Sunday, January 10, 2010

Shiny Things

On Friday night after discovering that Avatar was sold out Kristian and I drove around trying to find something else to do. When we drove past the store where he bought my engagement ring I suggested maybe we stop in to start checking out wedding rings...any chance to look at sparkly things I'm gonna take!

A little background- Kristian bought the main stone of my ring through a diamond dealer but he went to Jewelry by Design where he's bought jewelry in the past to design the setting. He drew a design of the setting he wanted and they created the sparkly friend that resides on my left hand. When he designed the ring he made sure that the setting was high enough so that a wedding ring could fit snuggly against it. Here are some shots of my ring from all angles...can you tell I love my ring???





(Yeah my boy has good taste right?)

When we went into the store we quickly discovered that we would need to custom design a ring if we wanted an exact match. Ideally we want a band that has the small diamonds going halfway around the top as well as the diamonds on the side of the band per my second photo. We're having the lady price out that option as well as the option of the band with just diamonds on top. We already know that both options are going to be out of our price range but we want it for comparison puposes.

Here's the problem, when Kristian bought my engagement ring he had a different job making significantly more money so he was able to go all out on my engagement ring. Unfortunately shortly after he bought it he lost his job, was out of work for 4 months and subsequently took a new job with a substantial pay decrease. He of course had no way to forsee this happening so the option of us getting a perfectly matching mate for my e-ring is basically out the window.

To be honest I really don't mind, no one except for he and I will be able to really tell if the wedding band I have is or isn't a perfect match to the e-ring. I've looked online and found some more affordable options via other stores like Kay Jeweler's which I think could work really well. For example:


This ring cost significantly less money than what we would most likely pay for a custom matching band. We just need to go to some other stores to check these out in person. But hopefully we'll find my e-ring a pretty little friend soon.

As for Kristian's wedding band he wants to use his grandfather's wedding band, which just so happens to fit him perfectly. His grandparents were married for 50 years before his grandfather passed away so we both feel this band is not only sentimental but has some good vibes on it. If he does use it we want to see if his aunt (who is a goldsmith) can somehow add a design using some white gold to give it a two-tone look. This way it will go along with my white gold bands as well as his gold college class ring that he always wears on his right hand.

Hopefully we'll be able to settle on our rings within the next month or so because it will be a little hard to get married without them.



19 comments:

Liana said...

pretty pretty!

Meagan said...

First of all...WOW! Love your ring! I was in a similar situation. The hubby went big on the engagement ring buying the ring of my dreams and told me right then and there the wedding band would have to be less. My engagement rings was a Tacori and the Tacori wedding bands are pricey. Our jewler found a band that looks pretty good with the engagement ring and no one has noticed that they aren't both designer. I think that one you found at Kay looks great! I was so excited to get my band and people swooned when it was new but now I don't feel like people notice. Maybe I'll post pics for you to see!

Gracie said...

Sounds perfect! Your ring is stunning and he has very good taste indeed.
I think the wedding you posted could work quite well with your engagement ring. And it's really lovely that Kristian will wear his grandfather's ring. It's definitely sentimental and a great idea! x

Alicia said...

wowza! that is one hot ring! hubs-to-be has great taste! and don't worry about the ring not matching perfectly...mine doesn't either and no one has ever noticed!

princessapr said...

Whatever ring you choose will be special regardless of the cost because, by then, it'll be yours. Plus, I always figured I'd choose something little when getting engaged/married to give the boy room to upgrade it later (plus we were 22 when we got engaged making a negative amount of money and only making like $39,000 a year combined when we got married).

Summer Athena said...

oh honey bunny.
the ring is gorgeous! so pretty in so many ways. you deserve it.

i have a wedding band very similar to the one you picked out. i love it! get it! it is you!

Annie said...

wow!! that is a bliggin ring!! it's so pretty!!!
i like the wedding band you picked out, it's exactly what i would pick out as well. i want one on the top and bottom of my ring because the band of my engagement ring is thin. i'd want a thin band on top and bottom, to make it more blinggy ;)

bananas. said...

Your wedding ring is GORGEOUS. K really did good! I dont even know a good diamond vs. a CZ!

Dont worry about the band. Its no rush. Some people wait until they can get the perfect match. And you my lady deserve no less.

Jen said...

Aw, your ring is soooo pretty! Very sparkly, I can't blame you for loving it! And that band you found at Kay's looks really pretty too -- you're right, no one is ever going to be able to tell the difference.

Heather said...

Your engagement ring is gorgeous, and I think the wedding band you showed could definitely be a nice match. After having a hard time finding a match for my ring, we almost had to have a custom ring made, but then I luckily found a wrap-style ring at Zales that was a perfect match. I hope that if you keep hunting around, you’ll be able to find one you like, too.

Iva Messy said...

GORGEOUS!! don't worry at all about it not matching!! Seriously!!!

Anonymous said...

your engagement ring is beautiful! seriously. and i think any of those alternative bands would look gorgeous with it.

thanks for stopping by!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Your engagement ring is just beautiful! And no joke...the hubs wears a 50 dolla titanium band from overstock.com! Ah ha ha

Ela said...

What a beautiful ring! And no matter what you pick, you will love your wedding band forever. I've changed my engagement ring already, and may do so in the future (a girl can change her mind right?) but I will always love my wedding ring. Not necessarily for its aesthetics but for the day he gave it to me and all it symbolizes. (the engagement ring was a different story, LOL).
How lovely that he will wear his grandfather's ring. I have my grandma's wedding ring, which I received when she passed away. I wear it whenever I especially miss her.
xo

Llama said...

whooo hoooo girl! that is a gorgeous gorgeous ring!!! amazing...i would stare at it all day long

Llama said...

whooo hoooo girl! that is a gorgeous gorgeous ring!!! amazing...i would stare at it all day long

Born to be Mrs. Beever said...

Your ring is gorgeous! And I totally get it about the change in financial circumstances...we are going through the same. How exciting to have booked your plane tickets! I love your ideas as well for your guestbook and such. Sounds like things are moving along rather well :)

Mrs T said...

Your ring is SO lovely. I think that wedding band will be a great match.

And I love the idea of his Grandfathers ring - good vibes indeed.

Muito Igual a VocĂȘ said...

Wow! So gorgeous! And honey, I know you're gonna find your wedding ring. It'll be perfect! Sounds like Kristian is a great guy!

:)