Newbie Needs Advice on Upgrade

[Indican]

Hi Everyone,

I'm considering a slight upgrade in carat size. I love the white color of my current stone. Will I be disappointed it I go down a color grade? Is paying for VVS2 pointless since I'm content with my VS1 clarity? I got a good deal on my current ring, and I'd be getting a good deal on the upgrade, so price isn't really a factor here.

my current ring...
excellent cut, E color, VS1 clarity, .72ct, price $4,600

vs.

potential upgrade...
excellent cut, F color, VVS2 clarity, .91ct, price $5,500

Thank you for your advice!

 

[distracts]

I know you said price isn't an issue, but it looks to me like you could get a 1 ct E/F VS2 excellent cut for the price of a .9 F VVS2, and bigger is better.

I don't think a color grade between E and F will make a difference.

 

[Indican]

Hi Distracts,

Ideally, I would prefer 1-1.5 ct, but I'm only considering this upgrade ring at the moment because of the good deal. I've added the prices to my original post to give an idea of the price difference. Maybe a 1-1.5ct E/F VS2 in the future though!

I'm also wondering, if I do get this upgrade, would I be better off selling my original ring or keeping it to create a pendant or earrings later.

 

[bo186]

for me, f vs e and vs compare vvs both are not big difference, u can't tell by naked eye.
I agree that you could go over 1ct with f and vs.
did u go compare 0.7 side by side with0.9, I don't know how big the difference, if its not that big difference, I will Waite and upgrade to 1 or 1.5 directly.
for the old stone, I will keep it and make a necklace. so I will only do this upgrade if the 0.7 looks small on my neck, upgrade to 0.9 for the future necklace.

 

[Indican]

Hi Bo186,

I haven't gone to compare the .72 and .91 in person. I'm buying it online, so I'll go to a store and compare a similar size. I do think the .72 looks small for a pendant. I like the .72 size more for earrings, but I'm not sure how difficult it will be for me to find a match.

 

[Christina...]

I would definitely go with an F or perhaps even a G, at this weight either color will still face up very very white and offer you a much better value and the ability to get closer to your preferred ct weight. I would also go as low as an eye clean SI1. I personally don't want to pay a premium for something that I can't see or appreciate. An eye clean SI1 stone can look as clean to the naked eye as a VVS2, and I personally would much more easily see the size difference between a .9 and 1-1.15 stone.

People value different things though, you may prefer the mind clean feel you get from an very high color and clarity grade, others want a stone that looks extremely similar to their naked eye but appreciate the increased size they can purchase by dropping color and or clarity. Is it possible for you to view a bunch of different stones of varying ct weights, color, and clarities to determine which is more important to you? Make sure that you are comparing apples to apples though....for instance be sure that all the stones are GIA or AGS graded and all are EX/ID cut.

 

[msop04]

I would definitely go with an F or perhaps even a G, at this weight either color will still face up very very white and offer you a much better value and the ability to get closer to your preferred ct weight. I would also go as low as an eye clean SI1. I personally don't want to pay a premium for something that I can't see or appreciate. An eye clean SI1 stone can look as clean to the naked eye as a VVS2, and I personally would much more easily see the size difference between a .9 and 1-1.15 stone.
People value different things though, you may prefer the mind clean feel you get from an very high color and clarity grade, others want a stone that looks extremely similar to their naked eye but appreciate the increased size they can purchase by dropping color and or clarity. Is it possible for you to view a bunch of different stones of varying ct weights, color, and clarities to determine which is more important to you? Make sure that you are comparing apples to apples though....for instance be sure that all the stones are GIA or AGS graded and all are EX/ID cut.

This!! +1 (being a size whore, I will always choose a lower color and "eye-clean" for a larger stone! )

 

[Indican]

Christina and msop04,

I agree with what you guys are saying... I would be willing to go down in clarity, probably to VS2 (SI1 if it were eye clean and an amazing deal), color wise I'd go down to an F (down to a G if again, I got an amazing deal)... the thing is, now that I have an E VS1, I'm wondering if I will regret going lower just because I'm now so used to my combination... When we first were looking at e-rings, I thought I'd be getting a .50ct, so I was pleasantly surprised with my .72ct... I haven't tried anything bigger than my .72ct so I'm not even sure how much bigger my ideal upgrade would be (just guessing between 1 and 1.5 ct since my ring size is 4)... Also, I will only consider upgrading if I find a better deal than I originally got... I've only been married for a little over 2 years, so there's plenty of time for a significant upgrade in the future... do you guys think I will even notice a .19 increase though? It's a square cut. I'm purchasing second hand so my options are limited to certain vendors/sellers that I've used in the past. So that's the reason I'm not looking at the 1ct + range. Also, do you think if I got the .91 ring, that a .72 would be a better size for a pendant or earrings (later if I find a match)?

 

[Indican]

Hi Everyone.. here's some more details regarding the sizes.. from your advice I'm thinking I won't mind the color or clarity differences, so now I'm more concerned if I will notice the slight size increase... I've been reading that increases in less than 1 ct are more noticeable. I wear a size 4. I would either sell my current ring or turn it into a matching pendant. Thanks for your help!


my current ring...
excellent cut, E color, VS1 clarity, price $4,600

.72ct
5.10 x 4.95 x 3.71 mm
total depth percentage 74.9%
table size percentage 55%

vs.

potential upgrade...
excellent cut, F color, VVS2 clarity, price $5,500

.91ct
5.62 x 5.47 x 3.87 mm
total depth percentage 70.7%
table size percentage 62%

 

[chrono]

You mentioned the stone is square, but is it a princess, cushion or step cut? Over 70% is unusually deep for a modern stone unless it is a princess cut.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Asschers are that deep. Have you seen this diamond in person? If not, have you seen magnified pictures?

 

[Indican]

Chrono... it's a radiant, "cut cornered square -- mixed cut"

diamondseeker2006... no, I haven't seen this stone in person or seen magnified pictures, I'm thinking of purchasing it and comparing it to my current stone so I can see it in person in all lights and see which I prefer since there's a good return policy

 

[msop04]

Christina and msop04,

I agree with what you guys are saying... I would be willing to go down in clarity, probably to VS2 (SI1 if it were eye clean and an amazing deal), color wise I'd go down to an F (down to a G if again, I got an amazing deal)... the thing is, now that I have an E VS1, I'm wondering if I will regret going lower just because I'm now so used to my combination... When we first were looking at e-rings, I thought I'd be getting a .50ct, so I was pleasantly surprised with my .72ct... I haven't tried anything bigger than my .72ct so I'm not even sure how much bigger my ideal upgrade would be (just guessing between 1 and 1.5 ct since my ring size is 4)... Also, I will only consider upgrading if I find a better deal than I originally got... I've only been married for a little over 2 years, so there's plenty of time for a significant upgrade in the future... do you guys think I will even notice a .19 increase though? It's a square cut. I'm purchasing second hand so my options are limited to certain vendors/sellers that I've used in the past. So that's the reason I'm not looking at the 1ct + range. Also, do you think if I got the .91 ring, that a .72 would be a better size for a pendant or earrings (later if I find a match)?

As far as looking at the stone, I think you'd be perfectly good with a G/SI1 or VS2 combination... However, if it will bother you psychologically to be below a certain color or clarity, then you may not be happy regardless of what your eyes see. It's all personal preference.

I really think it would be beneficial to go compare some colors in person (and in as many different lighting situations as possible), but DON'T LOOK AT THE CERTS OR HAVE THEM TELL YOU WHAT COLOR/CLARITY IS... You may just surprise yourself! After all, no one is going to look at your hand and say, "Gorgeous ring!! Is that a G/VS2?"

Good luck, Indican!!

 

[msop04]

...go compare some colors in person (and in as many different lighting situations as possible), but DON'T LOOK AT THE CERTS OR HAVE THEM TELL YOU WHAT COLOR/CLARITY IS... You may just surprise yourself!

FWIW, this is how I arrived at an I (my first "pick), much less the J color I have now! Originally, I was dead set against going lower than an H/VS2, but my jeweler knew he'd never be able to find the size I desired in that combination or higher. He brought out about 8 stones with grades that varied from E/VVS to I/SI2 -- but didn't tell me at first! <--- sneaky little sucker!!

In the end I really couldn't tell a D from a G, and I thought the H&I stones were plenty white for my eyes. I was able to get a much larger stone that was white and eye-clean (I/SI2). I currently have a J/SI1 that is almost 0.50ct larger because it was worth it for me to drop to a J. It's all about what you're comfortable with wearing.

 

[chrono]

Two strikes against radiants:
1. They show colour easily compared to other shapes so it is best to stay in the colourless range. A G colour could be safe enough for you unless you are colour sensitive and prefer it icy white.
2. There is no standardized cut grade on radiants so I would like to know who graded it as excellent and what is the basis of that cut grading. Over 70% is very deep for a radiant.
3. Since there is no standardized cut grade, to shop blind or by the number risks far too many duds and high return shipping costs. I would only purchase from a place that provides at the very least a picture of the actual stone and a video and / or ASET.

 

[Indican]

Sorry for the delayed response. I live in a desert and just discovered I have a scorpion infestation :::shudders:::

msop04, I think you're strategy is a very good one. I'm purchasing second hand though so my options are limited to certain vendors/sellers that I've used in the past. That's the reason I'm not looking at the 1ct + range, with lower color and clarity.

chrono, I wasn't aware that radiants show color easily.. good to know.. I'll stick to colorless then since I do prefer the icy white color. It's actually a Tiffany Lucida, so the report comes from Tiffany stating it's excellent cut. Based strictly on the numbers, it seems as though the .91 has better proportions. I understand now though that I really have to see the stone in person.

 

[msop04]

Sorry for the delayed response. I live in a desert and just discovered I have a scorpion infestation :::shudders:::

msop04, I think you're strategy is a very good one. I'm purchasing second hand though so my options are limited to certain vendors/sellers that I've used in the past. That's the reason I'm not looking at the 1ct + range, with lower color and clarity.

chrono, I wasn't aware that radiants show color easily.. good to know.. I'll stick to colorless then since I do prefer the icy white color. It's actually a Tiffany Lucida, so the report comes from Tiffany stating it's excellent cut. Based strictly on the numbers, it seems as though the .91 has better proportions. I understand now though that I really have to see the stone in person.

Well, Tiffany grades their own stones, so I don't know if this is worth a whole lot. Also, you may be paying more simply because of the name "Tiffany & Co." Can you see it in person without buying? If I'm not being too intrusive, is it a must that you buy second hand?

 

[Indican]

msop4, from what I've read, I thought Tiffany's grading was comparable to GIA. I know I'm paying a premium for the T&Co label, but I'm fine with that as long as I'm getting a good discount off the retail price. Unfortunately, I cannot see the ring before buying it. My current ring is a Tiffany Lucida and I love it, just want an upgrade in size. Since I want to stay with the Lucida, that's why I'm only considering second hand as I do not want to pay Tiffany's retail price.

 

[chrono]

Indican,
The problem is that no lab has any cut grades for stones that are not round, meaning even GIA has no cut grade for radiants therefore I don't know the criteria Tiffany is using for theirs.

 

[msop04]

Indican,
The problem is that no lab has any cut grades for stones that are not round, meaning even GIA has no cut grade for radiants therefore I don't know the criteria Tiffany is using for theirs.

This.