Need opinion...diamond size vs setting width

[clarson]

I need some opinions if the ring width will make the diamond I am looking at appear small.

I am looking at this diamond:

Shape: Princess
Carat: 0.53
Cut: Ideal
Color: F
Clarity: VS1
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Size: 4.57*4.46*3.15

This is the setting:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-2795_design.asp?pos=1&cid=58&module=setting&item=2795

So will a setting with a width of 3.3mm make the diamond look too small? Thanks for any help!

 

[dockman3]

Hi there and welcome to Pricescope!

If you want to see lots of under 1ct diamonds, do a quick search for under 1ct and you should see a thread with tons of pictures in it of all different sizes and shapes.

As for your diamond looking too small, its hard to tell what too small is. The diameter of your diamond is not much bigger than the band width, so going for a 2mm band instead of the 3.3mm should make it look a little bit bigger. But really, its up to you and what you like.

That is a gorgeous setting, by the way! I love the little accent diamonds, but that is what is keeping your width so large. I haven''t seen too many others like that with a smaller width, but hopefully somebody else has.

 

[clarson]

Yeah, I fell in love with the setting too, and it's not even for me.

My girlfriend has always said she wants a solitaire setting. And that is what I was looking at...a 2.5mm solitaire. A 2mm would be too small for her size 8 finger. What I like about that setting is that it still has a solitaire look and feel to it since the accent diamonds are so small. But it gives the setting just a little more life to it.

The other problem is that, unlike most girls, she actually told me NOT to spend that much on her lol. She said she would rather me save the money for a house than for a ring. She said anything over 1200 and she would take it back, lol. So that puts me in a little bind, even though I am looking in 1500-1700 price range. Maybe I should "downgrade" in color a bit and in clarity and go up in size just little more.

I figured I could always upgrade at a later time if my career advances the way I would like for it to. As of right now, I just turned 24 this past Sunday, and have really just begun my career in IT. The thing I like with James Allen is that IF we do upgrade the diamond, we would get 100% the value back...so that would take some of the sting from upgrading later.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/14/2008 9:34:50 AM
Author: clarson
Yeah, I fell in love with the setting too, and it''s not even for me.

My girlfriend has always said she wants a solitaire setting. And that is what I was looking at...a 2.5mm solitaire. A 2mm would be too small for her size 8 finger. What I like about that setting is that it still has a solitaire look and feel to it since the accent diamonds are so small. But it gives the setting just a little more life to it.

The other problem is that, unlike most girls, she actually told me NOT to spend that much on her lol. She said she would rather me save the money for a house than for a ring. She said anything over 1200 and she would take it back, lol. So that puts me in a little bind, even though I am looking in 1500-1700 price range. Maybe I should ''downgrade'' in color a bit and in clarity and go up in size just little more.

I figured I could always upgrade at a later time if my career advances the way I would like for it to. As of right now, I just turned 24 this past Sunday, and have really just begun my career in IT.

I don''t know how well the cut is on the stone you''re looking at, but in a very well cut Princess, you can definitely go down to H. There are a few on here who have gone to J and feel there is no discernable difference. IF it''s very well cut. And clarity can go all the way yo SI2, if it is totally eyeclean. Some really are. That would help you get a larger stone.

Don''t worry so much about the color and clarity, it''s the cut that truly makes the stone come alive and sparkle.

 

[clarson]

Yeah, I was looking only at Ideal and higher for the cut, for that reason.

 

[clarson]

Well, I placed the order for the ring and diamond. I ended up going with that setting after all. I talked to a rep at James Allen, and he told me that they can, and do, alter the band/side stone to make sure the center stone stands out. The best part is saving $110 using the ps discount. Got me under 1500 after all is said and done. I know my GF will love it