Please help! 5-stone e-ring poll question

[Julia_SD]

I'm having Brian Gavin build me a custom e-ring along the lines of mom2boys' awesome Victor Canera 5 stone ring, which I love.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-victor-canera-graduated-5-stone-ring.177310/

Given that I want something thats more practical to wear than a solitaire, can I get people's opinion on whether the stones BGD is proposing are too large?

The sizes graduate from 4.1-5mm for 1.6 tcw. My ring size is 4.25. Before their suggestions came in I was thinking more like 1.25 tcw. Since I can't try this on in person before I buy it I want as many opinions from you awesome PSers as I can get!!

 

[facetgirl]

Hi there- I have the same size finger and really think that the 1.60 would look lovely

The ring sounds beautiful- can't wait to see the pictures!

 

[JulieN]

I would want a steeper gradient. I really can hardly tell in the VC photos. If I were doing 1.6, I would probably do .6, .3, .2

 

[JaneSmith]

Bigger is better!



Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it.
Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it.
Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it.
Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it.

 

[meredeth11]

The better one can be changed by adding other stuffs once it is not that perfect for your size.

 

[lknvrb4]

I would go through the five stone thread and look at everyone's rings that listed finger sizes to get a better idea of what it might look like. I opted for a low profile five stone so it would not stick out over my fingers, just something to consider. I can't wait to see the finished ring.

 

[yssie]

Julia, is there any way you could buy a couple of cheapie fakie - or better yet does BGD send out samples at all? - and try playing with them, see what you think IRL?

I know it's very personal but I honestly can't play at all with my fivestone or any of my empty settings - the only rings that work for me are small eternities and plain bands. Sidestones getting in the way of chords, flopping when I shift, that sort of thing... None of my rings are all that similar to what you're considering except that they're multi-stones, so of course they aren't great to judge by, but I'm concerned because custom & semi-custom pieces are usually non-refundable and it would be awful to find out that it's not perfect for you after the fact

 

[Christina...]

Julia, is there any way you could buy a couple of cheapie fakie - or better yet does BGD send out samples at all? - and try playing with them, see what you think IRL?

I know it's very personal but I honestly can't play at all with my fivestone or any of my empty settings - the only rings that work for me are small eternities and plain bands. Sidestones getting in the way of chords, flopping when I shift, that sort of thing... None of my rings are all that similar to what you're considering except that they're multi-stones, so of course they aren't great to judge by, but I'm concerned because custom & semi-custom pieces are usually non-refundable and it would be awful to find out that it's not perfect for you after the fact

I was going to second Julies suggestion of .6 .3 .2, but I forgot that you were hoping to find a ring that wouldn't interrupt your ability to play. I'm musically challenged and haven't owned a five stone so I don't have any insight in that regard, but I agree with Yssie that perhaps trying a sample or finding a cheapie would be a good idea in your situation. I have no doubt that it would be a gorgeous ring, but you've been clear that you don't want it to interfere with your ability to perform and you don't want to have to remove the ring to play either. I'd hate for you to have a beautiful ring that you couldn't wear the way you had hoped.

 

[kathley]

Julia, is there any way you could buy a couple of cheapie fakie - or better yet does BGD send out samples at all? - and try playing with them, see what you think IRL?

I know it's very personal but I honestly can't play at all with my fivestone or any of my empty settings - the only rings that work for me are small eternities and plain bands. Sidestones getting in the way of chords, flopping when I shift, that sort of thing... None of my rings are all that similar to what you're considering except that they're multi-stones, so of course they aren't great to judge by, but I'm concerned because custom & semi-custom pieces are usually non-refundable and it would be awful to find out that it's not perfect for you after the fact

I was going to second Julies suggestion of .6 .3 .2, but I forgot that you were hoping to find a ring that wouldn't interrupt your ability to play. I'm musically challenged and haven't owned a five stone so I don't have any insight in that regard, but I agree with Yssie that perhaps trying a sample or finding a cheapie would be a good idea in your situation. I have no doubt that it would be a gorgeous ring, but you've been clear that you don't want it to interfere with your ability to perform and you don't want to have to remove the ring to play either. I'd hate for you to have a beautiful ring that you couldn't wear the way you had hoped.

I had the same problem as well with my 7-stone wedding ring, because I couldn't play either as my ring would move to where the prongs would be uncomfortable and the height of the diamonds in the setting would interfere. I soon had to get a low profile ring such that I couldn't feel the prongs and went with smaller stones. A sample ring is a great idea and I have seen them at Macy's pretty reasonably priced!

 

[Enerchi]

I think its time to have a craft moment! Get tiny circles in the appropriate mm sizes, place them on top of your finger to assess how the finger coverage is, allowing for approx 1mm space between circles.

Try it as a graduated 5 stone and 5 x same size - it isn't perfect but it will give you a good sense of how it would look.

 

[motownmama]

I'm torn: bigger is kinda better - we all get diamond shrinkage syndrome, but I wear your exact same size, and if you're thinking what's practical it might be the smaller option. I will post my 1 ctw 5 stone on my 4.25 finger - let me go get it.....

 

[motownmama]

 

[Julia_SD]

You ladies are all so great! I have been to try on every five stone in San Diego it feels like! I can't find a cheapie sample ring to buy despite being to Macy's and Nordstrom. I'm going to try Walmart tomorrow...After having tried on a lot of rings I feel like maybe my first engagement with the big solitaire in a cathedral platinum setting gave a really bad impression of rings. Actually gold isn't heavy really, as long as it isn't thick between my fingers. I've been told that if the ring fits well it is even more comfortable.

But the whole non-returnable custom thing is deeply frightening. I have been through all the threads, and seen all your beautiful pics on the BGD blog, but I'm stuck at this point. Perhaps Dreamer_D is right, I just should get a plain band and never expect to wear my other ring when I play. Though I know the 1 tcw 5 stone band looked great on my hand at the B&M it's now difficult to part with the thought of the larger stones.

I have made the cutouts and put them on my finger...still stuck.

Any other ideas how to get over the stuckness? This custom thing is scary though I'm sure people get over it right?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

First of all, mom2boys has a 6 or 6.5 ring size, so I think a 5mm stone may be too big for you, and a .60 absolutely!! I was thinking about it myself and what I'd want if I were doing it, and I was thinking more like a .33, .25., .20 but I'd have to look at the mm. It all depends on how big and blingy you want it to be!

I also have a very slighty graduated 5 stone band that is 1 ct tw and as you can see, it spans the top of my 5.5 finger:

 

[diamondseeker2006]

And I am sorry, bigger is not better when it doesn't fit your finger! If you liked the 1 ctw on your finger, then maybe increase to 1.25.

I love how Motownmama's ring looks on her! I assume it is 5 20 pointers. If so, I think 5 25 pointers might be the max your finger could handle. Or if you really want graduated maybe have a .30 in the center and slightly taper down.

And here is MissGotRock's Memoire 5 stone (which is great because it is set LOW) and it is 5 30 point stones for a total of 1.50. I think her right hand finger is around 5.5 or 6.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-chased-down-the-ups-man-and-look-what-i-got.39183/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-chased-down-the-ups-man-and-look-what-i-got.39183/[/URL]

 

[m-2-b]

I'm flattered that you like my ring! I think smaller will be better for you given your tiny finger size (so envious!). It will also protrude less and be more comfortable to play in.

 

[packrat]

If you have it up so that it curves along the top of your finger, I think you'd be fine w/the mm's BGD suggested-just so long as the ring won't mess w/you when you're playing. You could dink around on ebay and find a cheapie cz ring to try.

My finger is a 4.5 and the five stone I had was...hmmm 15mm of stones or thereabouts, it's been so long I can't remember but it's probably in the thread I had on it..and then add in a bit for the prongs- I wished I'd had bigger stones b/c I had room for them. Now I have a three stone and while the stone mm's are a bit less, each stone is bezeled and there are wraps on the ends, and I still would have a bit of room for small stones on the ends.

 

[lovemybling]

Another place you could look for "cheepy" five stones is QVC. I know that have several in their CZ line (diamonique). When I was thinking about a five stone I ordered several to try to see what. I would like. The nice thing is that you can try for 30days and then return for a full refund less the orginial shipping, which might be $6 or so. Then you can get an idea of size stone you might like and if the rings might bother you while playing.

Hope that helps

 

[Julia_SD]

Lovemybling thank you SO much for suggesting QVC! BRILLIANT! I am on their site now and there are LOTS of options. And I can order it in a 5 and have it sort of fit!!! Amazing.

The total horizontal on the stones BGD is suggesting is 22mm (thats without prongs BTW ) WAY more than the 15 suggested as slightly too small by PackRat. MissGotRocks and MoTownMomma and their classy reasonable bling have both convinced me to get BGD to work this out again with smaller stones like I requested the first time.

Thank you ALL for your help. I was feeling a little alone out here planning on a 5 stone among all the jewelers and my friends and their solitaire fever.

Thank you all!!!

 

[motownmama]

I came back to make another comment to you. I put my 5 stone on to post that picture for you, and so I had it on for my guitar lesson. It's actually a size 4, not 4.25, but despite as I played it did rotate and was cutting between my fingers. I go back at night for a group lesson and took that ring off and replaced it with a channel set and and scatter band. I'm glad you're getting a CZ sample, b/c this could be an issue with your violin playing - I don't know, but I just wanted to bring it to your attention - a smoother style might be better - like bezel/channel etc. I could be wrong, but food for thought...............

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think one like MissGotRocks that has the stones set as low as the band itself is the best option. If BG can't access a superlow setting, you could look at Memoire. Pearlman's gives 20% discounts to PS members.

 

[stargurl78]

I wear the same size as you and I definitely think 1.6 carats is too much. I think it looks tacky when the diamonds hang off the sides of the finger plus I think it would be uncomfortable. I want to eventually get a 5-stone and I was thinking somewhere between 0.75 - 1 ct would be perfect. I think the largest you would want to go is 1.25 ct. Just my opinion though and I know many will say bigger is better.

 

[Julia_SD]

Hi ladies thank you for the great guitar class info!

I have settled on a Memoire band! I'm leaning towards a band very similar to the purity band in 18k yellow gold - either 5 or 7 stones - not to exceed 1.25 tcw. The smooth shoulders of the design make it really comfortable and almost impossible to feel if the band turns slightly. And the floating style of the stones is beautiful! http://www.memoire.com/catalog/collections.aspx?products=2167

I'm working w BGD on a quote for ring but their turn around time on communication has been miserable, and the communication between team members seems bad also. I am thinking of going elsewhere given their poor performance so far! I spoke with Leslie on Friday and was promised a quote today at the latest, and then today I get a message from the sales team asking if I'm still interested. Frankly this is causing tension at home since BF wants the jewelry in hand ASAP. Should I move on? David something in LA seemed like another good option. I could also see if WF could help? I really really want AGS 000 type/HA type stones, since the stones are so small and "cheap".

It seems the actual Memoire bands are overpriced given that I can't even control the cut quality of the stones they use, which is why I want to go with a custom band in a very similar design.

The only change I want in the Memoire design is to have the stones' girdles slightly more protected, though how to achieve this is up to the expert that builds my ring.

Ideas? I'm very frustrated with BGD! Ugh!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hi ladies thank you for the great guitar class info!

I have settled on a Memoire band! I'm leaning towards a band very similar to the purity band in 18k yellow gold - either 5 or 7 stones - not to exceed 1.25 tcw. The smooth shoulders of the design make it really comfortable and almost impossible to feel if the band turns slightly. And the floating style of the stones is beautiful! http://www.memoire.com/catalog/collections.aspx?products=2167

I'm working w BGD on a quote for ring but their turn around time on communication has been miserable, and the communication between team members seems bad also. I am thinking of going elsewhere given their poor performance so far! I spoke with Leslie on Friday and was promised a quote today at the latest, and then today I get a message from the sales team asking if I'm still interested. Frankly this is causing tension at home since BF wants the jewelry in hand ASAP. Should I move on? David something in LA seemed like another good option. I could also see if WF could help? I really really want AGS 000 type/HA type stones, since the stones are so small and "cheap".

It seems the actual Memoire bands are overpriced given that I can't even control the cut quality of the stones they use, which is why I want to go with a custom band in a very similar design.

The only change I want in the Memoire design is to have the stones' girdles slightly more protected, though how to achieve this is up to the expert that builds my ring.

Ideas? I'm very frustrated with BGD! Ugh!

If you want single prong (isn't that what the Purity collection is?) you probably need to stick with Memoire. Their bands are die struck or something to that effect, and I would not really trust that they would be made as well. You can upgrade the stones to higher color and clarity which I did when I had mine made. They do use excellent cut stones, but they might not all be like the ones WF and BG use. If you go with the standard shared prong, then WhiteFlash can do that for you. I have had much better communication from WF.

If you go with Memoire, use Pearlman's and ask for Julian (tell him I told you to call!). They are just wonderful and usually give a 20% discount. As I said, ask for the options to upgrade the stones.

As far as WhiteFlash goes, they already have a Memoire style 1.25 ct ring with their top quality stones:

http://www.whiteflash.com/wedding-bands/five-stone-shared-prong-diamond-wedding-band-820.htm

Honestly, I'd probably go with the WF ring, personally, but if you want single prong, I'd go with Memoire.

 

[04diamond<3]

Hi ladies thank you for the great guitar class info!

I have settled on a Memoire band! I'm leaning towards a band very similar to the purity band in 18k yellow gold - either 5 or 7 stones - not to exceed 1.25 tcw. The smooth shoulders of the design make it really comfortable and almost impossible to feel if the band turns slightly. And the floating style of the stones is beautiful! http://www.memoire.com/catalog/collections.aspx?products=2167

I'm working w BGD on a quote for ring but their turn around time on communication has been miserable, and the communication between team members seems bad also. I am thinking of going elsewhere given their poor performance so far! I spoke with Leslie on Friday and was promised a quote today at the latest, and then today I get a message from the sales team asking if I'm still interested. Frankly this is causing tension at home since BF wants the jewelry in hand ASAP. Should I move on? David something in LA seemed like another good option. I could also see if WF could help? I really really want AGS 000 type/HA type stones, since the stones are so small and "cheap".

It seems the actual Memoire bands are overpriced given that I can't even control the cut quality of the stones they use, which is why I want to go with a custom band in a very similar design.

The only change I want in the Memoire design is to have the stones' girdles slightly more protected, though how to achieve this is up to the expert that builds my ring.

Ideas? I'm very frustrated with BGD! Ugh!

Hi Julia,

I know it's been a bit, but DBL just got this and it's gorgeous and I think it'd be perfect for you!!! It's very low and definitely blingy

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/diamond-ring-102cts-e-vvs1-excellent-cut-round-brilliant-pink-diamond-halo-ring-gia-r5002

 

[Julia_SD]

Wow 04diamond<3 thats an amazingly blingy gorgeous ring!!!!

Boyfriend and I decided the Memoire Purity was too plain and not blingy enough. And Petite Prong is too bulky. SO. Back to square one.

DiamondSeeker, I took your advice and called Whiteflash. But since I need all the stones to be under .30 to fit on my finger I'm screwed because their policy is they don't do custom work without a certified stones which *you guessed it* are only .3 and above. I feel I'm eating my own tail here.


I did try on a Precision Set Silk 5 stone that I liked.
But it wasn't perfect, and the basket design was way too busy, and the shoulders did not sit flush with the stones. Plus I'm skeptical that their melee stones really are as "ideal" as the jeweler assures me they are. At least the scale is right and the setting is viable in 18k gold....Here it is in a whopping 2.5 tcw:


So now I'm seeing if BGD can adapt the Silk design enough it works for me and doesn't have copyright issues. If they'll even keep dealing with me at this point.

UGH this is so stupid hard!!!! Ideas on adapting the basket anyone? I like the claw prongs actually, and they allow the stones to sit really close together with is good for me...

 

[icpa1]

Hi, there's a 5-stone platinum band listed on DB right now:

http://www.diamondbistro.com/index.php?a=2&b=33460

I don't know how you feel about pre-loved and I don't know if it can be resized to a 4/4.25, but (to me) it looks very similar to the BGD 5 Stone Shared Prong you posted in another thread.

BTW, I'm not the seller. It's just that I've been looking at threads on 5-stone rings for inspiration and I remembered yours when I saw the listing.