Help choosing diamond studs?

[newposter]

I need some help from the experts... I''m getting a pair of studs this year for Christmas. I''m replacing a round pair I had that was 1.4 tcw. My budget this year is not that high, so my options are to get another round pair in the 1.0 (or maybe a touch bigger) tcw range. I''m worried I won''t love these after having a larger pair. So, I started considering something different - either an even smaller round pair in a halo setting or a larger set (1.3-1.4 tcw) in a princess setting. I was leaning towards the princess idea, thinking I could upgrade later if I liked them and/or hold out for another set of rounds later (big birthday or anniversary present in a few years). I love the halo idea, but then I''m putting a lot of my budget into the setting or jacket, rather than the stone (and maybe ruining the upgrade potential if I go with jackets).
But, I got nervous after reading opinions on here that princess stones look smaller.

Any advice?

 

[Hest88]

Maybe go to store and look at a few first? Some women really look good with one or the other, but not both. Or, in the store, you might decide you really prefer the way one looks over the other as well.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Yes, try some on. Also, be sure that when you go into any B&M that the stones are have the diameter of what a round/princess would have if it''s well-cut. I was comparing my .82 ctw (AGS000) studs to 1 ct studs at a B&M and my stones were visably larger!

 

[newposter]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have looked at studs a little and probably need to go see them in person again. But I wanted to get some opinions from the been-there-done-that folks on this board, too.