Wedding Ring Durability - Your Experiences

[AmberGretchen]

So, as those of you who frequent the WWT may know, I''ve recently lost a lot of weight. Unfortunately, this has led to my wedding ring and e-ring being too big for me to wear comfortably and safely a lot of the time. My e-ring isn''t such a big deal, because I can just send it back to Whiteflash to be re-sized. My original plan was to have my wedding band re-sized locally and then use that information about what size I wear to send the engagement ring back for re-sizing. However, when I took the wedding band to a reputable local jeweler, he said that the original construction was faulty (its a half-eternity shared-prong ring and the diamonds are apparently set too far apart; they also protrude over the sides of the ring significantly, decreasing the durability of the ring). Because of this, re-sizing the ring was not something he felt comfortable doing, especially given that the amount of re-sizing needed was significant (from a 6.75 to a 5 or a 5.25). I was given the option of sizing beads or bands, but have heard (and experienced) that these are not comfortable to wear for the long term (I''m very sensitive to things like that anyway), and with concerns about the ring''s long-term durability, DH and I decided it was best to replace it, despite the sentimental value of the original ring. I am not open to contacting the original vendor about this issue, as we''ve had too many bad experiences with them at this point for me to trust them to repair this adequately.

Since I did just get some lovely new diamond goodies (flower pendant and new studs), we are going to wait a few weeks before going ahead with the purchase, but in the meantime, I wanted to get the feedback of the trusty PS''ers on issues of wedding ring style and durability.

I still love the look of a shared-prong wedding band, and had read that they are or can be made now so that the metal protrudes slightly beyond the diamonds on either side of the ring, thus increasing the durability of the ring as well as minimizing damage to rings worn near by (in my case, my engagement ring). WF''s diamonds for an eternity would be a good option here, with enough plain metal at the bottom for re-sizing in the future and possibly smaller diamonds than listed on the website (0.025 ct each like my original w-band vs. 0.04 ct each in the ring on the website).

I''ve also looked at the Tiffany-style version of the shared prong bands (pictures below so you can see the difference), where there are open baskets on each stone. I think I prefer this look slightly to the regular shared-prong style, but I don''t know if it increases or decreases the overall durability of the ring. I seem to recall that several PSers have rings like this but couldn''t find them. If you''re out there, what do you think about the increased or decreased durability of a ring in this style?

I realize that a shared-prong style of any kind is not necessarily the most durable choice for someone who is (apparently,
although I try to be careful) rather hard on her rings. In light of that, I found two other styles that I would consider and I''d like your input on their relative durability compared to the two styles of shared-prong rings. One is the WF halo wedding band (I put a picture of that below in a separate post as well). The second alternative choice I found is a fishtail pave style a la Lynn B. I''ve added a picture of that as well, as it seemed that again, it might be more durable than normal
shared-prong.

OK, so to recap (sorry for the super-long post), I''m considering the following:

1. regular shared-prong ("diamonds for an eternity", 0.025 ct each stones
2. Tiffany-style shared-prong 0.025 ct each stones
3. halo wedding band from website
4. fishtail pave style a la LynnB

and I need input from my wonderful PSers about what would be the most durable and would damage my e-ring (a three-stone) the last when they are worn together. Thanks!

Tiffany-style shared prong ring:

 

[AmberGretchen]

LynnB fishtail pave:

 

[AmberGretchen]

WF Halo Wedding Band Link w/ Pictures

WF Regular Shared Prong Wedding Band Link w/ Pictures

 

[surfgirl]

If your wedding band is sentimental to you, and it sounds like it is, why not just have someone take out the existing diamonds and custom make the same band for you and re-set the stones in a better constructed band?

 

[marcy]

Amber, I like surfgirl''s idea. Since the ring means something to you I think that is a great idea to get the diamonds remounted in something new. I''ll be anxious to hear and see what you decide.

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I think that using your current diamonds is a fabulous idea! Do you feel that would be an option for you?

 

[AmberGretchen]

Surfgirl and marcy - that''s a really sweet idea, but one of the things that is so special to me about the original ring is that it has our new initials (I changed my name when we got married) and our wedding date engraved on the inside. I''m not really attached to the diamonds so much as I am attached to the piece as a whole. Given the minimal cost of new diamonds as a fraction of a new ring, I''m inclined to just keep the original ring intact to preserve the sentimental value - does that make sense (maybe not, except to me)...

 

[ladyciel]

Date: 7/23/2007 11:50:37 PM
Author: AmberGretchen
Surfgirl and marcy - that''s a really sweet idea, but one of the things that is so special to me about the original ring is that it has our new initials (I changed my name when we got married) and our wedding date engraved on the inside. I''m not really attached to the diamonds so much as I am attached to the piece as a whole. Given the minimal cost of new diamonds as a fraction of a new ring, I''m inclined to just keep the original ring intact to preserve the sentimental value - does that make sense (maybe not, except to me)...

Makes perfect sense to me.

 

[Miranda]

My favorite is the Tiffany shared prong. I love the open gallery.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Thanks ladyciel - sometimes its hard to know what really makes sense, not just to yourself, but I did run it by my DH and he agreed.

Miranda - thanks so much for the input. I think I''m with you in terms of aesthetics - I think its the prettiest of the styles and probably the one I would pick if durability weren''t an issue. I''m not really sure though how it would be affected in this case - part of me thinks the baskets would help stabilize the stones better as well as providing an additional metal "buffer" on the side of the ring, but part of me thinks it might be too delicate still? Obviously I''m really not sure (and overthinking this maybe just a bit

), but that''s why I need PS expert advice and experiences!!

 

[Cehrabehra]

I would keep your original ring and buy a new ring. You never know - if you decide to have kids your original wedding ring could come in handy to wear during pregnancy - and even if you don''t wear it or only wear it with smaller rings stacked outside of it for safety, there really is no good reason not to keep it for sentimentality....

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 7/23/2007 11:50:37 PM
Author: AmberGretchen
Surfgirl and marcy - that''s a really sweet idea, but one of the things that is so special to me about the original ring is that it has our new initials (I changed my name when we got married) and our wedding date engraved on the inside. I''m not really attached to the diamonds so much as I am attached to the piece as a whole. Given the minimal cost of new diamonds as a fraction of a new ring, I''m inclined to just keep the original ring intact to preserve the sentimental value - does that make sense (maybe not, except to me)...

I missed the point of your post (compounded by the fact I only read the first half LOL) so you already know I''m on the same page as you on the above stuff - I totally agree to keep it as is. As for a new band, I''m such a fan of plain bands - easy to size and always wearable............ but if you have to have diamonds I''d do the fishtail probably - it looks way more comfortable than the prong band you posted.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Thanks cehra - its good to know I''m not crazy on keeping the original band as-is. I''ve tried the plain bands, and while I love the way they look on other people, they just don''t seem to look very good on me. I have kind of strange fingers - short and somewhat stubby, with a not-very-graceful shape, and so a lot of things that I love the look of on others (solitaires with plain bands, plain wedding bands, wider bands a la the vatche x-prong or lucida) look bad on me. That''s a good point too about the fishtail - I see what you mean now that you mention it with the comfort. Hmm...something else to consider. Thanks!

 

[katiedid]

AG, I love the look of the Tiffany, but I probably wouldn''t fork over that kind of money for the Tiffany name. I''d guess if you are in love with that look, you can find a similar basket-type look somewhere online. Check out Firenze--they might have something.

I think the fishtail and halo are both beautiful--I think I like fishtail better b/t those 2.

I had WF make me an eternity band (all the way around--I''m done having kids... I think...) and they weren''t able to do .025 stones (they carry .02 and .03), so I went with .03 and I''m so glad I did. I could have gone with the stock diamonds for an eternity .04 size too and it wouldn''t have been too large. I also had them set the stones as low as possible, protect the girdles so they didn''t tear up my ering band, and finish the prongs very smooth on top so it would be more comfortable. They acheived all of these, and I love it. It''s very comfortable, doesn''t scratch my fingers, doesn''t seem to be scratching up my ering band any more than any other band would. So that''s always an option.

Good luck! And I agree with keeping your old wband. I kept mine. Can you wear it on your right hand? My right hand ring finger is a little larger than my left--but you may have lost enough weight that it won''t fit on either finger!

 

[snlee]

What a tough decision! I love all of those bands you are considering! As far as not damaging your ering, I don't think you have to really worry about it. As I recall, your current wedding band doesn't touch your basket or cause any damage to your ering. I'd be worried about diamonds falling out of the halo and fishtail wedding bands if you are hard on your rings. Also, I think you need to try on these styles to see if it looks good with your ering, which is difficult to do since these are all from WF. I love how a shared prong band looks with your 3 stone so I vote for the regular shared prong band. I'm a bit biased though because I love mine so much.

 

[mrssalvo]

i think I prefer the regular shared prong band too. I love the basket settings but personally think they look better with larger stones like 15 pointers and up because there is just so much metal on the small stones that I think it distracts from them if that makes sense. However, all the bands are lovely and would still look great if you find one that you really love. You could always do one of each so you could mix and match

 

[AmberGretchen]

Wow - thanks you guys. I knew the PSers would have lots of useful information on this!

katiedid - that''s so useful to have all that information on working with WF. It sounds like you had them address all the concerns I would have - I''ll have to tell them to do all those exact same things with mine. I don''t think I''ll ever have kids (at least that''s the plan right now), but I still don''t want a full eternity that could never be re-sized. Although I do love the look of them...was there a thread with pictures of yours? I remember your story with the diamond upgrade etc...but I don''t seem to recall reading about the eternity band. If there was a thread I''d love the name and/or the link so I can take a look. I''d like to see also how the scale of the 0.03 pointers looks with your e-ring diamond and finger size because that might give me a good sense of whether I''d be happier with 0.02 or 0.03 (although I know it doesn''t make a huge difference...).

snlee - my current w-band does actually rub up against my e-ring prongs and has done some damage but not enough to threaten the integrity of the ring. I do love the look of the shared prong, and I think that''s probably what I''ll end up with. One thing I thought of - since I have to send my three-stone back to WF to be re-sized anyway, I might just ask them to take pictures with the different styles I''m considering (or at least the ones they have in stock) and see if that makes any difference in what I think about the different styles. I love my shared-prong too, so I totally hear where you''re coming from

MrsS - that''s an interesting point about the size of the stones. I do want to get a much bigger eternity/5 stone ring (20 pointers or thereabouts) at some point, so perhaps I should save the basket style for that. I wish I could get one of each style

Unfortunately, having just bought my studs and necklace plus hubby''s new car, I somehow don''t think I could talk him into that

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 7/23/2007 11:50:37 PM
Author: AmberGretchen
Surfgirl and marcy - that''s a really sweet idea, but one of the things that is so special to me about the original ring is that it has our new initials (I changed my name when we got married) and our wedding date engraved on the inside. I''m not really attached to the diamonds so much as I am attached to the piece as a whole. Given the minimal cost of new diamonds as a fraction of a new ring, I''m inclined to just keep the original ring intact to preserve the sentimental value - does that make sense (maybe not, except to me)...

AG - I also cannot wear my original wedding band because my knuckles got larger after having kids. When I got a new band to replace it, we had the identical initials and wedding date that was in the original wedding band engraved into the new band. I also kept my original wedding band intact. Trying to resize it would have destroyed the pattern on the outside and some of the engraving. I agree, better to get a whole new band, and keep the original intact. I so understand the sentiment.

 

[katiedid]

It''s great that you''re sending your ring back for resizing. That''s exactly what I did and while they had my ering there, they made up my eternity band. That way, they could actually see the 2 together to make sure they were accomodating all my special requests. And although I love the T & Co basket look, I know any band made like that would sit too high for my ering. I had to have something very low profile.

Here is my photo thread. I don''t think I''d go any smaller than the .03 pointers b/c it would make the band very narrow. Mine is plenty dainty and narrow with the .03 pointers in it. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/just-got-my-wf-photos.65257/
And more photos here: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/katiedid-flower-shots.65551/
Ok, one more thread: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/katiedid-got-some-sunshine-photos.65381/ (geez, can you tell I kinda like these rings???)

 

[Lynn B]

Oh AG, a new project!!!

YAY!

OK... here''s my humble 2 cents...

I like everything you posted! You could probably just close your eyes and randomly pick one and LOVE it!

But... I agree that the open basket style ring is KILLER with larger stones... in fact, one is on my (ever-growing) wish list for SOMEDAY! But in smaller, melee size diamonds... I dunno... just not my first shoice.

(BTW, I also TOTALLY understand your wanting to keep your original ring intact. I don''t think you''ll ever regret that.)

SOOOO, I have to say I will cast my vote for the fishtail pave

... and you have no idea how extremely thrilled (and HONORED!) I am to have my ring even be in the running!!!

It really is a completely comfortable, stunningly beautiful style... I continue to be amazed by my rings every day. I ADORE 3-stones... and I ADORE solitaires... and I ADORE halos... I love modern rings and I love vintage rings... but at the end of the day, when it''s all said and done... I think this fishtail pave is something truly extraordinary.

I think you would LOVE it.

Can''t wait to see what you end up with! Keep us posted!

xoxoxo!
Lynn

 

[kcoursolle]

Can you refresh us on your e-ring picture? I looked at your old posts and all of the pictures didn''t show up for me. I want to see it in order to think of what would look best with your e-ring.

So far I like all of the styles you posted. The plain shared prong style is probably the most classic, but I love the delicateness of the fish tail and halo bands. I think the open gallery tiffany style won''t be that noticeable with smaller stones, so I would skip that one.

 

[snlee]

Date: 7/24/2007 2:47:58 PM
Author: AmberGretchen

snlee - my current w-band does actually rub up against my e-ring prongs and has done some damage but not enough to threaten the integrity of the ring. I do love the look of the shared prong, and I think that''s probably what I''ll end up with. One thing I thought of - since I have to send my three-stone back to WF to be re-sized anyway, I might just ask them to take pictures with the different styles I''m considering (or at least the ones they have in stock) and see if that makes any difference in what I think about the different styles. I love my shared-prong too, so I totally hear where you''re coming from

I didn''t notice any damage but I probably wasn''t looking close enough. Getting your ering resized by WF and having pictures taken with all the bands sounds like a great plan! I can''t wait to see pictures and see what you end up with!

 

[AmberGretchen]

Thanks fly girl - it helps to know that others have experienced this as well. There''s a part of me that''s still kind of sad about this whole thing.

Katie - those pictures are so helpful, thank you. I admit I was a bit worried that having them do all that stuff to make the band comfortable and safe for wear with the e-ring might make it seem like too much metal in the WF pics, but in your pics it looks perfect and gorgeous. Those are good points you make about the size of the stones - I think I''m definitely sold on going at least with the 3 pointers, if not the 4''s...

Lynn - you are such a sweetie!! I was actually worried you might be insulted I was being a copycat for considering a ring like yours! That''s great to know that you are still so happy with your set - it really is incredibly gorgeous, one of my all-time favorite PS sets

kcoursolle - I''ve added some pics of my e-ring below. Not sure why the original pics don''t show up anymore, but this should help with a visual. Thanks for the opinion - let me know if it changes after seeing the e-ring

Thanks snlee - I am a fan of the picture idea, if its possible. I''ll have to check with WF on that. And don''t worry - there will be lots more agonizing before the decision is made, and lots of picture once it is!

 

[AmberGretchen]

a picture by itself

 

[AmberGretchen]

fun laptop shot

 

[AmberGretchen]

one more - btw, the stats are: center stone 1.12 ct G SI1, side stones 0.50 cttw, F-G color, ACAs, the ring is platinum, and in these pics its a size 6.5 but will soon be a 5.25 or so.

 

[AmberGretchen]

and one final one - just ''cause its a fun fire shot

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 7/24/2007 8:38:45 PM
Author: AmberGretchen

Lynn - you are such a sweetie!! I was actually worried you might be insulted I was being a copycat for considering a ring like yours! That''s great to know that you are still so happy with your set - it really is incredibly gorgeous, one of my all-time favorite PS sets

Ohmygosh, I cannot believe you were actually worried about that!!!

Well, I''m glad you know better now, you silly, silly girl!

OH! Thanks for the photos of your e-ring... mmmm, I had forgotten just how beautiful it is!!!

How wide is your e-ring shank? What is the width of your current w-ring? I LOVE the width of your current w-ring... substantial w/o competing with the e-ring. I''d keep the new ring''s width similar.

Wow, the diamond fairies have been very good to you this year!!!

I can''t WAIT to see what you decide.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Well, your ring was the first of its kind on PS, so I didn''t want you to feel I was infringing

I promise I know better now though

My e-ring really is quite lovely - those pictures don''t even begin to do it justice. The shank of the ring is pretty wide, about 3mm, possibly a tiny bit more, and the one on my w-band right now is about 2-2.5mm. I agree I wouldn''t want to go wider than that, or much narrower.

The diamond fairies have been good to me this year. This is not a totally happy thing though because I have such mixed feelings about my poor original w-band. I''m confident this is the right course of action, but its not as exciting and happy as the studs and the necklace were. Don''t worry though - I do appreciate how very lucky I am on a regular basis (usually when I catch site of those gorgeous studs in the mirror)

 

[kcoursolle]

After seeing pics of your e-ring I''m leaning towards regular shared prong with smaller stones. I would just make sure with WF that there won''t be any rubbing issues. Beautiful e-ring by the way!!!