Opinions please on this . . .

[b_w_m]

I am getting my girlfriend a Tiffany's engagement ring very soon here,(so she won't be my girlfriend much longer) and have been meeting with the sales rep almost every Saturday for a month trying to decide what I will do...(Financial stuff...seeing how much I can get) I am DEAD set on Tiffany's, so lecture or thoughts about something else just won't do. The opinion here is this...

Right now I am at: 10,700 dollars for a .72 / F / Vs1 / Legacy ring. With Tax and everything it will be around 11,7 something. I plan on getting the matching band as well with the diamonds for another 3,000 dollars as well.

Size over Quality. The thing was, I could go higher in carrot size, and drop the quality. But I am obsessed with the quality. I'm afraid when I give it to my girlfriend she will be disappointed in the size. lol. (for some reason that sounded funny to me.) If I was some how able to upgrade, what do you think that I should do?

Go up in Carrot size? Or go to VVS2. . . ? Or
Go up in Carrot size? Or go to E instead of F???
I'm kind of going insane here!

Thank you guys for any help! I appreciate it all.

[PorscheGirl]

First of all, NO WOMAN has ever been disappointed by a ring from Tiffany's. You are doing a wonderful job! F color is indistinguishable from E color to the untrained eye, so leave it at F. I would not go lower on the clarity because that is where the sparkle comes from. In other words, don't change a thing! The difference between .72 carat and 1 carat is not enough to justify what would be a major increase in price, unless you could afford it easily and wanted to go up a bit.
Your fiancee-to-be is a lucky woman, indeed!

[von]

^^ ITA .72 and a carat is hardly noticeable, if she has small hands it will look bigger anyway

[ame]

Ok, my thoughts are to go down to G or H on color and either stay with VS1 or go to VS2 on Clarity. That will bring up the size to a bigger size for theoretically the same price.

F to G won't be super noticeable color wise. But F to H might be. But when it's SET, you won't see a difference.

You are NOT sacrificing "quality" going down in color 1 grade or 2. It's still gonna be gorgeous. And knowing that style ring, Id rather probably have a slightly larger stone than the smaller one.

[guccimamma]

if it makes a difference, i think anywhere up to a G is fine...and if it can get a little bit bigger...all the better!

[mommylovesbags]

Personally, I would see what I could get in the neighborhood of G or H color, VS2. It will be eye-clean and you should be able to go up some in carat size, which frankly, is what people notice first if the diamond is of good quality. Cut is most important of the C's -- but you likely won't have to worry about that since it's from Tiffany. Just make certain YOU like how the diamond sparkles. Good luck!!

[clop]

You've made an excellent choice, the Legacy is such a beautiful ring. Your gf will be so pleased!

Ditto to mommylovesbags, cut is most important. You will not see inclusions without a loupe with vs1 or 2, and it will not interfere with it's sparkly brilliance. If your girlfriend color sensitive? Some people are. However, Es and Fs are virtually indistinguishable. Perhaps you can go down to a vs2 or G vs2? The bonus is that the Legacy's halo will make the .72 c look much larger than it is, so you really don't have anything to worry about. Hope that helps!

[Hekate]

Well ... the sparkle actually comes from the cut of the stone: the clarity just refers to whether or not it has inclusions, and their degree of visibility. You can go down to VS2 and feel QUITE safe about it: you might maybe be able to find something with a 10X loupe, but it's highly unlikely. With the naked eye, you won't see a THING. I also think a G is quite safe: unless you or your girlfriend are intensely color-sensitive, you won't see a tint once it's set. But, don't take my/our word for it - go back to Tiff's, and ask if you can compare stones. See what you love with your own eyes .... You might also want to try a board called PriceScope (full of diamond aficionados) and take a look at the Legacy's that are up in their eye-candy forum, Show Me the Ring. :)

[Swanky Mama Of Three]

Yes, cut is KING, it's paramount but I don't think Tiffany's would sell you a bad cut anyhow.
I also agree, slide down on color and clarity NO ONE will know the difference and I personally think there's a perceivable difference in a .72 and a full carat so I'd go lower in color/calrity to gain a little size.
I'd look for an F-G VS2 stone.

[to_the_nines]

i agree with swanky on this one, get the full carat, it's still a great diamond!

[JanetBG]

I agree with going to full carat. Diamonds >1 carat is in a different catagory in price. Get F color and go lower on clarity. You can ask for a 10x lens and take a look at the stone. Some inclusions are on the side and won't be noticable after the stone is set. You have to look at it individually and see. If you can't tell the clarity in naked eye, you should get a bigger stone at the same price.

[ljsmom88]

I think it is wonderful that you are putting so much effort into choosing your gf's ring. Let me make a few suggestions, as my husband and I updated my ring last year, and we did about 9 months of research before doing so (research that included a number of trips to tiffany...*s*). I have an H, VS2 with an AGS certificate that indicates excellent symmetry, cut, and polish. It's the cut that makes a diamond dance with fire and sparkle!! We purchased my diamond from Good Old Gold, an online and brick and morter retailer in the new york area. I know tht you are set on Tiffany, but I would urge you to visit www.goodoldgold.com and go through their diamond tutorial.

One last word, diamonds "shrink". That is, over time, they seem to not look as big!Good old Gold offers a lifetime upgrade policy on many of their diamonds. In other words, you can return your diamond to upgrade for a more expensive one, and you get full credit of the cost of the first one toward the cost of the next one. My husband and I will be upgrading next year. I can't wait!!!

Please take a moment to visit their website, and tell me what you think.

[b_w_m]

I am meeting with my sales rep this Saturday, and I will see what a Vs2 1 Carat G would cost me. I will also ask to see the 1 Carat Vs2 under 10x. My sales Rep is extremely helpful and "real".
Thank you guys so much for your advice. You have no idea how much it means to me to be able to speak with people on such matters as I can't tell a Damn soul in real life because of their big mouths and my keeping this under top secret lock and key. lol. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[ljsmom88]

I think that G, VS2 is the perfect compromise for size and quality. That is exactly what my upgrade will be. Best to you and your girlfriend!

[Swanky Mama Of Three]

can't wait to hear an update, it's exciting, have fun with it!