Upgrading wedding band: 4-stone?

[Ice_newbie]

I could use some advice, and you PS folks seem to be very well-informed! I have been married for seven years- at the time, I didn't like diamonds or platinum, and my wedding band is a lovely thin 18k yellow gold band. Fast forward to seven years later, and I am so ready for an upgrade! I want a diamond ring that I will wear as a standalone wedding ring (my husband is totally supportive). The question is whether I should go for an eternity band, a five stone ring, or some other configuration. Budget is $7-9k. My finger size is 4.5.

I first thought i wanted an eternity band because it is classic and elegant. However, the individual stones would be so small that i'm not sure it's a great investment. It seems to me that a 5 stone style offers more sparkle because I could afford larger stones. However, One problem is that my fingers are too small to comfortably wear a 2ct 5-stone ring. A local jeweler suggested a 4 stone ring- I could afford high quality.45 stones.

What do people think of a 4-stone ring? The diamonds would be round, the setting would be as low profile as possible. I want something that will be elegant and timeless, but very sparkly!

My other options would be a 3 ct eternity band or a 1.5 ct 5-stone.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'd get the five stone of 1.5 cts. or if you could increase the budget, a 3 stone. I just don't really think I'd like 4 stones.

 

[Enerchi]

I'd go 5 stone. It sounds like you are looking for some blingy finger coverage, within a reasonable budget and not an 'over the top' design. 5 x .25 or .30's would really be KILLER on your lovely tiny fingers! HAve you checked out the SMTB 5 and 7 stone ring threads?

 

[JulieN]

Odd numbers look better. I would size down until you were comfortable, but keep 5 of them.

 

[Ice_newbie]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I know that odd numbers are definitely more the norm. I would consider a three stone ring- I think they're gorgeous and I would love the bigger stones, but I wonder if that would just look like an engagement ring. I plan to wear this every day, as my wedding band. Do people think a 3-stone ring could look like a wedding band? I think some conventions are silly, but then again, I don't want people looking at my hand and wondering if I'm married.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I know that odd numbers are definitely more the norm. I would consider a three stone ring- I think they're gorgeous and I would love the bigger stones, but I wonder if that would just look like an engagement ring. I plan to wear this every day, as my wedding band. Do people think a 3-stone ring could look like a wedding band? I think some conventions are silly, but then again, I don't want people looking at my hand and wondering if I'm married.

If this is your concern I would go with a 5 stone. For me a 3 stone is more of an ER or an RHR depending on the style and proportions of the stones.

 

[Enerchi]

I think a 5 stone is more 'wedding band-ish' than a 3 stone. To me, a 3 seems more ering or RHR in style. I now wear a 3 stone as my ering and have an 8 stone band (1/2 eternity) as my wband.

But really - get what you love! on your hand you can admire it all day long - so make sure you are looking at something you WANT to be looking at and loving, not what you think you "SHOULD" be buying! Convention be damned - please yourself!

 

[Mara]

I have a 4 stone that I bought for the stones and it is just weird. Seriously, 4 stones is odd! I wear it sometimes because the stones are killer and I don't know what I want to do with them yet but it's awkward. Yes, 5 can be too wide for a finger sometimes, but 4 is just slightly too narrow or something and it just looks strange. I would vote 5 stone and keep the stones a little smaller like maybe 25's in a tight setting so you don't get too wide of a look.

 

[JaneSmith]

A five stone would look beautiful on your small finger. It does sound like you want to maximize stone size, and this would certainly do it. Also, you wouldn't have to baby it as much as an eternity.
For what it's worth, I think a three stone on that finger looks like an e-ring or a cool anniversary ring, but my first thought would be e-ring. But who cares? Get what you like.

Here are some helpful threads, if you haven't already seen them:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-5-stone-ring-thread.134007/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-5-stone-ring-thread.134007/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/7-stone-band-ring-thread.166136/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/7-stone-band-ring-thread.166136/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-diamond-eternity-bands.51825/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-diamond-eternity-bands.51825/[/URL]

 

[Gypsy]

I don't like 4 diamonds.
How about this? Aurora band with 3 .30 pointers and 8.10 pointers.



THIS BAND, but the last two diamonds (30 pointers) left off. This one is a 6.5. If you left the last two diamonds off it could be the right size. BGD could fill that space in the shank in with a decorative detail for you to make it comfortable and lovely.


So only the diamonds in the black box. Not the last two.




Pictures courtesy of Dreamer.

 

[Ice_newbie]

Thanks, all.

Mara- I really appreciate your sharing your experience with the 4-stone, I think you have talked me out of it!

Gypsy,I like that aurora band idea- in fact I ordered the "garland" band from Blue Nile, which is a similar design on an eternity band, but returned it because it looked from a distance like flowers or some other sort of antique-y motif, and I'm more of a modern girl. Do you have the aurora? Does it have that vintage vibe in person?

What do people think about a graduated 5 stone? Maybe center would be .4, sides would be .33 and .25. I'm interested to hear whether folks think that would be better than a 5-stone of uniform .3 stones.