Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite wife?

[Mig888]

Previously, I posted asking for opinions on two possible eternity bands for my wife that the diamond wholesaler had in stock. Both are made with oval diamonds. The first was made with all "D" GIA stones averaging .41 carats and the second was "D" to "G" stones averaging .51 carats. I was leaning towards the smaller ring based on the quality and matching of the stones even though I personally believed it was probably smarter to get the half carat stones as I believed having stones of at least a half carat was more valuable. Now I have a third option. I can actually build the ring with half carat "D" and "E" , VS1 or better certified stones. This way I will get the half carat stones of the quality I want. Before I order this, I wanted to get opinions as to whether this community thinks half carat stones in an eternity band (14 total stones) may be too large for my wife. She is petite (5'1") and about 100 lbs. Will this look too big on her hand? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JulieN]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

It sounds really uncomfortable. Usually half carats are for 5-stone rings.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

I agree. We'd need to know her finger size more than her height and weight. I will say this, I would far rather have an eternity ring with excellent cut rounds, because you may not be able to evaluate the cut on those ovals and I'd be concerned about them being as brilliant and as well matched as rounds would be. But half carat stones is too big for an eternity, in my opinion. There are a couple of people here who have them, but I think I would be uncomfortable with that size. I really think 5 stone rings are better when you get to .40 and up per stone.

I am assuming this is a standalone ring, right? As in, she won't be wearing it with an engagement ring?

 

[Mig888]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

Her ring size is 5. She will wear it as a stand alone. My wife has not worn her engagement ring since our wedding day. I was told that round diamonds tend to be deeper cuts so they actually are more uncomfortable than ovals in eternity bands. Don't know if this is true.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

Well, when you are talking about half carat stones, that may be true, but I think that is rather large for an eternity ring of ovals or rounds. If your wife expressed a desire for ovals, then by all means do that. But I think you'd find a majority of women here preferring rounds if you asked. The light return is just usually going to be better with excellent cut rounds. And they are far easier to match.

 

[Owies Nana]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

I agree. We'd need to know her finger size more than her height and weight. I will say this, I would far rather have an eternity ring with excellent cut rounds, because you may not be able to evaluate the cut on those ovals and I'd be concerned about them being as brilliant and as well matched as rounds would be. But half carat stones is too big for an eternity, in my opinion. There are a couple of people here who have them, but I think I would be uncomfortable with that size. I really think 5 stone rings are better when you get to .40 and up per stone.
I am assuming this is a standalone ring, right? As in, she won't be wearing it with an engagement ring?

DS, don't you think a five stone would spin on the finger? The advantage (and expense) of the eternity is that if the ring spins, it really doesn't matter!!!!

 

[Mig888]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

Actually trying to get something a little unique-- that is why I am considering ovals. We walked into Harry Winston in Miami and they had some oval eternity bands we thought were very pretty and sparkled a lot. You may be right that the rounds may be the smarter way to go, but I don't always make the smart decision.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

Haha! Well, many of us can claim the same!

I am just very cautious about ovals because they are harder to match. Will each stone be GIA certified so you know the exact specs and can see that the diamonds are the same size, color, clarity, etc? I wouldn't buy half carat stones without the lab reports.

Owies Nana, my rings don't spin, but I am not promoting that he change to 5 stone as much as I am cautioning him about making half carat ovals as the choice for an eternity. The height is going to be greater than a round, so it will be a pretty wide ring. I am seeing 6.5mm as the longer diameter measurement on a .50, so that will be quite a big ring! I would go for the .41's for myself.

It's just that people on here go through a lot of stones to find a great single oval with little to no bowtie. I remember a girl unhappy with the side stones on her 3 stone oval ring. So I think an oval eternity would be diffcult to meet my personal expectations in terms of matched stones. Although I might consider the one at Harry Winston. (I am sure a high quality one with perfectly matched, well cut stones would be outstanding!)

 

[JaneSmith]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

I'm glad you have a new option available to you, one where you can get the quality and size you want. Do get all GIA stones.
So, size wise your wife sounds very petite, and size five is not a big ring size, so an eternity with half carat stones is going to look big. She might like that, I know I would.
Has she tried any larger eternities on? Some find them uncomfortable.
Does she know she will have to be careful with it? It's not like wearing any other kind of ring, she mustn't grab anything too hard with that hand, or do anything that could whack the diamonds on the palm side.
As for using ovals vs rounds, I like the idea of an oval eternity. But I like and own ovals. It will be harder to find matching ovals than rounds, as fancies vary more, but a good jeweller should be able to do this. You can also line them all up and eyeball them yourself before they are set. I think a well executed oval eternity with large stones will look stunning!

 

[BeachGirlG]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

Did she try anything on that was similar to the size you're considering?
I think it would be very uncomfortable in that size on her little finger. And it would be a shame to not wear it...
Can I ask why she doesn't wear her engagement ring?

 

[swingirl]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

The depth of 0.5 ct stones seem very uncomfortable between the fingers. Will this be a special occasion ring? Or something worn everyday? For special occasions where the 7 ct eternity band is on for a few hours the thickness might be tolerable. But for much longer it could irritate her other fingers.

 

[distracts]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

It's just that people on here go through a lot of stones to find a great single oval with little to no bowtie. I remember a girl unhappy with the side stones on her 3 stone oval ring. So I think an oval eternity would be diffcult to meet my personal expectations in terms of matched stones.

Same. Bowties would drive me crazy in a white stone. But if you don't mind them or your jeweler can find and match stones without them, go for it! Well-cut ovals with minimal bowties are very elegant and just different enough to stand out without being crazy.

Is there no way your wife can try on the rings and wear them around the store for a while to see if they're comfortable? I get pretty uncomfortable in eternity bands over .25 cts per stone and I have a 4.5 finger size. If I want bigger I'd do a five-stone. I understand the inclination to go big (we all have it!) but you say she hasn't worn the engagement ring since you've gotten married and I'd hate for the eternity to go the same way. I also think knowing why she doesn't wear her engagement ring could help us analyze this decision a little with you.

 

[lknvrb4]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

I would go with smaller stones for an eternity unless she wants stones that large. I would think it would be very uncomfortable between the fingers.

 

[LaraOnline]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

I have a three-quarter eternity, which I find the perfect answer comfort wise... although I can see that for eternity band lovers, the three-quarter eternity might not cut it!

Most of the time the ring is (hopefully) on the finger though, so the 'eternity' part of the eternity ring may not be as well appreciated as one would think. It's nice not to have diamonds on the palm side of the hand, particularly when having to grasp something heavy.

 

[Owies Nana]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

The depth of 0.5 ct stones seem very uncomfortable between the fingers. Will this be a special occasion ring? Or something worn everyday? For special occasions where the 7 ct eternity band is on for a few hours the thickness might be tolerable. But for much longer it could irritate her other fingers.

This has not been my experience. Mine does not irritate my other fingers at all even while wearing it for many hours at a time, although my stones are radiant cut and not ovals. I LOVE the big look, and being petite myself (even though my fingers are a size 6), DH and I don't think it is too much ring for me.

But I DO NOT wear it when I am moving things or casually cleaning up around the house.

 

[SB621]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

I have a size 6 eband with I believe just approx 40 pointers and I find it extremely uncomfortable. I hardly ever wear it which is a tragegy because it was my push present that DH gave me for our first child. I would have your wife try on large eternitys before you go and have one custom made to make sure they are comfortable for her.

 

[rubybeth]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

I'm gonna go out on a limb and ask why your wife doesn't wear her engagement ring. Is it because it's a smaller stone and no longer fits your status? Is it because it's a larger stone and she's not comfortable wearing it for running errands/cleaning/working out, so it stays in the box? Or is it a style with a lot of pave stones that could get damaged/lost?

I think in your other post, you said she took off the engagement ring on the wedding day and never wears it. I am concerned that she is a plain band kind of gal, and she won't wear an eternity ring if you get her one. She could have a variety of reasons for just wearing a plain band, and I think you need to find out what those reasons are, because this eternity ring could go the way of her e-ring. Now, if she's specifically said she wants a shared-prong eternity band with large stones, go for it. I think .3-.4 stones would be the largest you'd want to go, with either rounds or ovals--and you'd want to find out from her which she prefers.

BUT, if she's a plain band person, maybe a 5 stone or just slightly blingier band might be a better idea. Five stone bands don't necessarily spin if they fit correctly. This is one of my favorite settings, and you could get .3 stones which are upgradeable if she ever wants to go bigger: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/wedding-and-anniversary-bands/eternity-bands/five-stone-trellis-band-ii-18k-white-gold-5400w18

Another option is scattered diamond band, which is an eternity ring with a different style, but lower-key and comfortable: http://www.whiteflash.com/wedding-bands/scattered-diamond-wedding-band-37.htm
Or perhaps a channel set eternity or 3/4 eternity ring (no prongs to catch on anything, very sleek design, and comfortable): http://www.whiteflash.com/wedding-bands/honey-princess-channel-set-diamond-wedding-ring-1730.htm

Or, maybe she's just not a ring person at all... in which case, maybe she would get more wear out of a nice pendant or tennis bracelet: http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-bracelets/three-prong-diamond-tennis-bracelet-501.htm

 

[Mig888]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

You raise some good points. Her engagement ring is fairly nice--2.5 carats, pear shape of good quality. I don't really know why she does not wear it-- she actually has a bunch of other jewelry that she does not wear that just sits in the safe deposit box. The only jewelry she wears is her current eternity band which is made up of .20 round diamonds so I figured that I would just buy her a nicer one for our 25th anniversary.

We went into Harry Winston together and I know she thought the oval "rock band" they had was pretty, although who knows if she will wear it and if it will be comfortable. I did happen to see an eternity band with two rows of .30 round stones set out in a honeycomb pattern--sort of looked like two stacked round eternity bands. That was also very nice and may be more comfortable. Personally, I would prefer to buy her the eternity band with a single row of larger stones rather than the two rows of smaller stones.

I have three daughters, so I figure one of them will wear it even if their mother does not!

 

[JulieN]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

If you plan to pass it down, eternities are not sizeable.

It may seem silly, but perhaps she does not want more jewelry... 2.5 ct pear is enormous and maybe a large eternity is not her style.

 

[LibbyLA]

Re: Is size of diamonds eternity band too large for petite w

Here's perhaps an oddball thought. Consider turning those ovals EW rather than NS, and maybe bezel setting them. I'm not normally a bezel fan, nor an EW fan, but when I read your original post about oval eternity bands, the EW setting came to mind. With that, you might be able to use slighly larger diamonds (like the .5 ct.), but fewer of them end to end.

liz