Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Carat over clarity???

L

Lislis89

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 6, 2010
Messages
66
So I am very torn between some of the four c's...... I have large hands and I love princess cuts, but as a centre stone I think I would like something at 1.2 carats so it looks proportional to my hand!

My question to everyone is have you/will you/would you sacrifice cut/clarity/colour purely to afford or obtain the size stone that is bigger?

If you have or you haven't I would love to know whether you regret doing so? Do you see a difference? Are you pleased with your size over your colour? Would you have reduced clarity to save money on your stone?

I think my biggest indecision comes at clarity... What's yours?
 
it really depends on your personal tolerances. I would not sacrifice on cut because that is where you are getting the brightness and sparkle. Some people prefer larger J diamonds, others prefer smaller D diamonds, it really just depends on what you are comfortable with.
 
Carat is my most important C after cut. I tried compromising on clarity to SI2 and was not happy with the outcome, so I went with a J color instead and VS1 and am now very happy.

You need to see stones in person to determine your own comfort level.
 
you are speaking about a princess cut, and I've had both a super ideal round K and now a Princess cut I color. In a princess cut, you have to remember that it will show warmth a little more obvious than a round even in a super ideal cut especially from the side, think. I went with cut, carat size, then it was really a toss up on color/clarity, I really do not care about clarity whether it was a VVS or an SI2 as long as it was eye clean, my first diamond was an SI2 in a round, eye clean, my new princess cut of 1.222 ct is an SI 1 also Eye clean and in my budget, please also note whether you want eye clean also from the side paviliion profile as some eye clean top down view can very well show when you view on the side. I really set a budget, then fit the puzzle and see if I was comfortable with the outcome, but I don't compromise on CUT.
 
I think this might be one of those times where you just have to see things in person. Is there a good jewelry store in your area (no chains) where you can go and really look at a wide range of stones? Try to go during a quiet time and tell them what you told us. Diamonds are like people and clutches on cars, no two really are alike. I recently had a pair of teeny studs made and the owner was nice enough to give me his loupe and let me pick from the two pair he made up. These things were only 12 pointers and all four were so different! Good luck with your search.
 
here is what you'll definitely see with your eyes
1. Cut
2. Carat

if it's eye clean, here is where your mind will struggle the most, and price can change a lot.
3. Color
4. Clarity
 
I like warmth, a lot - in blind taste tests, I gravitate towards the I-J-K color range every time. But I was a real clarity snob when I was getting my e-ring: I refused to consider anything under a VS2.

Then the next time when I was diamond shopping, I deigned to consider SI1s, on the principle that a pendant would get less close-up scrutiny ... and guess what? I'm never going back. :rodent:

I think SIs are a fantastic budget-optimizing measure. While there are some unfortunate ones out there with one big black speck right in the middle of the table, the way stones are graded, you can find pieces with a cluster of invisible white inclusions that are completely indecipherable without a loupe. While we diamond weirdoes do spend a lot of time with our loupes ... I think the rest of the time makes up for it (and, frankly, even with the loupe it can be pretty fascinating).

What sort of clarity is fussing you? Are you at IF mind-cleanliness, or ...?
 
I would also suggest if you live where there is a JAREDs near you and visit the store, as they carry AGS 0 princess cuts (the Peerless collection), so you can see an ideal cut princess cut in person, remember though that even if you put them side by side, you'll notice difference, however you don't wear and compare on hand any loose stones with friends. However, what they will notice is the great sparkle attribute to the cut and size, color that is personal preference.
 
I sacrificed colour and clarity (J SI2) to gain in clarity and I'm very happy with my choice. Tolerance and mind-clean is very subjective, though - big ditto to looking at some stones in person, and that *needing* a VVS to be happy is very different from *needing* VS 8)


Something I truly understood only recently is that the ring is a full package - both the stone and the setting must complement each other, and form a ring that YOU enjoy looking at. I find that I vastly prefer my ring to other rings with higher-colour stones of the same size, because I like the way my stone and my setting work together on my hand.. just a reminder to keep in mind how the ring will look as a whole when you're choosing what's important to you in a stone ::)
 
It really depends if you can see the stone in person or not. Loose or mounted. If mounted looking at it on your finger and looking at it in a mirror. Looking at the stone in different lighting conditions is important. Comparing to other stones that you would like to compare in regards to the 4 C's.

What makes the process most difficult is purchasing it blindly on the internet with just pictures and numbers. Heck even a video cannot compare.

Now you must ask yourself how much effort do you want to put into maximizing your budget and choosing the right stone/setting? What's your timeframe?

Once that's established you do the research to see how much you are willing to sacrifice in the 4 C's. You swift though the endless number of threads. You read the articles. You learn the numbers. You watch the videos. You ask the questions. You take a step back and evaluate your thinking. You go to stores to see stones in person. The list goes on....

Now back to what's important. Budget, stone, setting (assuming a e-ring).

What's your budget range?
How much are you planning to budget for the setting? Will you get your dream setting now?
How much are you planning to spend on the stone?
Is future upgrade a possibility? Is it important to have that perk and a good upgrade policy? What about buy-back?

Now to the 4 C's.
Mind clean vs eye clean. What's important to you? Grading/Certs how important? What are you willing to buy?

Carat: Establish a minimum carat (realistically within your budget). Anything more would be a bonus!

Cut: What shape? What quality cut? Some shapes are more difficult to evaluate online then others. With ideally cut stones it can be very subjective what you are willing to sacrifice. For example some RB lovers want the branded cuts. HoF, H&A, more facets, AGS000 cert, etc. Others will be happy with a GIA ex/ex/ex with promising numbers. I got one of BGD's signature RB H&A and am totally satisfied with the cut, but would I have been just as satisfied with GIA ex/ex/ex stone and safe some $? A stone with a higher HCA above the rejection number and save some $? Pulling in virtual stones with promising numbers, pictures to save some $? Who knows. It really depends how much effort you're willing to take in the category.

Color: Varies for each person. Find out the lowest you're willing to go. I would suggest seeing stones in person that meets your cut criteria. Better yet with the stone mounted on a similiar setting/metal you want. Try it on and look at it in different lighting conditions, angles, in a mirror, etc...You'll be surprised on the difference even wearing the ring and holding it up can make a difference in color. My FI's ring is an I color. In the box or cleaning it myself I can see a little tint. When she's wearing it nothing at all in all lighting and angles. To my eyes when she's wearing it will look like a F or higher... The cut probably plays a role. Her skin color probably plays a role. So keep in mind all of this can make a difference.

Clarity: This is a big mind clean vs eye clean issue. Also depends on the size of the stone. Some will go down to a SI2 if it's eye clean. Other's don't want less than a VS1. Again look at stones in person. Look at eye clean SI stones in your shape/size. Better yet look at the stone you want in person!


Anyway I realized I just typed quite a bit :oops: ...sorry if some of this made no sense, but I hope it was helpful! I also incorporated some of my experience in the post as well so sorry if it goes off base a bit :P
 
I wanted to quickly respond as someone who DEFINITELY chose carat over clarity.....for the price range I was in I would never have had the 1.5 carats I wanted in a pear without sacrificing something, so I found this 1.5ct, excellent cut, G color, I1 stone - yes, an I1! The grade making inclusion is a large white feather. I've linked the thread -- as you can see in the camera shots the inclusion is definitely definitely visible...in real life I have found that keeping the pear super clean you just see size and sparkle and color and have to look at the inclusion to see it....nobody in real life has ever noted it because u really do need to know where to look....And whereas I felt over time the inclusion would bother me MORE the opposite is true, it actually bothers me less over time - I have just chilled out about it and as I said no one ever notices it, all they see is a sparkly pear! :)

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/engaged.121499/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/engaged.121499/[/URL]
 
Certainly you could sacrifice on clarity and smartly save by opting for carat if that's really your concern. As long as you have eye clean diamond( SI 1) you could settle for color from anywhere from F to G, the cut is equally important that can be close to VG, but the least ensure the diamond is by GIA standard....you definitely can't go wrong

B2C Jewels
 
Mind clean vs eye clean. What's important to you? Grading/Certs how important? What are you willing to buy?

Carat: Establish a minimum carat (realistically within your budget). Anything more would be a bonus!
Click to expand...

This is really the main point. It will all revolve around your budget. If "bigger is better" :naughty: is your motto, then establish a desired carat weight and see where you can go from there. Put clarity and color on a balance and begin the weighing process. Keep an eye clean mentality, look at stones side by side in order to determine your color sensitivity and you would be surprised at what you can find. A good cut can take a diamond far!
 
I didn't choose my e-ring stone, but if I had, I would have gone with a lower clarity, as long as it was still eye-clean. My EC is a VVS2, and while I love that it is loupe-clean, I definitely feel it's overkill. It's also an E, which I think is overkill on the color as well. Don't get me wrong--I love my EC very, very much, but if I were doing it over, we could've either saved money on a similarly-sized stone or gotten an even bigger one =).

I chose my pendant stone not too long ago. It was a super-ideal .757 J VS2 RB. I am very happy I went for lower in color as it only looks tinted to me when I put it next to a CZ (which generally are the equivalent of D-color). I can see just a little hint of tint when I put it next to my E. VS2 clarity was fine for me, but I would've happily gone lower as long as it was still eye-clean from 12-18 inches. I feel like I got the largest, loveliest stone I could for my budget, and I have been very happy with it.

Other posters have given you great suggestions. Go to some B&M stores where you can see certified AGS/GIA stones in the color and clarity range you think you might be willing to consider. I think that Jared's carries AGS-0 princess cuts, so I'd definitely check those out. That will give you an idea of what your personal tolerance and intolerance levels are.
 
Thankyou so much for everyones wisdom, advice and input! It is unbelievable how helpful this forum is!


After much thought I believe that I will need to do a little more investigation, not so much on here but maybe a little more soul searching!

It definately has helped knowing that clarity does make quite a bit of difference (dependent on personal preference), but at the same time we dont have to sacrifice it too much to coincide with the other aspects (carat etc.) that we want. I would love to look at some of those AGS-0 princess cuts at Jared's but I am located a little more south than most people on here, (down under the equator to be exact :wink2: )

Thanks again so much!
 
My ering is a 1.5 ct J VS1. The 5- .15 ct diamonds in my wedding band are a K (don't know the clarity of these) all in yellow gold. I also have 5 stone right hand ring (white gold) and the stones are G-H range and VS2/SI1 range.

For the ering I sacrifced color over clarity. It is a larger stone and color does not bother me in a diamond, but clarity would. BTW II cannot see a difference in color between my RHR and my Ering. I and no one I know have noticed a difference in the color of my diamonds.
 
My engagement ring is an I color but for my new anniversary and 30th bday present I got a 2.07 SI1 pear diamond and I definately chose carat over clarity and color since my pear is an L and I am soooo happy that I did. The color doesn't bother me a bit and it's totally eye clean and I just LOVE the size.
 
Because my preference is a RB, cut is at the top of my list. It must be an AGS 0 [ideal]. Carat and color come next. I don't want anything less than a G for an engagement ring. Clarity is important, but is at the bottom of my list of C's. The lowest I will go is an eye clean SI1. I would rather have a VS2, but am willing to give a little in this area to get the carat size I desire. Then there is the cost of the setting and wedding band; however, that is a related but different topic.
 
I actually chose size over clarity. For me as long as the stone is "eye clean" that's perfect. I chose a larger round stone to for proportion on my fat fingers. I'm happy I did and would do it again. Like I told my husband..I don't need the VVS or IF stone because it's not like anyone is going to whip out a jewelers loupe and ask to look at my stone but I would love a larger stone. In the end we got an H color SI2 eye clean stone with Strong Blue Fluor. LOVE IT!
 
I do not care for modern RB and not so much on princesses either, so the definition of cut is a lot harder to define for me. The cut has to be something I like a lot, but obviously can be very hard to "rank" so to speak. So my first thing on seeing a stone is if I like the way the stone looks.

Next is color for me. I love high colors or starting around L and below. Anything from H-K may probably won't be what I appreciate. I prefer F and above or really low.

Clarity is next for me as I want an eye clean stone. If it is a stone I like the look of, has a great color and is eye clean I am good!

Last for me is actually carat size. I am lucky though, I am 5' tall and have kid sized hands. In fact I fit better with kid sized accessories in general than I do adult. My graduation caps had to be pinned to stay on since the smallest size was too big for example. So what looks average on many looks large on me. Good for me and budgets for sure!

The reality is I need the first three to be good for me or I won't want it. Depends on what I am looking for will depend on which of the first three I list as most important.
 
D&T said:
I would also suggest if you live where there is a JAREDs near you and visit the store, as they carry AGS 0 princess cuts (the Peerless collection), so you can see an ideal cut princess cut in person, remember though that even if you put them side by side, you'll notice difference, however you don't wear and compare on hand any loose stones with friends. However, what they will notice is the great sparkle attribute to the cut and size, color that is personal preference.
Click to expand...

2nd to Jared's. They do have some fabulous AGS Peerless stones that are extremely well cut. That said, ignore what the sales people say if they have negative comments about the internet. The sales associates at the location I went into insulted my Whiteflash ACAs saying they looked cloudy and warm. Keep in mind, they are ACA F colored stones and every other store I've gone to has nearly fainted at the superior quality they are.
 
In a princess I'd be happy for just eyeclean. As long as none of the inclusions affected the structural integrity (especially those fragile corners) and I couldn't see them, I'd be fine. I wouldn't sacrifice safety over size. But if it's a safe inclusion and I can't see it... gimme the biggest stone I can afford.

Personally, I'd bezel a princess. Those corners worry me. But then again, that's what insurance if for.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top