Seriously Style-Impaired Solitaire Owner Seeks Help Finding New Wedding Band

[natasha-cupcake]

I recently purchased a CBI from HP Diamonds that I absolutely love. My SMTB thread is here:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-cbi-from-hp-diamonds.238445/
My old wedding band doesn’t work at all with my new ring, so I need to replace it. I need help and know that this is the place to find it. I’m horribly indecisive and I also don’t have a clue how to put things together (I usually resort to asking my 18 year old twin daughters to help dress me for important occasions). My style is sort of casual, but I also like nice things and high quality. I don’t like overly ornate but do like a touch of vintage, or something with flow-y lines or flower/nature elements. I also like clean modern lines, as long as they are feminine and delicate. I like bling, as long as it's subtle bling (is there even such a thing, I wonder???). In other words, style-wise, I’m all over the place. I went on a field trip to the jewelry store that my daughter works in, and I was surprised at some of the rings I ended up really liking. Here’s a few photos:



This one matches beautifully with my solitaire, is well priced and looked lovely in person. It did not say “WOW”, however. I’m not sure if that bothers me or not.




This is one I’d NEVER have thought I’d like, but it was really beautiful and looked fabulous with my solitaire. It did say “WOW”, but looks slightly more “cocktail ring” to me than wedding set.




This one definitely said “WOW” and has more of the wedding set look I think I prefer. But, it was the most expensive and the diamonds are H color I clarity. They looked gorgeous under store lights, but I don’t know if the color/clarity would be an issue in everyday lighting situations.

I also found a few options on line, but I’m hesitant because I have no idea what they’d look like in person.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/578046838/diamond-wedding-band-14k-white-gold-half

https://pristinegemstonejewelry.com...anniversary-band-or-stacking-ring-in-14k-gold

https://www.stuller.com/products/12...rm=123692&recommendationSource=SearchRedirect

https://www.stuller.com/products/12...omRAC=true&recommendationSource=SiteSearchRAC

Thoughts? Advice?

(Thanks so much, in advance!)

 

[nala]

That title!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Get WOW. WOW is workable (alone and with ER). Don't settle; get WOW.

And as for "cocktail" ring...is that negative? Seems all good to me.

cheers--Sharon

 

[Gussie]

I like the 3rd one! Does HPD sell wedding bands? I am sure they could help you find a great look and have fabulous quality. Yes, get a "wow". You and your beautiful ring deserves the best.

 

[Gussie]

If you like vintage looking, check out cvb. Her style is a unique blend of vintage/modern.

 

[natasha-cupcake]

I love CVB, Erica Winters and similar designers. Unfortunately, they're out of my price range. I'd like to keep it somewhere in the $800 to $1200 range max. Less is okay, too. All three of my children are in college at the moment, so money is tight.

 

[cflutist]

I like the 3rd one! Does HPD sell wedding bands? I am sure they could help you find a great look and have fabulous quality. Yes, get a "wow". You and your beautiful ring deserves the best.

Of course HPD sells wedding bands ...
Anything from custom like mine with a built in spacer to anything from Stuller.

 

[BeekeeperBetty]

What about something like this?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/476299282/28mm-half-set-square-bezel-box-band?ref=shop_home_active_23
It's kind of vintagey. I have the pink diamond version as my stand in wedding band right now and I just love it.

I'm style challenged just like you. I also have my teenaged daughter help me out so I don't leave the house looking stupid, lol. She has such a chic style, I wish I was more naturally sophisticated like she is.

 

[Niel]

Sounds like you’re budget conscious as the one you liked best your biggest complaint was that it was too expensive.

Nothing wrong with that at all, but might consider exploring second hand rings. What metal is your ring? What size?

If you like that double row pave look but leans slightly vintage one thing you could do is buy two rings. Mix and match the pave styles so you get that blingy look with some visual interest- which I think you might like based on your first option. Also, buying two instead of one 2-row band would allow you to wear them on either side of your ring, too- which would be like the second photo you liked. Or wear one on days you’re feeling more basic. Options.
I’d probably get one bead set more plain pave band and then one that had a bit of flair.

 

[Gussie]

There is a twist pave in 18k wg on loupetroop that you might like. I thonk its a 6.75. I can't link from my phone.

 

[natasha-cupcake]

Thanks everyone.
@cflutist--I LOVE your band. It's simply incredible... (insert sighs of admiration, tinged with a bit of jealousy here). I don't think custom is in my budget, unfortunately, but I know for certain that I'd get something spectacular from my HP Diamond BFF's, if I went that route.

@BeekeeperBetty-- I like that ring. It's pretty. I'm feeling more insecure about purchasing internet bands unless there's a strong return policy. I found some rings (that I first saw on the internet) in a few B&M stores. I'm a little surprised by the fact that they looked so different when paired with my solitaire in real life, compared to what I thought they'd look like. I don't want to be limited by what I can find in B&M stores, but I feel less confident of finding something virtually. Still, I like the rectangular straight repeat pattern, so I'm adding this ring to my list.

@ceg--Thank you. I'll try and do a search to find the twist pave.

@Neil--Getting two pave bands is a great idea. I like options, and I think even I could figure out how to switch up the look. To answer your questions, my ring is 14K white gold and my ring size is an 8 (really a 7.5, but I need an 8 to get past my giant ape-like knuckles!!)

I need to stew with all of this for a while. Any other suggestions or critiques are welcome. I do agree that I should not settle for something that doesn't "WOW" me. So thanks for that little nugget of clarity, @canuk-gal and @ceg.

 

[Niel]

What do ou want to spend in total for your band - or bands?

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Great project to save for! No urgency, right?

Enjoy your CBI. Great ring!!

cheers--Sharon

 

[Octo2005]

These don't have diamonds as is, but I am sure you could ask David to add a few stones here and there if you wanted more bling. They certainly have that flowery/nature feel.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/593680459/14k-solid-white-gold-stackable-band?ref=shop_home_active_3

https://www.etsy.com/listing/571754506/14k-solid-gold-flower-eternity-band?ref=shop_home_active_52

 

[natasha-cupcake]

My budget is $800 to $1200 max.

Those flower-y rings are very pretty!

 

[Octo2005]

My budget is $800 to $1200 max.

Those flower-y rings are very pretty!

He does some really great work. Both are listed for under $600. not sure how much extra if you wanted to add a little bling, but it wouldn't hurt to ask if one of these settings appeal to you.

 

[JmeeMrie]

I like the third one!

 

[ac117]

LOVE the DK flower eternity!! @ILikeShiny just got it in RG and it's beautiful. Maybe you could ask if he could add tiny little diamond in the center of each rose for a touch of bling? Either way, would be really pretty!!

 

[BlingDreams]

LOVE the DK flower eternity!! @ILikeShiny just got it in RG and it's beautiful. Maybe you could ask if he could add tiny little diamond in the center of each rose for a touch of bling? Either way, would be really pretty!!

Thanks @ac117 . OP, my ring is very pretty and delicate and would probably look delicately romantic with your ring. It's not "blingy" though. Perhaps he could make you this band:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/573706...old-pyramind-band-with?ref=shop_home_active_2

But instead of the pyramids he could do roses? I'm sure he'd be up for discussing it!

 

[diamondringlover]

here is the twist band.....I really like it....
https://loupetroop.com/listings/bands/18kt-white-gold-diamond-twist-band

 

[BlingDreams]

Oh, one thing when considering your choices, if you don't do a full eternity then you'll likely see plain metal quite often. As long as you're okay with that there's no worry, but I mention it because it does bug a lot of people.

 

[Octo2005]

Can't wait to see your new set when you make a decision, please come back and share photos!

 

[natasha-cupcake]

I'm still mulling over options, but I will definitely share a few pictures when I can. Thank you so much to everyone. There were so many helpful suggestions here.

 

[natasha-cupcake]

I finally made a decision. I really liked the double pave band in my first post, but didn't like the price or the melee stone quality. I ended up going to a local jewel with a great reputation and they had a strikingly similar band. This band has very delicate milgrain that gives it a little touch of vintage and is a better quality than the first one I saw. It has F/G VS1-2 diamonds instead of H with I clarity ones, and has a more substantial band. It was also lower priced. And best of all, he was able to size it immediately, so I got to walk out with my new ring. I'm very happy with it! It's hard to capture the total sparkle factor on camera, but I tried my best.

 

[Octo2005]

Very nice together. Glad that you were able to find a band that you love!

 

[mrs-b]

Nice job! Lovely set, too.

 

[Acinom]

Gorgeous!! Love the look
Enjoy wearing your sophisticated set

 

[natasha-cupcake]

Thank you everyone!

 

[HappyNewLife]

Very pretty. I’m glad you’re happy. Please pass me that donut