New Blue Nile 5 stone - love it but OVER-bling??

[LLJsmom]

I think your bling is fantastic! I don't think it's over bling. I'd keep your newest addition and wear it in good health.

Hi Caza, thank you for the affirmative comments. I'm gonna put them on soon for going out.

 

[luv2sparkle]

I have the same look with my set! My e-ring is a 2.57 solitaire and I wear it with either a 1 ct. 5 stone, or a 12 point eternity, but sometimes I even stack an ID jewelry baguette and round eternity with the 12 point eternity! So I say go for the bling if you love it. I also debated the halo look, and I still love it, but I think I love the ability to change up my set even more. My e-ring does have a ton of pave, and I wear it pretty much like you do, to the gym and everything. If I am doing bathroom cleaning I take them off, but that is pretty much it. My set was an upgrade for 50th b-day/30th anniversary. Whatever you decide, just go for what you love and you will enjoy wearing it
every day. I love having different sets. My original wedding band is a yellow gold wide band that matches my hubby's and I wear that some days with different rings too.

It is a beautiful set, I am not sure there is such a thing as OVER-bling! I love it!

 

[Luxie]

I keep going back and forth as to whether or not I want to halo my stone. When I do make up my mind I will know and will "have to have it" because I will love it. Since I am still so unsure I do not want to take any leaps yet. I have had my stone only since June, (it is an upgrade after 27 years of marriage - it was my 50th bday gift from dh) (traded up my 1.51ct rb) I have actually been experiencing off and on bouts of the dreaded DSS! Lol. Some days my stone looks huge, others not so much...although I do get lots of compliments and have had a few ask if it was a 3 carater ha! That is also what is keeping me from rushing into a reset...should I trade my stone for a 3+ carater? - - - which is what I was originally shooting for when I got this stone, I was deciding between this and two 3+ caraters, this stone won out (even tho it was a tad smaller) because of the quality -it outsparkled the others.

What types of settings are you thinking of resetting your beautiful stone in?

Luxie, you and I are in the same boat! I initially really wanted a Victor Canera halo, emilya style. But then I saw some halos where it made the center stone look a lot less sparkly. I got scared. And another thing that I have honestly been worried about (pretty constantly) is me damaging, chipping my stone. I am very hard on my rings. I work full time and have two kids and don't have time to take off my rings. I lift weights, barbells with 50 pounds with them. (I do have on gloves.). I go to the gym during my wok day and don't have a place to put my jewelry. I do housework with them. I sleep with them. I hate taking them off cause I don't to lose them. I recently saw a really beautiful Single Stone bezeled halo, and I think I really like the look. The bezel really allowed the center stone to shine. I don't see too many bezeled halos on PS and I wonder why. Do you think people don't think it's pretty? It will give my ring a very substantial look and feel and I like that. I tend more away from dainty looks to more heavy settings so I am still feeling very awkward about my current setting. All my rings are big rings, even the fun ones. If it doesn't cover your whole finger, what's the point? Honestly, I am trying decide what to spend money on first. Should I get my ideal setting or should I keep the five stone? The money I would spend on my five stone could go toward the VC reset. Only thing is the reset makes it permanent. Same thoughts as you!! I kinda have DSS too. bBut if I go bigger I would want a 3.5 at least, which is double the cost of my current stone, given my required specs. Not a reality for the next ten years. Meanwhile, after I reset, I might save up for an AVC, which I have been craving. One just under 2 carats would be more affordable than upgrading to a 3.5 carat. Thank you for listening to my rambling. Really I don't think anyone outside of this forum would understand. So I am going to wear my five stone and see if it makes me stop worrying or craving a reset. If not, I might return it and plan on doing th reset in June 2013 when I am down in Southern Cal and can visit Victor Canera personally . Can you tell me what you think about this one? Leon Mege does a beautiful one too. I think this would really protect my stone, give great finger coverage, and really showcase the center stone.

http://www.victorcanera.com/jewelry/engagement-rings/old-european-cut-diamond-in-bezel-halo.html

Again ,thanks for your thoughts. I really do appreciate them. And if you think I am crazy/paranoid/stupid tell me. I can take it.

Hi LLJsMOM! Wow that VC setting truly is gorgeous! Definitely major coverage with your large stone as the center. I actually love bezeled halos, as a matter of fact I am currently having my original RB diamond that DH proposed to me with 29 years ago reset into a bezeled, millegrained halo just like that VC ring (-its an exact replica of an antique art deco ring - it will be a RHR.) In my humble opinion tho, I think the five stone trumps a reset. You love lots of coverage and bling, and your solitaire with five stone gives you just that. You might not be able to part with your five stone after wearing it for a while! Maybe you could do a reset a little further down the road? Something to think about. Please keep us updated as to what you decide!

P.S. youre not crazy/paranoid/stupid! I too have no one to talk to in my family or circle of friends about diamonds/jewelry - they would think I was crazy and they just wouldnt understand - thats why I was so happy to stumble upon PS!

 

[lizzyann]

I say if you like the look then go for it! You can always buy a more narrow band to stack later!

 

[warheadwl]

Beautiful arrangement, thanks for the pictures, was thinking about getting something similar for my fiance as a wedding band, always good to see pics IRL.

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

I say if you like the look then go for it! You can always buy a more narrow band to stack later!

I agree with this. A nice thin band between the two will compliment it perfectly!

 

[LLJsmom]

I have the same look with my set! My e-ring is a 2.57 solitaire and I wear it with either a 1 ct. 5 stone, or a 12 point eternity, but sometimes I even stack an ID jewelry baguette and round eternity with the 12 point eternity! So I say go for the bling if you love it. I also debated the halo look, and I still love it, but I think I love the ability to change up my set even more. My e-ring does have a ton of pave, and I wear it pretty much like you do, to the gym and everything. If I am doing bathroom cleaning I take them off, but that is pretty much it. My set was an upgrade for 50th b-day/30th anniversary. Whatever you decide, just go for what you love and you will enjoy wearing it
every day. I love having different sets. My original wedding band is a yellow gold wide band that matches my hubby's and I wear that some days with different rings too.

It is a beautiful set, I am not sure there is such a thing as OVER-bling! I love it!

Hi Luv, sounds like you switch things up a lot with your rings, and wear them all the time. I guess you don't worry about damaging the stone. I'm wondering why? I've read some things on this forum about how easy it is to chip a stone. I'm trying to see if I can wear my ring with peace of mind. I'm not doing such a good job so far. I worry about knocking it around. I bash it on the walls at home, the car, the office, etc. If I can't get over it, I think I will have to halo it just to feel like I am protecting it more.

 

[mrs jam]

I was thinking about bezeling my 2.52 ct stone (currently set in a 6-prong solitaire setting) just to provide myself with a sense of safety as far as damaging the stone is concerned. However, after discussing this with two trusted designers, I learned that bezeling a stone really doesn't change much as far as safety goes. Bezels can loosen just like prongs can if a ring takes a hit, and tightening a bezel can damage a girdle if not done very carefully by a pro. While I love the look of a bezel, I've also acquired a love for my six prong setting, so I decided to stick with that.

 

[Monnyjay]

First of all, I have to say what an amazing trio of rings you have there, absolutely gorgeous. I love the look of all three, but having said that I am sure your 5 stone would look great as a right hand ring on it's own.

As someone else previously mentioned, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", just go with it, if it's how you like it. I bought my 7 stone 2.13tcw, to wear with my solitaire which is 1.15 pt and didn't like that combination, so now I wear it on my right hand with a 3mm diamond band on each side and that works for me (and very blindly ). If I could upload a pic I would just to show you how it looks with 0.30 pointers. I have a Mac and every time I try to upload it's a headache.

If you love that blingy look, I say go for it. Your rings are stunning

 

[justginger]

I think this is a great, versatile set. You can wear the solitaire and plain band, the solitaire and diamond band with an additional thin spacer, the diamond band and plain band, the diamond band alone, or the plain band alone. Everything has enough substance to stand alone, but together they don't look pretentious or overdone. I think you've got a wonderful arrangement there!

 

[luv2sparkle]

I really don't worry about it that much, LLJ. I do have it insured. I would hate to damage it, but it could be replaced. I have banged it quite a few times myself. At first I louped it every time and made myself crazy. I just decided not to do that any more and just wear it. Even though I do wear it quite a bit, I am concious of it and do try to take care. You can do all the right things and even bezel it and still end up with damage or loss. A lot of times it is just some freak thing, like the PS''er who damaged her hand and rings taking her dogs for a walk. I do leave my rings home when I do that.

 

[LLJsmom]

I say if you like the look then go for it! You can always buy a more narrow band to stack later!

Hi Lizzyann, Thank you. I keep reminding myself that. I can always get any band I want later. Obvious, but I don't know why I always think that I have to buy everything NOW. I have the most important piece of the puzzle already, and that is my solitaire.

 

[LLJsmom]

Beautiful arrangement, thanks for the pictures, was thinking about getting something similar for my fiance as a wedding band, always good to see pics IRL.

Hi warhead, thank you. I also find pics of the rings on real hands gives it a more realistic perspective. Hope she loves the bling. I know all of us here do...

 

[LLJsmom]

I was thinking about bezeling my 2.52 ct stone (currently set in a 6-prong solitaire setting) just to provide myself with a sense of safety as far as damaging the stone is concerned. However, after discussing this with two trusted designers, I learned that bezeling a stone really doesn't change much as far as safety goes. Bezels can loosen just like prongs can if a ring takes a hit, and tightening a bezel can damage a girdle if not done very carefully by a pro. While I love the look of a bezel, I've also acquired a love for my six prong setting, so I decided to stick with that.

Hi mrs jam, Thanks for the info about bezel setting. You touched on a question that I had at the back of my mind regarding bezel settings and the process of bezel setting. The whole point of me putting it in a bezel set is to protect it, and it would be ironic if the process is what damages it, and I would never know it either b/c the girdle is covered. If I do have it bezel set, I would want it done by Canera. Do you think I would have to worry in that case? If I don't do a bezel set halo, my preference would be the Donna split shank. Being able to see the girdle does give me a certain peace of mind as well.

As far as prong settings go, I actually do love the look of a six prong for my current stone. I have a 1.1 in a four prong, but I think the six prong looks better for this stone. Unfortanately, I think I have always loved the look of the halo since I have seen it as well, and can't get it out of my mind, even after getting a five stone.

 

[LLJsmom]

First of all, I have to say what an amazing trio of rings you have there, absolutely gorgeous. I love the look of all three, but having said that I am sure your 5 stone would look great as a right hand ring on it's own.

As someone else previously mentioned, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", just go with it, if it's how you like it. I bought my 7 stone 2.13tcw, to wear with my solitaire which is 1.15 pt and didn't like that combination, so now I wear it on my right hand with a 3mm diamond band on each side and that works for me (and very blindly ). If I could upload a pic I would just to show you how it looks with 0.30 pointers. I have a Mac and every time I try to upload it's a headache.

If you love that blingy look, I say go for it. Your rings are stunning

Hi Monnyjay, thank you for the kind compliments. I think your small, thin eternity band on each side would look spectacular. I would love to see a picture of it. That confirms that small eternity bands are great for stacking and changing up looks. I definitely have to put that on my list (along with everything else). I guess it's all a matter of prioritizing, for me anyway. I always have a tendency to think I need everything NOW.

 

[LLJsmom]

I think this is a great, versatile set. You can wear the solitaire and plain band, the solitaire and diamond band with an additional thin spacer, the diamond band and plain band, the diamond band alone, or the plain band alone. Everything has enough substance to stand alone, but together they don't look pretentious or overdone. I think you've got a wonderful arrangement there!

Hi justginger, thank you so much. I do love the versatility the 5 stone adds. I did wear the five stone by itself on my right hand for a while. It was fun to have such bling there. I also wore it with just the band on my left hand, and that was great to have the bling factor without wearing my solitaire.

Strangely enough, after a while, I moved the five stone back to the left hand ring finger because I prefer to have more bling on that one finger. Strange huh? I liked the weightiness of the rings on that finger.

I am still not sure if I am going to keep the five stone, but it is helping me figure out what I really want, and how much bling I am comfortable with, which is surprisingly (or not since I am on PS), quite a bit.

 

[LLJsmom]

I really don't worry about it that much, LLJ. I do have it insured. I would hate to damage it, but it could be replaced. I have banged it quite a few times myself. At first I louped it every time and made myself crazy. I just decided not to do that any more and just wear it. Even though I do wear it quite a bit, I am concious of it and do try to take care. You can do all the right things and even bezel it and still end up with damage or loss. A lot of times it is just some freak thing, like the PS''er who damaged her hand and rings taking her dogs for a walk. I do leave my rings home when I do that.

Hi Luv, that is true. I have it insured too, and I think that kind of damage should be covered, although I really need to check. You're so right!!! I louped it (and still am) right after I dropped it in on the garbage can top, and then it hit the stone floor. I've dropped it in the sink too. OMG. I am such a clutz!! But what you said initially, that I should be able to "wear it every day and enjoy it" is the thing that sticks most in my screwed up brain. I really do want to wear it every day and enjoy it. And I know I can't enjoy it if I have this constant nagging thought in my brain that I am going to chip my stone. I think I have realized that I am that kind of person. Chipping a stone is something I do worry about, and no amount of insurance is going to stop it. So I have to deal with it, which may be putting it into a halo. Honestly, I have always loved halos, since the first time I saw it, so I am likely going to just take the plunge in the next year. Now the only question is which halo to put it in, a whole other thread.

As to the five stone, I bought it hoping that it would help reduce the DSS I was feeling, and maybe I would love wearing it with my solitaire so much that I would stop worrying about the setting of the solitaire and stop me from wanting a reset. I have had it for four days now, and I am still constantly thinking about a halo reset. Although I can wear the five stone on my right hand, and I did for a day, I discovered that I preferred it on my left hand along with the solitaire. I loved the feel of the weightiness on my left ring finger. Although I think the five stone is very beautiful and versatile, I would trade it in for a reset. I don't feel like I "need" it. Since I cannot afford to have the five stone and the reset by Canera now, I will likely have to return my five stone and make the reset the priority. The five stone will have come back in a few years. And honestly, I find myself wanting bigger stones on my five stone. I went into a local jeweler who showed me a u prong five stone that set the stones really low and they were bigger too, which I preferred. I am discovering that I am really a blingzilla (a term I learned and understand more fully) at heart. Note to self.

Thanks for sharing all your thoughts and experiences with me. I has helped so much in this decision making process.

 

[LLJsmom]

Hi LLJsMOM! Wow that VC setting truly is gorgeous! Definitely major coverage with your large stone as the center. I actually love bezeled halos, as a matter of fact I am currently having my original RB diamond that DH proposed to me with 29 years ago reset into a bezeled, millegrained halo just like that VC ring (-its an exact replica of an antique art deco ring - it will be a RHR.) In my humble opinion tho, I think the five stone trumps a reset. You love lots of coverage and bling, and your solitaire with five stone gives you just that. You might not be able to part with your five stone after wearing it for a while! Maybe you could do a reset a little further down the road? Something to think about. Please keep us updated as to what you decide!

P.S. youre not crazy/paranoid/stupid! I too have no one to talk to in my family or circle of friends about diamonds/jewelry - they would think I was crazy and they just wouldnt understand - thats why I was so happy to stumble upon PS! [/quote]

Hi Luxie,

What a coincidence that you are getting your original reset into a bezeled halo!! Can you please post pics when you are done?? Did you worry about damaging the stone during the bezel setting process? I only ask because I read some threads on people who appear to be experts and said that there was a chance of damaging the stone when bezel setting.

I really can't wait to see it!

So Luxie, I have to confess that I wore my five stone on my right hand by itself, and as much as I thought it was pretty, I really liked it more on my left hand to add to the bling factor there. And I didn't love the effect of all three rings on my left hand enough to keep me from constantly thinking about a reset into a halo. In fact, I probably wouldn't wear the five stone on my right hand much at all. I loved feeling the weight of the rings on my left ring finger, and loved the blinginess of it all together. Everyone here was right. I do love major bling, and all on one finger no less. As much as love the five stone, I don't think I need it. Since I cannot afford both the five stone and a reset right now, I would choose the reset. The five stone added bling factor isn't enough to keep me from worrying about damaging my stone and wanting a reset, and doesn't keep my from wanting major finger coverage on the solitaire. This process of buying the five stone has been very interesting. I am learning that most important to me right now is to be able to wear the solitaire with peace of mind and I think a halo is the only thing that will get me there. And I am learning that although other people might prefer what I already have, it doesn't change how I feel. I might keep trying to get substitutes and other things to distract me from what I want, but it's not going to work. Strange right? Such a roundabout way of figuring out what you want. I wish I was like some of the other people on this forum, who seem to know exactly what they want and go for it.

Btw, here is a link to the other halo that I love. I actually had asked Victor for a quote on it a month ago before I started trying to distract myself.

http://www.victorcanera.com/jewelry/engagement-rings/the-donna-split-shank-halo.html

I think this will give me major finger coverage, and I LOVE the cushion cut look.

Anyway, thanks for much for sharing all your experiences and opinions with me. Everyone has been so kind and generous with their time and thoughts. All the comments in some way or other has helped me figure out what I really want.

 

[LLJsmom]

Hi Everyone,

In case you haven't read through some of these posts, I just wanted to say thank you for all your kind comments and for sharing your opinions. Each one has helped me figure out what I really want, in some way or other. I discovered that I am a ginormous blingzilla (stolen from a friend of mine), and I am learning how to accept and deal with that. I will keep you updated as to how this journey goes, and it is quite a long journey, as I am discovering. I am grateful to you all who have shared your own and where you are now. I have loved all the stories.

 

[JaneSmith]

I'm glad everyone could help you come to a decision. Please come back and show us your lovely halo when its done!
And when the time is right we'll help you get the best deal on a new big fat five stone.

 

[Luxie]

Hi Luxie,

What a coincidence that you are getting your original reset into a bezeled halo!! Can you please post pics when you are done?? Did you worry about damaging the stone during the bezel setting process? I only ask because I read some threads on people who appear to be experts and said that there was a chance of damaging the stone when bezel setting.

I really can't wait to see it!

So Luxie, I have to confess that I wore my five stone on my right hand by itself, and as much as I thought it was pretty, I really liked it more on my left hand to add to the bling factor there. And I didn't love the effect of all three rings on my left hand enough to keep me from constantly thinking about a reset into a halo. In fact, I probably wouldn't wear the five stone on my right hand much at all. I loved feeling the weight of the rings on my left ring finger, and loved the blinginess of it all together. Everyone here was right. I do love major bling, and all on one finger no less. As much as love the five stone, I don't think I need it. Since I cannot afford both the five stone and a reset right now, I would choose the reset. The five stone added bling factor isn't enough to keep me from worrying about damaging my stone and wanting a reset, and doesn't keep my from wanting major finger coverage on the solitaire. This process of buying the five stone has been very interesting. I am learning that most important to me right now is to be able to wear the solitaire with peace of mind and I think a halo is the only thing that will get me there. And I am learning that although other people might prefer what I already have, it doesn't change how I feel. I might keep trying to get substitutes and other things to distract me from what I want, but it's not going to work. Strange right? Such a roundabout way of figuring out what you want. I wish I was like some of the other people on this forum, who seem to know exactly what they want and go for it.

Btw, here is a link to the other halo that I love. I actually had asked Victor for a quote on it a month ago before I started trying to distract myself.

http://www.victorcanera.com/jewelry/engagement-rings/the-donna-split-shank-halo.html

I think this will give me major finger coverage, and I LOVE the cushion cut look.

Anyway, thanks for much for sharing all your experiences and opinions with me. Everyone has been so kind and generous with their time and thoughts. All the comments in some way or other has helped me figure out what I really want.

Hi LLJsMOM! I am in love with that VC setting! I love round stones set in cushion halos and I have a soft spot for split shanks as well. My current stone is set in a split shank and so was my last stone. I can't wait to see how it turns out if this indeed is the setting that you go with! Whether you do a bezel or a prong setting your stone will be safe because of the halo which surrounds it in my opinion!

 

[Zappy]

I say go for it! All three rings together look great. I have a mini-set like yours: 1.21 round solitaire with a 2mm spacer and a 1ctw five stone ring. Perhaps a thinner spacer would make you feel more comfortable with wearing all three rings at once. Since my size is 3.5, my spacer is actually a stainless steel toe ring from ebay! It only cost me like 7 dollars and is actually holding up really well. It has stayed shiny and reasonably scratch-free for the past year and is the perfect size to separate the two rings (my band's diamonds were chewing up my solitaire's prongs too!).

In the end, wear the rings the way that you love to see them most.

 

[motownmama]

Here's my 2 cents. I love the rings together, but visually the profile bothers me with the differing heights. I'd try to get a spacer, even custom, that protects your prongs of your ER and wear them more side by side - but, that's just me! As far as too much bling? No, I don't think so at all. I like a big handful of lefthand hardware - I think of it as a finger hug!