Engagement rings!
 

What does yours look like? What is your dream ring?

We have just begun to look. Shhhhhh, don't tell anyone I know IRL. My hands are fairly petite, so we want something pretty that doesn't overwhelm my hand. (size 5 finger, even though I'm ~40 pounds overweight) I do think I would like a diamond ring. But we're looking for something a little more intricate than just a solitaire. I think some filigree or engraving could be nice, or additional stones for more sparkle. Right now I just have lots of ideas that don't seem to be coming to one beautiful, defining ring yet.

Anyway, what about your ring? Any ideas?

I had the princess cut solitaire diamond...and 2 wedding bands on each side,,with 2 diamonds each.
For our 15th wedding anniversary my husband had a ring designed with 5 diamonds,,,and looking from the side 2 tone gold scrolls...very pretty. 4 more years for our 25th and I know hes already looking...

Oooohhhh it's exciting, isn't it? I just got mine! My fiancé picked it out. It wasn't the one I really wanted: there was a mixup. I told him I wanted the one in the display, but when he went to get it, the display had been changed! It took me a few days to get used to it, but I love it. It's a three-stone princess cut with baguettes on the side.
I absolutely love the three-stone rings. Because there are three diamonds, they carefully disguise each other's flaws, so the jeweller can use bigger, more flawed diamonds. Depending on your price range, this can allow you a bigger ring that appears flawless, but is much cheaper than a flawless, same carat-sized solitaire.

I did a lot of research for my engagement ring. I knew I wanted something that was simple but not plain. I also knew that I wanted a round cut diamond although I considered other stones as well. I thought I wanted a multiple stone band until I saw them in person. It really does make a difference when you see rings in person. One thing I liked were the cathedral/raised settings and when we went looking, we found the perfect one. We then picked out a diamond to match it.

This is similar to the engagement ring I got:
http://wherethediamondsare.com/detai...renceNumber=27

Since you are petite, a multiple stone ring may be a bit overwhelming for your hand. I saw some really nice rings that had small accent diamonds which could also be an option. We also ended up buying a band that 10 small round cut diamonds and it looked very nice with the engagement ring. It kind of added that extra diamond look without adding extra flash to the solitaire.

DH and I spent about 3 hours at the jeweler when we were picking out the ring and diamond. I have to say that it was a very fun day :)

OOO Rock question!

Not that you asked, but general info on diamonds:

You will get a better deal if you purchase your stone loose and then have it set. Here are a few places for information online:

(from a gemology board...like 3FC only for rockhounds ;) )

http://gemologyonline.com/diamondgrading.html

http://gemologyonline.com/diamond_dictionary.html

http://gemologyonline.com/diamond_cutting.html

If your city every has rock and gem shows (check with your local club) You can some times get much much MUCH MUCH better deals there than you can at your local jewelry store where the mark up is absurd.

To answer your question lol I have a round brilliant hearts and arrows cut(best cut for a white diamond for sparkle!) and two sapphires on each side. But one of my incentives for reaching my goal weight is that my husband will cut me two red spinels to replace the sapphires. (unless I change my mind..again... lol)


I have very small hands too, and decided to go with just under a carat for the diamond. Prices jump way up on diamonds once they reach that magical carat mark. If I had it to do all over, knowing what I know now about the marketing of diamonds and the true rarity of other stones, I would have gone for a big ol ruby! :)

ejm mentioned it but I forgot to! I highly (highly highly highly) recommend going with a good cut on a diamond, it really does make a difference. I've been told by some that my diamond is the brightest one they have ever seen mostly because it is an ideal/brilliant cut (hearts and arrows). The jeweler I went to had a computer that could measure the cut of a diamond and it was pretty amazing to see.

I will agree that the diamond industry does stink and if there is another gemstone that you like, you could always go with that as well. The reason I went with a diamond was basically I wanted something that would go with everything. I think rubies and sapphires are definite good alternatives to diamonds.

We've tentatively picked this one out:

http://www.birks.com/index.asp?cFlag...tID=0&LangID=1

I always though I wanted a simple, single-diamond ring, but as soon as I tried this one on I fell in love with it! The matching wedding band is white gold with little diamonds.

Here is the one that we picked out (except with a princess cut). I agree that trying them on is best- the ring that I had always imagined looked just awful on my hand. I picked this one at random and the second I tried it on, we both knew. Now, all he has to do is ask :rolleyes: Thanks for all the good advice, nelie and ejm!

Thanks for your input so far, ladies

I can be a little compulsive about things like this, so I have done research on diamonds. From what I have read, cut does seem to be most important.

One issue that the boy and I have been discussing is the diamond industry. How it is so awful, the workers are strip-searched as they leave work every day, etc. He feels pretty strongly about it and I am really struggling. I have always wanted a diamond ring, but I'm not exactly sure why. Is that just because it is what the media has told me I want? I think the point that a diamond matches everything is pretty valid.

Anyway, I do not personally want a three-stone ring. I think it would be a bit much on my finger, and I like the traditional look of a single center stone.

Though this ring is not perfect, I do like the little scrolls on the sides
http://www.kohls.com/products/produc...=1165255532873

It is exciting! We are stretching out this process and enjoying it. I have yet to actually try on a ring yet. So far just some window shopping as we were doing other Christmas shopping.

Well I will say that those that work in the expensive gem industries are probably looked at very critically. I remembered watching something on TV about the ruby industry in Thailand? (I can't remember the country) but the workers were also searched leaving work. They did expect the workers to try to sneak out small sized rubies but if they took out larger ones, they'd be in trouble.

One of the major problems with the diamond industry though is that it is marketed so heavily and they are more expensive than they should be because the supply is controlled heavily.

We had been shopping around for a few months before we actually picked a jeweler to go to and actually go with the expectation of buying something. I would also advise to work out your budget ahead of time. DH and I worked that out before we went to the jeweler so that we had an idea of the price range that we were looking at.

I would also try to work out the fine details before you go like what type of metal would you want? Platinum? white gold? yellow gold? 18k? 14k? As well as figuring out approximate desires in the 4cs arena. Of course this may require multiple trips to jewelers to get an idea.

Mine is 1/3 caret tw, channel set. It has three stones, small but E rated color (second most colorless) and VVSII (very slightly imperfect clarity), set in 18k white gold. It is pretty small, but that is important because I hate having jewelry on, and I really didn't want anything that stood up because I do a lot of work with my hands and didn't want it in the way. It also has small white goldwork detail in the channel between the stones. I like it a lot. It is very not gawdy, and looks quite band like. He did good :)

That emerald and diamond ring is very pretty.

Hi Nelie. Thanks for all your thoughtful responses, and congratulations on your wedding! Is your avatar pic from the wedding? Are there more pics from your wedding around 3fc? Your weight loss is very inspirational, I like reading your comments.

We have talked a bit about the C's. Definitely higher than I1. I think I would prefer VS1 or VS2, but I imagine S1 could be fine, depending on what the inclusions are. We have brought up G,H color since it is white enough for anyone looking, but not as expensive as the less-colored stones. We had also said around 1 carat. The metal is up in the air. We have talked a little about price, but finding a ring that we both like seems to be the highest priority. Of course, I can see all of this changing greatly once we actually start looking seriously and trying on rings.

Does anyone have pictures of rings to share?

Christine, Thanks :) I don't have pictures yet, the wedding was a couple weeks ago and I've barely started to collect some pictures of it. Once I get some more, I plan to post them.

I don't have any pictures of my rings because it is hard to take pictures of diamond rings. I've tried and even with the flash off, they come out funky. I don't know how jewelers do it on their websites.

I love the sapphires and diamond ring, so pretty. I was going to suggest something with maybe your birthstone or the stone of the month you are getting married.

Mine is a marquise solitaire but with a diamond and emerald wrap. Has 2 emeralds and 3 diamonds on each side. I loved the emeralds because we were married in May on my birthday so it made it all the more special. Two years ago on our 6th anniversary DH bought me an anniversary band with seven diamonds for the seven years we had been together. I get compliments all the time on how pretty it is. Even had a few people grab my hand and say let me see your ring. If I had to do it again I would go the other way and get an emerald ring with just a couple little diamonds around it. I like diamonds but like something with some color to it. My cousin when she married did her birthstone as well...an opal with two small diamonds, really pretty. A friend did an opal with rubies around it and then a plain wedding band to match, it was really pretty.

I don't have pictures either for the same reasons. DH took a few when he gave me the anniversary ring but didn't turn out.

Keep us posted...I love looking at jewelry!

My favorite site is antiqueengagementrings.com. It has some really beautiful rings. Another good one is faycullen.com - if you're into antique looking rings with detail. Congratulations!! :)

HappyDaisy-

It's funny that you would bring up those sites, because I love both of them! They are really fun for browsing!

Here's mine! I love my ring. My fh did an amazing job picking it out. It's very simple... solitaire set in white gold. I love it, I wouldn't have picked out anything else! Here's a pic...

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...wedding043.jpg

And a picture of it on my finger...

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...agement079.jpg

Eeek... sorry the pics are so big... I have no idea how to resize them!

Go big and go different...you will never regret it...definately a quality stone.

Liz

Hi Liz

Want to expand on that thought? "big and different?" I assume you mean large stone. A unique setting? What do you have? Do you have any tips?

Take the time to look around...you don't want what everyone else has...I personally think soliatres are borrrrring.....go to some of sites mentioned....get a setting that is unique...you won't regret it.

Liz

One thing you should remember if you get a normal solitaire though is that you can get a wrap for it, if that is your kind of thing. I personally like simple things so I wanted a ring that had a simple but elegant design and then a simple but elegant band to go along with it. For me, since my engagement ring had a design, it wouldn't make sense (nor would a wrap fit) to get a wrap. If you want your engagement ring and wedding ring to fit together as one ring then you should look at wedding sets and/or buy a plain solitaire and find a wedding ring that wraps around it.

Just something I remembered and something to think about.

I personally don't like diamonds unless they are a pretty color. So I would skip those. But everyone on here seems to have some pretty ones if that is what you are into.


Top of this page on the left.

http://www.generousgems.com/pink_diamond_rings1.html

http://www.fancycolordiamond.net/dia...ls.php?id=5199

Here is another one that I like. I would use this as an engagement ring. I can't imagine spending this kind of money on it though. Beautiful, just not in my budget. but I would probably use similar color gemstones. That is probably why I have always liked cocktail rings better than engagement rings.

ok, sorry thsi is the last one, I promise


I love this one. This is my favorite.

http://www.fancycolordiamond.net/show_item.php?id=J5697

When my partner and I selected my ring I knew I wanted a sapphire. I tried on about 30 rings before falling in love with this one! It's large enough that it feels big enough for me, but not so large that I'm terrified to wear it.

Shannon

I have one suggestion regarding rings, because I picked mine out on impulse and now regret it a lot. Take into consideration what you do, how active you are, etc... because I have a ring that sticks up quite a bit and I can't stand it! When I worked in retail it was constantly getting stuck on boxes and things...

I hope it is not too late to jump in. My original rig was BORING for my 12 anniversayy my DH got me the ring of my dreams, an antique form 1890's he bought it at www.faycullen.com it is aone of a kind and I couldn't be happier with it. I have not seen anything similar to my ring in the 4 years since. But I too advise, know the older cuts, but for similar money you can get something different from everyone else.

I have a simple round solitaire. thin gold band. Very simple

I'm going ring shopping tomorrow with the fiance!!! (I'm a bit excited)

I've been a bit torn between a diamond solitaire and a sapphire, the ring I have seen that I really like is almost identical to Irishowl's. My mum had an emerald, and it was so gorgeous, that I think I want a coloured stone too.

Good tip about considering how active you are. DF was going to buy one on his own, but now is glad he didn't because he wouldn't have thought of all the considerations, like would it catch on things, get in the way at the gym etc etc.

And it'll be fun to choose it together, something that will last a lifetime.

kykaree- Congratulations! I am so excited for you! I hope that you find exactly what you are hoping for.

It's so fun to think about. :)

kykaree - congratulations :) Sapphires are gorgeous. I wasn't sure I wanted a diamond/diamonds but DH had bought me a "dating" diamond ring which I wore for a year before my engagement ring. The diamonds grew on me, although I never cared for diamonds before and it also gave me a feel of what i'd like to wear permanently.

Activity is something to take in account. I have a friend (who spent way too much money for her budget on her wedding set) who no longer wears her wedding set because it doesn't fit in her lifestyle. For me, I wear my wedding set 24/7 and it is very comfortable and doesn't get in the way. I didn't used to do this but as soon as we got married, DH never took off his wedding band so I decided I'd never take mine off either.

I can't stand anything large between my fingers, so I wanted a really petite ring. Also, having two rings on a finger (engagement and wedding)...just too much. So I opted for a bridal set, then had them soldered together.
http://www.techtrek.com/Hold/AlmostHeaven/RING.JPG

Thats what I was talking about. If I could do it all over, I'd have something that I could wear day and night. This ring I wear just basically when I'm out of the house, the moment I come home it goes off because doing laundry, dishes, etc... it just catches on things and I'm worried about damaging it, or myself!

I hope we get to see a picture of the ring you picked out!

a couple i know just got engaged and her ring is an amethyst. Very beautiful...

Mine was a plain round solitaire I don't remember the specifics but it was very clear and had great color. Anyway, all the money went toward the main stone at that time and a simple gold solitaire setting was only about $90 at that time (16 years ago). I chose the diamond on it's own from a man who had a booth in NYC Diamond District. We had it set in the inexpensive setting because I couldn't make up my mind, I was overwhelmed with the choices. Anyway, a few years later I picked out a setting that cost about 50% of my actual diamond and had it reset. Now there's the main stone with 4 marquis shaped diamonds on each side. If you're in NYC at all, it's well worth it to shop at the diamond district (44th street I think). We saved about half compared to buying it at a local diamond/jewelry store. They also give you a money back guarantee for a week or so in case you want to bring it back home and have it appraised locally. Mine got appraised for 150% than DH paid. I've also brought it there for repairs (I am awfully hard on my jewelry) and cleaning. The vendors are extremely pushy but you just have to focus and keep looking and ignore them.

almostheaven- I really like your ring! When we went shopping, I was calling rings like those "swirly" rings. I kept picking out those swirly ones to try on. I also looked at a wrap that would weld to the engagement ring to have less on my finger.

lizziness- We are just starting to look, which is ok! I don't want to get too anxious, it really may be a few months before I have one on my finger. But it was amazingly fun trying on ones at the store. I felt like such a princess and they were all so pretty!

MoNewEngland- Unfortunately, Indiana is probably too far from NY to go there for the ring. I think my guy would like doing something like buying from a local dealer. He is also kind of secretive about it, though, making jokes about him designing one and whatnot.


It's still all very fun. :)

We have been trying on rings in stores, and I have seen some rings online. I like these a lot:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...7915&rd=1&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6900&rd=1&rd=1

http://www.markschneiderdesign.com/bridal-group8-2.html