So, I attached a canvas, with my ring in the middle and the bands I''m considering (I swiped a pic of the Grace setting with its matching plain band, as there''s no pic of the solitaire type I have online, and this is as close to a ''matched set'' as I could find.

If there were no $ considerations, which band would you pick?

Since there are $ considerations, would you pick differently? The 3/4 eternity is the most $, then the alternating shapes band with all diamonds, then the micropave, then the plain.

Thanks for listening.

Hi shertz

I know it''s your wedding band, and you''ve always wanted a diamond band. I am sure as PSers, everyone can sympathize with that.

However, getting married means having to take your family as a whole into consideration with each decision that you make (at least IMO). A plain band is obviously the most responsible choice to make at this point in time. You and your FI/DH will have the rest of your lives together, which is plenty of time for a blingin'' band

.

I have a special place in my heart for plain wedding bands, and I think everybody should have one, so that is what I would pick.

 

[shertz1981]

Urgh, I know I should be responsible. And FI doesn't even know I'm hedging -- I was like, "Of course we need to do what's reasonable." God bless message boards and the Internetz.

I'm being demanding enough, anyway, to want a plain band from them. But I really would like it to match my engagement ring.

 

[TooPatient]

Date: 3/23/2010 12:04:28 PM
Author: shertz1981
Urgh, I know I should be responsible. And FI doesn''t even know I''m hedging -- I was like, ''Of course we need to do what''s reasonable.'' God bless message boards and the Internetz.

I''m being demanding enough, anyway, to want a plain band from them. But I really would like it to match my engagement ring.

Don''t feel bad. They should be glad you are getting your wedding band through them too.

I like the idea of getting a plain band now and then the 3/4 eternity for an anniversary. Plain bands are so classic and beautiful.

Besides -- if the diamond band is for an anniversary, you can wear it on RH or LH, leave it off, alternate it and another diamond band, stack it with whatever......
Maybe start a tradition that you get a new diamond band every ___ years for your anniversary.....

 

[RaiKai]

I would probably go with the plain band. A plain band is so classic, and something that you will be able to wear even when you need to be incredibly practical whether you have a fancier wedding band at the time or not (i.e. digging up carrots from the garden, or changing diapers, or something . And believe me, it will really make your diamond POP this way!

I really do prefer simpler bands over shared prong/pave ones so I may be a little biased...but I don''t know, I think the plain band will look beautiful and as someone else pointed out, if you are getting married this will be the first of many financial decisions you need to make together as a team And even a BGD plain band will be fantastic!

Then, down the road, when financial circumstances change, you can get something a little more elaborate and fancier to mix and match with, or as future anniversary/birthday/other holiday gift.

And you never know when finances can change. I recently found out I was getting a sizable tax refund back, so am able to upgrade my ring set with it and still have a little left over. I never had an e-ring due to budget constraints for us both, but have wanted to have a "e-ring" and a matching band the last while. Really that refund could go towards my student loans, but my husband really encouraged me to get the ring(s) I would love to wear with the refund instead (twist my arm!). And still, I am making it with finances in mind, and getting a created sapphire stone instead of a genuine one for now, so that I am not spending more money than what I am getting as my refund.

 

[princessplease]

I think a plain band would be best if there are some financial issues that have a strong possibility of arising down the road. I love the idea of a diamond band for an anniversary present though, when finances are more stable.

 

[fleur-de-lis]

Date: 3/23/2010 11:26:08 AM
Author:shertz1981


I was lucky enough to get the *exact* engagement ring I wanted (1 ct amazing solitaire from BGD) and at the time, FI and I agreed that we should at least get my wedding band from him, as it would match my ring the best. That said, I always wanted a wedding band with diamonds, like a 3/4 carat eternity. Or a cool band with alternating shapes.


But the way things are going ... maybe I should get a plain band? The $$ saved would feed our cats for a year.


But ... you know. It''s my wedding band.


If there were no $ considerations, which band would you pick?

Hi Shertz. I get where you''re coming from and I imagine I''d entertain similar thoughts myself in your shoes, but this isn''t a cool pair of shoes you''ll wear intermittently over a year or two before donating them to Goodwill, this is (a) something you''ll wear every day, (b) for decades, (c) will only get one shot at, of which you''ve (d) said you''ve ALWAYS --not just since coming across Pricescope a few months back-- wanted a blingy band.

For those reasons, I think it''s prudent and reasonable to rule out the plain band. The cats will still get food, my dear, you''ll find a way.

As for the rest, which is the least expensive one which still puts a smile on your face? And just how much bigger is the smile for the ultimate ring... or, in fact, is it surprising you to discover that the "dream ring" no longer puts a smile on your face because it in reality worries you financially?

 

[shertz1981]

Thanks, everyone, for being so understanding. I''m not beating myself up quite as badly as I was this morning. I''m sure the financial sitch will turn out to be a lot of worry for nothing, but you just never know. Ounce of prevention, etc.

The man > the band, so I want this to be stress free for him as possible.

 

[LilyKat]

I'm going through exactly the same "plain or diamond" decision at the moment. I've come down on the side of "plain", as (even when completely ignoring the cost), I really think it just looks better with my solitaire. In your photos, I also think the plain band looks the best. As others have said, you can always get a diamond band later on.

I would go and try them on (or something similar) with your ring, and ask yourself what you really love best. You might be surprised.

 

[ArtistJess]

Based on looks alone, I have to say I really favor the 3/4 eternity ring.. but that said, ALL of those rings are pretty

 

[shertz1981]

Date: 3/23/2010 3:11:26 PM
Author: LilyKat
I''m going through exactly the same ''plain or diamond'' decision at the moment. I''ve come down on the side of ''plain'', as (even when completely ignoring the cost), I really think it just looks better with my solitaire. In your photos, I also think the plain band looks the best. As others have said, you can always get a diamond band later on.


I would go and try them on (or something similar) with your ring, and ask yourself what you really love best. You might be surprised.

I did this! I really liked everything though. Maybe I should get four wedding bands and switch them off and on

 

[lilyfoot]

Date: 3/23/2010 3:27:00 PM
Author: shertz1981

Date: 3/23/2010 3:11:26 PM
Author: LilyKat
I''m going through exactly the same ''plain or diamond'' decision at the moment. I''ve come down on the side of ''plain'', as (even when completely ignoring the cost), I really think it just looks better with my solitaire. In your photos, I also think the plain band looks the best. As others have said, you can always get a diamond band later on.


I would go and try them on (or something similar) with your ring, and ask yourself what you really love best. You might be surprised.

I did this! I really liked everything though. Maybe I should get four wedding bands and switch them off and on

Now this is bad! Have you been hitting the Sangria again?!

 

[LilyKat]

Date: 3/23/2010 3:27:00 PM
Author: shertz1981

Date: 3/23/2010 3:11:26 PM

Author: LilyKat

I''m going through exactly the same ''plain or diamond'' decision at the moment. I''ve come down on the side of ''plain'', as (even when completely ignoring the cost), I really think it just looks better with my solitaire. In your photos, I also think the plain band looks the best. As others have said, you can always get a diamond band later on.



I would go and try them on (or something similar) with your ring, and ask yourself what you really love best. You might be surprised.

I did this! I really liked everything though. Maybe I should get four wedding bands and switch them off and on

Oh, now that''s just greedy.

But also a darn good idea

 

[shertz1981]

Hee hee hee ... oh, would my fiance''s face be priceless.

Hmm, April Fool''s Day is just around the corner ...

 

[CasaBlanca]

Sweetie, go plain.

You are going to need a 1 year (or 2 - 5th year anniversary gift.) Woo hoo look what you got to look forward to, girlfriend!

Having a plain on one side of the stunning solitaire (which to me IS THE CREAM OF THE CROP)is going to look so great...and it will make you appreciate your diamond eternity (later that is to come) even more! Then you can wear 3 stacked!

Frankly I love the plain band''s elegance with the solitaire.

 

[Lilac]

Get the plain now and save up for an even *bigger* 3/4 eternity for a future anniversary

 

[missjaxon]

I agree with the others. I am in the same situation and am planning now on getting a plain band for the time being and then upgrading at an anniversary or another time when we can afford it. And for what it is worth I really think your engagement ring looks sharp with the plain band. You have a Gorgeous ring!

It is a show stopper by itself.

 

[beadchick]

Shertz, I think there are many of us in your same situation. I went with a diamond band because I also have a solitaire and its a lot of metal and I wanted something different. I justified the diamond over metal because it is the one ring I will wear forever. I wanted a pave eternity, but the thing about eternities is, they aren''t all that comfy if you have sensitive skin. Plus, I just wasn''t a fan of how the pave looked with my asscher.

I ended up going with a 0.7 carat, 6 stone band. I liked this idea b/c there would be no diamonds dripping down the side and irritating my fingers, AND, it gave me some bling for when I didn''t want to wear my e-ring. I mean, really, why do you need the diamonds on the palm of your hand where no one can see them? Plus, you can''t re-size an eternity.

If I were you, I''d contact BGD and find out about the u-prong that you like (the 3/4 eternity) as a 7 stone band. I mean, really, you only need the stones across the top, plus it will bring the cost down. And, you will have more versatility because you can wear it alone. If you want to upgrade and add more diamonds later, you can. I think it would be win-win.

If not that, I''m not sure what I''d do. Solid band, I think. I don''t know that the alternating band metal will be shiny enough to go with the metal band, and I think a domed pave will go better than the flat edge pave.

 

[shertz1981]

Date: 3/23/2010 8:22:56 PM
Author: beadchick
Shertz, I think there are many of us in your same situation. I went with a diamond band because I also have a solitaire and its a lot of metal and I wanted something different. I justified the diamond over metal because it is the one ring I will wear forever. I wanted a pave eternity, but the thing about eternities is, they aren''t all that comfy if you have sensitive skin. Plus, I just wasn''t a fan of how the pave looked with my asscher.


I ended up going with a 0.7 carat, 6 stone band. I liked this idea b/c there would be no diamonds dripping down the side and irritating my fingers, AND, it gave me some bling for when I didn''t want to wear my e-ring. I mean, really, why do you need the diamonds on the palm of your hand where no one can see them? Plus, you can''t re-size an eternity.


If I were you, I''d contact BGD and find out about the u-prong that you like (the 3/4 eternity) as a 7 stone band. I mean, really, you only need the stones across the top, plus it will bring the cost down. And, you will have more versatility because you can wear it alone. If you want to upgrade and add more diamonds later, you can. I think it would be win-win.


If not that, I''m not sure what I''d do. Solid band, I think. I don''t know that the alternating band metal will be shiny enough to go with the metal band, and I think a domed pave will go better than the flat edge pave.

Ooh, interesting. I never even thought about a 7 stone ... maybe we''ll get pricing.

It''s fair to get pricing, right? If it''s above what we agreed, we can always do something else.

 

[beadchick]

The other thing to remember is this: you are probably in the same size range as me. I figure a 1.25 asscher faces up like a 1 carat RB. You DO NOT want to go 1 carat on the wedding ring. Bigger is not always better. You want less b/c the smallishness of the band stones then makes the e-ring diamond look bigger.

Don't worry about the size. My 0.7 ctw is much bigger than pave and you can see all the detail in the little baby asschers. You can still do the detail of the u-prong, AND save some cash.

Don't compromise too much. I'm being sensible with the wedding, too. 5 years from now you'll be with a mortgage and a kid. I'm not encouraging you to be irresponsible, but I know enough people who wanted to upgrade later on the wedding band and life precluded it. You will wear this ring for the rest of your life. I know its just a ring, but you really should love it like you love the e-ring.

And yes, I'd get pricing. Fair is fair. They might work a deal for you since you got the e-ring there.

 

[PumpkinPie]

Date: 3/23/2010 11:39:52 AM
Author: lucyandroger
My advice is to get the plain band and plan on a diamond anniversary band in the future.


If you had your heart set on one certain diamond band, then I might advise that you go ahead and get that one...BUT since you are still exploring options, I think you should take the financially responsible route and continue to think about which diamond band you like best.


ETA - My favorites are the plain band and the 3/4 Dream eternity.

Exactly this