How big

[jimr]

Hello,

I''ve heard lots of talk about making a good trade off between size and quality. It seems like budget is definitely a major driver in this decision, however, it would be helpful to know what people (and our culture) think about sizes of diamonds.

I''d love to hear opinions about what the thresholds people consider what deciding in their own mind whether a diamond is small, medium, large, and over the top.

Please respond with your opinions. I know there isn''t really a right answer.

I''ll start with my thoughts (based on almost nothing)...

under 1ct - A bit on the small side
1 - 1.5ct - Average size (but decent)
1.5 - 2ct - A good size diamond
over 2ct - A bit over-the-top (nothing wrong with that..)

Thanks in advance,

Jim

 

[jimr]

I just realized that a poll was done a few months ago with the following results.

Sorry for not searching first...


Jim

From 9/23/2003 poll by Mara:
Question: Money not hindering your choice...What is your idea of the PERFECT sized engagement ring (CTW)??

Answers: % Votes
under .50c 1% 4
.50c - 1c 14% 39
1c - 1.5c 34% 94
1.5c - 2c 22% 63
2c - 2.5c 14% 39
2.5c - 3c 8% 23
over 3c (a whopper!) 6% 18
Total Votes: 280

 

[Mara]

Jim...yeah the poll actually is pretty informative on what people would want if their budgte was not an issue. Somewhat along the lines of say someone offered to buy you an engagement ring, whatever you wanted, and it was no cost to you, but you could not have that $$ instead so you might as well get what you really would want. Kind of like if you were on the Bachelor and shopping at HW and anything you bought was free.

Of course without the whole 'marrying a stranger' part. Hee Hee.




Anyway...for me, for an engagement ring...under 1c is small. Over 3c is too big. Anything in between is a gray area.

Doesn't mean that I wouldn't get something like a .50c for a pendant or similar. But for an e-ring...I would go over 1c and probably stay under 2c for MY general rule of thumb. Opinion only.

 

[Decker]

under 1ct - A bit on the small side
1 - 1.5ct - Average size (but decent)
1.5 - 2ct - A good size diamond
over 2ct - A bit over-the-top (nothing wrong with that..)

---

I think you are right on. I agree with this 100%.

Decker

 

[diamond dazed]

Your question is a bit different in that it doesn't specify "engagement" diamond, although maybe that's what you meant...

One other thought, as I view those results from the previous poll -- interpreting poll results that have been taken here on PS is a little tricky -- many of us voting are bonafied diamond junkies and I think that drives the average sizes that we find "good" or "acceptable" up, way up. I would venture to guess that the average person finds 1 ct to be huge -- I know I did when my sis-in-law got one about 8 years beore I did. Caused a little pouting, to tell you the truth.

My husband is a prince for putting up with me.

To one of the expert pollsters, I'd be interested in seeing it broken down by geography or age, oh- or how about length of time since joining Pricescope, hehe.

Kris

 

[Mara]

Actually Kevin aka InNeedOf Help was working on doing that DD....setting up a detailed survey that would ask on geo, age, status in life, etc so that we could get a REAL idea of how it's broken down. Not sure where he is at with that right now.




Before I started shopping for stones, I knew I wanted at least a 1c. But once we started looking, that obviously jumped a bit. I think when I was younger, I thought more of a 1c. But now that I am almost 30 and more of my friends are engaged, married, etc and I have acquired a bit of jewelry etc...my tastes have gone up as well

 

[niceice]

We would all certainly benefit from that type of detailed survey. The majority of our sales seem to occur between the 0.75 and 1.49 carat marks with larger sizes tending to be purchased by people in the 30+ range as Mara indicated. Larger sizes 1.49 ++ seem to be purchased by people entering a second marriage or for a major anniversary. And then there are a few diamond junkies who trade-up their diamonds continually... One carat becomes a 1.50 becomes a 2.00 becomes a 3.00 becomes a 4.00 and eventually a five carat puppy! And then we start on earrings

 

[p5r799]

I think the size really depends on the lady's preference and what her hand/finger size is. You don't want to dwarf it.
But I do think that anything under 1 carat is too small.
But I think all the guys should spend their budget on the color and not so much the size. Try to stay on D, E or F and don't go down below SI1. The cut is very important too.
I want to recommend a wholesale store to everybody who might read this. We drove 6 hours to go to this store and was very very impressed. The store is absolutely beautiful and you are treated as if you are in Tiffany's. The name of the store is "Diamond Direct" and they are located in Charlotte, NC. They are featured in a lot of popular bride magazine but they were recommended to us by a co-worker of mine. Their prices are unbeatable. We picked out 1.25, D, SI1, ideal cut..etc with channel set platium setting for $8100.
You will not find a better price any where.