Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Band!!!

[dwj6211]

Hello all!

I am so glad I stumbled upon this incredible site, I've been browsing around here for days, and am amazed at all the knowledge and advice!

I have a dilemma/question/need for advice!

Attached are some photos to give you a better idea as to what I am looking to do. I have always, ever since a child, absolutely loved eternity bands. Recently while shopping around for two tiny 2mm black diamond eternities for both sides of a ring I currently wear, I was struck with the idea of creating a single row larger round black diamond eternity band. My goal is to yearly, slowly, with each passing life milestone or event, purchase a great quality white diamond to swap out. Over time slowing creating a meaningful and excellent quality white diamond eternity band.

However, I do absolutely LOVE the look of an all black diamond band!

I've decided I want the total weight to fall between 4.5 to 5.5 carats. Finding exactly what I want, in my size ( 8 ) has proved to be much more difficult than I imagined, so I am sourcing the diamonds, I have found an excellent Black Diamond source(photos also attached)--and I am going to have my trusted jeweler set them into the setting, which I've attached a photo of (the final product will be black rhodium)

My questions are...

1. Does anyone know how many 25 or 30 pointers I'd need to set into this for a size 8?
2. What are your thoughts on 25 vs. 30 pointers, I want the ring to "be seen" or "stand out"
3. Do you have any other general advice or opinions... I'd love to hear!


Thank you all so much in advance!

 

[SB621]

Re: Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Ban

Well I will definitely say it is an interesting idea. Have you worn a eband that size before. I have a 4.75 band with RB's and it is extremely uncomfortable so I hardly ever wear it. It is a size 6.5 and I believe I have 16 diamonds so mine are around 30pts. I'm guessing to accomodate a size 8 you will need 18???

While I love the idea of switching out diamonds for milestones I think that is probably not the best as you really need diamonds on an eternity to match. I think if you pick one out here and there you won't get that perfect match and it might seem off. I would rather source everything at once so it would be perfection.

How about instead of sourcing diamonds with each milestone you just get a new stacker? Does that hold any interest for you?

 

[dwj6211]

Re: Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Ban

Sarahbear, thank you so much for your quick reply! I am sure you are right that the match will be hard, I am willing to trade off perfect match for the sentiment of the ring when complete... I was actually thinking 18 stones as well would do it. Forgive me, RB? ... Round Brilliant? No, I have never wore an E-Band.

Oh, heres another bit of info... I am a man, LOL.

What really inspired me to officially wear an E-Band, is seeing male celebrities do it, and it looks good... haha.

 

[SB621]

Re: Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Ban

Sarahbear, thank you so much for your quick reply! I am sure you are right that the match will be hard, I am willing to trade off perfect match for the sentiment of the ring when complete... I was actually thinking 18 stones as well would do it. Forgive me, RB? ... Round Brilliant? No, I have never wore an E-Band.

Oh, heres another bit of info... I am a man, LOL.

What really inspired me to officially wear an E-Band, is seeing male celebrities do it, and it looks good... haha.

Oops my apologies DWJ, there are several men that post here but I tend to always reply as if to a female.

Yes RB are round brilliant and if possible I would still try go to a jewelry and try on a band that big.

Since you are a man I would lean towards 30pts if not larger if you can budget for it just because I'm assuming you don't want it to look too feminine. Have you contacted Engagement ringds direct? I know they have made several men's eternitys with black diamonds. I would see what they can do for you.

EDIT: And to just add I think I would work with another metal besides black rhodium for the ring. For some reason I just don't like it for an eband. It makes the diamonds appear duller then they should to me. Honestly I'm just not a fan. Would you be willing to change your mind and work with something else? Just my .02cents.

 

[dwj6211]

Re: Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Ban

You see this is why I am so thankful to have found this forum!

I am going to now dedicate the entire day to this project LOL.. Instead of just trusting my instinct, I am heading in a little bit to the Diamond Distributor and lay the 25 / 30 pointers on my finger haha.. before that I will go try one on... may be awkward and tough to find a 4.5 - 5 carat in a size 8 on 47th street.. LOL... I guess that embarrassment is the price I am going to have to pay for satisfaction.

As for the Rhodium.. I ABSOLUTELY agree when it comes to white diamonds, but for a bit more masculine feel in the black, I think the Rhodium will blend better, whereas, the white gold/platinum will appear to be silver on black diamonds that large.. agree/disagree?

 

[yssie]

Re: Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Ban

I really like the idea of a long-term project, and I'm glad to see you chose a style w/ four individual prongs holding each stone instead of a shared-prong - should make it easier re. switching stones out one by one.

Question - can the black rhodium be stripped off part of the ring? I assume you wouldn't want white diamonds in black baskets.

Ditto Sarah - finding matching stones over a very long period of time may not be all that easy, even if you aren't terribly particular about an exact match. After all, who knows where you'll be in five, ten years? How your tastes may change? But then again, at the end of the day, it's just jewellery - if you don't like it and don't like where it's going you just backtrack or start over, and you've lost none of the sentiment of the journey and memories... would you consider making your black eternity now and collecting loose stones for a new companion eternity over the years?

For a long-term project like this I would definitely recommend a 3/4 eternity, or using 17 stones and leaving the 18th space plain metal for sizing.

 

[dwj6211]

Re: Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Ban

Hmmm. Good question a out the rhodium! Ok I'm leaving on my diamond adventure I'll post from the road lol.

 

[SB621]

Re: Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Ban

I was actually thinking about tungston (sp?). I love it when it is a dark grey. I think that would look great with black or white diamonds.

 

[dwj6211]

Re: Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Ban

Tungsten yes!!!! I didn't even think about that

 

[dwj6211]

Re: Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Ban

My best friends wear tungsten bands. She wears hers beind a beautiful 5 carat e band and you'd never believe you nice it compliments white diamonds!

 

[yssie]

Re: Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Ban

I was actually thinking about tungston (sp?). I love it when it is a dark grey. I think that would look great with black or white diamonds.

That's a great idea! There are SO many metals to choose from - I honestly didn't even consider anything other than gold or plat - yikes, shortsighted!

 

[liaerfbv]

Re: Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Ban

I love this idea!!! I think it's so unique and meaningful. I agree with you, the diamonds not matching would not bother me in a project like this because the sentiment is so special. Good luck! I can't wait to see what you come up with.

 

[SB621]

Re: Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Ban

Tungsten yes!!!! I didn't even think about that

I know I am quite amazing!!!! My DH wears a tungsten (thank you for the spelling!) band and I love he look. Very if you know what I mean. Goodluck with your search. And like I said if you are in NYC I know you have a supplier but I would still talk to Mark at ERD. He has done black diamonds bands before and I think you would be happier with what he could do for you. He could be your one stop show for this entire project.

Goodluck!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Ban

I doubt tungsten will work with a band like this, but I love tungsten for men's rings!

I would really encourage you to consider some other options like the great men's rings we have seen here like
kenny and greg's tension rings. I will have to try and find the links.

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/engagement-rings/mens-rings

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-worlds-first-octavia-ring.136357/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-worlds-first-octavia-ring.136357/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/asscher-tension-coming-my-way-soon.180591/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/asscher-tension-coming-my-way-soon.180591/[/URL]

 

[dwj6211]

Re: Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Ban

I doubt tungsten will work with a band like this, but I love tungsten for men's rings!

I would really encourage you to consider some other options like the great men's rings we have seen here like
kenny and greg's tension rings. I will have to try and find the links.

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/engagement-rings/mens-rings

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-worlds-first-octavia-ring.136357/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-worlds-first-octavia-ring.136357/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/asscher-tension-coming-my-way-soon.180591/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/asscher-tension-coming-my-way-soon.180591/[/URL]

Ok first of all... are you trying to give me a stroke with that Octavia Tension Set ring? That thing is absolutely beautiful, so masculine, handsome, simple, and striking!

So here is the verdict! ERD, I also know as a great resource, they're on 5th avenue, which is ironically only a few doors away from my diamond seller. Problem is, my jeweler, who is also a family friend, already knew about my project, and I couldn't possibly ever wear this ring around him or not show up for a setting without guilt LOL.. So I just had to subtract them from this equation, but I would have definitely seen them if I could.

I went to go see the sourced stones. They were .25 visually to me, they looked too small. So I took a look at the 4.2mm rounds which, I've learned, black diamonds are slightly heavier than their white counterparts, meaning these were about .38 carats each, which in actuality, to you or I, look about .30 in size. I purchased 5.32 total carats which was 14 diamonds.

Then it was off to the setting. Tungsten was out of the question. Finding that mount supposedly is very difficult, and would be a custom situation including more time, and to me silly extra money.

I saw white diamonds set in Black Rhodium, black diamonds set in white gold, and a combination of that too.... In hand, I must say, I was again put off by the black diamonds in white gold, because it actually looked a. too feminine to me b. detracted luster from the already less sparkly than white diamonds and c. just cheapened the overall look.

I first said, just do the white gold in black rhodium, but then he suggested, I wait until I've acquired a few of my white diamonds as we all know, those are the ones that are truly deserving of the "proper setting" if you will... and in the mean time, just set it in Silver that has been Black Rhodium coated (as according to him, the black rhodium eventually needs to be done again regardless of it being on gold or silver). Soooooo.... I agreed, we will test the setting in silver that has been black rhodiumed, as he has the material to cast the exact setting I chose, which is a Shared U Prong. I tried on the ring in a size 8 that totaled around 5 carats of white diamonds (as that is the weight it will appear to be). It seemed comfortable enough to wear, and if not.... I look at it like this... Its only silver, I will set it with the white diamonds a little different!

14 diamonds may be a few less than needed. 2 more max he says.. which he will take care of if need be. Should be ready in a week!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Ban

I think that is a good plan because I really think if you decide you want a white diamond eternity, you want the ring made new for that and not be taking stones in and out of a setting.

Yes, that Octavia ring is about the most spectacular men's ring I have ever seen. Make that THE most spectacular!!! You can put one of those on your wish list for the other hand!

 

[yssie]

Re: Help me set a 4.5 - 5.5 carat Black Diamond Eternity Ban



Silver? Isn't that an awfully soft metal to prong-set large diamonds in... and an awfully soft metal choice for a very open and delicate eternity-style setting?