Choosing a ring...

dreamingblue · September 2009

Hi everyone, listening to some of the ring talk going on around here, I'm wondering....how did you know/choose the ring you wanted? How did you figure out what you liked vs what would look good on you (and was there a disconnect)? My BF and I were talking today, because I had a funny discussion at Kay Jewelers that started talking about a chain I wanted to get for my mother (yeah, she's crazy, but I still love her...*sigh*) and turned to engagement rings, since we were standing right there. I realized I didn't know too much about the cuts and what they looked like and they ended up showing me a bunch and having me try them on. None of them seemed like something I'd wear...but it was half-hearted, so not sure. So, I'm wondering how you all came to the conclusion of what stone/cut/setting you liked.

PS. I like pictures, too.

JS

sapphirebaby926 · September 2009

My fiance and I went ring shopping together. I tried stuff on in several different styles and the ring we ended up picking out was the first one I tried on.It's definitely not what I expected I would like since I liked the look of the wider or more intricate bands at the time. I tried them on and it just did not look good on my little fingers. At all.As far as the stone goes I knew I wanted a sapphire - I just don't care for diamond jewlery. I think diamonds are a pretty stone but it isn't my style. Also my mother had a sapphire engagement ring that I loved and I always thought it was so much prettier than a diamond ring. There's a pic in my siggy and I'll post another more recent pic of my ring and wedding band but here is the direct link for the original pic (before I sized it down) if you want to see the detail better[url]<a href="http://i27.tinypic.com/2pzn09j.jpg" rel='nofollow'>http://i27.tinypic.com/2pzn09j.jpg</a>[/url][IMG]<a href="http://i28.tinypic.com/ouchf4.jpg" rel='nofollow'>http://i28.tinypic.com/ouchf4.jpg</a>[/IMG]

sapphirebaby926 · September 2009

let me try to get that clicky for you[url]<a href="http://i27.tinypic.com/2pzn09j.jpg" rel='nofollow'>http://i27.tinypic.com/2pzn09j.jpg</a>[/url]

**Mutley** · September 2009

Great picture, Rachel! Is that from your nifty new camera? OP - we went together to look at rings, after getting engaged. I knew that I wanted a thinner band and liked the look of the micro-pave ones. I did not want a lot of metal in the band. I was trying on several different micro-pave settings until FI saw another band in the case and had me try it on. It was perfect! It sparkled even more than the micro-pave ones and was more secure as well. I loved it so much that I didn't want to take it off. Turns out that it is what is called "petite-prong set." Who knew? Haha. I knew all along that I wanted a round center stone. PIB under Bridal Attire.

sapphirebaby926 · September 2009

It is! The lens was maybe half an inch, if that, from my ring and it caught the detail perfectly - I

my new camera

jagore08 · September 2009

I told DH that I liked princess cut, side stones, and white gold but that's it. I just told him that I wouldn't like a heart or pear shaped ring. No mention of size to anything else. He was on his own. What he ended up getting me was nothing like I imagined. He sis an amazing job. [img]<a href="http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d133/jagore/JaneenRing9-1.jpg" rel='nofollow'>http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d133/jagore/JaneenRing9-1.jpg</a>[/img]

blackfire5th · September 2009

I started looking around and decided that I liked princess cuts. I also wanted the band to be thicker so that it would last (the thin ones will wear down through the years and you'll have to get them re-done) and I wanted my stone set as low as possible so that I could still wear latex gloves for my research.

TheFutureMrsM-LoungingBeachside · September 2009

I was orignally sure I wanted a round solitaire but FI liked rings with a little more sparkle. We tried on a LOT of rings and eventally fell in love with a ring with tapered baguette sidestones. Baguettes have kind of an understated sparkle so this worked very nicely for us.....however we would never have figured it out without trying on tons of rings. http://www.flickr.com/photos/40108373@N07/3687122480/

dreamingblue · September 2009

Great pics, everyone! Sapphirebaby, my old officemate had a sapphire engagement ring as well. They seem to be growing in popularity, and they are really pretty.

From the sounds of it, I guess I have to spend some more time alone at the jewelry store checking things out. lol My BF was completely shocked that I had no idea what I liked in a ring...I know I like vintage-y looking styles, and I really don't like round stones all that much...I learned yesterday that I enjoy the radiant cuts a bit though. The people at the jewelry store had me try them on and I felt like a five year old going 'oooooooh...spaaaarkly..' lol.

rubyslippersxo · September 2009

karena i love love LOVE your new siggy pic!

**Mutley** · September 2009

Aww. Thanks, Jeanna. We just got our engagement pictures back and I am in love with them. Having my make-up professional done was very much worth it. It made me feel fabulous.

oceana919 · September 2009

In terms of cut/style, I've always been a fan of princess/square cut and I wear almost all white gold/silver, so that was pretty easy for me to decide. In terms of the stone size, the setting type, etc., I had to try them on to really get a feel for them. For example, I found one ring that I was absolutely in love with online, but once I tried it on in the store, I realized the diamond was sitting really high on my finger and that would drive me nuts working in a lab. After trying several one, I found one that fit the style I liked, but was also functional for the work I do.

jeanacorina · September 2009

Well, what he got me was perfect, although I thought we'd agreed to go with Moissanite instead of diamond... he decided last-minute (as in, when he went to buy the ring) that he preferred diamond.I think it's because he's way more traditional than I am. Way.We looked online for months, and spent an afternoon (several months before the proposal) looking at settings in stores. I liked very small side stones, a little more flair than a solitaire (it rhymes!). I didn't want a three-stone ring, though.I also liked cushion-cut stones, and princess-cut was my second choice.He ended up getting me a 3/4 ct princess cut diamond with another 1/4 ct of teeny baby round diamonds set into the band. It's yellow gold, which is what I wanted (and quite a bit cheaper because it's not "in style").My first thought when he opened the box (honestly)?"Wow, that's not at all what I pictured in my head..... but he did a good job!"I know he wanted to go with a solitaire, but I guess this was his compromise since he didn't get Moissanite. Of course, if he'd given me a three-stone aquamarine ring in white gold, I'd still have said yes.

(I just would have wondered if he had cotton in his ears for the past 5 months)

Acrosthec · September 2009

I always thought I wanted a round solitaire. BF and I never made it to any stores to look though because right before we started dating my grandmother gave me her ring. It's from 1941 and was yellow gold, but I had it changed to white gold to match the rest of my jewelry. Ever since she gave it to me, I haven't wanted any other ring. It looks perfect on my hand, and is incredibly unique and sentimental. I couldn't ask for anything better, and BF was completely excited about getting to save money and put it towards the house and car payments. ;)Here's a picture...hopefully it'll work.[IMG]<a href="http://i25.tinypic.com/123a2dt.jpg" rel='nofollow'>http://i25.tinypic.com/123a2dt.jpg</a>[/IMG]

Jen&Louie · September 2009

We went out shopping, at his suggestion, so that I could try on different styles and give him an idea of my preferences. I'm glad that we did because I had originally thought I would have liked a princess cut solitaire. After trying on several rings, I fell in love with the classic round brilliant cut with a diamond band. He knew which settings I really loved and what felt comfortable to me. He ended up choosing my favorite of them and proposed with this...perfect...http://snipurl.com/rjtvt

alliejo725 · September 2009

Acroseth, my ring has the same square setting around the center stone (don't suppose you know what that's called...?). It's from c. 1934 and belonged to my fiance's great-grandmother. My great-grandmother had a similar setting around her stone. OP, if you like antique/vintage-y looking rings, check out antiquejewelrymall.com. They have a ton of styles that might appeal to you. I also love antique jewelry; I never told my fiance that I wanted an antique, but shortly after we started talking about marriage his grandmother offered him her mother's ring--what a blessing! P.S. sapphire, I secretly stalk pictures of your ring every time I see your posts. I absolutely love it. One of my friends recently got engaged, and her ring is also a sapphire. If we ever decide to do anniversary rings, I would love one.

alliejo725 · September 2009

Whoops... Another try at the link: [IMG]<a href="http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc351/blonded_photo/smallring.jpg" rel='nofollow'>http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc351/blonded_photo/smallring.jpg</a>[/IMG]

Goldlie11 · September 2009

I'm going with a solitaire because I want to have different options as far as the wedding band is concerned. I've tried on round rings and I really like them. I like yellow gold better than white gold because I like the contrast between the diamond and the yellow gold.

dreamingblue · September 2009

Wow, the 1940's style ring is gorgeous! I could totally see myself wearing something like that. Also, the diamond band with the round cut stone? That is really gorgeous, too. I'm getting inspired here!I will check out that site for the antique jewelry...:)

NcsuPsych · September 2009

Gorgeous rings Ladies!! My FI and I had gone to a couple of places, but my fiancee knew that the style that I liked was old and unique. I absolutely love my ring that he found

[IMG]http://i27.tinypic.com/b7cgh0.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i29.tinypic.com/qq7sw3.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i25.tinypic.com/5ey8p1.jpg[/IMG]I really hope these pictures aren't too large. I've already posted once and deleted due to the pictures being WAY too large.

NcsuPsych · September 2009

[IMG]<a href="http://i29.tinypic.com/qq7sw3.jpg" rel='nofollow'>http://i29.tinypic.com/qq7sw3.jpg</a>[/IMG]

PandaBurr · September 2009

Acro, I don't think I've ever seen your ring, and I think it looks awesome! The story behind it just makes it all the more better too. You also had that emerald cluster ring that you're going to use to make your wedding band, right?

Acrosthec · September 2009

Indeed I did! I posted pictures of them both a while ago when i finally retrieved them from the jewelry store, and people (I think Twinkie and maybe you?) were begging me for hand shots.

Now that BF has finally asked my dad's blessing, hopefully I'll actually get to wear the ring soon and your hand shot requests will be answered. :)That jewelry store never did get back to me with a quote, btw. I don't know what their deal is, but I would think in this economy they would want all the business they could get, but maybe they're doing ok without me and my rings. Either way, BF and I decided to use someone else, which makes me feel better about the whole situation.

PandaBurr · September 2009

I remember asking for hand shots, but for some reason, I only remember the cluster ring. How odd! Well, I think it's for the best with the jewelery store scenario. They were the ones who took your ring and you had a hell of a time trying to get it back, right?

Acrosthec · September 2009

Yup, and when I told BF's mom (as well as an assortment of co-workers, etc.), the conversation almost always went like this:"Did you take it to X?" "No, I took it to Y because BF's friend told me they did really well with his business.""Oh, well you really should've taken it to X. They're the best in town. I would never use Y."Great...thanks for telling me after I'd already dropped the rings off. But yea, now we will be using Y or just letting my uncle do it. The only reason I would consider paying for it over having my uncle do it is I would be worried that my uncle would feel uncomfortable modifying his dead MIL's ring...as in, if he messed it up his wife might kill him. I don't think he would mess it up, but I'd hate to cause that kind of stress for anyone, especially if they're just trying to do me a favor.

Acrosthec · September 2009

Crap. Got my X's and Y's confused. I knew I would. We're taking it to the one that everyone said we should have in the first place. There, that's easier.

cdipaolo · September 2009

I am not engaged yet but one day I just looked ok this website and saw this a micro-pave ring: http://weddings.theknot.com/Wedding-Rings/27345/detailview.aspx?id=27345&RPID=1&type=27&Engagement+Ring+Styles=Vintage+Styles&Rings+Types=Engagement+Rings&src=nxtprvnav&TM=27&ODBTHEMENAME=Wedding-Rings I like it because it is small, thin and not too bulky or gaudy. I also looked on Steven Singer's website to see if they have something similar and find out what the style and terms of what I like are. I think this one is the best from their website: http://ihatestevensingeronline.com/detail.aspx?ID=117 I saw I hope my boyfriend can find an antique like it.

MustangSally67 · September 2009

I'm a little late to this post, but BF & I just went out to look at rings together last night. I had a "list" of rings I had seen online that I thought I would like, and tried them all on not really liking many of them. Then BF found one that I had overlooked and asked me to try it on. It was perfect, and was not a style on my "list". I tried on a few more "just to be sure" but I think we both know that one is it. Now I just have to wait for him to propose....

*Rebecca & Chris* · September 2009

I have pictures in my bio, I think in the planning one, under attire and accessories. I knew I wanted to have something unique, since I'm in the wedding industry and see rings every day. I always thought I liked princess cut better, but once I tried it on, I didn't like it on me. We found this gorgeous ring tension setting for the middle stone and 6 diamonds going lengthwise across the top and then also 6 diamonds on each side of the ring. It is gorgeous!

my2geldings · September 2009

I unfortunately don't have a picture! I wish I did and I will for sure try to get my hands on one.I went out twice with the bf to go look at a few. We learned the 4C's from the jewellery stores we visited and learned how to pick the right diamond. My bf learned that the best quality diamonds, and the diamonds he liked best were Canadiand Diamonds.I knew the styles I liked and knew I would be looking for a Canadian Diamond because it's the only thing my bf would settle for. I ended up going with a friend to look at rings. Quickly saw which ones looked good and which ones didnt. She went home and my f ended up taking me to one last store.I tried a ring there that caught my eye and ended up crying my eyes out when I put it on. It was the most beautiful ring I had ever seen.We have both agreed that that ring is THE one.

Choosing a ring...

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