Diminishing Returns?

[less_confused]

Let me preface my question with a big note of thanks. Everyone has been so helpful and gracious with your input and advice. Your willingness to share is just amazing.

I have successfully navigated the awesome world of possibilities. I will be doing a custom piece using rough diamonds (Kimberly process and conflict free certified diamonds only). That''s to express the message that my newborn is like a rough diamond - full of promise and character.

I am also doing the traditional stud earrings (btw - am I the only one who grins immaturely when admiring the fruit of my loins and saying STUD?).

I want 2ct ttw stud earrings.
My budget, however, screams I/J SI1 1.5ct ttw stud earrings. On the premise that a better cut makes the diamond look bigger (and adds that sacred WOW factor), I will trade color/clarity for cut.

So here''s the question du jour: is there a noticeable size difference between 0.85ct and 1ct brilliant cut stones? It seems that, when I''ve compared stones, the table doesn''t grow as much as the total diamond grows - and a lot of that extra weight is hidden by the setting.

Bear in mind:
* Brilliant cut
* 4 prong settings

I am wide open for comments and suggestions.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/10/2009 3:45:39 PM
Author:less_confused
Let me preface my question with a big note of thanks. Everyone has been so helpful and gracious with your input and advice. Your willingness to share is just amazing.

I have successfully navigated the awesome world of possibilities. I will be doing a custom piece using rough diamonds (Kimberly process and conflict free certified diamonds only). That''s to express the message that my newborn is like a rough diamond - full of promise and character.

I am also doing the traditional stud earrings (btw - am I the only one who grins immaturely when admiring the fruit of my loins and saying STUD?).

I want 2ct ttw stud earrings.
My budget, however, screams I/J SI1 1.5ct ttw stud earrings. On the premise that a better cut makes the diamond look bigger (and adds that sacred WOW factor), I will trade color/clarity for cut.

So here''s the question du jour: is there a noticeable size difference between 0.85ct and 1ct brilliant cut stones? It seems that, when I''ve compared stones, the table doesn''t grow as much as the total diamond grows - and a lot of that extra weight is hidden by the setting.

Bear in mind:
* Brilliant cut
* 4 prong settings

I am wide open for comments and suggestions.

Thank you for your very kind words!

.80 are normally around 6mm give or take a little, 1 carat about 6.5mm so there will be some size difference. What I would do is look for some well cut diamonds of either Ideal cut or 60 60 makes ( 60% depth and table) or a pair which have more shallow proportions. These can show obstruction when set in a ring ( darkening at close scrutiny due to head shadow) but are fine for earrings. I would also look at SI2 clarity if you are open to that to further help the budget.

Also if a pair can be found which are just under 1ct each you will get the look without the magic weight premium.

 

[less_confused]

Lorelei -

Thx! That was a great tip - the size difference.
Since most people will only see the face of the diamond, the difference between 6mm and 6.5mm is mild. Untrained eyes, of course.

Mucho appreciated. I feel better now.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/10/2009 4:14:47 PM
Author: less_confused
Lorelei -

Thx! That was a great tip - the size difference.
Since most people will only see the face of the diamond, the difference between 6mm and 6.5mm is mild. Untrained eyes, of course.

Mucho appreciated. I feel better now.

Glad to help! Even better if you could view some in person, that would really give you a good idea which way to proceed! Try Jareds if there is one closeby, check out their Peerless brand to see the visual differences between the carat weights.

 

[Black Jade]

I have 1.81 ctw. Each is .90. I tried on 2.0 ctw in the store and they looked the same as the 1.81 ctw pair that I have. .85 each would be a LITTLE smaller but I don''t think that anyone is going to notice unless they compare them side by side. This seems less likely on your ears than in your fingers (and I don''t think many women even compare the rings on their fingers side by side once they''ve been married).
I think you should go with your budget, DEFINITELY. .85 per ear is a very large pair. I don''t know what you see around you, but I know that in the circle I run in, 1 carat total weight is considered a dream pair of earrings.
I also thiink J color is fine. Mine are H but that was a little bit overkill, to be honest. Make sure they''re well-cut and then they''ll sparkle like crazy. Mine are ACA''s from Whiteflash and they are AGS 000''s and they sparkle in ALL situations, which to me is what you want when something is right next to your face.
THe people on this forum will help you to find a nice pair. I had a lot of help buying mine, which I am still grateful for.

 

[Black Jade]

Re-reading your post--you do know that 1.5 ctw will be .75 per ear, not .85.
.75 is not going to look like 2 ctw but it is going to look large.
Be sure to try on different styles IRL before you buy online. Mine are 4 prong baskets which I found suited me. I almost ordered 3 prong martinis (there is a big preference for these P''Scope) but found that when I went to the store and tried some on, they looked terrible in my particular ears.

Date: 8/10/2009 3:45:39 PM
Author:less_confused
Let me preface my question with a big note of thanks. Everyone has been so helpful and gracious with your input and advice. Your willingness to share is just amazing.

I have successfully navigated the awesome world of possibilities. I will be doing a custom piece using rough diamonds (Kimberly process and conflict free certified diamonds only). That''s to express the message that my newborn is like a rough diamond - full of promise and character.

I am also doing the traditional stud earrings (btw - am I the only one who grins immaturely when admiring the fruit of my loins and saying STUD?).

I want 2ct ttw stud earrings.
My budget, however, screams I/J SI1 1.5ct ttw stud earrings. On the premise that a better cut makes the diamond look bigger (and adds that sacred WOW factor), I will trade color/clarity for cut.

So here''s the question du jour: is there a noticeable size difference between 0.85ct and 1ct brilliant cut stones? It seems that, when I''ve compared stones, the table doesn''t grow as much as the total diamond grows - and a lot of that extra weight is hidden by the setting.

Bear in mind:
* Brilliant cut
* 4 prong settings

I am wide open for comments and suggestions.

 

[Ellen]

Just wanted to add a note to all the great info given, the size of the lobe, or lack of, can come into play too. There are some who do not have much of one at all, or it is very small, and couldn't even handle a larger stone.


Also, you mentioned people only seeing the face of a diamond. In a very well cut stones, that's how the size of a diamond shows up/faces up. The diameter difference between 6.0 and 6.5 is actually pretty big. Weight increases in diamonds up to 1 carat are more noticeable.

Here's a thread full of studs, might help give you some guidance!

 

[Black Jade]

Date: 8/17/2009 7:48:00 AM
Author: Ellen
Just wanted to add a note to all the great info given, the size of the lobe, or lack of, can come into play too. There are some who do not have much of one at all, or it is very small, and couldn''t even handle a larger stone.


Also, you mentioned people only seeing the face of a diamond. In a very well cut stones, that''s how the size of a diamond shows up/faces up. The diameter difference between 6.0 and 6.5 is actually pretty big. Weight increases in diamonds up to 1 carat are more noticeable.

Here''s a thread full of studs, might help give you some guidance!

Yes, Ellen mentions something important here. The size of your lobes DOES make earrings look really different.
Another reason it''s very important to try on in person.