Post # 1

Member
87 posts
Worker bee
Hey Bees,
So my SO and I are (hopefully – catch me on the waiting board) getting engaged soon. He is planning to propose with an heirloom family ring, provided he gets it from his late relative’s estate.
My question to you all is whether or not a 5-stone ring makes for an engagement ring? She wore it with her bridal set, but it seems to have been an upgraded placeholder for her e-ring after she and her husband were married 50 years.
Although I’ve only seen it once, it looks something like this:
https://d3d71ba2asa5oz.cloudfront.net/53000589/images/wr1411%20top.jpg
Yellow gold with slightly graduated stones.
I guess what I’m asking is, is this appropriate for an e-ring or should we try to have it reset into something a little different – maybe a 3-stone ring with a matching pair of earrings or save the stones for our children or his relatives who may want it? I know that everyone can have their own version of an e-ring, but i’m just wondering if this looks engagement-y enough. Thanks!
Post # 2

Member
1110 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: August 2019 - City, State
Any ring can be an e-ring if you love it.
Post # 3

Member
87 posts
Worker bee
misstomorris : I understand that!
This ring isn’t particularly special to me or my SO – it was available more so. So I think I was just looking for some opinion on it 🙂
Post # 4

Member
1262 posts
Bumble bee
It most definitely looks like an engagement ring to me and is beautiful with a sentimental value! I think you could leave it as is, but if you want to change it or prefer another setting you could always do that, but rest assured it most definitely looks like an engagement ring and any ring can be an engagement ring, it’s just whatever works for the person wearing it 🙂
Post # 5

Member
746 posts
Busy bee
Some of my friends have 5 stone engagement rings, I think they look beautiful. You can always have it reset in white gold or platinum if you want to keep the stones together but still make it ‘you’.
Post # 6

Member
379 posts
Helper bee
It would absolutely make a nice engagement ring! Sounds very pretty!
Post # 7

Member
3452 posts
Sugar bee
I think so! I love that style personally!
Post # 8

Member
404 posts
Helper bee
It will make a gorgeous engagement ring! The more important question is: does it say ‘engagement ring’ to you? What I’m trying to get at is this: did you have a particular vision in mind for your e-ring, like a solitaire, three-stone, halo? If so, don’t be afraid to speak up. It’s also okay to start out with it as-is, and reset it later.
Post # 9

Member
1536 posts
Bumble bee
You could get a solitaire and wear it with this 5 stone ring. I don’t know what kind of shape it is in, but you might need to reset it anyways. You can always make a 4 stone setting and have a new center. The extra diamond can be used for a solitaire pendant. Diamonds are the most expensive part so if you can re-use them and they are decent quality, I don’t think you need to keep the ring ‘as is’ unless there are people that might be upset by this. I think it is important to have something that feels like your own.
Post # 10

Member
87 posts
Worker bee
j3n12345 : Thanks! I honestly always had a 3-stone ring in mind, so this isn’t too far off! I just haven’t seen many 5-stones in my shopping for an e-ring so was wondering if this was a little dated or not really a thing. Someone said their friends have 5-stones so that makes me feel better about it 🙂 Not just me!
***NOW I just need to get SO to propose with it lol.
Post # 11

Member
167 posts
Blushing bee
Why do you care so much what other people think? It really doesn’t matter what internet strangers think, it matters what you and your bf think. I agree with pp – any ring can be an engagement ring. It doesnt have to be a diamond solitaire. Many rings are coloured, multi-stone, no stone, cluster, etc. Actually a lot of people don’t even have engagement rings and only have wedding bands.
So anyways lol. Yes, it can be an engagement ring. If you don’t like it, I wouldn’t chop it up into a new ring unless no one else in the family wants it. IMO first priority should go to someone who loves the ring as is. If you want to change it, you could just get a new ring in whatever style you want.
Post # 12

Member
87 posts
Worker bee
angelwaye : how do you know if it has to be reset? I guess we’ll have to bring it to a jeweler no matter what to get resized at the very least. The gold has some wear – it’s got to be at the
very least 20 years old and might have some nicks and dings.
What are the options with resetting heirloom rings? Isn’t it difficult depending on the stones as well?
Sorry I have NO idea about rings or diamonds – this would be my very first non-costume jewelry!
Post # 13

Member
475 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: February 2019 - City, State
explore1the1world : it is beautiful and can definitely be worn as an engagement ring! I am pretty partial as I have a five stone diamond engagement ring

Post # 14

Member
404 posts
Helper bee
explore1the1world : you asked “how do you know if something has to be reset” – this one is easy. Unless there is significant damage to the ring that compromises it’s structure, or it needs to be sized excessively (and could compromise structure) there is no need to reset. If no issues exist, then it would be more of a stylistic choice to reset the diamonds to suit your tastes.
If there is general wear (which is normal for heirloom items) a good jewler can repair the ring for you. This could include retipping and tightening prongs, increasing the thickness of the band if it has thinned and risks breakage, polishing, buffing, engraving and more.
Post # 15

Member
87 posts
Worker bee
volvo321 : Oh my goodness, I LOVE yours!
I hadn’t really seen one on anyone else’s finger before. Yours looks so lovely!