Personally, I like the styles of the second and third options best, but I really love the idea of taking the sidestones from the first ring to make a complementary wedding band and using the center stone from the second ring to make the engagement ring. Nowadays it's not uncommon to see these solitaire enhancer-type wedding bands that curve around the wedding band and fit it better.

Thank you SO much for all of this wonderful advice, ladies! I really appreciate it. I'm planning to go this weekend to try on some rings just to get a feel for different styles. :D

yup. Seem to be everywhere

How did ring shopping turn out?

Thanks for asking! I'm glad I went to try things on because I found that I much prefer a simpler, more delicate setting. I'm looking to do something like this with the solitaire diamond:

http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...s2caa2eb4.jpeg

Except - I want the band to be little sapphires instead of little diamonds (the halo would still be little diamonds). I haven't seen anything quite like that, but I have a jeweler who can do a custom setting for me.

I'll post a pic of the final product once I have it. It will probably be at least a month.

You should try the rings on your hand. If you cannot, then have your mom do it, or someone with similar hands and fingers as you. It's very hard to tell how a ring will look on your hand. Someone with long thin fingers is going to want a different style from someone with thicker fingers. Additionally, the color of your skin will make the ring look different. As a Japanese woman, diamonds that are even slightly yellow look even more yellow against my skin whereas darker skinned women tend to make yellowish diamonds look whiter.

Also, since some of those pictures are stock photos, there's no accounting for the diamonds cut, clarity, carats, and color. (and the elusive 5th C, 'certificates').
Based purely on the pictures, I like the third one. Single solitaires are my favorite.

On a different note: Are you an only child or are there other sisters/cousins in line for the other rings? If so, ignore this suggestion otherwise if you are the only one I would work with a jeweler to combine the rings. You can sell the metal back to the jeweler to offset the cost of having them reset into a ring combining stones from each ring. The stones that have matches can be made into earrings and the remaining stones can be set into a necklace or bracelet. I only ask because I'm in the same position as you, I have several wedding rings to chose from. I decided (with my grandmother's blessing) to remove the stones and have them set into my own band. The remaining stones are being turned into earrings, a necklace and a second right hand ring.

My final suggestion: I know you want to get the process started but my recommendation would be to WAIT until you can get the ring in person or someone you trust can courier it to you. The last thing you want is for it to get misplaced because you couldn't wait 5 months. Then you'll have all the rings in front of you and you can talk to a jeweler or gemologist that can tell you what they recommend. This ring will be for the rest of your life, what's 5 months?

That's what I'm getting! I like the little extra sparkle and I'm all about symmetry.

I second going and trying them on. I had one ring that I LOVED from all the pictures online, and one that I thought was "meh" but still nice. I went in to try them on and it was amazing how different I felt about them afterwards, I did a 180!

Update
 

We decided to go with the solitaire, and save the ring with side stones for another piece, or for a family member. We did decide to have it shipped USPS registered mail and it arrived safe after a scary week of waiting (with next to no updates on the online tracker!). We knew that is typical for USPS but it was still nervewracking.

We took it in to a local jeweler to discuss options. We did a lot of research and found one that is a third generation family jeweler and very highly recommended.

We ended up settling on a custom design utilizing the stone and the gold from the original ring. I was surprised at how reasonable it was price-wise - they do a lot of custom work like this. The jeweler had me look through and try on rings from their inventory to mix and match features I liked. We just got to see the wax on Friday and I was so happy with it! I couldn't stop grinning. Here's a pic:

http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps54270970.jpg

http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...psc9848bf5.jpg

Sorry for the bad quality - they're from my camera phone. :) The jeweler also said it will look more delicate in metal since the wax is always a bit bulky.

The ring will have my grandmother's center stone, a halo of pave-set diamonds, pave diamonds on the short pieces holding up the center stone and halo, then pave sapphires on the band. They are ordering some nice light, bright sapphires for the band to keep it from looking too dark. It will all be in white gold.

I am SO EXCITED. We've been keeping it pretty quiet and I can't wait to share the news with my family and friends (my parents, sister, and one or two close friends know we are "shopping"). Since I approved the wax my boyfriend has told me I'm done, though... I won't know when he has it or see the final product until the actual proposal. Of course I'm dying to see it, but I really like how we went about this. I know I'm going to get something I love (so my boyfriend doesn't have to be stressed about that!), and it will have sentimental value from using a family stone, but there will still be a big element of surprise.

I'll update again when the time comes! Thank you again to all of you for your advice and support! :D

After a long, long Spring... I'm finally engaged! He proposed on Saturday and I got to see my ring for the first time. Here are some pics:

http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps5eef129c.jpg

http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps4d345207.jpg

http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3424d42d.jpg

I love how it came out. Thanks again for all of your advice! :)

I know I never posted on this thread but have been following it. What a wonderful piece for you! Congratulations to the future Mrs!!

Wow, littleowl33! It's stunning! Congratulations on your engagement.

Congratulations!!!!! Such a pretty ring!!

Thank you, everyone! :D