Compromising on size (...diamond size, that is)

[ChloeTheGreat]

As I''m ring shopping and setting my budget, I''m trying to decide on stone size. I thought I wanted to go bigger with a 1.5c set in a halo. Now I''m thinking with the settings I like I could pull off a 1c and save quite a bit of money and it should look fine on my finger.

Wondering if anyone has any experience with compromising on stone size...I''d love to hear some success stories!

 

[neatfreak]

How is it compromising if you like the smaller size?

 

[ChloeTheGreat]

Well, I really just think I''m stuck on the number and how nice it would be to say I have 1.5 carats. (I''ve tried on 2 carats and it actually looks way to big on my fingers) I''m trying to get away from the NUMBER and focus more on the quality I''ll get for the money.

 

[ChloeTheGreat]

Also, maybe "compromising" isn''t the right word...

I just mean, I''d like to know if anyone thought they wanted a larger stone and ended up falling in love with a smaller stone. I''m worried I may regret not getting a bigger center stone.

 

[HVVS]

I haven't examined the prices lately but a 1.25ct used to sell for only about 10% more than a 1ct and will look plenty bigger haloed. I wanted about a 1.6mm stone to get 7.5mm diameter. But I never found a bargain on one and tired of waiting. What I ended up trading up to is a 1.35ct but F color and 7.2mm diameter. It is in a 6 prong head in a setting with sidestones and it looks like 1.5ct. I think the bright white color makes is look bigger than it would look if, say, it were J color. Nobody would confuse it with a 1 ct.

 

[ChloeTheGreat]

Thanks HVVS,

I will have to check out some prices. And also compare the stone sizes on my finger!
Glad to hear you were able to find a stone that looks big!

 

[swingirl]

What is your budget? Maybe you could compromise in color or clarity to get the largest stone. You also could put the money from the halo towards a bigger stone and upgrade the setting (or stone) down the road.

 

[ChloeTheGreat]

Swinggirl,

I''ve considered doing a solitaire for now and adding the more ornate setting later, but I think the perfect setting is more important to me than the stone. I have a small solitaire promise ring in a plain 4-prong setting and I''m so bored with it...it''s just not my style anymore!

We have been looking in the $10-12k range, but I think I would feel much better about spending $8-10k and I think I''d still be happy with the results. The halo settings that I''ve liked the most have been priced at $2-3k, which leaves about $6-7k for a center stone.

I am still examining all my options. (and enjoying the sparkly process)

 

[Gleam]

I haven''t heard of anyone yet who regrets getting the bigger stone... I think people usually regret that they didn''t go bigger in the first place. If you find that you don''t perceive significant difference between 1.5 carats and 1 carat, in terms of size, then why bother with the upgrade? The halo will add substantially to the visual impact of the center stone, so perhaps you are better off with 1 carat.

I''ve never looked at 1 carat compared to 1.5, so I''m not really sure what the visual difference is... but I would spend all my money on the center stone first and worry about a halo or setting later. Just my opinion.

 

[LilyKat]

My own opinion is that if you''re getting a halo, diamond size matters less than if it''s a solitaire - because it''s more about the whole ring, rather than just the diamond. If you''re happy with a 1ct, and don''t think you''ll regret it in the future, don''t feel obligated to get the largest for your money - go with what you think looks best. However if you WANT a larger diamond and can afford it, then go for it!

 

[Londongirl1]

Date: 12/27/2009 3:32:51 AM
Author: LilyKat
My own opinion is that if you're getting a halo, diamond size matters less than if it's a solitaire - because it's more about the whole ring, rather than just the diamond. If you're happy with a 1ct, and don't think you'll regret it in the future, don't feel obligated to get the largest for your money - go with what you think looks best. However if you WANT a larger diamond and can afford it, then go for it!

Ditto. BTW, I can't think of many women who would think "the perfect setting is more important to me than the stone" but to each his own