shape
carat
color
clarity

How did you decide?

m1918

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Oct 10, 2018
Messages
130
Hello!

I’m currently trying to decide what I’d like for an engagement ring but I’m having trouble. Mostly because I want everything!

I’ve gone and tried on a few settings (at Lauren B.) and am torn.

I would love a CBI three stone ring or a CBI diamond in a cushion shaped halo.

BUT I also drool over everyone’s AVC diamonds which I think for me I would just love in a solitaire or with a pave band. I especially love those diamonds because it’s unlike anything any of my friends or colleagues have. At the same time, no one has a CBI either.

So my question is— how did you all decide on what you wanted?!

And how can I decide for myself? Would it be crazy to order both diamonds just to examine them in different lighting?
 

CHRISTY-DANIELLE

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jul 10, 2017
Messages
2,547
You can't go wrong with either of those! I've seen a cbi in person, an outstanding sparkle bomb. And the AVC is legend.
I guess you have to start by deciding which pulls you more? A round or cushion?
I like all the shapes, but round (and old cut) for me ultimately.
 

monipod

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jun 25, 2019
Messages
1,041
I love all shapes so I struggled to choose. Then I decided to gradually acquire one of everything I love :D
I am talking about regular rings though. For an engagement ring, a classic shape is probably best? So a round or cushion? Nothing wrong with getting stones in hand to see which one really appeals to you :)
 

gregchang35

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Messages
3,416
agree with the others abotu seeing the stones nad seeing which one grabs you more. there is nothign wrong with liking something now and then later saying, i want another stone, but smaller or a RHR.

I knew that i was not a MRB person. I am bery much a step cut and an old cut person.

have fun decisidng.
 

distracts

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Oct 11, 2011
Messages
6,131
I don’t think it’s at all crazy to order both stones to see them in different lighting.

As for how I decided - I tried on a bunch of different things - not just a few but a LOT at a lot of different jewelers - until I narrowed down what I liked. First I knew I wanted pave, then I knew I wanted a three-stone, then I knew I specifically wanted the sidestones to be trillions or half-moons. Once I saw the setting I ended up getting, I couldn’t imagine any other. I also looked at quite a few different sapphires, and I knew mine was “the one” because it just was... there wasn’t any second-guessing once I saw it. It wasn’t an intellectual process, really, I just looked at it and fell in love.

Sometimes it’s easier to judge how much you like a thing by comparing it to another. If you can compare CBI to AVC at the same time, it may become quite clear which you want as your engagement ring. Then from there you can decide on a setting with that particular stone in mind if you like different things depending on the shape.

You may also think - while no one you know has a CBI, people DO have round brilliant diamonds, and probably RB three-stones and RBs in halos. No one would have an AVC, and far fewer people will have cushions. Are you more a go with the flow kind of person or a stand out from the crowd kind of person? Is your personal style more classic or more different? In terms of the ring, halos and pave are definitely “fussier” and for someone who is willing to take more care of their rings. A solitaire or three-stone without pave can be knocked around quite a bit more and is easier to clean if you get caked-in grime (for instance, if you wash your hands and get soap that can’t be rinsed out in the prongs, or apply lotion over your rings, both things I never do with mine - I put the soap on the palm side of my hands and the tips of my fingers and avoid the gems entirely). So it’s worth thinking of your personal style AND your personal tolerance for taking care while wearing your ring and taking it off for activities unsuited for pave.
 

Snowdrop13

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Aug 27, 2011
Messages
2,960
Gosh, I chose my ring from about 4 in a jewellery store! This was in the 1990’s, so well before the internet was widely available and everyone shopped that way. It certainly made the decision easier. I’d definitely make sure you see all the options in person. I had thought I wanted one style of ring, then found a different style looked perfect, I expect the same will be true of different stone cuts too.
 

distracts

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Oct 11, 2011
Messages
6,131
Gosh, I chose my ring from about 4 in a jewellery store! This was in the 1990’s, so well before the internet was widely available and everyone shopped that way. It certainly made the decision easier. I’d definitely make sure you see all the options in person. I had thought I wanted one style of ring, then found a different style looked perfect, I expect the same will be true of different stone cuts too.

Yes... what I thought I wanted from looking at pictures was totally different than what I actually liked on my hand!
 

kenny

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 30, 2005
Messages
33,225
I don’t think it’s at all crazy to order both stones to see them in different lighting.
...

+1

I've done that.
The shipping was a small price to pay for the education I got from seeing two candidates side by side, in person, for a few days in many different environments and lighting.
 

foxinsox

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 18, 2015
Messages
4,061
Hello!
I’m currently trying to decide what I’d like for an engagement ring but I’m having trouble. Mostly because I want everything!

(...)

And how can I decide for myself? Would it be crazy to order both diamonds just to examine them in different lighting?
Hello!! and no it would not be crazy, it would be extremely sensible! For all the imaging and measurement, there's nothing better than looking at them with your own eyes. I hope you do this and post us many many pictures!
For my part, i just didn't like modern cuts and my eyes liked old cuts. So I didn't have any choice to make ;)2
 

m1918

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Oct 10, 2018
Messages
130
I don’t think it’s at all crazy to order both stones to see them in different lighting.

As for how I decided - I tried on a bunch of different things - not just a few but a LOT at a lot of different jewelers - until I narrowed down what I liked. First I knew I wanted pave, then I knew I wanted a three-stone, then I knew I specifically wanted the sidestones to be trillions or half-moons. Once I saw the setting I ended up getting, I couldn’t imagine any other. I also looked at quite a few different sapphires, and I knew mine was “the one” because it just was... there wasn’t any second-guessing once I saw it. It wasn’t an intellectual process, really, I just looked at it and fell in love.

Sometimes it’s easier to judge how much you like a thing by comparing it to another. If you can compare CBI to AVC at the same time, it may become quite clear which you want as your engagement ring. Then from there you can decide on a setting with that particular stone in mind if you like different things depending on the shape.

You may also think - while no one you know has a CBI, people DO have round brilliant diamonds, and probably RB three-stones and RBs in halos. No one would have an AVC, and far fewer people will have cushions. Are you more a go with the flow kind of person or a stand out from the crowd kind of person? Is your personal style more classic or more different? In terms of the ring, halos and pave are definitely “fussier” and for someone who is willing to take more care of their rings. A solitaire or three-stone without pave can be knocked around quite a bit more and is easier to clean if you get caked-in grime (for instance, if you wash your hands and get soap that can’t be rinsed out in the prongs, or apply lotion over your rings, both things I never do with mine - I put the soap on the palm side of my hands and the tips of my fingers and avoid the gems entirely). So it’s worth thinking of your personal style AND your personal tolerance for taking care while wearing your ring and taking it off for activities unsuited for pave.

This is so helpful! Did you ever feel uncomfortable trying on rings at stores? I don’t want to feel like I’m wasting a sales person’s time.

You make a good point about people having MRBs. I guess in my head I imagine the CBIs will just be total showstoppers and so it would stand out from other MRBs.

I would definitely say my style is classic but I still want something a bit different.
 

m1918

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Oct 10, 2018
Messages
130
+1

I've done that.
The shipping was a small price to pay for the education I got from seeing two candidates side by side, in person, for a few days in many different environments and lighting.

So it’s not bad practice? I guess I just feel weird buying something knowing that I’ll be returning it...
 

m1918

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Oct 10, 2018
Messages
130
Hello!! and no it would not be crazy, it would be extremely sensible! For all the imaging and measurement, there's nothing better than looking at them with your own eyes. I hope you do this and post us many many pictures!
For my part, i just didn't like modern cuts and my eyes liked old cuts. So I didn't have any choice to make ;)2

I will definitely post pictures if I order them! The pictures people post on here have been so helpful.
 

elizat

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Mar 23, 2013
Messages
3,999
I would try to see what you like in person.

Is there a CBI dealer near you?it's worth the education.

I think that the options you are looking at are incredibly different, so it makes sense to see them in person and have some time to consider it.

I would not be able to land on just one ring or one diamond for the rest of my life probably. That's probably why I have an oval, a pear, an emerald cut, rose cuts, a cushion, and a few different old cuts... I only have modern round studs because that isn't a cut that suits me. Hang around long enough and it's dangerous!
 

m1918

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Oct 10, 2018
Messages
130
I would try to see what you like in person.

Is there a CBI dealer near you?it's worth the education.

I think that the options you are looking at are incredibly different, so it makes sense to see them in person and have some time to consider it.

I would not be able to land on just one ring or one diamond for the rest of my life probably. That's probably why I have an oval, a pear, an emerald cut, rose cuts, a cushion, and a few different old cuts... I only have modern round studs because that isn't a cut that suits me. Hang around long enough and it's dangerous!

I’m in MA and I don’t see any dealers listed nearby. I will be in London at the end of the month and saw they have CBI dealers there so maybe I can go take a look.

I think that seeing the two side by side there would be a clear winner. Or at least I hope so!

And you’re right, I can always build my collection later on in life! PS has opened my eyes to so many beauties. Definitely dangerous!
 

whatamilookingat

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 7, 2019
Messages
86
I've always liked plain round solitaires, but for a while there I was really loving the look of rounds in a cushion halo and cushions in a halo. My husband ended up getting me an inexpensive cushion cut aquamarine in a cz halo. It's pretty and was fun to wear, but after the novelty of a different cut and style wore off, I realized that I didn't really want that for my engagement ring upgrade. It sort of satiated my desire for something new and different I suppose, and eventually I went back to being content and confident in a round solitaire. That's not to say that I wouldn't love to try a different cut diamond for a right hand ring eventually (especially a fat emerald). Definitely try seeing the cbi and avc side by side as discussed above. It's nothing to feel bad about, and I'm sure both vendors would want you to be completely confident in the choice you make. Regarding setting styles, perhaps you could order cheap rings in the general style you desire and wear them around until you decide what you like best.
 

hypermom

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Feb 19, 2013
Messages
473
I have a CBI diamond and would love an AVC so you have a tough decision. If you can order both and compare them side by side, that is the absolutely best way to decide. Don’t feel guilty!
Cushions do face up smaller than rounds at the same weight. But personally I would go lower in color for an AVC; I’d prefer j/k whereas for a CBI I’d go f/g/h. Antique stones or in this case newly cut antique stones look better in lower colors imo.
Please do post pictures/videos if you get both. Just watch the required return by date or you may realize your dream of owning both!
 

RunningwithScissors

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Apr 29, 2019
Messages
3,699
I think the looking and the trying on different styles/cuts/etc is the fun part! If you can, try the same cuts on different days because sometimes our moods and many other factors can affect how we perceive them. One day a stone/ring might be more/less appealing to us than it will on a different day.
 

m1918

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Oct 10, 2018
Messages
130
I've always liked plain round solitaires, but for a while there I was really loving the look of rounds in a cushion halo and cushions in a halo. My husband ended up getting me an inexpensive cushion cut aquamarine in a cz halo. It's pretty and was fun to wear, but after the novelty of a different cut and style wore off, I realized that I didn't really want that for my engagement ring upgrade. It sort of satiated my desire for something new and different I suppose, and eventually I went back to being content and confident in a round solitaire. That's not to say that I wouldn't love to try a different cut diamond for a right hand ring eventually (especially a fat emerald). Definitely try seeing the cbi and avc side by side as discussed above. It's nothing to feel bad about, and I'm sure both vendors would want you to be completely confident in the choice you make. Regarding setting styles, perhaps you could order cheap rings in the general style you desire and wear them around until you decide what you like best.

That’s so smart to get some cheap CZ rings and try out the different styles! Thanks for sharing.
 

Polabowla

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Nov 15, 2019
Messages
1,866
I always wanted a heart ever since I saw an ad with one in the NYT (as a teen).
When I got engaged, I was presented with a finished ring , round w side stones & not my style at all.
I wore it sometimes for sentimental reasons but I never enjoyed it.
I longed for the heart for years.
It just called to me .

My point is, don't rush. Try on as many as you like. Take your time & eventually you will find what you love & what speaks to you.

(In case you're wondering, dh gifted me the heart ring of my dreams a few months back. )
 
Be a part of the community Get 3 HCA Results
Top