new ring after 12 years!!

[avpg]

Hello, my darling husband has suggested a new ring after 12 years of marriage. My original engagement ring is 1.2 round. I am torn among three options.

1. Three stone setting with it on the side and a larger center stone. I like this for sentimental reasons, representing past and keeping the stone that has started our lives.
2. Estate old european cut ring probably around 5 carats. I just love the look!
3. Cartier diamond trinity ring. Practical because I don't wear my engagement ring every day, just the wedding band because it is comfortable and I am a casual person.

I would love to hear your ideas and links to any great settings or rings.
Thanks,Anne

 

[yssie]

Hello, my darling husband has suggested a new ring after 12 years of marriage. My original engagement ring is 1.2 round. I am torn among three options.

1. Three stone setting with it on the side and a larger center stone. I like this for sentimental reasons, representing past and keeping the stone that has started our lives.
2. Estate old european cut ring probably around 5 carats. I just love the look!
3. Cartier diamond trinity ring. Practical because I don't wear my engagement ring every day, just the wedding band because it is comfortable and I am a casual person.

I would love to hear your ideas and links to any great settings or rings.
Thanks,Anne

1.
Pros - use the old stone, which is sentimental. GIGANTIC ring! If you choose a vendor with a good upgrade policy that door is open for future upgrades.
Possible cons - how big is your finger? On a smaller finger a GIGANTIC ring like this may be too much for some - especially if you already do not often wear your Ering. Would need to source a second sidestone to match your first in colour, clarity, patterning, and cut quality, and if your first was not cut specifically for "optimal" light return (which is likely, given the timeline) you would likely see a performance difference between the matching sidestones and the centrestone (if you choose to go with a well-proportioned centrestone). I say "optimal" in quotes because there are so many nuances that some prefer over others, but you will easily see the difference in brightness and coloured light output between a well-cut and poorly-cut stone.

2.
Pros - new ring, keep the old sentimental one as-is. You "love the look".
Possible cons - may take some time to find a stone you love - esp if you like higher colour stones, this will likely be quite a difficult (and possibly expensive) hunt. It's unlikely you could get rid of the stone without taking a significant loss should you change your mind/want to upgrade again in the future.

3.
Pros - practical, easily acquired and taken care of if problems arise, sounds like it will fit your lifestyle.
Cons - Will it wear well with your current Ering (would you wear them together?) IMO more importantly though, you don't "love the look", and IMO diamonds should not be bought because they're practical but because they make you melt on the inside


Sounds like you have a generous budget and diverse likes, have you tried some different styles on to see which calls to you IRL?

 

[texaskj]

Lucky you, avpg. Do you have any experience with trinity rings? People either seem to love or hate them. I don't have a Cartier, but I love to roll mine. And I agree with Yssie, if you're going to spend that kind of money, you want something that sings Puccini to you.

 

[Lula]

Congratulations on 12 years of marriage! Here are my thoughts:

1. Yssie covered this very well; my only suggestion is that you consider setting your original stone in a pendant. You could have it set in a bezel pendant setting, which would be simple and elegant and showcase a stone of that size.

2. I think this is a wonderful idea, but as others have said, you need to be comfortable with "lower" color diamonds, e.g., K, L, M. I think the color adds charm and authenticity, but it's a personal taste thing. Here are some sites that sell larger carat weight vintage rings:
http://www.langantiques.com/products/category/diamond-rings
http://jewelsbyericagrace.com/

3. This is a beautiful, classic ring design, but ditto the others who have commented on making sure that you would be comfortable wearing this on a day-to-day basis.

 

[luv2sparkle]

I would also check out "Old World Diamonds".

I am not sure I would invest in a larger carat weight ring at all if you don't like to wear your current diamond all the time.
Is there a specific reason you don't like to wear your e-ring every day? Is it uncomfortable or something that would change with
a new ring?

I agree with the others, it should make your heart sing. I am also somewhat practical, if it is going to sit in a jewelry box
most of the time, why spend the money?

 

[avpg]

Thanks for the great feedback. I love the link to Lang Estate Jewelry, the rings are stunning and they have lots of different settings. Luckily I live near SF, so I will be able to go try a few on!

To answer the questions.

1. I don't wear my current engagement ring because it isn't comfortable. The band is too wide, and it's 1/4 size too small.
2. Don't get me wrong, the Cartier trinity would make my heart sing. Cartier can do no wrong! I just wonder if a big rock will make it sing more!! I'm in my 40s and plan on having the ring for my lifetime. Also, my hands are not too dainty that a big ring will look awkward.

 

[luv2sparkle]

Then I say, go for the huge rock! Just wear it a lot! It is a virtual crime to own a beautiful stone and never wear it.

If you go for the Cartier, why not have your diamond made into something you would wear? There are lots of great ideas
here. You could get lost in all the threads.

 

[luv2sparkle]

The last time I was in SF (in July) I stopped in Langs. I was surprised to find it being such a small place. I thought their
prices were a bit high, so some research would definitely come in handy, but oh my gosh, what a candy store!