Any buyer's remorse for lower color e-rings?

[wakingdreams53]

I have had a lot of diamonds come through my hands in the past 6 years. I won't list them all, people are welcome to peruse my threads if they want the story!

Anyways, early in my diamond buying I was wearing MRBs and color did bother me. My preference in an MRB was G color or better. I upgraded to a K color MRB at one point and did not like it after a year. I suppose that could be "regret". I upgraded that diamond to a borderline I/J MRB and wore it over a year, then sold it when prices went up. That diamond was still more tinted than I preferred in an MRB.

Then I tried out an AVC in an M color, and it was not my preference at the time. To middle ground for color.

I also had an O/P OEC at one point and it also was to middle colored for me, and the tone of the tint was not my favourite -- it was a greeny grey at times like dirty dishwater. So body color matter A LOT with tinted stones. More than the actual letter grade IMO.

My current old cut ring was sold to me as a G color, and when I first saw it I fell in love and didn't know the true color. G seemed possible to me! My jeweler said "I" color when he saw it mounted. When I unset the stone, we were shocked to see it was more like a K color, perhaps L. Anyways, I was fortunate to love it before I knew that, and so I don't care about its tint. When I compare to a higher colored diamonds I can see the difference and I don;t like contrast so I choose not to wear my diamond ring with melee size small stones. But it doesn't bother me overall. I like the LIFE I see in my diamond because of the tint. I have become more que sera sera about diamonds. I am less picky -- still won't stomach eye visible inclusions though I love my ring. I know I am the only human who can see the body tint. And its all good! All anyone notices is size anyways.

To the bolded: SO TRUE!!!!

 

[WhoaNelly]

I have had a lot of diamonds come through my hands in the past 6 years. I won't list them all, people are welcome to peruse my threads if they want the story!

Anyways, early in my diamond buying I was wearing MRBs and color did bother me. My preference in an MRB was G color or better. I upgraded to a K color MRB at one point and did not like it after a year. I suppose that could be "regret". I upgraded that diamond to a borderline I/J MRB and wore it over a year, then sold it when prices went up. That diamond was still more tinted than I preferred in an MRB.

Then I tried out an AVC in an M color, and it was not my preference at the time. To middle ground for color.

I also had an O/P OEC at one point and it also was to middle colored for me, and the tone of the tint was not my favourite -- it was a greeny grey at times like dirty dishwater. So body color matter A LOT with tinted stones. More than the actual letter grade IMO.

My current old cut ring was sold to me as a G color, and when I first saw it I fell in love and didn't know the true color. G seemed possible to me! My jeweler said "I" color when he saw it mounted. When I unset the stone, we were shocked to see it was more like a K color, perhaps L. Anyways, I was fortunate to love it before I knew that, and so I don't care about its tint. When I compare to a higher colored diamonds I can see the difference and I don;t like contrast so I choose not to wear my diamond ring with melee size small stones. But it doesn't bother me overall. I like the LIFE I see in my diamond because of the tint. I have become more que sera sera about diamonds. I am less picky -- still won't stomach eye visible inclusions though I love my ring. I know I am the only human who can see the body tint. And its all good! All anyone notices is size anyways.

I think you make an incredibly important point about body color/tone of the tint. I have an open mind regarding lower colors and what you stated may explain why some stones of the same color (the lowest I've seen is K/L) have different appeal levels to me.

I really appreciate people sharing their experiences. It's fascinating to read how people engage thoughts and emotions when making a purchase decision. I'm vaccuuming up all of your posts as part of helping me maintain a balance (yeah right ) when it comes time to making my decision.

 

[Smith1942]

I have had a lot of diamonds come through my hands in the past 6 years. I won't list them all, people are welcome to peruse my threads if they want the story!

Anyways, early in my diamond buying I was wearing MRBs and color did bother me. My preference in an MRB was G color or better. I upgraded to a K color MRB at one point and did not like it after a year. I suppose that could be "regret". I upgraded that diamond to a borderline I/J MRB and wore it over a year, then sold it when prices went up. That diamond was still more tinted than I preferred in an MRB.

Then I tried out an AVC in an M color, and it was not my preference at the time. To middle ground for color.

I also had an O/P OEC at one point and it also was to middle colored for me, and the tone of the tint was not my favourite -- it was a greeny grey at times like dirty dishwater. So body color matter A LOT with tinted stones. More than the actual letter grade IMO.

My current old cut ring was sold to me as a G color, and when I first saw it I fell in love and didn't know the true color. G seemed possible to me! My jeweler said "I" color when he saw it mounted. When I unset the stone, we were shocked to see it was more like a K color, perhaps L. Anyways, I was fortunate to love it before I knew that, and so I don't care about its tint. When I compare to a higher colored diamonds I can see the difference and I don;t like contrast so I choose not to wear my diamond ring with melee size small stones. But it doesn't bother me overall. I like the LIFE I see in my diamond because of the tint. I have become more que sera sera about diamonds. I am less picky -- still won't stomach eye visible inclusions though I love my ring. I know I am the only human who can see the body tint. And its all good! All anyone notices is size anyways.

To the bolded: SO TRUE!!!!

On the other hand, I have happily sacrificed size for an icier colour. I love to know that I'm wearing the colours my heart desires, and I couldn't care less what others think of the size. If it looks small to some, I really don't mind. I mentally hug my icy colours to my chest and I really enjoy them. Guess you could say I feel strongly about colour! Don't care so much about clarity or size (as long as the diamond is eyeclean).

 

[RockyRacoon]

Size is less important than color, for me. My wife-to-be has a friend with a J-colored stone (GIA certed) and her friends have all talked about how 'yellow' it is. Suffice it to say, the friend with the J is not a happy camper.

I-color and lower stones look too tinted to my eyes, particularly if a side-view can be seen from the setting.

For a necklace/pendant, I can stand G/H stones, but some H stones even have too much tint, for my taste. I can also handle lower colors in older/antique cuts.

For my personal MRB buying, the premium for E/F stones is ALWAYS worth it.

 

[packrat]

I have L/M AVC's and have no regrets. My upgrade was exactly that, mine, JD had no input on it. The only thing I'd change is to make them just a smidge bigger. It's perfect, otherwise. I'd have no problem going lower in color either, to N/O/P.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

My ering is a GIA L asscher in a GH halo, no regrets. I don't see the side profile and hardly ever even notice the color difference. I also own several J-K rb's and have no issues with them either.

 

[msop04]

On the other hand, I have happily sacrificed size for an icier colour. I love to know that I'm wearing the colours my heart desires, and I couldn't care less what others think of the size. If it looks small to some, I really don't mind. I mentally hug my icy colours to my chest and I really enjoy them. Guess you could say I feel strongly about colour! Don't care so much about clarity or size (as long as the diamond is eyeclean).

Sacrilege!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Size is less important than color, for me. My wife-to-be has a friend with a J-colored stone (GIA certed) and her friends have all talked about how 'yellow' it is. Suffice it to say, the friend with the J is not a happy camper.

I-color and lower stones look too tinted to my eyes, particularly if a side-view can be seen from the setting.

For a necklace/pendant, I can stand G/H stones, but some H stones even have too much tint, for my taste. I can also handle lower colors in older/antique cuts.

For my personal MRB buying, the premium for E/F stones is ALWAYS worth it.

Well, I can think of a few reasons why people might trash talk a "yellow" diamond that have nothing to do with color

That said, one of the first questions I ask ppl in RT when they are asking about color is this: "does your social circle know anything about diamonds or have pre-conceived ideas about the importance of color?" If the answer is yes, then it is often the best choice to buy a less tinted diamond.

 

[SB621]

I'd pretty much agree with Dreamer's thoughts. All my modern round brilliants have been G-H and I love that color range. I have seen and also can manage I color in top cut quality stones. My current stone is I color and an AVR (2.3 cts.), which is a newly cut OEC with ideal optics. I would have gone for an H color, but the highest color they had in stones 1.8 cts and above was I color. If they ever got in an H color stone similar to the one I have, I don't know what I'd do. I guess the price difference might make the decision for me!

That said, if I am ever able to buy an antique cushion/AVC, I will likely go much lower in color (light yellow) because I will halo the stone to accentuate the color contrast. It was just important to me to have near colorless for my e-ring, and I really start seeing the tint face up in J and lower.

I puffy heart love you Jan but that is probably because you have great taste! I have my fingers crossed you get the AVC because I would love to see that ring!!!!!!!

 

[missy]

No, I still love my OEC ER which I have now had for 11 months without wanting to change which is almost a record for me LOL.

My original ER was a GIA GVS2 and my current ER is a GIA LVS1 and I love it so much more. The facet pattern makes my heart go pitter patter still. It's still my dream ring.

In a modern brilliant I was very color sensitive and would not go lower than a G. With old cuts it depends on the specific diamond. I wasn't looking for an L and in fact told Adam at OWD that I would accept nothing lower than a GIA I haha. I just didn't know how different old cuts show color. My L has a beautiful glow with chunky facets that are as Dreamer wrote full of life. It's a ring with personality galore and I have no buyer's remorse whatsoever.

It only took me the better part of a decade to get the ring right LOL but it takes time to know what one loves sometimes.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Size is less important than color, for me. My wife-to-be has a friend with a J-colored stone (GIA certed) and her friends have all talked about how 'yellow' it is. Suffice it to say, the friend with the J is not a happy camper.

I-color and lower stones look too tinted to my eyes, particularly if a side-view can be seen from the setting.

For a necklace/pendant, I can stand G/H stones, but some H stones even have too much tint, for my taste. I can also handle lower colors in older/antique cuts.

For my personal MRB buying, the premium for E/F stones is ALWAYS worth it.

Well, I can think of a few reasons why people might trash talk a "yellow" diamond that have nothing to do with color

That said, one of the first questions I ask ppl in RT when they are asking about color is this: "does your social circle know anything about diamonds or have pre-conceived ideas about the importance of color?" If the answer is yes, then it is often the best choice to buy a less tinted diamond.

Some people in her circle have a slight knowledge of diamonds, but not a ton. Just enough to be dangerous!

I've never described the stone as 'yellow,' as it looks more eggshell-colored than anything. Compared to some of the more poorly-cut stones of her friends, the J is one of the winners.

That is a good first question to ask, as color may be related to social circle or a specific culture, where colorless diamonds are more prized.

 

[TheGeckoLady]

I’ve worn a 1ct GIA I MRB for almost 10 years and have never seen the color in it. Higher colors almost look blue to me though. I think the more ivory tones are just more appealing to my eyes. I bought a 2.41ct (David Atlas appraised) O-P slight brown tint OEC last week and I love it! Granted, it’s been less than a week but so far no regrets. I’m going to set it with G colored melee for contrast. I wouldn’t be comfortable going as low in a MRB as I would in an older cut though.

 

[Smith1942]

On the other hand, I have happily sacrificed size for an icier colour. I love to know that I'm wearing the colours my heart desires, and I couldn't care less what others think of the size. If it looks small to some, I really don't mind. I mentally hug my icy colours to my chest and I really enjoy them. Guess you could say I feel strongly about colour! Don't care so much about clarity or size (as long as the diamond is eyeclean).

Sacrilege!!

Ha ha, I know! My dream diamond is a 2-2.5 carat D colour VS1 Brian Gavin Signature super-ideal modern round brilliant. If I were a multi-millionaire, that's what I'd get - not a 5- or 6-carater.

 

[Smith1942]

Size is less important than color, for me. My wife-to-be has a friend with a J-colored stone (GIA certed) and her friends have all talked about how 'yellow' it is. Suffice it to say, the friend with the J is not a happy camper.

I-color and lower stones look too tinted to my eyes, particularly if a side-view can be seen from the setting.

For a necklace/pendant, I can stand G/H stones, but some H stones even have too much tint, for my taste. I can also handle lower colors in older/antique cuts.

For my personal MRB buying, the premium for E/F stones is ALWAYS worth it.

Well, I can think of a few reasons why people might trash talk a "yellow" diamond that have nothing to do with color

That said, one of the first questions I ask ppl in RT when they are asking about color is this: "does your social circle know anything about diamonds or have pre-conceived ideas about the importance of color?" If the answer is yes, then it is often the best choice to buy a less tinted diamond.

Really? Why? I mean, if you don't like the colour, you don't like it! If someone said they didn't like a diamond's tint, I'd assume they meant...well, just that!

 

[evergreen]

My e-ring is a bezeled OEC (though can still see the side view) EGL I with SBF. Even in profoundly non-UV environments (incandescent lighting, inside the car w/ anti-UV film on all the windows), I've never seen any tint in my diamond. I think there's a small stigma attached to "tinted" or "colored" diamonds in the general public but also that the way most people see my ring -- zipping around as I move my hands, gunked up with hand sanitizer, in fluorescent office-type lighting -- is not conducive to clearly seeing its color or indeed anything but its size! I'd happily have gone lower if it would have gotten me a bigger diamond within my other restrictive (faceting, budget, SBF) parameters.

I'm awaiting a GIA K MRB with strong YELLOW fluor... will let you know if I'm color-sensitive enough to see the difference.

 

[Niel]

If my "friend" trash talked my diamond because they didn't like what color it was, she would fast loose that distinction. seems caty

I like the color I have and done over I'd do nothing different when talking color.

If i had money for any ring in the world it would still be a k-l color. (5 ct emerald cut )

I like the soft bone color. I don't like stark white.

 

[Smith1942]

If my "friend" trash talked my diamond because they didn't like what color it was, she would fast loose that distinction. seems caty

I like the color I have and done over I'd do nothing different when talking color.

If i had money for any ring in the world it would still be a k-l color. (5 ct emerald cut )

I like the soft bone color. I don't like stark white.

See, bone colour, creamy tones, champagne tones, candlelight diamonds - they all sound lovely. But my I diamond doesn't look anything like that - it just looks dark. That's why I don't like it.

ETA: Nile, I've often thought that your K marquise looks really nice, much nicer than my I. It does look like a soft, creamy bone colour.

 

[Niel]

My marquise is an extremely peculiar animal. I'm lacking in how to describe its color moods. Almost never, if ever, "white" but always bright in a way that doesn't say "yellowie" either. Sometimes I almost get a grey/ green from it.

Here's a picture next to my SIL e ring I've been working on. This is probably the most color she shows. I don't know. She's a chameleon. I'm sure its not everyone's cup of tea. But I like that its both neutral and nuanced at the same time . This isn't her best photo. Photo was for the sapphire. So ignore the fact she is a tad on the dull side as she is in desperate need of a cleaning.

How's your marquise coming along BTW?

 

[Smith1942]

The colour of your stone is lovely. I'd call it ivory.

Marquise is on hold. I, um, spent rather a lot in the Black Friday sales, including a BGD pendant and four pearl items.

 

[ForteKitty]

Smith, I wonder if the tone of your diamond is causing the darkness you see? Do you see any green or gray undertones?

My L looks creamy, not yellow, and it really does face up very white. Here it is compared to my GIA H oval, Athenaworth's GIA I MRB with blue fluor (got her permission to post this pic.), and a vintage Hamilton watch with E/F French cut and round diamonds.

 

[ForteKitty]

Hmm, uploading it made the color difference less obvious. On my phone, the oval looks much more yellow than the oec.

 

[Smith1942]

Your stone looks very white to me, Fortekitty.

If there were undertones in my diamond, I might miss them since I don't really know what I'm looking for. I actually posted some pics of it next to a D today in the thread here "WHY do people want whiter diamonds?" People are saying that there is really no difference between the D and I and one person said it was picking up environmental colour, but it looks like that in real life and the D wasn't picking up colour. The third pic down of the ring on its own is noticeably dark yellow to my eyes.

 

[ForteKitty]

I saw those pictures. To tell the truth, in the pictures, they looked the same. In the profile-ish picture of the ring, I do see some tint, but you will need to photograph it in daylight to show the color difference better.

 

[Smith1942]

Hmm, that's interesting. Perhaps I see the difference more clearly because I know what the stones look like in real life. What's in our mind's eye influences our actual eye, I think. Like the case I read about in a medical text where people who were previously blind but were given sight, could see individual characteristics of a face like eyes, mouth, etc but could not make sense of them as a whole. What a face was meant nothing to them. So I think the info that is in our heads can inform what we see, which may be the case with those photos.

 

[InnaR]

Went through many lower color OECs and OMCs (M-P) and finally upgraded to a GIA graded I/SI1 OEC. No regrets. Going up in size and sacrificing color felt worse with each size upgrade. I feel very lucky and content with this stone. I also have a 1.81 GIA D/SI1 modern brilliant from Whiteflash and I love it as my alternative e-ring. I upgraded it three years ago (or should I say downgraded it) from GIA 2.25 J/SI1 - and never looked back.

I should probably add that my finger size is 3.25. It is very likely that I would have totally opposite opinion if my finger size would be bigger.


I don't see any more upgrades in my near future.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Perhaps it is a mental thing but I prefer my e-rings to be of a higher color. I started out with a GIA G that was set in a halo. I then moved to a GIA E AVC (not halo) which I felt at times was too white but other times I loved it. My current OEC is a GIA I but it looks fantastically white with soooo much fire. I also own a GIA J/K (can't remember) OEC which I found to be way too yellow for an e-ring. I also owned a EGL I (likely GIA J) transitional cut - it was white most of the diamond but you can see the yellow and it bothered me - I returned it because of the dark center in certain angles. I also own a GIA M transitional cut - it's a beautiful creamy color - I love it as a RHR ring. I also have a number of diamonds that are in the J to S/T range.

Net net ... I love all colors but as an e-ring I want it to be higher color (H is the lowest I would go).

 

[MichelleCarmen]

My eng ring is a G color but I do have an old cut stone that throws off incredible fire and it's amazing, but it's lower color and I couldn't imagine going that low for an eng ring. The lower colored stones/old cuts are really popular here on PS it seems, but I never see any in real life among friends. Everyone I know has white looking stones and they're modern cuts. I'm not sure what to do w/my older cut stone...

MC: you've certainly come to the right place for ideas; there are some awesome threads for old cut stones. Once you decide what you want e.g. rh ring, pendant, etc. with some sense of style, post and ask! That's what makes this forum so great---people are passionate about stones and jewelry. Have fun!

Thanks, WhoaNelly. I don't have plans for my old cut stone now, but my intuition says it should be a bracelet, so possibly in the future, at some point, it'll be set. I was shocked at the amount of fire and blaze that comes off the stone when I first looked at it in the sun...it's just that I live in a mathematical world where the numbers should add up and I can't get past that...

 

[LLJsmom]

Size is less important than color, for me. My wife-to-be has a friend with a J-colored stone (GIA certed) and her friends have all talked about how 'yellow' it is. Suffice it to say, the friend with the J is not a happy camper.

I-color and lower stones look too tinted to my eyes, particularly if a side-view can be seen from the setting.

For a necklace/pendant, I can stand G/H stones, but some H stones even have too much tint, for my taste. I can also handle lower colors in older/antique cuts.

For my personal MRB buying, the premium for E/F stones is ALWAYS worth it.

RockyRacoon, I did as you did. I prioritized color and clarity first, F, VS1, and within that I only looked at GIA 3X, HCA under 2.0. And then I looked to maximize the size. I keep thinking I want to move up in size, but I would have to sacrifice color, and I don't know if I could do it. Too many mental issues. I don't want to regret it. And I know that if I am worried about it now, it's a huge sign NOT to do it. (I'm not good at compromise)

 

[madelise]

Yes. I did. I do. I <3 my e-ring stone. <3 it. M is the lowest color I'd accept for an e-ring stone (I'd accept lover for other rings and projects though), and I think I pushed it. My M is GIA graded, too, and has faint fluorescence to balance it out slightly. Still, I kind of pine for a near-colorless stone sometimes. Luckily, I get my fix in my promise ring.

It really depends on what you want, though. I'd never get an M for a MRB. Warmer colors look rather soft and creamy in old cuts, and they also tend to face-up whiter.

I don't think there's a right or wrong color, it just depends with what you're comfortable wearing.

 

[nkarma]

I have a 1.3+ ct L AVC set in a platinum plain solitaire and have not one regret. Love the creaminess for an antique cut. I have olive colored skin and think that looks good with it. Have never been into white white for anything I wear. Also, I probably just have bad color perception, but it looks no different to me than my friend's whiter stones. Actually that's untrue, when I am driving and it's foggy, you can def see the body color. I like it! I sometimes wonder if I would like lower colored even more...