An upgrade journey … from a research perspective

[Tonks]

@Tonks I'm so glad you linked me to this post! It was so, so helpful (and fun!) to see all of the stones and be able to compare relative size and color. The relative finger coverage really helped show with numbers how a diamond can look so different in size on different fingers. You have lovely hands, and I'm glad you are getting something substantial that gets you the coverage you like. I am excited for you to get your ring so we can see the fruits of your labor! Have you decided for sure on a setting yet?

Oh, I’m so glad it was helpful! Isn’t it nuts how different size fingers just do a number on your ability to judge finger coverage? I’m so glad that my finger coverage piece was helpful. It was incredibly helpful to me.

As for setting, I’m going to have WF put it an a U113 (so a classic Tiffany look). I don’t know if I will leave it there forever—but I wanted to try it. My other reason for going this route is that I’m having kind of a big surgery in July, and I really wanted to have the ring to enjoy prior to that, and during recovery. If I go the custom route I doubt I’d have the new sparkly in time to help with pre-op distraction and post-op pain.

 

[mrs-b]

@Tonks - pls forgive me if you've already posted this update but...any news on your new diamond as yet?

 

[Tonks]

@Tonks - pls forgive me if you've already posted this update but...any news on your new diamond as yet?

I *just* got an email from Becca—it’s at GIA as we speak! No idea when it will be back, but hopefully soon. I’m so excited!!!!

 

[MissGotRocks]

I *just* got an email from Becca—it’s at GIA as we speak! No idea when it will be back, but hopefully soon. I’m so excited!!!!

Woo hoo!! Cutting is done! Can’t take too terribly long at GIA - exciting!!

 

[mrs-b]

I *just* got an email from Becca—it’s at GIA as we speak! No idea when it will be back, but hopefully soon. I’m so excited!!!!

This is SO exciting! Are you beside yourself? I don't know how you can keep calm - I was a basket case when mine was being done!

 

[Tonks]

This is SO exciting! Are you beside yourself? I don't know how you can keep calm - I was a basket case when mine was being done!

Calm? Who said anything about calm?!?!

In all seriousness, I don’t know how long it will take the stone to come back from GIA, for us to get insurance straightened out, and then for setting. So I’m trying to temper my excitement. It’s hard!!!

 

[MissGotRocks]

@Tonks - dare I ask about an ETA? You must be beside yourself by now!

 

[RMOO]

@Tonks - dare I ask about an ETA? You must be beside yourself by now!

Yes, this. I just searched last night for the SMTB thread, thinking it's got to be here by now. I must have missed the thread!

 

[Tonks]

@Tonks - dare I ask about an ETA? You must be beside yourself by now!

It had to go back to GIA to be inscribed. Becca said she will let me know when it’s back….I asked for an update this week and no news yet.

I am definitely getting *ready* to have this here.

However, my hands are not currently SMTB ready so perhaps this delay is a good thing. My nails have been peeling horribly so they’re all cut short. Like to the quick. Which was bad enough….but then after lifting the other day I smashed my finger between a 25kg plate and a brick wall. No break, thankfully—I got x-rays. But. It does have me wonder if this the universe making me wait until I’m not bruised.

 

[MissGotRocks]

It had to go back to GIA to be inscribed. Becca said she will let me know when it’s back….I asked for an update this week and no news yet.

I am definitely getting *ready* to have this here.

However, my hands are not currently SMTB ready so perhaps this delay is a good thing. My nails have been peeling horribly so they’re all cut short. Like to the quick. Which was bad enough….but then after lifting the other day I smashed my finger between a 25kg plate and a brick wall. No break, thankfully—I got x-rays. But. It does have me wonder if this the universe making me wait until I’m not bruised.

Oh, no, your poor finger! Ouch! Hopefully it will be healed in time for the big reveal! My nails grow quickly so hopefully yours will too. However, we will take the hand in any way, shape or form with that diamond it it! Lol!

 

[Tonks]

Oh, no, your poor finger! Ouch! Hopefully it will be healed in time for the big reveal! My nails grow quickly so hopefully yours will too. However, we will take the hand in any way, shape or form with that diamond it it! Lol!

Thank you! It’s feeling better, just sore. I mostly feel silly for not paying attention. I’ve put those plates away a million times with no issue and then boom. Oops.

And do not worry—I will let everyone know when it’s here!

 

[Rubies-R-Me]

Hi Tonks!
Thank you for taking me on this ring journey with you! I'm home sick with nothing much to do and I'm truly loving your pix and commentary!!

 

[LightBright]

Thank you so much for this epic post/thread. It is so informative and interesting (and inspiring)!

 

[Tonks]

Update: it’s here!!!!!

#JOTW - Introducing Vivian, the custom cut 4.2 I VVS2 ACA!

Our 20th anniversary is this year, and my husband told me some time ago he wanted to upgrade my engagement ring to celebrate. I did what any research nerd would do. Years of diamond research! https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/an-upgrade-journey-…-from-a-research-perspective.277780/...

www.pricescope.com

 

[Tonks]

Since I did percent finger coverage analysis of so many solitaires, I want to add Vivian. The size is an interesting question. My true finger size is a 6.5 where a ring sits (can actually be smaller when I’m cold), but Vivian is a 6.75 because I swell, especially at the knuckle. So I’ll give numbers for both.

Vivian (4.20, 10.43 mm diameter) 61% finger coverage on a size 6.75 (17.1 mm ring diameter). Size 6.5 is 61.7% finger coverage (16.9 mm ring diameter).

I am still gobsmacked by how finger size affects our perception of size of stones, and so glad I thought to do the percent coverage analysis. Hope that can be helpful to someone else!

 

[Tonks]

Ok, another point of research re: size!

When we were thinking of custom cutting, one of the things that was hard to figure out is exactly what size (diameter) a superideal would end up being in various carat weights. The market right now means that there are not a lot of well cut 3 carat + stones out there. Naturally, I went digging and found various stones at higher carat weights.

I figured some of you might appreciate the list at some point so here you go! I included links where I had them.

3.024 ACA 9.31 x 9.35 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-vs1-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a4544655


3.050 ACA 9.34 x 9.36 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-vs2-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a3872126


3.058 ACA 9.28 x 9.32 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-vs2-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a4536049


3.106 ACA 9.4 x 9.44


3.220 ACA 9.50 x 9.52


3.220 ACA 9.44 x 9.48 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-si1-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a4443709


3.25 ACA 9.5 mm @Gussie


3.275 ACA 9.55 x 9.59 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-vs1-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a4045005


3.32 ACA 9.55 x 9.53 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...-vs2-clarity-round-excellent-cut-sku-a4587786


3.366 = 9.63 x 9.66 @luckyhonu https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-vs2-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a3595061


3.39 ACA 9.66 x 9.62 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...-vs2-clarity-round-excellent-cut-sku-a4590528


3.411 ACA 9.62 x 9.66 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-vs1-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a4524094


3.443 ACA 9.67 x 9.73 @Gussie https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-si1-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a4033329


3.6 = 9.7 or 9.8 (@m-2-b ’s BGD)


3.656 ACA 9.84 x 9.88 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-si1-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a3855505


3.710 ACA 9.93 x 9.95 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-si1-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a4042816


3.724 ACA= 10.03 x 10.07 mm @ice_empress https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-vs2-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a4043197


4.01 10.04 x 10.11 @yssie


4.016 ACA 10.29 x 10.31 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3988988.htm


4.031 ACA 10.15 x 10.21 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-vs2-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a4024626


4.035 J VS2 ACA, 10.17 x 10.21 https://www.whiteflash.com/pdf/104107735003.pdf


4.086 ACA 10.25 x 10.27 mm https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-vs2-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a3988989


4.160 ACA 10.26 x 10.35 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-vs2-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a4032893


4.178 ACA 10.31 x 10.34 https://www.whiteflash.com/pdf/104110304004.pdf


4.20 ACA @Tonks 10.44 x 10.42 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...vvs2-clarity-round-excellent-cut-sku-a4591480


4.230 ACA 10.34 x 10.37 @theshirlgirlNS https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-vs1-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a4359555


4.235 ACA 10.42 x 10.46 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-vs2-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a3993381


4.468 ACA 10.63 x 10.64 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-vs1-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a3893623


4.5 ACA 10.6 x 10.6 x 6.5 mm @m-2-b


5.032 11.02 x 11.06 mm https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-vs2-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a4055564


5.198 ACA 11.20 x 11.26 mm https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-vs2-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a3840002


5.208 11.15 x 11.23 mm


5.217 ACA 11.13 x 11.16 https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...olor-vs2-clarity-round-ideal-cut-sku-a4043198

 

[Engrgrl1]

@Tonks I just wanted to thank you for this thread. I am new to PriceScope and just beginning my "upgrade" journey, and this gave me a detailed and data driven roadmap of what to consider. I have read it three times now.. My 60th birthday is in April, and my husband has hinted at either a right hand ring or an upgrade-my choice. I am attempting to absorb everything I can from this forum, and I am sure I will have questions along the way. Thank you again!

 

[Tonks]

@Tonks I just wanted to thank you for this thread. I am new to PriceScope and just beginning my "upgrade" journey, and this gave me a detailed and data driven roadmap of what to consider. I have read it three times now.. My 60th birthday is in April, and my husband has hinted at either a right hand ring or an upgrade-my choice. I am attempting to absorb everything I can from this forum, and I am sure I will have questions along the way. Thank you again!

I’m so glad you’ve found it useful!!!

Happy early birthday. I hope you will keep us posted on what sort of sparkly you choose to commemorate it!

 

[maryjane04]

Percentage finger coverage—an analysis of selected PS solitaires
At this point, I had decided on a modern round brilliant for sure, and needed to nail down the particulars. While I was feeling good at 9.9 or a smidge larger, I wanted to know how that compared to some of the gorgeous solitaires here on PS. Given our different finger sizes it can be so incredibly hard to figure out how to use this wealth of information to obtain your desired look. So, even though math is TOTALLY not my thing, I decided to engage in some analysis to figure out what I was seeing. I used posted info on stone diameters and ring sizes to calculate percent finger coverage for several rings. I got the mm for the ring size diameter from the site diamdb. The very simple calculation I performed was: diamond diameter divided by ring size diameter = percent finger coverage.

Where stones are not completely round I tried to use a middle measurement.



Ok, first up, @yssie ’s Margot.
Yssie’s Margot. 4.01 carat, 10.04 x 10.11 on size 4.5, 15.3 mm ring diameter: (10.07/15.3) = 66% finger coverage






@RunningwithScissors Dainty, 2.56 carat on size 4.5, 15.3 mm ring diameter. I do not know Dainty’s exact measurements but was able to pull 8.8 mm from a 2.56 ACA and used that: 58% finger coverage.







@CharlotteYork 3.1 carat, 9.4 x 9.44 on size 5, 15.7 mm ring diameter. 60% finger coverage.






@IceEmpress (weird, it won’t let me tag her) 3.72 carat, 10.03 x 10.07 on size 5.5, 16.1 ring diameter. (10.05/16.1) 62% finger coverage before the halo. Including this one even though it’s a halo because I was looking hard at this size and there aren’t a lot of stones in this size, either at retail or on PS.




@msop04 3.33 carat, 9.8 mm on size 4.75, 15.5 ring diameter. 63% finger coverage. (Note—I’m not sure if this is the center she still has.)




@LLJsmom ’s center: 2.47 carat, 8.7 mm on size 4.75, 15.5 ring diameter = 56% finger coverage. This was super helpful for me to see because while we’re starting with solitaire, I have definitely had all kinds of thoughts about three stones and I big fat puffy heart love this particular three stone.




@m-2-b ‘s 3.6 carat, 9.75-ish on size 6, ring diameter 16.5 mm. 59% finger coverage.





@m-2-b ’s 4.5 carat, 10.6 mm on size 6, ring diameter 16.5 mm. 64% finger coverage.





@m-2-b ’s 4.7 carat, 10.9 x 10.94 on size 6, ring diameter 16.5 mm = 66% finger coverage.





@grateful4life ‘s (won’t let me tag, hmm) 5.59 carat, 11.36 mm on a size 7, ring diameter 17.3 mm = 66% finger coverage.





And last one, @carbonfan ’s seriously stunning 3.2 carat ACA (no diameter info but I used 9.45), size 5, ring diameter 15.7 = 60% finger coverage.






I compared these measurements to what I had seen, and stones we were considering, to see what percentage finger coverage I would have on my ring size (used 6.5 as my ring size in these calculations).

I had tried on a 3 carat at Tiffany, and though I didn’t use my calipers there, I figured Tiffany was probably using fairly standard MRB dimensions.

—3 carat on 6.5 (using 9.3): 55%
—3.7 carat, 9.8 mm, on size 6.5: 58%
—9.9 mm on size 6.5, 58.5%
—4 carat, 10.2 mm on 6.5: 60%
—5 carat, 11 mm, on 6.5: 65%


And I’m calling it for tonight! Will post more tomorrow!

I always come back to your thread @Tonks as being so useful in my research. I really loved that you documented everything, your trial and errors and calculated the finger coverage to help visualise what would be ideal.

 

[Tonks]

I always come back to your thread @Tonks as being so useful in my research. I really loved that you documented everything, your trial and errors and calculated the finger coverage to help visualise what would be ideal.

Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me that! Really means a lot.

 

[ashdawnp]

Since I did percent finger coverage analysis of so many solitaires, I want to add Vivian. The size is an interesting question. My true finger size is a 6.5 where a ring sits (can actually be smaller when I’m cold), but Vivian is a 6.75 because I swell, especially at the knuckle. So I’ll give numbers for both.

Vivian (4.20, 10.43 mm diameter) 61% finger coverage on a size 6.75 (17.1 mm ring diameter). Size 6.5 is 61.7% finger coverage (16.9 mm ring diameter).

I am still gobsmacked by how finger size affects our perception of size of stones, and so glad I thought to do the percent coverage analysis. Hope that can be helpful to someone else!

Looks perfect on you im
Actually looking at a 10.43 mm oec diamond on size 6.5 finger .... how do you find the size after owning it do you love it do you wish it was a bit smaller or bigger ? thanks loved this thread

 

[Tonks]

Looks perfect on you im
Actually looking at a 10.43 mm oec diamond on size 6.5 finger .... how do you find the size after owning it do you love it do you wish it was a bit smaller or bigger ? thanks loved this thread

Thank you!!!

Excited to see what stone you choose.

After wearing Viv for a year and a half, I still love the size. She gets some looks for sure but i don’t ever feel the need to go ringless. The stone has a ton of presence, but looks proportional on my hand. My guess is you would love a 10.43 mm stone on a 6.5!

 

[ashdawnp]

Thank you!!!

Excited to see what stone you choose.

After wearing Viv for a year and a half, I still love the size. She gets some looks for sure but i don’t ever feel the need to go ringless. The stone has a ton of presence, but looks proportional on my hand. My guess is you would love a 10.43 mm stone on a 6.5!

Thank you so much for your reply im
Way more excited now !!! I was so nervous until I saw this thread and your exact size and mm haha meant to be !!

 

[ashdawnp]

Thank you!!!

Excited to see what stone you choose.

After wearing Viv for a year and a half, I still love the size. She gets some looks for sure but i don’t ever feel the need to go ringless. The stone has a ton of presence, but looks proportional on my hand. My guess is you would love a 10.43 mm stone on a 6.5!

So my oec was cut and they want to know if I want it certified for extra 250$.... is it honestly worth it to do that with price of labs plummeting? I mean peace of mind sure but ?

 

[Dreamer_D]

So my oec was cut and they want to know if I want it certified for extra 250$.... is it honestly worth it to do that with price of labs plummeting? I mean peace of mind sure but ?

I wouldn’t bother if it’s a reputable seller. The only thing it will affirm that matters is it being a diamond and not a simulant and with a trusted seller that isn’t an issue.

 

[ashdawnp]

I wouldn’t bother if it’s a reputable seller. The only thing it will affirm that matters is it being a diamond and not a simulant and with a trusted seller that isn’t an issue.

Thank you I agree and yes it's a trusted seller you just saved me 250$ lol

 

[lulu_ma]

Thank you I agree and yes it's a trusted seller you just saved me 250$ lol

@ashdawnp One caveat-if you think that you will ever sell the stone to upgrade, the cert will be essential.

 

[ashdawnp]

@ashdawnp One caveat-if you think that you will ever sell the stone to upgrade, the cert will be essential.

This is my one concern the diamond us absolutely nagic and I can't see myself ever upgrading it's already on the big side even too big for me size .....I was going to get it certified if it was too big on me and I needed to sell haha ... not to upgrade but to go smaller like 10mm.... my finger is more a 6.25.... I but I buy 6.5 ... please tell me I'll love the 10.43....looks perfect on you

 

[maryjane04]

So my oec was cut and they want to know if I want it certified for extra 250$.... is it honestly worth it to do that with price of labs plummeting? I mean peace of mind sure but ?

Geez that's a bit steep. I think an igi cert should only be $60-100. I got one because I kinda want to know what I'm buying. But $250 is way too much. Even Alex Park doesn't charge that much.

 

[ashdawnp]

Geez that's a bit steep. I think an igi cert should only be $60-100. I got one because I kinda want to know what I'm buying. But $250 is way too much. Even Alex Park doesn't charge that much.

Ohhh I had no idea that seems more reasonable I'm in Canada so I didn't know