Eternity Band Help - AGAIN Please!

[October2008bride]

Hi Everyone! For those of you who read my previous thread on 2-2.5 tcw eternity bands, some of this will be repetitive, but I am looking for some new advice.

I ordered a shared prong eternity band in a basket setting for my wedding band (it will have its own finger - not a set with my ering) and recently received it.

Unfortunately, I don''t love it It is super uncomfortable and I think that is based on the fact it is too high for my finger/hand.

Here are a few pics - the diamonds are beautiful and sparkly (not shown in the night time pics) but the setting isn''t what I''d hoped it to be (althought it is exactly what I''d ordered).

Lucky for me, I am working with ERD and Mark has been INCREDIBLE! He has offered to remake the ring in whatever setting I want. What a great guy - can''t recommend him enough that is for sure!

Here is where I could use some guidance.

1. Mark mentioned the Tiffany basket setting sitting lower and that he could make that for me - how low do you think it would sit? Do you think 2.2 tcw on a size 6 finger would be more comfortable in it? Or are basket settings never comfortable?

2. Are the non-basket settings for eternity bands inherently lower and more comfortable? Should I just give up on the basket and get that?

3. Any other suggestions? Bezel set? I''d prefer not to get channel or pave.

I am going to Tiffany probably this weekend to check it out, however I know you are all so experienced with this stuff that you probably have some great advice! Thanks in advance - I just want to make sure that when I get it made AGAIN that I do it right!

 

[mrssalvo]

i think going to tiffany is a great idea. then you can dry on different bands and see what you find works for you.

 

[mercoledi]

Ditto, they have a few bezel bands. Maybe bar-set would work for you; a little lower and a little smoother.
Tiffany bar-set half eternity
Knox bar-set eternity

That last one is a little chunky, I''m sure Mark can keep it sleek and elegant.

Oh, and even if uncomfortable, your band is beautiful!!

 

[orbaya]

That is a bit high. I think you could remake the ring without the gap below the diamonds, and it would sit significantly lower. It looks like it would be approximately half as high. You could also ask Mark to set the stones as low as possible.

 

[October2008bride]

Date: 3/20/2008 8:54:33 AM
Author: orbaya
That is a bit high. I think you could remake the ring without the gap below the diamonds, and it would sit significantly lower. It looks like it would be approximately half as high. You could also ask Mark to set the stones as low as possible.

Thanks for the input so far everyone!

Orbaya - if I take out that bottom gap, does that remove the ''basket'' part of the setting? I''m just trying to visualize it.

Thanks!

 

[erica k]

i seem to remember the tiffany basket setting for 1.70ish ctw sitting nearly as low as my 1.54ct memoire eternity band (non basket-setting). granted, the tiffany stones are slightly larger, but overall, the setting is very low. when i tried on the 2.20ctw memoire, it seemed a little uncomfortable, but still, it was an extremely low setting.

it seems like the stones could be set lower in your setting. have fun trying on rings!

 

[orbaya]

Date: 3/20/2008 9:42:23 AM
Author: October2008bride

Date: 3/20/2008 8:54:33 AM
Author: orbaya
That is a bit high. I think you could remake the ring without the gap below the diamonds, and it would sit significantly lower. It looks like it would be approximately half as high. You could also ask Mark to set the stones as low as possible.

Thanks for the input so far everyone!

Orbaya - if I take out that bottom gap, does that remove the ''basket'' part of the setting? I''m just trying to visualize it.

Thanks!

I was thinking of something similiar to this. http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=2338

If you click on picture #4, it will show you a profile shot.

 

[October2008bride]

So I went into Tiff''s tonight - tried on a few eternity bands.

1. 1.76 tcw shared prong basket setting. Each stone was 8 points. Setting was a 6.5 (I''m a six) and it was still very comfortable!

2. 2.8 tcs shared prong basket setting. Probably 15 points each stone. Setting was marginally less comfortable, but still better than the one I currently have.

Here are the differences I noticed. It obviously sits much lower than my current ring. Also, the prongs seemed much smaller/lower/smoother than the one I have now.

Either way I really liked them. They were more what I hoping for that is for sure. I tried on a few other styles including the Novo band (which I was torn between earlier) and I''m still very happy that I chose the shared prong band.

So - although the band I tried on today was smaller in tcw than what I will have, adding the 2 points per stone won''t make a HUGE difference will it?

Also - if their 6.5 band has 22 stones that were .08 each, do you think that maybe I have too many stones in my ring? I don''t want to go over 10 points per stone - maybe I should have less stones?

Anyways, thanks in advance to those who are able to help!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The number of stones is dictated by the size of the ring. So they may need 22 stones at 8 points, but only 19 stones at 10 points, or whatever. That''s why it is useless to talk about total weight in eternity rings. You need to decide on how many points you want the stones to be. I have a Memoire band with almost 11 pointers, and the ring is 3mm wide. How big is your e-ring stone? I have found that a too blingy band takes away from the e-ring a bit, and I just got a Tiffany Legacy band because it is subtle and sparkly but allows my diamond to be the star. You might want to go somewhere and try on Memoire bands as they sit very low also. They would come in many more size stones than the Tiffany rings do.

 

[October2008bride]

Thanks DS! The ring won''t be worn with my ering (which is 1.9 by the way) - it will stand alone on my other hand. I''d like to keep the stones themselves at 10 pointers - I think that size looks not tooo crazy but stands alone really well you know?

Noone nearby sells memoire, or else I''d do just that.

I took a few more pics of my ring - it is really pretty! If only it fit...

 

[October2008bride]

One more..

 

[October2008bride]

Last one that I''ve resized...

 

[October2008bride]

Anyways so that is what I have - if you think that taking out a stone or two will help, or if it is just about asking the setting to be made as low as possible, please let me know! Thanks everyone!

 

[dani13]

Ohhh...Its SOOOO pretty, October!!!

Can you take some shots of the ring on your hand from further away to get a better idea of size????

I feel so bad asking for more pics when I cant even post any of mine! I PROMISE I will!!!! Promise!!!

 

[pavelover]

Hi October,
Did you ever get to look at the eternity bands again in person? Did you decide which one to go with? Hope the shopping was fun

 

[October2008bride]

Date: 4/2/2008 10:58:24 AM
Author: pavelover
Hi October,
Did you ever get to look at the eternity bands again in person? Did you decide which one to go with? Hope the shopping was fun

Hi PL - sorry I missed this! I did go and look. I tried on the eternity band at tiffany (basket setting) and it did sit much lower - granted, it was smaller in carat weight too. About 1.7 tcw. She said they didn''t make it in 2 tcw or so. I did really like it though

I havne''t sent my ring back to Mark yet - I''m still having doubts about what to do. I think that once I sit with him and go over options, I will feel better. Part of me is sad at losing a finger forever (i.e. my wedding band will be on one, and my ering on the other - so what if I want to buy another ring ever!!).

I may just have to go to the regular setting to make it sit low enough. At least then if I wanted to wear it with my ering once in a while I could.

Or I could really switch things up and get a bezel set eternity band like DMBsgirl. Hmmm...

THoughts?

 

[lovewhitediamonds]

I went through the exact same saga... but my solution was to go with smaller diamonds to get the entire band just thinner and lower profile.
Originally had a 3ctw eternity band, went down to a 1.5ctw and now I want even smaller for a more delicate look so it doesn''t compete with my e-ring.

take your time and try on a lot of bands -- you will know it when you see it! Good Luck!

 

[dmus]

I just had Quest make a beautiful eternity ring (2 row) which was 4.64CTW. So it is about 2.3CTW per row and sits 2.6mm high. If that''s not too high I recommend giving Pete a call. They do beautiful work. I had it made in shared U prongs. Here are pics, but I''m sure they could do anything. How low do you want it to be? I believe the basket approach adds height and the U prong approach allows it to sit lower. Pete can do whatever you want. Good luck.

eternity ring u prong

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Is it your preference not to wear an eternity ring with your diamond or is the e-ring 3 sided pave and you are afraid to wear a wedding band with it?

I think it would be nice to have a thin diamond band to wear with your e-ring on your left hand and have the larger eternity ring to alternate and wear instead of the wedding set.

But I agree that the problem with that eternity band you posted is that it is set too high. It sticks out too far and that is what makes it so uncomfortable. I would think you could find someone who carries Memoire if you want to try one of those. But if mark can make a low set basket setting like Tiffany, that would be nice, too!

 

[October2008bride]

Date: 4/23/2008 7:27:33 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Is it your preference not to wear an eternity ring with your diamond or is the e-ring 3 sided pave and you are afraid to wear a wedding band with it?

I think it would be nice to have a thin diamond band to wear with your e-ring on your left hand and have the larger eternity ring to alternate and wear instead of the wedding set.

But I agree that the problem with that eternity band you posted is that it is set too high. It sticks out too far and that is what makes it so uncomfortable. I would think you could find someone who carries Memoire if you want to try one of those. But if mark can make a low set basket setting like Tiffany, that would be nice, too!

My IDEAL preference would be to have a tiny bead set band to wear with the ering once in a while, and the blingy shared prong to wear on my right hand. However, that doesn''t seem to be an option according to FI In any event, the ering has a tiny donut of diamonds that will sit against the wband which is why I don''t want something to wear full time against it.

I''m meeting with Mark in June, and he said we could go over the options then. I may have to just let go of the basket idea and get the memoire type setting to get it as low as possible. I don''t really want to go with lower tcw because I don''t want this to be a temp band - i really want it to stand on its own forever! Thanks for chiming in DS!

 

[October2008bride]

Date: 4/23/2008 7:16:22 PM
Author: dmus
I just had Quest make a beautiful eternity ring (2 row) which was 4.64CTW. So it is about 2.3CTW per row and sits 2.6mm high. If that''s not too high I recommend giving Pete a call. They do beautiful work. I had it made in shared U prongs. Here are pics, but I''m sure they could do anything. How low do you want it to be? I believe the basket approach adds height and the U prong approach allows it to sit lower. Pete can do whatever you want. Good luck.

eternity ring u prong

Nice ring! I''m surprised you say the U prong makes it lower, because all blown up in pics like that it looks quite high. I wouldn''t have guessed it was an option for a low setting. I''m loyal to Mark, but thanks for the Quest recommendation!

 

[October2008bride]

Date: 4/23/2008 6:54:06 PM
Author: lovewhitediamonds
I went through the exact same saga... but my solution was to go with smaller diamonds to get the entire band just thinner and lower profile.
Originally had a 3ctw eternity band, went down to a 1.5ctw and now I want even smaller for a more delicate look so it doesn''t compete with my e-ring.

take your time and try on a lot of bands -- you will know it when you see it! Good Luck!

Thanks LWD! If I thought that my future held another 2tcw eternity band, I''d consider going smaller but alas, I think I have to go for it now!

 

[pavelover]

Date: 4/23/2008 9:18:20 PM
Author: October2008bride

Date: 4/23/2008 7:27:33 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Is it your preference not to wear an eternity ring with your diamond or is the e-ring 3 sided pave and you are afraid to wear a wedding band with it?

I think it would be nice to have a thin diamond band to wear with your e-ring on your left hand and have the larger eternity ring to alternate and wear instead of the wedding set.

But I agree that the problem with that eternity band you posted is that it is set too high. It sticks out too far and that is what makes it so uncomfortable. I would think you could find someone who carries Memoire if you want to try one of those. But if mark can make a low set basket setting like Tiffany, that would be nice, too!

My IDEAL preference would be to have a tiny bead set band to wear with the ering once in a while, and the blingy shared prong to wear on my right hand. However, that doesn''t seem to be an option according to FI In any event, the ering has a tiny donut of diamonds that will sit against the wband which is why I don''t want something to wear full time against it.

I''m meeting with Mark in June, and he said we could go over the options then. I may have to just let go of the basket idea and get the memoire type setting to get it as low as possible. I don''t really want to go with lower tcw because I don''t want this to be a temp band - i really want it to stand on its own forever! Thanks for chiming in DS!

Hi October- glad you saw the post and got some more ideas today! I am not full of ideas, but I am very happy with my band. It is way smaller than your range, but I love how delicate it is, and I like how my rings aren''t matchy match. I never posted them on smtr, just those couple on your thread- I got in the habit of wearing my ER, my wedding band from my ceremony(its wg but I dont care that they are different) followed by my memoire( I cant spell this right now) so its stacked and I love it.
I am glad that you get to meet with Mark. I am sure you guys are gonna come up with something great that is going to work out- In the meantime, maybe you will continue to get more ideas here. I love coatimundi''s stacked bands- arent'' they great!!!!!?

 

[October2008bride]

Date: 4/23/2008 9:26:57 PM
Author: pavelover
Hi October- glad you saw the post and got some more ideas today! I am not full of ideas, but I am very happy with my band. It is way smaller than your range, but I love how delicate it is, and I like how my rings aren''t matchy match. I never posted them on smtr, just those couple on your thread- I got in the habit of wearing my ER, my wedding band from my ceremony(its wg but I dont care that they are different) followed by my memoire( I cant spell this right now) so its stacked and I love it.
I am glad that you get to meet with Mark. I am sure you guys are gonna come up with something great that is going to work out- In the meantime, maybe you will continue to get more ideas here. I love coatimundi''s stacked bands- arent'' they great!!!!!?

Hey! Yeah, I love your rings together. I too am good with the non-matchy matchy set. Which is why I was hoping that the eternity band looked good alone AND could be worn with my ering once in a while. I just need to get it to sit closer to my finger for that to work. Sure, the diamonds are bigger, but I think it still looked okay.

I''ll keep you guys posted, but if you think of anything else, definitely let me know!

 

[October2008bride]

So I FINALLY got to meet Mark at ERD in person this weekend!! I went with my best friend and he was as nice as I imagined. It was hilarious having to get fingerprinted to go in (tight security obviously!).

We went in and chatted for a bit and then we started talking wedding bands. He brought in a sample U-prong setting for me to look at and it looked great. However, it wasn''t in my size and I couldn''t get an idea if it would be low enough to make a difference. We looked at different carat weights, setting styles and I got even more confused! Too many options!!

While I was deciding, Mark also showed us a 2.3 carat cushion that was stunning!!! Not sure if that is any one here''s ring but what a stunner! We also got to see a Royal Asscher and that was really neat since I''ve never seen one before!

And...I finally made a decision. I hope it is the right one!

I decided to totally change gears and I am now getting a matching band for my ering (cancel that....I am getting TWO matching bands for my ering!). Mark had a really tiny legacy-esque band and I kept looking at it and wondering if that was a better choice. I debated between these option for ages and even once I decided on the shared prong eternity band, I still wondered if I had made the right choice. Sooo...here I am. Mark is going to make two matching bands - then I can wear a set either with all three, OR just the two, and if I want to leave the e-ring at home, I can stack the two so they have a bit more substance to them.

I figure now I have my right hand free for other rings down the road, and I will definitely go back to mark for the shared prong band eventually

So there''s my update - I will show pics as soon as I get them for sure!

 

[dani13]

How exciting, October!!! I was wondering how things were going with your e-band! The bands sound so gorgeous- Mark does great work, and I''m sure they are going to be beautiful!!! Its nice too to be able to wear you w-set on the one hand!!! Sooo excited for you....And dont be like me- post lost of pics when you get them!!!

 

[mrssalvo]

i think you made a great choice. can''t wait to see pics of the new ring(s).

 

[October2008bride]

Thanks Dani and MrsSalvo! I am pretty excited too!

I will get the camera ready, but I think it will be the end of the month before they are done.

Now I have to tell FI that I changed my mind AGAIN! (He wasn''t in NYC when I was there and after the worst flight EVER I won''t get to see him until tonight.) I hope he likes what I chose!