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Upgrade from .5 to 1 carat

Polished

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Feb 28, 2012
Messages
1,160
From what I can make out, your heart wants a solitaire as your engagement ring. Also the issue for you is that you look down at your hand and the band and diamond blend in too much together. I wonder if you got a band that tapered more towards the diamond you would be happier with the look. Ie it might not be diamond size that is the problem as much as the look of the ring on your finger. Correcting this, and choosing a head that could be adapted for a bigger stone at some point, I think would address the problem of the ring and diamond blending in together. It feels like better options are turning up in the lab mined diamonds area and it might be worth biding your time. I have a .68 diamond on my size 4 finger in a Mark Morrell (I'm not suggesting anything this exxy for you) setting teamed with a channel set tiffany diamond band. I love the taper, I love the size and the diamond is definitely the star.

Just a word on thrift. I think sometimes it's important to know when to break your own rules. Working out how much something means to you, how much joy and satisfaction you'll get out of the purchase and out of your wedding is important. It comes across that your engagement ring, in spite of yourself! seems to mean quite a lot. My brother in law (who is a very well off mining engineer out in Western Australia) has a very frugal wife and when they were in Vienna they decided not to go to a special music concert there because the tickets were expensive. For a couple of complete classical music buffs I thought this turning down of a once in a lifetime experience was a shame.
 

DoeEyes

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
628
I am just reading all the replies even though I'm not responding to everything. I really appreciate every reply. I think I'm realizing I really don't know what I want right now, and all of your replies are really helping me chew on this decision in my head.

I did always want a much more tapered band. I was convinced by people here and my jeweler not to go too thin. Maybe I'll take it in and ask him to give it a more obvious taper. I just wouldn't want to damage the integrity to the point that it will break off if I hit it on something.

And just wait for Lightbox to stop being so stingy. :lol:

Maybe take a trip to a couple of the pawn shops and see what I find, comparing things to my current ring. Biggest concern is that I won't know if it's a real diamond unless I can see inclusions, and I won't know if there are cracks or any issues. Probably really risky for me to buy a non graded stone from a pawn shop on my own.
 
M

Marriedbuteloped

Guest
I would sell you my 1 ct. lightbox since my ring "high" is also gone. LOL. But mine is princess cut.
I understand how you feel. But for me it is the setting I question. So I am glad I spend not that much money on the diamond but my Art Carved setting was expensive.
I suggest you wait for the LB 1ct. as well. Everything else is just too expensive in case you change your mind again even if you can afford it. Because then you not only regret the ring, you also regret spending a lot of money on it.
And your ring is pretty and beautiful. But it's not us you want to please. :)
And I wanted to mention this. I live in a very liberal part of the US and we have a lot of younger friends and couples. I also teach a class with a lot of young, very modern women. I see a lot of diamond rings on newly proposed or married fingers. There is definitely a trend to smaller diamonds or alternatives like color stones. Now I don't know if these women have mined or MMDs but a lot of them are conscious buyers. I can see a trend where the engagement ring disappears all-together. Then I wonder how I feel about my ring. Will I never wear it again, downsize, turn it back into a necklace? None of that should influence me but I know myself. I am immune to most marketing but this one is different.
I do buy (and sell) most of my diamonds on ebay as well. I spend a long time looking and researching and I have had pretty good experiences. But it is exhausting and I don't know why I do it. I don't have that much time. And on most days I don't even wear jewelry. I guess it's just another form of addiction.:) And I have a new one: A Cartier ellipse ring in yellow gold, and I am obsessing how to dress it up with a watch and bracelet....and how it will look with my LB ring ??!! :)
 

DoeEyes

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
628
I would sell you my 1 ct. lightbox since my ring "high" is also gone. LOL. But mine is princess cut.
I understand how you feel. But for me it is the setting I question. So I am glad I spend not that much money on the diamond but my Art Carved setting was expensive.
I suggest you wait for the LB 1ct. as well. Everything else is just too expensive in case you change your mind again even if you can afford it. Because then you not only regret the ring, you also regret spending a lot of money on it.
And your ring is pretty and beautiful. But it's not us you want to please. :)
And I wanted to mention this. I live in a very liberal part of the US and we have a lot of younger friends and couples. I also teach a class with a lot of young, very modern women. I see a lot of diamond rings on newly proposed or married fingers. There is definitely a trend to smaller diamonds or alternatives like color stones. Now I don't know if these women have mined or MMDs but a lot of them are conscious buyers. I can see a trend where the engagement ring disappears all-together. Then I wonder how I feel about my ring. Will I never wear it again, downsize, turn it back into a necklace? None of that should influence me but I know myself. I am immune to most marketing but this one is different.
I do buy (and sell) most of my diamonds on ebay as well. I spend a long time looking and researching and I have had pretty good experiences. But it is exhausting and I don't know why I do it. I don't have that much time. And on most days I don't even wear jewelry. I guess it's just another form of addiction.:) And I have a new one: A Cartier ellipse ring in yellow gold, and I am obsessing how to dress it up with a watch and bracelet....and how it will look with my LB ring ??!! :)

Do you really want to sell it? I don't think I want princess cut but maybe?
 
M

Marriedbuteloped

Guest
Do you really want to sell it? I don't think I want princess cut but maybe?
I have thought about it yes. But I would only sell it in the setting. I then need to sell it for $2000 to cover my cost and I don't think I would get that much as there is no market for resale of LB diamonds yet. I also have this irrational fear that LB will not make more 1ct. princess cuts and I have one of the few ones out there. Crazy I know.
I really do like the diamond just not sure about the setting. So I could have it reset but I don't want to sink in more money. Plus I have to let some time go by or my family will intervene. :) I think I will just wear it for now and see how it holds up. I go to Germany alot and maybe I have it re-set there later this year as it is not so expensive and they have the more low key, flat, bezel settings. I did not mean to "tempt" you with an offer. But wanted to tell you that I have similar feelings...
 

rockhoundofficiando

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Feb 25, 2014
Messages
243
1 carat white princess is in stock right now at Lightbox for $900
 
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DoeEyes

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
628
1 carat white princess is in stock right now at Lightbox for $900
Thanks, I actually saw that and looked at a bunch of threads of 1 carat process cut rings and couldn't get super excited about any of them so I decided I need the round. Not going to risk another ring I don't love! Just checked again and the princess is sold out now! Really wish LB was better about this. Seems like they are just playing games and it's annoying.
 

FutureChocolateMLK

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Mar 11, 2018
Messages
1,072
Thanks, I actually saw that and looked at a bunch of threads of 1 carat process cut rings and couldn't get super excited about any of them so I decided I need the round. Not going to risk another ring I don't love! Just checked again and the princess is sold out now! Really wish LB was better about this. Seems like they are just playing games and it's annoying.

That’s because they are. :lol: Simple supply and demand, unfortunately. Something they are very good at, and have done it with the diamond industry. Make something seem “rare” and “special” and be a symbol of “status” and you have a recipe for success. As soon as those 1 carat rounds hit the website, they’ll be gone in a matter of minutes. What’s genius for the business is not so profitable for the consumer. The sad part is, the more they do it...the more we covet what they are offering, myself included! :confused2:
 
M

Marriedbuteloped

Guest
That’s because they are. :lol: Simple supply and demand, unfortunately. Something they are very good at, and have done it with the diamond industry. Make something seem “rare” and “special” and be a symbol of “status” and you have a recipe for success. As soon as those 1 carat rounds hit the website, they’ll be gone in a matter of minutes. What’s genius for the business is not so profitable for the consumer. The sad part is, the more they do it...the more we covet what they are offering, myself included! :confused2:

I agree, DeBeers is a case study for perfect marketing. How to make a customer want something that is completely useless and then make them pay a huge price for it. Genius!
 

OoohShiny

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 25, 2014
Messages
8,228

@frogplus now that Lightbox has finally come out with the white 1 carat but with a hole drilled into it, this is a great opportunity!
That seems to me to be a slightly weird listing...

Says it came with a grading report that stated it was 'natural' (i.e. Mined) but then goes on to say they can't state what colour and clarity the stone is??
 

DoeEyes

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
628
Just saw this and it's sold. ☹️
I might just get the lb one with the hole in it and take it to my jeweler to see if they can cover the hole with a prong. Will that hole cause structural weakness though?
 

kmoro

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Sep 13, 2018
Messages
1,081
Just saw this and it's sold. ☹️
I might just get the lb one with the hole in it and take it to my jeweler to see if they can cover the hole with a prong. Will that hole cause structural weakness though?

I think that would be one heck of a big prong ... maybe even unsafe to put a prong there.
 

DoeEyes

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
628
I think that would be one heck of a big prong ... maybe even unsafe to put a prong there.
Crap. I just ordered it. Now I'm thinking you're right, it's really not on the edge like I was thinking.

I almost want to cancel the order before they process it but I'll only be out $15 if it ends up not working out. The return shipping is free.
 

cmd2014

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Aug 6, 2014
Messages
2,541
I wonder if you might be better off buying a natural (mined) diamond from a place with a good upgrade policy. I worry that if you keep upgrading with mmd’s, you’ll end up spending as much as you would have for a natural diamond, with a lot less to show for it.
 

DoeEyes

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
628
I wonder if you might be better off buying a natural (mined) diamond from a place with a good upgrade policy. I worry that if you keep upgrading with mmd’s, you’ll end up spending as much as you would have for a natural diamond, with a lot less to show for it.

I've considered that but I honestly don't think I'll upgrade again. I never really wanted half carat, I always wanted a carat, I just got it because it was the only thing available when LB launched and I didn't want to delay my engagement. On one hand it was stupid to pull the trigger when I suspected it might be too small, on the other hand the proposal was perfect and I'm so glad to be planning our wedding now instead of waiting for Lightbox.

My fiancé already thinks me spending $1k for a full carat upgrade is too much and not worth it, so I definitely don't want to spend more than that. If I'm going to upgrade at all I think it's going to have to be LB.

Honestly I keep going back and forth thinking $1k for a little bigger ring is ridiculous and I should just be happy with my ring. But I do think I'll be happier with the right size.
 
M

Marriedbuteloped

Guest
I'd say wait for the 1 carat necklace. That way you can see how the 1 ct looks like and if it's worth waiting for another LB one. I would not take the one with the hole as a ring.

You don't really risk anything except $15. That to me would be worth the certainty. LB will churn out more of these. And I saw a small pink one for resale on Ebay. So there is movement coming.

Now I love the idea of the floating LB necklace. It looks fantastic. It would also go so well with your ring.:)
And they have done a clever thing again and supplied a round 1ct. that can not be turned into a ring. Darn DeBeers. Always one step ahead of our desires.
 

DoeEyes

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
628
I'd say wait for the 1 carat necklace. That way you can see how the 1 ct looks like and if it's worth waiting for another LB one. I would not take the one with the hole as a ring.

You don't really risk anything except $15. That to me would be worth the certainty. LB will churn out more of these. And I saw a small pink one for resale on Ebay. So there is movement coming.

Now I love the idea of the floating LB necklace. It looks fantastic. It would also go so well with your ring.:)
And they have done a clever thing again and supplied a round 1ct. that can not be turned into a ring. Darn DeBeers. Always one step ahead of our desires.

So just to clarify you're saying look at the one that comes just to make sure that's the right size and everything, but don't get that one turned into a ring with the hole in it? Return it no matter what and wait for the pendant necklace in 1 carat?
 
M

Marriedbuteloped

Guest
Yes! Because you mentioned you wanted to cancel your order. Might as well wait and see how it looks.

Of course you could also keep it as a necklace as that would look great with your sleek ring. And then get another one and make it into a ring once they have round once again stock.....I know I know too much LB!
 

DoeEyes

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
628
Yes! Because you mentioned you wanted to cancel your order. Might as well wait and see how it looks.

Of course you could also keep it as a necklace as that would look great with your sleek ring. And then get another one and make it into a ring once they have round once again stock.....I know I know too much LB!
Understood! I definitely would not keep it as a necklace. I'm not in a position to be owning thousand dollar necklaces. The engagement and wedding ring are the only diamonds I need to have right now!
 

prinsad

Shiny_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 4, 2018
Messages
380
Did the necklace come in?!
 

DoeEyes

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
628
Did the necklace come in?!

No, Lightbox is a shitshow. They sent the wrong necklace and it was never even delivered and now they said they sent the right one and it was supposed to be delivered today but tracking now says Monday.

In their defense they refunded my shipping charge and sent me a gift card for a future purchase.
 

prinsad

Shiny_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 4, 2018
Messages
380
No, Lightbox is a shitshow. They sent the wrong necklace and it was never even delivered and now they said they sent the right one and it was supposed to be delivered today but tracking now says Monday.

In their defense they refunded my shipping charge and sent me a gift card for a future purchase.

Ugh!!!!! Well I mean it’s the least they can do! I’m just following your diamond journey so I’m excited to see if it works out.
 

MissStepcut

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jun 29, 2011
Messages
1,723
No, Lightbox is a shitshow. They sent the wrong necklace and it was never even delivered and now they said they sent the right one and it was supposed to be delivered today but tracking now says Monday.

In their defense they refunded my shipping charge and sent me a gift card for a future purchase.
Well they need to send me a gift card too because they're killing me! :lol:
 

DoeEyes

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
628
FedEx attempted to deliver this morning but my fiancé must have been in the bathroom or something because he said he missed it. :cry:
 

DoeEyes

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
628
Why not get two more .5 and make a 3 stone? (Pardon if this has been discussed before)
I really want a solitaire for my engagement ring. I do love 3 stone rings but not for this.
 
M

Marriedbuteloped

Guest
FedEx attempted to deliver this morning but my fiancé must have been in the bathroom or something because he said he missed it. :cry:

This is not meant to be....no no no don't think that! It's just crazy....
 
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