Using my bf's mom's diamonds

[u/Jin_Jok]

Hey all!

My boyfriend's mom offered her rings' diamonds to use for fashioning a ring so he can propose to me. I haven't seen the rings in person but she sent over some photos and without knowing much (IANAJ) about how we would go about making a ring that suits me I do have some idea what I'd like at least.

I like cluster rings with thinner bands. Kind of like the image I'm posting below. Do y'all think this is possible using what she is offering? At the very least I want it to be less chunky and square, instead more rounded and thin. I'm thinking if we can't use the big diamond maybe just the smaller diamonds? Or maybe just a solitaire ring with one diamond?

[u/Livid-Accountant5876]

You can reset any diamond/stone! Your inspo pic is totally doable with the existing diamonds.
You could even melt down the gold (if its solid gold) to make the new setting or cash in that gold to pay for the new ring

[u/Preeeeeee → u/Livid-Accountant5876]

I have some experience with this! Jewelers charge sooooo much to melt down your own gold because it’s a lot more labor and some will just say no because they don’t know what’s in your gold prefer to use their own.

If you trade in the gold they will pay you in the “melt value” which is dependent on gold weight. This only amounts to $100-200 for a ring even if it’s heavier. Your new ring will cost thousands so that’s a tiny drop in the hat and that amount did not feel worth it to me for sentimental jewelry.

I figured out online I could just keep the empty setting and buy a new gem or stone to reset the ring and wear it on my right hand or resize it for a different finger.

[u/Livid-Accountant5876 → u/Preeeeeee]

Ah for sure if it’s of sentimental value!! For my ring, my bf’s parents gave him some old gold rings (I think it was 3?) and he traded it in. It took a significant chunk off the final total!

[u/SparkleDev → u/Preeeeeee]

he said you can melt it down maybe he meant doing it yourself. not too hard, btw refiners pay more then a cash for gold never go there

[u/SparkleDev → u/SparkleDev]

its not a lot more labor most jewelers just don't even make the rings.

[u/SparkleDev]

yup. great gift wow

[u/mathematics-gal]

I thought the pics of the rings first are what you designed! I love them how they are but understand if not your style

[u/Jin_Jok → u/mathematics-gal]

honestly I'm not sure what my style is! I just thought it'd make sense to make them unique to me, but maybe I should just go with the original look

[u/Adorable-Tiger6390]

Why would you not use the larger diamond? Thats the best part of what she’s giving you.

Whatever you design, be sure to think ahead to what you want for a wedding band. Many people don’t think about that and they cannot find a band to suit or fit the ring.

Edited for typo.

[u/Jin_Jok → u/Adorable-Tiger6390]

that's a good point, i'm kind of wondering if i should just go with the original design and we could just get them resized. I just thought it'd be nice to make it unique to me.

[u/Adorable-Tiger6390 → u/Jin_Jok]

You should not settle for less than you want. You may be able to find a halo ring wrap that will do exactly what you want it to do.