Wedding Band choices - what would you pick?

[cinnamon013]

I’ve been enjoying my new ring for a little over 2 months now. It is a .831 RB from WF, and is a G/SI1 ACA H&A. It is a shiny little thing! I wear a size 4.5 and have been married for years, so this is not an engagement ring. I’ve been saving some pennies and it’s time for me to add a wedding band to it so I don’t look like I’m engaged. I hope everyone will chime in and give me their thoughts. A photo of it is on this post.

The legato head sits very low, and the band is thin, so I need to select something that sits low on the hand. The obvious choice would be the matching band from WF. This band is 2.4 mm wide, and would have the exact same shank as my ering, which technically measures 2 mm wide. A very matchy set! Here are some of my thoughts about matching it with this band:

I travel quite a bit for work, so I’m always dragging suitcases around. I’m a meeting planner, so onsite, I’m moving signs, carrying easels, unpacking boxes, moving boxes, moving a table, etc. Before this e-ring, I wore either my original wedding band, which is platinum and 18k gold, or my 6 pointer rounds channel set band. I call it my industrial strength bling, because it is large enough to be a blingy thing, and sturdy enough that I wear it constantly and never worry about banging it. SO, the point of this is, on my last 2 trips, I’ve stowed away my ering in the safe because I’ve not wanted to expose my little beauty to the dangers of my day. I’ve moved my old eternity band from my RH to my wedding finger and continued my day. If I get the matching band, I’d want to just wear it on days like this. Two things, it is very small, and wouldn’t look very substantial, and might take more hits than I’d like it to as well. I know some of you will say the micro pave is too delicate, but really, I consider the ering to be quite durable. My fear is chipping the diamond or catching it between an easel and the wall, etc… I sometimes turn my diamond into my hand to see what the wedding band would look like, and it seems kinda dinky! All this being said, I’d still like to own the little thing.

I’ve also considered full eternity and ¾ eternity. I have looked a million times at the WF rings and the Facets rings. I’ve also tried on Memoire at our B&M. Given that the hands on part of my life concerning me, I’m leaning toward bands that have 7, 9, or 11 stones. It seems to me that these bands would provide a certain amount of “bangability” to them, being that they don’t have diamonds all the way around. Memoire has these as well. I am not willing to pay Memoire’s prices, and in fact, their stones are SI, where Facets or WF are VS. Memoire has a great single bar set that is beautiful. You see the diamonds really well. Some will say the diamonds are too far apart on it, but it is a beauty!

Ok, so here are what I consider my options, in no particular order:

1. WF halo wedding band. Would match my ering and be a lovely set. If I save some more pennies, I could then get one of the other bands I’m listing here as a 3rd ring, but my hubby might do me in then… .25 tcw $1195
http://www.whiteflash.com/Wedding_Bands/Halo-Wedding-Band_1004.htm

2. Raphael 11 stone shared prong, .53 tcw $1078
http://www.thefacetscollection.com/item.cfm?item_id=1868

3. Facets regular line 9 stone shared prong, .47 tcw $889
http://www.thefacetscollection.com/item.cfm?item_id=3663

4. WF 7 stone shared prong, .35 tcw $1260
http://www.whiteflash.com/Wedding_Bands/7-Stone-Shared-Prong-Diamond-Band_939.htm

And a few more for good measure – just in case I might be swayed this way:
5. Facets channel set, .59 $1325 Full eternity
http://www.thefacetscollection.com/item.cfm?item_id=1208

6. Facets shared prong, .74 $1412 Full eternity
http://www.thefacetscollection.com/item.cfm?item_id=2121

7. WF shared prong, .85 approx, $1595 Full eternity
http://www.whiteflash.com/Wedding_Bands/Diamonds-for-an-Eternity_999.htm

All of these are platinum, as that is what my ering is. One last thought, I’ve considered wearing a very small 2mm band as a spacer to get a wedding band away from my ring so that they don’t hit each other. Actually a less than 2mm would work better, but no one has those. The 2mm at Facets are quite reasonable. FYI, a plain band with this band does not look good. It sort of clashes, thus the bling ideas above.

And, price does matter a little bit, although with this project I want to pick what will look the best. However, just so you know, with WF I’d get the $100 off repeat customer discount, and with Facets, I’d get the military 10% discount because my hubby is retired military.

One part of me wants to get the halo matching band, another wants ACA melee and says “go with the 7 stone”. Another part of me says to “go with the 11 stone Raphael Facets band” so I’ll have bling where most people can see it. I love the idea of full eternity since it in fact goes on for eternity, and the last option would give me the look with the bangability for my real life. Of course, of $$ was no option, I’d probably get 2 matching halo bands and wear one on either side.

If you’ve lasted this long…here are some pictures. What do you vote for and why? Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[cinnamon013]

#1

 

[cinnamon013]

#2

 

[cinnamon013]

#3

 

[cinnamon013]

#4

 

[cinnamon013]

#5

 

[cinnamon013]

#6

 

[cinnamon013]

#7

 

[chrono]

I'd do the first one but not as an eternity ring
1. Matches
2. More durable as a non-eternity. 3/4 gives you the same look and allows for finger size changes over the years.
3. You still get ACA melees so it should be fairly blingy if worn alone.

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 7/5/2007 1:13:04 PM
Author: Chrono
I''d do the first one but not as an eternity ring
1. Matches
2. More durable as a non-eternity. 3/4 gives you the same look and allows for finger size changes over the years.
3. You still get ACA melees so it should be fairly blingy if worn alone.

1. True
2. On the ering, there is about 7 mm or so at the back with no melee/pave. I better check to see if this band has that or if it is full. Finger sizing - I''m old enough that my weight is set - I''ve already lived through all that finger sizing!
3. True...

Thanks for the input, Chrono.

 

[decodelighted]

I *think* someone else just went through this exact quandry and the result was picking the matching WF band because none of the other bands fit right or looked right with the Legato head+micropave setting. But maybe I'm on crack!!

So I'll vote #1 ... and just use your existing wb when you need something sturdy/solo.

I just don't think there's any way to pair a "blingier" or wider diamond band WITH a micropave diamond setting. Two very different looks & scales. A clear case of "you can't have everything! At least all at one time"

ETA: If you're dead set on using the new band (micropave or otherwise) as your SOLO wedding band on the days you don't wear your ering -- EASY SOLUTION: purchase two very thin solid platinum/silver/white gold bands to FLANK the w-band. Filling up the finger & adding protection through beefiness (knocks hit all three rings & they support each other) and from the side (the solid bands are out the outside) Giada DeLaurentis wears a gorgeous set of three micropave bands as her "on the road wedding set" ... hers are tri-color (one white, one pink, one yellow) but they don't match, they're all a bit different - just very very thin. In conclusion: (HA) A stacked look would be a great way to protect & fill out the look of the band that matches your e-ring.

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 7/5/2007 1:19:36 PM
Author: decodelighted
I *think* someone else just went through this exact quandry and the result was picking the matching WF band because none of the other bands fit right or looked right with the Legato head+micropave setting. But maybe I''m on crack!!

So I''ll vote #1 ... and just use your existing wb when you need something sturdy/solo.

I just don''t think there''s any way to pair a ''blingier'' or wider diamond band WITH a micropave diamond setting. Two very different looks & scales. A clear case of ''you can''t have everything! At least all at one time''

Ah my friend, decodelighted, that was me.

I''ve been saving my pennies and dimes and dwelling/pondering/waffling over this the whole time since the last thread I had going. I have tried on a few of these small pointer size bands, and they do look good with the ring, so that is why I am considering them. No, they don''t match like some would prefer, but they do look pretty together.

 

[neatfreak]

Have you actually tried any eternity bands? Because I know they look odd with my ring and it''s a similar style...

Honestly, with mine, nothing looked right except the matching band. So that''s my vote.

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 7/5/2007 1:25:29 PM
Author: neatfreak
Have you actually tried any eternity bands? Because I know they look odd with my ring and it''s a similar style...

Honestly, with mine, nothing looked right except the matching band. So that''s my vote.

Yes, I''ve tried a few of the Memoire ones - full eternity and 9 or 11 stone. Even though they don''t match, they do look good.

Can you post a picture of yours as a set? Ours are almost identical. Do you have any pictures of just your wedding band on your hand?

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 7/5/2007 1:34:55 PM
Author: cinnamon013

Date: 7/5/2007 1:25:29 PM
Author: neatfreak
Have you actually tried any eternity bands? Because I know they look odd with my ring and it''s a similar style...

Honestly, with mine, nothing looked right except the matching band. So that''s my vote.

Yes, I''ve tried a few of the Memoire ones - full eternity and 9 or 11 stone. Even though they don''t match, they do look good.

Can you post a picture of yours as a set? Ours are almost identical. Do you have any pictures of just your wedding band on your hand?

Ah, I found it!! Yes, that would be the photo of how mine would look matching...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I don''t think anything will look as good as the matching band, so that gets my vote!

But I will tell you that Memoire gives you a choice of clarity. Mine is all VS stones. I know that Memoire is more $ than Facets, but the advantage is that Memoire is set lower and does not rub against the e-ring prongs. I have heard several people here say that the Facets rings do rub and for that reason, they cannot wear their eternity rings all the time with the e-ring unless they just accept the scratching. The Memoire''s do not do this at all, so that is why I chose it. I would not accept one ring damaging another. I would buy a Facets eternity ring as a standalone ring, though.

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 7/5/2007 2:26:39 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I don''t think anything will look as good as the matching band, so that gets my vote!

But I will tell you that Memoire gives you a choice of clarity. Mine is all VS stones. I know that Memoire is more $ than Facets, but the advantage is that Memoire is set lower and does not rub against the e-ring prongs. I have heard several people here say that the Facets rings do rub and for that reason, they cannot wear their eternity rings all the time with the e-ring unless they just accept the scratching. The Memoire''s do not do this at all, so that is why I chose it. I would not accept one ring damaging another. I would buy a Facets eternity ring as a standalone ring, though.

Where did you buy your Memoire ring?

 

[kcoursolle]

I would get the matching band from WF, but I would ask them to only put stones about 50-60% around the band. Nothing in my opinion is going to look as good as the matching band. By putting stones only part way around the ring, you can still bang up the bottom with minimal risk. If you think you are going to be doing heavy labor on a particular day, I would wear a plain band that day and skip the other rings all together.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I got mine from a jeweler in NC, but they ordered it from Memoire. I just chose the higher clarity option since those rings are usually made to order.

I think that is a great idea to get the matching band but half eternity!

 

[Sundial]

Your ring is gorgeous and I agree that it will look best with the matching band. I also have micropave on my ring and to me it just doesn't look good with anything else. You can always get a right hand ring with bigger ACA diamonds!!!

 

[cinnamon013]

What about a micro pave band from WF **custom** with 2 rows of micro pave? Just like my ering, but 2 rows? I''m having Lesley quote this for me, but it will likely be out of my price range...

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 7/5/2007 4:32:01 PM
Author: cinnamon013
What about a micro pave band from WF **custom** with 2 rows of micro pave? Just like my ering, but 2 rows? I''m having Lesley quote this for me, but it will likely be out of my price range...

I think this would be really pretty, but best worn on the opposite hand so that it doesn''t take away from your center stone. I went this route and will wear a more substantial wedding ring on the oposite hand.

 

[snlee]

Another vote for #1 matching band!

 

[katiedid]

cinnamon, you know I''ve been living this same quandry! What to wear with the legato ering since the head is low... Well, with mine, it''s different because my legato is the sleek line (plain, no diamonds in the band). I think I probably have/had more options than you do since you already have a "look" with the micropave. I think the matching WF band would look perfect with your ring. I considered it myself, because I knew it would sit low. But since I don''t have any diamonds in the band of my ering, I wanted more diamond weight in the wedding band than the halo band was going to give me. I guess I could have had something done custom with bigger stones in the same type setting, but that kindof changes the whole look of it.

And I totally get what you''re saying about the band not seeming substantial enough by itself. As you may recall, I ordered several bands from SP to try out. One of them was that small channel set band you posted. I think it looked great with my ering, but I felt like it was too skimpy by itself. I''m not sure how a channel set band would look with your micropave ering. But if you''re not a super matchy person, I think you could go with any of the styles you mentioned.

My choice would be to get the matching halo band now, and then push for another one just like it for a future anniversary/birthday/special occasion (if you decide you want to wear one on either side of your ering.)

By the way, you can look at that small channel set eternity band on my finger in this thread: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sp-channel-set-band-is-here.63786/ In this thread, you posted a comment "Give us some more pictures! That last one almost looks like you could go with the next size." so you may indeed want something bigger. Good luck--I can''t wait to see what you decide!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 7/5/2007 4:32:01 PM
Author: cinnamon013
What about a micro pave band from WF **custom** with 2 rows of micro pave? Just like my ering, but 2 rows? I''m having Lesley quote this for me, but it will likely be out of my price range...

Ritani has one almost exactly like that. I tried it on, it was nice, but wasn''t AS nice with my ring as the single row. But since the rings are so similar you could probably go to a Ritani dealer and try it on...

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 7/5/2007 4:47:13 PM
Author: katiedid
cinnamon, you know I''ve been living this same quandry! What to wear with the legato ering since the head is low... Well, with mine, it''s different because my legato is the sleek line (plain, no diamonds in the band). I think I probably have/had more options than you do since you already have a ''look'' with the micropave. I think the matching WF band would look perfect with your ring. I considered it myself, because I knew it would sit low. But since I don''t have any diamonds in the band of my ering, I wanted more diamond weight in the wedding band than the halo band was going to give me. I guess I could have had something done custom with bigger stones in the same type setting, but that kindof changes the whole look of it.

And I totally get what you''re saying about the band not seeming substantial enough by itself. As you may recall, I ordered several bands from SP to try out. One of them was that small channel set band you posted. I think it looked great with my ering, but I felt like it was too skimpy by itself. I''m not sure how a channel set band would look with your micropave ering. But if you''re not a super matchy person, I think you could go with any of the styles you mentioned.

My choice would be to get the matching halo band now, and then push for another one just like it for a future anniversary/birthday/special occasion (if you decide you want to wear one on either side of your ering.)

By the way, you can look at that small channel set eternity band on my finger in this thread: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sp-channel-set-band-is-here.63786/ In this thread, you posted a comment ''Give us some more pictures! That last one almost looks like you could go with the next size.'' so you may indeed want something bigger. Good luck--I can''t wait to see what you decide!

Yes, because your band is 2.5 mm wide. Mine is only 2 mm. So with that band next to yours, it was actually a smaller width than your ering. It''s 2.1 mm wide. That''s why I said "go bigger" with yours. For mine, it wouldn''t be smaller. I think the channel set would be my least favorite, anyway.

I look forward to seeing your photos!

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 7/5/2007 4:51:23 PM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 7/5/2007 4:32:01 PM
Author: cinnamon013
What about a micro pave band from WF **custom** with 2 rows of micro pave? Just like my ering, but 2 rows? I''m having Lesley quote this for me, but it will likely be out of my price range...

Ritani has one almost exactly like that. I tried it on, it was nice, but wasn''t AS nice with my ring as the single row. But since the rings are so similar you could probably go to a Ritani dealer and try it on...

I went to look at it on their website, but couldn''t figure out how to copy a photo from their site. I do like the look. I tried on a 3 sided micro pave, don''t know the brand, and it was gorgeous. But if I had done that ring, I wouldn''t have gone with a solitaire. It was quite substantial all on its own.

 

[iheartscience]

I vote for the matching band as well! I like the idea that deco posted about getting 2 plain bands to flank the w-band to make it look bigger and to protect it when you wear it alone.

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 7/5/2007 6:57:37 PM
Author: thing2of2
I vote for the matching band as well! I like the idea that deco posted about getting 2 plain bands to flank the w-band to make it look bigger and to protect it when you wear it alone.

That''s a good idea. I didn''t notice that idea she did as an ETA. I''ll have to do a "try on" at the B&M.

 

[erica k]

i vote for the matching band, diamonds 60-75% around, and save the rest of the money, um, for ''something else'' (a substantial 5 stone RHR, etc).

i love your ering and i can see how the non-matching rings might look fine, but there''s something nice about having a matching set, too.

i also like the idea of making a ''sandwich'' of bands, or, a sparkly stack of rings later on. i personally love wearing my thin half-eternity bead-set wedding band by itself. i like how it looks delicate on its own, yet when paired with the matching ering (also bead-setting), it has a much bolder personality.

with well-cut melee stones, your ring will definitely stand out. mine has an insouciant air about it, just enough sparkles for everyday wear.