Ring Settings

kimmiekp

My fiance and I don't have a ring yet because I have the diamonds from my mom's ring and we would like to put those into a setting.  It's three diamonds, an oval and two trillions -- I want a silver, white gold or platinum ring.  I'm astounded by the prices of a ring with NO stones... is it true that diamons are not worth anything then???  And does anyone know where to get an inexpensive setting for some heirloom diamonds???

FutureMrsSheeler

I'd look at shaneco.com

CvilleClaire

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_ring-settings?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:9ba79bed-b91a-4864-8701-891ea24b4cfcPost:770015f8-ffc8-479e-b8ba-8b067e17ddee">Ring Settings</a>:
[QUOTE]is it true that diamons are not worth anything then???  And does anyone know where to get an inexpensive setting for some heirloom diamonds???
Posted by kimmiekp[/QUOTE]

Diamonds obviously have value.

Do you really want to put family heirlooms in an "inexpensive" setting?  Settings are expensive (especially platinum ones).  They keep your stones safe and secure.  You want to invest in a good setting.

If you are on a budget, you will probably find that taking platinum off the table will help.

smore154

If you are on a budget, take platinum RIGHT off your list! That will help you so much. My setting is platinum, and I am having a hard time now trying to find a wedding band that I like and can afford. I think I'm just going to go the plain band route, because I don't want to get a different metal than my engagement ring.

I wouldn't sacrifice on the setting for your heirlooms. You want something that is really really secure. You might want to check bluenile.com. I don't know if they'd have what you want- but this is where my ring is from. Good luck!

jagore08

I would never set diamonds in silver.  I have silver jewelry and it tarnishes.  Go with the white gold.

kd.joseph

I can tell you that my diamond is the most expensive thing in my setting. And I agree with PP's stay away from platinum if you are on a budget.

The suggestion I have for you is Paladium. It's as close to platinum as you can get without the cost. I have a paladium setting for my E-ring and my wedding band is platinum (we got it on a store close out), but you cannot tell the difference in the metals at all. And it just needs to be buffed from time to time, same with platinum.

Good luck.

BlueBoxBride

For those that take it to your jeweler, are you planning on staying in your current area?

Would you ever consider switching settings if your jeweler goes out of business or stops offering the complimentary service?

shortee426

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_ring-settings?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:9ba79bed-b91a-4864-8701-891ea24b4cfcPost:2b043886-b095-47b3-ac00-4b67ad83d2a4">Re: Ring Settings</a>:
[QUOTE]For those that take it to your jeweler, are you planning on staying in your current area? Would you ever consider switching settings if your jeweler goes out of business or stops offering the complimentary service?
Posted by BlueBoxBride[/QUOTE]

I'm in Los Angeles and I certainly don't plan on staying here forever.  Once we move (years down the road from now) I'll probably seek out a new jeweler there.  I'll probably see if my current jeweler has any recommendations in my new city.

My ring is from Robbins Brothers.  It's not a national chain, but they do have multiple stores throughout CA, and I believe they have a couple in some other states as well.

DanielleZZ

I've never heard of having to re "dip" a white gold ring.  My first ring was white gold and I wore it constantly for 6 years and never did anything to it (except cleaning it with toothpaste), it still looks great and white.  Silver is definitely the cheapest option but the quality is lower.  My new e-ring is silver and I am very happy with it but I got lab created diamonds so I didnt see the need to invest in an expensive setting.

melanieandbrad

I have a white gold e-ring with a matching band.  My jeweler advised that I may need to get it dipped once a year, but it depends on the individual.  Your body chemistry, as well as lotions/soaps you use determine how quickly the ring will need to be re-dipped.  

kimmiekp

Wow, some really great advice and things I didn't even KNOW!!!!  Thank you ladies.  I'm going to really have to look for a good jewler around here, I'm in a "military" town that lacks "trend"... So it can be difficult finding quality services.  For some reason military LOVE chains (they go with what they know)...

It sounds like platinum is the way to go for the "long run" but the super expensive route, What is this pallidum?  Any more information on what that metal is?  Is it better than white gold or?  They idea of silver dipped in rhodium is also an interesting choice... options options options...

We really haven't set a "budget" lol... I was just amazed at how the ring "sets" out there with E ring, stones and wedding band seem to be cheaper than any of the e-ring settings I'm looking at.  This is my second marriage and when I got divorced I tried to take my 1 ct. diamons solitare ring to get some dough for it and they didn't want to give me anything (not close to what my x paid for it) so I still have that.  I'm wondering if I can't give that to my x to "trade it in" (if he wouldn't be offended lol...)  would it be weird though to say "oh this ring I have was partially paid for by a ring from my x..." i dunno that seems kinda creepy ????

It's nice to have options, I just wish things were not so pricey!!!

shortee426

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_ring-settings?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:9ba79bed-b91a-4864-8701-891ea24b4cfcPost:296a9f4c-b2bd-41f0-8c5c-a707c947c937">Re: Ring Settings</a>:
[QUOTE]Wow, some really great advice and things I didn't even KNOW!!!!  Thank you ladies.  I'm going to really have to look for a good jewler around here, I'm in a "military" town that lacks "trend"... So it can be difficult finding quality services.  For some reason military LOVE chains (they go with what they know)... It sounds like platinum is the way to go for the "long run" but the super expensive route, What is this pallidum?  Any more information on what that metal is?  Is it better than white gold or?  They idea of silver dipped in rhodium is also an interesting choice... options options options... We really haven't set a "budget" lol... I was just amazed at how the ring "sets" out there with E ring, stones and wedding band seem to be cheaper than any of the e-ring settings I'm looking at.  This is my second marriage and when I got divorced I tried to take my 1 ct. diamons solitare ring to get some dough for it and they didn't want to give me anything (not close to what my x paid for it) so I still have that.  I'm wondering if I can't give that to my x to "trade it in" (if he wouldn't be offended lol...)  <strong>would it be weird though to say "oh this ring I have was partially paid for by a ring from my x..." i dunno that seems kinda creepy ????</strong> It's nice to have options, I just wish things were not so pricey!!! :)
Posted by kimmiekp[/QUOTE]

<div>You don't need to tell that to anyone.  Why would you give it to your ex to trade in, rather than trading it in yourself?</div>

sgervais88

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_ring-settings?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:9ba79bed-b91a-4864-8701-891ea24b4cfcPost:4069ca4e-0388-4a09-a16d-0ae84051a249">Re: Ring Settings</a>:
[QUOTE]I can tell you that my diamond is the most expensive thing in my setting. And I agree with PP's stay away from platinum if you are on a budget. The suggestion I have for you is Paladium. It's as close to platinum as you can get without the cost. I have a paladium setting for my E-ring and my wedding band is platinum (we got it on a store close out), but you cannot tell the difference in the metals at all. And it just needs to be buffed from time to time, same with platinum. Good luck.
Posted by kd.joseph[/QUOTE]

Ditto this. My e-ring is palladium and I love it! It stays white and only needs to be rebuffed occasionally.

You could try a small, local jeweler for other options. I've heard local or family jewelers are more affordable in terms of metals and services.

kimmiekp

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_ring-settings?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:9ba79bed-b91a-4864-8701-891ea24b4cfcPost:313c1f01-8eb7-4a71-a9c0-6a24748d0e3e">Re: Ring Settings</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Ring Settings : You don't need to tell that to anyone.  Why would you give it to your ex to trade in, rather than trading it in yourself?
Posted by shortee426[/QUOTE]

This is true!!! In fact, now I wish I had kept HIS ring!!! He was leaving it in a stupid jar the last I knew... I SHOULD have taken it!! Jerk!!!! lol...

EIS24

You should expect at least a couple of hundred dollars for a plain white gold setting. I would recommend taking it to a trusted local jeweler. They can show you what they have in stock. And most of them can create or alter any setting to suit your jewels shape & size.  If you have any wholesale jewelers in your area, I would recommend going that route. I live in Atlanta and the best deals in jewelry are at America's Mart downtown. My engagement ring setting was altered in one day and the diamond was a much better quality for the price than at a normal jewelry store.

aerinpegadrak

Our rings are also palladium, and I really like them.  We take them in to Robbins Brothers for cleaning to maintain our warranty every so often, and they always come out looking new no matter how beat up and worn they've gotten.  The only caveat is because it's a more delicate metal, it can't hold up to some of the filigree work you see on a lot of platinum wedding bands.  I ended up having my band custom made because I couldn't find an existing palladium design that I liked.  But the setting for my e-ring solitaire is very sturdy and the diamond is recessed a bit so it can't catch anything and come loose.