Diamond Shrinkage Syndrome....how fast does it set in?

[jaysonsmom]

Oh dear, I haven''t even reached 2 weeks with my new ring, and I''m experincing it already....and so is Dh!

We were looking at my new 1.81 upgrade, and thinking that we probably should have just gone with 2 ct. A lot of people posted new bling this past week, all in the 2ct+ range, and that probably had an affect on my perception.

In the real world (not in the PS world), my rock is still a honker and it''s BEAUTIFULLY blingy and reflective compared to what I''ve been seeing these past couple weeks. What to do? I think I need a hiatus from SMTB section of this site.

 

[coda72]

Step away from SMTB! Seriously, you do have a good sized rock, but as someone who''s upgraded a few times, I know where you''re coming from. I know for me that my husband wouldn''t have gone for spending the extra $5K or so the 2 carat diamond would have cost. And truthfully, I have such small fingers that I really don''t think I will ever go bigger than my current ring. But if you''re very unhappy and can spare the money, maybe you should just go ahead and make the jump to over 2 carats now.

 

[elrohwen]

I don''t wear my ring every day, so whenever I put it on, it seems huge! So that''s my remedy. Mine''s about the same size as yours and I''ve never desired anything larger. I would like to get more diamonds, and I like those that are larger, but when I look at my finger my ering seems to be large enough for me.

 

[jaysonsmom]

Date: 6/9/2010 6:44:42 PM
Author: coda72
Step away from SMTB! Seriously, you do have a good sized rock, but as someone who''s upgraded a few times, I know where you''re coming from. I know for me that my husband wouldn''t have gone for spending the extra $5K or so the 2 carat diamond would have cost. And truthfully, I have such small fingers that I really don''t think I will ever go bigger than my current ring. But if you''re very unhappy and can spare the money, maybe you should just go ahead and make the jump to over 2 carats now.

I''m not unhappy with my new ring, it''s just that when I look at it now, I don''t go "Wow, it''s huge" like I did when I first got it.

When are you going to post pictures of your new ring Coda?

 

[waterlilly]

Isn''t the difference between a 1.8 and a 2ct barely noticeable? So, you''d need to go in the 2.2-2.5 range to really notice a hop, right? Is that in your budget? Is there a trade up policy on your stone?

FWIW:

You have amazing finger coverage as is - step away from SMTR for sure!!

 

[Should Be Studying]

Definitely take a break from SMTB! Or head to the "real life perspective" thread to give you a better frame of reference.

I think that is normal after looking at such beautiful rings so up close and personal. Really, there isn''t much difference between a 1.81 and a 2 carat, so enjoy your beautiful upgrade.

 

[yssie]

Date: 6/9/2010 6:52:50 PM
Author: jaysonsmom

Date: 6/9/2010 6:44:42 PM
Author: coda72
Step away from SMTB! Seriously, you do have a good sized rock, but as someone who's upgraded a few times, I know where you're coming from. I know for me that my husband wouldn't have gone for spending the extra $5K or so the 2 carat diamond would have cost. And truthfully, I have such small fingers that I really don't think I will ever go bigger than my current ring. But if you're very unhappy and can spare the money, maybe you should just go ahead and make the jump to over 2 carats now.

I'm not unhappy with my new ring, it's just that when I look at it now, I don't go 'Wow, it's huge' like I did when I first got it.

When are you going to post pictures of your new ring Coda?

That's very normal! I don't either, and I've only had mine for a week or so too. That doesn't mean I'm unhappy with it though... are you actively unhappy with or disappointed in your new ring? I ask because it's natural for it to look 'normal/usual' on your hand after wearing it around through all waking hours for a while, but 'usual' doesn't have to be a bad thing - in fact, it can be a very good thing

A few fixes for when it's looking "small" (though a well-cut 1.8 is a BIG and sparkly stone!)

1. Stay AWAY from SMTR for a couple of weeks!
2. Clean that thing! US it, steam it, scrub it with a baby toothbrush and blowdry to avoid water marks - the sparkle adds insta-size

3. Get a (dark coloured) sapphire band (or a couple). I'm serious. Just like a diamond looks whiter, brighter, and therefore bigger against black paper or a black cloth than white, a diamond on the finger will look whiter, brighter, and therefore bigger against the contrast of dark sapphires than against lighter, whiter skin.
4. Not-wearing it for a few hours works wonders

5. Put it on someone else, walk across the room and admire

or if another finger isn't handy, try the mirror.

 

[waterlilly]

and browse here to remind yourself how much bigger you would really need to go in order to notice a difference....

 

[Dancing Fire]

J''smom...we''ll see a 2.5ct on your finger within the next 6 months!!

 

[jaysonsmom]

Date: 6/9/2010 7:15:10 PM
Author: Dancing Fire
J''smom...we''ll see a 2.5ct on your finger within the next 6 months!!

MUST NOT LET THIS TEMPT ME
MUST NOT LET THIS TEMPT ME
MUST NOT LET THIS TEMPT ME
MUST NOT LET THIS TEMPT ME...........................

 

[jaysonsmom]

Someone needs to come up with a diamond aversion therapy.....zap my brain everytime I think of a bigger, better stone.

 

[lyra]

I would consider a reset or two before another diamond size upgrade. For me, sitting at 1.77ct I''d need a 2.25 or so to really appreciate a difference in size but I do NOT want to put more money into my ring. I have other pieces I want more, after living with it for 3 years. I *do* avoid SMTB for the most part. I will look at it once a week maybe, but went 3 months without looking at it last year, just to get perspective again!

 

[elle_chris]

Date: 6/9/2010 5:56:46 PM
Author:jaysonsmom
Oh dear, I haven''t even reached 2 weeks with my new ring, and I''m experincing it already....and so is Dh!

We were looking at my new 1.81 upgrade, and thinking that we probably should have just gone with 2 ct. A lot of people posted new bling this past week, all in the 2ct+ range, and that probably had an affect on my perception.

In the real world (not in the PS world), my rock is still a honker and it''s BEAUTIFULLY blingy and reflective compared to what I''ve been seeing these past couple weeks. What to do? I think I need a hiatus from SMTB section of this site.

This. Just remember that PS is not the world you live in.

Each time I get the urge so spend thousands more on an upgrade, I ask myself "why??!!" and I can never really answer with something that doesnt sound ridiculous to me.

 

[tigian]

Date: 6/9/2010 7:05:28 PM
Author: yssie

Date: 6/9/2010 6:52:50 PM

Author: jaysonsmom

Date: 6/9/2010 6:44:42 PM

Author: coda72

Step away from SMTB! Seriously, you do have a good sized rock, but as someone who''s upgraded a few times, I know where you''re coming from. I know for me that my husband wouldn''t have gone for spending the extra $5K or so the 2 carat diamond would have cost. And truthfully, I have such small fingers that I really don''t think I will ever go bigger than my current ring. But if you''re very unhappy and can spare the money, maybe you should just go ahead and make the jump to over 2 carats now.

I''m not unhappy with my new ring, it''s just that when I look at it now, I don''t go ''Wow, it''s huge'' like I did when I first got it.

When are you going to post pictures of your new ring Coda?

That''s very normal! I don''t either, and I''ve only had mine for a week or so too. That doesn''t mean I''m unhappy with it though... are you actively unhappy with or disappointed in your new ring? I ask because it''s natural for it to look ''normal/usual'' on your hand after wearing it around through all waking hours for a while, but ''usual'' doesn''t have to be a bad thing - in fact, it can be a very good thing

A few fixes for when it''s looking ''small'' (though a well-cut 1.8 is a BIG and sparkly stone!)


1. Stay AWAY from SMTR for a couple of weeks!

2. Clean that thing! US it, steam it, scrub it with a baby toothbrush and blowdry to avoid water marks - the sparkle adds insta-size

3. Get a (dark coloured) sapphire band (or a couple). I''m serious. Just like a diamond looks whiter, brighter, and therefore bigger against black paper or a black cloth than white, a diamond on the finger will look whiter, brighter, and therefore bigger against the contrast of dark sapphires than against lighter, whiter skin.

4. Not-wearing it for a few hours works wonders

5. Put it on someone else, walk across the room and admire

or if another finger isn''t handy, try the mirror.

OR...you can send it over here and let me wear it. Jaysonsmom, your ring is beautiful and huge!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 6/9/2010 7:32:15 PM
Author: jaysonsmom

Date: 6/9/2010 7:15:10 PM
Author: Dancing Fire
J''smom...we''ll see a 2.5ct on your finger within the next 6 months!!

MUST NOT LET THIS TEMPT ME
MUST NOT LET THIS TEMPT ME
MUST NOT LET THIS TEMPT ME
MUST NOT LET THIS TEMPT ME...........................

oh c''mon,why not?...you got hubby on the ropes now.

 

[Liane]

Yeah, the first step is definitely to take a break from SMTB.

After that, two things work for me:

1. Stop and notice the rings other women are wearing. Get some real-life perspective. Most days, I don''t see many (or any) rocks bigger than my own (well, unless I''m hanging out with that One Friend we all have -- and then I get to bask in my comparative humility!), and that really brings home what a distorting bubble PS is.

Besides, it is no hardship at all to admire other ladies'' lovely rings, and when I notice a particularly nice design or well-cut stone, I''ve become quick to compliment them. Partly because it''s just the nice thing to do (I WAS admiring it, why not say so?) and partly because most people are happy to be complimented on a particularly cherished piece (plus who knows, maybe that lady was suffering from DSS too, and that''ll help her out of her own case!).

2. Either take a break from wearing my own ring or swap it for a gemstone ring with a significantly smaller stone. After a day or two, my brain gets re-calibrated and I can once again recognize that a honker is a honker.

And 1.81 is absolutely a honker.

 

[Kaleigh]

Already>?? You just got it woman!!! Ok step away from SMTR, and look at what you see around you...

My upgrade was years ago, and have never had what you all call diamond shrinkage syndrome.. It looks as big as when we got it.

I am sorry, am guessing I am not much help...

Enjoy your new ring, it''s a gorgeous stone and looks amazing on your hand...

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 6/9/2010 7:15:10 PM
Author: Dancing Fire
J''smom...we''ll see a 2.5ct on your finger within the next 6 months!!

YUP, you called it first!!!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Date: 6/9/2010 5:56:46 PM
Author:jaysonsmom
Oh dear, I haven''t even reached 2 weeks with my new ring, and I''m experincing it already....and so is Dh!

We were looking at my new 1.81 upgrade, and thinking that we probably should have just gone with 2 ct. A lot of people posted new bling this past week, all in the 2ct+ range, and that probably had an affect on my perception.

In the real world (not in the PS world), my rock is still a honker and it''s BEAUTIFULLY blingy and reflective compared to what I''ve been seeing these past couple weeks. What to do? I think I need a hiatus from SMTB section of this site.

That probably is just a mind game. There really wouldn''t be that much of a size difference - 2 ct. just sounds way bigger and truly it''s not!

Your new ring is gorgeous and looks perfect with your band. You could get a 2 ct. stone but it might just not be as white and sparkly as the one you have now. All diamonds are different and have their own personalities so while you could have a bit bigger, you might just not be as happy with it as you are with the stone you have now.

The other suggestions here are good ones - SMTR can be a very dangerous place to lurk! Put it in the jewelry box for a day or two - almost guaranteed to knock you socks off when you put it back on!

 

[Amethyste]

I hope in my case, it will never set it cause I''ll be in trouble!!!!

 

[Amethyste]

Date: 6/9/2010 7:36:28 PM
Author: jaysonsmom
Someone needs to come up with a diamond aversion therapy.....zap my brain everytime I think of a bigger, better stone.

That''s easy.... See the "Report Concern" Button?

Just click it and write " Moderators, I am having trouble staying away from SMTR section and is creating MAJOR bling lust! Save my poor soul and just dis-allow me from logging on or view the forum for a month or so... Maybe it will help a little. THank you "

 

[Lynn B]

Awww, girl, I hear you! And here''s the fact as I see it: if you are susceptible to DSS (and I am), it never ends! NEVER!!!

It just keeps on going and going, upgrade after upgrade, and every new stone looks big for a few days/weeks, and then the !@#$ thing shrinks down to nuthin'', and you feel like you have to upgrade again! And the kick in the pants is that the larger you go, the MORE it takes to make a visibly noticeable JUMP IN SIZE! And those jumps are EXPENSIVE!!!

My diamond is 2.36 and to really see a NOTICEABLE, VISIBLE difference (in my own eyes anyway), I''d need to jump to at least 3 carats, maybe even closer to 3.5. The conclusion of the matter is therefore for me, it probably ain''t never gonna happen. Unless I win the lottery (which I don''t play!) or a rich relative dies (and I don''t have any!), I simply. can''t. justify. spending. that. kind. of. money. on. a bauble!!!!

Lord help us one and all!!!

 

[jaysonsmom]

I did a search on DSS and read a ton of threads about this, and someone suggested wearing a plain band with the diamond solitaire to make it really pop, well, I started doing that last night and my diamond is growingagain hehe.

 

[kenny]

The solution to DSS.
You start with a 5x lens.
Then for only $20 you can upgrade to a 10x lens, and so on.

 

[jaysonsmom]

Date: 6/10/2010 12:05:58 PM
Author: kenny
The solution to DSS.
You start with a 5x lens.
Then for only $20 you can upgrade to a 10x lens, and so on.

Haha...Does that come in a 6-prong holder? I heard that more 6-prongs make the stone look larger

 

[Circe]

This is a fun, jokey thread, but you know what I seriously think the solution is? I-N-F-O-R-M-A-T-I-O-N!

I''m in London right now, and the British have a lovely habit ... they put carat sizes on little placards right in the window! I was wandering through the Piccadilly Arcade, and I kept sort of glancing back and forth between my 1.5 ct. and the 2 and 3 carat stones in the window, and you now what? Depending on setting, there just wasn''t that much of a difference, size-wise, so long as we were in the round/cushion/princess category! Pears and ovals can be jarring, yes, but we''re talking about a whole different look (and, frankly, even then, we are not talking a 20K difference, at least not for me). So I vote we start putting the screws to US dealers to adopt this custom - knowledge is power!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 6/10/2010 12:04:03 PM
Author: jaysonsmom
I did a search on DSS and read a ton of threads about this, and someone suggested wearing a plain band with the diamond solitaire to make it really pop, well, I started doing that last night and my diamond is growingagain hehe.

Yup, I switch up my wb a lot and it makes a big difference. Also, make sure to admire your ring as much as possible in a mirror! Looks huge that way and gives a real life perspective.

My DSS set in within a week

But I think I and you would need to hit 2.5 ct to even notice a difference, and for me that is unreasonable.

My plan is to reset my diamond semiregularly. Much less money, gives a nice jolt of change, and the settings can house gems when I move on! Win win win.

 

[CharmyPoo]

You know I don''t htink I ever experience DSS. I look at my ring and still think it is huge even though it is much smaller than yours.

 

[jaysonsmom]

Date: 6/10/2010 11:11:52 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
You know I don''t htink I ever experience DSS. I look at my ring and still think it is huge even though it is much smaller than yours.

Charmy, if I had as many beautiful gemstone rings as you, I''d probably never think about my diamond much either

 

[marcy]

PS certainly gave it to me.