Is .66 too small for the average girl?

[Xcellent]

I'm trying to decide between a .66 and a .83 for my girlfriend

- both G VS1 or 2,
- almost a $2000 price difference
- both triple XXX cuts
- both under 2 on the HCA

I like the price of the .66 but I am having a really tough time due to the fear that it may be too small.
I didn't find anything in between from the vendor I want to use in the quality I'm looking for.
It is really tough to know what is too small.


Any opinions?

 

[Laila619]

Well, it sort of depends:

What is her ring size? Girls will smaller fingers can generally wear smaller stones and they still look like a great size. Lucky!
Also, it depends on the setting. You can amp up the WOW factor with a pretty halo setting. They make stones look a bit bigger by creating an illusion. Your eye sees all the sparkle and thinks it's one big stone. Has she mentioned anything to you about her preferences? Some girls care about diamond size, and others really don't. 'Too small' is really a matter of opinion. The first ever e-ring I received was a 0.33 carat stone and I loved it! My next e-ring was a 0.98 and I was beyond thrilled with the size. Then I joined Pricescope, and well, shrinkage set in. Had I never known about PS, I would still be thrilled with that 0.33 carat probably.

 

[princesss]

I think it depends - is that $2k that will then be spent on the setting if it's not spent on the stone? If so, does she like ornate settings or simple? If she likes simple settings, I would probably put the extra money in and go a bit bigger. If she likes ornate settings (or halos!), I would go smaller to keep money where it's important to her.

But honestly, I'd be happy with either size (I'm a size 6).

 

[Xcellent]

Thanks for the input, it is amazing how difficult this is.

She wants a simple four prong solitaire setting. Her finger is size is 5.25.

She hasn't asked for a certain size, but she has mentioned that she wants it to be "all about the center stone" (in regards to the setting) and that "sparkle" is more important than size. She also mentioned that 1 carat or bigger would probably be too large.

 

[pregcurious]

Ask her what she prefers, and emphasize you want her honest opinion. What we say doesn't count for much. Better yet, take her out shopping and let her judge for herself what looks best. If someone buys you a sweater you hate, you can just put it away. If she likes this ring, she will probably wear it everyday for the rest of her life. If you guys choose to change it later, that's up to you, but it's not like any other purchase you'll make for her.

There is no such thing as the "average" girl. Think of her as extraordinary and special, and you will get the ring right. Every time she looks at that ring, you want her to be reminded of how thoughtful you were. It will go a long way.

By the way, I'm impressed by the amount of research and time you're putting into this. That's a great sign.

-Written by someone whose husband did not listen and bought an ering he liked.

 

[Laila619]

Thanks for the input, it is amazing how difficult this is.

She wants a simple four prong solitaire setting. Her finger is size is 5.25.

She hasn't asked for a certain size, but she has mentioned that she wants it to be "all about the center stone" (in regards to the setting) and that "sparkle" is more important than size. She also mentioned that 1 carat or bigger would probably be too large.

Well, if it's just going to be in a plain solitaire, then I would go with the .83 size. If she had liked halos, I would say absolutely go ahead with the .66.

 

[rubybeth]

A simple solitaire will be fairly inexpensive, so most of your budget can go toward the center stone. What is a comfortable budget? Would the $2k more be a financial strain? With a wedding, you're looking at some larger expenses coming up. Though I like to remind people, the only thing you get to keep and use from your wedding day are photos, rings, and memories.

I would say if your budget can handle it, go with the .83. If she thinks a carat will be too large, she may never want to change her ring with a .83. It could be the golden ticket for life, so to speak. If you get the .66, just be sure of the vendor's upgrade policy, just in case, even if you think she would never, ever want to upgrade.

Another question: does the stone have to be a G VS2? I think you could drop in color a bit to an H-I and not see any noticeable difference (color tends to show more in larger stones, but under a carat it's tougher to see).

 

[kenny]

What is considered average also depends where you live.
If you live in Manhattan NYC or parts of Los Angeles one carat is pretty small.

If you live in parts of the midwest, 3/4 of a carat may be considered by some to be so large as to be vulgar.

 

[yssie]

Big ditto to asking her what she'd prefer.

That's a significant size difference, definitely visible in these sizes. If you're in the US then prioritising size is common culture - I know this isn't necessarily the case elsewhere, nor does it mean that what many people prioritise is what *she* prioritises!

 

[Mrs.W 514]

I agree with pp you should ask her what she would prefer. however if you are trying to keep the final ring a surprise and you can afford the extra 2k for the larger diamond I would go with that one because she mentioned she wanted it to be "all about the center stone" That size would look great on her small finger and solitaire settings are pretty inexpensive. Another option would be to go with a lower color but keep the other specs the same. Often times it is difficult to tell the color difference unless you have a D color diamond right next to your I or J. This would allow you to have a slightly larger diamond without such a blow to your wallet and seriously its mostly about cut anyway...
happy hunting

 

[webdiva]

And post up your budget - our members are whizzes at finding great deals!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Just go with the .83 if it is in budget since she'll wear it for a lifetime. It's not like we are trying to figure out if she's like 1 or 2 carats! For me, 2 cts would be too big. But honestly, there's nowhere in the US that .83 is too big as long as you can afford it. And G VS2 is very nice!

 

[mandasand]

You should get what you can afford. Obviously you should get her what she wants. But, you should also get what you can afford. She will be happy no matter what. And, posting your budget will help because we can get you more bang for your buck!

 

[Xcellent]

Thanks for all the thoughtful comments, it is really helpful.

I'd love to take her shopping, it would make it easier, but I think she really wants to be surprised. She gave me all the info I need to get the setting right, but she made it clear that the diamond was up to me. I think she didn't want to influence or pressure my budget, and wanted me to decide what I was comfortable spending.

I think I'm convinced that it would be best to go with a larger size if it is affordable.

I'd love the all in cost with band and taxes to be around $5500, right now the .83 is pushing me to about $6500.

I'm worried about sliding into H or SI. Without seeing the stones in person, it is tough to know for sure how visible the inclusions and color will be.

 

[Laila619]

Thanks for all the thoughtful comments, it is really helpful.

I'd love to take her shopping, it would make it easier, but I think she really wants to be surprised. She gave me all the info I need to get the setting right, but she made it clear that the diamond was up to me. I think she didn't want to influence or pressure my budget, and wanted me to decide what I was comfortable spending.

I think I'm convinced that it would be best to go with a larger size if it is affordable.

I'd love the all in cost with band and taxes to be around $5500, right now the .83 is pushing me to about $6500.

I'm worried about sliding into H or SI. Without seeing the stones in person, it is tough to know for sure how visible the inclusions and color will be.

If you buy from a reputable PS vendor, this should not be a problem honestly. They will be straight with you, and you will get a lot more bang for your buck.

 

[Laila619]

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2803954.htm 0.845 for only $4668 PS wire price, and it's a VS1. It will be completely eye clean.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2803953.htm 0.853 for only $4713 PS wire price'

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2792437.htm 0.831 for only $4725 PS wire

So you would have plenty of money left over for a solitaire setting and still meet your budget.

 

[blinglover78]

Thanks for all the thoughtful comments, it is really helpful.

I'd love to take her shopping, it would make it easier, but I think she really wants to be surprised. She gave me all the info I need to get the setting right, but she made it clear that the diamond was up to me. I think she didn't want to influence or pressure my budget, and wanted me to decide what I was comfortable spending.

I think I'm convinced that it would be best to go with a larger size if it is affordable.

I'd love the all in cost with band and taxes to be around $5500, right now the .83 is pushing me to about $6500.

I'm worried about sliding into H or SI. Without seeing the stones in person, it is tough to know for sure how visible the inclusions and color will be.

If you buy from a reputable PS vendor, this should not be a problem honestly. They will be straight with you, and you will get a lot more bang for your buck.

I agree. Find a great vendor and get a nice eye clean stone....I would also go down to an H (even an I).

 

[E B]

Have you seen this diamond? G, VS2 and almost hitting the .8 ct. mark in budget. A good in-between option?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2794541.htm

 

[blinglover78]

a nice option:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.844-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104059065046

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Have you seen this diamond? G, VS2 and almost hitting the .8 ct. mark in budget. A good in-between option?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2794541.htm

This one has a nice spread, too...almost 6mm which the typical .80 stone measures.

 

[Laila619]

a nice option:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.844-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104059065046

Good find! H will still be very white.

 

[K9]

a nice option:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.844-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104059065046

This one gets my vote! I have an AGS0 H/SI1 and it is a firecracker... you will not have to worry about this not looking white.

 

[vintagelover229]

You have lots of great options in your budget. Here are just a few (and GOG can make videos to compare them and show you if they are eye clean or not. I've gotten an SI1 and an SI2 from them and both were 100% eye clean-even looking RIGHT at the stone super close up)


.8 G VS2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9351/

Here is an .75 F VS2 in budget
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8410/

.8 E SI2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9424/

.8 G SI1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9329/

I would even look at I in color (I'll link you to a color comparison video done by Jon at GOG)

.9 I VS2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9122/


And videos of some of their completed rings
http://www.goodoldgold.com/Settingvideos/Tacori_Settings/gog_ring_videos/

One color comparison video (there are a lot more on his channel)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eWHUs77BD0&feature=plcp

 

[Xcellent]

Have you seen this diamond? G, VS2 and almost hitting the .8 ct. mark in budget. A good in-between option?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2794541.htm

Wow, thanks for all the links. This one is interesting, I noticed it has a larger table than most of the diamonds I've looked at. Are there any downsides to having a table that is greater than 58%? Would this affect scintillation or fire?

Are you sure I color would not be noticeable?

 

[Laila619]

Have you seen this diamond? G, VS2 and almost hitting the .8 ct. mark in budget. A good in-between option?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2794541.htm

Wow, thanks for all the links. This one is interesting, I noticed it has a larger table than most of the diamonds I've looked at. Are there any downsides to having a table that is greater than 58%? Would this affect scintillation or fire?

Are you sure I color would not be noticeable?

I'm personally surprised that ACA has a table over 58%! I prefer smaller tables. Smaller tables supposedly = more fire.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Have you seen this diamond? G, VS2 and almost hitting the .8 ct. mark in budget. A good in-between option?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2794541.htm

Wow, thanks for all the links. This one is interesting, I noticed it has a larger table than most of the diamonds I've looked at. Are there any downsides to having a table that is greater than 58%? Would this affect scintillation or fire?

Are you sure I color would not be noticeable?

Not a thing wrong with a 58 table! I can't tell one iota difference in fire in my stones that have 56 and 58 tables.

I color would be noticeable in an AGS graded stone for me. I could do it if the stone had medium or strong blue fluorescence, though. I thought your original target of G VS2 was perfect. But I am biased because my ring and studs are all G VS!

 

[rubybeth]

Have you seen this diamond? G, VS2 and almost hitting the .8 ct. mark in budget. A good in-between option?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2794541.htm

Wow, thanks for all the links. This one is interesting, I noticed it has a larger table than most of the diamonds I've looked at. Are there any downsides to having a table that is greater than 58%? Would this affect scintillation or fire?

Are you sure I color would not be noticeable?

Not a thing wrong with a 58 table! I can't tell one iota difference in fire in my stones that have 56 and 58 tables.

I color would be noticeable in an AGS graded stone for me. I could do it if the stone had medium or strong blue fluorescence, though. I thought your original target of G VS2 was perfect. But I am biased because my ring and studs are all G VS!

I am biased because I wear an I VS2 and see no color whatsoever, at all, never! With ideal cut stones, color is probably the least of your concerns.

Edited to add: oh, and I have some un-certed earrings that are probably J-k color and I am still hard-pressed to see color. Really, truly, ideal cut Js and Ks can look very bright. It is all about the cut!

 

[K9]

I color would be noticeable in an AGS graded stone for me. I could do it if the stone had medium or strong blue fluorescence, though. I thought your original target of G VS2 was perfect. But I am biased because my ring and studs are all G VS!

I too think "I" would be noticeable (at least it was for me). I played "guess the color" when shopping for my stone and H was the point where I saw no warmth. Of course, I've also had two independent appraisers grade it as a G so maybe my H is on the top part of the scale? Who knows. Color is subjective to everyone.

If you're concerned about the color, I'd stick with G.

Edited for spelling.

 

[E B]

I agree with sticking with G-H if you're concerned about color, especially if you're buying for someone else.

 

[Laila619]

H color would be a perfect middle ground. You'd still get a very white stone in your budget.