Engagement Ring Drama, help me decide!!!

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SpoilMeRotten

SpoilMeRotten

=^..^=
O.G.
Jan 3, 2008
1,297
2
#1
So I am totally obsessing and I need some input & opnions on these two rings....

My fiance proposed on Christmas with this 3/4 antique style ring that I picked out:

http://www.helzberg.com/product/eng...ng,+igi+graded+1656936.do?sortby=priceDescend


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hellokittykins


I LOVED it but after 5 days I started second guessing it because I really wanted a larger center stone and the metal 'border" around the stones surrounding the main diamond bothered me, so my fiance, being so sweet, took me back to the store to look for something else that I would love more and we exchanged my ring for this:

http://www.helzberg.com/product/eng...iamond+engagement+ring,+igi+graded+1656943.do

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The one we got was actually 1.40 ct, almost twice the size of the stone in the first ring, now I loved it at first but it's barely two days and I am missing my old ring. This one is set so high that I have trouble tucking in my shirt or putting my hand in my pocket without it catching (maybe I just need to get used to it?) Also, after getting it, I decided the 3 prongs on each side (it's tension set) reminded me of little salad forks!!

Now, my fiance is getting really annoyed that I am having second thoughts on a 9k ring and I feel awful. I am thinking I will just return it for the original ring, but I'm worried that I'll keep feeling like the center stone is too small. Helzberg said the ring is "cast" to the specific stone so they can't customize it/switch the stone. Also, I have looked at all of the local jewelery stores and online and couldn't find anything else the style of the first ring that I really liked (with the exception of the Tiffany Legacy ring with graduated side stones- but that starts at 20k for a 1ct, which is out of our price range) I am just so torn, I prefer the style of the first ring but I'm not happy with the ct. size, the new ring I love the size of the stone but I'm not thrilled with the setting and my fiance is losing patience!
 
#2
what about having something customed in the style of the first one? i have a 3/4 and find it an ok size.

benefit of second style is u can add a wedding ring underneath. w the 1st this might not look great.
 
#3
gabz said:
what about having something customed in the style of the first one? i have a 3/4 and find it an ok size.

benefit of second style is u can add a wedding ring underneath. w the 1st this might not look great.
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the side of the first ring is made to accommodate a wedding band, which was hard to find for a ring this style, so both rings are good for a band

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I though about trying to find somewhere to make a custom ring but it sounds like such a daunting task to me, not only that I would be so worried about not liking the finished product and getting stuck with a ring I don't love because I am so picky. Also, I wore the first ring around when looking for a different one and the pave at all the more expensive 'fine jewelry" stores we visited didn't look as nice or large and didnt have the same sparkle compared to it.
 
#4
i like the first setting better like you, and I understand you are torn because the second one has a bigger stone.

How about u get the setting you love so much first, and then he can get you a bigger stone down the road? :)

I'd hate to look at the second ring all the time and keep kicking myself for not getting it in a setting i actually liked... my two cents!
 
#5
do you have to get a diamond from Helzberg? Can you return it entirely and find another store that can provide you with setting 1 but w/ a bigger stone?
 
#6
Lol, this was always my problem. I could never choose a setting, so I went with a solitaire in a plain tiffany setting and accessorize with colored/diamond bands/enhancers.

I originally wanted a low setting because I hated the "higher" set stones. But the stone shows better in a higher setting and I got used to it. I don't see that much of a different in height between the 2 rings you've shown, but the one with the halo may catch less because of the setting shape. During the winter I wear a plain band so I can put on gloves and such.

Could you have the stone set into a plain setting without diamonds? I would go big now, if you can afford it, because shrinkage may set in later. For a later anniversary, you can always have a jeweler custom-make you a setting similar to the first ring you showed.
 
#7
I have 60 days to return or exchange, so I could get something somewhere else- IF I could find something I like better. So far Helzberg was the only place I've found the first setting done in a way I really liked. The pave sides are my favorite. I guess what I really want is the setting of the first ring with the stone of the second ring! I really wish they just customized things there, it would make this so much easier. They actually have a 1ct version of the first ring, but it doesnt have the pave sides I love!
 
#8
Mininana said:
i like the first setting better like you, and I understand you are torn because the second one has a bigger stone.

How about u get the setting you love so much first, and then he can get you a bigger stone down the road? :)

I'd hate to look at the second ring all the time and keep kicking myself for not getting it in a setting i actually liked... my two cents!
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Maybe this would work, but I'm worried that I'll keep feeling like it's too small!
 
#9
I think the first ring is much prettier and since it was your first choice, probably still the one you like most.
The second ring is nice, but the prongs holding the center stone really look out of place (in my opinion).
I would keep the first ring and get a really dazzling band to go with it.
 
#10
Sorry to take your post in a different direction, but instead of the setting, I would be more worried about the quality of diamonds from a chain jewelry store. According to those links, the stones are I1 quality (very poor quality) and since they're graded by IGI, who knows how accurate the color grading is. Furthermore, cut quality is extremely important (most important of the 4Cs in my opinion) and I doubt that those diamonds are cut well. Any amount of money spent on a poor quality stone is too much money. For less than what you paid you could have a beautiful quality diamond (GIA or AGS certified) in the setting you want. I recommend reading up on diamonds on pricescope.com and checking out diamonds on whiteflash.com, goodoldgold.com...basically any one of the Pricescope recommended vendors. After buying the diamond you can always work with a local jeweler to get the exact setting you want.
 
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#13
2manybags said:
Sorry to take your post in a different direction, but instead of the setting, I would be more worried about the quality of diamonds from a chain jewelry store. According to those links, the stones are I1 quality (very poor quality) and since they're graded by IGI, who knows how accurate the color grading is. Furthermore, cut quality is extremely important (most important of the 4Cs in my opinion) and I doubt that those diamonds are cut well. Any amount of money spent on a poor quality stone is too much money. For less than what you paid you could have a beautiful quality diamond (GIA or AGS certified) in the setting you want. I recommend reading up on diamonds on pricescope.com and checking out diamonds on whiteflash.com, goodoldgold.com...basically any one of the Pricescope recommended vendors. After buying the diamond you can always work with a local jeweler to get the exact setting you want.
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This is very good advice. I would recommend finding a stone you love first and then building a ring custom to your liking. This process can actually be cheaper than purchasing a ring in chain jewelry store. Since you like the style of the first ring best, take it to a jeweler to have them do something similar (but without the ring of metal that you initially didn't like).

As someone who's had three different ring settings in six years, I totally understand being picky. But once you find a really quality stone that you love, it's just a matter of switching it all up once in a while.

Good luck!
 
#14
I also agree with creating your own ring. I just went my jeweler to have a ring designed and he said, like usual, diamonds have gone up (in value) tremendously the last few months. They are always a great investment, so if you can afford a bigger diamond than the one in your first ring, and want a bigger diamond--do it! You'll hopefully have this ring for the rest of your life and definitely don't want to have any regrets about it. Also, if you design your own ring it will be that much more special to you. It doesn't hurt to just go to a jeweler and talk to them. Good luck!
 
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