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Responding to carat size or cost question?

  • Thread starter Thread starter PierreBear
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PierreBear

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Hi Psers! Has someone admired your bling and asked "how big is the stone" or "how much did that cost you?" I suppose it depends on who is personally asking, a casual stranger versus close friend versus family in the type of response to provide. Regardless of the depth of relationship, it still feels as sensitive as someone asking about age or salary. It feels more comfortable sharing that information on PS but not in person. Am I the only one who would rather answer vaguely like "DH sure outdid himself..." but has no problem posting away online?

Maybe I'm just bling shy and need to come out of my shell but I really just wear bling for my own enjoyment and would be fine if no one paid any compliments on a future upgrade. Do ya'll like receiving compliments on bling?

Thanks in advance for sharing!
 
Either of those responses would be rude to me, and I would never ask the questions myself. When I admire someone's bling, I just say "How beautiful!". That seems to make people happier than any questions.
 
It's different here in the U.K. @PierreBear because in the main, people don't generally have large ER's or go the upgrade route, so if you saw someone with a lovely ring, you'd just say, wow, what a lovely ring.

I wouldn't dream of asking someone how much their bling costs, and I'm quite good at guessing size, so wouldn't ask them that either.

I know exactly how big my friends ER is and how much it cost, because I bought it for her :lol:
 
I would tell the weight of the stone and say that I don't remember the dimensions and explain the difference between weight and dimensions in determining the "size" of a stone and give a range for the current cost of an equal value stone and then continue on about the 4cs of diamonds in general and why fire and scintillation are important and then keep dispensing my limited knowledge about diamonds until the questioner's eyes start to glaze over. I figure that if someone is interested enough (or rude enough) to ask, said person is going to get educated whether s/he wants to or not. And yes, I do this real life.
 
You know what works for me? Start talking about idealscopes, asets, microscoping images, leakage, ags0, HCA calculators for GIA xxx and the person asking will glaze over or walk away before you get around to answering size and cost.
 
PintoBean said:
You know what works for me? Start talking about idealscopes, asets, microscoping images, leakage, ags0, HCA calculators for GIA xxx and the person asking will glaze over or walk away before you get around to answering size and cost.
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works for me LOL
 
PintoBean said:
You know what works for me? Start talking about idealscopes, asets, microscoping images, leakage, ags0, HCA calculators for GIA xxx and the person asking will glaze over or walk away before you get around to answering size and cost.
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Lol, When I was a grad student in physics my advisor told me to never tell what I did at a party with non-scientists. He said people's eyes would glaze over and all conversation would stop. Best advice he ever gave and that includes my research advice!!
 
ceg said:
Lol, When I was a grad student in physics my advisor told me to never tell what I did at a party with non-scientists. He said people's eyes would glaze over and all conversation would stop. Best advice he ever gave and that includes my research advice!!
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Omg... @ceg your brain just got super sexy to me when you said "grad student in physics".:love::oops:
 
I've been asked about carat weight and price but I've always weasel out of giving an answer on price but will tell them the weight.
 
ceg said:
Lmao, my sarcasm detector is on fire pb! Physics - decidedly unsexy...
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Not sexy?
Doesn't physics get deep into motion and friction?
 
ceg said:
Lol, When I was a grad student in physics my advisor told me to never tell what I did at a party with non-scientists. He said people's eyes would glaze over and all conversation would stop. Best advice he ever gave and that includes my research advice!!
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Yes, i use that to get some peace and quiet on planes. It usually works to shut down conversations -- until I sat next to someone who happened to have just just picked up his Nobel Prize in Chemistry! I let him do all the talking :geek2:
 
I would have no problem giving the stats, especially if the person was another diamond lover.

Anyone who asks a price will get a "that is none of your business" reply.
 
PierreBear said:
Hi Psers! Has someone admired your bling and asked "how big is the stone" or "how much did that cost you?"
Thanks in advance for sharing!
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happened to me once.

How big is your stone?
I said 7.30mm, she was really confused...:devil:. Well, she did ask how big, right?...:lol:.

How much did it cost you?
More than your car!...she was driving a clunker.
 
ceg said:
Lmao, my sarcasm detector is on fire pb! Physics - decidedly unsexy...
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Omg so not being sarcastic! I was a grad student in electrical and computer engineering and married a grad student in computer science!

A PSer that knows upper level Physics AND bling is mad sexy!!!!:love:
 
ceg said:
@t-c oh wow!!! I am jealous! Lol, nerdiness has overcome me! That must have been awesome! I met Steven Chu once and I was starstruck!
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I was pretty excited. I debated asking if I could see the medal, but I thought that might have been too presumptuous.

To answer the OP's question, although my diamond is too small to ever evoke the question, I would be open to providing the size, but I'd claim to not know the price (which is true).
 
PierreBear said:
Hi Psers! Has someone admired your bling and asked "how big is the stone" or "how much did that cost you?" I suppose it depends on who is personally asking, a casual stranger versus close friend versus family in the type of response to provide. Regardless of the depth of relationship, it still feels as sensitive as someone asking about age or salary. It feels more comfortable sharing that information on PS but not in person. Am I the only one who would rather answer vaguely like "DH sure outdid himself..." but has no problem posting away online?

Maybe I'm just bling shy and need to come out of my shell but I really just wear bling for my own enjoyment and would be fine if no one paid any compliments on a future upgrade. Do ya'll like receiving compliments on bling?

Thanks in advance for sharing!
Click to expand...

Ahem....back on topic :P2 I too am bashful about disclosing my bling details, even naming brands (i.e., I frequently get asked about my VCA alhambra bracelet - depending on the setting/who is asking/etc. I sometimes share the story about my hubby giving it to me, as it plays like an I Love Lucy episode:lol:). Occasionally, I provide an abbreviated version of the 4Cs, eyes glaze over, exit stage left.
 
PierreBear said:
Hi Psers! Has someone admired your bling and asked "how big is the stone" or "how much did that cost you?" I suppose it depends on who is personally asking, a casual stranger versus close friend versus family in the type of response to provide. Regardless of the depth of relationship, it still feels as sensitive as someone asking about age or salary. It feels more comfortable sharing that information on PS but not in person. Am I the only one who would rather answer vaguely like "DH sure outdid himself..." but has no problem posting away online?

Maybe I'm just bling shy and need to come out of my shell but I really just wear bling for my own enjoyment and would be fine if no one paid any compliments on a future upgrade. Do ya'll like receiving compliments on bling?

Thanks in advance for sharing!
Click to expand...

This is interesting. I work in an environment with all women. The majority of us are married. I have the only step cut in the place, and my rings get the most compliments. I've had several women comment about the size of my EC, and they curiously ask how "big" it is. Others try to guess. I will politely respond with "It's over a carat." I don't get into details, much...most ppl don't understand much about diamonds. I see hundreds of people a day, and most of them are women. I take notice of their hands, and I see countless pieces of jewelry. I can honestly say, only a few have caught my attention enough for me to give a compliment, and I would never think to ask how much someone paid for something like that.
Just today, an older woman came in for her appt., and I noticed her ER, right away. It was an EC. I asked her about it & complimented her; it was very beautiful. It's smaller/lighter than mine, prob falls in the same color range, or lower, and is a much older cut; she's had it for 62 years!!! :mrgreen2: THAT was a conversation worth having!! Her EC was tension/bar set in YG. It's a 5 stone ring with baguettes on the shoulders & shank. It was so delicate, and dainty, but it looked perfect on her hand! She noticed mine, and asked to take a closer look. Of course, she mentioned the obvious difference in size, but I told her that if I am married for half as long as she's been, THAT will be my blessing. 62 YEARS OF MARRIAGE!!! God bless them both!!! It was a wonderful experience to connect with a kindred step cut lover. :mrgreen2:
Those are the conversations I enjoy; diamonds can really connect people...as I have found here, on PS....
Yesterday, a woman came in for an appt, and I couldn't help but notice her honking 3 stone oval ring. I asked her if it was new, and she said she had received it for her 50th wedding Anniversary, last year. The center is meant for her, and the two side stones are to be handed down to daughter's/granddaughters. It's truly a gorgeous piece, and the sentiment of it makes it even more breathtaking. It's so interesting to learn about people you never expected to learn anything about...and all because of a single compliment of someone's diamond ring.
 
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azstonie said:
Oh come on, you're from the South, you're supposed to respond with "Bless your heart" :lol:
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You know, pet peeve here... we REALLY DO use "bless your heart" in a sweet way. I don't know who made up that is a passive aggressive snarky thing. :think: It is the perfect sentiment when someone is going through heavy shit and you want to be supportive but don't know what to say. "My word" and "bless your heart" really work.
 
whitewave said:
You know, pet peeve here... we REALLY DO use "bless your heart" in a sweet way. I don't know who made up that is a passive aggressive snarky thing. :think: It is the perfect sentiment when someone is going through heavy shit and you want to be supportive but don't know what to say. "My word" and "bless your heart" really work.
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Yes it is used as a sweet comment sometimes. Other times it is used to atone for a mean spirited comment. E.g., "she has the face of a dog, bless her heart."

That's the case in texas anyway, not always considered the "south".
 
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My sources for the Bless Your Heart giggle:
1. Southern Living Magazine.
2. My godmother, who is from the South and has a sister named "Bunetta Sue" (Bunny Sue) to prove it!
 
Smile and ignore it. And I do like @azstonie 's response. Bless your heart giggle...:lol-2: I couldn't get away with that. I'm not sweet enough. Or I'd just "Plenty!", or "not my problem".
 
I usually just get wow what a beautiful ring and yes I appreciate sincere compliments.

Occasionally someone does ask how big Bea is and depending on the person I may tell them. Very few people have had the nerve to ask how much and in fact I cannot remember the last time someone asked. Besides IGers LOL. They seem to be more forward with asking (on DM) and I give them a range so if they are in the market they have an idea.

Generally it is a rude question asking how much someone's ring/diamond cost.

Like others here I compliment gorgeous jewelry and don't ask strangers for details. PSers are a different story however and of course we share those details about size etc here. But IRL no I don't think it is appropriate. Unless it is a very close friend.
 
Haha this reminds me of what my dad always told me if someone asks about age. Just say you are way older than you are and then people will be like damn you look amazing for your age. IDK it never bothers me when people ask about my age but asking what something cost well that just depends on my relationship with that person. With my good friends I have no problem sharing cost info with but with acquaintances IMO it is not appropriate.
 
People always compliment my ring. No one has ever asked what it cost. But some of my friends have asked the carat size. I say "over two and under 3." :lol:
 
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