Engagement ring with his & her birthstones anyone?

[stobar]

I have been looking into having an engagement ring made which holds both of our birthstones - and perhaps a diamond(s).
Can anyone shed any light on whether this is a good idea/show me some examples? The stones would be peridot (her) and aquamarine (me). I want it to look pretty not OTT - am I going down the wrong path here??

 

[valeria101]

Date: 3/27/2006 4:08:56 AM
Author:stobar

I have been looking into having an engagement ring made which holds both of our birthstones - and perhaps a diamond(s).

If both are into this, why not... it is a lovely idea, IMO.

Once upon a time (up to 1940 or so if not mistaking) two-stone rings were at least as popular as three stones today (look up ''toi at moi rings'' or ''bypass'') so you are likely to find lots of lovely designs built around two main stones among antique rings.

A few models made their way into the current popular collections of bridal jewelry - such as ''Red'' by Daniel K. So... I don''t think the choice would appear dated or anything.

Aqua and peridot would make a fantastic pair, IMO. Perhaps the two are not quite as durable as sapphire and diamond, but the stones should wear well in a reasonably protective setting (e.g. not too high or open).

If durability really is a big issue, sapphire in these colors should be obtainable.

Hope the 2c help

 

[valeria101]

The first one in picture below looks like a fairly straightforward design. The two stones are about a carat and a half each, which wouldn''t be much to ask either from aqua and peridot, or pastel sapphires of matching colors.

 

[valeria101]

Speaking about the old ones... here's a sample of what I had in mind

From Adin

Maybe these rings in particular are not much... I mostly wanted to post them as an example of the style.

 

[stobar]

Thanks for the pictures. I like some of these - the only problem will be getting a wedding band to sit nicely up against it.

 

[valeria101]

The second one from Adin looks like it could accommodate a normal wedding band better than the others, because the two stones are not too far off the straight line across the finger, and the loops of the band fill in the gaps on their side pretty well.

The very first one could probably be made fairly tall, but not sure.

The jeweler making the ring should be in the best position to find a solution for this one. Do you have a particular shop in mind?

 

[Anastasia]

Stobar,

Is this your girlfriends idea or yours? If she isn''t in on the decision - please make sure that she likes the idea. If she is dreaming of a traditional engagement ring, she will be very disappointed! The sentiment is very sweet as long as she likes the idea.

 

[valeria101]

Is a fitted wedding band a total no-go ?

 

[valeria101]

Date: 3/27/2006 8:52:44 AM
Author: Anastasia


If she isn''t in on the decision - please make sure that she likes the idea.

Ditto.

Are you guys into modernistic styles? At least one such thing would definitely fit any wedding band and IMO, looks great. Obviously at least some folks consider these appropriate engagement rings -since this is what these were made for, but this doesn''t mean they are common.

There are more where this comes from (www.jewelsmith.com )

 

[koko]

I love the idea of the two stone engagement ring with color! If it''s substantial you wouldn''t need a separate wedding ring, just take it off before the wedding and use the ring to be married with. Or have a separate, plain wedding band to be worn alone for daytime/work. Jacqueline Kennedy had a ring similar in design to the first antique ring photo that Ana posted from Adin. It was a two stone ring with emerald cut square center stones, one a 2.84 carat emerald and the other a 2.88 carat diamond. The setting was in platinum, very substantial with a row of channel set baguettes and was created by Van Cleef and Arpels. .... then her first year in the White House she had the ring redesigned. The baguettes were replaced with marquise and round stones in a yellow gold setting. The original design was simpler, and according to the book "Kennedy Weddings" by Jay Mulvaney, she asked her private secretary what she thought of the new design before proceeding and she replied "To me it looks much too bulky and takes away from the whole beauty of the ring,".....to which Jackie replied "Oh, you''re just like Jack......" But she went against their advice and did it anyway! However....I think your idea is lovely and there are some beautiful vintage aquamarine engagement rings at www.antiquejewelrymall.com that I love to look at! Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide!
PS: I love Ana''s idea of getting your Birthstone colors done with Sapphire stones for hardness.

 

[koko]

Date: 3/27/2006 8:52:44 AM
Author: Anastasia
Stobar,

Is this your girlfriends idea or yours? If she isn''t in on the decision - please make sure that she likes the idea. If she is dreaming of a traditional engagement ring, she will be very disappointed! The sentiment is very sweet as long as she likes the idea.

DITTO!

 

[valeria101]

More wedding-band friendly?

Wink lists a version of the Daniel K ring - ''guess it could be made with different shapes of stones: thinking of a aqua & peridot pair, custom cut as square cushions of some sort)

LINK to two-asschers ring

 

[stobar]

Date: 3/27/2006 8:52:44 AM
Author: Anastasia
Stobar,

Is this your girlfriends idea or yours? If she isn''t in on the decision - please make sure that she likes the idea. If she is dreaming of a traditional engagement ring, she will be very disappointed! The sentiment is very sweet as long as she likes the idea.

It is my idea. Although I think I know her well enough - there is a chance she might not like it. She likes things that are a little different and ornate. I thought it would be nice to have something unique - I''m taking it one step further and making it unique to us. I want it to be a surprise but perhaps it is a little risky - maybe I should get her a usual diamond solitaire?

 

[eks6426]

What if you did a more traditional ring with the normal center stone but then used the birthstones as the "surprise" stones on each side? Yours on one side and hers on the other....They wouldn''t be real big and they''d be in a more protected place. So, then you''d have a traditional diamond ring with a personal twist.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 3/27/2006 9:51:18 AM
Author: stobar

I want it to be a surprise but perhaps it is a little risky - maybe I should get her a usual diamond solitaire?

Well, maybe ruling out any personal detail doesn''t sound quite great either...

Especially since you mention she likes intricate rings.

Not every girl on the planet wants a total surprise. If this forum is any evidence, quite on the contrary. Any chance you could ask the approval of yours on a ring design and leave the proposal be a surprise?

If the rings ends up being built around one valuable stone (i.e. most of the cost is not the setting itself), it may also work to present the stone in a temporary setting and let the lady have the setting designed.

However, I would give the birthstone idea a chance and ask. To me, it sounds like a thoughtful, sweet proposition.

Besides, the usual wiry solitaire wouldn''t be a surprise at all - not more than a definition in the dictionary is a surprise

 

[stobar]

Date: 3/27/2006 10:24:07 AM
Author: IslandDreams
What if you did a more traditional ring with the normal center stone but then used the birthstones as the ''surprise'' stones on each side? Yours on one side and hers on the other....They wouldn''t be real big and they''d be in a more protected place. So, then you''d have a traditional diamond ring with a personal twist.

I''ve thought about this too - but do you think it would look odd not being symetrical?

How about a small cluster ring with a diamond centre and altenate peridot, aqua stones around the outside?

I think some of the Art Deco rings on the Antique Jewellry Mall website would be the type of thing she likes...this one in particular.

 

[pearcrazy]

The concept of his and hers birthstones in an engagement ring wouldn't appeal to me at all. Especially an aqua and peridot. It might appeal to your girl, but I would discuss it with her and make sure it did before I went forward with that plan. That wouldn't be something that I would surprise her with.

Perhaps in a right hand ring, but not in an engagement ring without prior approval.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 3/27/2006 10:53:57 AM
Author: stobar

Date: 3/27/2006 10:24:07 AM
Author: IslandDreams

What if you did a more traditional ring with the normal center stone but then used the birthstones as the 'surprise' stones on each side?

I've thought about this too - but do you think it would look odd not being symmetrical?

'Surprise' accents are something like the small diamonds on the sides of the center stone in this ring - quite small and subtle. Even if the colors are different, it would not affect the symmetry of the design. Not sure if such small colored stones of pale colors would look great though.



How about a small cluster ring with a diamond centre and alternate peridot, aqua stones around the outside?

Still something I would ask about. And this sounds like a rather dated, common idea honestly. Not quite as tempting as a two-stone.




I think some of the Art Deco rings on the Antique Jewellery Mall website would be the type of thing she likes...this one in particular.

The link doesn't work for me.

Look, original ideas are great, but would definitely ask about any such thing.


IMO, anything works for an engagement ring - as long as the concerned parties agree about it.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 3/27/2006 9:51:18 AM
Author: stobar

Date: 3/27/2006 8:52:44 AM
Author: Anastasia
Stobar,

Is this your girlfriends idea or yours? If she isn't in on the decision - please make sure that she likes the idea. If she is dreaming of a traditional engagement ring, she will be very disappointed! The sentiment is very sweet as long as she likes the idea.

It is my idea. Although I think I know her well enough - there is a chance she might not like it. She likes things that are a little different and ornate. I thought it would be nice to have something unique - I'm taking it one step further and making it unique to us. I want it to be a surprise but perhaps it is a little risky - maybe I should get her a usual diamond solitaire?

I'd play it safe. Even women who like things that are "different" don't necessarily want their e-rings to be different.

If she does, she can always pick a setting of her liking and add to the stone.

 

[sydneycasandra]

Although I think we (and your lady too, I''m sure) can all appreciate the sentimentality and thoughtfulness of such a unique engagement ring...

I think you might be treading on very risky ground. As others have mentioned, even if she does love unique and ornate rings, this may not be the best piece of jewelry to showcase your creative side. As much as I love unique and "different" jewelry, I think if my fiance had given this to me as my engagement ring I would have been a little... stunned. And since it''s a custom piece (most likely) there won''t be too many options for returns if she doens''t like it. That''s even if she gets up the guts to tell you that she doesn''t like it... what if she dislikes it but doesn''t say anything b/c she doens''t want to hurt your feelings (much more likely that she''d keep quiet when she knows it is something you made, versus something you just picked out of stock in a B&M store.) Also, if this had been given to me as my engagement ring (and I had any interest in diamonds, which I do, and your lady may as well), I might have been just a tiny bit disappointed that you ignored my likes (diamonds!) in favor of flaunting your creativity, on such an important, symbolic piece.

I think the idea is truly a lovely one, but perhaps one that would be best suited to another piece of jewerly, such as a necklace or RHR.

OH! I''ve got it!!! Perhaps if you purchased her a traditional engagement ring, you could have a aqua/peridot ring made (rather inexpensively I would think) as a very very nice wedding gift to her, on the morning of your wedding or perhaps the night before. It could be her "something blue", still show your creative side, but not invade on that oh-so-scary ering territory.

Good luck, let us know what you decide!

 

[sydneycasandra]

I''ve been thinking about this for the past 20 minutes or so and had another idea that might be a little more financially feasible than a whole separate ring for wedding gift.

What about having two small (round?) but very nice quality and color, size-matched stones placed on the inside of the rings? Perhaps her birthstone on the inside of the engagement ring, and yours on her wedding ring? (or two on one or both on both or whatever...) It would still be very sentimental and personalize the ring, and would be a nice secret that you two can share.

(I sense that some people are going to not like this idea b/c why should you hide beautiful bling? But it''s an inexpensive way to incorporate the idea...)

 

[moon river]

Date: 3/27/2006 5:23:41 AM
Author: valeria101

The first one in picture below looks like a fairly straightforward design. The two stones are about a carat and a half each, which wouldn''t be much to ask either from aqua and peridot, or pastel sapphires of matching colors.

I LOVE the one with the yellow bypass stones.

 

[stobar]

Thanks for your feedback everyone.
I have decided to postpone the birthstone idea.
I may get her a more traditional ring, or hold the surprise completely - and we will choose something together.

 

[dani13]

I would definitely get her a more traditional diamond e-ring- especially because an aqua and a peridot just imo, do not complement eachother at all. I like the idea of suprise diamonds of both of your birthstones in the band-very cute. But if your gf has not verbalized the whole "birthstone thing as center stones" to you I would avoid it. This is not to say I dont like a pretty sapphire or ruby center for an e-ring, but you are not considering those...

 

[LollyBear]

I know you said you had given up the idea, but I wanted to chime in anyway.
I think you could do a ring like this (imagine your birth stones in place of the small round and marquise). It would still be very "engagmenty" but have that special touch. Since peridot and aquamarine are light colored stones, I think it''s fine to use both in the setting.

 

[KristyDarling]

Stobar -- you are very sweet for putting so much thought into the ring. I agree with the others though -- this jewelry piece that she will wear forever may not be the best time to get real creative. I like the idea of having a traditional stone set in a solitaire setting (which may or may not end being temporary), and then sharing your birthstone idea with your lady and letting her decide if she''d like it re-set with aquas and peridots. She will be so touched that you even thought of that! You could even present her with some of the beautiful pictures shared above. If she doesn''t go for that, you could always surprise her with a lovely custom right hand ring on your wedding day. Perhaps a delicate eternity band made with your birthstones....I''m envisioning a 3-sided pave band, about 2.2mm, with diamonds on the main face and peridot stones on one side and aquamarine stones on the other.

 

[marriahlyn]

It''s a cute idea but not for an engagement ring I don''t think. Wait til you have kids and do a family ring. My ring would look like a Christmas ring if it had DH and I''s birthstones, he''s may (emerald) and I''m july (ruby). Sounds like you are really trying to do something special. Good luck.

 

[movie zombie]

i like the idea as long as the one wearing the ring is into it. that daniel k ring that ana posted has so many possibilities.....

movie zombie

 

[MINE!!]

Date: 3/28/2006 1:36:30 PM
Author: StephensBride
I know you said you had given up the idea, but I wanted to chime in anyway.

I think you could do a ring like this (imagine your birth stones in place of the small round and marquise). It would still be very ''engagmenty'' but have that special touch. Since peridot and aquamarine are light colored stones, I think it''s fine to use both in the setting.

that is spectacular!! You could do the ovals in peridot and the rounds in Auquamarine.. YUMMM YUMMMM

Good idea StephensBride!!

 

[ilovesparkles]

I also have to chime in late because I had forgotten about this ring I bookmarked. It is more traditional but could also incorporate birthstones. Im sure something similar could be made with two stonein the band instead of one or you could have two bands one on each side

Also I LOVE Stephensbride idea!