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opinions about size vs. cut

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tlow

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 6, 2006
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To start with, I am trying to keep the budget for the stone under $10K. My girlfriend really wants a 1.5 carat centerstone. I would like to keep the grade AGS000 or an equivalent and keep the color at H (preferably G) or lower. (When we go shopping, she notices color a lot more than clarity). I have found some really nice 1.25-1.3carats that are AGS000 f-g si1 for 8500-9500. Everything that I have looked at, if I go up to 1.5 carats and keep the budget down, one of the first things I will sacrafice is cut. My girlfriend has no idea what diamonds costs and how it is not easy just to simply jump up to 1.5.

What do you guys think? First will she noticed a difference between 1.3 and 1.5 (Any comparison pics?) Second, should I get her the bigger stone and sacrafice some cut and maybe clarity? Lastly, I can afford to up my budget, (but I''d rather not) and then just buy her a great 1.5 carat stone for around 13-15K?
 
Date: 9/18/2006 11:48:54 AM
Author:tlow
Everything that I have looked at, if I go up to 1.5 carats and keep the budget down, one of the first things I will sacrafice is cut.
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NO! NO!! NO!!! Tlow, cut is the LAST thing you sacrafice. A well cut 1.3 will look bigger than a poorly cut 1.5.

You can keep the budget down by going to an eye-clean SI2. Also, find it out if an H is a color issue for her. If not, lose the G and go to H and save the $. Finally, as for the size, there are some charts that show the difference in milimeters. Let me set if I can dig one up. There's also a pic of someone with several different sized solitares on her hand. I'll try to find that too.
 
DO NOT SACRIFICE CUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is the LAST place you want to compromise on or you will have a less brilliant or downright dull diamond!!!! you can drop the clarity to an SI grade easily - even SI2 if eyeclean or a lucky I1 if that is acceptable to you. Get the best cut diamond you can and you can then drop the carat weight a bit if you wish as a well cut diamond will face up as large as or nearly as large as one which weighs more.
 
Here is the pic with different sized solitares.

Sizes: From left to right: 1.02ct [E/VS1], 1.21ct [G/VVS1], 1.51ct [F/SI1] and 2.01ct. [E/VS1] SuperbCert H&A diamonds

sizes60.JPG
 
And here is a chart: link

Look at 1.25 vs. 1.5. The size difference would be less apparent once the stones are set.
 
Check out this stone from Whiteflash. It''s slightly over your budget (and you can get a pricescope discount), but it may be worth it to check it out.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2482937.htm

I''m not an expert on rounds, so I can''t tell you if the numbers are all the best, but it is one of Whiteflash''s branded stones, so my guess is that it''s extremely well-cut.
 
Thanks for the quick replies. I feel the same way, I don''t want to sacrafice the cut. Maybe its just a bad lot to pick from right now, but there doesn''t seems to be very many AGS000 1.4-1.55 f-h si1-si2 stones out there. And from the pics there would be a little noticable difference in size side by side, but viewing each alone, I don''t think she would ever know. THe other thing she doesn''t understand is that losing cut will give the apperance of a smaller diamond. I think she wants the mental happiness of a 1.5.
 
i would definitely check out the stone that coda just posted....the AGS plot shows one large-ish inclusion, but you won't know what it looks like til you see pictures of the stone, it'd be great if the item was a white cloud or similar since that is easier to hide, esp right off the table. the stone is a great possibility, and an AGS graded SI2 has great potential. i have had an SI2 stone in a 1.6c size and if it's well-graded it can be a great way to stretch the budget.

in terms of sacrifice, for me clarity goes first since i have seen eye-clean SI2's and owned one of them, and owned two eye-clean SI1's. cut is something i would not sacrifice on...i love size so i will always try to go lower in color and clarity to get size high and keep cut high.
 
Date: 9/18/2006 11:48:54 AM
Author:tlow
To start with, I am trying to keep the budget for the stone under $10K. My girlfriend really wants a 1.5 carat centerstone. I would like to keep the grade AGS000 or an equivalent and keep the color at H (preferably G) or lower. (When we go shopping, she notices color a lot more than clarity). I have found some really nice 1.25-1.3carats that are AGS000 f-g si1 for 8500-9500. Everything that I have looked at, if I go up to 1.5 carats and keep the budget down, one of the first things I will sacrafice is cut. My girlfriend has no idea what diamonds costs and how it is not easy just to simply jump up to 1.5.

What do you guys think? First will she noticed a difference between 1.3 and 1.5 (Any comparison pics?) Second, should I get her the bigger stone and sacrafice some cut and maybe clarity? Lastly, I can afford to up my budget, (but I''d rather not) and then just buy her a great 1.5 carat stone for around 13-15K?
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her MIND will notice it is 1.3 and not 1.5. sometimes a woman (for whatever mysterious reason) would rather have a poorly cut smaller looking ring that she can go around and SAY this is 2 carats! than a gorgeous beautifully cut 1 carat. If she wants 1.5 she very well may always feel cheated she didn''t get the 1.5 unless you can *convince* her and teach her about diamonds and how much better a 1.3 well cut stone can be than a 1.5 average cut stone. A lot of people here sacrifice clarity and it doesn''t seem important to her so... and she seems to care about color so give her that.

And if you can afford to up your budget, go for it. It could save you in the end LOL
 
Date: 9/18/2006 12:08:02 PM
Author: coda72
Check out this stone from Whiteflash. It''s slightly over your budget (and you can get a pricescope discount), but it may be worth it to check it out.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2482937.htm

I''m not an expert on rounds, so I can''t tell you if the numbers are all the best, but it is one of Whiteflash''s branded stones, so my guess is that it''s extremely well-cut.
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Actually that is a superb pick Coda
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ya I really like Coda''s pics, think I will call WF and get the idealscope and sarin.
 
You can save a lot of money and stay within budget if you stay under the 1.5 line. And really, there is no reason to have a 1.5 just for the sake of it. As has been pointed out, ideal cut diamonds look bigger than they are. Second, carats are a measurement of weight, not diameter. So there are many 1.3 to 1.4 carat diamonds that "face up" the same or near the same as a 1.5 because they have the same diameter as many 1.5''s. For instance, I just bought a GIA Excellent cut 1.39 ct. that has a diameter of 7.28 mm. This diameter compares favorably to many 1.5 ct. stones and I didn''t have to pay the 1.5 ct. premium. Finally, remember that a small difference in diameter will be not be noticeable unless the stones you are comparing are placed side by side.
 
Everyone has said it...but don''t sacrifice cut! You are right that stones in the 1.4-1.6 f-h SI range are very rare because everyone wants a stone that face up looks like 1.5 carats, but doesn''t cost as much as one. I''m glad you are considering coda''s suggestion, it definitely has some potential. Ask whiteflash if it''s eye-clean or prongable.
 
Ya...I, you, we know it is that way but my girlfriend doesn''t and like Cehrabehra said, I think she wants the mental security of telling people and herself that she has a 1.5. My girlfriend is not materialistic and/or superficial but in this case most definetly and she even admits it. Since I can afford it, i think I will give her what she wants in size while still keeping the cut but losing some clarity and color. Like Copa pointed out, I think I should find what I want for under $12K, agree?
 
tlow, if your girlfriend is that into telling people the size of her ring and if she is dead set on having a 1.5 just for the sake of it then I would consider what other unreasonable demands she will make on you throughout your life together.

If you decide to go through with it, then yes, you should be able to get what you are looking for at around 11K.
 
Dan,

I don''t think I should have to justify my relationship or what my girlfriend wants to you, but for arguements sake reread what Cehrabehra had to say.

And like I said ealier, I can afford it so it is not an "unreasonable demand"
 
Date: 9/18/2006 1:52:10 PM
Author: tlow
Ya...I, you, we know it is that way but my girlfriend doesn''t and like Cehrabehra said, I think she wants the mental security of telling people and herself that she has a 1.5. My girlfriend is not materialistic and/or superficial but in this case most definetly and she even admits it. Since I can afford it, i think I will give her what she wants in size while still keeping the cut but losing some clarity and color. Like Copa pointed out, I think I should find what I want for under $12K, agree?
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I agree and good for you for wanting to give your girlfriend what she wants. most of us hear do not find her request unreasonable since you already stated you can afford it
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Tlow,

Please keep coming back for advice and don''t get discouraged. Most of us here are more than happy to comment on your DIAMOND situation and not your love life! Hey if she''s lucky enough to have you boning up on diamonds to find something she loves, then i''m sure she''s a sweetheart. I read the earlier posts and it seems like you have tons of great advice. Especially to pay attention to the diameter. I have a .83ct diamond that really does look like a 1ct, because it''s well cut the diameter is larger than a lot of poorer cut mall 1ct stones.

Seriously don''t get upset. Theres nothing wrong with your woman communicating that she wants a 1.5ct stone. If you can afford it might as well get her what she wants OR something that looks just like what she has her heart set on rather then a possible upgrade or something.
 
I''ll take your word that you can afford the 1.5 (even though your quest for a diamond started with a budget of 7K max).

You don''t have to justify anything to me. I''m just pointing out that you should beware of a girl who is making demands for luxuries based on an arbitray number like 1.5 carats. And if her friends would be impressed by such a number then you should really question what type of person your girlfriend is. Just because people such as Cehrabehra are caught up in the numbers game as well doesn''t make it sensible to play along.
 
Date: 9/18/2006 2:29:51 PM
Author: DapperDan
I''ll take your word that you can afford the 1.5 (even though your quest for a diamond started with a budget of 7K max).

You don''t have to justify anything to me. I''m just pointing out that you should beware of a girl who is making demands for luxuries based on an arbitray number like 1.5 carats. And if her friends would be impressed by such a number then you should really question what type of person your girlfriend is. Just because people such as Cehrabehra are caught up in the numbers game as well doesn''t make it sensible to play along.
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You know I think you got your point across the first time, it was adressed and it would be nice if you could move on instead of trying to drag more people into a rude comment.
 
Date: 9/18/2006 2:29:51 PM
Author: DapperDan
I I''m just pointing out that you should beware of a girl who is making demands for luxuries based on an arbitray number like 1.5 carats. And if her friends would be impressed by such a number then you should really question what type of person your girlfriend is. Just because people such as Cehrabehra are caught up in the numbers game as well doesn''t make it sensible to play along.
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. I think you are reading way more into tlow''s posts and comments to be making judgements about his GF or her friends or cehra for that matter. we''re her to help educate folks on diamonds in this particular forum. if he want''s relationship advice he can go to family, home and health. He very well could have set a budget then realized that diamonds are more than he thought and decided to increase his budget after learning more. nothing wrong with that, people do it all the time when they become more educated.
 
This brings up and interesting point of what people should and shouldn''t bring up about money. For me, it shouldn''t matter why I want to spend more, I just am willing. Buy maybe other people on this board think otherwise.

Things change in life when it comes to money, ie raises, pay cuts, inheritance, job loss, etc. Who''s business is it to say who spends what or changes their mind about how much they want to spend? Just my 2 cents.
 
Date: 9/18/2006 2:41:51 PM
Author: tlow
This brings up and interesting point of what people should and shouldn''t bring up about money. For me, it shouldn''t matter why I want to spend more, I just am willing. Buy maybe other people on this board think otherwise.

Things change in life when it comes to money, ie raises, pay cuts, inheritance, job loss, etc. Who''s business is it to say who spends what or changes their mind about how much they want to spend? Just my 2 cents.
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Good point! Not to mention like mrssalvo pointed out sometimes you think ahead of time....ok this is a good budget for this...then you research it and find out that you were a little off on what you thought the costs of things were and you might have to change it a little. But like i''ve said tlow don''t be discouraged! You''ve gotten lots of good advice! Are you still debating the WF stone linked above? Have you checked into any others? Just out of curiosity and sorry if you already mentioned it, what kind of setting are you looking for?
 
tlow, many of us increase the diamond budget during the search! We started at $10,000 and went to $14,000! And I spent months looking in the 1.4 range in H color to get a great size at a great price (ended up with 1.6). But they are sooo rare, I wouldn''t advise that to anyone unless they have plenty of time! I''d for sure stick with H and see if you can find a 1.5 in SI clarity. Good luck!
 
I can''t address particulars about diamonds (I am a novice!!), however, I do have an opinion about size
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Anyway, it seems like everyone nowadays gets 1 carat when they get engaged (at least this is the observation from my 27 yo daughter). When I got engaged 10 years ago to my second husband, he bought me a beautiful ring (a 1 carat Lazare - the diamond has a ton of sparkle). While I loved the ring, I''d always wished he had gone a little bigger (as a doctor he could certainly afford it). I never said a word but for our 10th, my gift from him was an upgrade. Now, I''d like to think that if he had gone bigger right off the bat, I would have been satisfied and he would have saved money in the long run. Because now, I know, he can REALLY afford a good diamond so it cost him ALOT. Ten years ago I''d wished he bought me a 1.5; for our 10th I am EXCITED about my 1.75. Not much bigger, so again, I think if he''d gone 1.5 to begin with I would still be happy. Am I rambling?? I think she will be ecstatic with the 1.5 (expecially if you don''t scrimp on cut!). I''ve seen too many women with big diamonds that don''t grab your attention. My 1 carat ALWAYS got compliments. Good luck!!
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Golly! I think tlow can do what the heck he wants with his money! how can we judge his situation based on 10 lines of written words??? how presumptuous.

I think it's great that she can openly say what she wants. That's really important for communication. Anyway isn't this forum about diamonds, not giving unwarranted personal advice?

Sorry that just got me steamed up.... deep breaths, deep breaths.....
a

edited to clarify - I was replying to DapperDan's posts, not anyone else's.
 
First of all, tlow, said that he''d "rather not" increase his budget. With that in mind, I responded to his statement that his girlfriend has no idea that it is not easy to jump up to a 1.5, but she wants a 1.5 just so she can tell people this.

I am trying to be supportive, tlow. You should explain to your girlfriend the points we''ve made--namely, that it would be hard to tell the difference between a 1.3 and a 1.5 in an everyday situation and that buying a 1.3 would save you a few thousand dollars.

Stand up to this lady or you will be walked on your entire life and us Pricescopers don''t want that for one of our own. Go tlow!
 
Date: 9/18/2006 3:50:47 PM
Author: DapperDan
First of all, tlow, said that he'd 'rather not' increase his budget. With that in mind, I responded to his statement that his girlfriend has no idea that it is not easy to jump up to a 1.5, but she wants a 1.5 just so she can tell people this.

I am trying to be supportive, tlow. You should explain to your girlfriend the points we've made--namely, that it would be hard to tell the difference between a 1.3 and a 1.5 in an everyday situation and that buying a 1.3 would save you a few thousand dollars.

Stand up to this lady or you will be walked on your entire life and us Pricescopers don't want that for one of our own. Go tlow!
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Dear Dapper......maybe I'm just missing your point, but why do you feel compelled to put fear in Tlow's mind that he might be walked on his entire life because his girl wants a 1.5 C stone??? I'm helping a friend right now look for a 1.5 carat stone in a setting with melee ala Mara's fabulous combination and he's having a tough time with the budget himself. But, he wants the best for his girl and that's what she has her heart set on and it simply never occured to me to think or ever say anything like what your implying with comments like this. As a matter of fact, I encouraged him to increase his budget as much as possible because diamond shrinkage is real and can cost more to fix later. Now, I'm not saying this guy needs to replace his car with public transport, or eat carrots to pay for the ring, but his budget is close enough to get exactly what his girl wants and all I'm trying to do is help him get the best for his money. That's what we PS'ers do you know. We don't criticise their girls desires, because to me, that's simply tacky and uncalled for.
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Date: 9/18/2006 3:50:47 PM
Author: DapperDan
First of all, tlow, said that he''d ''rather not'' increase his budget. With that in mind, I responded to his statement that his girlfriend has no idea that it is not easy to jump up to a 1.5, but she wants a 1.5 just so she can tell people this.

I am trying to be supportive, tlow. You should explain to your girlfriend the points we''ve made--namely, that it would be hard to tell the difference between a 1.3 and a 1.5 in an everyday situation and that buying a 1.3 would save you a few thousand dollars.

Stand up to this lady or you will be walked on your entire life and us Pricescopers don''t want that for one of our own. Go tlow!
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Hmm well i''m one PS''r that doesn''t want to be associated with this statement! Hmm sounds like someone might have a complex?
 
Date: 9/18/2006 3:50:47 PM
Author: DapperDan
First of all, tlow, said that he''d ''rather not'' increase his budget. With that in mind, I responded to his statement that his girlfriend has no idea that it is not easy to jump up to a 1.5, but she wants a 1.5 just so she can tell people this.


I am trying to be supportive, tlow. You should explain to your girlfriend the points we''ve made--namely, that it would be hard to tell the difference between a 1.3 and a 1.5 in an everyday situation and that buying a 1.3 would save you a few thousand dollars.


Stand up to this lady or you will be walked on your entire life and us Pricescopers don''t want that for one of our own. Go tlow!
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Hey Dan, maybe you are honestly trying to help tlow and save him some money. But you''re not! Lose the personal attacks on his fiance!

a
 
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