I need opinions for my son.

[pomtzu]

What is her birthstone?

I have a lab created emerald cut sapphire surrounded by small lab created diamonds in a sterling setting. I've had it for years, and tho I don't wear it everyday, it looks like new. Everyone thinks it's real! Yeah - if it was, I'd be rich!

[Taz_Zoee]

I personally like simple (like Rachel's she just got!). My mom's first ring is very gaudy (IMO) and her second one has a single diamond, but the setting is too high. I'd constantly be scratching myself and catching it on things. My ideal ring would be a band with maybe stones set IN it.

If she has the same taste as you then I'm thinking you can't go wrong! I'm sure she will love whatever you and he choose.
I know I'd like ANY kind of ring from my boyfriend (after 10 years!!).

[Karen]

Another option would be to ask jewelers about using the stones etc., from the grandmother's ring and resetting it, into a band that would fit her.

[pomtzu]

I'm not trying to be a know-it-all, but any jeweler worth his salt, could revise this ring to fit. My dad was in watch and jewelry repair, and he could take the whole top part of the ring where the stones are, and make an entirely new shank to a larger size, and not just cut the bottom of the shank and stretch it out and add a piece to make it larger. Basically what is being done, is cutting the top off and soldering it to a larger shank. Perhaps this is an art that the young-uns have never learned?????

[Karen]

I'm not trying to be a know-it-all, but any jeweler worth his salt, could revise this ring to fit. My dad was in watch and jewelry repair, and he could take the whole top part of the ring where the stones are, and make an entirely new shank to a larger size, and not just cut the bottom of the shank and stretch it out and add a piece to make it larger. Basically what is being done, is cutting the top off and soldering it to a larger shank. Perhaps this is an art that the young-uns have never learned?????

Most stores now send things off, and will not enlarge over 2 sizes at a time. Catnapper, I'd go to the longest-established jeweler in town, and ask for the owner - someone with grey hair might better understand!

[catnapper]

I asked several jewelers and got frustrated with the "no we can't do it". I was talking to a customer one day last month who is actually is a talented jewelry designer who travels around the country as a guest lecturer/teacher at colleges, and she explained how its basically redesigning an entire new ring. She gave me a quote that made my jaw drop. Maybe in ten years or so they could afford it, but right now, its not a realistic cost for him to spend.

She just wants a ring. I think she'd be happy with something from the bubblegum machine.

He just wants to put a ring on her finger. He wants it to be a smidgen nicer than something from a bubblegum machine

I'm having fun looking at jewelry for him. I bought myself a couple of baubles too

[Karen]

I asked several jewelers and got frustrated with the "no we can't do it". I was talking to a customer one day last month who is actually is a talented jewelry designer who travels around the country as a guest lecturer/teacher at colleges, and she explained how its basically redesigning an entire new ring. She gave me a quote that made my jaw drop. Maybe in ten years or so they could afford it, but right now, its not a realistic cost for him to spend.

She just wants a ring. I think she'd be happy with something from the bubblegum machine.

He just wants to put a ring on her finger. He wants it to be a smidgen nicer than something from a bubblegum machine

I'm having fun looking at jewelry for him. I bought myself a couple of baubles too

Okay! He can give her that ring on a chain sometime, too!

[mrspunkysmom]

I asked several jewelers and got frustrated with the "no we can't do it". I was talking to a customer one day last month who is actually is a talented jewelry designer who travels around the country as a guest lecturer/teacher at colleges, and she explained how its basically redesigning an entire new ring. She gave me a quote that made my jaw drop. Maybe in ten years or so they could afford it, but right now, its not a realistic cost for him to spend.

She just wants a ring. I think she'd be happy with something from the bubblegum machine.

He just wants to put a ring on her finger. He wants it to be a smidgen nicer than something from a bubblegum machine

I'm having fun looking at jewelry for him. I bought myself a couple of baubles too

If you know what her tastes are, find something that reflects those tastes.

As for enlarging the ring: Jewlers no longer replace watch crystals either. The companies won't let them or so I'm told.

It seems no one is willing to put in the time these days. Everything is instantaneous. SIGH.

And the jewelers probably don't want to mess with the ring, so they quote a high price. I find that to be the standard these days for most special orders.


Good luck with the ring. And really good costume jewelry is expensive, too. Looks really nice and sometimes it's hard to tell the difference. Except the price will be way cheaper than the real thing.

And congrats to your son and his fiance.