Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2mm)!

[dogmama]

I need to decide if I want a very thin (1.5mm) shank or just thin (2mm) for a stone that's 2.8 carats. I love the look of thin metal and want to see if those who do have that type of rock and shank have been happy with it and haven't had any structural problems.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[ame]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

I would personally go with 2mm, simply for strength purposes. 1.5mm wide is likely going to have to be a taller/thicker band and sit up tall off the finger to have enough durability to be wearable.

 

[yssie]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

I need to decide if I want a very thin (1.5mm) shank or just thin (2mm) for a stone that's 2.8 carats. I love the look of thin metal and want to see if those who do have that type of rock and shank have been happy with it and haven't had any structural problems.

Thanks in advance!!!

I would absolutely NOT do a sub-2mm shank, especially if you choose the softer platinum and Swiss cheese it with pave. Unless you plan to wear it once in a blue moon, perhaps.

This How Thin Can You Go trend is getting utterly ridiculous, in my not-so-humble opinion. Any round metal wire - cast or hand-forged or dropped straight from the heavens - will be stronger if there's more of it, and will withstand the pressures of daily wear if there's more of it spread horizontally across your finger. If you want the aesthetic of a thin band try a knife edge - they "look" thinner, but there's plenty of metal hiding in the design.

 

[dogmama]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

I need to decide if I want a very thin (1.5mm) shank or just thin (2mm) for a stone that's 2.8 carats. I love the look of thin metal and want to see if those who do have that type of rock and shank have been happy with it and haven't had any structural problems.

Thanks in advance!!!

I would absolutely NOT do a sub-2mm shank, especially if you choose the softer platinum and Swiss cheese it with pave. Unless you plan to wear it once in a blue moon, perhaps.

This How Thin Can You Go trend is getting utterly ridiculous, in my not-so-humble opinion. Any round metal wire - cast or hand-forged or dropped straight from the heavens - will be stronger if there's more of it, and will withstand the pressures of daily wear if there's more of it spread horizontally across your finger. If you want the aesthetic of a thin band try a knife edge - they "look" thinner, but there's plenty of metal hiding in the design.

Hey Yssie! We seem to be meeting a lot in the forums. I'm definitely NOT going for any pave. Just pure platinum (I finally made up my mind!). I have a 2mm band already but I didn't think it was that much of a difference if I went 0.2mm thinner. I definitely would be too scare out of my wits to do a 1.7mm, 1.8 was as thin as I would ever push it!

 

[gemgirl]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

2mm is about as thin as I would go for that size stone. That's pretty big. Honey, how many upgrades did you get? Didn't you have a one carat or a little over when you got engaged? More power to you!

 

[Haven]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

I have a ridiculously thin shank with a large-ish stone. I didn't ask for a particular width, so I was admittedly very surprised when I saw how thin it was. It's a hand-forged 18K rose gold ring.

Shank: 1.55 mm
Stone: 2.30 ct, 8.10 x 7.92 x 4.96 mm

I've only been wearing it for four and a half months, so I can't speak for the durability issue over the long term. However, it hasn't gone out of round or anything yet. My original e-ring was a thicker shank but it was an eternity band with 5 pointers, and that ring went out of round constantly. I'm really happy it's staying perfectly round because I hated the way my original e-ring went out of round.

Anyway, I agree with everyone else that it's a bad idea to go too thin. I love love love my ring, but I do worry about durability issues. I'm thrilled that it's stayed strong and perfect thus far, but I'll update everyone on PS if anything happens to it because it's so thin.

Here it is:

 

[that_someone_special]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

This is a picture I've already posted.. but...

3.18 ct with about a 1.7-1.8mm band.

It makes the diamond look huge. And excuse the puffy fingers. They did not size the ring correctly and it was a bit tight!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

This is a picture I've already posted.. but...

3.18 ct with about a 1.7-1.8mm band.

It makes the diamond look huge. And excuse the puffy fingers. They did not size the ring correctly and it was a bit tight!

Your diamond is HUGE Bean! Got any side profile pics of your ring? Would love to see them!!

 

[ame]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

Holy crap! That thing is huge! What is your ring size, if you don't mind my asking!

I need to post a few pics on here. I am trying to hold out til the new band arrives...

 

[that_someone_special]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

7.25 is my normal size.. but I think they made it a 6.5. I have lost a bit of weight since then so it's a little looser but a 7 would be way better. My hands have not swelled as much as they used to! I guess my fingers are making way for the ring (haha )

Here is a side pic. It's a temp ring (my ring sagaaaaa) but I am enjoying it right now. It's very durable!
It's 14k wg and has not been bent out of shape or out of round. Personally, I wouldn't go thinner than this.

I think this pic is from last spring...

eta: I swear my rings don't usually look so tight! Looks way worse up close.

 

[that_someone_special]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

This is a picture I've already posted.. but...

3.18 ct with about a 1.7-1.8mm band.

It makes the diamond look huge. And excuse the puffy fingers. They did not size the ring correctly and it was a bit tight!

Your diamond is HUGE Bean! Got any side profile pics of your ring? Would love to see them!!

I think our rings were very similar in the past! Mine use to be a 3 stone...

.72 - 3.18 - .74

2.3-2.8mm shank I believe .

When I switched it to a solitaire from a 3 stone, the center looked HUGE and the thinner band only helps that.

OP, are you thinking of side stones at all?

Here was my mock-up with a hair binder around it to "look like" a solitaire before it was one.

 

[dogmama]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

2mm is about as thin as I would go for that size stone. That's pretty big. Honey, how many upgrades did you get? Didn't you have a one carat or a little over when you got engaged? More power to you!

Hey! LOL. Actually I went through a 2 settings, one b/c of porosity issues. I haven't ever upgraded my diamond. This is my first and last upgrade. I finally found my forever rock!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

This is a picture I've already posted.. but...

3.18 ct with about a 1.7-1.8mm band.

It makes the diamond look huge. And excuse the puffy fingers. They did not size the ring correctly and it was a bit tight!

Your diamond is HUGE Bean! Got any side profile pics of your ring? Would love to see them!!

I think our rings were very similar in the past! Mine use to be a 3 stone...

.72 - 3.18 - .74

2.3-2.8mm shank I believe .

When I switched it to a solitaire from a 3 stone, the center looked HUGE and the thinner band only helps that.

OP, are you thinking of side stones at all?

Here was my mock-up with a hair binder around it to "look like" a solitaire before it was one.

The side pic is great - I remember your mock up - great idea! The stone really does look bigger in a solitaire setting. You were a brave girl to take it apart! I'd love to be able to try that and then put it back if I didn't like it!

 

[Phoenix]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

I personally prefer smaller shanks/ bands. Two of my erings have bands less than 2mm. One is a 3.02ct RB and I know the band is less than 2mm though I can't remember the exact width. It's made by a local jeweller and admittedly I've not been wearing it very often but so far no issue.

The other is a 3.50ct pear, setting made by Leon Mege. I wish I could find out which of his benchmen did this cos I've been wearing this ring almost every day for the last 2.5 years and not a thing has happened to it. The band is super super delicate and I'm guessing it's abt 1.8mm but am not sure.

 

[dogmama]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

Haven, Bean and Phoenix, thank you for the visuals!! Gorgeous rings ladies!!!

 

[Snooper]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

Here's my ER (old pic), the band is 1.7-1.8mm Leon, and I've had it for 7 years? Never bent out of shape.

Edit: 3.10 center, size 7 for reference.

 

[ame]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

7.25 is my normal size.. but I think they made it a 6.5. I have lost a bit of weight since then so it's a little looser but a 7 would be way better. My hands have not swelled as much as they used to! I guess my fingers are making way for the ring (haha )

Here is a side pic. It's a temp ring (my ring sagaaaaa) but I am enjoying it right now. It's very durable!
It's 14k wg and has not been bent out of shape or out of round. Personally, I wouldn't go thinner than this.

I think this pic is from last spring...

eta: I swear my rings don't usually look so tight! Looks way worse up close.

WOWSA. I love that band with it.

I hope you get a final setting/reset worked out--one that fits you comfortably!!!--very soon. I had a rough year with my reset.

 

[dogmama]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

Here's my ER (old pic), the band is 1.7-1.8mm Leon, and I've had it for 7 years? Never bent out of shape.

Edit: 3.10 center, size 7 for reference.

That is so good to hear!! I'm a ring size 4.5 though so it might be a different story with the weight if the 2.8. Food for thought I suppose!

Ladies, please keep the pictures and experiences coming. I truly appreciate it. I need all the help I can get as this will be the las setting I'm ever getting. : )

 

[Amys Bling]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

Here's my ER (old pic), the band is 1.7-1.8mm Leon, and I've had it for 7 years? Never bent out of shape.

Edit: 3.10 center, size 7 for reference.

I'm usually not a fan of princess cuts- but your set is to die for!!

 

[centralsquare]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

The eye candy in this thread is amazing!

 

[backwardsandinheels]

Re: Show me big rocks (2.5+ carats) and small shanks (1.5-2m

Dang Haven I never get tired of looking at your ring. A beauty!