QuestionI'm looking at buying a band and round diamond separately.
The band has two options....a 50 pt stone size band and a 75 pt stone size band. If the round solitaire diamond is 1.15-1.25 carats, which pt size should I buy for the diamond to fit or does it matter?
Will most jewelers put it together? Is that an easy thing to do in this line of work?
AnswerHI, John. This is a good question and fortunately for me the answer is fairly easy. Over the years we have done many combinations of bands and solitaire engagement rings.
The size combinations will work in either case. I would not be too concerned about that part. The easiest way to make a decision on bands and diamond content is to see the setting which is chosen and see how it will look next to the engagement ring. Remember, the total weight does not mean number of stones but total weight of stones. In other words, 10 stones of 0.075 carats each will total up to 75 points (0.75 carats). Stones of this size are likely too wide for the band to look the best. A larger number of small diamonds may be used to get the total weight.
In figuring it, unless you are set on a particular weight of diamonds in the band, I suggest seeing what is available in a ring and go from there. To be set on a particular weight will greatly limit the styles and designs of bands available as unset bands.
Otherwise, you are going into total custom work and the price goes us drastically for that.
A good and reputable jeweler with a good set of vendors can provide both the band and the solitaire, either set with diamonds by the factory or set in-house at the jewelry store. Be sure the store has a fine reputation. Going with a better store is well worth it in this case and you really will not pay more overall for what you get in terms of quality workmanship and gemstones.
The process means seeing various styles of solitaire rings and then picking a band to go with that. Will she be involved in this?
Jewelers will work with you on this if you have the diamonds already but will prefer for you to purchase the stones for the band with the band. They want for one thing besides making the sale to be able to best match the stones with the band. For instance, if the band stones are channel set, diamonds should be matched as well as possible including the often overlooked thickness of the stones. That thickness and uniform cutting has a lot to do with a good setting job and one without undue labor to get unmatched stones to fit in a level manner in the setting. If you have the main stone for the solitaire already, that is not a problem. I would use the same store for both the band and the solitaire setting and labor.
John, I almost feel like I have rambled on this answer but the answer cannot be a direct yes to this and no to that. There are simple visual and design considerations to make and that means looking at what is available and how you want to approach the work, custom or unset ready made ring or band set from the factory to match the setting chosen and the diamond you will already have for the solitaire.
Please use the follow-up option to get back to me if need be. I know being in the purchasing position for jewelry like this is not an everyday situation for most folks. : )
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
