My engagement ring is a round solitaire, 1/3 carat. I don't think I would have it any other way. I have very small hands, so something big just wouldn't do. When we went shopping for wedding rings, hubby and I could decide on a matching set. We were going to get etched bands, but we bumped the wedding up last minute and didn't have a lot of time to have the rings ordered. Anyway, he decided to get a plain gold band with millgrain (or whatever it's called). I didn't want that on my ring, so he bought me a wrap for my solitaire. My wedding ring has a total of 13 stones (1/4 tw). Three small stones set into a triangular shape on either side of the solitaire with 7 stones that run across the bottom of the solitaire. It wasn't expensive, but it's the meaning behind it that matters.
We didn't spend a lot on the wedding, either. Neither of us wanted to go through the stress and spend all kinds of money, so I told him he could wear jeans for all I cared. As long as we were together, I was happy. So, we headed off to the courthouse.
If I'd had the opportunity to wear his mother's ring - or any that were generations old - I would have gladly accepted. The sentiment behind something like that, to me, is just incredible.