Dream Decision! Which diamond should I pick?

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

acrowcounted

acrowcounted

Uh oh...
O.G.
Feb 10, 2007
9,732
40,838
#1
Let me start this thread by saying, I love my husband! :cloud9:

The story: Got engaged in Feb 2007 with a Tiffany Classic Six Prong Solitaire, 1.33ct H VS1 Ex/Ex/Ex. I loved the ring but always dreamed of an upgrade so last December, DH and I went to Tiffany and upgraded to a 2.44ct E VS1 Ex/Ex/Vg. While I love my upgrade, I just can't shake the feeling that I was too impulsive in my purchase. When we first saw the 2 carat rings we thought they would look "ridiculous" because we were so used to the 1.33 ct. But now shrinkage has set in and I regret focusing on high high color rather than going for 3 carats and spending a bit more.

Here's where I need your help. Tiffany has made a rare exception and is letting me trade in my ring for something bigger (provided I spend more). There is going to be a 10% increase on engagement rings by month's end (and more to come after that) so the time to act is now, which means that I have to live within the current available stock. They're bringing in three stones for me to look at this weekend. Obviously seeing them in person will help make the decision but I have a feeling they will look pretty similar so...Which should I choose?

A) 3.18 ct H VVS2 Ex/Ex/Vg (9.47mm x 9.54mm) No Fluor, Girdle Thin to Medium
B) 3.39 ct H VVS2 Ex/Ex/Ex (9.55mm x 9.58mm) Faint Fluor, Girdle Medium to Thick +7% more $$ than A
C) 3.35 ct G VS1 Ex/Ex/Ex (9.53mm x 9.57mm) No Fluor, Girdle Thin to Medium +16% more $$ than A

For A I'm worried about the H color and the Very Good Polish. For B I'm worried about the H color, Faint Fluor, and Medium Girdle. For C I feel guilty about the price. Help! :smile1:
 
#4
I can't wait to see pictures of your final choice. I know it will be gorgeous!! I completely understand the diamond shrinkage syndrome. I had a little over a carat and upgraded with Tiffany to almost 2, and now long for more. =)

My original e ring was a G VS2, my upgrade (for size) is an I VS1. I wish I knew how to post pics on here; even the I color is just lovely. The stone is triple Ex, but has medium blue flourescence which in the I color masks any yellow (at least in my stone).

I also just got an H VS1 DBTY pendant which is just gorgeous and has amazing sparkle.

So, I guess I would pick options A or B, if I were in your shoes. But, I am pretty color insensitive. The whole time I had my G all I could think of was I should have gone bigger and lower color, as I can't tell the difference.

Did Tiffany put any $$ parameters around your second upgrade (i.e.- need to spend twice the amount, etc.). I am asking because I am seriously thinking of seeing if they'd let me do it for a 2.5 carat. We have an SA that we have a relationship with; but I don't want to ask for something if it's just "not done".
 
#5
Wow! Your DH is awesome! Give him a hug for me (lol). I would pick B just looking at the stats (not that I'm a diamond stat expert) but it looks the best to me. All Tiffany diamonds are beautiful, so you can't go wrong with either, however, I read somewhere that larger carat diamonds show color more. . .so I might compare B and C together. If there is a noticeable color difference (or the warm color of the H bothers you), I would get C, if not, I'd get B.
 
#6
Thanks for all the comments so far! I'm hoping I'll just *know* which one I want as soon as I see them before knowing which is which but I'm afraid that I'm going to be torn. I think the H with Fluor might be beautiful but I've never really looked at one with Fluor before so I don't know. I'm a little color sensitive and DH is very color sensitive so I'm thinking that he is going to prefer the G. Sigh. The waiting until Saturday is going to drive me crazy!! :girlwhack:
 
#8
Have you not seen them? Let your eyes pick. I like Flour and you will not really notice it in most lighting scenarios. I would probably go with 2 or 3 since this is the rare exception. Don't regret it and not go for it. IF the bigger two appeal to your eyes.

What I honestly would do...look at them individually, then side by side. See which speaks to you. Go with it, regardless of the caratage. You might find you like the "smallest" of the three.

C is honestly top pick for me ONLY because of the girdle being thin to medium and G. You get icey white, VS1 is pretty damn nice clarity, and the girdle doesn't take away weight. B I like simply for flour.
 
#9
ame said:
Have you not seen them? Let your eyes pick. I like Flour and you will not really notice it in most lighting scenarios. I would probably go with 2 or 3 since this is the rare exception. Don't regret it and not go for it. IF the bigger two appeal to your eyes.

What I honestly would do...look at them individually, then side by side. See which speaks to you. Go with it, regardless of the caratage. You might find you like the "smallest" of the three.

C is honestly top pick for me ONLY because of the girdle being thin to medium and G. You get icey white, VS1 is pretty damn nice clarity, and the girdle doesn't take away weight. B I like simply for flour.
Click to expand...

I haven't seen any of them yet because they're all in different stores across the country so they're shipping them in for me to view. I only saw the certificates on their computer. Originally I ruled out option C because it was at the top of my budget and they all face up to about the same dimensions. But DH insisted on seeing a G and said it would be worth the money if he can see the difference. I'm not thrilled to pay the premium for a VVS2 (over a VS1) so part of me is leaning toward C. But then again, the fluor could be really beautiful so I don't know. And then maybe I won't be able to tell the difference in color or size and could just go for the least expensive. I change my mind every time I think about it! I just told DH that we're going to go in and tell her we want to decide without knowing which is which (but of course find out before the final decision). He totally agrees. Its going to be a long week... :p
 
#11
acrowcounted said:
I haven't seen any of them yet because they're all in different stores across the country so they're shipping them in for me to view. I only saw the certificates on their computer. Originally I ruled out option C because it was at the top of my budget and they all face up to about the same dimensions. But DH insisted on seeing a G and said it would be worth the money if he can see the difference. I'm not thrilled to pay the premium for a VVS2 (over a VS1) so part of me is leaning toward C. But then again, the fluor could be really beautiful so I don't know. And then maybe I won't be able to tell the difference in color or size and could just go for the least expensive. I change my mind every time I think about it! I just told DH that we're going to go in and tell her we want to decide without knowing which is which (but of course find out before the final decision). He totally agrees. Its going to be a long week... :p
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I would do! Let your eyes go there! Just DO NOT settle.
 
#12
I'd pick C. I like that in C you are at my absolute sweet spot! F/G VS1 is my fave compromise. VS1 is clean and G is really white still. Even though it's more now, it's better to pay it upfront now than to think or wish you had gotten it later? It also seems to be your favorite but the price is the thing most holding you back. (correct me if I'm wrong).

The size/color/clarity are all right!

I'm a perfectionist so the fact that A isn't triple X would bother me and same with the fluor in B. Even though it's minor and not noticeable it wouldnt be mind clean enough.

But definitely go take a look and see what you like the most! Since you are used to an E color make sure you are comfortable dropping the color. I've found that some people who try to drop color find themselves more sensitive to it in the lower color stone, but that might not be the case for you since you loved your original H!

What a fun decision to make! Please share your choice!
 
#14
Hermesaholic said:
very good polish is fine--its somewhat meaningless over good anyway. these are all pricing tools. most AMAZING older stones have good polish and to no detriment.
Click to expand...

I know that its of little consquence and probably not noticable. In fact I have earrings with only very good symmetry or polish (i cant remember which) and it doesn't bother me for earrings. It did a little in the beginning but I got over it because they are just earrings. But for an engagement ring I would want something triple excellent. If just for my neurotic psychopathic and completely unreasonable peace of mind! Lol

But then again, Crow's current is Ex ex vg, so it might not bother her at all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top