Engagement ring upgrade-What would you do?

[slshopper]

I should say before starting, that after snooping at all the gorgeous rings in the engagement ring section, my upgrade will be more like a first ring (or even less) for many of you gals, but I'd still love your imput.

Okay so here's my dilema... tomorrow my husband and i are going down to Tiffany's in Seattle (we live in Vancouver) to look at a few choices our SA has put aside for my upgrade. We went down last weekend and saw a nice H VVS2 1.34 lucida. It was whiter than expected for an H (we compared it to many Gs) and the cut and poportions (table etc.) made it look larger than the weight. After discussions, I asked our SA to bring in a few more to compare. She is bringing in two more Hs of VS2 clarity and larger weight (1.44). They are slightly more money (not much though) as the clarity is less (the cuts are equally good). Since clarity at this level can be hard to notice with the naked eye, it seemed to me the choice would be one of the larger rings. However, in an email to me she stated that the larger rings were more yellow and not as "pretty" and that she recommended we go ahead with the 1.34 as it is a bit less money and less yellow. I insisted on driving down again for myself to see.

So here's my question: Whatever ring I decide on won't be worn directly beside a similar ring to compare to as the SA is doing when she looks at these rings. In that case would you imagine the difference between the colors (remember they are all Hs) significant enough to choose the smaller stone? I imagine I will notice the difference tomorrow when I see them side by side, but when I'm just wearing the one ring, would the subtle quality difference be so noticable as size do you think?
PHEW! Thanks for taking the time to read this lengthy rant!

[musey]

Wait, they are all H colour? So why would any be yellower than the next?

I'm not colour sensitive, and don't perceive any yellow tint in excellently cut stones down to about a J, sometimes K. Some colour sensitive people won't go below a G or H. I've never heard of an issue with same-colored stones, except that different cuts can show more color (brilliant vs. step, etc.). In the same cut, especially with excellent/ideal cut stones, I can't see why there could possibly be a difference. So it would seem that the larger stones must be cut more poorly, which would be surprising at Tiffany, since their stones are held to a strict cutting standard...

[missD]

diamonds are like men, some are great on paper but you just dont go "wow" in person....

[musey]

Originally Posted by missD

diamonds are like men, some are great on paper but you just dont go "wow" in person....

Ditto. There's really no reason to worry or over-analyze it right now. Just go tomorrow and look at them, the choice will likely be very easy for you once you're looking at them on your hand.

[slshopper]

Thanks for your thoughts ladies!

Musey-you're right, I'll probably just "know" and am worrying for nothing.

Miss D-too funny and too true!!!

[wantmore]

I'm very color sensitive. The G's already look yellow to me. As someone already said, don't worry about it until tomorrow, b/c once you see it you'll know what to do.

Originally Posted by missD

diamonds are like men, some are great on paper but you just dont go "wow" in person....

[barcreperie]

I agree that you should not worry about it until you see the diamonds, then one of them will 'speak' to you. Compare them side-by-side but also look at them independently. Move around in different light. Tiffany's has a lightbox you can put your hand under that simulates different types of light. To get out of their glaring 'sparkle' lights, ask to go in the conference room on the side. It's amazing how different diamonds can look when not in typical jewelry store lighting.

[slshopper]

^^ great ideas barcreperie! THANKS!!!

[ETenebris]

I have done a lot of research on diamonds, buying, grading, etc. In my experience, the color is not as much of an issue as clarity. You want to go with the best clarity you can afford, and as long as the color is upward of K (and Tiffany does not sell beyond a certain color...somewhere between I and K as I recall), you will be fine. I think a 1.34 carat Lucida would be gorgeous! A square-cut stone (i.e., princess) may have more "presence" per carat because it does not lose the edges or corners, while an Asscher cut stone looks smaller because it is deeper, so the Lucida is going to fit somewhere in between those two. Ask if they will allow you to look at the stone in outdoor light, or at least by a window where there are no overhead lights. See what it will look like "really" when you are out from under the shiny store lighting. But honestly, you can't go wrong with a Tiffany diamond.

I hope we get to see pics of whatever you choose!!!

[Swanky Mama Of Three]

listen to what your eyes tell you
We won't carry the certification aroud w/ us. . .

[shells]

if they are all H color, and as u say the cuts are all similar, i would definately just see them in person and see what wows u the most. whether it's a vvs or a vs, no one is going to able to tell the difference! good luck and happy shopping!

[risingsun]

Many people are color sensitive, so let your eyes be your guide. In a well-cut stone, the clarity may not be as critical as long as it's eye-clean. Enjoy your diamond shopping and be sure to tell what you decide!

[ame]

Originally Posted by musey

Wait, they are all H colour? So why would any be yellower than the next? I'm not colour sensitive, and don't perceive any yellow tint in excellently cut stones down to about a J, sometimes K. Some colour sensitive people won't go below a G or H. I've never heard of an issue with same-colored stones, except that different cuts can show more color (brilliant vs. step, etc.). In the same cut, especially with excellent/ideal cut stones, I can't see why there could possibly be a difference. So it would seem that the larger stones must be cut more poorly, which would be surprising at Tiffany, since their stones are held to a strict cutting standard...

But isn't it sometimes the case where body color is more obvious in a bigger carat weight? I swore we have seen bigger stones at (otherplace) that showed slightly more color even when they are the same graded color as a smaller stone.

That said...if you can definitely see more color from one H to the next Id question their grading and quality control.

[missD]

^ thats true, larger stones show more color. maybe thats the case with this one.

[musey]

Originally Posted by ame

But isn't it sometimes the case where body color is more obvious in a bigger carat weight? I swore we have seen bigger stones at (otherplace) that showed slightly more color even when they are the same graded color as a smaller stone. That said...if you can definitely see more color from one H to the next Id question their grading and quality control.

Perhaps, my understanding is that it has more to do with the cut type or cut quality. However, the OP is talking about a carat weight difference of only .10, and I really don't think that much size difference would make a tint more obvious.