Attention women of sj.com

Need a little advice, ladies.

For years, I've told Mrs. tbf that when we had a little more money I'd update her engagement/bridal wedding set. When we got married, I was pretty much dirt poor, and had to settle for something that I didn't want her to have. Now, we're in a better situation, and our 10-year anniversary and her 30th birthday are coming up. She'd be expecting a new ring on the anniversary in October, but not her May 5 birthday, so I'm thinking about getting the ring for a birthday gift to ensure that it's a surprise.

I need a little help on what style ring to get. I've settled on a budget, found some good examples of all the styles in my price range.

The only definite I have from her is that she doesn't like a marquis cut diamond. Check.

Although I suspect she'd go pretty much ape shit over any new ring I pick out, I think she'd lean more toward the antique, or vintage, style. However, I think that some of the styling of the antique rings takes away from the main stone. Just too much stuff around it to steal the eye's attention, in my opinion.

I'm probably more of a solitaire fan, myself. Buy a really good stone, and let it do the talking.

So, to compromise, I think a three-stone ring would do the trick. Not too plain. Not too flashy. This is also similar to her current ring.

She's a pretty traditional, mostly conservative gal who knows what she likes and sticks with it.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

Here are some links containing examples of the styles I described above.

http://www.stuller.com/products/product.aspx?gid=58483

http://www.stuller.com/products/product.aspx?gid=58798

http://www.stuller.com/products/product.aspx?gid=33047

http://www.stuller.com/products/product.aspx?gid=33062

 

I'm not much of a jewelry girl, but I like the first one and the last one (either go all out or keep it really simple ).

I'm really the wrong person to ask because I tend to overdo it with real jewels

 

I like the latter two, because they're very simple and let the stones speak for themselves. That said, it seems like you'd have to worry more about the clarity of the stones in settings like that since it's standing on its own.

But then again, I tend to prefer my jewelry designs relatively small and clean.

 

I'm going for my first facial this weekend. It includes a hand and foot massage.

 

Dooley has no idea why he just blew a mental fuse.

 

I'm probably the wrong person to ask because I've always been a solitaire diamond kind of girl, but I do love the last one. If you're looking for more vintage, the 2nd one is really nice, too.

I just don't think you can go wrong doing this for her. She's going to love whatever comes from your heart.

 

Until now. But only until I realized she said "first." Shenanigans!

 

I like Nos. 2 and 4.

And AMac, I've never had a facial. I might splurge on a spa day at some point. I've raised my credit 145 points since moving here last August, paid off all my cards, and lost 30 pounds. But I haven't had a manicure or pedicure in about 10 months. Boo!

 

If you're used to regular treatments like that, I can see where they'd be missed.

I have a triangle of zits on my nose that I just can't get rid of. I'm hoping this will help.

 

I'm getting a facial tomorrow. I only get like two a year, but I always love the way my skin just glows about five days later. Enjoy, AMac!

And TBF, I can't really speak to any jewelry styles but I'd err on the side of "practical for a woman caring for two infants while husband is deployed" -- nothing that sits up too high on prongs or has too many edges.

 

I'm afraid I'm going to leave the place with 200 bucks worth of product!