2.5 carat or 3.5 carat? What would you choose?

[pmpkn42]

I have quite a dilemma on my hands. Choosing between a 2.5 or a 3.5 carat cushion. There are pros and cons to each of course. The 2.5 is the cleaner stone, VS2, J/K color (faces up super white) and is a very nice pillow shape with smaller facets then the 3.5, but has more fire. The 3.5 is a L/M very clean SI1 with only a small cloud, no black spots and also faces up white. It is more of a circular cushion, and not as "pillowy" as the first. It is a better cut with chunkier facets, but doesn''t have as much fire as the smaller stone. There is a size-able difference between the two (obviously- over 1 mm difference!). There is also a price difference, but the 3.5 is the better value for its size. Both are old cushions from the same time period. The smaller would be set in a halo or micro-pave setting, the 3.5 would be left as a solitaire as I think it would be massive to put anymore diamonds near it!

I just don''t know what to do, I keep changing my mind. I think it''s because I''d feel guilty about the 3.5 even though it doesn''t look ridiculously big on me (I''m 6''1" with larger hands and fingers than your typical 5''6" woman). What would help you decide if you were in my position? I feel like if I got the 3.5 I''d NEVER upgrade (obviously), but if I got the smaller stone I''d want to upgrade in the future to maybe a 3 carat, thus spending more money in the long run. Ugh! I''m so confused.

 

[Tuckins1]

Myself, I would take the 2.5 I like the more pillow-shape cut and the smaller facets. Just my personal preference.

 

[lovegem]

Date: 7/20/2008 8:32:14 PM
Author:pmpkn42
I feel like if I got the 3.5 I''d NEVER upgrade (obviously), but if I got the smaller stone I''d want to upgrade in the future to maybe a 3 carat, thus spending more money in the long run. Ugh! I''m so confused.

I think you have already made up your mind. You wouldn''t be happy with the smaller stone, because you want to upgrade it. With the bigger stone, you will keep it as it is. The answer is obvious.. the big stone.

Or you keep looking until you see a big stone with good fire... there are more than 2 stones out there...

 

[pmpkn42]

Date: 7/20/2008 8:38:27 PM
Author: lovegem

Date: 7/20/2008 8:32:14 PM


I think you have already made up your mind. You wouldn''t be happy with the smaller stone, because you want to upgrade it. With the bigger stone, you will keep it as it is. The answer is obvious.. the big stone.


Or you keep looking until you see a big stone with good fire... there are more than 2 stones out there...

Oh I totally agree. I love both actually. Both are rare antique stones, which I totally love. I think it will be quite a while before I find another one over 2.5. I wouldn''t want to upgrade the smaller stone right away, I''m talking 10 years or so down the line. Plus, the BF wouldn''t allow me to trade it in, we''d simply be buying another stone and keeping the original ER for sentimental purposes.

 

[angeline]

3.5. Set that baby on a simple plat LM solitaire, a la Boston Jeff, and call it a day! Yummo!

Simple, gorgeous, huge.

 

[glitterata]

I think it would be easier to help if you showed us some pictures, don''t you?

 

[somethingshiny]

I would go with whatever one "speaks" to you.

Myself, I have large hands (I wear a size 10), so I agree that while a 3.5 would look HUGE on an average hand, on a larger hand it is perfectly fine. I prefer chunky faceting and would sacrifice on clarity to get it. While I really love the pillowy shape, I really like cushions with a more rounded appearance when they have chunky facets.

Good Luck, I''m sure either will be wonderful!

 

[tberube]

Well, since you asked: I'd pick the 2.5 because of higher color, better shape (the rounder ones are too "oval-ly" for me), and because 2.5 is my favorite diamond size (and my personal "limit").

 

[Shoopy]

My my what a great problem to have

I would go for the 2.5. It''s still a large stone and from what you describe is better quality. As far as upgrading for a larger one later, you don''t really know for sure if you would or wouldn''t...or if you would or wouldn''t upgrade a 3.5 for that matter. Only time will tell.

either way I''m sure it''ll be beautiful

 

[Itgirl76]

I think without seeing it I like the 2.5...but what I really think is you should post some pictures so we can see for ourselves

 

[pmpkn42]

One has a video, the other the pictures don''t do the stone justice, as it''s beautiful in person. Here''s the 3.5... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hLMUHKQb98

Both have been seen by me in person, I''m not going off photos, but the "real thing".

 

[iheartscience]

Wow, the 3.5 is awesome! So chunky and I LOVE the open culet. Although I haven''t seen the 2.5, I would go for the 3.5 if I were you. It seems like you''re leaning that way anyway, and at 6''1" you can definitely pull it off! Go big!

 

[luvstheflash]

I''m a size girl myself and the video does show a beautiful stone....I''d probably end up with the big one!

 

[decodelighted]

The symmetry of the 3.5 bothers me. When I look at the picture face on it looks a bit lopsided. I''m sure in person the sparkle knocks any crazy thoughts like that right out of one''s head but it would not be "the" stone for me.

Actually, I really like their 2.20 OEC the best. And I''m not even a "round" person AT ALL. But it looks YUM.

 

[lovegem]

heck, this is a crazy stone under the sun.

It looks very white face up....I also see a bit of warmth sideway.

 

[pmpkn42]

Yeah, I was shocked to see a "lower" color grade stone that looked whiter than any GIA certified J I''d seen! That''s why I can''t even consider going for a modern cut stone- the antique cuts are much nicer in my opinion, and they have character!

 

[isaku5]

That is really a tough one to call.

! I love the faceting of the 3.5 and don''t see a problem with symmetry, but I also love the shape and whiteness of the 2.5.

Sorry I can''t be of help; you''ll have to go with your eyes with both stones. Good luck!

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Overall, I prefer pillow shaped cushions. I think even that size would look great in a solitaire, but I love the idea of a halo.

 

[pmpkn42]

Thanks guys, I know, tough call! That''s why I think I''m leaving it up to the BF! He knows the pros and cons of both, so he can make the final decision. I''ll keep you posted on what the final decision is.

 

[S&M]

I would personally prefer the 2.5. For me, anything larger than 2ct is too big. But that is just me.

 

[Madam Bijoux]

I would go for the one with the most fire. If size is your deciding factor and the 3.5 doesn''t have enough fire, I would look for another 3.5 that has more fire.

 

[purrfectpear]

I prefer Erica/Grace''s 3.5 if the 2.5 is OWA16674 at Old World.

 

[Amzizzle]

That 3.5 is lovely.I love those facets,but I''m a sparkles girl and if the 2.5 had more fire.go for that one

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/21/2008 7:17:29 AM
Author: Madam Bijoux
I would go for the one with the most fire. If size is your deciding factor and the 3.5 doesn''t have enough fire, I would look for another 3.5 that has more fire.

Ditto.