Please help with decision of engagement ring

Which E-ring should I choose?

  • Cartier with 1.5 or less diamond

  • GIA cert 2.01 carat diamond

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candyycupcake

candyycupcake

O.G.
Feb 1, 2009
124
4
#1
I am facing a serious dilemma here.
I honestly don't know what to choose and I need help!

I completely fell in love with the Cartier ballerine setting and I went to the store today but the only one that they have is a 1.7 carat E color VVS1 very good cut for 48,000 and that is out of our budget. I really wanted the diamond to be in the 1.5-2.0 range but everything that they had was out of our budget range. I would have to get a smaller diamond if it's within out budget range.

However, I can get a GIA certified diamond ring that is 2.01 carat G color VVS2 very good cut for 30,000.

Both diamonds are the round brilliant.

Should I get the cartier with a smaller diamond or a 2 carat diamond ring that is not cartier.

Please help me decide ladies :-s
 
#2
I think it will come down how much you love the Cartier setting vs how much you want a bigger diamond. Can you have the GIA diamond set in a custom setting inspired by the Ballerine, that way you can get what you want at a more agreeable price? Tough choice, but either way your ring will be beautiful!
 
#5
I'm going to probably be in the minority but the ballerine is a signature piece and if you love it, go for it! If I completely fell for a designer style I would need the one from them and I think I'd be settling even if the stone was bigger.

Have you checked to see if they can call or check inventory for something in your budget? Maybe lower color/clarity?

Will you be happy with the 2 carat and not regret wishing you had the Cartier setting? If you think the size is more important then go for Gia diamond, if the setting calls to you, go Cartier. You don't want to regret anything.
 
#6
If you want a designer setting like the Ballerine, then you should stick with Cartier. But if you were looking at something like the 1895, there are many places that can make something similar.
 
#7
I don't want to be a "brand whore" but I just love the fact that it's from cartier. But then again...if it's a 2 carat I can say it's a 2 carat because size does kind of matter at the end of the day.
 
#8
It depends which is more important to you, the setting or the size of the centre stone. There's nothing wrong with choosing one over the other, just go for it. :smile1: I voted the GIA 2 ct stone because it leaves room for future upgrade, perhaps in Cartier form? *wink wink*
 
#9
candyycupcake said:
I don't want to be a "brand whore" but I just love the fact that it's from cartier. But then again...if it's a 2 carat I can say it's a 2 carat because size does kind of matter at the end of the day.
Click to expand...

Are you happy with a very good cut?

I'd be happy with a VG cut from Cartier but not from a non designer diamond. I know it's unfair or whatever but the name does hold bearing. For a regular diamond non designer I would go excellent/ideal which might make you lose that 2 carat mark. But if I'm giving up a pretty sizable Cartier ring for a .50 carat gain in this diamond it better blind me and sparkle so I don't even see the setting!

Does Cartier go lower than VVs clarity? May bring a diamond more into a reachable cost?
 
#10
whoops said:
Are you happy with a very good cut?

I'd be happy with a VG cut from Cartier but not from a non designer diamond. I know it's unfair or whatever but the name does hold bearing. For a regular diamond non designer I would go excellent/ideal which might make you lose that 2 carat mark. But if I'm giving up a pretty sizable Cartier ring for a .50 carat gain in this diamond it better blind me and sparkle so I don't even see the setting!

Does Cartier go lower than VVs clarity? May bring a diamond more into a reachable cost?
Click to expand...


They do actually go lower than a VVS clarity but they have this really confusing thing where you can't exactly choose the stats of the diamond because it's already put in the setting. Also, my ring size is a 4.6 and they can only take a bigger size and size it 2 sizes down...which means if they find the right diamond and it's in a size 7 or 8 (or anything bigger) they would not be able to size it to a 4.6. I hope I'm explaining this right. So the sizing rule really puts a lot of limitations on what I can get.
 
#11
I would honestly go for the Cartier. Yes, the magical 2 carat number is a big drawing factor, but a 1.5 is still a very nice sized diamond, especially on a small size finger like your own. A 1.5 will still look substantial.

Also, as mentioned above, the Ballerine is a very distinct setting and unique to Cartier. If you love that style and you love that it is a Cartier, I definitely don't think you should go against those 2 important factors for the sake of going .5 carats larger.

To me the brand and setting would be significantly more important than a .5 size difference! :balloon:
 
#12
.50 is a huge difference though. If you really want a big diamond, go with GIA. I had to make a similar decision recently and I also went with a 2.01. Though if having a branded engagement ring is important to you, sacrifice the size.
 
#14
I'm a setting girl. At the end of the day, someone will always have a bigger e-ring diamond than you (unless you are Hilary Duff)... But you can at least have the Cartier setting you have your heart set on. I rather own the licensed design than going slightly bigger on my diamond.
 
#15
I think that based on the size of your hand 1.5 carat would be a nice size and the Ballerine setting would give you the feel of a substantial ring. Before I made my decision I might look at Leon Mege's site or maybe McTeigue & McClelland to see if a setting design just speaks to you because there are a lot of high quality designers out there who will work with you and the diamond process (McTeigue & McClelland came to mind because of this ring: http://www.mc2jewels.com/gallery/Rings/MCII9_23_03231 although they are better known for their Flora designs) I don't think you can go wrong either way - congratulations!!!
 
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