Opinions on going from 3 stone to 5 stone

[facetgirl]

Years ago, I had a lovely eternity band but traded it in for a 3 stone ring for a few reasons . I loved the look of the eternity, especially a fluid line of diamonds, but ultimately, between the fit and the comfort level, it wasn't for me. I also wanted bigger stones and so, I decided to trade it up for a beautiful 3 stone ring. At the time, that was my dream ring.

Fast forward a few years later, I don't wear the 3 stone. It's beautiful, but the setting is high, and overall, I'm not sure that the look of a big center diamond is really for me. I've done some research, especially here on Pricescope, and am really drawn to a low profile 5 stone ring.

My jeweler will take the full trade in of my 3 stone if I want to switch. The 5 stone would consist of .40 stones, so it would a little over 2ctw. My 3 stone is a 1.5 ct center surrounded by .45 side stones (each). The color, cut and clarity of the stones in the 5 stone would be higher than my current stones.

The jeweler is asking if I really want to do this, given the size of the center stone in my current ring, really from the perspective that I'd be going from a larger stone to smaller stones, and that I may regret that down the line. That didn't faze me until she mentioned it, and I'm not sure that it matters to me.

Do you think I'd regret trading in a 1.5 ct stone for a 5 stone ring? Has anyone done this and if so, are you happy with that decision?

Any input you could offer would be great. Thanks !

 

[CharmyPoo]

I love a big center stone as an e-ring and wouldn't trade it. I also love my 5 stone band. Can you keep your ring and get a 5 stone as a rhr? Or how about a slightly more elaborate 5 stone? I can't get my mind off a 5 stone asscher Steven Kirsch showed me. I will try to get photos for you.

 

[facetgirl]

Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to get the size stones I want in a 5 stone and keep my current center stone. Even if I could though, knowing me, if I kept the center stone, I probably wouldn't wear it. (My 3 stone serves as my all in one ring btw) I rarely wear more than one ring. I think my choices right now are to do nothing, trade in my ring for the 5 stone, or keep the center stone and reset it in such a way that I wouldn't need a band (maybe a halo).

My taste changes every so years- lol I am starting to drive myself nuts! But I am a firm beleiver that you have to wear your jewelry so I really want something that is classic, that I could wear anywear, that has presence and gives me the finger coverage and bling factor I know I need as well. I guess that's why I am leaning towards the 5 stone

ETA: Thanks for responding CharmyPoo, would love to see those pictures- maybe a different style 5 stone is what I should consider

 

[nala]

I don't think I would ever trade in my 1.5 carat stone for 5 smaller stones...economically, it just doesn't sound like a fair deal.

 

[AprilBaby]

Agreed, I couldn't trade the larger ston e for the smaller ones. I think you might regret it.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

From a financial standpoint, the jeweler would be the big winner! So no, no way would I do that. I'd keep the center and make a solitaire and trade the side stones toward the 5 stone band.

 

[MissGotRocks]

From a financial standpoint, the jeweler would be the big winner! So no, no way would I do that. I'd keep the center and make a solitaire and trade the side stones toward the 5 stone band.

Big ditto to this! I have a three stone ering and a five stone band. I love them both but my ering with the larger center stone would always be my keeper ring.

 

[nala]

I don't understand why you think your 3 stone doesn't give you enough finger coverage, or isn't classic...2 reasons you give for wanting a replacement. Could you just reset it to look look lower, so it doesn't seem too high?

 

[facetgirl]

Thanks everyone, you've given me a lot to think about!

I guess that as I've gotten older, I really just want to wear a band and on my hand, my current ring looks more like an engagement ring that a wedding band. The fact that its set so high makes it impractical to wear most days. I am also looking at getting full trade in value, so I wouldn't be losing anything (I've priced 5 stone rings over the past few weeks and what I'd get for my 3 stone is in line with what I'd pay for a 5 stone across other jewelers in my area).

The other thing that is influencing me is that my 1.5 is a very good cut/H/SI and while beautiful, I would be getting excellent cut/G-F/VS1 stones in the 5 stone. Should that matter though?

I do like the idea of looking at lower profile 3 stone settings and will definitely pursue that as well.

Thanks again for all of your input...

 

[nala]

I used to have a 3 stone before I got my halo, and I always felt it looked more like a wedding ring than an engagement ring--so much so that I didn't wear a wedding band with it.

 

[Laila619]

I used to have a 3 stone before I got my halo, and I always felt it looked more like a wedding ring than an engagement ring--so much so that I didn't wear a wedding band with it.

Me too; I almost never wear a band with my 3 stone. It looks "band-ish" to me.

 

[MissGotRocks]

From another thread you had, the center stone is 1.5 and the sidestones .35. I can see why these proportions wouldn't look like a band - sounds much more like an ering to me.

Do you have pictures of this ring? I'd love to see it!

 

[yssie]

From another thread you had, the center stone is 1.5 and the sidestones .35. I can see why these proportions wouldn't look like a band - sounds much more like an ering to me.

Do you have pictures of this ring? I'd love to see it!

Ditto - actually my favourite sorts of proportions for an RB threestone but it would look engagementy to me, too. What do you think about a graduated fivestone with a pair of .75s in between? I turned my threestone into a fivestone and it does look a bit more "married"/"anniversary" somehow, a bit less "center with sides". Still very different from a band w/ equally sized stones though.

 

[swingirl]

I would do something like this as a 5 or 7 stone and use your large stone.

 

[facetgirl]

Hi Miss Got Rocks- I'll try to grab a picture with my phone in a bit and post it.

Yssie & swingirl- I have been thinking about a graduated 5 stone or 7 stone as well !! I spent the morning pouring through threads and came across a number of beauties here on Pricescope (yours included Yssie). Oddly enough, I really think I've moved away from wanting a big stone and am now more drawn to the look of stones of the same size all in a fluid line. Maybe I should also explore getting bigger side stones....

I think I need to talk to my jeweler again and discuss all of my options. Ah, decisions, decisions

In the meantime, thanks for your input!

 

[packrat]

I had a graduated five stone and it wasn't for me. Maybe if the stones had been bigger in general it would've been better for me. Then I had a three stone where the stones were almost exactly the same size and I liked it a whole lot better. Then I traded in the center for one slightly larger than the sides and that is perfect. I like the proportions better when the center is a little bigger, but not a lot. Mine sits really low to the finger also.

 

[CharmyPoo]

This ring is very different but it was amazing in real life. The photos really don't do it justice. The little U-scopes are pave covered too. I loved it.

 

[facetgirl]

I think my jaw just dropped.... that is beautiful!!!

 

[facetgirl]

CharmyPoo- how big do you think the asschers are in that ring? Thanks for posting it btw!

 

[CharmyPoo]

Obviously I remembered wrong and it is a 7 stone versus 5.

This is the matching ring he made. It is really beautiful but I honestly felt the setting was more beautiful than the center diamond.

 

[packrat]

oh my word..that band is out of this world gorgeous! I'd take that over the matching ring any day. mmmm..

 

[woofmama]

Wow Charmypoo-that is beautiful! It just moved to the top of my dream ring list

Edited to add- I would like the ering more with an asscher or EC as the main stone. Looks like a round? If it were mine I would go stepcut for sure. Both rings are a work of art!

 

[Owies Nana]

This ring is very different but it was amazing in real life. The photos really don't do it justice. The little U-scopes are pave covered too. I loved it.

Who made it...and where did you see it?! It's gorgeous! :

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Okay, I am seeing GIA very good cut, 1.5 cts., H SI1 diamonds from $10-12k at the lowest priced vendors. Then add 2 .35's at about $600 each, and you have around $13k in diamond value for your current ring.

.40 stones at F-G VS1 (are these individually certified GIA excellent cut stones???) run around $1000-1200 each, so you are looking at $5-6k for the diamonds for the 5 stone band. And for that matter, you certainly could have this ring made with all G VS2's and it would be extremely nice quality and cost even less!

Do you see why this is extremely detrimental to you and a real bonus for the jeweler???? Your current ring is worth twice as much as the 5 stone band you are proposing! It is not a fair deal to you AT ALL! Obviously you can't sell your ring at retail prices, but I would let the jeweler know that the deal is not fair and you need more in exchange for the 3 diamonds in your current ring. And make sure he is using graded stones in the 5 stone band so you know what you are getting!

 

[CharmyPoo]

The ring and band was made by Steven Kirsch.