Sizing the diamond to the ring...

[MudMan]

Hello all...first time poster here. I''m now in the market for a ring!

The love of my life is very petite and is five feet tall and 100lbs. She has delicate hands with a size 4 ring finger. I would like to match a brilliant diamond to a Tiffany-style, 4 or 6 prong setting. She suggested that she would like something classic and not too large.

I have scoured the internet looking for advice on how to pick the right size of diamond to keep the ring in balance. So far I have turned up a lot of very helpfull information on choosing a diamond but not on diamond/ring size proportions. I don''t want a giant rock sitting on top of a tiny ring.

If I go with a smaller diamond than the norm (1.0 to 1.2ct), I''ll be able to put the extra money towards a higher quqlity stone or setting. My overall budget $10,000.

Do you have any suggestions on a selecting the right diamond for a size 4, tiffany-setting?

Cheers!

 

[JulieN]

hah, these threads are always controversial... anyway, if you say the "norm" is a 1 ct on a size 6 finger (the average size finger,) then if I scale it to a size 4 finger, that's about 5.7 mm (.7 cts) If you like the proportion of a 1.25 ct on a size 6, scaling it down would equal to about a .9 ct stone on a size 4.

 

[MudMan]

JulieN...thanks for the reply

I''m new to the diamond game but my friends all suggested that 1.0ct was the size to go with for their fiancés. What are your thoughts? What would say is the norm for a size 6 finger? Does it depend on the region or city? Do different areas have different expectations...rural vs. urban perhaps?

I don''t want the ring to be too blingy. She has mentioned that she doesn''t like gaudy rings...

Thanks again for any comments folks.

 

[Snooper]

I think your size range is perfect. Consider buying from places that will allow you to upgrade should your soon-to-be fiancee choose down the road. I would say if you''re really concerned if a 1 carat would be overwhelming, then perhaps .70-.85??

I''m sure what ever you pick, she''ll love!!

 

[MudMan]

It looks like I''m in the market for 0.75 to 0.95 cts. And because I can go slightly smaller, I can go with a slightly higher grade and a knockout setting.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You are absolutely right that it really depends on the girl and where she lives and what kind of diamonds her friends and relatives have. A 1.0-1.2 carat stone would be lovely for anyone, and that is certainly fine for a size 4 finger. My ring size was 4 3/4 when I got engaged long ago, and I had a 1 ct. stone and it looked great! And you can get a very nice F or G VS1 or VS2 with your budget with money for the setting left over!

Here are some nice ideal cut examples:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/1931/

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2167495.htm#

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 5/31/2006 11:47:45 PM
Author: MudMan
It looks like I'm in the market for 0.75 to 0.95 cts. And because I can go slightly smaller, I can go with a slightly higher grade and a knockout setting.

No, absolutely go for the full carat if that is the norm in your social group if your budget is $10,000! It is most certainly not too big or blingy for her!

A friend of mine on PriceScope is also 5'-1" or 2 and her emerald cut diamond is 1.7 carats. It in no way looks too big on her. Let me see if I can find the link. Look at the second post on this thread by Tacori E-ring.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-tacori-rings.32562/=

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 5/31/2006 11:52:17 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Date: 5/31/2006 11:47:45 PM

Author: MudMan

It looks like I''m in the market for 0.75 to 0.95 cts. And because I can go slightly smaller, I can go with a slightly higher grade and a knockout setting.

No, absolutely go for the full carat if that is the norm in your social group if your budget is $10,000! It is most certainly not too big or blingy for her!


A friend of mine on PriceScope is also 5''-1'' or 2 and her emerald cut diamond is 1.7 carats. It in no way looks too big on her. Let me see if I can find the link. Look at the second post on this thread by Tacori E-ring.


https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-tacori-rings.32562/=

I am barely 5''1" but thanks for the extra inch Janis!

My ring size is around 4.5. Do I think my 1.72 looks large on my hand? Yes I do. Too large? NO WAY! Once in college I was in a B&M and they said .5 ct fit the size of my hand! Ha! I think everyone has a different opinion. I would not limit yourself based on a formula you think is right. I am sure she will not only love any diamond you choose but also it will look great on her hand. Do you know what setting you want? I think that helped my FI. I picked my setting first so he knew how much he had left for the diamond. For the record I thought he was getting my 1 ct (that is what we talked about) and that also looked great on my finger. Basically you can''t go wrong

 

[Munchkin]

I am 4'11", and have a size 4.5 ring finger. I personally feel that my 1.62 round is perfect on my hand! I also think a 1.5 (or 1.4 to save money!) would look fantastic. Oddly enough, my mom's 2ct looks fake on my hand and perfect on my sister's - who has size 3/3.5 finger!

In my social circle, the girls with 1ct stones definitely began to experience the dreaded "diamond shrinkage" pretty quickly. The ones at 1.25 and larger seem to say "I never want to upgrade! It's perfect! He did such a great job!" (yadda yadda yadda) To help put it in perspective, (because environment has a LOT to do with it!) we are all professionals in our mid to late 20s and live in the Northeast. If your budget is 10k, I would break the one carat mark for a jaw dropping proposal experience.
Munchkin

ETA If you are looking a halo type setting, however, a 1ct will save you money while still looking very substantial.

 

[ilovesparkles]

I also think you should break the 1 ct mark! You can get a fabulous stone for that budget and a killer setting and people on here will be more than willing to help you find the perfect stone!

 

[MudMan]

Thanks for the replies.

I know that she really likes a conservative/classic look to jewelery...ike a Tiffany style or even the Laureado (sp?) solitaire that I saw on a site somewhere. I''m going to stick to the simple but classic look and skip any pavés or other diamonds.

As for the setting material, I''m torn between white gold and platinum. They both look great. I''m not too sure how long the platinum will look great though as I hear it can become dull over time. I wonder if there is a higher grade of platinum that would resist the patina look over time.

As for the shape, I know she likes the round brilliants. I think that it will go nicely with a Tiffany setting quite nicely!

I''m quite fond of Squawk''s ring: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/1-554-carat-round-brilliant-reset-onto-whiteflash-tiffany-classic-setting.45911/

The styling is everything I''m looking for!

What a jaw-dropper!
Cheers!

 

[kcoursolle]

Hi there, I think you are on the right track!

White gold/platinum both have their advantages/disadvantages. Platinum is more expensive and develops patina as you mentioned...unfortunately I don''t know of any platinum that doesn''t get this. White gold needs to be re-rhodium plated (unless you get palladium...but this dulls like platinum...), white gold is cheaper, but more fragile and will eventually disintegrate (many many years).

As far as settings and diamond size. I am about the size of your gf and have a 4.5 size finger. I love diamonds that are about .75-1carat, but since she specified not too big, I would stay around the .7-.9carat. However, I would definitely go with a place with an upgrade policy...because even those of us who started off liking small diamonds sometimes get taken by the force of diamond shrinkage heehee...I think it might happen to me in a couple of years.

One thing I love on my small fingers is thin bands. I would keep the tiffany style with thin bands and I would set the diamond pretty low in the setting. It will look awkward on small hands to be set to high or with thick bands. Thick bands tend to overtake the entire hand and don''t show off the diamond as well on small hands...but this is just one woman''s opinion. Hope this helps.

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome

I agree hit that carat mark, even if she has tiny fingers it will in no way look fake or tacky!

 

[f4fred]

Heya,

I''m just coming out the other end of the process. Can highly recommend looking at Infinity Diamonds (http://www.infinitydiamonds.be/) - Paul produces amazing super-ideal cut stones that outshine everything else I looked at. One BIG benefit is that he, via his dealers, offers a lifetime upgrade policy; i.e. if you go for a 1c now and decide in a couple of years that you want to upgrade to a 1.5-2.0c, he will buy the old stone back off you!!!!
Wink (http://www.winkjones.com/) is an Infinity dealer and he has been super-helpful and super-patient throughout the whole process.

Good luck and have fun!
Here is a link to my thoughts on the whole process.

f

 

[eleguin]

Hi MudMan, I also think you should go for the full 1 carat. Your $10K budget will let you get a great 1 ct stone. I have size 3.75 fingers and a 2.03 ct round brilliant. It seemed huge the first day I got it, but now I think it is perfect and a stunningly beautiful size. I think even though your gf is petite, a 1 ct stone will look great on her! Also, be mindful of shrinkage

Good luck in your search!

 

[lvnut]

Hi Mudman - I agree to go at least a carat. I wear a size 3 and my round diamond is 4.19 carats. My fingers are very long though, that''s something else you may want to consider. I really like big rings and they just look "right" on my hand. On the other hand, my mom also wears a 3 and my ring looks kind of silly on her because her fingers are shorter than mine...

 

[MudMan]

Lots of things to consider here.

If I go 0.9 to 1.1 ct, would you recommend a 4 or 6 prong Tiffany setting?

Also, what if my GF is a 3.75 or a 4.25...how do you suggest I find this out without being obvious

!

As for the size, here is a little more info. My GF comes from the south of Brazil where men and women wear simple gold bands after the wedding. As far as I know, fiancès don''t receive engagement rings. But now that she is living here, American traditions are influencing her and I know that she would like a modest ring. That said, I still think that she has some apprehensions about wearing a ring that costs as much as 2-3 years salary back home. Personally, I want to give her an amazing ring but also want to respect her wishes. I don''t want her to feel ashamed about wearing too much on her finger when we visit her home. Then again, maybe I''m just over-analyzing things here...it sure would be nice to see a 1+ ct on her finger!

Well thanks for all your help ladies....and gents

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 5/31/2006 10:35:41 PM
Author:MudMan
Hello all...first time poster here. I''m now in the market for a ring!

The love of my life is very petite and is five feet tall and 100lbs. She has delicate hands with a size 4 ring finger. I would like to match a brilliant diamond to a Tiffany-style, 4 or 6 prong setting. She suggested that she would like something classic and not too large.

I have scoured the internet looking for advice on how to pick the right size of diamond to keep the ring in balance. So far I have turned up a lot of very helpfull information on choosing a diamond but not on diamond/ring size proportions. I don''t want a giant rock sitting on top of a tiny ring.

If I go with a smaller diamond than the norm (1.0 to 1.2ct), I''ll be able to put the extra money towards a higher quqlity stone or setting. My overall budget $10,000.

Do you have any suggestions on a selecting the right diamond for a size 4, tiffany-setting?

Cheers!

here''s a couple of rings on my wife''s 4.75 size finger within that weight.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ideal-cut-solitaires-or-should-i-say-triple-ideals.39421/=

 

[decodelighted]

Hmmm. If you say she''s classic & traditional ... have you considered Asschers? (Sometimes called Square Emeralds) ... They face up smaller than Round Brilliants and have a different, hypnotic kind of "angular" look

 

[lizz]

Another vote for getting a 1.0 ct. stone. I like the 6-prong heads, especially since I hear of so many women losing their stones after one of the prongs in their 4-prong heads breaks or comes loose.

 

[MudMan]

Yes...6 prongs are definately the way to go.

As for the stone, I think I''ll come in just under 1.0ct but will get a higher graded stone.

Are there different ways to set q stone in a Tiffany setting? For example...can I decide the height of the setting? I don''t want it too high so that the crown might get snagged.

Cheers!

 

[JulieN]

The T&Co solitaire style is set low.

 

[JulieN]

Since you're going for the 6 prong solitaire, you might want to decide on the setting before you decide on the stone.

Just picking the extreme prices in a cut quality search, D-G, IF-VS2, .9-1 cts, all top cuts:
.92 F VS1-6.2K
.90 E IF-8.5K

Getting the more expensive diamond will put you right at the SuperbCert setting: http://www.exceldiamonds.com/tiffany-settings.php

A less expensive diamond will allow you to work with Mark Morrell www.mwmjewelry.com or Leon Mege www.artofplatinum.com; both make excellent six prong solitaires.