Solitaire ring wraps or enhancers love or hate them?

[c langston]

I was considering some form of temporary enhancer to change the feel of my new solitaire.

What are the pro''s and con''s? Is there a high quality source for these or is custom the way to go?

Do you have one that you love, please post a photo of it?

My Sis has an entire "wardrobe" for her solitaire (contemporary, w/g, y/g, color stones, extra bling for evening) although I think she is just a bit over the top about dressing up her ring *grin*. I find myself wanting to switch things up just a little too.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Connie

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/30/2010 6:36:56 AM
Author:c langston

I was considering some form of temporary enhancer to change the feel of my new solitaire.

What are the pro''s and con''s? Is there a high quality source for these or is custom the way to go?

Do you have one that you love, please post a photo of it?

My Sis has an entire ''wardrobe'' for her solitaire (contemporary, w/g, y/g, color stones, extra bling for evening) although I think she is just a bit over the top about dressing up her ring *grin*. I find myself wanting to switch things up just a little too.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Connie

Hi Connie,

I used to have an enhancer but not any longer. It was fun and gave a nice look, one thing I found was it rubbed the gold of the solitaire band I wore with it. If I were to get another, I would probably go custom.

 

[HVVS]

How large is the solitaire and what's it mounted in? The U part of the wrap often is made for a prong type Tiffany head and a diamond under 1ct. (Made for smaller diamond and/or not a boxy low mount head, in other words.) You might have to have that spanner piece replaced with something made to fit the contour of your setting, but that's not a huge problem or expense. Insert style enhancers may have to have the connector bars (whatever those are called) replaced with something longer to accommodate a thicker shank. Again, not a biggie. But just don't expect perfect fit without some modifications.

Any two rings not soldered together will have a tendency to rub against each other.

There are some "vintage" style enhancers that cover a plain Tiffany shank and give the ring a "vintage" look with sidestones. Maybe the Ann Harrington site still has some of those. I occasionally fish through eBay to see what's on there. If you look at the Stuller catalog, that will be the styles you typically find. You have to go some searching to find the antiques or the unusual.

There might be an old thread here in SMTR.

 

[HVVS]

A custom, probably an '80s guard with (as you'll notice) a transitional cut diamond in an antique mounting. This ring set was on eBay. I think the center was K color.

 

[HVVS]

some older stuff

 

[HVVS]

more older stuff

 

[tyty333]

I would probably go more with stacking rings to give my E-ring a different feel. That way you can still wear them as
RHRs and can mix/max them.

 

[Miss Sparkly]

I love them, but I also love stacking rings. To me it''s a very easy, and less expensive, way to change your look when you feel like it. I like things snug with my fingers so I choose to stack bands personally.

 

[c langston]

Thanks for your replies.

HVVS Thanks for posting the photo’s of all the different style ring enhancers/wraps.

The new ring is a 1ct, Pear, M color, SI1, set in 14K w/g, simple 6 prong tiffany style setting it should be coming in Tuesday. I admit I caught the M Color bug while lurking around here on Pricescope.

The old ring I wear is a 1.5 ct, RB, H color, SI2, set in a vintage style 6 prong 14k wg setting. It''s a bit too delicate, I tend to be kind of rough on my rings. I have been wearing stacked rings with my current....it''s a bit of a pain to take a stack of rings on and off especially since some of them are just a tad snug (my original wedding band "Jabel" tiny roses in pink and green gold all the way around, matching 25th annviersary band, two narrow mix gemstone GemLoc bands) quite a mix-match

.

I’m ready to pass the bigger stone on to our son, fingers crossed there may be an engagement coming up. It will depend on if he wants to use a family ring “WHEN” this happens.

My initial thoughts are that two small .25-.33, E, SI1 (shape undecided) stones tucked in a nice wrap would set the new M off and contrast well. I have a few colored diamonds that I already own but I don’t think they would compliment the new stone….I will have to play with color combo’s when the ring arrives.

With the plain 6 prong tiffany style setting, there seems to be some wraps/enhancers that may do the job and be more economical, but since it’s my ticket *grin* I keep thinking something custom would make me happier. The few pre-set ring wraps I have personally looked at are "nice BUT" they really don''t excite me.

Any Ideas?

Connie

 

[Lorelei]

EXCELLENT work HVVS, thanks so much for posting those!

 

[AGBF]

Date: 1/30/2010 6:36:56 AM
Author:c langston

Do you have one that you love, please post a photo of it?

Hi, Connie-

I wanted a very simple solitaire, one that looked like a diamond sparkling on an invisible band. I asked the bench jeweler who made it to think, "thread" when he thought of the width. I wanted the option of dressing the ring up, therefore, so I had him make two jackets for it. I am happy that I have choices.

AGBF

 

[lightseeker]

AGBF - very interesting idea - I like what you did!!

 

[Gleam]

I tend to think enhancers and wraps look a little dated. I prefer a more cohesive look to my rings, and any gapping of an enhancer would drive me a little nuts. Just my opinion since you asked "love or hate them." I wouldn't say I hate them, but I don't love them. Have you thought about putting a halo around your diamond instead?

I like AGFB's clever and elegant solution.

Congrats on your son's upcoming engagement!

 

[stone-cold11]

AGBF, how does the jacket work? I still cannot figure it out with just these pics. Can I request a profile shot?

Thanks

 

[AGBF]

Date: 1/31/2010 11:25:28 AM
Author: Stone-cold11

AGBF, how does the jacket work? I still cannot figure it out with just these pics. Can I request a profile shot?

I''d be glad to oblige with a photo, Stone, but right now I cannot connect my camera to the computer (no cable)*. The way the jackets work is simple: they slip in on either side of the solitaire just the way any other pair of jackets slips onto the two sides of a ring. They fit perfectly, so they do not come apart and I have no problem with them. I will be getting a cable in a few days and then will see if I can get software on this computer to work with my old videocamera (which houses my digital camera)!


*see charm bracelet threads

AGBF

 

[c langston]

ABGF

Now THAT is more what in line with what I would love to have done to this next ring.

The problem that I have with the wraps and enhancers are that they look like a “nice afterthought” which is exactly what they are.

Your ring is absolutely beautiful, when the 3 bands are together it appears to be one ring….you nave NAILED the look. Now I need to figure out how to get the look with a heavier band (as I stated earlier in this thread I’m a bit rough on my rings). The thread style band on your ring is so delicate, I won’t be able to copy your idea…….but I can be inspired by it!

Thank you so much for posting the photo’s of your ring(s) I need all the inspiration I can get.

Connie

 

[AGBF]

Date: 1/31/2010 1:55:23 PM
Author: c langston


Now I need to figure out how to get the look with a heavier band (as I stated earlier in this thread I’m a bit rough on my rings).

Actually, my ring is quite sturdy. I have at least one photograph of it from the side on Pricescope somewhere. I didn''t think of that when Stone-cold asked about the jackets, because I have no profile shots of the jackets, but I do have a profile shot of the ring itself. It is not delicate at all! (And thank you for the compliments.)

Deb/AGBF

 

[swingirl]

Not my taste. They end up making a solitare look like a cocktail ring. And for me they scream 1960''s.

 

[stone-cold11]

Thanks AGBF, I will be looking forward to seeing the profile shot. Still not sure how the jacket works though, only see the wraps in store.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

I don''t care for wraps at all, but I LOVE AGBF''s set!!! great solution!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I much prefer the idea of stacking rings to wraps.

 

[Ara Ann]

My MIL has a ring guard that is too large for her solitaire (her solitaire is overpowered by the diamonds in the ring guard and there is a large gap around the main diamond...it was made for a larger solitaire I am sure)...and it doesn''t look as nice as a diamond wedding band would, IMO...but she loves it because it looks flashy...but that''s my MIL. I also like the stackable bands idea! Much more up to date look.

 

[c langston]

Hello Gleam

I agree with everything you posted about the run of the mill wraps and enhancers. I just thought this would be the place that I could go to to educate myself about other/new souces that have made some serious progess with this......... I can't be the only one that would like to make a high quality temporary switch up.

I like halo's I'm just not sure how to get that effect on an occasional basis. I can tell you I have knocked three small diamonds out of my current ring setting, not something to boast about but certainly something that is a consideration in this next ring.

My appologies to AGBF for being a poor typist and spelling your name wrong (eek My Bad) in my last post. I still think you have found a personal and creative way to get "the look" I hope to pursue.

I agree with most everyone that current wraps and enhancers available simply miss the mark, looking like more than a "nice afterthought" than a true temporary or occaisional enhancement.

I really do appreciate everyone's honest and direct feedback to my question, many of you have similar opinions to myself. The bright point is that Deb/AGBF actually has pulled together the concept and the resulting ring(s)......so it can be done.


Having personally done the stacking ring thing, I will pass on that this time.....maybe just keep my original wedding band (after 36 years the pink and green rose detailing is almost completely gone....I just can't let that one go.)

Many thanks.....Tuesday it will be time to get busy and figure out what I require...and how to make it happen.

Connie

 

[february2003bride]

My favorite wrap ever is Woobug''s sapphire stunner that Whiteflash made! It could easily be made with diamonds instead.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-whiteflash-faux-3-stone-ering-woooooo.70670/

 

[AGBF]

Date: 1/31/2010 4:57:08 PM
Author: Stone-cold11

Thanks AGBF, I will be looking forward to seeing the profile shot. Still not sure how the jacket works though, only see the wraps in store.

Stone-

Here is a profile shot of the ring. The wraps are like two stackable eternity bands, but they are open where the solitaire would otherwise hit them, so that it can slide over them. That way the wraps/stackable bands can fit nice and close without bumping into the "large" stone in my solitaire. I have more of a custom fit with these wraps than one can have with stackable bands. I have plenty of stackable bands! Don't get me wrong! I am one of the original posters to start collecting stackables (see threads on Sheldon Speyer mini-mania). These wraps that go with my solitaire are a different animal altogether. These are part of a ring, an alternate way of wearing the ring.

Deb/AGBF

 

[stone-cold11]

AGBF, can I request a profile view of the ring with the wrap?

Thanks.

 

[AGBF]

Date: 1/31/2010 7:22:55 PM
Author: Stone-cold11

AGBF, can I request a profile view of the ring with the wrap?

Thanks.

Sure . But I have run out of "stock photos" (i.e. photos already stored on Pricescope in various threads). Now you'll have to wait for me to get my cable and my software in order. When it's in order, I'll take some photos for you .

Deb/AGBF

 

[stone-cold11]

Thanks in advance.

 

[Black Jade]

I have a wrap like Woobug''s but with diamonds. They are very small diamonds but they add some punch to my e-ring when I want to do that, and they make it look like a three stone. I like having it and being able to change the look when I want to . I wouldn''t want to change my e-ring or re-set it or solder anything to it, but I do like a different look sometimes.

Stacking rings are nice, too. Why wouldn''t you have both? It''s a different look and both can be nice. I tend not to like elaborate rings so I don''t like a lot of the 80''s style wraps, but there are other kinds.

 

[upgrade]

Personally, not a big fan of most wraps, but I think AGBF''s and Woobug''s are beautiful. Theirs are much cleaner looking than a lot of wraps though.