Help! Round Center and Heart Side Stones

[CharlotteYork]

I adore my solitaire, but I'm ready for a little more bling. I thought about getting a larger eternity band, but you guys have talked me out of that! So I have decided on side stones! Pear sides with a round center are so classic and elegant, but for some reason, I have fallen in love with heart side stones. Maybe it's the chubby top, I don't know, but I think they are beautiful.

While I love hearts, I always thought of heart diamonds as being a little too "cutesy" however, when used as side stones, you really can hardly even tell that they are hearts! It's like a romantic little secret. Plus, I had to do some serious Internet scouring to find examples, and I like the idea of having something that not everyone else has. Here are the stats on my diamond:

3.10 carats
A Cut Above (from Whiteflash)
I color
SI (eye clean)
Ring size: 5.25

I'm planning on working with David Klass. I have worked with him twice before... He is amazingly talented and a dream to work with!

Now I have sooo many questions!

1. What size hearts do I need? I have included several examples of rings below that I like along with stone size, if available. I have also included pictures of my solitaire with cheapie heart earrings I bought online. I really want to get the proportions right!

2. What color? My center stone is an I, so I'm assuming I should stick with either H or I.

3. Where to purchase? James Allen seems to have a nice assortment. Any other suggestions? Would they be able to help me locate a matching pair? Or is this something I could have David do??

4. What are your thoughts on three stone rings that are designed to fit flush with the wedding band? This seems to be a new option!

Now to the pictures!


First up is my current solitaire and my eternity ring with 7 point ACA diamonds that David remade for me. It is channel set so I can wear it directly with my e-ring with no fear of damaging the prongs. There are diamonds on three sides, and I was thinking it might be fun to incorporate coordinating pave within the basket of my new ring.







Here are some inspiration rings with heart sides:

The first one is on 1st Dibbs and features a 1.61 carat center with .30 (each) sidestones...






Here is a side view:


The next one is from Michael Barin. I do not know the size of the stones, but I love the proportions!! The hearts look larger than the 1st Dibbs ones? So pretty!!



The last one belongs to @SYC https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pictures.94610/

It measures 1.212 carat center with .31 carats side stones

I love the proportions!!







And here are my "samples"... 5 mm hearts are top and the 6 mm hearts are bottom.



Here is a collage of the three along with my samples:





I look forward to your thoughts, and I'd love to see more examples along with sizes!!

Am I crazy to do this and really should stick with pears??

 

[La2020]

I will be very very honest...


I loved the idea of using heart shaped side stones!! What an ingenious idea! How come I never thought of this before? *smacks head*

 

[Lookinagain]

Have you looked at Blue Nile's "Ideal cut" hearts? very chubby but look nicely cut which I assume you would want with an ACA

Diamond Search: Find Diamonds by Shape, Size, Quality and Price | Blue Nile

Find and buy loose certified diamonds online by shape, size, quality and price. Blue Nile's diamond search feature offers you more than 100,000 options.

www.bluenile.com

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'd either go with pears or rounds. I am afraid the chubby side of the hearts next to your center stone will take away from the center. I think the pears are a nice accent without competing. I'd also rather have round sides than hearts, personally. I will also say that be sure you have seen an example of whatever setting (with sidestones) you are wanting made by DK. Because very few ringmakers do the side pear setting well.

However, if you stick with hearts, I prefer the 5mm.

 

[EClove]

I love the hearts! They really do look a bit like pears but a bit chubbier and you can’t really tell they are hearts when set.
I like the 5mm - allows your center stone to really stand out still but you get the finger coverage. It blends more with the 6mm IMO.

 

[Lakefront]

I can’t wait to see this!
I love the 6mm hearts. Something about the general outer profile of all of the stones together looks really nice.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I'd either go with pears or rounds. I am afraid the chubby side of the hearts next to your center stone will take away from the center. I think the pears are a nice accent without competing. I'd also rather have round sides than hearts, personally. I will also say that be sure you have seen an example of whatever setting (with sidestones) you are wanting made by DK. Because very few ringmakers do the side pear setting well.

However, if you stick with hearts, I prefer the 5mm.

I agree with @diamondseeker2006. I think the large part of the heart will blend into the round center making it hard to differentiate between the stones. I understand the intrigue of the heart sides but I think the pear or round stones will make a prettier ring.

 

[MagpieMama]

This is such a cool idea! Round with pear sides is my all time favorite, and round with round sides is lovely too. Heart sides is a fun not quite pear/not quite round in between - a great solution if you can’t pick between round and pear sides!
I kind of prefer the proportions of the 5mm hearts… the 6mm are pretty too, but the 5mm keeps your center stone looking like the star of the show.
I can’t wait to see the finished product, I’m sure it will be beautiful!

 

[CharlotteYork]

I agree with @diamondseeker2006. I think the large part of the heart will blend into the round center making it hard to differentiate between the stones. I understand the intrigue of the heart sides but I think the pear or round stones will make a prettier ring.

I'd either go with pears or rounds. I am afraid the chubby side of the hearts next to your center stone will take away from the center. I think the pears are a nice accent without competing. I'd also rather have round sides than hearts, personally. I will also say that be sure you have seen an example of whatever setting (with sidestones) you are wanting made by DK. Because very few ringmakers do the side pear setting well.

However, if you stick with hearts, I prefer the 5mm.

So funny because the "chubby" is what I love about these fluffy little hearts! I'm wanting to add some pretty details to the basket of the ring (not sure exactly what but scrolls, tulip style, or like the Whiteflash Butterfly). I have seen some exquisite detailing David has created on his three-stones, and he blew me away with the setting on my OEC flower ring. I know Leon Mege is the go-to for round/pears, and they are perfection indeed! Who else specializes in round/pear?

 

[CharlotteYork]

This is such a cool idea! Round with pear sides is my all time favorite, and round with round sides is lovely too. Heart sides is a fun not quite pear/not quite round in between - a great solution if you can’t pick between round and pear sides!
I kind of prefer the proportions of the 5mm hearts… the 6mm are pretty too, but the 5mm keeps your center stone looking like the star of the show.
I can’t wait to see the finished product, I’m sure it will be beautiful!

Thank you, thank you!! I really cannot decide on the stone size... I'm having a tough time so far finding hearts so I likely might choose based on the best I can find available!

 

[CharlotteYork]

I can’t wait to see this!
I love the 6mm hearts. Something about the general outer profile of all of the stones together looks really nice.

Thank you, I'm excited too! I think I'm leaning more towards the 6 mm as well, but I could go either way! But I completely agree with you about the profile, I love it too! And the heart shape is more pronounced on the larger size.

 

[CharlotteYork]

Have you looked at Blue Nile's "Ideal cut" hearts? very chubby but look nicely cut which I assume you would want with an ACA

Diamond Search: Find Diamonds by Shape, Size, Quality and Price | Blue Nile

Find and buy loose certified diamonds online by shape, size, quality and price. Blue Nile's diamond search feature offers you more than 100,000 options.

www.bluenile.com

Ooooohh, these are perfection!!! The chubby ones are the most charming, I think! They don't have a huge selection, so I'm thinking for the size, I'll just get the best quality and best match I can find between .5 - .75 carats each. Do you know of any other good resources for hearts?

 

[CharlotteYork]

I will be very very honest...


I loved the idea of using heart shaped side stones!! What an ingenious idea! How come I never thought of this before? *smacks head*

Awwww, thank you!!! The more I look at my sample design the more I'm falling in love with the hearts!

 

[CharlotteYork]

I agree with @diamondseeker2006. I think the large part of the heart will blend into the round center making it hard to differentiate between the stones. I understand the intrigue of the heart sides but I think the pear or round stones will make a prettier ring.

Ooops, I think I posted this in the wrong comment...

So funny because the "chubby" is what I love about these fluffy little hearts! I'm wanting to add some pretty details to the basket of the ring (not sure exactly what but scrolls, tulip style, or like the Whiteflash Butterfly). I have seen some exquisite detailing David has created on his three-stones, and he blew me away with the setting on my OEC flower ring. I know Leon Mege is the go-to for round/pears, and they are perfection indeed! Who else specializes in round/pear?

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I actually really like the idea of heart side stones! I would do the 6mm, looks more balanced to my eye.

 

[headlight]

@diamondseeker2006 is right… your center will “get lost”. I used to have a 3.29ct round with trillion sides that essentially have the same look the hearts will give you. It created more of a band look. If you are set on going 3-stone I would strongly suggest rounds. I also used to have a 3-stone all rounds and it was my favorite (1.51 center with .75 sides). I had almost gone with pear sides but they tend to look a bit like wings. I honestly suggest you give this a lot of thought as I don’t think you will be happy in the end. There is a reason you don’t see this because it will take away from your center and it all just blends together. Also, you are limited as to what size you can go with because of the significant size of your center and the size of your finger. A three stone looks best when the sides are half the size of the center but I don’t think you will have room on your finger to accommodate that. If you are bored and need a new “something” I would suggest you purchase another band with a different design to have to trade off when you want a different look. Or, if you don’t want the plain shank, reset the solitaire in a diamond shank. With regard to having diamonds on the prongs, the prongs will have to be a bit “chunky” to accommodate the stones. I’m sorry to be a downer but I’m just trying to give you some insight based on my experiences… I’ve had many different style mountings throughout the 32 years of my marriage and with different diamonds so maybe I can help you out by sharing my experiences. Your rings as is are gorgeous and look amazing on your hand. I think you have perfection and shouldn’t mess with that!

 

[LilAlex]

I love your ring, I love the heart idea, and I loved reading your justification in the OP.

I will get shouted down (and probably for good reason) but I think your solitaire is too big -- relative to you finger size -- to capitalize on good-sized heart side stones. Or really any side stones, unless they are eclipsed by the crown and butted up against the pavilion.



I worry that if they are the scale of your inspo photos, they will be wrapping around the sides of your finger and will not be the elegant accent that we all envision.

This may be the one case where smaller wins, imo.

 

[headlight]

I love your ring, I love the heart idea, and I loved reading your justification in the OP.

I will get shouted down (and probably for good reason) but I think your solitaire is too big -- relative to you finger size -- to capitalize on good-sized heart side stones. Or really any side stones, unless they are eclipsed by the crown and butted up against the pavilion.



I worry that if they are the scale of your inspo photos, they will be wrapping around the sides of your finger and will not be the elegant accent that we all envision.

This may be the one case where smaller wins, imo.

I agree. In some cases it’s like you either go for the big solitaire, or you go smaller and add side stones or a halo. But in that size it’s too much and you can’t fit it all in and if you can the sides will be too small to create the right proportions. Honestly, you have the perfect set. If you change, I guarantee in a few years you will tire of that and be drawn to solitaire + eternity band again. I’ve seen it happen over and over again. I can understand when someone wants to get a nicer diamond or a larger diamond but in this case you already have both - lucky girl!

 

[BrownGinger]

I love your ring, I love the heart idea, and I loved reading your justification in the OP.

I will get shouted down (and probably for good reason) but I think your solitaire is too big -- relative to you finger size -- to capitalize on good-sized heart side stones. Or really any side stones, unless they are eclipsed by the crown and butted up against the pavilion.



I worry that if they are the scale of your inspo photos, they will be wrapping around the sides of your finger and will not be the elegant accent that we all envision.

This may be the one case where smaller wins, imo.

Good point. I liked the heart side stone concept but hadn’t considered this. I think you’re right.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Ooops, I think I posted this in the wrong comment...

So funny because the "chubby" is what I love about these fluffy little hearts! I'm wanting to add some pretty details to the basket of the ring (not sure exactly what but scrolls, tulip style, or like the Whiteflash Butterfly). I have seen some exquisite detailing David has created on his three-stones, and he blew me away with the setting on my OEC flower ring. I know Leon Mege is the go-to for round/pears, and they are perfection indeed! Who else specializes in round/pear?

I would reach out to Victor Canera as well. Steven Kirsch is another that does some gorgeous rings.

 

[CharlotteYork]

I love your ring, I love the heart idea, and I loved reading your justification in the OP.

I will get shouted down (and probably for good reason) but I think your solitaire is too big -- relative to you finger size -- to capitalize on good-sized heart side stones. Or really any side stones, unless they are eclipsed by the crown and butted up against the pavilion.



I worry that if they are the scale of your inspo photos, they will be wrapping around the sides of your finger and will not be the elegant accent that we all envision.

This may be the one case where smaller wins, imo.

@headlight @LilAlex @BrownGinger I do love a classic solitaire and have worn mine for 4 years, but I am really wanting a change. I would definitely keep the mount and could easily go back to it if I change my mind later on down the road.

While I had a hard time finding examples of heart side stones (hearts in general make up only a tiny fraction of the total number of diamonds sold every year) I had no problem finding examples of 3+ carat round centers with pear sides on fingers smaller or the same size as mine. Here are a few...

1. This one belongs to @thimp who has a 4.5 finger. The center stone is 3 carats and sides total .85ct. I love the way it looks paired with her 3mm eternity!

My Leon Mege Studs and Wedding Band

I've had these for a few weeks, and finally had a chance to put them in a thread. They are my Bday presents from DH. The wedding band is full eternity, G, 3mm wide, and the studs are 2.2ctw, F, VVS2. Thank you for letting me share.

www.pricescope.com

2. Here is @KristyDarling 's... She has a 3.5 finger! The center stone is a 3.56 carat and side stones are 1.14 tcw.

KristyDarling''s 3-stone by Leon Mege

[Edited to add: Much better, sunlight-filled shots on pages 6 and 7 of this thread!] Hot off the UPS truck! Here are just the first few of an onslaught of pictures. It's very overcast today so these shots aren't the greatest. Hopefully I'll get some sunlight-filled shots later! Reminder about...

www.pricescope.com

3. This is @tweeter8177 's ... 3.25 center with .85 ctw sides on a 5.75 finger.

#TBT - My ERD / Steven Kirsch 3 Stone Ring with pear side stones!

My ring has arrived! Thanks to Chris at Engagement Rings Direct for the diamond and Steven Kirsch for the custom ring!!!!! Also, thanks to all the great PSers that helped me through this project!!!!! :wavey: Picking the diamond was an extremely memorable experience! My husband and I took a...

www.pricescope.com

4. @arabellan 's 3.10ct center with .50ct each sides. Size 5.5 finger.

My reset is done!! - 3ct round with pear sidestones

Hi everyoneI wanted to say thank you for all your help and advice on side stones. My reset is finished and I’m so happy with my new setting! Although I loved my halo I feel this is so much more my style.

www.pricescope.com

5. This one is from Loop troup... 3.29 center with .80 tcw sides on size 5-7/8 finger

STONE SOLD - 3.29 H VS2 in Leon Mege setting with pear side stones, size 5-7/8 | Loupe Troop

loupetroop.com

Can you tell I've been spending too much time on Pricescope?! They are stunning, I love them all! And I haven't ruled out pear sides. But with hearts being even shorter in size, I would think there would be plenty of finger space.

 

[LilAlex]

They are stunning, I love them all! And I haven't ruled out pear sides. But with hearts being even shorter in size, I would think there would be plenty of finger space.

No denying that those are all spectacular rings -- I agree!

The pears are only half-visible under the sizable center stone -- I scrolled through your new examples above before reading that they were pears and I could not tell what they were, tbh. If they were hearts, you would not see the top -- distinctive notch would just help you shove them up real close to the pavilion, imo.

You may need to decide if you want hearts as your "little secret" or if you want them as a real design element. Thanks to your post, I now love the idea of a modest-sized center stone (diamond or colored stone) bracketed by a pair of similar-diameter hearts like parentheses. Maybe I can talk my better half into a three-stone RHR!

 

[msop04]

I agree. In some cases it’s like you either go for the big solitaire, or you go smaller and add side stones or a halo. But in that size it’s too much and you can’t fit it all in and if you can the sides will be too small to create the right proportions. Honestly, you have the perfect set. If you change, I guarantee in a few years you will tire of that and be drawn to solitaire + eternity band again. I’ve seen it happen over and over again. I can understand when someone wants to get a nicer diamond or a larger diamond but in this case you already have both - lucky girl!

I could write the book on this... I have tried so many times to do the three stone thing with my ring (with similar proportions as you've said you preferred), and it just didn't work (currently 3.38 G/VS2, size 4.75). IMO, the beauty of a three stone is being able to barely see where the side stones connect to the band ever so gracefully... and your stone/finger size will likely not permit that in the proportion that you love.

Your stone is sizeable, but once you add those sides, it will look smaller... I promise you. Your finger size is small, and your ring is just so gorgeous (of course I'm biased, as I love a classic round solitaire)... I just feel like you won't be happy in the end.

I don't mean to be a downer, but I have been back and forth down the three stone road sooo many times in the last few years. The proportions I love will not fit on my finger AND give the look I want with the size of my current stone. It would take a smaller center to achieve the look, and I'm not willing to go smaller. LOL

 

[acezarra]

What about a wrap or guard? I am not sure what they are called. I believe that a pricescoper recently had one made with emeralds I think, by SK or DK? That way you could keep your solitaire mounted and add this for flare when you are feeling the need for change.

 

[dk168]

Personally, I believe the cleft of the heart would not be noticeable when set, and would prefer to use pears as side stones.

Personal preferences and all that.

DK

 

[Lookinagain]

What about a wrap or guard? I am not sure what they are called. I believe that a pricescoper recently had one made with emeralds I think, by SK or DK? That way you could keep your solitaire mounted and add this for flare when you are feeling the need for change.

DK did this wrap and it turned out great. I don't recall who it belongs to but I believe it was a PSer. Make sure to click through until the last photo. I think you could ask if a wrap could be made for your existing setting with hearts which gives you the option of your solitaire or the three stone.

David Klass Jewelry on Instagram: "Diamond Ring Set #love #weddinginspiration #diamond #diamondring #bling #threestonering #solitairering #rosegold #goals #designyourownring #custommade #finejewelry #jewelry #jewelryaddict #jewellery #finejewellery #

137 likes, 9 comments - davidklassjewelry on July 4, 2021: "Diamond Ring Set #love #weddinginspiration #diamond #diamondring #bling #threestonering #solitairering #rosegold #goals #designyourownring #custommade #finejewelry #jewelry #jewelryaddict #jewellery #finejewellery #losangeles...

www.instagram.com

 

[Cerulean]

@headlight @LilAlex @BrownGinger I do love a classic solitaire and have worn mine for 4 years, but I am really wanting a change. I would definitely keep the mount and could easily go back to it if I change my mind later on down the road.

While I had a hard time finding examples of heart side stones (hearts in general make up only a tiny fraction of the total number of diamonds sold every year) I had no problem finding examples of 3+ carat round centers with pear sides on fingers smaller or the same size as mine. Here are a few...

1. This one belongs to @thimp who has a 4.5 finger. The center stone is 3 carats and sides total .85ct. I love the way it looks paired with her 3mm eternity!

My Leon Mege Studs and Wedding Band

I've had these for a few weeks, and finally had a chance to put them in a thread. They are my Bday presents from DH. The wedding band is full eternity, G, 3mm wide, and the studs are 2.2ctw, F, VVS2. Thank you for letting me share.

www.pricescope.com

2. Here is @KristyDarling 's... She has a 3.5 finger! The center stone is a 3.56 carat and side stones are 1.14 tcw.

KristyDarling''s 3-stone by Leon Mege

[Edited to add: Much better, sunlight-filled shots on pages 6 and 7 of this thread!] Hot off the UPS truck! Here are just the first few of an onslaught of pictures. It's very overcast today so these shots aren't the greatest. Hopefully I'll get some sunlight-filled shots later! Reminder about...

www.pricescope.com

3. This is @tweeter8177 's ... 3.25 center with .85 ctw sides on a 5.75 finger.

#TBT - My ERD / Steven Kirsch 3 Stone Ring with pear side stones!

My ring has arrived! Thanks to Chris at Engagement Rings Direct for the diamond and Steven Kirsch for the custom ring!!!!! Also, thanks to all the great PSers that helped me through this project!!!!! :wavey: Picking the diamond was an extremely memorable experience! My husband and I took a...

www.pricescope.com

4. @arabellan 's 3.10ct center with .50ct each sides. Size 5.5 finger.

My reset is done!! - 3ct round with pear sidestones

Hi everyoneI wanted to say thank you for all your help and advice on side stones. My reset is finished and I’m so happy with my new setting! Although I loved my halo I feel this is so much more my style.

www.pricescope.com

5. This one is from Loop troup... 3.29 center with .80 tcw sides on size 5-7/8 finger

STONE SOLD - 3.29 H VS2 in Leon Mege setting with pear side stones, size 5-7/8 | Loupe Troop

loupetroop.com

Can you tell I've been spending too much time on Pricescope?! They are stunning, I love them all! And I haven't ruled out pear sides. But with hearts being even shorter in size, I would think there would be plenty of finger space.

I actually find heart diamonds very charming and see the allure of them, I have been considering a pair of the Astor ideal ones from Blue Nile for studs bc they are CUTE and honestly the best cut heart shaped diamonds I’ve seen…and their bubbly shape is absolutely part of the charm! I also appreciate why you’re drawn to a change.

What I like about these examples is the use of pear shape - they are slightly more elongated than hearts will be, and so appear to be quite graceful even though the scale is larger than many traditional 3 stones.

Hearts are chubby and cute, whereas I do think the pears are a bit more graceful. Given the proportions, I don’t think you want the ring to look “squat” - which I think is the risk with going going through hearts route IMO. I think the difference btw chubby and squat will be a thin line. The cute secret of the true shape may not be worth the possible clunkiness

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I love all of those rings above with side pears! The pears are not as wide as the hearts and do not blend in with the center stone. I did note that at least two of those people later changed their rings and no longer have the 3 stone with pears, though!

 

[Lakefront]

I’m here for the heart ring! Go for it.
The worst thing would be that you change your mind later and reuse the hearts for a different project.

 

[Lakefront]