Is it just me or does the "shrinkage" factor set quickly??

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L

leem

O.G.
Dec 18, 2006
1,603
53
#1
I can't believe how quickly my upgraded diamond has shrunk on me! When I first got it, I thought it looked huge (although it really never was). It has only been about 6 months and I am already pretty sure I want to go up again.

My sweet husband--he thought he was done for a while ; )
 
#2
It usually takes a little longer to set in with my own diamonds....It is really just what you are used to seeing on yourself and used to looking at...you become more accustomed to the size! I used to think that my mother's 1 ctw solitaire necklace and diamond studs where very big and now that I have been used to seeing my studs which are more then double the size they look much smaller...I actually experienced "shrinkage" with my watch too, I wanted a but larger one:laugh:
 
#3
I am not a believer that bigger is always better. Be happy with what you have because there is always going to be something "bigger and better" out there. I think if within only 6 months of upgrading to a bigger diamond you are already yearning for a bigger one, then there is a problem. Try to take a break from the mentality of looking at other diamonds and bigger ones, and just appreciate its beauty.

This past week I was admiring how beautiful a tiny pair of diamond studs looked on a woman's ears. It was just the perfect tiny sparkle and she wore it beautifully. It was definite proof that you don't need something to be huge in order to be beautiful.
 
#5
chanel-girl said:
It usually takes a little longer to set in with my own diamonds....It is really just what you are used to seeing on yourself and used to looking at...you become more accustomed to the size! I used to think that my mother's 1 ctw solitaire necklace and diamond studs where very big and now that I have been used to seeing my studs which are more then double the size they look much smaller...I actually experienced "shrinkage" with my watch too, I wanted a but larger one:laugh:
Click to expand...

I agree. I think it sets in more quickly with your own jewelry because you get used to the new size faster when you see it on yourself every day.
 
#6
my hand has definitely gotten used to the size on my finger but I wouldn't put it as a bad thing. It seemed really huge for me when i first put it on and now I look at it and realize it's just perfect! For a while thought i could go bigger but then I realized it's just not me! I would be too self conscience. I can appreciate larger rings when I see them but know that the ring on my finger is still the most perfect thing for me. DF said if we ever upgrade it'll be in color and clarity before size. But I don't think i'd ever even let him do it! This is my diamond and nothing else could replace it!

Ame - SOOOO right with the not wearing it idea! I didn't have my ring for 10 days on vacation. I kept staring at other girls rings around me and thought "wow they are big!"... when I got home and wore my ring, I realized it was actually probably the same size or larger than the ones I was gawking at on vacation... I think being in California definitely warped my mind on what is considered the "average" size of a e-ring. It was a really nice break.
 
#8
I guess it's not just men who have to worry about shrinkage anymore! Tell yourself what you'd tell your husband: it's not size that matters. It's performance.

I agree with the other posters. You're probably getting used to the size because you see it every day. Diamonds sparkle at any size and I'm sure yours is plenty big to show off. Appreciate it now and upgrade later if you'd like.
 
#9
It does set in fast but like Ame said, just don't wear it for a few days. I also agree that there will always be "bigger" out there and we just need to appreciate our rings for what they are. My mom still wears her .25ct diamond solitare everyday as she has for the last 40 years and would never think of an upgrade. I think that's a lovely way of thinking. And while there are some aspects I like about having a larger diamond, I really would have been better off not going so big. I think a 1ct would have been far more ideal for my hand than my 1.5.
 
#10
I want to upsize, and shrinkage set in well before I'd ever narrowed down a stone. After 3 weeks of looking, I called and increased the size range. At this point, there's no way to increase size further, even if shrinkage occurs, because I've hit the absolute outer limits of my husband's comfort zone. I'm probably a teensy bit beyond, in fact. I'm officially done no matter how I feel about it.

So for me, the answer to your question is yes, usually within 2 weeks.
 
#11
gga said:
I want to upsize, and shrinkage set in well before I'd ever narrowed down a stone. After 3 weeks of looking, I called and increased the size range. At this point, there's no way to increase size further, even if shrinkage occurs, because I've hit the absolute outer limits of my husband's comfort zone. I'm probably a teensy bit beyond, in fact. I'm officially done no matter how I feel about it.

So for me, the answer to your question is yes, usually within 2 weeks.
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I am curious gga and others, what size are your stones? People ask this question a lot and I am always wondering if they have 3 carat and want 6 or they have .5 and want 1.5........
 
#12
Hermesaholic said:
I am curious gga and others, what size are your stones? People ask this question a lot and I am always wondering if they have 3 carat and want 6 or they have .5 and want 1.5........
Click to expand...

I had a .57 and constantly had shrinkage. Well part of it was shrinkage but more so it was hating the not so great cut (bought it pre diamond knowledge) I got a 1.55 in my upgrade and while the more I wear it I get accustom to it's size, I definitely don't want anything bigger. I have a size 3.25 ring finger and any bigger would look silly on me.
 
#13
Hermesaholic said:
I am curious gga and others, what size are your stones? People ask this question a lot and I am always wondering if they have 3 carat and want 6 or they have .5 and want 1.5........
Click to expand...

Sadly for me, it's a very bad habit of mine to always want bigger than I've got. I have doubled each time I've upsized. I don't tend to use the term upgraded, since I don't trade in stones or rings. Fortunately, my husband realizes that I'm going to switch things up, so probably better rings than him.

My heart is set on a specific color of brown diamond in a cushion, Asscher, or pear cut. Under those circs, I've been informed by my jeweler that I can't be as picky about size. If I dictate color and cut on a brown, then I have to leave size up to the universe's whims.

As far as my current stone's stats, I leave that in the hands of my appraiser and my insurance company and don't keep close track of the info. Sorry.
 
#14
skphotoimages said:
I had a .57 and constantly had shrinkage. Well part of it was shrinkage but more so it was hating the not so great cut (bought it pre diamond knowledge) I got a 1.55 in my upgrade and while the more I wear it I get accustom to it's size, I definitely don't want anything bigger. I have a size 3.25 ring finger and any bigger would look silly on me.
Click to expand...


thats what i was getting at --. 1.55 is a great size. I also think that size of stone is really about proportions to the hand and the setting. I know people who just want enormous stones (nothing wrong with that!) and others like myself who are just as picky about the setting. I have designed several of my own pieces and the design of the setting is probably more important than size to me
 
#15
exotikittenx said:
I am not a believer that bigger is always better. Be happy with what you have because there is always going to be something "bigger and better" out there. I think if within only 6 months of upgrading to a bigger diamond you are already yearning for a bigger one, then there is a problem. Try to take a break from the mentality of looking at other diamonds and bigger ones, and just appreciate its beauty.

This past week I was admiring how beautiful a tiny pair of diamond studs looked on a woman's ears. It was just the perfect tiny sparkle and she wore it beautifully. It was definite proof that you don't need something to be huge in order to be beautiful.
Click to expand...

I like this post very much.

I've never had the urge to wear huge studs in my ear, not that I wouldn't like them, just I feel that smaller studs in my ear are all they need. And besides, I'd prefer to SEE what I wear when it gets about the 1 carat range.

It's also very easy to get wrapped up in forum hype. Always someone upgrading or changing their mind. But at the end of the day, it's not about the forum or impressing others, it's about YOU and what works with your lifestyle.

I also wonder about how much posted here is "real" Not to diminish or refute anyone's legitimate purchase or ownership, but there are times when I read threads/posts and wonder, "is this for real"?
 
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