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Is there sucha thing as too big?

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Diamond Confused

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jan 14, 2008
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I have a 4.5 size finger but my fingers look long and slender especially since I always let my nails grow long. With that said, here is my dilemma: I am getting the Tiffany Legacy but I'm not sure what size stone I want. I tried on the 1.5 carat (which is within his budget) and I actually thought it was too big. Is it possible for a diamond to be too big? The sales lady and another shopper said it was not to big and it was probably because I wasn't used to it. I know the sales lady wasn't doing it to get more money because I was also looking at an E in a smaller carat size that was actually more expensive.

Anyone out there have any opinions?

Any girls out there who have tried on the Tiffany Legacy?
 
This recent thread might help you.
 
I wear a 3.75-4 ring size and wear a 3.67 stone. . . I don''t think there''s such thing as too big! LOL!

No seriously, it''s all relative, too big to you isn''t too big to me or someone else. Get what YOU''RE comfy with.
 
Ringabling - That must be an amzing ring you have!!! I actually always envisioned picking out a 2.5 carat or so. Money is an issue though since I absolutely have to have a ring from Tiffany''s. I''ve been wanting one from there since I saw the movie Annie at the age of 4
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Ellen - thanks for the link to the thread. I found a great quote in there about it being better to regret too big than too small.
 
Go for whatever looks perfect to you! I don''t think there is any size that is too big, unless the weight of the ring is a burden to your finger.

I am in the process of looking for stones and I really want around a 2 carat. My finger is a 5 3/4 and I feel like that is my sweet spot. I guess this is influenced by my circle of friends and their rings......so 2 seems perfect to me.

Smaller stones usually have more finger coverage by the stone, so 1.5 may seem really large for your hand.

Good luck in your search!
 
I think that it really all depends on the preson and what you are comfortable with. I do think that there is such a thing as too big...there have been times when I have seen a ring on a finger and thought "Dang, that looks huge in a ridiculous way", lol, but that is my opinion, and I am sure that it looks perfect to the person who is wearing it! So, if you tried on the 1.5 and it looked too big to *you*, then it was probably too big for you
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I do think there is such a thing as too big, but that number is different for everyone. I wear a size 4.5 ring and have long fingers. My e-ring has a 1.17 marquise (that cut always looks big for its weight, and I have had people guess it is 2 carats or more since they are used to looking at rounds). When I first got it, I thought it looked way too big and I was very self conscious wearing it (especially since everyone commented on it when I first got it). After wearing it for several months, I got used to the size, and now I think it looks just right (I wouldn''t want bigger, but I wouldn''t want smaller either)
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. So, get the size that makes you happy, but keep in mind that after a few months that "whopper" likely won''t seem so big anymore.
 
I think it is a personal choice.
For me, yes, I believe there is "too" big. Too big, as far as I am concerned, is whatever carat range it is that is outside of my price range with regards to being ideal cut, desired color/clarity combo.
If I have to downgrade or "compromise" to a poorer cut or color/clarity combo that I want in order to get a larger stone, this is too big for me, as an individual.

Aside from this component, I really also believe it depends on the person and their personality. Some women can wear huge stones and carry it off well. It just suits them. Other women try and it just cheapens the stone or it just looks as though they are trying too hard.

Given that 1.5 ct was not idyllic for you ... Somewhere around 1.30 cts might do the trick. Still sizeable yet not overwhelming.

Good luck!
 
Kay - that's my concern about going smaller... that I'll get use to it and then it won't seem so big anymore. I am actually kind of a "showy" person. I'm quite surprised at myself that I'm uncomfortable with something so big. I don't know if I'll be okay if people don't ooh and ahh about my ring so maybe in the end I'll be happy to get a 1.5 that looks "too big"

Sparkalicious - I need to see a 1.3 but just mathematically speaking it's a nice happy medium between a 1.0 and a 1.5 (I liked the 1.0 but I think it may be too small down the road). Tiffany's actually has a 1.28 available right now in an E. It's a better color so maybe that's the way to go.
 
Date: 1/23/2008 1:30:02 PM
Author: Diamond Confused
Sparkalicious - I need to see a 1.3 but just mathematically speaking it''s a nice happy medium between a 1.0 and a 1.5 (I liked the 1.0 but I think it may be too small down the road). Tiffany''s actually has a 1.28 available right now in an E. It''s a better color so maybe that''s the way to go.
DC -- I think I may be biased ... My ering has a 1.28 E/VS2 center stone.
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Might I say that you have impeccable taste.
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another thing to think about is DSS... "diamond shrinkage syndrome"... although it doesn''t affect us all, it could sneak up on you when you aren''t looking...maybe not tomorrow or in 2 years, or 5 years... what''s too big today, might not be big enough tomorrow.

or you could be one of the lucky ones, immune from DSS... but it is a sneaky (and costly!) disease..
 
I think a 1.5 carat stone looks awesome on me (size 4.5), but I can''t wear halos because I think they make the entire ring look too large...but not the center stone, does that make any sense?

However, size is really preference. Some people want a very large ring while others don''t. I would go with whatever you like best. Diamonds do shrink on you a little over time...so keep that mind mind LOL!
 
Date: 1/23/2008 1:50:37 PM
Author: lovewhitediamonds
another thing to think about is DSS... ''diamond shrinkage syndrome''... although it doesn''t affect us all, it could sneak up on you when you aren''t looking...maybe not tomorrow or in 2 years, or 5 years... what''s too big today, might not be big enough tomorrow.

or you could be one of the lucky ones, immune from DSS... but it is a sneaky (and costly!) disease..
I live in Los Angeles'' Westside (the epitome of LA) where bigger and flashier is better so I''m sure it would happen to me.
 
Date: 1/23/2008 1:51:07 PM
Author: kcoursolle
I think a 1.5 carat stone looks awesome on me (size 4.5), but I can''t wear halos because I think they make the entire ring look too large...but not the center stone, does that make any sense?

However, size is really preference. Some people want a very large ring while others don''t. I would go with whatever you like best. Diamonds do shrink on you a little over time...so keep that mind mind LOL!
The ring I am looking at has a halo. I think that may be the problem with the sizing.
 
also, just a suggestion.... I too, had the "tiffany" spell cast on me... so, I got a solitaire that looked exactly like a tiffany setting (so much so, that when I went to Tiffany''s they asked, "is that one of ours"... and I said kindly, "no" )..
I was able to get a bigger diamond without the "tiffany stamp" and no one could tell -- not even people at tiffany!!

then, a little later, I bought an authentic tiffany piece -- for a RHR (just to satisfy my need)

just an idea [:bigsmile:
 
the halo on the legacy really does add to the whole ring appearance and If you feel that it''s too big with a 1.5 center, then I''d go down to 1.3 or even a little lower. I love the legacy and recently tried on one with a 1.16 center and it looked huge on me due to the halo so I don''t think shrinkage would set is as quickly as it would on a ring with the same size center no, halo. I love the legacy though, It''s my favorite tiffany setting and i love the cut of the stone.
 
The legacy setting is beautiful -- I would love to have one set with an aquamarine for a RHR. It would certainly be worth trying it on in a 1.3 ct size to see what you think. Halos are tricky -- they make the whole thing look bigger so you don''t want to go with too large of a center stone, but to my eye the proportion of halo to center stone does not look as good if the center stone is too small. Try on a few different sizes and see what look good to your eye, but (since it is within budget) I would be inclined to go a little bigger than you are comfortable with now so you have some cushion when DSS sets in.
 
Diamond Confused

I would never have thought that you could get a diamond thats too big! (A bit like can never be too rich)!

But since I have been seriously looking myself, my biggest concern is that if its too big it will come across as fake!

There are soooo many CZ, synthetic and fake pieces of jewellery around that I have decided to stick with just over a carat (my perfect fit) and make sure its the best cut and colour that I can possibly buy.

Also, do take on board previous comments about the mental shrinkage factor that happens after you have been wearing it for a while.

Good luck....
 
Date: 1/23/2008 7:02:47 PM
Author: Jobo
Diamond Confused

I would never have thought that you could get a diamond thats too big! (A bit like can never be too rich)!

But since I have been seriously looking myself, my biggest concern is that if its too big it will come across as fake!

There are soooo many CZ, synthetic and fake pieces of jewellery around that I have decided to stick with just over a carat (my perfect fit) and make sure its the best cut and colour that I can possibly buy.

Also, do take on board previous comments about the mental shrinkage factor that happens after you have been wearing it for a while.

Good luck....

Exactly, I don''t want it to look like something that is part of a halloween costume!

I guess no one ever thinks of a 1.5 carat as HUGE so it may all just be a result of me not being use to wearig a big ring.
 
I recently tried on the Legacy with an aquamarine, and it was so beautiful! But I unfortunately did not get the measurements of the stone. I personally went from a 1 ct. round to 1.6, and that is the maximum size I want to wear in a solitaire, so I am guessing that I''d probably want around a 1.3 ct. in a Legacy. However, I don''t live in LA either! So my opinion is, if he can afford it, go for it! When you are older you''ll be glad you went for the larger stone so you won''t feel any need to upgrade!
 
My fiance''s ring size is 5 scant. When we went ring shopping she first thought that 1 carat or less in a Round Brillant looked good and larger stones looked too big. I think there was a mix of truth in that along with her being nice to my wallet :) I actually wanted to get her as big a stone as possible (even at the expense of cut, until I found PS of course), but wanted her to be comfortable with it.

We ended up getting a 1.3ct RB AGS0 cut center stone, with 2 0.18ct RB side stones for a tcw of 1.66ct. She loves it and thinks the size looks great on her, i.e. she no longer thinks it is too big.

Pictures are here in case it helps: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pictures-blue-nile-1-3ct-g-vs1-natalie-k-3-stone-platinum-setting.76845/
 
I''m firmly planted in the "YES, there''s such a thing as too big" camp. And since it all depends on one''s finger/hand size, I usually go by, if it''s starting to look fake or cartoonish, it''s probably too big. That''s my guide. It''s nice to have a ring that''s "believable", you know what I mean?
 
I said no, to the question of is there such thing as too big. . . I kind of said it in jest, but also because she's not looking at cartoonishly large stones.
There's definitly such thing as too large is you're not wanting to be ostentatious or if you don't prefer a larger stone. But it's all relative. I'd happily go up to about a 4.5 crt, above that is too big *for me*, thats's only about .75 crts larger than what I wear now and that's on my size 4 finger.
Other's think over 2 crts is too large for them.

I don't think people would think a stone is faux unless it is cartoonishly large or maybe not a good cut. . . there's no mistaking the real thing when it's a fantastic cut IMO.

Seems like you might be thinking you need to get used to it, I think that's a good idea.
 
To be honest, in a cut such as the Legacy, a 1.5 seemed just right. However, the setting may make the diamond appear larger and you may not prefer it. But the 1.5 range in that cut I feel actually "appears" smaller than similar rounds, etc.

KEEP IN MIND this all depends on size of fingers, etc. I am a 5.5.

I tried on a 1ct, 1.25ct, 1.5ct and 2.0ct Legacy. I loved the 1.5 and 2.0, but felt (for me) anything smaller was....dare I say it...
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too small!

For me, anything over 3-4cts is too big. However, if I were a little older, and in different circles, I would happily take a 10ct!!!
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I agree with the sales lady that your not being used to the ring could have something to do with the size shock, but I also believe that size is totally a preference and comfort thing. There is no such thing as "too big" fundamentally, but there certainly is such a thing as "too big for me."

There are a ton of threads on this issue, if you do a search on it you''ll have lots of reading materials.
 
Date: 1/24/2008 2:29:29 AM
Author: surfgirl
I''m firmly planted in the ''YES, there''s such a thing as too big'' camp. And since it all depends on one''s finger/hand size, I usually go by, if it''s starting to look fake or cartoonish, it''s probably too big. That''s my guide. It''s nice to have a ring that''s ''believable'', you know what I mean?

As always, surfgirl, well said - well said.
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Date: 1/24/2008 11:39:14 AM
Author: ringabling
There's definitly such thing as too large is you're not wanting to be ostentatious or if you don't prefer a larger stone. But it's all relative.

I don't think people would think a stone is faux unless it is cartoonishly large or maybe not a good cut. . . there's no mistaking the real thing when it's a fantastic cut IMO.
Thanks therube...Actually, what I also meant to say touches upon the above comments. To me, there definitely is a point where diamond size becomes gaudy, ostentatious and dare I say, gauche? And again, that depends on the size of the person who's wearing the ring, and also the situation they're in at the time. I think wearing a honker ring to the supermarket might be viewed as vulgar or showing off by many people...I'm not talking about "right" or "wrong" or whatever, just what the majority of people would probably think. So in that context, yeah, a stone can be overkill once it passes the "believable" mark.

I also beg to differ that the average person could tell a real honker from a fake honker. I dont think most people can tell the difference, to be honest. You and I might be able to tell, but we're not the majority here.
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In the end, it comes down to you and what you are comfortable with. Your comfort with wearing your ring is the only opinion that matters. But the sizes you're looking at dont seem too big in general, it's all about what YOU feel is too big for you...
 
Date: 1/24/2008 2:29:29 AM
Author: surfgirl
I''m firmly planted in the ''YES, there''s such a thing as too big'' camp. And since it all depends on one''s finger/hand size, I usually go by, if it''s starting to look fake or cartoonish, it''s probably too big. That''s my guide. It''s nice to have a ring that''s ''believable'', you know what I mean?

totally agree!
 
I wear a size 4.75 and have a 1.59ct RB solitaire. It''s shrinking more and more every day in my eyes.........if you are SURE that 1.5 is just not for you, then I do think 1.3 is a gorgeous size. But think long and hard about what he sales lady said (not being used to it) and about this horrible DSS issue that is pretty common.
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You''ll be surprised how fast you''ll get used to the ring. I do remember 6 years ago when I received my original ering and it felt like I was wearing a BOULDER on my finger. Oh how I miss that feeling.
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If you think the sales person was right and it may be you thought it was too big because you are not used to wearing a ring, consider buying a smaller stone that you are more comfortable with at one of the vendors that allows full credit for upgrades such as WF, GOG - that way if you do get DSS later you can easily remedy the problem and get a larger stone
 
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