Right Diamond for a Tall Girl, Size 7 ring

[Kyle G]

Hello guys,

I am looking at buying a ring for my girlfriend. She is rather tall, 6'. She is very thin but has big hands, she wears a size 7 ring.

I have been looking at diamonds. I would really like to keep the entire purchase under 10k.

I was all set on:

Round
Carat weight:1.07
Cut: Ideal
Color: F
Clarity: VS1
Depth %: 59.5%
Table %: 59%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Thin to Medium, Faceted
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Strong Blue
Measurements: 6.69 x 6.74 x 4.00 mm

But then after talking to some people, I started to think maybe a bigger stone would be a better idea. so now I am looking at:


Round
Carat weight: 1.22
Cut: Ideal
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Depth %: 61.8%
Table %: 56%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium to Medium, Faceted
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Medium Blue
Measurements: 6.86 x 6.90 x 4.25 mm

The two stones are almost identical price about $8,300. I am leaning towards the 1.22, but how much is G going to show as opposed to F?

As far as setting goes. I was looking at a few different ones most are channel set style. I was originally looking at one that is 1.5mm but I was advised that 1.5mm in a size 7 would be too thin. What about 2.2mm? would that be too thin?

Any and all input would be appreciated.

 

[yssie]

has she voiced a preference on stone size? I think you will find that a large number - not all, but many - of women on a diamond board prefer to go up in size so this is perhaps a biased resource

Cut is the most important thing: a well cut stone will sparkle more than a poorly cut stone. By well cut I don't only mean H&A and superideals, I mean any stone with complementary proportions that all work together, whatever those proportions are

In that size range you can easily drop to an AGS/GIA graded VS2/SI1 for an eyeclean stone, if you want to save a little or funnel a little more into size. A G of this size graded by AGS/GIA will not look remotely yellow when set.

 

[stone-cold11]

 

[ErinnM34]

Hey Kyle! I'm new here myself and certainly not an expert, but I have viewed at least a million diamonds in the last few months during my own search! SO in my humble opinion, a G-H color is a great idea. The "near colorless" range usually faces up white, and the small difference in warmth would only be noticeable when compared side by side to the F- and even then, the difference would be minimal. I have found that when you step down into the near colorless range, you can usually save a bit of money, or get a bit bigger stone, better clarity, etc. When set & on your fiance's hand, a G would be white & beautiful! As for your band, a 2.2 would still have the look of the popular delicate settings, but give it a little more presence on her finger.

Visit the "Show Me the Bling" forum and check out the PS'ers rings- they'll give you all the specs (many with ring sizes included), which might help you get a visual!

Best of luck!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think you should get an idea of what she wants. You can only really jump the 1.5ct mark for your budget if you drop to I/J color and SI clarity, but that still results in a great looking stone is the cut is great.

I think you can eek out some more mm by going to an H SI1 under the 1.5ct mark too.

But it all depends on what SHE wants. Any clues?

 

[athenaworth]

Woot! Tall girls' club!! (I'm 5'11"). My best friend just proposed to his girlfriend who is 6'2" with size 8 fingers. He got her a one carat princess and halo'ed it and it looks really nice on her hand. Do you think your GF would like the halo look?

 

[littlelanhua]

I'm no expert and I'm sure others will chime in about the stones.

However, I am a tallish gal myself at 176cm, ring size is 5. On myself I'd prefer the 1.22 stone (I'm upgrading to that hopefully in the next few months) and a slightly thinner band than 2mm because I wear a stack of three rings and I find 3 x 2.2mm a bit thick looking for my personal taste. If I was just planning to wear 2 rings, then I'd think perhaps I'd prefer the >2mm for the finger presence. Perhaps there is a way you could sneakily get some idea about her preference?

Good luck with the search, and I know that ultimately she will love the ring and all the thought you've put into it, I know that's how I felt.

 

[MarkBroumand]

Hey Kyle,

Have you been to local stores with your FF in order to determine her color sensitivity or size preference? G^H face up pretty white and can hold their own for the most part without you having to pay the D^F premium. Of course this is all very personal. Some would rather sacrifice a little on color/clarity in order to go bigger - - others would rather sacrifice on the size to acquire a better cut. All this staying within the budget! So now you have to figure out where you guys stand

 

[MarkBroumand]

I forgot to mention this above, but on a side note, your girlfriend is definitely on the tall side, but I don't know if I would consider a size 7 finger "large". I think 6 - 7 is fairly average, and anything below or above would lean towards the smaller/larger ranges. I'm somewhat tall and skinny but my fingers are a size 8 >> so I'm def on the chunkier side! So I think you have more room to play around with the setting as well.

 

[Kyle G]

She actually prefers more of a thin band this much she has actually told me. I was all set on one that was 1.5mm but some people told me that in a size 7 it'd be too small and possibly brittle. (no the person telling me that wasn't trying to sell me a bigger one)

As far as taking her to a jewler... A) she would probably not admit to liking anything more than a couple grand. She's very humble and frugal. I am neither though. She has basically told me to use my judgment because she'd feel too guilty otherwise. And B) I have the perfect proposal idea which would happen right before we go to visit her family next month and I want to catch her completely off guard.

I know infinitely more on the subject than her. She told me she likes the round ones and "square ones" but not the "long skinny ones"

I thank everyone for the responses. I know shed cherish any ring but I want to blow her away.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think that a 2mm shank is a good go. Not sure who told you that you should not go thinner on a large size ring, but perhaps work with someone else. Thinner is fine as long as the ring has the thickness to account for the loss of strength in the width. No problemo.

 

[Amys Bling]

As long as the shank is sturdy construction you can go thin- like a 1.5mm I think on the threads here it was said that with a larger finger maybe she might prefer a 2mm which is still thin, but not as thin. Honestly, go with your heart.

As for stones, I think the 1.22 stone you mentioned is a "safe bet"- ideal cut, near colorless, good clarity... you could go larger and get a I-J, SI1 stone, but for someone with clarity/color sensitivies I don't know if I would surprise them with this- unless you know for sure they are ok with this range.

 

[blueiris]

You sound like a very considerate soon-to-be fiance! I'm sure she'll love the ring you choose for her.

I'm the same height as your girlfriend and have an approximately size 6 finger. My ring is 2mm wide and I think that's the thinnest I'd want. It is platinum so it feels substantial (and is substantial) but looks pretty delicate. I love its simplicity (it's the Grace from BGD).

I'd definitely get the bigger G stone. A 1 ct. stone doesn't look as big on bigger, longer hands.

 

[schmick]

Hi Stone-cold,

Are you able to explain how to interpret this chart?

My GF would be a size 4 1/2, currently looking at a 0.85ct RBC Diamond.

 

[Kyle G]

Alright. I have it now I think.

Carat weight: 1.26
Cut: Ideal
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
Depth %: 61.0%
Table %: 59%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Faint
Measurements: 6.99 x 6.94 x 4.25 mm

I like the measurements. Here is a link for the seting(http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?offer_id=7798&forceStep=STYLE_STEP)

I think I am about ready to pull the trigger

 

[Kyle G]

Hi Stone-cold,

Are you able to explain how to interpret this chart?

My GF would be a size 4 1/2, currently looking at a 0.85ct RBC Diamond.

Not really. I don't know what the percentages or the colors stand for?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Hi Stone-cold,

Are you able to explain how to interpret this chart?

My GF would be a size 4 1/2, currently looking at a 0.85ct RBC Diamond.

Not really. I don't know what the percentages or the colors stand for?

It is the percentage of the finger covered by the diamond Stone posts it a lot but I think it is not all that helpful for visualizing finger coverage.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Alright. I have it now I think.

Carat weight: 1.26
Cut: Ideal
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
Depth %: 61.0%
Table %: 59%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Faint
Measurements: 6.99 x 6.94 x 4.25 mm

I like the measurements. Here is a link for the seting(http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?offer_id=7798&forceStep=STYLE_STEP)

I think I am about ready to pull the trigger

Can you post the crown and pavilion angles and the lower halves %? You need that information to judge the cut quality remotely.

Are you planning to use BN? Their prices are ok, but you can do better often times.

 

[stone-cold11]

It is the percentage of the finger covered by the diamond Stone posts it a lot but I think it is not all that helpful for visualizing finger coverage.

Why not?

It effectively non-dimensionalized the ring and round stone size for a coverage percentage, say you want a 40% coverage, for a finger size 4, that would require a well cut 0.75carat stone but for a finger size 10 that would require a well cut 1.75carat stone.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Welcome Kyle! If BN is your choice of vendor--clarify their return policy (not sure they have an upgrade policy) in case you (or she) change your mind.

Happy Shopping!

cheers--Sharon

 

[rizdak]

Blue Nile currently has a 10% off coupon for settings (I'm sure you can find it online). Will save a couple hundred dollars - you have to type it into the little Reference Code field at checkout.

 

[Kyle G]

Can you post the crown and pavilion angles and the lower halves %? You need that information to judge the cut quality remotely.

Are you planning to use BN? Their prices are ok, but you can do better often times.

I attached the GIA cert.

What other places are there? I am all ears. I have been shopping. Mostly online. I live in NYC and I had a guy at work who I kind of know who has a friend of a friend of a cousin who works on 47th st. He got me his number and I went in to see him. His prices were not good. I didn't get a good feel from the whole thing. I didn't get a good feel at all from what I saw in the diamond district. I figure I would rather shop online at a place with a good return policy and take whatever I get to an appraiser upon receipt and see whats what. BN seemed to be the best I found. I am not locked in though by any stretch.

 

[stone-cold11]

Proportion could work, depending on the rounding of numbers by GIA.

Other online vendors are:

You will have to make appointment with most of them to walk in and view your stones.

Base in NYC.
JamesAllen, IdJewelry, EngagementRingDirect, ExcelDiamond.

In Long Island.
GoodOldGold.

Others.
HighPerformanceDiamond, NiceIce, WhiteFlash, BrianGavinDiamond.

 

[bigdiamondtinygal]

Would you/she consider an Oval instead of a Round Brilliant? I have a dear friend who is tall and she loved the way ovals looked on her because they gave her more finger coverage than a round for the size. It looks lovely on her and so classic. Just a thought.

 

[Dreamer_D]

It is the percentage of the finger covered by the diamond Stone posts it a lot but I think it is not all that helpful for visualizing finger coverage.

Why not?

It effectively non-dimensionalized the ring and round stone size for a coverage percentage, say you want a 40% coverage, for a finger size 4, that would require a well cut 0.75carat stone but for a finger size 10 that would require a well cut 1.75carat stone.

Yeah it can help in converting pics online to your own hand, but I think so much of choosing a ring is thinking about what looks "big" or "right" and a chart like that can only get you so far. That chart is very analytic my friend It is also depressing for anyone with a larger finger, as the example you gave illustrates.

 

[bigdiamondtinygal]

Here's a photo of a 1 carat oval. I can't find the link to her original ring, but it is SeattleSweeheart's ring in the Eye Candy folder (I hope she doesn't mind me posting it) Here is the link to the pic of the Whiteflash setting for it as well. Maybe someone here can find her ring size to give you an idea of dimension.

http://www.whiteflash.com/gallery/diamond-engagement-rings/guinevere-oval-diamond-engagement-ring-5701.htm

 

[stone-cold11]

That chart is very analytic my friend

Hey, I am an engineer, what to do?

 

[LtlFirecracker]

I think you are moving in the right direction. I am 5'9 with size 6 finger and my aviator is a 1.15 ct diamond in a 2mm shank. I know i am one size smaller than her, but it gives you a bit of an idea.

I can't comment on the cut, but I would go with the larger stone. I don't think the G vs F will have any noticeable difference.

 

[yssie]

That chart is very analytic my friend

Hey, I am an engineer, what to do?

given that noone actually embeds diamonds into their fingers (hopefully!) the chart fails primary school geometry assuming eyes as a point source w/ diamond directly upright on the finger

..oh wait we're not keeping score?

 

[Dreamer_D]

That chart is very analytic my friend

Hey, I am an engineer, what to do?

given that noone actually embeds diamonds into their fingers (hopefully!) the chart fails primary school geometry assuming eyes as a point source w/ diamond directly upright on the finger

..oh wait we're not keeping score?

haha.. there is an analytical answer to what I was saying