Help me decide! Five stone diamond band!

[sherpagirl]

Hi Everyone!

First, I want to thank so many of you for all your expertise, knowledge and suggestions --- a few months ago, my fiance--to-be and I decided that we would get a five-stone diamond band as my e-ring and wedding band, rather than investing right now in a solitaire plus band when we get married. I am really excited and we think we can order/buy the ring in the next several week! And all of you have been so helpful as I knew nothing about diamonds not too long ago!

So I think I have decided to go with BGD. I have also talked to WF and GOG, both who were extremely helpful as well, but I think I love the BGD designs and their customer service so far has been great. So here's my slight dilemma:

At first I was set on getting five .30ct stones, for a ring that was about 1.50cttw. I went to a local jeweler, and tried on both 1.25cttw and 1.50cttw five stone rings --- and after seeing them on my size 5 finger, i liked the way the 1.25cttw looked. I guess i felt like the 1.50cttw (while stunning), it looked kinda "big for the sake of looking big". So-- I have quotes from BGD for both 1.25cttw and 1.50cttw five stone platinum rings, stones and melees respectively, are BGD signature. With the lovely price discount they offer on .30ct+ stones, however, the 1.50cttw actually comes out less than the 1.25cttw (by about $200). Also I know that stones .30ct and above are eligible for upgrades -and I like the idea of that, but realistically, I don't think I would want to upgrade -- since it would hold much sentimental value, and both sizes look pretty substantial on my finger.

I know $200 doesn't sound like much, but we are getting ready to put an offer in on a home, and every penny counts. I don't know what to do! The ring I tried on at the local store was a lattice-type setting that sat on a flat horizontal bar (does that make sense?) Anyway, I felt that it sat quite high off the finger, which I didn't like as much. So I wonder if either the BGD trellis or u prong settings might sit lower, and maybe the .30ct stones won't be as "in your face"?

Ahh! Sorry for my long post. I guess I'm not sure what to do. Go for the 1.5cttw because the cost is better but I may be worried that it is too much bling? Again, I am probably going to go with the BGD U prong (they told me it sits lower than the trellis). Or go for the 1.25cttw with a slightly higher cost?

What would you do? Help! Thank you!!!

 

[lovemybling]

I am very petite but I would still take the 1.50 ring. I know right now you are not use to wearing anything so whatever you put on seems BLINGY. But believe me after wearing something a while DDS ( Dreaded Diamond Shrinkage) will set in . So take the larger one and have the advantage of being able to trade in down the road. Plus the cost of it being less is just really a bonus.

Good luck can not wait to see what you choose

 

[diamondseeker2006]

That makes zero sense to me that .25 stones would cost more than .30's! I wouldn't even care if stones that small were sent to AGS as long as they were ideal cut (which BG can assess). I also wouldn't care about the upgrade on a ring that would be extremely unlikely to be traded in. I am sure if you later get an e-ring, you'd wear this ring on your other hand.

If you liked the .25's better on your hand, that is what I think you ought to get. But I'd ask if there is a way to make the diamonds less expensive such as getting the stones before they are sent to AGS. I am sure Brian is totally able to match stones of same color and clarity for you.

(This advice is coming from someone who was originally looking for a 1.4 ct. diamond, found a 1.6 and was overwhelmingly encouraged to get it, and is now after 5 years trading for a smaller stone like I wanted in the first place. Go with your gut feeling about what you like best, not what others recommend because we are not you!)

 

[sherpagirl]

That makes zero sense to me that .25 stones would cost more than .30's! I wouldn't even care if stones that small were sent to AGS as long as they were ideal cut (which BG can assess). I also wouldn't care about the upgrade on a ring that would be extremely unlikely to be traded in. I am sure if you later get an e-ring, you'd wear this ring on your other hand.

If you liked the .25's better on your hand, that is what I think you ought to get. But I'd ask if there is a way to make the diamonds less expensive such as getting the stones before they are sent to AGS. I am sure Brian is totally able to match stones of same color and clarity for you.

(This advice is coming from someone who was originally looking for a 1.4 ct. diamond, found a 1.6 and was overwhelmingly encouraged to get it, and is now after 5 years trading for a smaller stone like I wanted in the first place. Go with your gut feeling about what you like best, not what others recommend because we are not you!)

Thank you! I know, it sounds bizarre -- what it really boils down to is that BGD doesn't offer a discount on any stones under .30ct, which is why the .30cts actually come out less than the .25cts.... at least, that's what I'm understanding from BGD...

 

[swingirl]

This is true, BGD discounts "their" stones which are .30 ct and above.

I think the rings you tried on don't represent what a 5 stone from BGD will look like. I also don't think the size difference will matter once the ring is complete and on your finger. But you want to happy with your choice. Can you try on more 5 stones at another jeweler where the settings are closer to BGD? That bar thing might be raising up the stones more than U prong or trellis would.

 

[Sundial]

The 1.5 total carat five stone may look big to you now because you aren't used to seeing a ring like this on your hand and also the setting is different than the one you will end up buying. I have a two carat five stone ring and I love the size. It is blingy but still understated. Only you can decide what you truly want, but for me I would certainly take advantage of the larger diamonds.

 

[tyty333]

DSS - Diamond Shrinkage Syndrome...get the 1.5. After wearing it for a while it wont seem all that large. Do people in your
area have fairly substantial e-rngs? You are only talking 5 more points a stone.