carat size and age of recipient/purchaser

[windowshopper]

hi all--
we see polls here and there about size of stone but i''ve never seen one with an age component. i would do it but dont know how. wouldnt it be interesting to see if the largest stones belonged to the oldest of us or vice versa in todays era of big stones--i bet the online vendors would be innterested as well!

 

[Madam Bijoux]

Hi!
Lots of young people make much more money these days than they could have years ago, so my guess is that plenty of young people have large stones. Also, there are more older men marrying younger women nowadays, and their stones are probably large.

 

[Lorelei]

I think in general the larger stones belong to the older ladies who upgraded and these were a long time coming ( myself included) however it seems that more and more younger folks are getting engaged with a carat or more. I think the honkers are a more mature lady thing - there ARE good things with aging!!

However I am basing these assumptions on PS members mainly, I don't know about the real non diamond addicted world, but where I come from upgrading is unheard of and a .5 diamond is considered large. The cost of living in the UK is very high.

 

[lumpkin]

Date: 10/11/2005 9:48:35 AM
Author: Lorelei
I think in general the larger stones belong to the older ladies who upgraded and these were a long time coming ( myself included) however it seems that more and more younger folks are getting engaged with a carat or more. I think the honkers are a more mature lady thing - there ARE good things with aging!!

We really should be able to look forward to some benefits as we get older, shouldn''t we???

 

[researcher]

Here''s a thread you might be interested in

 

[researcher]

Oh, and my friends and I were just recently talking about how strange it is our moms all upgraded from stones around a carat to stones in the 3-5ct range while we''re being proposed to with the honkers. Interestingly, none of our moms have turned in their original stones--they''ve just added to their collecions

In fact, my mom still wears her original ring on her left and the "upgrade" on her right. She says the sentimental value of her stone will always outweigh all others

 

[widget]

I AM old...so probably have old fashioned ideas...but I think big honkers look weird on very young women.

I''m sometimes startled when I see a "handshot" of a large blingy diamond on an obviously very young hand.

I think big baubles should be for those who have weathered a few extra decades of life''s wear and tear!

JMO
widget

 

[Kaleigh]

I''m with widget. I think it''s nice to work towards a bigger rock later in life. I know my hubby worked very hard to get me my upgrade and I appreciate it all the more than if I got it when we were young. JMO.

 

[windowshopper]

Date: 10/11/2005 11:44:01 AM
Author: widget
I AM old...so probably have old fashioned ideas...but I think big honkers look weird on very young women.

I''m sometimes startled when I see a ''handshot'' of a large blingy diamond on an obviously very young hand.

I think big baubles should be for those who have weathered a few extra decades of life''s wear and tear!

JMO
widget

i agree completely but here in NYC you see very young woman with 3 carats and up routinely.................

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/11/2005 10:04:07 AM
Author: lumpkin

Date: 10/11/2005 9:48:35 AM
Author: Lorelei
I think in general the larger stones belong to the older ladies who upgraded and these were a long time coming ( myself included) however it seems that more and more younger folks are getting engaged with a carat or more. I think the honkers are a more mature lady thing - there ARE good things with aging!!

We really should be able to look forward to some benefits as we get older, shouldn''t we???

Absolutely Lumpkin!!!!

I do tend to think a bigger rock is more appropriate later in life. I feel a mature lady can wear them better than a young bride, of course if you can afford it get what you want, but to me a larger diamond is a wonderful goal and reward to be looked forward to and worked towards when you have been a wife for many years. It is a visible symbol of your joy and experience with your marriage. However this is just my opinion and if you are younger and can afford a bigger rock then it is entirely up to the individual, just my preferences and thoughts.

 

[jaz464]

I think alot of it has to do with what you consider big. I am one of those women who believes that a diamond can never be too big. I am young (25) and my e-ring is a 2.00 carat. Even though I have small fingers, I would have gotten a much larger diamond if I could have. To some women, 2 carats might be large and to others, 8 carats ect. I am in love with my e-ring but I can already predict that I will some day upgrade (though I can not imagine getting rid of the original one).

 

[icekid]

I am 24, and look much younger- and totally agree that I could not pull off a huge stone at this point! I think it would look ridiculous. But I do think some younger girls can do it- just not me!

Plus, that means I get another ring later! But the original will always be really special

 

[allycat0303]

Heehee, I''m young, and I sort of wish I could have gotten a honker. I never want to upgrade, so this ring is the one I''m going to have forever. I really wouldn''t have minded if the ring I "had forever" was a 2 carat + though

 

[Lorelei]

Personally I consider 3 carats to be entering huge territory, 2 cts is a great size and again depends on the shape

That is a good point as to what size one considers large and PSers views on that may differ a bit to the rest of the worlds!

Also it does depend on the individual, some of us are just " size gals" and can wear them well at any age. But I always think a large rock is great on a slightly older lady

 

[KristyDarling]

I think large stones look great on any hand, young or old! Though I can definitely understand how older women feel more gratification with "earning" their big rocks over time. Here in San Francisco, though, big stones on young hands are about as commonplace as they are in NYC. You sort of get de-sensitized so no one thinks that 2ct+ stones on young women are anything out of the ordinary.

I''m in my 30''s with 2 young kids, and hubby and I are about to make a very big purchase. Not an upgrade, since I plan to keep my original e-ring forever -- we consider this to be a splurge and reward for the challenging times we''ve been through these last few years (a major tumor removal surgery with painful recovery, 3 years of infertility treatments, a mother with a terminal illness, list goes on but I don''t want to bring in the violins!). And we are now both so busy with our careers, kids, and taking care of other people that we''d like to do something for ourselves: bling for me, and a snazzy German sports car for hubby!

We would''ve loved to take a long, luxurious vacation instead, but with two little ones that would be more work than just staying at home. So the rock and the car will do just fine, thank you.

I know these are only material things, but they sure can put a little bounce in your step and make day-to-day life just a little more fun, regardless of your age!

 

[researcher]

I think a big question is what is considered young. At 28 I feel that I''m on the younger side but am not so young as to wear the dainty rings I did as a teenager. Also, in my profession and with my lifestyle a 3ct ring does not seem big at all. In fact, it really is just the average with people I am around on a daily basis.

Now, I agree that people my age who wear the crazy big rings (5+ cts) with accent stones and all look ridiculous, but I think it looks very appropriate to have a classy stone on the larger size no matter your age. And, while I can see how it would mean a lot to get an upgrade, with my situation it means more that my hubby bought me my ring while we''re broke due to my ridiculous student loans. Because of the potential with both our occupations, I don''t think it would mean as much to me to get a big diamond later in life. At present, it means the world to me that my hubby spent most of his savings on making my dreams come true. He could not have been more romantic or selfless IMO. Once we are financially secure I''m not sure I would feel so grateful. I mean, how many people were thrilled the first time they bought designer clothes because they could finally afford them, and now buy them because it''s just the brand you prefer? I mean, you still love getting new clothes, but it''s not the same feeling as when you had to save up until you could finally purchase your first outfit.

Maybe I''m just nuts, but I feel my e-ring is always going to mean more to me than any other stone BECAUSE my hubby worked so hard to buy it. And there may be shrinkage over the years (by the time I''m 50 girls may be getting engaged with 7ct stones) but I will never forget what my hubby gave up to make my dreams come true. And I just don''t think that opportunity will come around again.

 

[Shiny42805]

You''re going to think I''m nuts - my fiance gave me the option of a large stone, and I turned him down!

I''d rather he take his extra 10K and put it in the "house" fund, but that''s just the kind of person I am. I know he loves me, and yes, of course I admire huge rocks on other hands, but my lifestyle just fits well with a 1ct range. I get asked all the time if "that thing is real" because I look so young! (I was proofed for an R-Rated movie last weekend - don''t you have to be 17 to get into those?!?!)

 

[kenny]

Us old farts need big diamonds.

We can''t see the small ones.

 

[Kaleigh]

So true Kenny!!!

 

[KristyDarling]

 

[E B]

Date: 10/11/2005 2:20:04 PM
Author: Shiny42805
You're going to think I'm nuts - my fiance gave me the option of a large stone, and I turned him down!

I'd rather he take his extra 10K and put it in the 'house' fund, but that's just the kind of person I am. I know he loves me, and yes, of course I admire huge rocks on other hands, but my lifestyle just fits well with a 1ct range. I get asked all the time if 'that thing is real' because I look so young! (I was proofed for an R-Rated movie last weekend - don't you have to be 17 to get into those?!?!)

I'm very much with you, Shiny. I cannot for the life of me ever see my boyfriend and myself spending $10,000+ on a diamond. That money would go towards a new car (a hybrid!), a house payment, or, hell, our children's college fund (when we have them, of course!). I'm 22, my boyfriend is 23, and my engagement ring will hold a .85 carat ideal cut diamond which I'll never upgrade. Everyone is different, though. Women who *love* diamonds (and can afford them) should have 10 carats on their hands if that's what they want!

 

[qtiekiki]

It''s not so much an age thing as it is a regional thing. I think in big cities (i.e. NY, SF, LA) 1+ ct is the norm and 2+ is very common for old and young.

 

[researcher]

Date: 10/11/2005 9:42:20 AM
Author: Madam Bijoux
Hi!

Lots of young people make much more money these days than they could have years ago, so my guess is that plenty of young people have large stones. Also, there are more older men marrying younger women nowadays, and their stones are probably large.

I just had to respond to this--too funny!!! Then it occurred to me that I''m married to an older man...sort of (he''s 2 years older

). Anyway, it did make me think of all the young women marrying divorced older men and how the men want to buy their new wives something bigger and better than their last wife. I guess some girls get the upgrade another woman deserves!!!

 

[windowshopper]

Date: 10/11/2005 1:25:04 PM
Author: researcher
I think a big question is what is considered young. At 28 I feel that I''m on the younger side but am not so young as to wear the dainty rings I did as a teenager. Also, in my profession and with my lifestyle a 3ct ring does not seem big at all. In fact, it really is just the average with people I am around on a daily basis.

Now, I agree that people my age who wear the crazy big rings (5+ cts) with accent stones and all look ridiculous, but I think it looks very appropriate to have a classy stone on the larger size no matter your age. And, while I can see how it would mean a lot to get an upgrade, with my situation it means more that my hubby bought me my ring while we''re broke due to my ridiculous student loans. Because of the potential with both our occupations, I don''t think it would mean as much to me to get a big diamond later in life. At present, it means the world to me that my hubby spent most of his savings on making my dreams come true. He could not have been more romantic or selfless IMO. Once we are financially secure I''m not sure I would feel so grateful. I mean, how many people were thrilled the first time they bought designer clothes because they could finally afford them, and now buy them because it''s just the brand you prefer? I mean, you still love getting new clothes, but it''s not the same feeling as when you had to save up until you could finally purchase your first outfit.

Maybe I''m just nuts, but I feel my e-ring is always going to mean more to me than any other stone BECAUSE my hubby worked so hard to buy it. And there may be shrinkage over the years (by the time I''m 50 girls may be getting engaged with 7ct stones) but I will never forget what my hubby gave up to make my dreams come true. And I just don''t think that opportunity will come around again.

I just knew this would make for interesting conversation: Researcher said it very well--I really think some of it is personal style and some is LIFE style. I am tall-ish on the thin side with very long hands and feet and arms and legs for that matter and in my late 30''s. I have a 3 carat and quite frankly would go to 5 or 6 --the 3 fits me perfectly and fits my hand size. (but no bigger.......). Howver, lifestyle wise it be a little much.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 10/11/2005 1:25:04 PM
Author: researcher
I think a big question is what is considered young. At 28 I feel that I''m on the younger side but am not so young as to wear the dainty rings I did as a teenager. Also, in my profession and with my lifestyle a 3ct ring does not seem big at all. In fact, it really is just the average with people I am around on a daily basis.

researcher
you live in the land of the "GIANT ROCKS"

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 10/11/2005 9:48:35 AM
Author: Lorelei
I think in general the larger stones belong to the older ladies who upgraded and these were a long time coming ( myself included) however it seems that more and more younger folks are getting engaged with a carat or more. I think the honkers are a more mature lady thing - there ARE good things with aging!!

However I am basing these assumptions on PS members mainly, I don''t know about the real non diamond addicted world, but where I come from upgrading is unheard of and a .5 diamond is considered large. The cost of living in the UK is very high.

how old is a mature lady?

 

[Kaleigh]

I''m 43, and consider myself a very young 43. I refuse to grow up!!!!

 

[widget]

Author: researcher
.... think of all the young women marrying divorced older men and how the men want to buy their new wives something bigger and better than their last wife. I guess some girls get the upgrade another woman deserves!!!

 

[Lorelei]

I

Date: 10/11/2005 10:41:19 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 10/11/2005 9:48:35 AM
Author: Lorelei
I think in general the larger stones belong to the older ladies who upgraded and these were a long time coming ( myself included) however it seems that more and more younger folks are getting engaged with a carat or more. I think the honkers are a more mature lady thing - there ARE good things with aging!!

However I am basing these assumptions on PS members mainly, I don''t know about the real non diamond addicted world, but where I come from upgrading is unheard of and a .5 diamond is considered large. The cost of living in the UK is very high.

how old is a mature lady?

I guess it is around when a lady has her 40th birthday, however I too refuse to grow up, if anything the older I get the more eccentric I become, my early 40''s have been the best time of my life so far - if this is being mature I LIKE IT!!!

 

[researcher]

DF~
You''re right--I do live in the land of giant rocks. It''s so funny how one''s perceptions of what''s big vs. small can get so skewed. Just the other day I went to lunch with a couple of my mom''s friends, and spent the whole time admiring their bling. One woman has a 10ct oval that is just spectacular!!!