S/O Engagement Ring

catemeg · August 2010

Summary: fell in love with ring, ring was sold, pretty certain BF wasn't the one who bought it, and now it's out of stock and out of production. And I can't seem to find even a picture of something I like nearly as much anywhere online!!!

The ring was made by La Reina, who is known for their rings but don't seem to be in engagement rings anymore (more cocktail-style rings). The jewelry store had it marked as TAZ555 (or 5555, not sure if there are 3 or 4 '5's) but I don't know if that is their own labeling or that of the designer. No matter how I google it, it isn't coming up.

If someone can find this ring, I'll kiss you (virtually)! If someone finds something I like just as much, I'll be delighted (and you might still get a virtual kiss).

My diamond is round, approximately 1.4 carats, and has a very shallow base (it is short and stout, we joke). It also has some visible flaws on the bottom of the diamond, so I do tend to prefer bands with some sort of band around the diamond rather than an open prong setting.

Qualities that I like in rings:

Pave or chanel-set side stones about halfway down the band
Smooth sides and inside of the ring
Low profile - no cathedral settings
Milgrain design - it gives it an antique and elegant look that I love
Filigree or similar band design around the diamond

Styles of rings SIMILAR to the one I liked (and why they aren't quite right):

It's set a little high (I like the diamond practically sitting on my finger), and I find the design all around the band a bit busy. I also don't like the holes inside the band. But I do like the band around the diamond (it's a bit large, but I like the style) and the way the side stones come up to the diamond.

The sides of this are nearly perfect - I love that milgrain look. And I love the band on the setting - it's wayyyy too big, but this concept is perfect - maybe just remove the two rows of diamond and keep that swirly section? Shrink that to fit my diamond, make it low profile, and we'd be good!

This is the closest I've found to the ring I loved:

The only thing I don't like is the side designs - I prefer that it's smooth like that last ring. Oh, and the diamond is set a bit high for my taste still.

katanne9 · August 2010

Have you looked into custom setting?

My setting was custom made, and it has nearly all the features you mentioned.

Let me go find a pic....

katanne9 · August 2010

Also, not sure what your budget is, but mine often gets mistaken for a Tacori or a Beverly Kay. My FI looked at a lot of Beverly Kay rings that have the characteristics you're referencing.

Goldlie11 · August 2010

What about this?

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/divisi-diamond-engagement-ring-849.htm

katanne9 · August 2010

Cate, this is mine (well, mine and my Mom's ring. It was the first one I could find of my ring).

A setting could work similarly for you. Mine is also round cut. The setting would hide the flaws on the bottom. It's micropave with milgrain, it's also engraved so it's got the filigree. I don't think you would want the ring around the diamond though... but a custom setting jeweler may be able to help you!

catemeg · August 2010

Kat, I've definitely thought about a custom ring, and BF's a fan of that idea. I've just seen some mediocre custom rings, where they don't look quite as "finished", so it makes me nervous. Logically I know all rings were made somewhere so custom made doesn't mean bad quality. I was also afraid it'd be much more expensive! Your ring is gorgeous, and looks very high-quality, so that makes me feel a bit better. Awhile back, Ana sent me the name of a custom ring designer in NY.

Our budget is around $2,000. We already have the diamond, so that helps significantly.

motoLyn · August 2010

Found this one on my search during my lunch break its by Varner the model type was called "La Reina" Kind of resembles the one that you posted above. I'll keep looking tonight if no one else has found it. GOOD LUCK!

catemeg · August 2010

Goldie, thank you! That's beautiful, and very similar to the ring I was searching for! Definitely the closest I've found so far! The setting might still be a little bit high, and the original one didn't have the split-design on either side but I do like that part on this ring! If he gave me that ring, I'd be delighted! THANK YOU!

EDIT: Here's the one Goldie posted:

Goldlie11 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_engagement-ring?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:a3d9d84e-1aea-476c-a41e-78a3a00436b9Post:28b8f1a5-6494-498c-ba0c-cd65cdbe5c3a">Re: S/O Engagement Ring</a>:
[QUOTE]Goldie, thank you! That's beautiful, and very similar to the ring I was searching for! Definitely the closest I've found so far! The setting might still be a little bit high, and the original one didn't have the split-design on either side but I do like that part on this ring! If he gave me that ring, I'd be delighted! THANK YOU!
Posted by catemeg[/QUOTE]
No problem. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" />

catemeg · August 2010

MotoLyn, I saw that one and liked it! The sides of the ring are a bit busy, though.

Kat, your ring is GORGEOUS and you're right, it has a lot of the aspects I want. Perhaps custom might work well after all.

motoLyn · August 2010

Custom might be the way to go that way you can incorporate what you like into your ring, ie. diamond sitting lower, and less busy work on the side and so on... hahaha now I'm excited to see what your ring will look like!

catemeg · August 2010

Yeah, I'm picky with my jewelry, which is why BF did not want to choose the ring entirely on his own. But I'm sure that if I gave him some of these pictures, with the likes/dislikes he'd do a great job in figuring something out! I'm just a total control freak so it's hard for me to let this go and let him handle it, but I'm working on that... slowly, but working on that! Hey, he did all the planning for our Europe trip this fall, and I didn't even check out the reviews for the hotels online after the fact - that's a big step for me!

Phew... thanks, everyone! It's nice to know that there are other rings out there. Feel free to keep 'em coming if you see something else.

Jessjoy727 · August 2010

When my boyfriend started looking at rings, he asked me to look through www.uniquesettings.com you would have to buy the actual diamond separately ( my BF is going through a friend who is a diamond broker) but they have some pretty amazing ring settings on there. Check it out

Elle1036 · August 2010

I'm a bit of a control freak, too. I've actually taken pretty much sole responsibility for working with the jeweler who's making my ring. Once I see the final mold and approve it, I'm going to turn things over to BF so he can surprise me as he sees fit, but I'm defnitely not willing to be surprised about the ring itself.

I think you should at least contact a few jewelers to get a quote for a custom design. Most will let you back out if the rendering they produce doesn't match your expectations.

catemeg · August 2010

Sunbird - yes, another custom made ring that looks awesome! I loved your ring - not what I want stylistically, but it's gorgeous. And I love how it looks JUST like your inspiration without 'all that on the side'.

How come all you ladies have nice looking custom rings and all the girls I know who have them look sort of cheap and shoddily made? I hope my guy picks the right jeweler if he chooses to do custom!

Jessjoy, cool site! I found this on that site, which is finally a low enough setting for my style!!!

Love a lot of things about this - no cathedral setting, not too high, nice band around the stone. But I hate the rough sides and how the diamonds go down all the way - but mix this height of setting with the qualities in the rings above, and it would be AMAZING!

leia1979 · August 2010

I think you just need to find the right jeweler. There is a guy on Etsy who does palladium rings and does custom work. The photos at least are awesome. Let me see if I can find the link.

Here it is: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WroughtGold?ref=seller_info

I love the ring with the three sapphires (just in general).

Jessjoy727 · August 2010

No problem! Ha I just actually read that you already have the diamond so sorry for my lack of reading the whole thing. That site is awesome, I found plenty of options to give to my BF so he has an idea, now the ball is in his court

catemeg · August 2010

Okay, kisses all around! *applies red lipstick*

Kat, *muah* for teaching me that custom rings can be classy and elegant!

Goldie, *muah* for showing me that there are indeed other rings out there that I'll like!

MotoLyn, *muah* for your support and suggestions!

Jessjoy, *muah* for showing me a site that confirms I'm not nuts - that low profile settings DO exist!

Elle, *muah* for not making me be the only control freak in the room!

And of course, Sunbird, *muah* for giving me awesome ideas and showing me a fantastic custom designed ring. I'm feeling much better that a custom ring can look elegant and finished!

catemeg · August 2010

Leia, *muah* that designer is awesome! Beautiful rings. Okay, so now I'm convinced:

custom =/= crappy & overpriced.

Elle1036 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_engagement-ring?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:a3d9d84e-1aea-476c-a41e-78a3a00436b9Post:7621ce19-da90-431b-a3ce-3c286989dbf4">Re: S/O Engagement Ring</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: S/O Engagement Ring : Actually a lot of jewelers require a down payment for the rendering. They will let you alter it usually for no additional fee, but it was 300 for the down payment and then once the design was approved, all was due before they would start work on it.
Posted by sunbird627[/QUOTE]

That's definitely true (we had to put down half before the wax was started, and then the rest is due once the ring is ready). I just meant that most jewelers who are worth their salt will refund your deposit if you aren't happy with the mold. They just require the deposit to make sure you're serious about a purchase before they waste time on you, I think.

motoLyn · August 2010

No problem Catemeg always happy to google things, as long as you have an alternate to your e-ring vision. Options are always awesome.

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