Size Vs Quality... How Do You Take Your Rocks?

[Blue824]

I agree with a balance. There are certain things that really aren't going to make a difference to your eye, only your wallet, and there is a way to balance that and get a great looking stone that is high quality. I have had friends get huge rings at mall jewelry stores that are of horrible quality, that are double the size of mine, but cost 1/5. That route is not for me.

 

[speedydelivery]

Mine is H 1.17 ct. and VS Tiffany solitaire type setting. It's a very sparkling ring and I love it. I had some years of thinking it was small bec. I noticed that many girls I knew or met had larger rings than mine and it used to bother me. It stopped bothering me for some reason, perhaps I've matured or have more confidence or who knows what, but I now love it's modest size and HUGE sparkle, bec. I often think my ring has better sparkle than most I see. If I had to do it all over again, I would go the same route quality over size.

 

[Charlie]

I voted for the first option. I couldnt care less before I got engaged honestly. But I think hubby did a great job. My stone is not too big only 1.26 cts but the quality is great. I love it. I know he could've gotten me a way bigger stone for the same money but a lower quality.

Taralindsey your ring is perfeclty beautiful.

Speedydelivery I had the same thing happened to me, the size used to bother me but now that I know more about my ring I would never trade if for something bigger.

 

[risingsun]

A combination of quality and size. I have a 1.234 ct G VS2, H&A, RB diamond, in the 1A classification. It's an Ideal 0 in cut and light performance. I would love a bigger stone, someday, but would not like to compromise on the characteristics of my present diamond. That's will require many more dollars

 

[catabie]

when i was engaged at 26, i thought size and quality are should be equally important. now at 28 with a baby and more mature, i want my upgrade to be in the colorless range, VVS1, VVS2 and VS1 range and of course ideal/excellent cut.

i can compromise on the size.

oh and also, i probably dont want a named brand one this time around.

 

[LaBoheme]

A balance of both for me...

After several changes and errors I realize that I want at least H/I color and 5-7 cts... Also that 'longer' stones look better on my hand (my first diamond was a round but I need an Oval, EC, Rectang. Cushion, maybe Radiant)

If I had a time machine, I'd get a pretty diamond eternity band...

..for my 'engagement' ring and save the money/time/stress on my 'upgrades' and setting changes etc. until we could get my dream ring.

Re: clarity

~~ If I get a Rectangular Cushion or Radiant diamond, I could probably go down to SI and J color (depending on tint) but an Em. Cut, IMO, has to be clean and bright.

Really, before I croak, I'd like one of each.

 

[royalhyness]

^^ I should have said that I think it depends on which jewelry. Some are ok to sacrifice on the ering. I sacrificed on my earrings. I bought diamond studs last year but think I paid too much for F color, vs, ideal cut. I regret not buying larger and maybe g/h color.

With diamond studs always shoot for a little more on the size over color (not passed I) as a general rule I have even had jewelers tell me this.

 

[royalhyness]

My Dh went with quality over size with my replacement E ring. (I lost my first one.. it was only a 1/2 carat) I have a tiny ring compared to most of you but we can not afford a bigger one:shame:

I have a .50 carat brilliant cut center stone that is I VS1. The other 2 rounds on the sides are F VS1. All the little round diamonds on the sides are F/G VS1. I wear it with my wedding band that matches and all together it is 1.23 carats. I only know all of this because I just had it appraised for insurance

I love my ring and while I think larger diamonds are beautiful and I hope to own some one day I wouldn't trade my ring for anything! I love how much it sparkles!

here is a pic..

Sweetie it is beautiful! And just by you saying that you wouldn't trade it for anything really shows me just how big that stone is.

 

[venusfly]

With diamond studs always shoot for a little more on the size over color (not passed I) as a general rule I have even had jewelers tell me this.

I did quite the oposite and do not regret it. I started out with huge stones a little over 2 ct G color and SI1 ideal cut and regretted it almost immediately. About 8 monhs later I traded up to 1.5 ct E VS1 ideal cut and whenever I open my jewelry box and look at them I always reach for my smaller 1.5 ct E VS1 ideal cut (pictures are in the library if anyone cares to view them.) I am now looking to trade up to D VVS or IF ideal cut in 1.5 ct rather than 2.0 because I prefer that size. I could pony up the additional $$ for the 2.0 but I prefer the way the 1.5 ct looks on me. So smaller and higher quality for me!

 

[isus]

I feel it's how you define quality. It might be obvious that inclusions within a stone lower the "quality" but, think about color, or lack of. Who is to say that a white diamond is "better quality" than one with a bluish tint? The blue diamond may even and probably does cost more.

What about a red diamond. Pretty costly there....is it's quality "less" than a white diamond?

Do you think we've been led to believe that certain "qualities" are more desirable than others? Suppose DeBeers had a large stock of white diamonds all locked up to keep the supply of D-E-F grades low. Suppose there are more white white diamonds available than the "lower grades" that, if realeased, our D-E-F stones "values" would drop tremendously.

I'm just pointing out that often quality is perceived rather than an actual fact. That is, IF you can define what "an actual fact" means.

How DeBeers controls what is available and what they want you to desire and buy ( by their own advertising ) is interesting.

 

[royalhyness]

Quote:
Originally Posted by royalhyness
With diamond studs always shoot for a little more on the size over color (not passed I) as a general rule I have even had jewelers tell me this.

I did quite the oposite and do not regret it. I started out with huge stones a little over 2 ct G color and SI1 ideal cut and regretted it almost immediately. About 8 monhs later I traded up to 1.5 ct E VS1 ideal cut and whenever I open my jewelry box and look at them I always reach for my smaller 1.5 ct E VS1 ideal cut (pictures are in the library if anyone cares to view them.) I am now looking to trade up to D VVS or IF ideal cut in 1.5 ct rather than 2.0 because I prefer that size. I could pony up the additional $$ for the 2.0 but I prefer the way the 1.5 ct looks on me. So smaller and higher quality for me!

Now your case is a little different and not the norm when it comes to

this relaxed rule if you will. Most average people can not afford 1.5 ct

and 2 ct diamond earings. I personally can afford them but just think

they are too big of a size for me to wear. My features are quite small.

Another point, unless your hair is super short and or you wear it up

most times, I find that studs with any kind of stones are harder to see

and therefore harder to determine what quality and size you are wearing

.50ct or 1ct studs. Also you mention grabbing for your smaller 1.5 ct

studs. Remember these are the ones that also are the better grade stone,

VS1 versus SI1 big big difference in my opinion.They obviously speak to you,

they have more spark and personality

Now don't get me wrong I have seen some pretty nice SI 1's out there and

some poor VS 1's that have surprised me, but you say when you open your

jewelry case you reach for the VS 1's see you are looking at those

stones in the same manner as looking at those stones like when they are

set in a ring on a finger. For a diamond(s) in a ring I use a different

approach versus diamond(s)for studs.For the ring on the hand that I am

always seeing myself I shoot for better color and cut. Size in a ring is

important too but I think the first two play more of an importance. Now

with diamond studs, size is nice, don't want little tiny specs, but am

willing to look at the cut and color a little differently.So to some it

up I for example would consider when choosing a diamond for a ring, I

would look at VVS1's - VS2 D-G color 1ct and up, with diamond studs I

would look at VS1's - SI1's F-H color (I color if I love them and they

have great spark and personality)also another reason for my considering

this color is cause I have long hair, and for size .40-1ct max each one

not total weight.

 

[venusfly]

IMO a GIA certificate is merely just a warranty that the dealer is using to represent that I am buying a certain diamond with certain specifications (much like a Certificate of Authenticity that accompanies a Chanel bag). But the eye test is ultimately what makes me love a pure icy white clear which is clear as water and sparkles like crazy. I own GIA diamonds in the ranges D VS1 through G SI1 ideal cut and they don't all sparkle alike or look alike for that matter. This may sound really weird, and I may be the only woman on the face of the earth who feels this way, but I just don't care for fancy colored diamonds. At all. I've just never seen the appeal of colored diamonds even though I know they are far more expensive and prized. Even more weird, I just don't care for any colored stones (rubies, emeralds, etc.)

 

[LaBoheme]

I feel it's how you define quality. It might be obvious that inclusions within a stone lower the "quality" but, think about color, or lack of. Who is to say that a white diamond is "better quality" than one with a bluish tint? The blue diamond may even and probably does cost more.

What about a red diamond. Pretty costly there....is it's quality "less" than a white diamond?

Do you think we've been led to believe that certain "qualities" are more desirable than others? Suppose DeBeers had a large stock of white diamonds all locked up to keep the supply of D-E-F grades low. Suppose there are more white white diamonds available than the "lower grades" that, if realeased, our D-E-F stones "values" would drop tremendously.

I'm just pointing out that often quality is perceived rather than an actual fact. That is, IF you can define what "an actual fact" means.

How DeBeers controls what is available and what they want you to desire and buy ( by their own advertising ) is interesting.

Excellent points, S!

 

[royalhyness]

I feel it's how you define quality. It might be obvious that inclusions within a stone lower the "quality" but, think about color, or lack of. Who is to say that a white diamond is "better quality" than one with a bluish tint? The blue diamond may even and probably does cost more.A WHITE DIAMOND COLOR WISE IS STILL A WHITE DIAMOND. THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE COLOR OF A DIAMOND BECAUSE IT IS A BETTER CUT (QUALITY) IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A DIAMOND HAVING SOME FLORESCENCE TO IT, THESE ARE ACTUALLY CONSIDERED LOWER QUALITY IN THE MARKET PLACE. THERE ARE SOME BEAUTIFUL DIAMONDS OUT THERE THAT DO HAVE A FLORESCENCE TO THEM BUT YOU SHOULD BE CHECKING AND ASKING AND PAYING LESS FOR THEM BECAUSE OF THAT CHARACTERISTIC. BLUISH TINT DIAMONDS DO NOT COST MORE.NOW IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BLUE DIAMONDS THAT IS COMPLETELY A DIFFERENT MATTER.

What about a red diamond. Pretty costly there....is it's quality "less" than a white diamond? A RED DIAMOND IS A FANCY DIAMOND AND YES THEY ARE RARE AND EXPENSIVE. RED DIAMONDS ARE VERY RARE SO EVEN A LESSER QUALITY ONE WOULD STILL BE WORTH MORE THAN A LOT OF GOOD QUALITY WHITE DIAMONDS. QUALITY IS NOT JUDGED BY JUST COLOR, ALSO FANCY DIAMONDS HAVE SEPERATE JUDGING FACTORS APART AND DIFFERENT THEN JUDGING NON FANCY DIAMONDS.

Do you think we've been led to believe that certain "qualities" are more desirable than others? Suppose DeBeers had a large stock of white diamonds all locked up to keep the supply of D-E-F grades low. Suppose there are more white white diamonds available than the "lower grades" that, if realeased, our D-E-F stones "values" would drop tremendously.QUALITY IS QUALITY AND IF WHAT YOU MEAN BY THIS IS QUALITY OF THE CUT, THEN THE ANSWER IS CONFUSING BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT JUST JUDGE EVERYTHING THE SAME. A GOOD QUALITY CUT RB IS BETTER THEN A POOR QUALITY CUT RB, THIS IS A FACT THAT CAN'T BE CHANGED. IF YOU MEAN CERTAIN QUALITIES BEING MORE DESIRABLE SUCH AS THE DIFFERENT CUTS (SHAPES) OF DIAMONDS IE: MARQUIS, ROUND BRILLIANT, EMERALD, ETC THEN YES THE DIAMOND BUSINESS IS A BUSINESS AND WILL LEAD US TO BELIEVE A LOT OF STUFF TO MAKE MORE MONEY. THEY DO THIS ALL THE TIME. FOR EXAMPLE THE JOURNEY PENDENTS, 3 STONES REPRESENTING THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. WHY NOT SELL YOU 3 STONES INSTEAD OF 1,BECAUSE 3 STONES ARE MORE THEN ONE. IF THEY DECIDE TO PUSH A CERTAIN CUT (SHAPE) AND MARKET IT AS BEING SO WONDERFUL AND YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT, THEY WILL AND CAN AND DO. SEE THIS IS ALL MARKETING TOOLS (PLOYS) I CALL IT.
WHAT ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF A MAN'S SALARY THAT "THEY" DICTATE SHOULD BE WHAT ONE SHOULD SPEND ON THAT ENGAGEMENT RING? WHO SAYS SO? THEY DO! AND PEOPLE FALL FOR IT DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
I'M NOT GOING TO COMMENT ON THE DE'BEERS HOARDING (did I just say that) ISSUE AS THAT PROBABLY WOULD GET ME IN DEEP DOO DOO, SO I WILL LEAVE THAT ONE ALONE FOR NOW.
I'm just pointing out that often quality is perceived rather than an actual fact. That is, IF you can define what "an actual fact" means.

How DeBeers controls what is available and what they want you to desire and buy ( by their own advertising ) is interesting.

CONTROLLING IS RIGHT AND I HAVE ADDRESSED THE DE'BEERS ISSUE ABOVE.

REMEMBER THEY ARE A HUGE BUSINESS, AND BUSINESS'S ARE IN BUSINESS TO DO WHAT....CAN'T

HEAR YOU ... A LITTLE LOUDER PEOPLE THAT'S RIGHT TO MAKE M O N E Y:okay:

note : the reason for using capital lettering in bold was just to make it easier for everyone to read my comments, was not shouting or being condescending to anyone.

 

[Daniela7474]

Taralindsey and Jenglory. My hubby went for quality over size as well. It's a .74 ideal RB, and I never thought it was small, but apparently everyone has 2 carat rings! LOL Anyway, I just wanted to say that I have nothing against larger stones and while I wouldn't turn down a larger sized stone for an anniversary band or right hand ring someday far far in the future, I will always only want to wear my original ring and stone, simply because I'm sentimental, and I also think there is a classy and understated elegance a smaller stone brings!