Need help deciding on an e-ring

[touchofglamour]

I am debating either using my late mother's 1/3-carat round diamond in this vintage-style halo setting for an engagement ring, or putting our budget toward a new diamond, (preferably around 3/4 carat) in a simple solitaire setting.

On one hand, I think it would be nice to use her diamond in the more elaborate setting, which caught my eye right away and has lots of sparkle.

I think it is unique and I like the vintage feel. It is made to fit a 1/3-carat center stone, and I love the baguettes. On the other hand, I had one person call the halo setting "busy" and I need some more input on this.

I was also told baguettes get dirty and will look dull easily. I also wonder if in the long run it won't be classic enough and that I would get sick of it, but then again I like the uniqueness of the style and the idea of using the heirloom diamond.

I go back and forth on if I will feel better in the long run having a diamond purchased and given to me by my husband, or about using the heirloom diamond. It seems more logical in a way to put the money toward a diamond rather than an elaborate setting, and I think solitaires are elegant and will never go out of style. But then again a solitaire might not feel as unique. If we go for the solitaire, I would have my mom's diamond set in a necklace, and I could always get a more elaborate setting down the road.

So, budget toward setting or diamond? Thoughts?

 

[Mrs W]

love that setting but I would still get a solitaire and do the necklace idea you had

 

[violet3]

If it were me, for sentimental reasons, I would much prefer wearing my mom''s diamond to a new one!

 

[4ever]

It dosn''t matter what other people say about the setting, how do YOU feel? Does this setting make your heart melt? Would you be just as happy with a solitaire or is it important to you for your ring to be unique or elaborate?

 

[vespergirl]

You could really make an argument for either - it''s just about personal taste. I do really love that setting, and if you like your mom''s diamond, then you will have something unique. If you go with the solitaire, you will have a bigger stone that you can match with any wedding band, and you could always upgrade the setting as an anniversary gift in a few years if you like.

As the owner of a solitaire, I have to say that you will get a less enthusiastic reaction when you show people your ring. I have a 2 ct stone in a solitaire, but most people are like, "Oh, that''s nice" when they see it because they''ve seen a round diamond in a solitaire setting before. My friend has a 1 ct oval in an intricate setting, and everyone (including me!) goes nuts over her ring because it''s unique and not something you see every day - plus all the sidestones and the oval shape add up to a lot of finger coverage (more than my 2 ct round). However, I also have friends with busier settings who have gotten tired of them, and wish they had picked a solitaire, but then don''t want to switch because the setting was expensive.

So, that probably didn''t help, but I just wanted to give you some feedback. For what it''s worth, I really love the setting you picked out - if it were me, I would probably do that setting with your mom''s ring. Either way, though, you can''t go wrong - they would both be gorgeous engagement rings.

 

[tyty333]

I really think that is a beautiful setting. All diamonds get dirty and look dull...its just a matter of taking them off
when you are doing grimey work or cleaning them when you are done.

Have you tried on some bigger solitare diamonds? Its all a matter of personal taste and what you think you would
be happy with in the long run.

 

[elle_chris]

While that setting is gorgeous, it is busy and a smaller would get lost in it. In the pic, i couldn''t tell where the setting ended and the stone started.
I would put the money towards a larger stone and set your moms diamond in a neckalce.