Slightly strange problem - stone too big for finger?

[Udon]

Heya,

I''ve been on Pricescope for the last 2 months, and I must really thank all of you diamond nuts for all the information, funstuff and a real rock education in this website!

I''m planning a proposal sometime soon, and I ordered a rock from Union Diamond, based on a much much better educated choice than I would have 2 months ago. Its IMHO the best rock for my requirements I could get on a $3k budget:

Round brilliant, .88 carats, I color, Si1 clarity, GIA Excellent Cut Grade, Excellent Polish, and Excellent Symmetry, no fluorescence, Thin-Medium Girdle. 6.24 x 6.23 x 3.74mm

And if Leah (from Union Diamond) is right, its got a really beautiful cut! (will post pic when I get it - btw, how to take a good photo of a loose stone? tips?)

Anyway, I was so excited at finding the big bling, that I neglected to consider the rock might be too big for the finger!!! argh!!

My girl''s finger is US size 4.5. yep. she''s a real petite and slim girl and I''m just afraid this bling will just overwhelm (I know some like it like that, but she''s a little shy)

So, now that I''ve committed to the rock, can you gurus of rock give me some tips on choosing a setting type? hopefully can show off the stone, wear comfortably, yet not be too loud, all at the same time..

Thanks people! all comments are appreciated!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Nah, .81 is not too big. I had a 1 ct. on a size 4 3/4 finger when we got married, so I think .81 is a great size!

Personally, I like simple Tiffany style settings so that you can wear a diamond wedding band with it. Plus, later if she finds another setting that she just loves, you haven''t lost a whole lot by replacing the original one. I wouldn''t try to get an expensive setting unless she has shown you some exact styles that she loves. It''s just too risky to guess someone else''s taste in jewelry.

 

[bstraszheim]

There is a phenomonon knows as Diamond Shrinkage Syndrome (DSS). It happens and happens frequently. The diamond that has, until now, been a perfect size, perhaps a *little* large, starts to look a little small, and wouldn''t something bigger be nicer?

Have you decided on a setting yet? Are you planning to propose soon? Does Union Diamond have a return policy? If you are planning to propose soon then perhaps you should do it with the loose stone and see what she thinks of it. Alternatively, you could have it set in a simple solitaire setting (about $200 for a 14K) and let her wear it for a while to see what she thinks of it. To go from 0.00 ct to .88ct is a big jump and it may appear huge at first, but settle into perfect very quickly.

Sounds like a great stone, congratulations!

I wish you well,

Bridget

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I wear a 1.72 ct on my 4.5 finger so I think the .88 will look great on her!

 

[Mara]

hee hee spoken like a true man.

a .88c on a size 4.5 finger? that''s not too big AT ALL.

sounds just right to me...and trust me in a few years she wil have DSS and be going ''man i wish this thing was 2ce as big!''

 

[mrssalvo]

I think it is a great size, especially if she doesn''t want anything too big (yet

) I started with a 1 carat on my 3 1/2 and it never looked too big. She''s going to love it, I''m sure...

 

[Small]

Not too big at all! I have a .92ct on my 5.25 finger and I wish I had a bigger one already (and I just got it a few months back LOL). Can''t wait to see the pics. Congrats on your choice

 

[FireGoddess]

Great choice - she''s going to love it. It''s definitely not too big.

 

[Udon]

ROFL!

I see the posts so far are mainly ladies. Alright, I''ll trust the overwhelming one-way judgement of the fairer sex! And this is the first time I heard of DSS btw.

I''m still curious about settings though. I''ve read many things and I got them all confused. Do diamonds sit loose in their settings? There''s no glue used right?

And what is comfort fit? obviously something more comfortable, so why doesn''t everyone get it?

depending on the setting, cleaning a diamond can be difficult, I read. but, how do you clean a diamond anyway? dunk in soapy water? which is the most important part to keep clean?

hee, sorry if I seem to be digressing.

 

[radiantgirl]

Udon - I love your name!

 

[pahoyafan]

My girl wears a 1.7 ct on a 4.5 finger and I think it looks too small. I want to upgrade to a 2+ stone in the future. It''s funny, when she was trying on stones last year, a 1.5 ct ideal looked really big on her.
After looking at tons of diamonds here and on whiteflash''s site, the 1.7 now looks too small to me.

 

[Gypsy]

No glue. The prongs hold the diamond in place... it''s not loose when it''s properly done.

comfort bands/ shanks are usually rounded a bit... but all sharp and angley so that when you are wearing it, it doesn''t bother you.

As for setting styles... Is your lady''s taste in clothes and furniture and such modern, classic/ traditional, or antiquey?

 

[Udon]

She tends towards the classy, understated style, with a slight antiquey bent. Personally I find antiquey style a little too overdone. but then, its not me wearing the ring heh.

 

[Jas12]

I wear a 1.5 carat on a 3.75 ring size, and believe me the diamond shrinkage theory is right--i wouldn''t mind a 2 carat (and i am not a blingy person at all! i only wear my e-ring and some earrings for jewllery)

as for the setting--why not set it in a plain tiffany style (temp) and let her choose one? maybe that''s not your style, but that''s what my fiance did, and i like having some imput (i just ordered my Michael B. bands!! )

have fun deciding--i am sure it will be stunning!

 

[Gypsy]

I don't know your budget-- but a nice inexpensive 6 prong is very classy... and if she want to change it later (as other's have said) she can pick a setting for herself. As an alternative:

This is a good price for a 18K with a surprise diamond.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/classic-solitaire-settings.asp?module=setting&cid=57&item=934


Personally I love the tulipset heads here is one shown with a rectangular cushion... but it looks best IMO with a round. Price is good too 230 for 14K 380 for 18K ... and it's very special and feminine solitare.

http://www.winkjones.com/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=16358&cat=260&page=1

 

[Dancing Fire]

Udon

too big?

i think your asking the wrong crowd.

 

[codex57]

Suck it up dude. No matter how much us guys wish it, there will never be "too big" when it comes to diamonds. In fact, I''d prolly propose with a plain solitaire setting. As thin a band as possible. That DSS is one nasty bugger. Getting a thin, plain setting helps minimize the effects if she ever gets DSS.

 

[widget]

If you decide to go with simple classic mounting, it might be a good idea to purchase it from, and have the stone mounted by the vendor (Union Diamond).

This is often recommended because they will then take full responsibility should there be any problems/mishaps.

widget

 

[Mara]

if you are getting it from UD...i would definitely check out their tiffany solitaire replica, kit has it and it''s apparently a very good replica and pretty affordable too.

 

[Udon]

Thank you all for the most helpful comments and suggestions. Now I live in fear of DSS!

The stone is now on its way via FedEx to me, here in Singapore. Its a little nail-biting, seeing the slow progress of the package making its way thru the various cities en route.. adds to the final satisfaction I guess!

I live in Singapore, so I''m afraid I can''t use the suggestions some of you mentioned about US jewelers. I intend to set the stone locally, with a custom design. Being trawling the net lately looking for pictures of rings. I must say, Mark Morrell''s work really impresses! don''t know if I can find that kind of quality over here though.. still can''t seem to find a custom designer.

I''ll post the pic of the rock when it comes!

 

[Lorelei]

Udon - there is no such thing as too big in diamonds!

As Perry Como once sang " It's Impossible...."

JK

- welcome to PS!

Codex I beg to differ that DSS is one nasty bugger - we ladies don't see anything wrong with it, well unless you guys don't make our diamonds grow!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I am glad we convinced you! I agree I would put the ring in an inexpensive setting and then after you propose she can pick out something she really loves.

 

[UCLABelle]

I think that diamond would look great! I am a 4.75 and have tried on rounds in that size, while they do look "big", none were too big

The setting you pick, I believe, has a lot to do with the type of person she is and her job. I had a beautiful delicate antique platinum setting but work with my hands a lot, so I switched it to a plain platinum setting. It sits low too for ease!

 

[blodthecat]

Go for a simple classic 4-prong setting, then it will definitely not look to bulky on her finger.

The diamond size will be perfect!

Blod

 

[Rod]

Date: 6/28/2006 7:47:58 PM
Author: codex57
Suck it up dude. No matter how much us guys wish it, there will never be ''too big'' when it comes to diamonds. In fact, I''d prolly propose with a plain solitaire setting. As thin a band as possible. That DSS is one nasty bugger. Getting a thin, plain setting helps minimize the effects if she ever gets DSS.

In addition to DSS there is Diamond Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (DOCD), which is an illness many of us suffer from on this forum. DOCD, discovered by Dr. Brillianteering in the early 1900''s, is a manifestation of mental anomolies when perfectly sane individuals become the owners of high quality diamonds and the settings those diamond sit in. What typically occurs for an accurate DOCD diagnosis is euphoria upon the purchase of a nice gem or setting, followed by self doubt, and ultimately downright concern that the purchased stone or setting has somehow magically changed in appearance or size while the owner slept.
While there are no known medications available to combat DOCD, many people have reported the symptoms are reduced or completely eliminated by visiting chain jewelry stores, such as Zales or Kay, or having lunch with a friend who has jewelry of poorer quality than the DOCD sufferer, or through the purchase of a larger more expensive stone!

 

[Udon]

Its arrived!! So excited, I had to call Fedex Agent to hold the delivery so I pick it up myself hee..

My first look was: WOW! Its PRETTY!

Then after I drove home, I took it out and compared with my little finger (abt same size as girl''s ring finger) and I was like, hmmmmmmmm

Darn! I''m the one suffering from DSS! I already want a bigger one! For her, of course...

Anyway, its a pretty white I, but you can see that its tinged with yellow from other angles other than straight down (especially from below and the side), but I''ll probably have a dash of yellow gold in the setting to compensate.

and I''ve posted pics below: This is it on a black background:

 

[Udon]

This is it on a white background:

 

[Udon]

And lastly, on skin. You can see that the orangeness of my skin (I''m chinese btw) compensates pretty well for the diamond.

And thanks again to everyone for their helpful comments!!

 

[Gothgrrl]

Rod, Your post is way too funny! You just made my day!!

 

[Lorelei]

Lovely diamond!

Nice to know the male of the species can be affected by DSS too!