I like that you are giving new life to inherited jewelry.

This is so personal. For me, your example looks ornate and heavy. It will have a different look with three same size diamonds as opposed to what is shown.

Will you be wearing it with your wedding band? That should factor into your decision.

I would use the largest diamond and find a simple setting. This might include purchasing smaller diamonds. If you have pierced ears, you can make the other two into studs.

Thanks, eld6161. It is very personal, isn't it? I guess I just sort of want to see what is out there. I've tried googling images, but nothing really strikes me. I love my MIL's ring, but I don't see anything like it around now. I'm not one to notice other's rings, but I guess I should be looking.

I wasn't clear, but we will be getting new bands as well. I can get a matching band for whatever setting I choose for the diamonds.

I like the example you showed...but I think it wouldn’t look as good with 3 stones the same size. I like Eld’s idea of making diamond stud earrings with 2 and using just one as a solitaire or getting two smaller diamonds to set with one of yours. What size are the stones?

I think that is a fairly standard setting for three stones. Do you know what size the stones are? are they identical? It really does make a difference.

There's nothing wrong with the setting in your photo but perhaps you'd like something different.

I googled 'rings with three diamonds' and this is what popped up.

https://www.google.com/search?q=rings+with+three+diamonds&client=firefox-b-1-ab&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjn-_vR88TYAhVC6VMKHevhDXYQ_AUICygC&biw=1120&bih=686

I could do the ring and earrings, but I'm not a huge fan of solitaire rings. I also tend to wear silver or gold hoops pretty exclusively. The diamonds are all the same size and the jeweller described them as medium. The way they are set now, they are very prominent and have 8 smaller diamonds on either side. I can't even put my mitts on with it on. I like the way they look 3 in a row, just not so prominent. I do think it is more of a masculine look tho.

I like these from your googling, mairecate

If you like to see color and flash in your diamonds, the last one posted just above won't do that as it blocks a lot of light from entering the diamond. That's why the classic setting in prongs is used so often.

They mostly do one larger and 2 smaller flanking diamonds. But there are some rings with them all the same. Maybe you want a little more style in the band...something like this with the twist?

A deeper twist?

Something more modern...

A twist for each diamond?

A lot depends on the size of the diamond as to what you can do with them. Not sure what "medium" means.

Or maybe something with some embellishment on the band itself

Look on etsy at diamond trilogy rings for some ideas and more interesting rings.

Since you "love...MIL's ring," would take a photo and ask jeweler to copy it. Your in-laws may be especially honored.

If you love your MIL's ring take some photos of it and take it to the jewelers. They should be able to do the same setting.

I personally love simple three stone (equal size diamonds) rings. I would go with a simple band that isn't bulky and prong settings. I have a friend who has something like this and I love her ring!

"Medium" isn't an actual diamond grading or sizing term, you should ask the jeweler to be more specific, that may guide you as to what kind of ring and/or material is best suited to the stones. S/he should tell you the color, type of cut (modern, old mine, rose, etc., as you inherited the ring, the stones may not be recently cut) and approximate grade. For example, if they are old mine cut, they are often quite sparkly but of a less desirable color (J and on down), so a setting in 18k yellow would complement the stones well. If they are very white (D, E, F), platinum would really set the stones off well. Get to know your stones; color, cut, clarity and features, do they have a well proportioned table, are there visible inclusions, how deep are the stones, etc. Understanding the features of your stones will inform the material and setting that best, and TBH, find a jeweler who will work with you to design something meaningful to you, not just someone who will order a setting from a catalog.

You'd be amazed what the jewelry store designer can come up with. As you see by photos, lots of options. Consider you lifestyle. Are you OK with a higher setting, or do you need a lower setting? Regardless, regular inspection of prongs is super important.

I have a 3-stone engagement ring though my center stone is bigger than the side stones, but I love this style. They're still pretty popular. Since I've had my ring 12 years, I've had one prong that needed re-tipping and I wear my rings pretty much every day to work, unless I am home on the weekends and not for things like cleaning or working in the garden. The rest of the ring is plain other than the 3 stones. I got a new rose gold anniversary band for our 10-year and DH got me some stackables for Christmas that I can wear with it or not. Regardless, regular inspection of prongs is super important.

And be sure to get the final product appraised and you may want to consider insurance on it if you don't already have it.

Good luck!

I'll be referring back to this post as it is very timely. I have my late mother's collection of diamond rings, necklaces, and earrings. Not being a jewelry person myself, I intend to have the stones reset into necklaces for my niece and her teenage daughter. I'll be keeping one necklace.

I also know nothing about jewelry (except I do love my diamond engagement ring from 39 years ago still worn every day never take it off) and think your story is especially sweet. Just looking at the photos posted, I like the first one where you said it was from the google images. It' s simple and a bit more delicate to my eyes. Editing to add, that it's also extremely personal but I love diamonds with yellow gold. To each his own.

You mentioned the style is bulky and catches on everything, and I thought of these 'active lifestyle' rings from a local jeweler in Maine - http://www.crossjewelers.com/products/search.aspx?ID=147,114#114,147

Here's one example -

I agree with lakeaffect. Medium isn’t a diamond term - you mean like a 1/2 carat each? A full carat each? And what shape (cut) are they - round, square, marquis, pear-shaped? Here’s the 4 c’s of diamonds: cut, color, carat, and clarity.

The size and shape has a great deal to do with how they can be arranged attractively in a ring setting.

Annie, the setting it is in now is very similar to some of the pics you've posted, but a bit more ornate. I can admire those on someone else, but I'm a plain jane and am realizing I prefer simpler. The jeweller said he could also embed the smaller diamonds on either side of the band, but again, that seems a bit too much for me.

He did tell me the actual size, I just didn't pay enough attention. When I went in, it was to take some other things for repair and I was kind of overwhelmed by what I didn't know. I had no idea he could just order a band with the right size setting for my diamonds. I pictured them having to create a mould and other complicated measures. I think I will visit some other jewellers and get more info. This guy is highly regarded in our small city, but hasn't been a great communicator so far.

Sheila, that is my favourite, too. I keep coming back to it. I wonder if that setting is as secure (or more secure?) than the prongs.

Schoolhouse, that is a wonderful thing to do. This ring (and some others) have come from my DH's family and it means a lot to me that they want me to have them and that I can pass them on to my girls. My MIL keeps asking if I've done anything with them, so I feel like I've got to get going with it.

Great advice, gsciencechic. Having never worn rings, other than our plain bands, I have no idea. I'm looking at a lower setting for sure. I want to be able to do like you and just keep it on. When I first got it, I had it appraised and I think we made sure it would be covered by our house insurance, but I should look into that again. It kind of scared me to have something so valuable sitting in my bedside drawer. I guess in the appraisal it would have given specifics of the diamonds. No idea where I put that.

Thanks everyone. You have definitely helped to educate me a bit. I'll try to get in next week to see another jeweller and see what all my options are.

my3dogs, Cross Jewelers, a staple advertiser in Down East mag for eons (my in laws are Mainers), I enjoy looking at their designs and reading their ad copy, which is well done, with a ear to their target audience.

I’m glad to hear you have placed the jewelry on your homeowners insurance!!

Also, here’s something I have learned to do: always always ALWAYS put your rings in the same place. Either on your hand or in its safe place. Not in your purse, not beside the sink where you took it off to wash dishes, not on the end table beside the couch, or on the entry table where you put it to put on your gloves. Either on your hand or in its safe place. No exceptions.

So true, littlebug!

Why not just get a really beautiful, unique new wedding band and have the diamonds set into a necklace, earrings, or a bracelet or two? You can’t pass one ring on to multiple daughters. If you don’t want something elaborate and you’re worried about a ring catching on things, maybe you’d get more wear out of something other than a ring?

Or if you want to put the diamonds into a necklace, I had 3 that I had from various sources put into a past present and future necklace.

Meghan Markle's engagement ring has three stones.

Meghan Markle's Ring

I really like the idea of making your diamonds into a ring. If it were me with more than one daughter I would try to put it into two or three rings and have them soldered together to wear them. They can be taken apart to give to your daughters. I've seen this done quite successfully so they are nice apart or together. Good luck. :)

I find this simple bezel setting to be light and elegant. Instead of the four small diamonds I would use just gold or whatever metal you have chosen. Perhaps something for inspiration? I like simple and lightweight myself. I love antique settings too.

http://www.trumpetandhorn.com/cazenovia.html

Love these last two aktillery posted. Really pretty!

aktillery, I really like that ring. Thanks for providing the name, too. I will look that up.

I'm sort of set on a ring. I've never had a real engagement ring and (selfishly), I kind of want something I can flash. When I've worn the ring as it is now, I'm always surprised by how quickly people notice it. It doesn't matter a great deal to me (obviously since I haven't looked into getting one until 30 years after I got married), but people do seem to notice if you have a nice ring.

Yeonassky, the double ring sounds doable. It is something to look into. I hadn't thought of two rings together.

Lucy, I love her ring! I hadn't seen pics before. I was set on white gold, but after seeing that (I think the band is yellow gold?) I might change my mind.

Littlebug, that is great advice. I'm also going to make sure it is sized properly. I have big knuckles and I want to make sure it doesn't fall off, but I can still get it off and on.

My 3dogs, I looked thru some of those pages and took note of what an active ring setting seems to look like. What a brillliant idea.

After 2 weeks of really wonderful staycation, I am back to work today, but I am determined to make time to get this done. It will also give me something to focus on other than the fact that my 18 year old DD has just left to travel in SE Asia.

My engagement ring is very similar to the first picture you posted, although I requested smaller flanking diamonds to make the center stone really stand out. Mine is also made out of white gold. It feels very classic to me. Everyone thinks it is very me. Lol.

Jo

About 20 years ago, I lost my marquis diamond and its setting from my engagement ring. My husband replaced the diamond, but I just never got around to repairing it because, honestly, I wanted something different. I just continued to wear the remaining plain rings until I had them cut off a couple of years ago (Whaaaatt??? My finger is now bigger than my 20 year old self’s??) Anyway, this past December, I told DH I wanted a sapphire for our 45th Anniversary. It’s a solitaire with small diamonds lining both sides of the band, and is rather large, and I can’t get used to the weight of it on my finger. So, make sure that, after years of only wearing a band, you will like wearing a heavier ring. Also, the jeweler who made my ring showed me how they can make the ring band open and close like a bangle bracelet to accommodate larger knuckles.

I love the filigree ring that Aktillery posted.

You can also work with a custom jewelry designer. That's what was done with my engagement ring and it is very unique and all the more special.

My DH and I very avid backpackers and hikers. We love nature. My DH had my ring designed to be oak leaves holding the diamond, it is a symbol that our love grew like the oak tree grows from a little acorn into a strong and mighty tree. He gave it to me in a Limoges Acorn box.

I loved it then, I love it now.

Hi daisy! I’m a jeweler- my family hand makes and designs everything we sell. We do A LOT of custom resets just like yours.

A few things:

A bezel setting is super secure and very easy to wear, it doesn’t catch! When done properly, I.e. trimmed back, it does not affect the performance of the diamond.

A stock setting, like the first you posted, will generally be the most affordable option over a truly custom piece, but it has to be available for the diamonds you have. White flash is a very reputable company that will customize that design for your exact stones, but not every jeweler is capable of customizing a stock setting or doing it particularly well.

whether you go with a stock setting or a custom setting, ask for details and look for a company that will be able to show you a CAD rendering or a 3D wax model (or the components of your stock setting) before it’s in metal and set. Too many people come to us because what they received as a finished product wasn’t anything like what they envisioned, but there were no intermediate steps for them to approve along the way.

There are literally thousand of designs or ways to set three stones, a good designer will be able to take a collection of photos you bring them and pick out the common elements and themes to design you something you will love and that works for your stones.

Resetting the diamonds is such a lovely way to remember family members and enjoy them yourself! If you have any questions about the process or specific metals or anything I’m happy to help!

Thank you so much, everyone. It's the first week back teaching after holidays and I have been swamped so haven't got anyting done and have neglected replying here.

aviastar that is all such great information. I appreciate it so much. I may be back with more questions once I get back to the jewellers (or even have a moment to think about it). Your advice makes me realize I really do need to shop around a bit. This guy is only showing me a catalogue pic.

localeater, I love that story of how you were able to personalize your ring. It should be special and yours sounds especially so.

deeinohio, I have never heard of the opening ring. That would be perfect for me. As the ring is now, I can barely fit it over my knuckle, but once it's on, it is too loose. That would solve that problem. I hear you about the weight of it. I would not be comfortable with anything too substantial.

jojoco, that is the key - to make it suit you. I want and appreciate advice about the different styles, but I do have to remember to make sure it's me. Sometimes, I really admire something on someone else, but later realize what I liked about it, was how well it suited them.