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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
WDYT?? Re: Diamond Ring
My grandparents both passed away within the last 8 or so years, my grandma, then grandpa. Anyways...I have my grandparents wedding rings. They were married over 50years, the rings mean a great deal to me, as I was so close with my grandparents. So I am thinking about taking the diamond solitare out of my grandma's ring and making it a solitare necklace? What do you think? Should I just leave it they way it is and treasure it? I just think if I have the diamond placed in another piece of jewelry I would actually wear it, vs now its been in my jewelry box for 8yrs. But at the same time, I wonder if I will regret it?? Thoughts?? AND where would you recommend if I do go ahead with this?? TIA!
Re: WDYT?? Re: Diamond Ring
I agree with PP, I would do it as long as the original setting is not damaged so it could be reset in future if you would like.
My mother has a jeweler in Montgomery that has reset antique jewelry as well as having designed original pieces for my mom. I'll get the name again and post.
I have diamonds that belonged to my grandmother. Here's the story and what we did...
My grandmother passed away when I was about 2. I was the only grandchild she knew of the 9 grandkids on this side of the family. When she knew she did not have much longer to live, she sat down with my aunt and talked about what she wanted to have happen to her jewelry. She knew that I was the first of several grandkids (she had 4 kids herself), and it was important to her that her diamond ring go to me because I was the oldest grandchild and the only one she knew. Each of the girls on this side of my family received a piece of jewelry when we graduated from college (aka entered "adulthood"). I had NO idea I was getting this gift. I received a long note detailing the story along with the ring and an appraisal shortly after my college graduation.
When DH and I were dating, eventually he learned of this ring (it was in my jewelry box and he was snooping. When we were starting to seriously talk about marriage and responsibilities and managing our forever life together, one day the subject of rings came up. He jokingly said 'why don't we use your grandmother's ring.' I kind of threw it off to the side as a "yeah right" kind of statement. Then I couldn't sleep that night. The next day we went to see Mamma Mia and I couldn't concentrate on the show at all. I kept thinking about the 'what if we did piece.' I struggled with the same questions you're asking- would I destory the integrity of the ring? Would I disappoint my family? Etc... I thought about it for several days. Eventually I called my dad (it was his mother). My dad knew that my now dh and I would probably get married (he had kidded me about it 2 months earlier). I talked to him about it, and I expressed my concerns. He told me that it was my ring and the only thing he would not forgive me for was selling them. Completely understandable. He also suggested that I engrave the initials of my great-grandmother, grandmother, and mine (all pre-marriage) into the ring itself to preserve the history. I really liked that idea.
So... my now dh and I started researching resetting the stones into something more modern. The previous setting had an extremely thin shank due to years of wear. Apparently my grandmother liked to tap her hand on the kitchen counter when she wanted her kids' attention, LOL. I'm sure that didn't help the shank. DH still wanted to have a 'surprise' proposal, so I wrote him a letter and gave him the ring to reset. 3.5 months later I FINALLY got the ring back. Needless to say anytime we did something remotely romantic I was on edge. And if you're wondering he succeeded in surprising me. He told me we were going to dinner with friends of his, and instead we went to a Devou Park before dinner and he proposed there. This was a few days before Christmas.
Now, for the cool part. Keep in mind we got engaged on 12/21. Then the nasty snowstorm of 2004 struck- remember the one that shut down the malls on 12/23? During those next few days I kept asking about what happened to the actual ring since I now had the diamonds. He kept ignoring the question. On Christmas Eve we exchanged Christmas gifts. My last gift was the ring. Reset with Cubic Zirconium.
Now, I'm certain it wasn't cheap, but I absolutely LOVE having both rings. To quote my aunt and uncle- the ones who took care of the inheritance- "diamonds are meant to be worn. Enjoy your ring" They absolutely love that I have preserved the history of the ring and still have the old ring to enjoy. I did not think to do this... dh did. I still tear up every time I think about it.
Anyway, sorry to write a novel, but this true story is near and dear to my heart. I hope the info helps. And fwiw, we used Heileman Jewelers in Montgomery. Here's pics of the rings (after the reset)
This pic shows all 3 rings...
Thank you everyone's ideas. I love the idea of keeping the band intact, if I decide to have the ring reset.
Kel, Thank you for taking the time in sharing your story. I love it, and what a romantic gesture of your DH. I love the comment that diamonds are meant to be worn. We have to go town on saturday, I think I will take the ring with me and see what a few jewelers say. The more I think about it, the more I think about having a solitare necklace made, I would just love to be able to wear it.
The cool thing is, I still have the boxes they came in. Thanks again everyone!
I would do it...I actually DID do it. I have my great grandmothers wedding ring and ering. I wear the band as my band (looks perfect with my own ering) and took her ring and made diamond earrings out of the 2 stones. Every time I wear them I think of her and my grandmother who passed them down to me.
My older sister has my grandmother's wedding band and because she can't fathonm the thought of changing it, it sits in her underwear drawer- for the past 5 years! Breaks my heart.
A great place to go is Robin James on Harrison. they do excellent work and will help you with different options to find what's best for you. Enjoy it!
I would say do it but some things I thought about as I was reading the replys, get your parents opinions if you have already and what would your grandparents think. Would your Grandma be upset if she was here to know what you did or would she say do what makes you happy?
My Aunt passed several years ago and though I was still young and she was across the country so I didn't know her too well. In my heart I know we would have been so close. I have a ring of hers (just a white gold band) and I've worn it everyday for the past 12 years. It means so much to me to see it and wear it I think of her all the time and when I look down at my ring its like I have a nice little moment to reminisce.
Keeps us posted on what you decide to do. I'd love to see before and after pics.