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 » RockyTalky
»  » Where should my priorities be?
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| Pages: 1 of 2: [1] 2 > |
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Where should my priorities be? |
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| P: 12/4/2003 1:12:18 AM | |
j03yk Rough Rock Total Posts: 3 Last Post: 12/4/2003 Member Since: 12/4/2003 |
n00b here; I'd first like to say that this site/forum has been invaluable since my recent decision to pop the big question! Thanks to all who offer guidance and help. I've found that as I have done more and more research, I have inevitably become more and more concerned with quality over quantity. Since I am trying to stay within a budget (<$5000), I started looking at lower carat diamonds with better overall characteristics. After taking a little time off from the frantic search however, I've realized that I may be overshooting my requirements for a diamond. I know that I want an ideal cut, but I'm thinking now that I should sacrifice some of the other qualities in order to achieve the 1 carat mark (what the girlfriend would want  ).My problem is that I know about all the stats and gradings, but I don't have much real world experience with the differences. I don't really care about what's on paper if I won't be able to actually see the differences on my own. I just want a diamond that is going to look stunning, and my impression is that there isn't much visual difference between something like an F,VS1 and an H,SI1 to anyone other than an expert. My question then is: Can I get something like an ideal cut 1 carat H,SI1 diamond that will still be visually stunning, or should I go with a smaller stone with better cut and clarity? |
| Posted: 12/4/2003 1:12:18 AM | |
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There are 59 replies to this message. There are 30 replies on this page. |
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| P: 12/4/2003 1:19:12 AM | |
canadiangrrl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 787 Last Post: 3/19/2008 Member Since: 6/10/2003 |
The simple answer to your question is a resounding yes.  An eyeclean SI1 or SI2 clarity stone will help you maximize your carat weight. I believe you are right in not being overly concerned about what you can't see. In terms of colour, it really depends on your ability to discern colour in diamonds...I would have no problem in recommending a well cut H round brilliant in your size range.
Sursum Corda! |
| Posted: 12/4/2003 1:19:12 AM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 1:33:18 AM | |
strmrdr Ideal Rock Total Posts: 23,296 Last Post: 10/9/2009 Member Since: 11/1/2003 |
H or I and eyeclean si1 is a sweet spot in a great cut for getting the most size while maintaining awesome looks. In some places an I grade carries a stigma because it is pushed as a low budget choice for people who cant afford the good stuff at some places. We know better but it is a consideration. The h grade avoids this. ........... Karl has joined the diamond trade and is now posting as Karl_K |
| Posted: 12/4/2003 1:33:18 AM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 1:52:41 AM | |
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j03yk Rough Rock Total Posts: 3 Last Post: 12/4/2003 Member Since: 12/4/2003 |
Thanks for the replies. I'm glad I got some reassurances in my selection criteria. As with most products, it's easy to get caught up in all the glamour and tend to want the very best that's available, even if that's not really what you need/want. If only I had a limitless supply of money, then there'd be no problem! 
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| Posted: 12/4/2003 1:52:41 AM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 2:08:45 AM | |
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strmrdr Ideal Rock Total Posts: 23,296 Last Post: 10/9/2009 Member Since: 11/1/2003 |
yep if we all had unlimited money then we would all have d-if diamonds 20ct h&a and mined on an astroid. :} ........... Karl has joined the diamond trade and is now posting as Karl_K |
| Posted: 12/4/2003 2:08:45 AM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 2:11:28 AM | |
Mara Ideal Rock Total Posts: 27,922 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 10/30/2002 |
20ct? At least 40ct for me!
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| Posted: 12/4/2003 2:11:28 AM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 2:16:06 AM | |
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strmrdr Ideal Rock Total Posts: 23,296 Last Post: 10/9/2009 Member Since: 11/1/2003 |
---------------- ok ok a 40 for you :} check you pm box. ........... Karl has joined the diamond trade and is now posting as Karl_K |
| Posted: 12/4/2003 2:16:06 AM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 7:52:20 AM | |
sxn675 Cut Rock Total Posts: 456 Last Post: 4/5/2006 Member Since: 11/30/2003 |
You can get something great for your budget. You can get an H-SI1 branded H&A stone that's about .95 carats and a simple platinum setting for $5000 (I know because I picked out my own stone and setting on a similar budget). But, the stones between .95 and 1.00 carats go very quickly, so make sure to be vigilant about your searching. Good luck!
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| Posted: 12/4/2003 7:52:20 AM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 12:50:54 PM | |
Groovy Chick Cut Rock Total Posts: 120 Last Post: 5/26/2007 Member Since: 11/11/2003 |
I totally agree. To me, it's a waste of money paying for qualities that don't make a visual difference to the masses. I mean, okay if everyone walked around with loupes in their pocket it might be a different story! The bottom line is, if you can hit that magic 1 carat mark with your lady's favourite shape stone, then so long as it's no lower than an eye-clean H she will be over-the-moon.
My boyfriend proposed to me last week with the ring of my choice - 1.54ct, G, SI2, pear, and i adore it. I wouldn't go higher than an F and feel my G is a nice compromise. The fact is, size speaks for itself, whereas if you have a "high quality" but small diamond then you have to actually TELL people it's specs in order to get glory which, to me, is really tacky! You end up sounding desperate to impress. Just my humble opinion.
Also, you may want to do some subtle investigation to make sure she definately wants a round stone. I know they're technically "ideal", but women's brains don't center around logic the way a man's does, and some of us get our heart set on a particular fancy shape for various reasons. I'm one of them!
Pear Princess
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| Posted: 12/4/2003 12:50:54 PM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 1:20:44 PM | |
fire&ice Ideal Rock Total Posts: 7,827 Last Post: 3/30/2009 Member Since: 7/22/2002 |
Bottom line is most gals just want a pretty sizeable stone. In a round brilliant this can even be accomplished with a well cut (hear that I did not say super duper louper ideal) I-J/SI stone. Side by side you may be able to see a color difference between more colorless stones; but, once set face up, a I/J will be near colorless. Unfortunately one has to go by "specs" of the 4c's. But, I feel many get caught up with them. When, in the end, most just want a pretty sparkley diamond ring of some quality. Buying a properly graded well cut I/J, you are way ahead of the game than if you went to the maul stores. You could afford a full 1c in the I/J range with plenty left for a great setting for 5K. Good luck.
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| Posted: 12/4/2003 1:20:44 PM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 1:27:39 PM | |
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j03yk Rough Rock Total Posts: 3 Last Post: 12/4/2003 Member Since: 12/4/2003 |
Congrats Pear Princess! Thanks for the advice. I tried some subtle sleuthing a while back and it seemed like she was leaning towards the round, so hopefully that's the right choice. If not I'll just tell her she's not being logical...on second thought, maybe I should try a little more detective work hehe.
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| Posted: 12/4/2003 1:27:39 PM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 3:34:49 PM | |
Jolie Rough Rock Total Posts: 52 Last Post: 11/1/2006 Member Since: 11/10/2003 |
I just wanted to chime in with an alternative view point. I believe there should be a limit to the sacrifices someone makes solely for the sake of getting the biggest engagement diamond (other diamonds don't matter so much to me because they are not necessarily symbols of anything). There is (to me) noticable color in an H stone (just color sensitive I guess - I am usually unable to see any flaws down to SI2, so I know my eyes are not particularly sharp). I don't think having a large (and very flawed stone) to impress strangers is any less tacky than having to tell a stranger it's a D-Fl to impress them. Any attempt to "impress" other people (by either size or clarity/color/whatever) is, IMHO, tacky in itself. But you should care about what your girlfriend wants, as your two opinions on the stone are the only ones that matter. And there are females out there who are not primarily concerned with carat. There is a warm and fuzzy feeling to be had from knowing (regardless of whether or not any strangers or casual acquaintances know it) that you have a rare stone, even if under 1 carat. And a well-cut, D-F color stone will flash impressively regardless of size. We sacrificed size for cut and color and I've never seen a more beautiful stone. Part of my love may be psychological from knowing the stone's specs - but that still still counts! Anyway, if your girlfriend wants to impress people with the sheer size of her stone, then forget everything I just said and make her happy. But be sure that is what she really wants, because not all females are that way. Some may be disappointed to learn that the stone that represents her husband's love is seriously flawed - on the other hand some may want to flash a 2 carat regardless of clarity/color. Maybe you can experiment by noticing other women's rings and see what her reaction is ("who cares about flaws, look at the size - she's so lucky!" or "yeah, that big ring is gaudy and the stone doesn't even look white").
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| Posted: 12/4/2003 3:34:49 PM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 3:49:21 PM | |
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fire&ice Ideal Rock Total Posts: 7,827 Last Post: 3/30/2009 Member Since: 7/22/2002 |
---------------- It's not about what *you* want. It's about what he *stated* his girlfriend wants. Why are you under the assumption that just because one has a large stone they: 1. Must have sacrificed quality for size 2. Must have large rock to impress others Maybe your diamond's not flawed; but, your logic certainly is.
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| Posted: 12/4/2003 3:49:21 PM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 3:53:04 PM | |
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Mara Ideal Rock Total Posts: 27,922 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 10/30/2002 |
Please! The stone is a stone. It doesn't represent any amount of LOVE given...it's a symbol of a promise to be married and join your lives together. I can never get on-board with this frame of thinking. As for 'seriously flawed', that is relative and every person would be different. Your seriously flawed may be H SI2..and in my eyes that would just be 'smart shopping'. To each their own. ________________________________ |
| Posted: 12/4/2003 3:53:04 PM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 4:22:53 PM | |
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Jolie Rough Rock Total Posts: 52 Last Post: 11/1/2006 Member Since: 11/10/2003 |
Um, ok. But I think that if you read my post again, you'll see that I am simply advocating for j03yk to find out whether his girlfriend's priorities are solely the size of the stone. Because that is not the priority of EVERY woman (although it obviously is for some, which I ackowledged). As for "a stone is a stone" - I personally don't believe so. I DO agree that a stone does NOT equal love, but I would sell my diamond earrings in a second if I needed the money, while I would try to hold out as long as possible before I let the wedding ring go, so some stones do hold more symbolism to me. But, whatever - like you said, to each his own. And I'm pretty sure I did not call an SI2 "seriously flawed" because I specifically stated that I cannot even SEE a flaw in an SI2 stone. I did, however, state that I can see color in an H stone, which I very definitely can. If that doesn't bother anyone (some people prefer the color) then more power to them. But not every woman wants a yellow stone. And I am not advocating people to spend as much money as possibly on something as trivial as jewelry (I did state that trying to impress anyone with your jewerly is tacky). But for the money that a couple does intend to spend, sometimes small and precious can give as much joy as large and flawed, and I stand by that statement. So whether you want to spend $500, $5,000, or $50,000 - consider all 4 C's - not just carat weight. Of course it's a trade-off between the 4 C's to get the best diamond for whatever finite amount of money you want to spend. My bottom line was that different people value different aspects of the 4C's, so it's best to recognize that fact before purchasing.
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| Posted: 12/4/2003 4:22:53 PM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 4:45:34 PM | |
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Jolie Rough Rock Total Posts: 52 Last Post: 11/1/2006 Member Since: 11/10/2003 |
You know what, forget everything I previously said. I was responding to other responses in the thread instead of responding to the original post, which is what I should have done. I apologize for that. Here's my revised answer to j03yk in a nutshell: I believe that most SI1 stones will be "visually stunning" if cut well, so that shouldn't be a concern (my naked eyes never pick up the inclusions). Although an inclusion on the table might be visible; it all depends on the size and location of the inclusions on any individual stone. But if you just want eye-clean, no need to spring for a VVS or VS, usually. As for color, I personally can see color in an H stone (I'm sorry, but I can). But many people apparently cannot. So the H-SI1 stone may suit you. My 2 cents.
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| Posted: 12/4/2003 4:45:34 PM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 5:16:47 PM | |
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fire&ice Ideal Rock Total Posts: 7,827 Last Post: 3/30/2009 Member Since: 7/22/2002 |
---------------- If that is your bottom line then fine. You have a right to this opinion. Reread your post. It is when you are convinced that one sacrifices quality to get a large stone. Or, that you are convinced that someone buys said large stone simply to impress others. And the equation to flawed diamond = flawed relationship is just plain irresponsible. Reread your orginal post & most of your posts. You have the right to your preferences. But to transcend your preference to state that anyone without a D/IF stone is shallow (only cares what others think & sacrifices quality *only* to *afford* a larger stone to impress) is crossing the line. Quite frankly, I wouldn't buy a D/IF stone as IMHO, it doesn't represent a certain value that *I* expect. And, I put my views forth to these young men to express that what "preceived" quality may not be quality in the reality of the eye. If they still choose the D/IF with full support of their to be, then more power to them. This boy wants to buy a stone that pleases his fiance. I think that is admirable. He put his preference for a "preceived" quality stone aside to get the love of his life what *she* desires - size. All posts have pointed to good value in relation to size for his budget.
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| Posted: 12/4/2003 5:16:47 PM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 5:32:52 PM | |
aljdewey Ideal Rock Total Posts: 8,236 Last Post: 2/11/2008 Member Since: 11/25/2002 |
.......and adding on to F&I's thoughts for just a minute......
There are many women who want larger stones because it impresses *them*, not because it impresses others.
I just went through this myself (on a much smaller scale!).....I started looking for a .95, ended up with a 1.244. Why? Because I could get that size without making sacrifices on color/clarity that were outside of my comfort zone.
I would have been happy with the .95 stone....absolutely. But I KNOW the 1.24 will look better on my hand (most of my other jewelry is moderate sized too.....not so big that I can't lift my hand, but you don't have to strain to see it, either.) I wouldn't have dropped down to a K color to get that size.
I'll enjoy wearing the 1.244 tremendously, but I'll also feel a bit self-conscious that others will think we 1) have a ton of money or 2) spent a fortune. I don't like to draw attention to myself. But I didn't pick the stone for anyone else will think, I picked it because it pleases me.
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| Posted: 12/4/2003 5:32:52 PM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 5:38:24 PM | |
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fire&ice Ideal Rock Total Posts: 7,827 Last Post: 3/30/2009 Member Since: 7/22/2002 |
let me do this again.
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| Posted: 12/4/2003 5:38:24 PM | |
| P: 12/4/2003 5:40:50 PM | |
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Mara Ideal Rock Total Posts: 27,922 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 10/30/2002 |
Don't lie AL...you know that you picked it to please ME!
I knew I'd hook you in somehow. Remind me to slip WF that $20 later...HAH.
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| Posted: 12/4/2003 5:40:50 PM | |
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