POLL: Would you rather have?

[iluvdiamonds2]

I was just wondering.......if you had to pick, which would you rather have on your finger? A big diamond that has the size, but the color is "eh" and there is not much life to it, OR a beautiful diamond that is colorless and sparkling but more than half the size?

 

[Niel]

Neither? I'd rather have a lower color WELL cut stone over either. But cut comes first so I guess of the two is pick the second.

 

[Andelain]

To me that's an easy one, small white fireballs are my thing. All my earrings are F color, either ACA of BGD, my custom pendant is 3 F's, 2 ACA's and an Eightstar. My everyday ring is a D ACA. I have 3 loose WF stones on my desk here, an E, F, and J. I probably won't ever mount the J.

 

[Rhea]

1 carat is huge to me! It's over double the size of my engagement ring so I'd pick that. I cannot imagine owning a 3 carat stone. That's far too large for daily wear for me.

If the choice were 1/4 carat excellent cut D or 1 carat good cut, lower colour diamond I'd probably pick the larger one. At a certain point size does matter to me, but it's at a much lower point than you've set out in your original question.

 

[hathalove]

To me that's an easy one, small white fireballs are my thing. All my earrings are F color, either ACA of BGD, my custom pendant is 3 F's, 2 ACA's and an Eightstar. My everyday ring is a D ACA. I have 3 loose WF stones on my desk here, an E, F, and J. I probably won't ever mount the J.

Iluvdiamonds2- would rather have smaller amazing! But the point Rhea made applies to me too so what sizes are we comparing here? I mean I don't want a .20 stone solitaire. I would rather have a beautiful elegant plain band or scatter version. I would also never wear a 3 carat just would look strange on me with my day to day.

Andelain-We have seen all of these here right?!! What are the loose stones for?

 

[Andelain]

Andelain-We have seen all of these here right?!! What are the loose stones for?

Yes, I've posted pics several times. The loose stones, along with 8 or 9 more back in the States arre goint to be used in a couple projects if I ever get around to them. The loose J was just to see for myself once and for all if I like the color. I know a lot of PS'ers say they look white face-up, but I can readily see the tint in even a small stone.

 

[PattyCo]

I would get the big one and have it re-cut. That way I could have it all !

 

[MichelleCarmen]

1 carat is huge to me! It's over double the size of my engagement ring so I'd pick that. I cannot imagine owning a 3 carat stone. That's far too large for daily wear for me.

If the choice were 1/4 carat excellent cut D or 1 carat good cut, lower colour diamond I'd probably pick the larger one. At a certain point size does matter to me, but it's at a much lower point than you've set out in your original question.

This is pretty much my view too...One carat is larger than my eng ring and I'd much rather wear that size than a 3 carat and I doubt I'd ever wear a 3-carat stone even if I had a million dollar bling budget...I'd just have lots and lots of .50-1 ct size stones in various settings plus go nuts with fancy stuff like some Tiffany items I love.

 

[Circe]

Put me in the "it depends" camp, too ... with the addition of the setting mattering a lot. If I for some reason had to commit to a completely plain solitaire, I kinda wouldn't want to go below, say, .75, but if I could put my beautifully cut sparkly .25 stone in a Van Craeynest ring, I'd rock it.

My own personal sweet spot would be around the 8-9 mm mark, transitional, and in the J to M range, btw. So I think by most people's standards, I'd fall squarely into Category 1. My point with this is that every person will read the question with a different set of assumptions, so it's always worth talking to the prospective wearer!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would have zero desire for an "eh" 3 ct stone. I would only be interested in a super well cut OEC/AVR/AVC at 3 cts and I might not care about the color since they are antique style stones. If we are talking modern round brilliants, I'd want either size to be ideal cut, but I'd prefer color of I or higher.

I would rather have a 1 ct well cut OEC/AVR/AVC than an average cut anything else. Like Circe said, I'd happily set it in something like a Van Craeynest setting and be very happy!

 

[CharmyPoo]

Nope .. can't pick. Must have both.

But seriously ... big and eew ... is still eew.

 

[heididdl]

Neither? I'd rather have a lower color WELL cut stone over either. But cut comes first so I guess of the two is pick the second.[/quote

Ditto Niel

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

Me too! I'd rather have the smaller one!

 

[Ashleigh]

Neither. I'd pick something in between the two options in terms of size, color, clarity but the best cut.

 

[missy]

Nope .. can't pick. Must have both.

But seriously ... big and eew ... is still eew.

I agree. I would want the biggest well cut stone I could get but I wouldn't sacrifice sparkle and the liveliness of the stone for size or color. Color in an antique stone depends. If it has a beautiful facet pattern and doesn't appear "off" color then I would be good with it. I have to fall in love with the specific diamond rather than just parameters on a piece of paper.

So of those 2 options you have for us to choose from I choose the smaller exquisite stone. Though I love me a big diamond nothing trumps the personality.