How many carats to be satisfied?
- Thread starter cupcake34
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
^^ This creates a false dichotomy. There are a LOT of stone here that are huge and are also very high quality, so depending on the funds one is working with, one doesn't have to choose between small and sparkly and big (but implied poorer quality). I think that regardless of the size one is shopping for, there have to be preferences and choices made, and seeing stones in person can make a huge difference.
I don't think anyone here is saying that there is anything wrong with diamonds of one carat or under one carat; there is a thread devoted to them, and they are absolutely gorgeous. It is just preference. But quality can be very high or very low regardless of whether the stone is large or small. Many mall stores sell more I1-I2 stones under one carat than larger stones with the same specs, so size does not necessarily equal quality.
I don't think anyone here is saying that there is anything wrong with diamonds of one carat or under one carat; there is a thread devoted to them, and they are absolutely gorgeous. It is just preference. But quality can be very high or very low regardless of whether the stone is large or small. Many mall stores sell more I1-I2 stones under one carat than larger stones with the same specs, so size does not necessarily equal quality.
All in all, I think you’re going to have to go into the jewelry store of your choice and try on rings in the ranges that you feel comfortable in. Whether it be 1.5 to 12.5 carats, no one can really determine what carat weight is right for someone else. What looks good on one person may not on another and personal taste is always different amongst most people. It’s all about personal perception and comfort level. You will need to really inspect the diamond ring, place it on your finger and then you’ll know. The clouds will open, the sun will beam brightly and angels will start to sing harmoniously and you’ll say…”This is it!! This is the one!!”…uhhh, so okay, none of that will happen…
…but in your head and heart it will! You’ll see the ring you love and you’ll just know!
…but in your head and heart it will! You’ll see the ring you love and you’ll just know! 
This is so true! I have a 2.43ct (8.7mm) MRB set in a delicate halo and it makes me feel like I'm wearing a much larger stone.
DSS is REAL! When I first got my ering, I thought it was huge! But after wearing it for about 6 months, it seemed much smaller to me.
I tried on a 3 carat solitaire just for fun and it just didn't do anything for me - I was like, "Let's slap a halo on this thing!". LOL ...yes ladies, DSS is a sneaky disease!
If I could upgrade, like REALISTICALLY upgrade, I would love to have a 10mm stone!
I've recently become a little obsessed with older cut stones... So if I happened upon a 4-5 carat rectangular cushion, I wouldn't turn it down! 
That sounds like you're implying that people with larger stones are buying poor quality stones just to have larger ones, which I hope is not your intention. "Big-In-Your-Face diamonds can be well cut and sparkly, too. Just like small ones can be not very sparkly. Everyone's priorities and budgets are different. While cut IS the most important C for a sparkly stone, not everyone values that, some just want size, or color, or clarity.
What do you mean by "sometimes a setting can make all the difference"? Are there settings that "prevent" diamond shrinkage more than others?
Nothing can prevent shrinkage in the mind's eye but a halo, higher setting, a setting where you can stack bands can give an illusion of a bigger stone.
Hard to explain........
Maybe I'm in the minority but I don't have the mindset of bigger is better. Maybe my opinion will change further down the road, but I've been married for 2 years and have no desire to get a bigger rock nor can I imagine myself ever wanting. When we picked my ring, I already had the mindset of it being my forever ring because I don't like the idea of upgrading.
My ring is approx 1.25 center, .25 setting. DH thinks large stones are tacky- he's European so he has always been used to seeing smaller stones, and he also really hates halo settings. I think my ring is not flashy at all and I really like that.
My ring is approx 1.25 center, .25 setting. DH thinks large stones are tacky- he's European so he has always been used to seeing smaller stones, and he also really hates halo settings. I think my ring is not flashy at all and I really like that.
Cupcake,
Have you consider the embrace? It will give you more finger coverage as well as more bling without the need to a diamond band.
Have you consider the embrace? It will give you more finger coverage as well as more bling without the need to a diamond band.
No, it's not just you. I feel the same. Not to say that large stones aren't beautiful, because they absolutely are! Just for me personally I like the way the smaller ones look. But I have weirdly small hands especially considering I'm not at all a small person.
My e ring is vintage and .5 and very sparkly and I love it. Doubt I'll ever upgrade. It's perfect for me for everyday. I just can't wear big stones everyday.
Yeah, there are times when it seems small with everyone around me wearing at least 1ct all the time. But mostly I shrug that off because I know if I had a ring that big I'd rarely wear it.
And even big stone wearers compliment me on how gorgeous and sparkly my ring is.
Oh and I love that I never feel like I might get mugged! Lol! Where I live that's a big factor.
You just have to really think about your lifestyle and all the aspects of it carefully.
I agree with you. My original ering was a 1.4 RB set in a channel setting. It did nothing for the stone and I always felt it was 'small' I kept the stone and put it into a .67 ct halo setting, center stone set high with an eternity band and wow, it made a world of difference for me!! No more shrinkage issues! Settings can make a huge difference! Here are pics of before and after:
For a plain solitaire I love the Vatche Swan. Personally, I'd go for a pave setting if I was wearing it by itself. A plain solitaire without a wedding band is a little plain for me, I need some extra sparkle.