Help me redesign my engagement ring! - be honest, you won't offend me!

[lill_canele]

I also think pave + side stones takes away from the bigger center stone.
Everything just looks kind of it's all stuck together.

Personally I don't mind the center stone protruding above the side stones, I like a bit of dimension, but also probably wouldn't go too high.
When I got my ring made, I was given a choice between a high setting and a "standard" setting for my solitaire. Not sure what "standard" really means, but it is higher than your original center stone setting.
Our jewelry recommended the "standard" setting because like what was said above, one that is too high tends to hit things and get caught on things.

Later down the line, I had to get my ring re-sized because I wore it so much that my ring finger became quite narrow and tbh I was glad because like you, I felt that the original band was too thick, so I got a thinner band with the same diamond setting for the solitaire.

Personally I'd go for the center stone + your 2 side stones. Make sure the setting is a little higher than before (ask your jeweler if you can see and compare rings of various setting heights), and get a thinner band.
With a thinner e-ring wedding band, your other 2 bands will look bigger/thicker than your e-ring. This may or may not bother you. But if it does, if you're able to get those diamonds reset into thinner bands or bands that just don't use as much metal, that may work out better for the overall look.
Again, personal preference, I like a clean look and am not a fan of hidden halo diamonds or diamonds underneath the mounted center stone. They do look very pretty, but in some cases, can take away the attention from the center stone.

Best if you can get a consultation with a jeweler, I find that their knowledge and understanding of settings and designs goes a long way. Get some concept art done, preferably digital to help you visualize everything.

 

[DesigningStyle]

Oh dear. I will speak my truth. I am a graphic and fine art artist and thought I had the skills to redesign my engagement ring and I quickly found out it is a very special talent to get it "right". Your ring is not the beautiful art piece it should be. So after a year of sketching, searching on line---I went to a jeweler and found my perfect setting by Gabriel & Co. Check out their site for some inspiration.

 

[DesigningStyle]

Have you considered using just the center stone. Having the two sidestone cushions made into earrings? Having the sides as cushions is not flattering the center stone. I wish he went with a different cut for the sides.

 

[DesigningStyle]

Also, do you wear those two bands with the diamond ring? I think they are adding to the disconnected look. I would suggest wearing them on your other hand.

 

[RACHEY07]

Also, do you wear those two bands with the diamond ring? I think they are adding to the disconnected look. I would suggest wearing them on your other hand.

Hi- thanks for your input.
I mentioned this in my post, but yes, I wear this as a stack. I have no attachment to my channnel set band and would love to re-set those stones. My rose gold ring already fits on my right hand so I can easily move that over if it doesn't work with the new stack.

Because I was unhappy with my e-ring, I just wanted to build a stack to make everything look bigger and sparkle more. It's not sentimental and I am trying to re-build the whole thing.

I already have small diamond stud earrings that I wear every day, so I don't know that there would be a point to re-setting my cushion side stones as earrings.

 

[RACHEY07]

I've talked to a few jewelers but so far I don't feel like I've found a true custom artist who understands what I don't like and is willing to help me find what I do.

I'm open to suggestions for someone I could work with on this. I'm in Nashville and the place everyone goes for bridal jewelry here just felt too dainty to me. I'd really like to work with a designer who can make something special.

 

[A bottle of Red]

I've talked to a few jewelers but so far I don't feel like I've found a true custom artist who understands what I don't like and is willing to help me find what I do.

I'm open to suggestions for someone I could work with on this. I'm in Nashville and the place everyone goes for bridal jewelry here just felt too dainty to me. I'd really like to work with a designer who can make something special.

There are some jewelry designers who are good at coming up with their design based on your preferences and others who follow exactly what you ask ( without much input of their own). Jewelers sometimes have different quality levels of benches- the people who actually create the ring ). And of course there is hand forged vs cast rings.
I have never used these designers , but I have heard of Victor Canera.
I believe @Swanky has a ring from Victor.

 

[Swanky]

Victor is masterful in my biased opinion!

 

[RACHEY07]

Victor is masterful in my biased opinion!

I am on a budget for this. Mainly because I’m not upgrading the stone, it seems silly to spend almost half the cost of the ring itself. But I think ~3k seems reasonable enough for a reset (give or take depending on adding more stones vs reusing what I have).

Do you think it’s worth reaching out to him?

 

[Swanky]

I am on a budget for this. Mainly because I’m not upgrading the stone, it seems silly to spend almost half the cost of the ring itself. But I think ~3k seems reasonable enough for a reset (give or take depending on adding more stones vs reusing what I have).

Do you think it’s worth reaching out to him?

I probably wouldn’t just for design. He’s a perfectionist, I’m not sure he’d work with other’s stones.

 

[saligator]

There are services in NY that reset jewelry as a business. Maybe you could look for those sites for inspiration.

 

[caruava]

Victor Canera is the best. His workmanship is second to none. I've had rings made by other benches in NY and whilst they were very good, still could not compare the Victor. He does fine pave work the best.

However, if I recall, you would need to purchase a stone from him to utilise his services.

 

[A1aGypsy]

I think part of the problem is that the two wedding bands are not complimenting the ring. They do not look like they are designed to go together and it causes everything to look busy and not cohesive which takes away from the main diamond.

I would lose the two bands. Take the diamonds from them and make a single band that compliments the ring you design for your main stone. Then design the two rings together.

I would also buy a fake high set ring and wear it for a few days to make certain that is what you truly want.

 

[iriza]

Maybe a five stone ring?

 

[RACHEY07]

I think part of the problem is that the two wedding bands are not complimenting the ring. They do not look like they are designed to go together and it causes everything to look busy and not cohesive which takes away from the main diamond.

I would lose the two bands. Take the diamonds from them and make a single band that compliments the ring you design for your main stone. Then design the two rings together.

I would also buy a fake high set ring and wear it for a few days to make certain that is what you truly want.

I sort of agree. I don't love matchy matchy sets, but the engagement ring bothered me on it's own, without anything else. I only added the stack to try to bring more things I liked into the mix (mainly the rose gold baguette ring).

I agree the whole stack needs to be re-done, but it needs to start with the e-ring.

And great idea about the fake ring! I'll see what i can find on Amazon. Thanks!