I am contemplating something drastic...

[MissGotRocks]

Date: 3/13/2010 11:15:37 AM
Author: dreamer_d
Honestly, what started all this was that I plan to go up to an SI1 from my current SI2 diamond, since it just is not mind clean or eye clean enough for me. Well when I thought to myself that it would cost about $1500 to get that chance, and the diamond would be the same size, I started thinking that if I spent $2700 I could get over the 1.5ct mark! LOL. Increments are dangerous.

Perhaps but it is the increments that make it possible. Few people are able to go out when they are first engaged and plunk down enough dollars to get their dream size, color and clarity. Some folks never think twice about it; they just enjoy and appreciate what they have. Others - the diamond nuts like us - just gradually go up and up finding that sweet spot in size, color and clarity. Rome wasn't built in a day - that's why the upgrade policies are so important. If you can spend $1500 this year, $2800 next year and so on you can finally build up to that perfect stone - without starving the children!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/13/2010 12:30:42 PM
Author: Laila619
Hi dreamer! I think we are about the same size, a 6-6.25. Right? I do not think my new 1.80 carat looks that big on my hand unfortunately. So I am not sure a 1.6 would make you happy forever. What I would do is halo your 1.2 carat! It will look massive!

I know, I know! But the impracticality!

Are you planning to halo your 1.8? And where are the photos??

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Honestly, I just think you need to get over this I only need one ring nonsense.

Seriously, from reading what you''ve written here, my only recommendation would be go with a vendor with an excellent upgrade policy, because (like my RHR hobby) this will never be done.

And why should it be? Forever is a verrrry long time.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/13/2010 12:31:07 PM
Author: Upgradable
I''m sooooo not weighing in on the do it/don''t debate. Strictly an informational post here.

Pearlman''s has a gorgeous Vatche platinum X prong for sale in its Previously Owned section.

I know! I saw it. Since my other rings are wg, and the wg option new is only $1000, I don''t think I would go that route. But I did think about it! I am still thinking about it!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/13/2010 12:58:33 PM
Author: MissGotRocks

Date: 3/13/2010 11:15:37 AM
Author: dreamer_d
Honestly, what started all this was that I plan to go up to an SI1 from my current SI2 diamond, since it just is not mind clean or eye clean enough for me. Well when I thought to myself that it would cost about $1500 to get that chance, and the diamond would be the same size, I started thinking that if I spent $2700 I could get over the 1.5ct mark! LOL. Increments are dangerous.

Perhaps but it is the increments that make it possible. Few people are able to go out when they are first engaged and plunk down enough dollars to get their dream size, color and clarity. Some folks never think twice about it; they just enjoy and appreciate what they have. Others - the diamond nuts like us - just gradually go up and up finding that sweet spot in size, color and clarity. Rome wasn''t built in a day - that''s why the upgrade policies are so important. If you can spend $1500 this year, $2800 next year and so on you can finally build up to that perfect stone - without starving the children!

Yes, this is technically how it all works. Leslie keeps telling me this

But I want it now!

(stomps foot and jumps up and down).

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/13/2010 1:33:15 PM
Author: Mrs Mitchell
Honestly, I just think you need to get over this I only need one ring nonsense.

Seriously, from reading what you''ve written here, my only recommendation would be go with a vendor with an excellent upgrade policy, because (like my RHR hobby) this will never be done.

And why should it be? Forever is a verrrry long time.

haha. You are probably right.

Have you posted threads showing your RHRs? I will have to go look.

I think lots of rings would be great, but I only like wearing rings on the one finger, and then if there is another ring in the jewel box I feel bad for it

Like it is lovely and ignored or something.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

They probably do all have threads somewhere, I''ve been collecting them awhile!

Most recent was my 5 stone asscher (baby gift) and my oval in rose gold before that. I also have a 2.5cttw shared prong eternity and a sapphire with diamond sidestones, an OMC 3 stone and I did have an asscher cut emerald in a halo, but I parted with that one. It was just too big (I know, I know...).

I have my heart set on a Daussi halo. I''m in love with them.

BTW, what did you do with your sapphire? I loved that ring.

 

[Laila619]

Date: 3/13/2010 1:33:08 PM
Author: dreamer_d

Date: 3/13/2010 12:30:42 PM
Author: Laila619
Hi dreamer! I think we are about the same size, a 6-6.25. Right? I do not think my new 1.80 carat looks that big on my hand unfortunately. So I am not sure a 1.6 would make you happy forever. What I would do is halo your 1.2 carat! It will look massive!

I know, I know! But the impracticality!

Are you planning to halo your 1.8? And where are the photos??

I''m still stuck on the darn setting.

I had it in a 6 prong knife edge solitaire, but it was uncomfortable to wear. I would love to halo it, but am not sure if it will look good.

I know you like the Vatche Grace...that looks like a really well made ring! I don''t think it would be impractical.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I set my sapphire back into my original e-ring! It was my original proposal stone. So I do have one RHR and I wear it when I feel like dressing up a little more. The side diamonds I ended up trading in with my jeweler for a single RB, and then we sold that RB to my BIL who has been hanging on to it for six months! I want him to propose already. It is a lovely .60ct F I1 (100% eye clean). I will post photos when he finally pops the question.

This is my original e-ring, restored to its glory!

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Ok, you already have a gorgeous rhr. Back to the upgrade plans...

This is making me want to upgrade my EC ering to a 10 carater. I think ECs look so elegant in larger sizes...

 

[kenny]

DD, I LOVE that sapphire ring.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Dreamer, I don't know your exact budget, but if you are going to do that, I'd get something like this:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-details/?product_id=17140553

or this

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-details/?product_id=25669923

or this

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-details/?product_id=24929459

2ct seems to be your sweet spot, and I remember you said in a previous thread that you didn't see a lot of difference between your current diamond and a bigger one until you hit the 1.75 mark...I don't think 1.6 is going to do it for you mentally

Just my $.02

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

It really is beautiful. I do love a sapphire EC. So elegant.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Date: 3/13/2010 1:35:26 PM
Author: dreamer_d

Date: 3/13/2010 12:58:33 PM
Author: MissGotRocks

Date: 3/13/2010 11:15:37 AM
Author: dreamer_d
Honestly, what started all this was that I plan to go up to an SI1 from my current SI2 diamond, since it just is not mind clean or eye clean enough for me. Well when I thought to myself that it would cost about $1500 to get that chance, and the diamond would be the same size, I started thinking that if I spent $2700 I could get over the 1.5ct mark! LOL. Increments are dangerous.

Perhaps but it is the increments that make it possible. Few people are able to go out when they are first engaged and plunk down enough dollars to get their dream size, color and clarity. Some folks never think twice about it; they just enjoy and appreciate what they have. Others - the diamond nuts like us - just gradually go up and up finding that sweet spot in size, color and clarity. Rome wasn''t built in a day - that''s why the upgrade policies are so important. If you can spend $1500 this year, $2800 next year and so on you can finally build up to that perfect stone - without starving the children!

Yes, this is technically how it all works. Leslie keeps telling me this

But I want it now!

(stomps foot and jumps up and down).

I know and I remember being where you are. All I can tell you that if it''s really important to you, you''ll get there. It takes time and alot of $$ but over the course of a few years, it is will happen!

 

[susimoo]

Date: 3/13/2010 10:46:19 AM
Author: dreamer_d

Date: 3/13/2010 7:15:49 AM

Author: MissGotRocks

[snip]


I think you are trying to make a big change on a little money and unfortunately, that usually doesn''t work. Just try saving as much as you can in your diamond fund and keep thinking ''what about this and what about that''. It will give you time to decide if you truly want the three stone look or would rather have a larger stone. Going back up to an I or J may very well not work for you although it does seem like a good compromise between a G and a K. You just don''t want to feel ''stuck'' with it if it isn''t!

True! Diamonds are a strange hobby for an essentially cheapo woman like myself. And although I am very good at delayed gratification in my professional life, in my hobbies and private life not so much. It just seems like it will take one million years to save enough money for a big upgrade

But you are probably right.

Susimoo What size are you hoping to go to? What is your current ring?

Hello again. Well you really got everyone talking!! Seems like we all suffer from a PS type ailment. I at least have the excuse I am new to all this.

I currently have a G/VS1 1 carat solitaire, which I adore and it is much complimented on. Although since I found PS I started to view my stone with dismay. Not because it wasn''t beautiful, but because it is not the best it could be in terms of dimensions/cut. Here in the UK there is simply no one and I mean no one that I have ever spoken to that has even a fraction of the knowledge about cut that I discovered here.

I am therefore consigning my diamond and if/when it sells I will purchase from a very wonderful PS vendor with a fabulous upgrade policy, who I already adore from a few emails!! LOL

I am aiming to go to a 1.2 to a 1.3 and will downgrade my colour to an H or I and clarity to SI1 most likely.

My real aim is to get to 2 carats. My current (ridiculous statement but hey ho) dream size. No doubt it will take several upgrades to get there but at least it is now feasible Where as here in the Uk I can neither find ideal H & A cut or a proper upgrade policy. So I would hate to see you give up on the upgrade side of things.

I will follow you story with great interest.

 

[risingsun]

I upgraded from a .80ct to a 1.23 ct and finally to a 1.62 ct. They were all G in color. Much to my dismay, I still developed DSS. This past summer, I had my diamond reset into a halo. Poof!! DSS disappeared

The center stone actually appears larger to my eyes...DH sees this,too. The stones in my halo are quite small. I know that you considered and decided not to do a halo, but I can tell you that my own experience with one has been very positive. I realized that to get the size and specs I wanted was just too costly and did, what was for me, the next best thing. I still can upgrade, if I would like, but I don't think that will be happening

Just another .02 added to your thread

 

[HVVS]

Date: 3/13/2010 10:37:24 AM
Author: sarap333

Date: 3/13/2010 9:40:29 AM

Author: HVVS

A 2mm tapered knife edge shank and the right 6 prong head will flatter most diamonds.

Agreed, HVVS, that setting will flatter most diamonds -- but not most hands.

Well, I guess having a ring flatter my hands is just not something I waste time on, hehe.

My hands are implements and I use them daily. I really don''t care what people think about my hands. I want the attention on the ring, not my hands. I have bigger fish to fry.

 

[HVVS]

You''re a ray of sunshine today HVVS!

Exactly. I am a few years older and a have been around the block a few more times. That makes me more cynical, and more cautious. I also live just outside of Youngstown, Ohio, at the present time. That gives me a front row seat on the decline and fall of the average cities of America and how irreversible this is since it''s due to global restructuring. And it is truly a scenario that is rippling through America, whether or not people care to notice. The workplace of my first career (corporate research center for a major US corporation, now defunct) is currently being demolished one building at a time. Just a little over ten years ago, there were 2500 degreed people employed there.

 

[Lula]

Date: 3/13/2010 3:17:53 PM
Author: HVVS

Date: 3/13/2010 10:37:24 AM

Author: sarap333

Date: 3/13/2010 9:40:29 AM


Author: HVVS

A 2mm tapered knife edge shank and the right 6 prong head will flatter most diamonds.

Agreed, HVVS, that setting will flatter most diamonds -- but not most hands.

Well, I guess having a ring flatter my hands is just not something I waste time on, hehe.

My hands are implements and I use them daily. I really don't care what people think about my hands. I want the attention on the ring, not my hands. I have bigger fish to fry.

A great attitude to have HVVS. And I wish I felt the same way -- it would have saved me many thousands of dollars in the cost of settings

that could go to a larger diamond!

But, alas, I look at the whole ring as a "mini art sculpture" and I love interesting settings just as much as I love ideal cut diamonds.

 

[softly softly]

Date: 3/13/2010 10:31:39 AM
Author: dreamer_d

Date: 3/13/2010 3:05:51 AM

Author: softly softly

Oh and I also feel your pain about the 6.30 wake up call. My 5 year old has done that pretty much all his life, but I can never bring myself to go to bed early as night time is the only 'me' time I get on a regular basis.

Why do they wake so early? He goes to bed at 6:30 - 7pm, and although we have tried pushing his bedtime later is just makes him wake earlier

But I am and always have been a night owl. And like you, that time to myself at night is Bliss! Are you a SAHM or do you work outside the home?

Dreamer I am a SAHM whose husband works away from home 75% of the time, so I feel like night time is often the only time I don't have someone talking at/to me! I imagine it would probably be the same if I worked as well.

My son seems to have inherited his early waking from his father, so you can bet that when he is home he is on wake-up and breakfast duty no questions asked.

Like your little one, later bed times have never helped and the one saving grace about the early wake up is that he conks out within 5 minutes of going to bed - although he is adamant that he never sleeps! One thing we found helped as he got older was putting a clock in his room and telling him he could only get up/call out after a certain time. We also started giving him toys that would keep him quietly occupied like books.

Oh and HVVS, while I can't speak for the situation in the US I can say that having socialised medicine for the last 27 years has certainly not impacted on jobs OR wages growth here in Australia. Sorry for the thread-jack dreamer

 

[Lula]

Date: 3/13/2010 2:49:41 PM
Author: MissGotRocks

Date: 3/13/2010 1:35:26 PM

Author: dreamer_d

Date: 3/13/2010 12:58:33 PM

Author: MissGotRocks

Date: 3/13/2010 11:15:37 AM

Author: dreamer_d

Honestly, what started all this was that I plan to go up to an SI1 from my current SI2 diamond, since it just is not mind clean or eye clean enough for me. Well when I thought to myself that it would cost about $1500 to get that chance, and the diamond would be the same size, I started thinking that if I spent $2700 I could get over the 1.5ct mark! LOL. Increments are dangerous.

Perhaps but it is the increments that make it possible. Few people are able to go out when they are first engaged and plunk down enough dollars to get their dream size, color and clarity. Some folks never think twice about it; they just enjoy and appreciate what they have. Others - the diamond nuts like us - just gradually go up and up finding that sweet spot in size, color and clarity. Rome wasn't built in a day - that's why the upgrade policies are so important. If you can spend $1500 this year, $2800 next year and so on you can finally build up to that perfect stone - without starving the children!

Yes, this is technically how it all works. Leslie keeps telling me this

But I want it now!

(stomps foot and jumps up and down).

I know and I remember being where you are. All I can tell you that if it's really important to you, you'll get there. It takes time and alot of $$ but over the course of a few years, it is will happen!

Oh, now that I know that your SI 2 is not eye clean enough for you, I join the chorus with MissGotRocks and others who are suggesting you take an incremental approach.

So my suggestion is that you fix what's bugging you -- the clarity. And consider a new setting.

Then, admit to yourself that you are a jewelry-aholic, and give yourself permission to save up for a size upgrade in a few years.

Believe me, I understand the cheapness factor. I am always looking at clarity-color-size tradeoffs to save money. I justify my jewelry "habit" with the upgrades and the incremental approach.

Work with Lesley to find a high color (F, G, high H) in an eye clean SI 1. Don't go below an H and stick with F or G if you can.

I have a beautiful I color stone, and although it is white to the average viewer and in photographs, etc., (and an incredible lilac blue in strong sunlight!) after following your threads for the past few months, I honestly don't think you'd be happy with an I (unless it was a misgraded G). I know I's and J's are much whiter than the K-M stones, but they are not icy white. You seemed at peace with your G, so perhaps that's the sweet spot for color for you.

Do not get a stone that cannot be upgraded -- write this on a piece of paper and sleep with it under your pillow! Repeat every morning in the mirror "I will not get a diamond that I cannot upgrade!"

To ward off DSS for a little while longer, see if you can bump up in size "a bit" when you upgrade in clarity. And, good grief, Dreamer, consider a halo!!

 

[Bliss]

Dreamer! You love your icy white stone.. don't go down in color if you already know you're color sensitive!

I have 2 pairs of J studs. The .75+ each ones look very white. No complaints at all. I can see the tint in my 1.08 each J studs when I'm holding them in my hands tilting them this way and that....and the only reason why it doesn't bug me is because they're in my ears. They are very fiery and I love that. They're white face up and thus more forgiving in earrings than in a ring that people (yourself included) will scrutinize close up! But they're not *bright* dazzling Crest Whitestrips white that I'm used to in my e-ring. If you've given up size for color, I would definitely not go bigger and down in color since you love your G!

Your stone is AMAAAAZING! A 3-stone will be HUGE and very blingy! So would a halo!!!! Don't think you'll get DSS with either of those two options. In a solitaire, I think DSS might set in down the road. And then you wouldn't have an upgrade option! Even if you didn't want an upgrade, the thought that you can't and are stuck might bug you and make you question your decision. KWIM? So I vote...3-stone or halo!

Ever since I got a halo, I never thought my diamond was too small. In fact, I often think it's a little too big sometimes. Halo or 3-stone, baby!

 

[winternight]

Well I''m in the never upgrade camp for various reasons, but I do have to say that as far as upgrades go its only good if the company is still in business whenever your time frame is - say 5 -7 years from now? So for me I don''t know that it would be a big issue for me, personally. (No offense to any businesses mentioned on PS!) I think besides you could always do something else with the stone - haloed pendant perhaps? Diamond broker trade in? One half of a great pair of studs?

 

[RaiKai]

I echo those who have said it sounds like you are still a bit indecisive. I would be worried about making that sort of decision unless you are 100% sure what is really bothering you right now about your current ring (setting or rock?) and what you really want.

I am pretty new here, however, I have seen you (when lurking before I even signed up) often say you are VERY colour sensitive. I personally love warmer coloured diamonds and admire them more so than whiter stones when I see them (mainly as I am not really a diamond girl I guess - more a coloured stone girl!) but I would be hesitant in your case to go to a J. No, a J is not a K....but it is not G, H or I either!

I am very picky about settings (hence the fact I never got an e-ring in first place as I was too picky...and went with a natural sapphire & diamond ring to have for our ceremony that has always to me seemed more like a RHR than wedding ring/band...and, now that we are married, and I have some time, I have been looking!) and I do think a setting can make or break a stone. I suggest either you look for your "dream setting" and use your current stone (or upgrade it slightly) or go with a new upgradeable stone and setting.


I understand the impatience. There have been many times out of impatience I nearly "jumped" on a new setting just to have something even if it was not JUST what I wanted, however glad I waited and did not...and kept looking for someone to make JUST what I wanted. As my budget is small right now due to finances, I am actually having a created sapphire set in it until down the road I can put a natural one in if I choose too (though I have to say it will be a LONG time before I could afford or even find a natural sapphire with the colour, cut and clarity as my created one so perhaps I never may!) It was important to me to have my forever SETTING though, even if not the forever rock.....and had it custom made to make it what I wanted exactly after LOTS of looking and personalized it with other small details.

However, all that being said, like you I have a tough time spending that much on jewellery as I also do NOT wear much at all. Until my wedding, all I wore regularly were my white gold stud earrings which I NEVER remove except to clean. So, I am quite confident that I COULD indeed be great with my upcoming ring setting forever.....and maybe get a new RHR or something, however, you are talking about a centre stone that you have in the past shown to be VERY particular about. I'd be a bit loathe to commit to something you can't upgrade in future if you decide the colour is not alright for you in it, or if you find you really do want that 2ct!

P.S. I am Canadian too, and I think our market experience has been quite different than in the US, so while no job is ever guaranteed, I believe you when you say yours is pretty secure especially being on tenure-track. My profession is much the same way...we actually can get more work in my area in tough times than good...lol...in either case, it is quite secure. That being said, never know what might happen and whether I will continue this profession forever. This is my second career now as I went back to school after a few years when I decided I needed a change My husband after all took an early retirement from his profession last spring and is now a student again so....things change.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Kenny and Mrs Mitchell Thank you for the compliments on my sapphire ring! I do love it, and of course it has sentimental value for me since it is the ring my DH proposed with. I really like the setting, it is similar to yours, Kenny, with your new Octavia, but basket set not tensions set.

Laila Why wouldn''t a halo look good? Do you think it would be too big? Never!

I do like the vatche grace, but I have discovered that I do not care for the look of bead set/channel pave, I prefer the type of pave that Leon does, or the type in this ring below from BGD. When I was at Tiffany''s I did not care forthe Legacy, but they had a pave ring like the one below that I liked a lot. So *if* I went that direction that is what I would do, with a plain thicker shank most likely and a nice basket style undergallery. But I am just not sure.

Bella I think I have been convinced. It is not really worth it unless the size leap is big. So the question still remains, halo or three-stone? I like them both for very different reasons.

Susimoo Did PS make you crazy too? Your current rock is a great color and clarity. Have you thought of a recut? Brian gavin does them and the price is very reasonable and many PSers have been very happy with the outcome.

Risingsun I too started with a .80 and now a 1.2! I think that my next leap needs to be into the 1.6 to 1.8ct range, like you, but I need to keep the upgrade option. I will need to save for longer I guess. Halos are so tempting...

softlysoftly I like the clock idea. My mom did something similar with me when I was young. But there are a few more years before we get there

Bliss You are right. I love my G color, it would be crazy to go much lower. I think an H would be ok if it wasa *high* H. Halo or three-stone it is. Which one do you vote for?

winternight Always a consideration. I think less than 5 years in the time frame I would be thinking of though.

RaiKai I am picky about my ring, but I am getting there I think. Got the color right, and in all but my most crazy moods I also think I have the size right

The setting though is not right. But how to pick? There are not many places around with good samples on hand. And there are lots of styles I love! I go back and forth between a "practical" three stone and a more ornate but delicate pave setting of some kind. I think the decision will still take me a while to make.

 

[Laila619]

Oh, that BGD halo is gorgeous!!

 

[E B]

DD,

I might be confusing you with another member, but didn''t you rule halos out after your last trip to the jewelry store? I''m confused.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/13/2010 9:44:12 PM
Author: E B
DD,

I might be confusing you with another member, but didn''t you rule halos out after your last trip to the jewelry store? I''m confused.

Yes, I did! But they only had cheapo ones with the milgrain channel pave... but you are right, I did sort of rul it out. But then I started wondering about the three stone, how it does *sort of* look like a big finger of bling and you lose a little of the differentiation between the diamonds. So I am still a little torn to be honest.

I would of course need to see more examples of the pave I am considering before I did anything. But I am leaning towards three stone again.

 

[february2003bride]

Dreamer- oh you can stick a fork in me I am so done on rings for my left hand! I''m so happy with my diamond, it''s size, and the setting that I can honestly say I''m good for now.

Never say never but if I were to make a change to my e-ring, it would be a bigger diamond, same setting. But that''s SO far down the road I''m not even contemplating it! I can finally say there are other things I want to spend my money on!

Anyway, if you do change your diamond, I love the setting you may go with. The trellis/x-prong/Lucida style is my fav! Obviously since I have a Scott Kay trellis sitting on my finger right now, lol. Whatever you decide, it will be gorgeous.

 

[Phoenix]

Dreamer, I feel your pain.

I wonder if you could possibly post me the link to that GORGEOUS BGD bezelled halo''ed ring? I think something like that, done delicately, could really cure DSS. I wonder how afforable (or otherwise

) it is (?).