What about Rings, Necklaces and Earrings??

[Hest88]

Am I correct in my assumption that the reason she likes white gold is due to her skin color?

No, you''re not correct. I actually like white gold or platinum better because it does look better on me, but I know plenty of women who like platinum just because it''s platinum.

I vote again for a temp setting. Think of it: she''s going to have to wear the ring for the rest of her life. *Plus* it''s going to have to fit her wedding ring. So, unless you know exactly what she wants it''s more considerate, in my mind, to let her choose her own wedding set.

 

[headlight]

Christmas--
Go to www.artofplatinum.com and click on"gallery". Then click on "three stone rings" and take a look at how the center stones are set and tell me if you see a difference between that way and the way it was done on the shane rings and on the ring paula posted.

 

[chrono]

I'll second Reena's advice about a local jeweler. I'm in the process of buying a fancy shaped diamond myself and opted to go through a local jeweler who will match the diamond prices on Pricescope. He is also able to call in the stones from the virtual list if I want him too. Don't go to the chain stores or mall type stores. The mom & pop/family owned type stores are usually good but you'll have to talk to them and check out their goods and reputation carefully first. It isn't easy finding a local jeweler who believes that CUT comes first and will not hesitate to educate their customers.

BTW, I was only kidding about the diamond gift. We do this because we love to help you find your perfect stone/ring for your beloved.

Oh, and metal type:
Hest is correct. It is more of a personal preference. I think Platinum looks really gorgeous but it just doesn't compliment my skin tone. That said, I love pure yellow gold too and it's a perfect match for me, so I just use both. Platinum to hold the stones (for durability) and yellow gold for the band.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 10/28/2004 12:38:24 PM
Author: headlight
Christmas--
Go to www.artofplatinum.com and click on''gallery''. Then click on ''three stone rings'' and take a look at how the center stones are set and tell me if you see a difference between that way and the way it was done on the shane rings and on the ring paula posted.

Headlight...

I''m lost. I see those rings, and I can''t decide if it''s because I don''t like them because they''re so old and busy, or because I''m looking for something I don''t understand. But I''m afraid I can''t answer your question.

Maybe you''re talking about the things that wrap around and hold the stone in place??

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 10/28/2004 12:36:17 PM
Author: Hest88
Am I correct in my assumption that the reason she likes white gold is due to her skin color?

No, you''re not correct. I actually like white gold or platinum better because it does look better on me, but I know plenty of women who like platinum just because it''s platinum.

I vote again for a temp setting. Think of it: she''s going to have to wear the ring for the rest of her life. *Plus* it''s going to have to fit her wedding ring. So, unless you know exactly what she wants it''s more considerate, in my mind, to let her choose her own wedding set.

Actually I''m talking conventional wisdom here. You know...The thing where people make fortunes telling others what colors work for them based on their skin tone and whatnot?

I was basically asking if tanned people tend to look better with gold while fare people tend to look better with white gold...According to the so-called experts...

 

[Hest88]

I was basically asking if tanned people tend to look better with gold while fare people tend to look better with white gold...According to the so-called experts...

Well, *I* think more pale skin looks better with platinum while yellow gold really sets off olive skin, but the real point is that none of it matters: the only thing that matters is what she likes.

 

[chrono]

CEP,
By that convention, paler skinned people look better wearing white gold and platinum while tanned skinned people look better in yellow gold. Even though that may be true, some paler skinned gals may actually prefer yellow gold even though it does not look as nice on their skin as say white gold or platinum might. Hence, it is really a personal preference.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 10/28/2004 1:35

2 PM
Author: Hest88
I was basically asking if tanned people tend to look better with gold while fare people tend to look better with white gold...According to the so-called experts...

Well, *I* think more pale skin looks better with platinum while yellow gold really sets off olive skin, but the real point is that none of it matters: the only thing that matters is what she likes.

Well it''s funny. When I started all this, I didn''t even consider white gold or platinum. Really didn''t even know they were an option (I''ve never even given this stuff a thought, or anything), then I thought about it and remembered that I''ve only seen her wearing white gold and/or silver. Then the skin color thing dawned on me. And knowing her, she would wear what looks best on HER based on HER skin color.

So then I switched to white gold and platinum as the options. I''m going to work on confirming all this over the next week or so, but I''ll bet I''m right. We''ll see...

(And remember...She just doesn''t wear much jewelry...And she''s like me...It''s just not something that''s a high priortiy. I wear a watch because I like to know what time it is. And that''s IT!)

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

I do like the temp setting idea, because it could be really fun for her to shop with you to make her dream ring. Best of all worlds

.

Well...You might have just sold me. She would like doing it together.

You see, I worry about her not being involved with any of this...I''m even keeping a dayly journal for her to read. Complete with notes about when she calls me while I''m looking for a diamond online. I note what we talked about so she can maybe remember the moment. She commonly says "Hi, what are you doing?" when she calls. Well obviously, I have to lie to her, so I just make notes of our conversation and then later she can re-live it and know what I was REALLY doing when she called.

And that''s on top of all the other lying and coniving I''ve been doing and will be doing. I feel bad that I have to lead her to believe I''m not going to ask her anytime soon and want her to know what I''ve been thinking all this time. I''m even doing things like telling her money is tight and we''ll have to have a small Christmas (Except for the kids). I''ve even told her the boat she wants is going to have to wait for at least a year because money''s so tight (The boat WILL have to wait, but due to this ring, not due to money).

Anyway...Sharing the purchase of the ring might be just the right thing to do for her, to help her feel like she''s a part of all this even more.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Hey...I just thought of something...

If I do the tempory thing...I can''t do the purple sapphires, can I?? And that''s the part that will REALLY put things over the top, I think...

Hmmmm......

 

[quaeritur]

Oh, I think you still can do the sapphires. Hopefully someone who makes settings can contribute their thoughts, but I''m thinking a three-stone setting can be made for not too much more than a solitaire. Check around with some vendors...you might be pleasantly surprised!

 

[Hest88]

Purple sapphire earrings, purple sapphire necklace, then a proposal with a diamond in a temp setting...I don''t think the temp setting is going to take away from the over-the-topness!!!!

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

But I REALLY want the purple sapphires in the ring when I present it to her. Is it possible to have them in the temp setting too? If so, how much more of a hassle??

 

[Hest88]

Well, it would be a waste of money and a lot of hassle. Shouldn''t you save something for her wedding present? A purple sapphire right hand ring would be great as a wedding present.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Why a waste of money? Couldn''t they temp set the sapphires too?

I REALLY want the ring to be as "Finished" as possible when I give it to her (With sapphires). I''m growing to be OK with the temp set idea, but I''m thinking the sapphires on the rings is a must.

Believe me...You don''t know how nuts for purple this chick is. And even if it was just blue sapphires, I''m of the opinion (Maybe wrong) that they make the ring just that much more special when she sees it for the very first time...You know..."THE" moment.

 

[Nicrez]

My idea is that most people appreciate the little details in the proposal... The ring for me was pretty personal, so my darling fiance, as much as he loves me, and knows my moods, and likes and dislikes, had no idea about my jewelery tastes on the e-ring...

When I say temp setting, I think of a simple solitaire setting in white gold that literally costs about $100 or less. It''s temporary because it''s not $1000, and it''s not Platinum, and it''s not the highest of quality and can be reused for another stone sometime. My e-ring is in a temp setting, and I will proabably put a little blue topaz in it once my diamond finds it''s permanent home.

If she likes purple, how do you know she''ll like it forever on her engagement ring? What if she''s a closet classic and likes it totally simple and symbolic? It''s your call, but i say incorporate purple into the proposal, like purple roses (very very pretty), you can get a purple velvet box to present her the ring, you can have a whole theme of purple if you make dinner at home for her, or even buy here a lovely purple gown for a dinner out....so many things to do with purple!

I just worry when guys say, "I want to surprise her with this..." And they end up being suprised themselves that she isn''t 100% happy with it, and you spent all that time and money on it. but you know her best, and if that''s what you want and you think she''ll adore it, then go for it! Good luck!

 

[reena]

maybe you could get a cheap white gold setting for the three stones. however, as you will already have predetermined the style ring (3 stone) and chosen the center diamond and the side stones, i''m not sure a temp setting makes as much sense. (as opposed to the situation where you would propose with a solitaire diamond in a temp setting and letting her pick everything from scratch--ie, let her choose whether she wants something antique or modern, whether she wants a 3 stone, a bezel setting, a solitaire, a tension setting; and if she wants a 3 stone, whether she wants diamond sidestones, ruby sidestones, regular sapphire sidesontes, etc.). as someone else pointed out, there''s not as much room for creativity with a three stone ring (especially if you will have already picked out the sidestones) because most of what you''ll see (at least from the top down) is just the stones themselves. so, if you think she''s just going to end up wanting a pretty strightforward platinum or WG setting without a lot of extra bells and whistles, it might make more sense to just get the stones set in something plain and classic now and not waste the time and money on the temp setting.

does that make sense?

 

[Hest88]

See, I just keep coming back to my conversation with my sister when it comes to the temp setting vs. purple/three stone ring. She really, really, really loves blue. Really, really. I''d bet she could go neck to neck with CEP''s GF when it comes to loving her color. For years she really thought she''d want an e-ring with sapphires. However, now that she''s close to getting it, she''s decided she definitely wants just diamonds so that the blue won''t ever clash with what she wears.

 

[reena]

yes, like hest my first choice would be a solitaire diamond in a temp setting, no sidestones. then when you give it to her you can tell her or even show her pictures of the kind of setting and the kind of sapphire you were thinking of for her. it''ll be really sweet, and i''m sure she''ll be so impressed with all of the time and effort that you put into researching and thinking about this. but, the ultimate decision will be hers.

if you are realllllly set on those sapphires, though, my suggestion would be to get a simple, classic permanent three stone setting incorporating all three stones.

 

[sciencegeek]

I vote for a temp setting too. My bf and I designed my ring together and I think that makes it even more special, a true joint effort. He felt too clueless to do it all himself, and wanted me to have something that I loved. A bit of history: for our first Christmas he got me a necklace that he thought was small and delicate and pretty, just like me he said. Totally not my style (mixed metal, teardrop pendant- eek), wore it maybe once. Lesson learned.

As far as the settings I''ve seen posted in this thread, I have to say that I really like pear side stones. A lot.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Now you guys have me freaking out a bit...

I just can''t describe what the look on her face will be when she gets the ring and the proposal, and THEN finds-out it''s got purple in it.

My biggest concern is the ring "Clashing with stuff" as mentioned above.


Let me ask this...What if I get this ring, and we do want to remove the pruple sapphires...How much to get that done? Round-a-bout, of course.

 

[Hest88]

style="WIDTH: 99%; HEIGHT: 49px">Date: 10/28/2004 7:35:57 PM
Author: Christmas Eve Proposer

Let me ask this...What if I get this ring, and we do want to remove the pruple sapphires...How much to get that done? Round-a-bout, of course.

It''s not really the price I care about so much. The problem is, you''re going to then have to put it in *something* and the stones may not fit with her new setting at all. Plus, it''s really going to be harder for her to choose the ring of her dreams if she''s seen that you''ve already put so much effort into the original.

 

[headlight]

CEP-
I suppose that any setting can be considered a "temporary" setting if it does not, in fact, remain "theee" setting for "life". Thus, I suppose the previous settings I've had prior to upgrades could be considered "temp" settings in that context.
I think that it is very clear that you want to present your lady with a "completed" ring, so let's just forget about the temp setting concept as it is very clear by your numerous posts that this idea is not right for you.

With that said, when did the sapphires become purple sapphires? You showed pics of blue sapphires so I don't know when purple became the goal. I missed that somewhere amongst all the posts. Honestly, you can create and call anything an engagement ring, but if you are looking for a "classic" type of engagement ring, purple sapphires are not really a part of that. I think that it is waaaaay too limiting. Just because she likes the color purple today, doesn't mean she'll like them down the road, and by the same token just because she might like purple doesn't mean she'd want them in her e-ring.

Engagement rings are usually comprised of diamonds, and sometimes the addition of blue sapphires as accents, but that is the extent of anything "classic/traditional".

And yes, when I told you to visit artofplatinum.com I was referring to the configuration of metal that holds in the center diamond and nothing else. I'm still unsure as to why you are not able to differentiate between a semi-mount and an integrated basket setting. Perhaps it would be good to go visit a jeweler and ask to see the difference so they can show you since I am not in front of you and it is difficult via online.

All the advice you have been given is correct: You focus on buying the right diamond. THEN you decide on your setting and the side stones are either in it already or they are selected together with your jeweler to be of the right specs to match your center stone and the mounting. You don't do it in reverse. I've seen so many people over the years on these boards buy accent stones with no mounting or even center diamond in mind and then they have to try to sell them because they ended up buying others that "worked" with their actual, final setting.

If she loves these purple (?) sapphires as you say (still don't know why you posted pics of blue sapphires if she loves purple) then get her them in the form of earrings and pendant. Keep the e-ring a separate thing. No one buys jewelry to "go" with their e-ring. All women have jewelry items in their jewel box that they no longer wear because it is no longer their style, but the e-ring is supposed to stand the test of time. Sure, I've upgraded my e-ring, but it has always been comprised of only white diamonds and it has never been intended to be part of a "set" of jewelry. A beautiful e-ring will go with ALL the jewelry she'll ever own. I had considered the use of blue sapphires as accent stones at one time as blue is my absolute favorite color in the world, can't get enough of it, but I realized that having the color in my e-ring was too limiting.

 

[reena]

i completely agree with headlight.

 

[goldengirl]

Date: 10/28/2004 6

1:22 PM
Author: reena
maybe you could get a cheap white gold setting for the three stones. however, as you will already have predetermined the style ring (3 stone) and chosen the center diamond and the side stones, i''m not sure a temp setting makes as much sense. (as opposed to the situation where you would propose with a solitaire diamond in a temp setting and letting her pick everything from scratch--ie, let her choose whether she wants something antique or modern, whether she wants a 3 stone, a bezel setting, a solitaire, a tension setting; and if she wants a 3 stone, whether she wants diamond sidestones, ruby sidestones, regular sapphire sidesontes, etc.). as someone else pointed out, there''s not as much room for creativity with a three stone ring (especially if you will have already picked out the sidestones) because most of what you''ll see (at least from the top down) is just the stones themselves. so, if you think she''s just going to end up wanting a pretty strightforward platinum or WG setting without a lot of extra bells and whistles, it might make more sense to just get the stones set in something plain and classic now and not waste the time and money on the temp setting.


does that make sense?

This is excellent advice.

Might I suggest that, if you were dead set on presenting her with a completed engagement ring including sapphires (whatever shade), you have them set as surprise stones? Like, so:

In the third pic, you can see a tiny diamond set into the shank under the center stone. I''ve seen rings where this was a sapphire instead of a diamond and it was lovely. If I run across them again I''ll post them here...

 

[headlight]

Goldengirl -- FABULOUS idea! I love it! Should she decide she doesn''t care for the colored stones, she can EASILY have those surprise stones changed out to white diamonds!
CEP -- this is a great example of a ring that would be fitting for someone that doesn''t want something to "much", i.e. something for a more petite frame.
Also, CEP, notice the way the center stone is set in the BASKET -- this is what I''m talking about. Do you now see the diff?

 

[goldengirl]

Okay! Here''s one:

That way it''s simple, classic, and goes with anything from the top-down. But you and she have a sneaky little secret, her favorite color tucked away underneath for her to peek at whenever she likes.

 

[goldengirl]

And I just want to say one more thing: I think it''s really sweet that you want to give your gf a ring, necklace, and earrings all at once, but I''m concerned it''ll be a bit "much". You plan on proposing on Christmas Eve, right? So what are you giving her for Christmas? Because I''ll tell you, nothing you give her will upstage her e-ring, and I think you might be a little disappointed if she doesn''t swoon over the smaller jewelry pieces as much as you think she might. I think they might just get lost in the shuffle, at least a little.

Plus, because you''re presenting this all at one time, she might feel obligated to consider it her engagement "set", ie, he gave me these earrings when he proposed, so I can''t/shouldn''t take them off. And even if she doesn''t, I still think it''s a little overwhelming to have large quantities of jewelry given to you all at once, ESPECIALLY because her e-ring will be a shocker all by itself (with it being unexpected, and all).

It might just be me, but I think that it might be nice to keep it simple and focused on the proposal and the e-ring.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 10/28/2004 8:54:22 PM
Author: headlight
CEP-

I suppose that any setting can be considered a 'temporary' setting if it does not, in fact, remain 'theee' setting for 'life'. Thus, I suppose the previous settings I've had prior to upgrades could be considered 'temp' settings in that context.

I think that it is very clear that you want to present your lady with a 'completed' ring, so let's just forget about the temp setting concept as it is very clear by your numerous posts that this idea is not right for you.


With that said, when did the sapphires become purple sapphires? You showed pics of blue sapphires so I don't know when purple became the goal. I missed that somewhere amongst all the posts. Honestly, you can create and call anything an engagement ring, but if you are looking for a 'classic' type of engagement ring, purple sapphires are not really a part of that. I think that it is waaaaay too limiting. Just because she likes the color purple today, doesn't mean she'll like them down the road, and by the same token just because she might like purple doesn't mean she'd want them in her e-ring.

Headlight...Thanks again for all the info...You're giving me lots to consider!

Please remember, that at this time last week, this was just a plan. And before that, I hadn't given any kind of jewelry any kind of serious thought at all. It's just not something I'm really interested-in. And I only considered sapphires at all because I saw a set that used them and it caught my eye. Then I remembered that sapphire is my birthstone...And I thought she would appreciate that...Then of course the discovery that purple ones existed at all, and of course purple being her favorite color, I shifted from my birthstone to her favorite, bordering on obsessive, color...And here we are.

As for her not liking purple some day...No chance...

Purple car
Purple furniture
Purple clothes
The word purple in her password
Purple painted toolbox
New pair of purple dress boots just purchased the other day
Purple swimsuit in a 20 year old picture
Purple, purple, freaking PURPLE!!!

I'm even going to repaint my favorite toy, my golfcart, purple for her. (I like purple too, so I'll like it as well).

Now, you've got a point that she might not like purple in her Engagement Ring, only because it's an Engagement Ring, but I can't see that being the case. But, I've got to consider the simple fact that it might be...

That being said, I'm REALLY digging that hidden stone thing!!!! I can't really tell what the details are based on the pics, but I think I get the idea. I'm going to look into it. That's REALLY made an impression on me!!! Are they literally hidden unless you point them out to someone? If so, what a happy (And safer) medium that would be!!!


And I'm not totally against giving her a temp ring. As a matter of fact, I think it would be very cool letting her help pick-out the final setting...Just so she could share in some of this. My big problem is the fact that me putting purple in the ring will REALLY make her evening when I propose (Let's say it will be the purple cherry on top of the sundae). I can just hear her now...

"Yes" (I hope)...

"Oh, it's just BEAUTIFUL!!! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!"

"AND IT'S GOT PURPLE STONES TOO!!! OH MY GOD!!!"



And let's see if this makes any kind of difference at all...

She wears one ring now, on her right hand. It's just a small, simple ring, either silver or white gold with two stones...Her children's birthstones. A light blue one (November) and a pink one (October).



As for the necklace and earrings...

The necklace is her birthday gift and a way to throw her off...A way to make sure she doesn't see the ring coming...It's going to be a hanging heart (Hopefully with a purple sapphire, but it doesn't have to have that...Because so far, I can't find one...But if it does, she'll LOVE it!!). And when I give it to her, I'll tell her "It's my heart and she now owns it". She'll assume it's more expensive than it is, and assume I combined her birthday and Christmas gift together (Since we've already decided to limit what we spend on each other so we can buy more for her kids). Then BAM!! The Proposal (Her REAL Christmas gift, as far as she knows). And just when she thinks it can't go any further (She STILL should get a "Christmas Gift" on Christmas morning (Shouldn't she???, here come the earrings!!

And don't worry...She won't think they're a set. I'll present them in a way that she won't. She'll just know I worked very hard on making it a special birthday/Christmas/Proposal and then she'll probably wear the necklace all the time, because it's "My heart", and wear the earrings only on special occasions since she's not really that into jewelry.

 

[Christmas Eve Proposer]

Date: 10/28/2004 9:26

6 PM
Author: goldengirl

Date: 10/28/2004 6

1:22 PM

Author: reena

maybe you could get a cheap white gold setting for the three stones. however, as you will already have predetermined the style ring (3 stone) and chosen the center diamond and the side stones, i''m not sure a temp setting makes as much sense. (as opposed to the situation where you would propose with a solitaire diamond in a temp setting and letting her pick everything from scratch--ie, let her choose whether she wants something antique or modern, whether she wants a 3 stone, a bezel setting, a solitaire, a tension setting; and if she wants a 3 stone, whether she wants diamond sidestones, ruby sidestones, regular sapphire sidesontes, etc.). as someone else pointed out, there''s not as much room for creativity with a three stone ring (especially if you will have already picked out the sidestones) because most of what you''ll see (at least from the top down) is just the stones themselves. so, if you think she''s just going to end up wanting a pretty strightforward platinum or WG setting without a lot of extra bells and whistles, it might make more sense to just get the stones set in something plain and classic now and not waste the time and money on the temp setting.



does that make sense?

This is excellent advice.

Might I suggest that, if you were dead set on presenting her with a completed engagement ring including sapphires (whatever shade), you have them set as surprise stones? Like, so:

In the third pic, you can see a tiny diamond set into the shank under the center stone. I''ve seen rings where this was a sapphire instead of a diamond and it was lovely. If I run across them again I''ll post them here...

I absolutely LOVE this idea!!!! Well done!!!