Engagement Ring - Matching Band

[Dr. Nic]

First off, hello! This is my first post here.

So after a few months of researching and receiving various hints and inputs from my girlfriend, I think I have nearly decided on which engagement ring I want to buy.

So then comes the issue of getting a band to match it. I've been communicating with a jeweler who said they do have a matching band they can make for it (I think this particular ring is not exactly mass-produced). However, they told me that because of the size of the head of the engagement ring, the matching band would be "notched" at the top so it could still butt up to the engagement ring. I guess without the notch, it would hit the underside of the head of the engagement ring and thus leave a space between the band and the ring.

He said that's not uncommon, but the downside is... it might look a tad weird if some time after the wedding she later chose to just wear the band alone, since it is "notched" at the top. However I would hope she would choose to wear both (except of course in conditions when it would be easily damaged).

So my question... how common is this really to have a matching band that looks good with the engagement ring but is not commonly worn by itsself?

Another question, for bonus points: When I pop the question and present the engagement ring, should the matching band be tucked away hidden in my dresser drawer until the big wedding day?

I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions come up.

Anyway, I would greatly appreciate any advice here as I've never done any shopping of this sort before, nor have I ever been married or engaged.

Thanks in advance,

Nic

[Heather]

Hi Nic...

Good questions. My e-ring was purchased before the band. I'm sure my hubby didn't even consider the notches, lol. But, he bought the e-ring he knew I would love, and then we dealt with the band after. We did indeed ended up getting a "fitted" band. Meaning, because I have baguettes on either side of the main stone, a regular band wouldn't fit normally or snuggly. We had to have it custom made.

So, if I were to wear just my band, it would look odd b/c of the notches. I think it's good you're thinking of this ahead of time, but truth is, it didn't cost much more to have the band fitted to the e-ring.

If this is something you're really concerned about, then just get an e-ring that is smooth on both sides so that you don't have to worry about it fitting snuggly with the band.

[Sh@ks18]

After the wedding, my friend had her e-ring and wedding ring welded together so she doesnt lose it and so she can wear both at the same time. So maybe thats another option?

[sparklesweetie]

Good questions. My e-ring actually came with a matching band that was notched to fit under it. However, it was very thin and unnoticeable, but I wasn't going to worry about it until our 5 year or so. But when we were shopping for DH's ring, I happened to stumble on a ring that had the same pattern as my e-ring. It's not an exact match, but it's close. But like you said, I do have a tiny space in between the rings, but in my case it doesn't look bad.

As for what to do with the band when you give it to her - I'd leave it at home then show it to her later. That way you won't have to keep track of it the rest of the evening and risk loosing it.

[Dr. Nic]

Heather: Thanks for that info... is there any way you'd be willing/able to show me a couple of photos of your e-ring and band... so I can get an idea of what the notch stuff looks like?

Also, here's a stock photo of the one I'm leaning toward right now (it's slightly different in that the sapphire in the middle is of a slightly different size, and the ring size is a tad different). BUt they still said it would take a few months to make it and the matching band. Anyway:


Welding is an option... but... probably not one I want to choose.

And I'm still learning learning all the lingo... but sparkesweetie, is "DH" your husband's initals or is this another abbreviation that I need to learn!?

Thanks again.

[Heather]

DH is dear husband.

I think I have some online, I'll check and then post.

Also, it took them about 3 weeks to make the band and fit it to the ring.

[Heather]

So you have an idea of size, the main stone is 1.85c, the baguettes on either side of that are about .15c each. The baguettes on the band are about .10c each. You can see that with that stone a normal band wouldn't lay flat.

So when we picked out bands, we have to leave my e-ring at the jeweler (where he got the e-ring, too) so that it could be customized to match the e-ring.

[ladedah]

my e-ring is similar in style to the one you have chosen for your FW...except that my center stone is a diamond and princess cut so the outer diamonds form more of a square. Anyways, my DH let me choose my own band and I chose a band with the same diamonds that were on the band of my e-ring.

because my center stone and surrounding stones are raised from the band, my wedding band fits flush with my e-ring. I did not have them soldered (welded) together as I like the option to wear only my wedding band.

I'll see if I can find a picture....

[sparklesweetie]

I'll post pictures of mine as well when I get home.

[SerendipityCrafts]

Now I am curious .... how many of you ladies already wear your band on it's own or have plans to do that one day? I only ask because I have never even considered doing that.

[sparklesweetie]

Ok - here's my set when we bought it. (You have to look close to see the band.)


And here's what it is now.


It's not an exact match, but it's close. The gap between the rings doesn't bother me. I wonder if an eternity band would work with your ring you've chosen?

Serendipity - I personally have no plans to wear my band alone. I got it b/c of how it looked with the e-ring. Plus, of course, I like the bling.

[ladedah]

as promised....

[ladedah]

Originally Posted by sparklesweetie

I wonder if an eternity band would work with your ring you've chosen?

yeah, eternity ring....that's what they're called...words escape me sometimes...I don't ever notice the gap, either...

[SerendipityCrafts]

Originally Posted by sparklesweetie

Serendipity - I personally have no plans to wear my band alone. I got it b/c of how it looked with the e-ring. Plus, of course, I like the bling.

My band probably should be notched a tiny bit but I'll wait till I get the matching band for the other side and have them done at the same time. I'm all about the bling too LOL

[Dr. Nic]

All,

Thank you for your photos and ideas. I feel a little bit better now... I was thinking it would have some kind of ugly looking notch right down the middle, but the photos clear up my concern. I'm still waiting for a photo of the supposed matching band for the e-ring I'm wanting to get.

I think I would rather get the matching band NOW, so she doesn't have to give up her e-ring for an extended period of time while a matching band is being made for it. Also, she kinda dropped hints like "you usually can get a matching band to go with an engagement ring..." This was a pretty clear message to me that this is probably the route to go.

If anyone else has more photos or other input... please show-and-tell.

And for anyone interested, since it looks like this forum is a heck of a place for ideas and info (and I'll probably be on here a LOT asking questions), I'll share some additional info. I'm planning to make the box myself that the ring will be presented in. Part of the inside will have some emeralds in the corners (this is still all in my head... so it's all subject to change). Blue and green are her favorite colors, but I think emeralds, sapphires and diamonds all on an e-ring would look a tad weird, so I thought this would be a nifty way to still include her favorite colors: a beautiful ring with diamonds and a sapphire inside of a box with emeralds. I was planning to make the box out of a limb I saved from a tree in the front yard where I grew up. This was a tree that I climbed, played around, and was here my whole life. (We had a nasty ice storm in Oklahoma last winter which took out trees like crazy) The tree is mostly gone already and we have to finish it off, but I saved a good sized limb.

Ok enough novels.

I hope she doesn't find this forum and start reading it and/or join it!!! This stuff is all supposed to be surprises :-D

[ladedah]

Originally Posted by Dr. Nic

. (We had a nasty ice storm in Oklahoma last winter which took out trees like crazy)

we got to enjoy the same lovely ice storm!!!

[Leslee&Jake]

Originally Posted by Dr. Nic

I'm planning to make the box myself that the ring will be presented in. Part of the inside will have some emeralds in the corners (this is still all in my head... so it's all subject to change). Blue and green are her favorite colors, but I think emeralds, sapphires and diamonds all on an e-ring would look a tad weird, so I thought this would be a nifty way to still include her favorite colors: a beautiful ring with diamonds and a sapphire inside of a box with emeralds. I was planning to make the box out of a limb I saved from a tree in the front yard where I grew up. This was a tree that I climbed, played around, and was here my whole life. (We had a nasty ice storm in Oklahoma last winter which took out trees like crazy) The tree is mostly gone already and we have to finish it off, but I saved a good sized limb.

Please do stick around we always need more men around here! I think this is such a sweet idea!! A lot of thought went into that!!! You have to promise to post pics when it is done!!!

[Dr. Nic]

Originally Posted by Leslee&Jake

Please do stick around we always need more men around here! I think this is such a sweet idea!! A lot of thought went into that!!! You have to promise to post pics when it is done!!!

Oh I'll be sticking around... trust me. I have a looooot to learn. But anyway I'll be sure to post some pictures when this is done. There is much more detail to add... I have a pretty elaborate plan for this whole proposal thing. Don't expect any pictures for several months though. Since I haven't even started on it.

And I'll also be sure to bug you when I have more questions

[whiddle]

I've only worn my e-ring once since getting married. I love only wearing my wedding band but mine is not notched at all.

[Dr. Nic]

Thank, all of you, for all the input.

Rings have been ordered... and now I wait!