Thinking of having my 3.02ct F VS2 solitaire reset into a 3-stone ring...

[Phoenix]

As most of you know, I've been plagued with the ugly DSS practically as soon as I got my 3 carater in 2006. I've wanted to upgrade it to a 4.5-5ct stone for the longest time and have had a couple of attempts to go larger. I tried looking at lower colour and lower clarity stones, but finally I've decided to wait for something in the F-G VS1-VS2 range (it's a mind-clean issue for me). As the cost of such a stone would be quite prohibitive, I've decided to start saving up for it and expect to be able to pull the trigger around the end of next year.

In the meantime, I'm suffering from DSS like crazy (particularly now since I now have the BGD studs of 2.3ct each, which look similarly-sized to my 3ct solitaire once all the three stones are on). I've thought of halo'ing my 3 carater, but decided against it as the cost of setting the stone in that setting would be a write-off once I've upgraded to the larger stone. So, am now thinking of putting it into a 3-stone setting, something like Roppongi's (hope you don't mind, Roppongi, my posting pics of your beautiful ring here - thanks). I figure since her stones are similar in size to mine (3ct centre and 0.75ct each side) and her finger size is also similar to mine (hers is 4 compared to my 4.25-4.50), it should be ok.

Sorry, I can't seem to be able to post pic, so here's the link - Roppongi's pic is about two-thirds down:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/please-show-me-your-rings-w-3ct-centers.27384/page-8

Here's another thread posted by Roppongi herself:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/roppongis-3-stone-ring-and-eternity-band.87263/

My two side stones are both G VVS1 and one has medium blue fluor and the other strong blue fluor. They are very very white, sometimes I think they're even whiter than my F stone, but no worries there. The only concern I have is that these are cut differently, and although they're 1ct and 1.03ct, one is measured at approx 6.3mm in diameter whereas the other 6.6mm. I've asked BGD to see if they could re-cut the two stones and match them. There's a chance that they will fall below the 1ct mark after recut, but I guess I'd be ok with that (I've wanted to have them re-cut into matching stones for ages now too).

So, what do y'all think? YAY or NAY?

 

[Lorelei]

I love Roppongi''s ring and I think a 3 stone with your rock would be super!!!

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 6/30/2009 3:56:17 AM
Author: Lorelei
I love Roppongi''s ring and I think a 3 stone with your rock would be super!!!

YAY!!

Thank you, dear Lorelei!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/30/2009 6:12:00 AM
Author: Phoenix

Date: 6/30/2009 3:56:17 AM
Author: Lorelei
I love Roppongi''s ring and I think a 3 stone with your rock would be super!!!

YAY!!

Thank you, dear Lorelei!

Always pleased to enable my friend!!

 

[makemepretty]

While this board is great for enabling(I''m the best enabler in my family) I say Noooooo, don''t do it. You will not be happy with it. I''ve read quite a few of your posts. You will only be happy with the biggest and best you can afford. If you do the three stone you''re just stalling on the upgrade and trying to keep yourself busy with a new project until you can get the funds to do what you REALLY want to.

DSS is in your head, it''s not a physical ailment, it''s a mental thing. My advice, get every cent you can and stash it away. Sell anything you don''t need to add to that fund. I have a feeling you''ll get there pretty fast and when it''s meant to be it will happen. Instant gratification may feel good but it is very short lived.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 6/30/2009 7:33:29 AM
Author: makemepretty
While this board is great for enabling(I'm the best enabler in my family) I say Noooooo, don't do it. You will not be happy with it. I've read quite a few of your posts. You will only be happy with the biggest and best you can afford. If you do the three stone you're just stalling on the upgrade and trying to keep yourself busy with a new project until you can get the funds to do what you REALLY want to.

DSS is in your head, it's not a physical ailment, it's a mental thing. My advice, get every cent you can and stash it away. Sell anything you don't need to add to that fund. I have a feeling you'll get there pretty fast and when it's meant to be it will happen. Instant gratification may feel good but it is very short lived.

Hmmm...this is really making me think...

It's absolutely TRUE that I really really really want the 5ct solitaire of the specs mentioned above. However, we're talking about lots and lots of upgrading money here and whilst I'm really hopeful that we can get there/ or rather hubby will let me spend this kind of money, there is a slim chance (about 5-10% I'd say) that it might not happen; or it might not happen soon enough.

Another thing is that I'd really like to have the two 1 caraters re-cut and matched. I was considering selling one of the stones (the 1.03ct) and have the other (the 1ct which is my original e-ring) re-set into a pendant. However, I don't think I will do that, since I won't get much for the 1.03ct stone and the other stone would be far too small for me as a pendant. So, I doubt if I'd wear that. These stones have pretty much been sitting in my wardrobe/ bank safety deposit box for the last two years and the pendant would suffer the same fate, I fear.

I don't think the cost of recutting the two 1ct stones and having the three stones reset into a ring would be that much. BGD's costs are quite reasonable and the quality of their work is superb. If and when I get the 5ct stone, I could have another stone set into the 3ct's place, say a nice sapphire or rubellite or I could just dispose of the setting altogther. I don't think it'd be too painful, financially speaking.

I've also given away or put on consignment most of the smaller bling items I didn't wear for a long time. I'm going to try to sell a few other items too, but i don't think the two 1 caraters would be on this list after all.

Thanks for your input. Hope I'm making some sense...rambling a bit there, LOL...

 

[bgray]

phoenix: what does your ring look like now?

 

[Miscka]

Wonder if you had BGD recut them and then had them recerted....could you use them as trade-in to make your final, bigger purchase there later?

I think if it helps you make it through the waiting period, go for it!

 

[makemepretty]

If you could reuse the setting then it might be worth doing. I just couldn''t imagine wasting precious time and money on something that would eventually sit unused. It would be fairly inexpensive since you have all the stones and if it would make you be able to stand the wait then I see how you could get excited about it.


My sister has a three stone ring and it''s lovely. There is something special about them, especially if you''re incorporating your original e-stone.

 

[bgray]

phoenix: If it were me I would have the two stones re-cut but have them set into micropave baskets on micropave wires for fabulous earrings. then i would take the 3 carat stone and have it set in a basket with 6 prongs with diamonds on the tips of the prongs and flanked by two micropave bands. dont know how your three carat is currently set but i know friends with large stones and three stone settings blue the stones together and make the center look smaller than it in IMO

 

[FancyDiamond]

I love your idea of a 3-stone ring. However, do you think having 1-CW sidestones could be out of proportion with respect to a 3-CW center? I think 0.5-0.55CW sidestones would be better, and the smaller sidestones might not dwarf your gorgeous center stone, which should be the main focus. Perhaps, while you wait for the 5-10CW upgrade, consider using the 1-CW stones as a pair of earrings?

 

[FancyDiamond]

Oops! Did read bgrade''s post. Wow! Great minds think alike.

 

[bgray]

Date: 6/30/2009 1:03:54 PM
Author: FancyDiamond

Oops! Did read bgrade''s post. Wow! Great minds think alike.

LOL!

 

[roppongi]

Hi Phoenix...

I love my 3 stone ring and have no regrets changing it from a solitaire to a 3 stone. The sides of the stones have been changed 3 times...yes, 3 times and I have considered changing them again. Right now they are at .55 each and it does make the center pop.

3 stones definitely offer the finger coverage you are looking for (my ring size is a 4.25). If I were you, I wouldn''t go below a carat each, I don''t think it will have the ooomph you are looking for. We were recently in Carmel and I saw a stunning 3 stone...the middle was 4 carats and the sides were 1.50, the proportions of the ring was perfect. I believe that Tiffany''s 3 stones are exactly half on the center, so they would recommend at least 1.50 per side.

You have incredible taste....have fun and don''t make any impulse decisions.

Roppongi

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I say do it!!

I''m sure that 3 ct. looks HUGE on your fingers, but if you have DSS, and want to reset into a 3 stone, I think that''s a great alternative until you finally upgrade. Plus you can always reuse the three stone setting and put a colored stone in it later.

I think it''s a good idea to recut the side stones, so that they''re better matched (and with BG recutting, they''ll be TDF). And losing a bit of size might help out the proportions of the overall ring.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Date: 6/30/2009 1:47:08 PM
Author: roppongi
Hi Phoenix...

I love my 3 stone ring and have no regrets changing it from a solitaire to a 3 stone. The sides of the stones have been changed 3 times...yes, 3 times and I have considered changing them again. Right now they are at .55 each and it does make the center pop.

3 stones definitely offer the finger coverage you are looking for (my ring size is a 4.25). If I were you, I wouldn''t go below a carat each, I don''t think it will have the ooomph you are looking for. We were recently in Carmel and I saw a stunning 3 stone...the middle was 4 carats and the sides were 1.50, the proportions of the ring was perfect. I believe that Tiffany''s 3 stones are exactly half on the center, so they would recommend at least 1.50 per side.

You have incredible taste....have fun and don''t make any impulse decisions.

Roppongi

Don''t mean to threadjack but the sidestones are smaller now than they used to be? Is it because you felt that the larger the sidestones the more it took away from the center? Your ring is gorgeous - just wondering about the size difference. . .

 

[MissGotRocks]

And to Phoenix - I am obviously a three stone ring lover but I must caution you that if you go to the three stone look, you might not ever want to give up the look. I have tried on larger solitaire rings but they just never look right on me after having the three stone ring. I''m sure your stone would look fabulous in a three stone setting but be ready to not want to give up the look if you decide to go with it.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 6/30/2009 12:36:15 PM
Author: bgray
phoenix: If it were me I would have the two stones re-cut but have them set into micropave baskets on micropave wires for fabulous earrings. then i would take the 3 carat stone and have it set in a basket with 6 prongs with diamonds on the tips of the prongs and flanked by two micropave bands. dont know how your three carat is currently set but i know friends with large stones and three stone settings blue the stones together and make the center look smaller than it in IMO

Hi Bgray,

I'm sorry I haven't been able to post my pics - something wrong with my PC.

Anywhere, here's a thread where my RB is shown (in fact, my pear is also shown):

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-3-5-4-5-size-finger-with-diamond-ring.108097/

I'm afraid although I love such earrings on other people, I don't love the look on me. I think I'm conscious about my earlobes - they're large and have holes left by previous piercings, so I only wear studs now or those where my lobes are covered, LOL.

Besides, I tend to wear my BGD studs everyday, be it casually or for a function. If I want to dress them up, I'd pair them with dangle jackets. Furthermore, I don't wear smaller earrings now. I still have 4 other pairs of earrings and all they do is sit and collect dust.

Thanks for your suggestion though.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 6/30/2009 11:11:31 AM
Author: Miscka
Wonder if you had BGD recut them and then had them recerted....could you use them as trade-in to make your final, bigger purchase there later?

I think if it helps you make it through the waiting period, go for it!

Excellent idea! I''m not sure if my 1 caraters could be re-cut to Brian''s exact standards in order for them to be classified as Brian Gavin Signature diamonds but it''s definitely worth asking. Another thing is I''m not sure if BGD is taking or will take in trade-ins, but it''s definitely worth asking.

Yeah, I think it''d help me make it through the waiting period, LOL. Thank you.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 6/30/2009 1:47:08 PM
Author: roppongi
Hi Phoenix...

I love my 3 stone ring and have no regrets changing it from a solitaire to a 3 stone. The sides of the stones have been changed 3 times...yes, 3 times and I have considered changing them again. Right now they are at .55 each and it does make the center pop.

3 stones definitely offer the finger coverage you are looking for (my ring size is a 4.25). If I were you, I wouldn''t go below a carat each, I don''t think it will have the ooomph you are looking for. We were recently in Carmel and I saw a stunning 3 stone...the middle was 4 carats and the sides were 1.50, the proportions of the ring was perfect. I believe that Tiffany''s 3 stones are exactly half on the center, so they would recommend at least 1.50 per side.

You have incredible taste....have fun and don''t make any impulse decisions.

Roppongi

Right back at you there!

Thank you sooooo much for allowing me to use your pics and for mentioning yr name and of course thanks for your input. Your set is soooooo incredible!

I''d LOVE to have a uternity band like yours one day.

I''m really hoping having the 1carat on each side would be ok. I did read somewhere else too that jewellers recommended that side stones should be half of centre stone, but right now I''m just using whatever I currently have in my possession, so hopefully that would turn out to be ok. Anyway, i think it''s more individual tastes, right?

Enjoy wearing your amazing set and thanks for "popping" in.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 6/30/2009 6:49:47 PM
Author: Brown.Eyed.Girl
I say do it!!

I''m sure that 3 ct. looks HUGE on your fingers, but if you have DSS, and want to reset into a 3 stone, I think that''s a great alternative until you finally upgrade. Plus you can always reuse the three stone setting and put a colored stone in it later.

I think it''s a good idea to recut the side stones, so that they''re better matched (and with BG recutting, they''ll be TDF). And losing a bit of size might help out the proportions of the overall ring.

Thank you, BEG. I''ll ask PS''ers to help me look for a delicious coloured stone later.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 6/30/2009 7:55:49 PM
Author: MissGotRocks
And to Phoenix - I am obviously a three stone ring lover but I must caution you that if you go to the three stone look, you might not ever want to give up the look. I have tried on larger solitaire rings but they just never look right on me after having the three stone ring. I''m sure your stone would look fabulous in a three stone setting but be ready to not want to give up the look if you decide to go with it.

Thanks for your input. I think I''d be ok because I currently already have a 3-stone ring (which I''m planning to put on consignment to Pearlmans, because of the smaller size and lower specs) and although I love the spready coverage (which would be even spreadier once the 3 carater is re-set), I don''t think it could ever beat a 5 carat solitaire, he he

.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 7/1/2009 1:09:14 AM
Author: Phoenix

Date: 6/30/2009 12:36:15 PM
Author: bgray
phoenix: If it were me I would have the two stones re-cut but have them set into micropave baskets on micropave wires for fabulous earrings. then i would take the 3 carat stone and have it set in a basket with 6 prongs with diamonds on the tips of the prongs and flanked by two micropave bands. dont know how your three carat is currently set but i know friends with large stones and three stone settings blue the stones together and make the center look smaller than it in IMO

Hi Bgray,

I'm sorry I haven't been able to post my pics - something wrong with my PC.

Anywhere, here's a thread where my RB is shown (in fact, my pear is also shown):

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-3-5-4-5-size-finger-with-diamond-ring.108097/

I'm afraid although I love such earrings on other people, I don't love the look on me. I think I'm conscious about my earlobes - they're large and have holes left by previous piercings, so I only wear studs now or those where my lobes are covered, LOL.

Besides, I tend to wear my BGD studs everyday, be it casually or for a function. If I want to dress them up, I'd pair them with dangle jackets. Furthermore, I don't wear smaller earrings now. I still have 4 other pairs of earrings and all they do is sit and collect dust.

Thanks for your suggestion though.

Forgot to address your other point.

I'd love to have the stone reset into a blingier setting, with melee diamonds on the tips of the prongs. In fact, I've toyed with the idea of having the 3 carater re-set into this Leon setting:

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=85

This is my ALL-TIME FAVOURITE for a RB, but the cost is very high (almost $7k). If I was to go with s.o. else, I'm sure it wouldn't be much different, there's lots of labour involved in setting the melee. So, it just wouldn't be worth spending that kind of money on the stone when I KNOW for sure it would be discarded later on, after I've upgraded to the 5 carater. So, in the meantime, I'll just dream about that delicious Leon setting and hope that one day it'll be on my hands!

I know that solitaire settings make the stone pop more and show it off better, but the effect I'm looking for is more finger coverage, a more blingy look. My tai tai friend, after she got the 3 ct each studs and the 5ct solitaire, had her 2.70ct stone and 1.50ct each studs re-set into a 3-stone ring and it WAS absolutely magnificient!

Granted, the focus was not on the centre stone but what you end up with is more bling coverage on yr finger and that's what I'm looking for for the time being. Incidentally, her finger size is 3.75 or maybe even 3.50

.