purplesilk
Ideal_Rock
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Help with antique family ring setting
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pokerface
Brilliant_Rock
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Has it been suggested to remove the diamond and make a separate ring? I'm looking through your posts here and it looks like you already have a diamond that you're using to create a starburst-style ring, but why not use this one in a buttercup ring and then you'll really have it all? I think there is no way for the diamond to be compatible with the band (because it was tacked on in the first place). It seems like any bezel would still involve alterations to the band itself, which was one of the things it seems you were trying to avoid. I think it would be better to maintain the integrity and history of the band than continue to try to meld the pieces together.
purplesilk
Ideal_Rock
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In my experience, heirloom jewels should be altered as less as possibile :
- only repairs
- size adjustments only if they can't cause any damage.
I got some heirloom jewels from my family;
I kept them unaltered till all the family members died.
After their deaths, I did minor works only on the two rings I really loved:
- I got the bezel redone in one ring just because it was heavily damaged;
- I got one sized down because it was way too big even on my middle finger;
- I kept only few jewels I really love;
- I sold the others: they simply weren't my style and I was totally sure I'd never wear them.
If my husband's family would give me a heirloom piece, I would keep it as it is: heirloom jewels are more meant to remind family's history than to be worn and they're given to daughters in law just to underline they're welcome as family members.
I would do significant changes or I would sell my husband's family jewels only after the death of family members (included my husband).
Again, just my opinion.
- only repairs
- size adjustments only if they can't cause any damage.
I got some heirloom jewels from my family;
I kept them unaltered till all the family members died.
After their deaths, I did minor works only on the two rings I really loved:
- I got the bezel redone in one ring just because it was heavily damaged;
- I got one sized down because it was way too big even on my middle finger;
- I kept only few jewels I really love;
- I sold the others: they simply weren't my style and I was totally sure I'd never wear them.
If my husband's family would give me a heirloom piece, I would keep it as it is: heirloom jewels are more meant to remind family's history than to be worn and they're given to daughters in law just to underline they're welcome as family members.
I would do significant changes or I would sell my husband's family jewels only after the death of family members (included my husband).
Again, just my opinion.
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@lovedogs
If you choose one of the other peg heads you’ve shown here as an alternative,
how much does that go looking too much like where you started at out from in wanting that peg head lowered? if it’s strictly the aesthetic design of the head’s difference - I say go for it. It won’t be low though - or at least I don’t think it will be as low as what it currently is now.
my first marriage’s engagement ring looked very much like what you started out with and I had it lowered. To look almost identical ( without the wonk) to what it is now. it was very common to see this style around here, back then. My (ex)MIL had one just like it too. the style holds a special place in my heart - tbh and fwiw.
that being said - I like the idea of the bezel or semi bezel/faux bezel you have discussed -
but looking at this
Tells me there’s no where to go except build the semi/faux/bezel wall straight up. Not at all like some of the examples you’ve shown ( if we are going to nitpick the details that make those examples stand out) that have a beefier band/shoulder to go with it. would a hole be drilled under the bezel or stay solid? Something built up on the shoulder?
if this is what you want - go for it. My only forethought is to really be prepared for a journey and tweaks/learning along the way In the process of getting any of this done. And make sure they are really buying into this project with some forethought and labor and vision. Not just slapping it together just to ship it back out. DK or elsewhere..
I love that you want to make this your everyday/the one ER. but if it’s not meshing - that’s ok too.
the ‘what if’s‘ of a revamp gone wrong or an oopsie would bug me too much. maybe even just the journey too - if I wasn’t mentally prepared for it.
if I couldn’t love it and wear it as it is now - the trying to get it to look like the bezel examples shown would be too much of a trial and error journey for me and to put the vendor thru- Id put the diamond in the simplest thinnest soli to wear next to the wide band.
best wishes.
if I’ve overstepped, you can say so. I really hesitated to chime in.
If you choose one of the other peg heads you’ve shown here as an alternative,
how much does that go looking too much like where you started at out from in wanting that peg head lowered? if it’s strictly the aesthetic design of the head’s difference - I say go for it. It won’t be low though - or at least I don’t think it will be as low as what it currently is now.
my first marriage’s engagement ring looked very much like what you started out with and I had it lowered. To look almost identical ( without the wonk) to what it is now. it was very common to see this style around here, back then. My (ex)MIL had one just like it too. the style holds a special place in my heart - tbh and fwiw.
that being said - I like the idea of the bezel or semi bezel/faux bezel you have discussed -
but looking at this
Tells me there’s no where to go except build the semi/faux/bezel wall straight up. Not at all like some of the examples you’ve shown ( if we are going to nitpick the details that make those examples stand out) that have a beefier band/shoulder to go with it. would a hole be drilled under the bezel or stay solid? Something built up on the shoulder?
if this is what you want - go for it. My only forethought is to really be prepared for a journey and tweaks/learning along the way In the process of getting any of this done. And make sure they are really buying into this project with some forethought and labor and vision. Not just slapping it together just to ship it back out. DK or elsewhere..
I love that you want to make this your everyday/the one ER. but if it’s not meshing - that’s ok too.
the ‘what if’s‘ of a revamp gone wrong or an oopsie would bug me too much. maybe even just the journey too - if I wasn’t mentally prepared for it.
if I couldn’t love it and wear it as it is now - the trying to get it to look like the bezel examples shown would be too much of a trial and error journey for me and to put the vendor thru- Id put the diamond in the simplest thinnest soli to wear next to the wide band.
best wishes.
if I’ve overstepped, you can say so. I really hesitated to chime in.
Last edited:
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LemonMoonLex
Ideal_Rock
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I say you have three feasible options. Now I don't know the relationship you have with your MIL or what she wishes, so you'd have to take that into consideration as this was a token of love to show that you're now one of the family.
1. Take the head off all together & have the diamond gypsy or flush set into the band. I dont think any head, however smashing or romantic it may be will fit with a band thats much wider than it. It will always look a bit "off", or as if a head was "plopped" on. The gypsy set diamond, if feasible will enhance the romance of the thick band & you get to keep the original diamond with the original band.
2. Don't touch it anymore. Leave it as is, and only wear it occasionally. As you know that this isn't your dream ring but an heirloom you were given to care for. It's less about your taste and more like a token of love or history.
3. Have the head & diamond taken off & the band buffed and repolished so it's just a plain thick band that can be worn everyday or many different ways. If its not engraved you could even have something engraved on the inside or outside as you please that pays homage to the relationships that brought it to you or yours. Take the diamond & create a pendant to wear close to your heart, or you could make another ring entirely with it that is on par with your exact taste. This way you keep the sentimental thick band & get to design another special piece that resonates with you more.
1. Take the head off all together & have the diamond gypsy or flush set into the band. I dont think any head, however smashing or romantic it may be will fit with a band thats much wider than it. It will always look a bit "off", or as if a head was "plopped" on. The gypsy set diamond, if feasible will enhance the romance of the thick band & you get to keep the original diamond with the original band.
2. Don't touch it anymore. Leave it as is, and only wear it occasionally. As you know that this isn't your dream ring but an heirloom you were given to care for. It's less about your taste and more like a token of love or history.
3. Have the head & diamond taken off & the band buffed and repolished so it's just a plain thick band that can be worn everyday or many different ways. If its not engraved you could even have something engraved on the inside or outside as you please that pays homage to the relationships that brought it to you or yours. Take the diamond & create a pendant to wear close to your heart, or you could make another ring entirely with it that is on par with your exact taste. This way you keep the sentimental thick band & get to design another special piece that resonates with you more.
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Update in case folks are curious.
I couldn't stand to leave it as it was with the prongs snagging AND the unevenness of the prongs/stone within the head. I sent back to DK and asked him to make a collet + prongs (which I've seen him do wonderful versions of before).
I'm SO HAPPY I trusted my gut.
The stone is so much more visible/firey, and the setting is easy, low, and snag-free. Yay!!!!
I couldn't stand to leave it as it was with the prongs snagging AND the unevenness of the prongs/stone within the head. I sent back to DK and asked him to make a collet + prongs (which I've seen him do wonderful versions of before).
I'm SO HAPPY I trusted my gut.
The stone is so much more visible/firey, and the setting is easy, low, and snag-free. Yay!!!!
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Not totally sure what you mean. Do you mean: does the culet go all the way down to where my finger is? If yes, no it doesn't. See these pics (hard to capture from this angle). Basically there's space between the end of the culet and the bottom of the band where my finger is touching
Not totally sure what you mean. Do you mean: does the culet go all the way down to where my finger is? If yes, no it doesn't. See these pics (hard to capture from this angle). Basically there's space between the end of the culet and the bottom of the band where my finger is touching
Yep, that's what I was asking. It is hard to tell in pictures just how thick the band is and how much the collet raises the stone off the surface of the band.
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Definitely raises it enough to not touch, thankfully!
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Wow @lovedogs, that really was the perfect solution! The diamond seems so much more cohesive with the band and is so bright! I am truly impressed with the outcome you came up with and I hope the ring continues to bring you much happiness!!
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Thank you both!!! I agree,this solution feels SO nice. The diamond is much more cohesive and fits with the band. Plus it actually feels like "me"
oncrutchesrightnow
Ideal_Rock
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Lollll yup, that is always a good test of how much I like something
purplesilk
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ItsMainelyYou
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So much more wearable! I think it looks fantastic!
lulu_ma
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Mreader
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I had the same worry, but I needed to try since the other prongs drove me nuts. The cut is obviously not ideal, but I think the diamond looks tons better (brighter, more fire, etc) now vs before, which is a relief
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diamondyes
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