Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Advice pls on heirloom ring...keep or incorporate into new setting?

Keep it as is or incorporate into new setting?

  • Keep it

    Votes: 4 57.1%

  • Incorporate it into new setting

    Votes: 3 42.9%
  • Total voters
    7
bludiva

bludiva

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 23, 2017
Messages
3,078
Hi all - I'm embarrassed to post this because it is a truly first world problem. Yay for internet anonymity. =)

My great aunt left me a lovely vintage ring which I've had for years and every once in a while wear on my right hand. I just got married and we're having an engagement ring made, something more modern / more my style. I'm debating whether to keep this ring to wear as an alternate if there are times that the new one feels inappropriately big...or turn the stone and basket into a pendant and incorporate the rest into the new setting.

I like the idea of wearing part of my aunt's ring every day in the new ring but not sure it's a good idea to take the original setting apart. FWIW I'm not worried about my family's reactions and doubt I would ever sell my aunt's ring. Any advice, especially from anyone who's been in a similar situation, much appreciated.

Here are a couple of photos. It's about 1CT, light yellow, set in platinum. I was told it's a mine cut but not sure.

Thanks in advance!

20170926_143101 (2).jpg 20170926_142840-2.jpg
 
Assuming you are selecting a modern engagement diamond, I would carry on with your new engagement setting, in your preferred modern style and modern materials like modern cut melee. I think for your engagement setting it's great to start fresh and make it truly your own setting. I also think modern stones look better with modern cut melee.

I would carefully unset the really pretty and unique yellow diamond from the existing setting and put it into the type of necklace setting you want (could be a bezel, a basket, etc.). I would wear this every day!

I would keep the existing antique setting along with the melee stones which are likely older cuts as is. I would put either a new vintage diamond in it, a colored stone, or an "old cut" synthetic, to use as a travel or beach ring. It is a beautiful setting likely from the 1930s-1940s. I wouldn't mess with taking it apart when it is lovely as is and the stones look perfect right where they are.

My two cents. Take with a grain of salt!
 
I hadn't thought of that but now that you mention it, a Montana sapphire or something light in color would be really nice in that setting. Thank you!
 
I agree with @LightBright that you should get an engagement ring you love, which is a modern ring. It sounds like you have time to make a decision about this ring so I suggest waiting awhile and see if you like to wear this as a RHR once you have your engagement ring for awhile. If you don't like it as a RHR by all means repurpose it as a pendant, bracelet or whatever you might enjoy wearing and as a remembrance of your aunt.
 
Thanks, @kgizo ! You're right, there's no rush to figure it out. I just have some guilt about it spending so much time in a box.
 
I think it's from the 40s / 50s. Engagement rings weren't common where my family is from, my great uncle bought it for his wife while they were on their honeymoon in Paris (or at least that's the story I've been told.) She was really proud of it & I want to respect that.

I was thinking about having a second wedding set in a different color metal but my husband thinks that's just weird...although he said he'd get used to the idea if that's what I really wanted :lol:
 
If you're kinda sentimental, you can keep the original. for me, it would be better to have it reset so it would suit my taste and style.
 
Annie Loves Diamond said:
If you're kinda sentimental, you can keep the original. for me, it would be better to have it reset so it would suit my taste and style.
Click to expand...
I guess I'm not too sentimental. :lol:

I had my great aunt's yellow diamond reset into the pendant above and I had a moissanite put into her original setting so I could use it as a travel ring. I do think this way both pieces will get more use and that's a better way of honoring her gift. :)
 
It's beautiful in the new setting! I think your aunt would be proud.
 
iluvshinythings said:
It's beautiful in the new setting! I think your aunt would be proud.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I was nervous about making a change to her original gift but I have been wearing the pendant every day and love it :love:
 
iluvshinythings said:
It's beautiful in the new setting! I think your aunt would be proud.
Click to expand...
That is a stunning pendant. The diamond looks amazing in the bezel. I agree-- your aunt would just love it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: caf
derbygal said:
That is a stunning pendant. The diamond looks amazing in the bezel. I agree-- your aunt would just love it.
Click to expand...

Thank you!! I swear it looks bigger and sparklier and shows its yellow off better than ever, even though the bezel is mostly WG :appl:
 
Lovely pendant!! I would love to see the new travel ring too ;)2
 
The pendant turned out great and I imagine your aunt would be pleased to know you love it and wear it so much. I think the new setting shows off the uniqueness of the color and faceting of your heirloom diamond. I’m glad you kept the original setting as a travel ring.
 
I don't know if I can post it here since it has a simulant now...but if it just so happens to be in the photo with the pendant maybe that's ok? :twisted2:

I think the setting is so pretty but still don't like it on me. It's listed on LT for now. I'm conflicted about it...part of me wants it to go to someone who will wear it often and part of me is happy if it doesn't sell.

PSX_20171201_114012.jpg

I posted this on another thread already but here's the jeweler's shot of the pendant. Very happy with how both pieces turned out.

pendant4.jpg
 
LOVE them both!!!! Which are you selling?

I personally think you should keep both but that's just my 2 cents:kiss2:
 
If I had inherited such a nice piece of jewelry, I would never sell it. Just put it away, maybe you will have a daughter...
 
lalala said:
LOVE them both!!!! Which are you selling?

I personally think you should keep both but that's just my 2 cents:kiss2:
Click to expand...

Thank you! The setting with the stone we can't talk about. But I may take the listing down, even if it is going to sit in a box.

@dkata I think you're right, though unlikely I'll have kids at this point the sentimental value is still there and maybe it's enough if I just enjoy looking at it even if I don't wear it.
 
Fabulous pendant! It looks perfectly at home on you - it was meant to be worn that way on you. Enjoy!
 
Beautiful pendant! Loved the original ring too. Enjoy!

FinleysMom
 
Alex T said:
Fabulous pendant! It looks perfectly at home on you - it was meant to be worn that way on you. Enjoy!
Click to expand...

Thank you! It is seeing a lot more sunshine!
 
FinleysMom said:
Beautiful pendant! Loved the original ring too. Enjoy!

FinleysMom
Click to expand...

Thank you! I loved the story about your topaz ring I read about in another thread. =)
 
Those pieces are REALLY nice! How wonderful that you ended up with 2 pieces of jewelry that you can wear and enjoy and are both beautiful but very different! I would love to have a yellow solitaire necklace like yours!
 
LBoone said:
Those pieces are REALLY nice! How wonderful that you ended up with 2 pieces of jewelry that you can wear and enjoy and are both beautiful but very different! I would love to have a yellow solitaire necklace like yours!
Click to expand...

Thank you! I feel fortunate and only wish I would have done the pendant sooner! It is getting a lot more use now and it's amazing how much more vibrant the stone looks. :appl::appl::appl:
 
I love the new pendant! :kiss2:
 
Great decision and lovely pieces. Personally, I would keep the ring for travel.
 
AnnaH said:
Great decision and lovely pieces. Personally, I would keep the ring for travel.
Click to expand...
Thank you! I've been wearing the ring on occasion and figure one of my sisters or niece may want it eventually.

I really wasn't sure what to expect from the stone but it is very pretty in almost every light and mesmerizing under certain indoor lighting. Debating taking the accent stones out to put in a locket so each one of us could have something from our aunt...rehabbing is addictive!
 
  • Like
Reactions: caf
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top