Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"New construction" rings are looking increasingly tacky to me these days. The bright platinum and big prong-set diamonds you see everywhere. Oh, and baguettes-- ugh. Very Jersey Shore.

I would look at the vintage cases for inspiration.

It's funny you say that. My platinum prong-set 3-carat ring (round stone) is over 100 years old and originally belonged to my great-grandmother. It has been passed down but not changed since then. It's definitely not something I would have chosen (even if DH could have come near affording it) but it is simple and elegant and actually does not look antique. Plus it's so special to me because of the family thing, so I just love it. And honestly, I wear it 24/7. I'm too afraid to lose it if I take it off. It's never scratched anyone or gotten caught, evne through 2 kids.

Who are you trying to convince?

Huh? I'm the PP and I was just responding to the PP who seemed to be implying that platinum, baguettes, and prong-set diamonds were some type of new trendy thing. My ring has all of those things and it's very old. I'm not trying to convince you of that because it's a fact. Unless you're implying that it's some elaborate ruse and my great-grandmother is really Snooki??

Once you know what the size and shape of the diamond is, definitely go to several stores to try on different rings. Tiffanys is good because they have a good selection of styles and have each style set with a number of different size diamonds. You may want to pick another store that has more of a selection of antique style rings, if you think that would interest you. Jewelry stores are always happy to show you rings and let them try them on because it builds good will even if you don't purchase form them. You may be surprised as to what looks and feels right on your finger and what does not - a lot has to do with the size and shape of your hands and fingers. Also, the number of prongs will effect the look, even if it is just a solitare, as well has how high or low the stone is set in the setting. (I had mine set low because I didn't like the look of a stone sitting high up, and I wanted to avoided scratching things or bumping the stone.)

First, pick a hard budget and write it down. Stick it to your computer monitor so it's easily visible. Now go to http://www.pricescope.com/forum/ and browse around. Make sure you don't overlook the Coloured Stone forum, nor the Vintage Forum. Sign up and ask any questions you come up with. You WILL want to double your budget after all this, but be firm with yourself

Stick to your budget and these guys will help you get the absolute best ring for your money.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"New construction" rings are looking increasingly tacky to me these days. The bright platinum and big prong-set diamonds you see everywhere. Oh, and baguettes-- ugh. Very Jersey Shore.

I would look at the vintage cases for inspiration.

It's funny you say that. My platinum prong-set 3-carat ring (round stone) is over 100 years old and originally belonged to my great-grandmother. It has been passed down but not changed since then. It's definitely not something I would have chosen (even if DH could have come near affording it) but it is simple and elegant and actually does not look antique. Plus it's so special to me because of the family thing, so I just love it. And honestly, I wear it 24/7. I'm too afraid to lose it if I take it off. It's never scratched anyone or gotten caught, evne through 2 kids.

Who are you trying to convince?

Anonymous wrote:"New construction" rings are looking increasingly tacky to me these days. The bright platinum and big prong-set diamonds you see everywhere. Oh, and baguettes-- ugh. Very Jersey Shore.

I would look at the vintage cases for inspiration.

It's funny you say that. My platinum prong-set 3-carat ring (round stone) is over 100 years old and originally belonged to my great-grandmother. It has been passed down but not changed since then. It's definitely not something I would have chosen (even if DH could have come near affording it) but it is simple and elegant and actually does not look antique. Plus it's so special to me because of the family thing, so I just love it. And honestly, I wear it 24/7. I'm too afraid to lose it if I take it off. It's never scratched anyone or gotten caught, evne through 2 kids.

I really love my Tacori engagement ring--you could look on the website to see if you are drawn to any of the particular styles.

We did this. I told my now husband I wanted something classy, elegant and plain- no extra. He took the stone from his grandmother's ring and had his sister take the diamond to a jewler and design the setting: the ring is gorgeous. It is silver, with a square cut diamond. The setting criss crosses under neath the diamond. I get tons of complements. It is one carat but I have been asked if it is 2. Then we took the small diamonds and had them made into a wedding band. I have 5 in mine and he has 3 in his. He is an ABC (american born chinese) so 8 is considered a lucky number.

Definitely try on some rings and look at styles online. Sometimes you think you want something but when you try it on it doesn't look right on your hand.

"New construction" rings are looking increasingly tacky to me these days. The bright platinum and big prong-set diamonds you see everywhere. Oh, and baguettes-- ugh. Very Jersey Shore.

I would look at the vintage cases for inspiration.

Well while my engagement ring is gorgeous it is not practical at all so I don't recommend it. I have a 3carat cushion cut solitaire. I have stopped wearing around the house after DS got a giant scratch as a baby. I know some of my friends wear their similar rings around the house for washing dishes etc but it didn't work for me, too big.

Do you know what shape and size of diamond he's inherited? that will help narrow things down. Once you know that, you can look at jeweler websites and get a general idea of what types of settings appeal to you. (what color metal, whether you want side stones, how thick of a band.) With the metal color, think about whether you want your weddings bands (yours and his) to match and go from there.

If you want a style that won't get caught on things, having the stone bezeled or gypsy set could work. Although prong settings are more usual, I've seen some lovely modern bezel settings. Gypsy set rings are not so common these days, but you see examples in antique jewelry.

OP, if I was in this position, even not being a jewelry person, I would try to think of this ring as an heirloom: it's being passed to you and your DH and someday, you can pass it on to your son or daughter. With that idea in mind, maybe when you are getting sized, ask the jeweler if you could take a look at some of their rings to get ideas. I think you will get a better feel for what is out there by looking at actual rings, rather than looking at photos online. Might be helpful to know the size and shape of the stone in question, since those things are pretty relevant to whether the setting looks good or terrible.

This is just me, but if I were to do it over again, I would buy a simple ring or band on Overstock.com or at a nice department store, and then wear that, and save the thousands of dollars for something more valuable to you.

If you chose wisely and don't get a huge fake stone, most people can't tell the difference between a real diamond wedding band and one with cz's with the naked eye. I get compliments all the time on my overstock platinum looking channel band, and it was $40. I've had it for years now. Before that, I had a similar one from Banana that people just raved about--it was something like $30.

I know most people can't skip this once-in-a-lifetime, gotta have it ring thing to make them feel like an engagement or marriage is real, and much as I like jewelry, it seems so much more frivolous than a house, car, savings, etc. Especially if you are not a jewelry person, there's no law that says you have to get one.

If you can stomach it, go to www.pricescope.com. It's a diamond education site with a lot of knowledgeable people and lots of baubles to look at.

Take it for what it's worth though- people (mostly women) who are obsessed with diamonds. Many people there have LARGE stones, but are happy to help people who have more modest tastes/budgets.

Congrats!

I rarely wear rings, and have never had any sort of nice jewelry (I wear a lot but it is all costume jewelry). My partner has asked me what type of ring I might like for our engagement and I have no idea where to begin. The only things I really care about are that 1) it is not gaudy and 2) it will not constantly catch on things, scratch a baby's face, etc. I believe he is getting a family diamond, so will be designing the actual ring.

Does anyone have any tips? I am planning to go to a jeweler to get sized, and can talk to the staff while I am there, but thought I'd poll the often informative DCUM crowd first.