Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please!!

[Ms_P]

Hi everyone! I'm a 1st time poster, long-time reader. Pretty much everything I know about diamonds/engagement rings/etc. is all thanks to you wonderful and knowledgeable Pricescope people!!

Anyway, onto my actual topic.. I apologize ahead of time if it's way too long or too boring to read:

My BF of 8 years proposed 2 years ago with an heirloom diamond ring passed down from his grandmother as a placeholder ring. It was great, but a really old, antique, vintage style that just wasn't me (so I never wore it). After the past 2 years of it sitting in a sock drawer, we finally decided to get a custom engagement ring made based on a design that I've been fawning over for so long: A solitaire diamond engagement ring set in a "twisted" shank.

I wanted something like the Hearts On Fire "Simply Bridal Twist" (http://www.bcclark.com/sites/default/files/HOF25_SimTwR_1.jpg) & their "Timeless Solitaire" (http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/0c/8b/58/0c8b582b0a260acfbd62ee4738dc327c.jpg) combined.

So we got the ring custom made, I've been wearing it for a little over a week, and I'm now noticing things about it that I wish I could change!

● I feel like the basket shows too much metal on either side of the diamond. I wish it was hidden more underneath the diamond like it is in all other pictures I ever see of solitaire engagement rings!
● The shank doesn't look as twisted as I would like it to. They don't really look like they're overlapping/crossing over each other. I didn't want my ring to look just like any regular split shank design!
● I realized just recently that I prefer 6 prongs over 4 because I like the way it makes the diamond look more round (like a little snowball, if that makes any sense). The 4 prongs on my diamond make it look square-ish, which I really don't like.

I emailed the jeweller about my reservations today and he said that they can't make any changes now that the ring is all done..

Please give me your opinions and tell me what you think! My fiancé says I'm just being my super nitpicky, perfectionist self, that I'll never be happy no matter what (he knows me so well haha), and that I'm just imagining it all. Am I being silly?!

Some specs on the ring: The diamond is 2.1 carat round brilliant, M color. The shank is 19K white gold. There are also 2 smaller diamonds (from the original heirloom as well) bezel set under the solitaire as "surprise diamonds".

 

[Ms_P]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

Another picture from the side. It doesn't look as "twisty" as I wanted it to. The 2 shanks look more like they're connected and don't really look like they're overlapping

 

[Ms_P]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

Another side shot..

 

[Ms_P]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

Last picture for the day, I swear.

It's an overhead shot showing how the base of the basket is wider than the top (I wanted it to be smaller at the base so as not to be visible from the top view).

 

[SB621]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

Umm, to be perfectly honest I agree with almost everything you say. Personally I think the ring lacks delicate lines and just looks clunky. I think the most important thing that PS has taught me is that you need to pick and interview your vendors that you use for custom projects. Did you see this jewelrys work before you signed with him? Did you ask what his policey was for returns/ refunds if you didn't like it?

It sounds like the jewelry has already washed his hands of you. For me personally, since this is my ering I would sell it or possible trade in the metal in and have a competent jeweler remake the setting to my liking. I would not keep it as is at all. If you are on a budget I would go to WF or ERD.

 

[motownmama]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

It may not be what you envisioned (it obviously is't what you envisioned), but I think it's a really cool looking ring. It really has presence on your hand. I think it's very striking. If vintage wasn't your 'thing" I definitely feel this one has a contemporary yet classic feel.

 

[Maisie]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

Brian Gavin sells a crossover setting. Is that similar to how you wanted your ring to turn out?

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/crossed-solitaire-18k-white-gold-5506w18

I'm sure there are other vendors with a similar design. Maybe you could buy one already made instead of going custom again if you really dorm like the one you have.

 

[sarahb]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

I'd have to agree with SB621 as well, recognizing the points you made. I am not a design guru, but I can 'see' what you are talking about. The most noticeable thing to my eye is the 4 vs 6 prong aspect, that would help round out your stone.

Were you able to see a CAD prior to production? If so, can you post those pictures?

You are not being silly, at all. YOU have to be happy first of all, as you are the one wearing it.

Fortunately it's not that bad of a situation, it's just a re-make of the setting! It's not a tough 'fix' at all--your cup is half full!! Try to see what options you have to do so, & see which are the most workable to you both, best of luck!
sarahb

 

[marymm]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

OP - I really like your ring - and IMHO it looks very similar to the 1st inspiration ring you posted - and I wonder if some of the differences you are noting may be due to the larger size of your center stone and the surprise diamonds.

Certainly deciding after the fact you would prefer 6 prongs over the 4 prongs you ordered is irrelevant in terms of whether the jeweler correctly interpreted your original design (unless you are willing to pay for a new iteration).

Hopefully you have a written receipt and/or order invoice which sets forth not only the original design but also the vendor's return policy - I believe a majority of vendors do not accept returns of custom items (barring manufacturing defects or outright errors in production) but most will make a valid effort to work with an unhappy customer within reason.

 

[Ms_P]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

It sounds like the jewelry has already washed his hands of you. For me personally, since this is my ering I would sell it or possible trade in the metal in and have a competent jeweler remake the setting to my liking.

Selling the ring (minus the diamonds, which is absolutely not an option) and getting it remade would run our budget into the ground even moreso than it already is. We're on such a tight budget for the wedding (my fiancé and I are students now that I just recently went back to school to get another degree). I already felt so sick with guilt telling him the other night that I was finding things about the ring I didn't like, since we spent so much time and money getting what I wanted.

It may not be what you envisioned (it obviously is't what you envisioned), but I think it's a really cool looking ring. It really has presence on your hand. I think it's very striking. If vintage wasn't your 'thing" I definitely feel this one has a contemporary yet classic feel.

Thanks motownmama, I'm glad it's not an eyesore, which I'm not saying it is.. I really like the ring (minus my issues with it) and am still proud to wear it finally after 2 years of being engaged and not having any physical symbol to show it!

Brian Gavin sells a crossover setting. Is that similar to how you wanted your ring to turn out?

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/crossed-solitaire-18k-white-gold-5506w18

Not really.. In all honesty I didn't want the shanks separated at all because I was afraid of it just looking like another split shank ring but eventually went with it (don't know why now that I think of it)!

Were you able to see a CAD prior to production? If so, can you post those pictures?

They weren't able to show me a CAD but gave me a little wax 3D model of the ring. I'll post pictures later today! My issue with the wax was that I couldn't really envision exactly what the final result would look like, especially because the wax model didn't have the diamond in it and I couldn't wear it on my finger.. So I never really saw what I didn't like about the ring at certain angles.

OP - I really like your ring - and IMHO it looks very similar to the 1st inspiration ring you posted - and I wonder if some of the differences you are noting may be due to the larger size of your center stone and the surprise diamonds.

Certainly deciding after the fact you would prefer 6 prongs over the 4 prongs you ordered is irrelevant in terms of whether the jeweler correctly interpreted your original design (unless you are willing to pay for a new iteration).

Hopefully you have a written receipt and/or order invoice which sets forth not only the original design but also the vendor's return policy - I believe a majority of vendors do not accept returns of custom items (barring manufacturing defects or outright errors in production) but most will make a valid effort to work with an unhappy customer within reason.

Thanks marymm! I do think the stone size plays a big role (the ones in the Hearts on Fire pictures are under 1 carat I believe, whereas mine is a 2.1 carat that is actually shallow cut to look about 2.5ish). I also totally understand they wouldn't want to help me change to a 6 prong since that whole deal is me realizing AFTER designing the ring that I actually wanted 6 instead of 4.

It seems as though I'm out of luck for now until maybe one day in the future I decide to create a whole new setting.

 

[Bonfire]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

Your ring does not look that far "off" from the Hearts On Fire rings you were modeling after from what I can see.
Custom is tricky, but as far as changing from 4 prong to 6, it's too late. That type of twisting or bending shank where it comes to meet the stone really looks best as a 4 prong in my opinion. Your stone looks incredible! Maybe it's not all that you were envisioning but it's still an amazing ring!! Go back and talk to your jeweler, maybe there is some "tweeking" they can do.

 

[Ms_P]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

Thanks Bonfire! The jeweller can't help at this point, which I totally understand, unless I paid for a whole new ring which really isn't an option.

I guess for now I'll just need to learn to get over the issues I have with the little things and just learn to love the ring as is and not be so nitpicky about it.

At this point, I'd just like to know what you all think of the ring as it is, barring all my complaints about the little details? It really is a great ring, so I don't want to complain too much!! I guess I just need others to help reinforce the idea that it's a great looking ring to override my own reservations about it haha

 

[motownmama]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

When you wear your ring aren't you getting compliments from your friends/associates? I would think you would. It's big and gorgeous and not your typical solitaire, which some people may be tired of seeing. It certainly looks nice on your hand.

 

[luv2sparkle]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

I think your ring is gorgeous but I can understand what you mean on all your points. I like that the four prongs gives a round stone a more cushion shaped look but that's just me. I think it is beautiful but you have to be happy with it, and that is not about being 'picky'. You are the one who will wear it and look at it every day. You need to love it.

 

[Bonfire]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

Thanks Bonfire! The jeweller can't help at this point, which I totally understand, unless I paid for a whole new ring which really isn't an option.

I guess for now I'll just need to learn to get over the issues I have with the little things and just learn to love the ring as is and not be so nitpicky about it.

At this point, I'd just like to know what you all think of the ring as it is, barring all my complaints about the little details? It really is a great ring, so I don't want to complain too much!! I guess I just need others to help reinforce the idea that it's a great looking ring to override my own reservations about it haha

So Let me just say, holy moly girl! You are a very lucky girl to have that ring. I started married life with a half carat because that's what my DH could afford at the time. Your ring blows 95% of first time e-rings out of the water! I think PS breeds insecurity to some extent. Like the grass is always greener...you have a one of a kind and it's beautiful!!

 

[junebug17]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

Ms P, I'm with Bonfire on this one - I think your ring is beautiful! If I saw you wearing your ring IRL I would be impressed. A lot of people would love to start married life with a ring like this - I was engaged with a .33 and wore it for many years! Yeah, there are a few things that bug you a little, but I'm sure nobody else notices them and I think as time goes by you will get used to them - I'd make an effort to focus on the positives of your ring. The profile is so pretty, the diamond is large and the ring looks beautiful on your hand! A lot of people here on PS will admit to being perfectionists, and there's nothing wrong with that - but sometimes there are circumstances, such as being young and just starting out and having to be careful with finances - that make it necessary to overlook a few perceived minor flaws and focus on the positives of a piece. I would be honest with you if I saw major, glaring issues with your ring and I just don't.

I know some on PS will probably disagree with me, but you've already shared that finances are such that right now re-doing or resetting isn't really an option, so I would just wear and enjoy the ring - you can always reset down the road for an anniversary.

 

[Ms_P]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

Thank you all for your positive words! I guess I just haven't worn my ring out enough to have people compliment it.. Friends and family never really said anything beyond "it's nice", so I think maybe the lack of reassurance got me down about it and made me feel a little insecure.

That's why I turned to PS because I knew I'd get more than the "it's nice" comments.. I'm feeling so much better about it now!

 

[AprilBaby]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

It might not be "right" but it certainly is beautiful!

 

[Tekate]

Re: Reservations About Custom ERing.. Second Opinions Please

I like your ring very much... the band may be a bit thicker but it's unusual and the stone is lovely.. I find it very unique.. sorry you are not thrilled.. I have had custom rings made and most times I just don't like the ring after a bit, custom shows little nuances etc.. I really suggest if you still can't live with it and it bugs you to try and find a 'stock' setting.. one mass made say that you can see fully before buying.. God knows I've been trying for 27 years to get a setting for my stone I truly love best of luck, congrats on your happiness in life.. and again, love your ring!