Memoire or Signed Pieces?

[jenniegirlm]

Hi everyone,

I''m considering buying a 9-stone .90 ctw shared-prong RB half eternity wedding band from Signed Pieces. Then I saw the website from Memoire and saw a similar ring in their Petite Prong collection - 1.00 ctw in 10 stones. Does anyone have any idea on how much more this will cost? Is it "prettier?" Does it sit lower? Is it worth the premium? I plan on going to the BB&B and Saks 5th stores that carry it to take a look.

The SP ring I''m looking at is F-G/VVs-VS in ideal and premium cut stones and costs about $1500. I wear a 4.5.

Also, for any of you gals size 4.5 and wear half-eternitiy rings - what size and how many stones are enough to go half-way your finger? I want the stones to be seen from the side as well.


Thanks in advance!

Jen


P.S. I posted a thread about what size stones to get w/ my e-ring, and although PS''ers gave me great advise, DH and I really like the look of the 10 pointer stones - especially if I wear it alone.

 

[chrono]

It''s time for some MATH!

Here''s the approximate size of my stones:
7 stone, 6 pointers: 7 x 2.5mm = 17.5mm (not quite halfway around)
11 stone, 6 pointers: 11 x 2.5mm = 27.5mm (halfway around)

My finger is a size 4.5 also, therefore you will need finger coverage of approximately 27.5mm
9 stone, 10 pointers: 9 x 3.0mm = 27mm

It looks like the 9 stone band with 10 pointers should be sufficient.

 

[mrssalvo]

both companies have great reputations. It's going to be up to you whether or not it's worth the premium or not. I am planning on buying a memoire band in the near future b/c I love how low it sits as well as how it's made which you can read on their website. I also like that the stones are calabrated so the diameters of each one is exacly the same. I am very picky when it comes to tiny details like uneven prongs etc. and the memoires are perfect. That said, there have been many happy customers with SP's bands and you can't beat their return policy. It's great that you'll have a chance to see some in person. To some the premium just isn't worth it for the memoire but to me it is

 

[mrssalvo]

here''s a picture that Dee jay on her visit to pearlman''s. they are all memoire eternity bands

 

[zhuzhu]

Chrono,
If I remember correctly, your diamonds are 6 pointer (or is it 7?). Do you happen to know what pointer stone will be exactly 2.8mm in diameter?
Thanks!

 

[chrono]

zhuzhu,

I don''t have an exact answer but an estimate. Here is what I do know about melee sizes:

0.005 ct = 1.0 mm
0.01 ct = 1.3 mm
0.015 ct = 1.5 mm
0.02 ct = 1.7 mm
0.03 ct = 2.0 mm
0.05 ct = 2.4 mm
0.06 ct = 2.5 mm
0.07 ct = 2.7 mm
0.10 ct = 3.0 mm

So, it looks like 8 pointers will be close to 2.8 mm each.

 

[Gothgrrl]

I wear a 4.5 and have a SP band. It is 1/2 eternity. 9 stones, 4 points each. It goes all the way to the sides of each finger. So it looks like a full eternity. You can find some pics in my 3 stone ring.

 

[kcoursolle]

Don''t forget to add a little because of the prongs when seeing if it will cover your finger. It should definitely be fine. Tough choice...I''m not sure which way to go, either would be beautiful and well-made. Maybe order both for a test drive and then return one?? Do both companies offer a good return policy?? It''s worth asking.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I just bought an 18k Memoire band with 7 10 point stones (.75 tcw), the higher quality stones (I think F-G, VVS-VS) and the ring was around $2400. I knew I was paying a lot more than the SP bands, but I really wanted the low setting of the Memoire, and like MrsS, I just wanted it to be as perfect as possible, and was willing to pay for it. I am thinking the 9 stone bands were about $3200, depending on stone quality. The 9 stone covered half the ring for me at 5 1/4. The 7 stone still covered the whole top of my finger, so I chose it. The double prong ones come in 5, 7, and 9 stones (and I guess full eternity).

 

[zhuzhu]

Hi Gothgrrl,

I just saw your wedding set. Is your wedding band "bar prong" instead of "share prong"? I could not make out from the picture... Thanks!!

 

[Gothgrrl]

Zhuzhu, yes, it is a bar set and not prong set. I wanted something different.

 

[Kaleigh]

I''d say Memoire, it''s perfection.

 

[Gothgrrl]

Jenniegirlm, sorry, I''d already had answered your question from the other topic. I actually wanted Memoire, but it was a little too pricey for me. And after reading so many positive posts on SP, I decided on them. I am really impressed on how much those stone sparkle.

 

[jenniegirlm]

Date: 9/29/2006 8:22:58 AM
Author: mrssalvo
here''s a picture that Dee jay on her visit to pearlman''s. they are all memoire eternity bands

Okay, I''m drooling over here!

 

[jenniegirlm]

Ouch, Memoire''s pretty pricey and will put me over-budget!

Maybe I''ll order the SP... see if I like it, and if I like it enough, I''l just keep it. I''ll still check with the jeweler that carries Memoire just so I know I covered all my bases. I actually compared pictures and found that Memoire diamonds sat lower but the SP band showed off "more" of the diamonds from the side:

http://www.memoire.com/detail.php?Coll=&Item=404

http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=2107


Chrono, thanks for the math! I did that too but wasn''t sure how much to account for the prongs.

Gothgrrl, thanks go replying to my post... AGAIN! You''ve really been helpful (as has everyone else!)


Thanks everyone for the input! I will keep everyone posted. My husband wants me to wait for us to go on our trip to San Diego two weeks from now before I order from SP. He says I might ind something I like in SD.

 

[3hearts]

I''m so glad you posted this because I was having the same dilemma. I started out wanting the SP eternity band because the price was right. Then I saw the Ritani eternity band and like that too, then the jewelers I went to also carried Memoire and she had me try on the Memoire and I was sold after that, but the price of the 1 carat eternity band was something like $3800 and I can''t remember if that was plat. or whte gold

Anyways, I really loved the way the Memoire band felt and looked against my ring. When you decide, please post pics and let us know what you think

 

[jenniegirlm]

3hearts, did you buy the Memoire then? Now I''m scared to even try it... I might end up breaking the bank if I do!

Please post pictures if you already have it!


Thanks,
Jen

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You''d better call to verify the price on that SP ring. There is something wrong with the pricing on that page. At the top, it says $2048 for a size 5.5 in platinum, but down below where the price is listed for each size, the price is lower.

It is a good idea to order one to try. That''s the only way you can know if it is set low enough to go with your e-ring.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Jennie, I was just looking at your other thread, and I saw the pictures Whatmeworry posted of his fiance''s rings. I really like the look of the 7 or 8 pointers with the half carat stone. I was looking at 8 pointers when I was looking earlier for a smaller diamond e-ring. Then when we went larger on the e-ring stone, I went up to 10 points on the band. I hope you can try both on with your ring to see what really looks better. Can you order both from SP and return the one you don''t want?

 

[3hearts]

Date: 9/30/2006 8:24:40 PM
Author: jenniegirlm
3hearts, did you buy the Memoire then? Now I''m scared to even try it... I might end up breaking the bank if I do!

Please post pictures if you already have it!


Thanks,
Jen

Hi Jen, no, I didn''t buy the Memoire

because it was too much $$. It''s on my wish list though

.

Plus for that amount of $$, I might go custom with a local jeweler in case I end up needing repairs.

keep us posted on what you decide

 

[flower12]

Jen, how about to ask WF if they can get one prong setting ?then order it set with WF aca.
I''ve seen lot one prong eternity setting ( in japan and hong kong)look just memoire .
when I asked the price of setting at jeweler , it was $300 ( K18, for 2ct 20 pieces this price is only mount)

 

[jenniegirlm]

Great idea, Flower12, I will look into it - especially if I end up liking the Memoire.

3hearts, yes, I will keep everyone posted. Did you buy SP then or neither of the two?

ds2006, i''m thinking of ordering both... but I''d have to check the refund policy again - they''ll refund the amount minus the shipping (which isn''t bad, just $1 - but I''ll probably have to pay for additional shipping to return it to them. We''ll see... and yeah, I like Whatmeworry''s FI''s set! I noticed the price difference on the website too. I thought that the price they put is for the larger sized rings, but the price they put isn''t listed anywhere on their list.

I''m really leaning towards the bigger stones - only because I don''t plan to upgrade the band at all. I''ll probably end up resetting my .50 ct. into a pendant down the road... that way I can upgrade to a bigger stone that''ll match the 10 pointers.

I really appreciate all the wonderful ideas and comments!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 10/1/2006 1:52:11 AM
Author: jenniegirlm
Great idea, Flower12, I will look into it - especially if I end up liking the Memoire.

3hearts, yes, I will keep everyone posted. Did you buy SP then or neither of the two?

ds2006, i''m thinking of ordering both... but I''d have to check the refund policy again - they''ll refund the amount minus the shipping (which isn''t bad, just $1 - but I''ll probably have to pay for additional shipping to return it to them. We''ll see... and yeah, I like Whatmeworry''s FI''s set! I noticed the price difference on the website too. I thought that the price they put is for the larger sized rings, but the price they put isn''t listed anywhere on their list.

I''m really leaning towards the bigger stones - only because I don''t plan to upgrade the band at all. I''ll probably end up resetting my .50 ct. into a pendant down the road... that way I can upgrade to a bigger stone that''ll match the 10 pointers.

I really appreciate all the wonderful ideas and comments!

Ah ha! Now I understand! That is a great plan!