Age vs. diamond size/type?

[Taylorbug!]

Question.....do you think that age has alot to do with the type of rings all the ladies here are wearing and/or getting? Obviously the "in thing" seems to be Halo''s. But do you think in years to come they will be "so 2010?". We have seen styles come and go.

Basically, do you think that this generation prefers "halo''s" to solitaires or 3 stone?

Post your age with a picture of your ring.....


This should be Interesting!!!

 

[AprilBaby]

I am 50 and I had a yellow gold solitaire .38 in 1980. Changed it to a 3 stone in 2000. My SIL has a marquise, married in 1988. Screams 80''s to me. The Princess cut seems to be going out, as it says to me 2000-2008. The Three stone says 2000-2003. I think the Halo will go the same way in the next 10 years and something else will take its place. I am loving the cushion right now but have no plans for another change.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/17/2010 1:55:37 PM
Author:Taylorbug!
Question.....do you think that age has alot to do with the type of rings all the ladies here are wearing and/or getting? Obviously the 'in thing' seems to be Halo's. But do you think in years to come they will be 'so 2010?'. We have seen styles come and go.

Fashion goes in cycles and jewellery is no exception. I think halos have become a classic but we might see less of them over the next few years, but they will still be an option.

 

[RaiKai]

Styles come, and they go, and some of them come back around again!

Halo''s are of course a new twist on an old style. I do however thing they are very 2009-2010 (and for a few more years I imagine yet) and I do think in a few years there will be a new "trend" and halos will be identified with this current time.

Channel settings always seem to be 1990''s to me.

I also find age of the couple does matter. Most of the people I know who are in around their mid-twenties getting engaged are going with halos. Those who are in my peer group (thirties) are sticking with fairly classic solitaires (maybe with some pave). I know for myself when I was seeking a custom design I wanted something quite simple (with a bit of flair) to keep a fair balance between timeless and unique.

Some styles just never really seem to go out of style (like Tiffany-style solitaires) and many find a resurgence (like vintage/antique style settings).

I think the key is to choose something you love, as there is no guarantee that something won''t ever become "dated". Though you might get lucky too. And, if you are open to resets, well, then you can buy what you love....every few years

 

[Firestone]

Halos appear to be very popular right now. I suspect you are correct and that in time they will be considered dated like other styles have been. At this point halos are so common that they are starting to look ordinary to me. I do believe there is a correlation between age and style preference but I don''t know if this generation prefers halos. None of the young women I know have halos but that may not be representative. I always thought halos gave the perception of a larger stone and it may be appealing to people who can not purchase a large stone. Although I have seen some large stones with halos. Probably the safest route for a timeless look is a round solitaire. I firmly believe all of this is a marketing ploy by the diamond industry to get repeat business.

 

[Cinna]

I also look in the clearance sections of jewelry stores to see what they consider "out of season"
It sometimes shows me a hint of what's considered "outdated fashion of jewelry".

 

[yssie]

I think this must be very geographical as well - I've not seen a single halo IRL in SF city, on old or young. I saw three in the space of two hours when we went to visit NYC late last year.

 

[kenny]

Whatever fashion is supper duper sizzling hot now is more likely to fall out of fashion in time.

As far as age vs. diamond size type I think large asschers are the way to go for the over-40 set.
The large facets and bold pattern is custom made for aging eyes which can no longer resolve small detail.

 

[oddoneout]

Date: 3/17/2010 5:46:58 PM
Author: kenny
Whatever fashion is supper duper sizzling hot now is more likely to fall out of fashion in time.


As far as age vs. diamond size type I think large asschers are the way to go for the over-40 set.

The large facets and bold pattern is custom made for aging eyes which can no longer resolve small detail.

Haha.

 

[Lula]

Styles do come and go, and some styles are certainly "recycled." For example, when I was married the first time in the 1980s, I had what I thought was a stylin' ring for the time, a yellow gold criss-cross setting, which was a knockoff of a Tiffany ring (long gone from the Tiffany line!).

It looked very much like this David Yurman, which is a fairly new design in that company's bridal line!

 

[luckynumber]

personally, i think halos will date, and soon. they seem very "noughties" to me, and i see them falling out of favour already.

to me, they always seemed to be a way to make a small diamond look bigger (in the same way very small diamonds are clustered closely to give the impression of one large stone) but people DO halo very large stones these days.

i know lots of people love halos, but i only prefer them for colored stones, to add contrast.

solitaires are classic, with the fancy shapes adding a little something different than a standard round

to each his own

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 3/17/2010 2:00:41 PM
Author: AprilBaby
I am 50 and I had a yellow gold solitaire .38 in 1980. Changed it to a 3 stone in 2000. My SIL has a marquise, married in 1988. Screams 80''s to me. The Princess cut seems to be going out, as it says to me 2000-2008. The Three stone says 2000-2003. I think the Halo will go the same way in the next 10 years and something else will take its place. I am loving the cushion right now but have no plans for another change.

April
you didn''t need to post your age

most women wearing a YG Ering are in their 50''s.

 

[HVVS]

"halos are so 2009-2010" -- hehe! The initial PS halo movement kicked off around 2006-2007. I bought mine ''way back in 2004. Before the craze hit PS. I think it was even before I found PS. I bought a couple of halo semi mounts on eBay. Nice 18k and great pave'' and only $7510 to $1100 each for them too, with .85 to over 1ct of nice diamonds in them. Now, those were the days, lol! The bigger halo is still sitting in my safe deposit box, unused. One thing about the halos: If they go out of style for bridal jewelry, they will make fantastic gemstone rings.

 

[Lula]

Date: 3/17/2010 7:27:51 PM
Author: HVVS
''One thing about the halos: If they go out of style for bridal jewelry, they will make fantastic gemstone rings.

Ditto this, HVVS!

 

[HVVS]

Date: 3/17/2010 7:27:27 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 3/17/2010 2:00:41 PM
April

you didn't need to post your age

most women wearing a YG Ering are in their 50's.

Not necessarily. Some less urban areas with only "maul" jewelers to choose from were just starting to switch to white metals about 1.5 years ago. Here, everyone wears yellow gold. I was wearing a big halo pave' ring and waiting in a checkout line behind a woman who had about a 1.5ct diamond in a big halo setting. So, of course, I complimented her on her beautiful ring. When she saw I had one that rivaled it, she looked momentarily outraged. Hostile, at least. Didn't even say "Thank you." Oh, well. I thought I was going to find someone here to talk jewelry, at last. No dice, lol. That's small town life.

 

[Lula]

Date: 3/17/2010 7:27:27 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 3/17/2010 2:00:41 PM

Author: AprilBaby

I am 50 and I had a yellow gold solitaire .38 in 1980. Changed it to a 3 stone in 2000. My SIL has a marquise, married in 1988. Screams 80''s to me. The Princess cut seems to be going out, as it says to me 2000-2008. The Three stone says 2000-2003. I think the Halo will go the same way in the next 10 years and something else will take its place. I am loving the cushion right now but have no plans for another change.

April

you didn''t need to post your age

most women wearing a YG Ering are in their 50''s.

Or men over 50. Or hipsters wearing high-karat-YG.

Which category are you in, DF?

 

[zhuzhu]

Date: 3/17/2010 7:27:27 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 3/17/2010 2:00:41 PM

Author: AprilBaby

I am 50 and I had a yellow gold solitaire .38 in 1980. Changed it to a 3 stone in 2000. My SIL has a marquise, married in 1988. Screams 80''s to me. The Princess cut seems to be going out, as it says to me 2000-2008. The Three stone says 2000-2003. I think the Halo will go the same way in the next 10 years and something else will take its place. I am loving the cushion right now but have no plans for another change.

April

you didn''t need to post your age

most women wearing a YG Ering are in their 50''s.

DF,
I don''t know where you get your data from? Why would you assume that "most women"wearing yellow gold ering are in their 50''s? There are plenty of younger women loving the look of YG. Is it really necessary to generalize people based on ering preference?

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 3/17/2010 7:40:08 PM
Author: sarap333

Date: 3/17/2010 7:27:27 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 3/17/2010 2:00:41 PM

Author: AprilBaby

I am 50 and I had a yellow gold solitaire .38 in 1980. Changed it to a 3 stone in 2000. My SIL has a marquise, married in 1988. Screams 80''s to me. The Princess cut seems to be going out, as it says to me 2000-2008. The Three stone says 2000-2003. I think the Halo will go the same way in the next 10 years and something else will take its place. I am loving the cushion right now but have no plans for another change.

April

you didn''t need to post your age

most women wearing a YG Ering are in their 50''s.

Or men over 50. Or hipsters wearing high-karat-YG.

Which category are you in, DF?

no matter their age...Chinese people been wearing high kt gold for the past 3000 yrs.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 3/17/2010 7:41:55 PM
Author: zhuzhu

April

you didn''t need to post your age

most women wearing a YG Ering are in their 50''s.

DF,
I don''t know where you get your data from? Why would you assume that ''most women''wearing yellow gold ering are in their 50''s? There are plenty of younger women loving the look of YG. Is it really necessary to generalize people based on ering preference?

zhu...do a survey if you don''t believe me.

 

[Black Jade]

Date: 3/17/2010 7:27:27 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 3/17/2010 2:00:41 PM

Author: AprilBaby

I am 50 and I had a yellow gold solitaire .38 in 1980. Changed it to a 3 stone in 2000. My SIL has a marquise, married in 1988. Screams 80''s to me. The Princess cut seems to be going out, as it says to me 2000-2008. The Three stone says 2000-2003. I think the Halo will go the same way in the next 10 years and something else will take its place. I am loving the cushion right now but have no plans for another change.

April

you didn''t need to post your age

most women wearing a YG Ering are in their 50''s.

This is so true. I''m 53, yellow gold solitaire, .38 (married in 1983). Friends my age who married at the same time all have the same, ranging from about .10 to .50, in a high-set ''TIffany'' style. We ALL had this ring until about 1985 when the marquise set if YG came in style. After that, it was the ''wraps'' for awhile. Off of Pricescope, IRL where people don''t upgrade (at least around here), you can tell when a woman got married by the style of her ring. If I see a woman my age wearing a white gold, princess cut ring, I immediately think, divorced and remarried, and its usually true. It''s the women in their early thirties now who have princess cuts in white metal, that are still in their original marriages.

It''s been like this, I think , since engagement rings first started. When I was young, all the moms (married in the fifties) had YG solitaire engagement rings (usually with larger diamonds than ours! From before the price spike in the late 70''s, early 80''s). The grandmothers had white gold or platinum, filigree art deco rings (married in the teens or 20''s). No new bride in the early 80''s wanted such a ring--if you inherited one, you would have reset it.

My mom is foreign and she had a diamond ring, but it was unusual. It was a large older cut set in very pink rose gold. I never saw another one like it. All her friends (from her country) had colored stone engagement rings, usually their birthstone. These were solitaires, not the ''marguerite style'' which is the term that I heard from older days for the colored stone rings with haloes, like Princess Diana''s sapphire.

I don''t remember very large stones in any ring, whether or not it was diamonds. Rings with large stones and large jewelry in general was considered to be tacky and old-fashioned. It was the fifties look of cocktails rings that our mothers wore--not us. Until big jewelry came in style again following TV shows such as Dallas and Dynasty.

It''s not just engagement rings that go in and out of fashion--its wedding rings, too. We all had plain yellow gold bands, somewhat wide. The engagement ring was thin, and the wedding ring was wide. Our mothers had plain gold bands, but smaller and more rounded looking. I can tell someone is a more recent marriage if they have a diamond wedding band of any sort. However, around where I live, the anniversary bands for longer married people (people who have celebrated anniversaries like 10, 15, 20 years) are common. Many ladies in their fifties have removed their original wedding set entirely and are instead wearing a diamond band of some sort, five stone, or seven stones. I know one lady who openly said she was doing because her engagement ring was too small according to current tastes. However, when we all found out that she had a D color, high clarity stone, very well cut too, and actually a .50, we all encouraged her to put it back on, which she did (making her husband very happy). Other women though don''t wear engagement rings after years of marriage because they don''t fit well after weight gain, or because they get in the way while caring for home and kids (many in this area have many children, 4-6 I think is average and I have friends with as many as 9 or 10). Wearing a wedding band alone is considered to be just fine.

The couple of women that I do know who have what are considered really really large rings in this area (1.5-2 carats) are both the second wives of widowers. Well, there is one lady who has a 2 carat princess from her first husband who she is still with--but its a guilt rock. They had to sell their home due to poor financial decisions and he felt so bad that he gave her the huge ring as an appeasement (out of the sale of the house money). So now she has this large ring--but lives in an apartment. I don''t quite get this but its not my business.


P.S.--I did get another solitaire for a significant anniversary, but its not my engagement ring and I don''t wear it as such but as a RHR--I still wear the original. the new one is .65, set in platinum, otherwise just like the old one. This is what looks good to me--probably because I''m middle aged and stodgy. When I was given a very large jewelry gift, I chose stud earrings, not a larger ring. I don''t really know why. I thought it was because I have smaller fingers--but my fingers are actually bigger than many on P-scope who have very large stones that look nice from what I can see in photos. Because it wasn''t what I''m used to seeing (except when I go to NY)? Because I didn''t want to outshine my e-ring that I got when I was married, that I would never stop wearing? I really have no idea, but while I went with a really good color (F) and an excellent cut (AGS 000), I didn''t get something that was big.

 

[Black Jade]

I don''t think it''s the lady''s age alone that her e-ring tells you about. I think it also tells you something about background and social class in many cases and sometimes political opinions. I go often to NY where I have family who works in law firms and Wall Street (big status-y rings, 2 carats or so, in touch with the latest styles) and friends who are more artsy types. These last won''t go near ''blood diamonds'' and their jewelry is usually silver and seems relatively less stentatious and expensive--until they start telling you which exotic foreign country that''s unusual and expensive to go to that they got the particular piece in. I work in a college, where the secretaries do diamonds, but the professors don''t. They also do the museum quality foreign jewelry. My university is one of the New England Ivy Leagues ones and when I go there, there''s yet another set of people--Old Money--very old in a lot of cases (as in, we came on the Mayflower and we never flaunt ANYTHING). They have restrained clothes and even more restrained jewelry and while they definitely have diamonds, I never see one that looks even remotely like ''bling'' if you know what I mean. Which they definitely look down on, though their manners are so good that you have to know them a long time and know them really really well to realize that they are looking down on something. They have this self-deprecating thing they do that actually means that YOU have done something that they disapprove of in some way, but its subtle and easy to miss.

 

[AprilBaby]

I am still wearing the YG in my 3 stone cause I love it, so no offense taken DF. My daughter, who is 22, wants a yg ring after years of saying only white gold for her. I think it is coming back!!! PROUD to be 50!

 

[Taylorbug!]

April....I have had it all yellow gold, white gold and platinum. And love them all, the white metals just look better with my skin color....

 

[lightningbug]

Date: 3/17/2010 8:24:56 PM
Author: Black Jade
I don't think it's the lady's age alone that her e-ring tells you about. I think it also tells you something about background and social class in many cases and sometimes political opinions. I go often to NY where I have family who works in law firms and Wall Street (big status-y rings, 2 carats or so, in touch with the latest styles) and friends who are more artsy types. These last won't go near 'blood diamonds' and their jewelry is usually silver and seems relatively less stentatious and expensive--until they start telling you which exotic foreign country that's unusual and expensive to go to that they got the particular piece in. I work in a college, where the secretaries do diamonds, but the professors don't. They also do the museum quality foreign jewelry. My university is one of the New England Ivy Leagues ones and when I go there, there's yet another set of people--Old Money--very old in a lot of cases (as in, we came on the Mayflower and we never flaunt ANYTHING). They have restrained clothes and even more restrained jewelry and while they definitely have diamonds, I never see one that looks even remotely like 'bling' if you know what I mean. Which they definitely look down on, though their manners are so good that you have to know them a long time and know them really really well to realize that they are looking down on something. They have this self-deprecating thing they do that actually means that YOU have done something that they disapprove of in some way, but its subtle and easy to miss.

I agree with this. My arty friends with money wouldn't be caught DEAD in a diamond for 1001 political reasons ~ and besides, they collect 'experiences' not 'things.' My professional Ivy-league friends with Old Money simply don't wear big diamonds -- if diamonds at all -- because they see them as ostentatious displays of new money that can be bought off the shelf or ordered from a catalog. They don't actually SAY anything, but there's a raised eyebrow and a vague whiff of "If you've got it, you don't need to flaunt it, and if you do...? Well, that's just a little tacky, isn't it?"

They buy stocks and bonds, instead.

Fortunately, I don't fall into either category.

As to the age issue: I don't think it's about AGE, per se, so much as the year you get engaged. Just like clothing or furniture, jewelry has style cycles. When I was engaged 10 years ago (too young!), I had a yellow gold band with a small solitaire. Now I wear a platinum halo. What can I say? I'm a product of my culture.

 

[RaiKai]

Date: 3/17/2010 7:27:51 PM
Author: HVVS
''halos are so 2009-2010'' -- hehe! The initial PS halo movement kicked off around 2006-2007. I bought mine ''way back in 2004. Before the craze hit PS. I think it was even before I found PS. I bought a couple of halo semi mounts on eBay. Nice 18k and great pave'' and only $7510 to $1100 each for them too, with .85 to over 1ct of nice diamonds in them. Now, those were the days, lol! The bigger halo is still sitting in my safe deposit box, unused. One thing about the halos: If they go out of style for bridal jewelry, they will make fantastic gemstone rings.

Oh I know they have been around longer. A close friend bought a gorgeous diamond in Dubai to have it made into a halo to propose to his GF back in 2005. It was spectacular and very original at the time around here at least!

For me it became the *trendy* setting in only the last couple years at least around my city when more B&M stores carried them more as part of their standard offerings (and so more non PSers now knew about them!) and that is what has had me thinking they will come to be "dated".

And you are right - they are awesome for RHRs with gemstones. I have always preferred them that way...but that is more as I just can''t carry one off as an ering as some women seem to be able to do quite naturally!

 

[gardengloves]

Date: 3/17/2010 8:24:56 PM
Author: Black Jade
I don't think it's the lady's age alone that her e-ring tells you about. I think it also tells you something about background and social class in many cases and sometimes political opinions. I go often to NY where I have family who works in law firms and Wall Street (big status-y rings, 2 carats or so, in touch with the latest styles) and friends who are more artsy types. These last won't go near 'blood diamonds' and their jewelry is usually silver and seems relatively less stentatious and expensive--until they start telling you which exotic foreign country that's unusual and expensive to go to that they got the particular piece in. I work in a college, where the secretaries do diamonds, but the professors don't. They also do the museum quality foreign jewelry. My university is one of the New England Ivy Leagues ones and when I go there, there's yet another set of people--Old Money--very old in a lot of cases (as in, we came on the Mayflower and we never flaunt ANYTHING). They have restrained clothes and even more restrained jewelry and while they definitely have diamonds, I never see one that looks even remotely like 'bling' if you know what I mean. Which they definitely look down on, though their manners are so good that you have to know them a long time and know them really really well to realize that they are looking down on something. They have this self-deprecating thing they do that actually means that YOU have done something that they disapprove of in some way, but its subtle and easy to miss.

Brilliant observations Black Jade. I know a bit of this community from DH who is a New England sailor with loads of sail friends from the region. Sail, not power boat... very important distinction!. Very restrained dress, khakis with maybe a pink or blue and white stripped button down Brooks Brothers shirt,, and proper boat shoes, the ultimate signal of class, foul weather gear in deep orange - the jewelry vintage one of a kind subtle Cartier pieces, incredible but oh so restrained. The real signal is those brick colored boating pants for the guys, with maybe a navy blue blazer, but much better with a full foul weather jacket. For the guys, maybe plaid shorts with a tropical shirt - that's a big look too. Boating skills are utterly respected.. Most of these women I've meet can tie up at dock with proper knot, launch, anchor, take the wheel, hoist sails, do galley duty, whip up a cocktail on the high seas and have incredible boat skills along with some fabulous understated jewels which do not come off for the boating adventure, - its just the culture. Another note, high seas do not faze anyone, including the women, its just a blow- they button down, and everyone braces up.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I am sure my split shank is going to go out of style. Good thing I am getting a super tiny split so it is barely there

I think this is why a round solitaire is so popular - it is literally timeless.

 

[Miss Sparkly]

Date: 3/17/2010 7:27:27 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 3/17/2010 2:00:41 PM
Author: AprilBaby
I am 50 and I had a yellow gold solitaire .38 in 1980. Changed it to a 3 stone in 2000. My SIL has a marquise, married in 1988. Screams 80''s to me. The Princess cut seems to be going out, as it says to me 2000-2008. The Three stone says 2000-2003. I think the Halo will go the same way in the next 10 years and something else will take its place. I am loving the cushion right now but have no plans for another change.

April
you didn''t need to post your age

most women wearing a YG Ering are in their 50''s.

I''m 23 and wear yellow gold rings from the 1930''s and 40''s. I love the details and the history behind the rings. I have blonde hair, blue eyes, and pale skin with pink undertones. Yellow gold on me looks has a very regal look - many people think that my 14k is AT LEAST 18k if not higher. I think that tiny halo''s are beautiful as they help define the shape of the diamond.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 3/17/2010 8:31:44 PM
Author: AprilBaby
I am still wearing the YG in my 3 stone cause I love it, so no offense taken DF. My daughter, who is 22, wants a yg ring after years of saying only white gold for her. I think it is coming back!!! PROUD to be 50!

yes,i think so too (within the next 3 yrs) just like my BIG bell bottom pants of the 70''s.

 

[Firestone]

yes,i think so too (within the next 3 yrs) just like my BIG bell bottom pants of the 70''s.

Very true.

Age always seems to be a touchy subject. But it is very true that certain styles are dated and older people tend to hold onto dated styles. Whether it be yellow gold, hair style or the way a house is decorated, they are all good indicators of age. Age is just a demographic. No reason for any offense to be taken by anyone. And people who cling to outdated styles tend to say that the style is coming back or that trendy doesn''t matter.

Yes someday I think halos will be considered outdated. The diamond industry will make sure of that so people will feel compelled to redo their rings.