The hunt continues for my engagemnet ring!
- Thread starter luv2ownabirkin
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Thank you so much everyone for all of your input! I have taken everything into account... your input was really helpful... I drove all the way to Toronto again today with my mom, sis, brother's gf, and mom's friend to get some more opinions... I have made a decision and I am happy with it.....
Drumroll please...........
I have decided on the RIBBON RING! It was really weird... I was leaning towards (ever so slightly) to the solitaire when I left Tiffanys the last time... and today, it was the opposite~~~ It was tough... because almost everyone was team solitaire at first...
My reasons for my choice:
1. It suits me... It looks like it was made for me. I got my brother's gf to try it on and the SA to try it on (who was wearing a gorgeous 1.8carat custom ring btw) and I realized how different it looked on all of us... Although the SAs there liked the solitaire... my company all agreed that it looked like the ribbon was made for me.
2. I realize that it could get boring after sometime.... but the I could definitely feel the same about the solitaire.... I have small hands and fingers so even if I wanted to dress up the solitaire later and play with other bands.... I don't think I'd look good with more than my e-ring and wedding band on my finger...
3. I felt like my bf was leaning toward the ribbon ring even though he said he liked both the same... I could just tell...
4. The solitaire looked beautiful on my brother's gf and suited her very well, but I didn't see the same effect on my finger.... (which is weird because it looked great the first time I tried it on at the other store the other day). It could have been because I purposely did not dress up and did not wear nail polish and trimmed my nails...
In any case... I felt like I was wearing someone else's ring... (could be because it was 2 sizes to big too...)
5. The more i think about it I feel like I made the right decision...
Now comes another hurdle just as I thought I had gotten through the worst part...
My bf wants me to give him an idea of carat, clarity, and color!!
The prices are so different for different combinations ... It's mind boggling!
Would you go:
1. 1.23 carats, H colour, VVS1 for ~18,800 CAD
2. 1.04 carats, F colour, VS2 for ~ 16 600 CAD
3. 1.02 carats, H colour VVS1 for ~ 14, 800 CAD
4. Look for a F/H/G diamond VS1-VS2 in the 1.2 carat range.... for around 17,000 if possible
The ribbon ring actually looks better with smaller stones so there aren't many available with a larger carat size and 1.24 is the highest I would go...
Please help me out once more!!
Drumroll please...........
I have decided on the RIBBON RING! It was really weird... I was leaning towards (ever so slightly) to the solitaire when I left Tiffanys the last time... and today, it was the opposite~~~ It was tough... because almost everyone was team solitaire at first...
My reasons for my choice:
1. It suits me... It looks like it was made for me. I got my brother's gf to try it on and the SA to try it on (who was wearing a gorgeous 1.8carat custom ring btw) and I realized how different it looked on all of us... Although the SAs there liked the solitaire... my company all agreed that it looked like the ribbon was made for me.
2. I realize that it could get boring after sometime.... but the I could definitely feel the same about the solitaire.... I have small hands and fingers so even if I wanted to dress up the solitaire later and play with other bands.... I don't think I'd look good with more than my e-ring and wedding band on my finger...
3. I felt like my bf was leaning toward the ribbon ring even though he said he liked both the same... I could just tell...
4. The solitaire looked beautiful on my brother's gf and suited her very well, but I didn't see the same effect on my finger.... (which is weird because it looked great the first time I tried it on at the other store the other day). It could have been because I purposely did not dress up and did not wear nail polish and trimmed my nails...
In any case... I felt like I was wearing someone else's ring... (could be because it was 2 sizes to big too...)
5. The more i think about it I feel like I made the right decision...
Now comes another hurdle just as I thought I had gotten through the worst part...
My bf wants me to give him an idea of carat, clarity, and color!!
The prices are so different for different combinations ... It's mind boggling!
Would you go:
1. 1.23 carats, H colour, VVS1 for ~18,800 CAD
2. 1.04 carats, F colour, VS2 for ~ 16 600 CAD
3. 1.02 carats, H colour VVS1 for ~ 14, 800 CAD
4. Look for a F/H/G diamond VS1-VS2 in the 1.2 carat range.... for around 17,000 if possible
The ribbon ring actually looks better with smaller stones so there aren't many available with a larger carat size and 1.24 is the highest I would go...
Please help me out once more!!
Ayayayai~~~ Now that I have chosen a style... I have the same thing to worry about! They say if you're going to go up... go up in colour and not clarity or size.... I know H will be good enough as I actually don't see a noticeable difference between H and G and even F (although I can see the difference between an H and I). I want to go for the 1.23 H... but I think 'Hey, I could get a really nice F but it's only 1.04.. but maybe it's worth it....' Is that not crazy especially since I said I don't notice a difference~~`? Would you go for the 1.23 or 1.04 ???
Yay! Team ribbon... Oh this part is hard too... Some things to consider.
1. How strong is the pressure for you to have a high color/clarity? (my family is pretty traditional Chinese and all my friends that got engaged have an F color stone. Also, they prefer VVS. And sometimes VS. Culturally they stresses color and clarity and looks down on drops for size. *they are a picky bunch*! I originally told them we tried for a G stone first and they gave me thay "why are you stupid" face. Haha in the loving way older relatives always do! so take into consideration how you would feel if it was below the standard between family and friends.)
2. The sides of the ribbon are open. So you will be able to see more color on the side than a different setting.
3. If your boyfriends mom is paying for it, will people think or talk smack if your stone is bigger? And think what is her budget
..... Of the three you picked, I'll probably be in minority but I like F VS2 1.04.... But if you want more size I'd try to find a G VS stone.... Providing you are willing to go to G to get size. It's still a beautiful color!
Isnt it funny how different rings for for different people? I went in wanting an emerald or cushion then found it looks horrendous on me. My sisters hand was made for w chunky cushion. And I think my mom has a gaudy setting but then on her it looks great!
1. How strong is the pressure for you to have a high color/clarity? (my family is pretty traditional Chinese and all my friends that got engaged have an F color stone. Also, they prefer VVS. And sometimes VS. Culturally they stresses color and clarity and looks down on drops for size. *they are a picky bunch*! I originally told them we tried for a G stone first and they gave me thay "why are you stupid" face. Haha in the loving way older relatives always do! so take into consideration how you would feel if it was below the standard between family and friends.)
2. The sides of the ribbon are open. So you will be able to see more color on the side than a different setting.
3. If your boyfriends mom is paying for it, will people think or talk smack if your stone is bigger? And think what is her budget
..... Of the three you picked, I'll probably be in minority but I like F VS2 1.04.... But if you want more size I'd try to find a G VS stone.... Providing you are willing to go to G to get size. It's still a beautiful color!
Isnt it funny how different rings for for different people? I went in wanting an emerald or cushion then found it looks horrendous on me. My sisters hand was made for w chunky cushion. And I think my mom has a gaudy setting but then on her it looks great!
absolutely agree! my vote always goes for clarity over carat. however if it were me, id hold out for a vvs1, f color
congrats on making your decision
My original 1.33 H VS1 solitaire (~16k USD in 2007) was gorgeous so I would go for carat. The Tiffany diamonds tend to be cut so well that, in my opinion, it makes the diamond look whiter, regardless of rating, because of the sparkle. Maybe its just in my head though. 
I would tell your bf to ask to sit with a diamond specialist there and have them go through the computer system with your parameters in hand and see whats out there. When I did my upgrade they *happily* mailed in a ring from Honolulu, a ring from Beverly Hills, and a ring from NYC for me to look at. All three were at the store (Boston) within 3 business days so its pretty quick too. Did you take any pictures of the ribbon ring on your finger while you were there? I've never seen it modeled and would love the eye candy! 
I would tell your bf to ask to sit with a diamond specialist there and have them go through the computer system with your parameters in hand and see whats out there. When I did my upgrade they *happily* mailed in a ring from Honolulu, a ring from Beverly Hills, and a ring from NYC for me to look at. All three were at the store (Boston) within 3 business days so its pretty quick too. Did you take any pictures of the ribbon ring on your finger while you were there? I've never seen it modeled and would love the eye candy!
I know~~~ everyone looks so different~!! I think I realized yesterday that it has to look good on YOU~!
My original 1.33 H VS1 solitaire (~16k USD in 2007) was gorgeous so I would go for carat. The Tiffany diamonds tend to be cut so well that, in my opinion, it makes the diamond look whiter, regardless of rating, because of the sparkle. Yes.. I have heard this too... Apparently sometimes if the diamond is exceptional or higher quality/colour... the diamond could look bigger~~~ Maybe its just in my head though.
THat would be ideal... but since there is a budget, my bf and I want to go ffor a VS1 with whatever colour we decide.... I was told that to our unaided eyes, VS1 and VVS1 doesn't make a difference and won't be perceived... I was told to go up in colour though~~~
Aiyayai~~~ I look and hear 1.02 and I should be grateful, but I have always just known that I wanted a 1.2+... It's hard to wrap my head around.... Now that I know how much people value quality over size... I'm trying to see this way too because it makes sense....
************f0000][/COLOR]
************f0000]I think I would feel a tad disappointed just because I now it is so low in carats... (especially when I almost was about to choose a 1.37 solitaire)[/COLOR]
Okay... I really hate to do this.... I've been biting my tongue for a while now.... I feel like you all might hit me after this if you could... 
But I am kicking myself for not trying on the NOVO ring infront of my mom, sis, and company yesterday when I made a 2 1/2 hour trip to get their opinions on the ribbon ring and classic tiffany setting... I know I said I tried it on and quickly decided that it wasn't the right ring... but this was because I knew I was limited in carats.... This ring is bottom heavy and even if you go higher in carat, you don't see a huge difference... I would definitely have considered this ring if I could get a 1.5 (which doesn't even look like a 1.5) but I'm curious to see how it would look on my finger with a band as well which I never had the chance of seeing.... What are your thoughts on the tiffany NOVO? At one point in time, I did love the design more than the ribbon... I am tempted to ask my SA to see what kind of carat/quality combo I could get for approximately 20,000 including tax... What do you think? (I do love the ribbon... but the NOVO is beautiful too) SAWEE!! :shame:
But I am kicking myself for not trying on the NOVO ring infront of my mom, sis, and company yesterday when I made a 2 1/2 hour trip to get their opinions on the ribbon ring and classic tiffany setting... I know I said I tried it on and quickly decided that it wasn't the right ring... but this was because I knew I was limited in carats.... This ring is bottom heavy and even if you go higher in carat, you don't see a huge difference... I would definitely have considered this ring if I could get a 1.5 (which doesn't even look like a 1.5) but I'm curious to see how it would look on my finger with a band as well which I never had the chance of seeing.... What are your thoughts on the tiffany NOVO? At one point in time, I did love the design more than the ribbon... I am tempted to ask my SA to see what kind of carat/quality combo I could get for approximately 20,000 including tax... What do you think? (I do love the ribbon... but the NOVO is beautiful too) SAWEE!! :shame:
Okay... I really hate to do this.... I've been biting my tongue for a while now.... I feel like you all might hit me after this if you could...
Hahah don't worry about it! A lot of us have been through this exact same thing and totally understand the uncertainty and confusion when making such a big and important decision. I think you'll find a lot of support for the Novo on this forum but in my opinion, the diamonds in the band majorly take away from the solitaire stone. Its also less recognizable as Tiffany if that matters to you, in my opinion. I'd say stick with the ribbon or classic but if not having tried it on really eats at you, you should try to drive back or find someplace closer that has a similar style so you can at least get an idea. Good luck!
