Engagement Ring Advice?

Question

So, I'm getting a 3-stone diamond engagement ring that, face-up, will look something like this: http://www.jewelryexpert.com/catalog/graphics/Radiant-Promise-Diamond-Ring-1.gif

I looked on the web and saw some similar rings that I liked. In particular, I liked the small "hidden diamonds" that are on the sides of the rings, here
http://www.jewelryexpert.com/catalog/graphics/Radiant-Promise-Diamond-Ring-11.gif

and here
http://www.jewelryexpert.com/catalog/graphics/Golden-Radiance-Diamond-Ring-11.gif

The question is this: are those small side diamonds "too much" with a 3 stone ring already? I think they're kind of nice, but 5 stones might be over kill... on the other hand they are kind of unique.

Thoughts?

Yes, the center stone is a diamond, fancy yellow to be exact (the one I'm buying is fancy intense yellow). The side stones will be step cut traps, D/VVS1. She doesn't like white diamonds -- thinks they plain and uninteresting -- so I'm going with a colored center stone. Yellow diamonds are always set in 18k gold to bring out the yellow color and the rest of the ring is always platinum for contrast (look anywhere, from Harry Winston to your local jeweler, and you'll see this is the case).

Of course there are many who know little about colored diamonds, but that's what makes the ring unique -- Mrs. McLean, when she bought the Hope Diamond, wore it as a pendant around her neck and people thought it was a sapphire. So there are always some who are ignorant, but that doesn't make much difference here.

I talked to her sister, whose gut feeling was not to add the "secret stones" saying it seems "too much." I am inclined to agree, especially since there is no consensus here...

Answer 1

It pretty much just depends on your opinion.

In my opinion I think that the hidden diamonds are a little too much because you already have the 3 other stones. It also depends on how the ring looks on. You also have to try it on to see if it is too much for the size of your hand.

Congrats!

Answer 2

Honestly everyone has different tastes. My fiance likes her solitaire ring and would not like a 3 stone. But I know tons of girls out there that would love to get a ring you are thinking of giving your girl. Find out what your girl likes. Then secondly make sure you can afford the ring. If you can't then scale back a little bit. What is really cool about diamonds is that over time you can trade them in if you want to upgrade.

Answer 3

Well, you really can't see the "hidden" stones unless you look at the sides of the ring. If I was the girl getting the ring, I would be just as happy with the ring without hidden diamonds. They just seem kinda pointless. So, yeah. If I were you I'd save the extra few hundred/thousand bucks for the honeymoon and get the simpler ring!

Answer 4

Secret stones are a fun way to make a ring really unique. If you go with them, maybe do her birth stone. Or you could do the stone of the month that you'll get married in. Either way, it doesn't have to be a diamond.

Answer 5

My ring has 7 stones and it isn't overkill.

It is 1 larger stone, though, with 6 small diamonds set in the band.

Are you sure she likes two-tone bands? Most girls I know don't like the mixture of white and yellow gold. Be sure before you buy!

Answer 6

I've never seen nor heard of those extra diamonds, that will make the ring special. However, I personally don't like the yellow diamond. Most women prefer yellow gold, as well.

Answer 7

The fact that you're questioning the money that he's spending on it, and asking if it's cheap, means that you only care about material posessions, and you're only worried about what other people will think about you and your engagement ring. I know that my engagement ring didn't cost a lot, but it was the thought that counted, the fact that literally saved every penny he found so that he could propose to me when he did. I love my ring for the thought, and for what it stands for, NOT how much it costs. I try to not be greedy and selfish and put a price on my fiances love for me.

Answer 8

I would most definately say that the "hidden" diamonds are too much. I don't see the point in putting diamonds where no one sees them. Really, the intense yellow diamond will be unique enough.

Answer 9

Well i am sorry but i think the whole ring is just hideous, it is soooo ugly. well at least to me it is, i am a simple girl and like simply things, i think that ring is WAY to much and i hate the yellow stone in the middle it makes it look like costume jewelry or like you are trying to impress someone or make a fashion statement. and plus it also looks very cheap, like you bought it at walmart or something. but of course this is just my opinion. i would be extremely sure of what your girl likes before you by it. my fiancee and i talked about it at great length, as to what color, style, flat or with a big diamond. my engagement ring is a flat silver ring with 12 embedded diamonds around it and my wedding ring is also silver with a princess diamond in the middle and twelve small diamond around it going down the band. very simple, classy and elegant, not cheap and whorish like that one. sorry :((((

Answer 10

I like the set up very different. Real eye catcher. Personally I would prefer on color on that band. Two if maybe a different band. And I would prefer all white diamonds unless she likes a certain color of diamonds and you can afford it.