Solitaire or Diamond band?

[chrono]

My mom misplaced most of her treasured jewellery during a move recently. What hurt the most is that these are heirloom items so even though I can''t replace that sentimental value, I''d like to do something special for her. I can''t decide whether to get her a diamond ring or a diamond band. No eternity rings though. I was thinking a small J SI2 stone (to replace my late grandmother''s gift to her) or a RHR style diamond ring (to replace what my dad gave her). She doesn''t have any more diamond jewellery since everything was lost. Which one would you prefer and why? I have a very lean budget since my family doesn''t go for a lot of bling. Even though my mom is bling crazy, she is a very traditional and practical woman. I''m thinking no more than $500 total.

 

[dani13]

I vote for the diamond band. What a nice thing to do for your mom, Chrono!!!!

 

[Allison D.]

I love the band idea, but I suspect it will be nearly double your stated budget range.

The 30-pointer J stone is a marvelous option and will fall within your $$. I think it''s a lovely choice!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Does she still have her wedding rings? That makes a difference as to what I would choose.

 

[Cachette]

How thoughtful of you Chrono.

I voted for a 7 stone band.

Cachette

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I vote for a band...what a lovely thing to do for your mom!

 

[Shay37]

Yup, I love the band idea too.

shay

 

[chrono]

Yes, she still has her wedding ring.

 

[vslover]

I voted for the J solitaire to replace your grandmother''s ring...there''s something nice about it coming from another woman in the family and it can be an heirloom someday. Your dad can replace his RHR gift to her

 

[ayala_jessica]

I voted for the band. However, whatever you choose, your gift will be wonderful and very special because it comes from such a sweet and thoughtful daughter like you

 

[mrssalvo]

I voted for the band too.

 

[Kaleigh]

Another vote here for the band. Chrono I am so sorry her jewelry was lost. What you are doing for her is so very thoughtful.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I voted fun RHR mostly because it seems more appropriate of a gift from a daughter to mothers. A solitaire always seems to me as an eng. ring or gift to one''s self.

Whatever you chose, I think it''s wonderfully sweet that you''re giving a ring to your mom.

 

[DiamanteBlu]

I would go with the band, too. What a lovely gift!

 

[snlee]

I voted for the band too. What a thoughtful gift for your mom!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 2/8/2008 6:12:11 PM
Author: MC
I voted fun RHR mostly because it seems more appropriate of a gift from a daughter to mothers. A solitaire always seems to me as an eng. ring or gift to one''s self.

Whatever you chose, I think it''s wonderfully sweet that you''re giving a ring to your mom.

Ditto. As much as I like a 7 stone band, I see that as a wedding band or anniversary ring for the left hand.

 

[Sparkalicious]

I voted for the band! Great idea, Chrono. So thoughtful of you. I''m sure whatever you decide, she will love it and truly appreciate the gesture!

 

[Deelight]

Hrmmm The band would be lovely but I think the solitaire would be as well either on really

 

[chrono]

Thank you all for your opinions. I''m not sure what to do now...My mom distributed almost all her jewellery to her children (me included). She gave away even her wedding bands (to me)! I feel so incredibly sad because she said she wanted to give them away now while she is still living.

I received unbelieveable pieces that was handed down from my great grandmother. I''m not sure what I should do... I still want to give her something but just thinking about it makes me so depressed. I can''t believe she''s giving away her treasured heirlooms so early.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

That is so sweet! I can understand how you feel, but allow her the joy of being able to give it and see you appreciate it rather than waiting until she is gone! I really do not understand not keeping her wedding bands, though, if she is still married.

In light of this, I am not sure I would give her a jewelry gift. It sounds like she enjoys giving it away more than she enjoys the jewelry herself. Is there anything else she really loves like gardening or travel, etc. that you could do for her instead?

 

[chrono]

The wedding bands do not fit anymore so they stopped wearing them a while back. The reason my mother is distributing the hierlooms now is because she lost a good 50% as I mentioned earlier. This made her very sad and since then, she stopped wearing most of her jewellery. She also lost the diamond pendant and concave cut peridot ring I gave her. I''m not sure if gifting her with new jewellery will make her happy (she loves bling) or just make her think back to that loss.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Maybe some time will help ease the sadness. I think I''d just wait awhile...like maybe next year.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Another thought, though, Can you speak to your Dad about getting her a new wedding ring or anniversary ring for her? That is the one piece of jewelry I would always want to be able to wear. You could pick it out for him if he wanted.

 

[sera]

I didn''t vote because I can''t decide.

Like was mentioned, a RHR from a daughter seems most appropriate, but a daughter "replacing" a gift her grandmother gave her mom is sweet. I would leave it to your dad to replace what he got her.

My mom lost a huge Tanzanite, my dad got her another. It doesn''t "replace" the one she lost as she still is upset over losing it, but she does love the new one and is glad to have it.

If you''re worried about reminding her of her loss, what about not trying to replace something and get something a little different? Or something that combines certain elements of the pieces she lost (Yanno... like a J color solitaire pendant or a peridot 7-stone?)

 

[chrono]

Thank you all. I''ve decided to gift her a sapphire ring for her birthday later in the year. Nothing can replace the beautiful sapphire my grandfather gave her (ala Diana''s e-ring with a halo of diamonds) but maybe it''ll cheer her up a little.

 

[cutes814]

chrono, it''s so thoughtful of you to do that for your mom. i''m so sorry to hear she lost her jewelry. i would be so sad if that were to happen to me. even though jewelry is just a materialistic item, it holds so much memory, value and meaning, espescially since hers were heirloom pieces!

the sapphire ring sounds like a splendid idea! i voted for the solitaire in case you were wondering. i thought it would be fun to get that 0.30ct in a fun setting, like tension, or half bezel or something "different" like that.