type of ring...what are the factors

[findarock]

I have been trying to “findarock” for my fiancée. She pointed out some different styles and she looked at her girlfriends engagement ring.
My question is since my fiancée is petite and has small hands compared to her bigger friend, who is just that BIGGER(taller,heavier), should she be looking at such a big ring since her hands are so small?
I know you are probably hearing birds about this, as in “cheap, cheap, cheap” but I think this is a valid question?

 

[mrssalvo]

Hi findarock,

Honestly there is no right or wrong answer to your question. Some women like larger stones and other prefer smaller ones and hand size doesn't really have anything to do with it other than a smaller stone will look larger on a smaller hand. Anyway, you need to get what you can afford. I think John Q from WF wrote something like you should be able to buy what you can afford and afford what you're going to buy. If you know the general size your gal wants then you can look at what your options are and how that's going to work with your budget. Everyone has a budget and normally makes compromises somewhere to get what's most important to them.

 

[justjulia]

What does her friend wear? The shape of the diamond can have an effect on how "large" it will "appear." Pears, Marquis, and ovals appear larger than their carot weight. Princess shapes appear smaller. I.e., less $$ for larger stone. However, you will pay more for a well cut diamond (regardless of shape), for some colors, and for higher clarity. It''s a balancing act. As far as how large it should be for any given finger, diamond shrinkage syndrome will set in and a girl will usually want larger. It happens to the best of us. However, that said, I have had larger diamonds and ended up downsizing to a smaller stone because I feel like I fit in better at my workplace. Has your girlfriend tried on any rings to know what looks "right" on her?

 

[findarock]

good advice.
I completely understand the buy what you can afford. I think that the information about the different size rocks and the costs are definately something to keep in mind.

I know that people were saying that it does not matter what size rocks but my point was that a big ring would look really gawdy.

Thanks!

 

[jaz464]

I tend to think the words "gaudy" and "diamond" do not belong in the same sentence.

But that''s just me.

Unless she is one of those somewhat unusual gals who prefers smaller stones, I would get her the largest you can afford without compromising at all on cut and still gettng a diamond that is eyeclean and faces up white to you.

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 10/30/2006 9:31:15 PM
Author: jazmine

Unless she is one of those somewhat unusual gals who prefers smaller stones, I would get her the largest you can afford without compromising at all on cut and still gettng a diamond that is eyeclean and faces up white to you.

ditto...

 

[angeline]

Date: 10/30/2006 9:34:23 PM
Author: mrssalvo

Date: 10/30/2006 9:31:15 PM

Author: jazmine


Unless she is one of those somewhat unusual gals who prefers smaller stones, I would get her the largest you can afford without compromising at all on cut and still gettng a diamond that is eyeclean and faces up white to you.

ditto...

yup what they said... what did your fiance say about her friiends rings? did you get the idea of what size she might like?

 

[FireGoddess]

It''s not about her frame, it''s about what she wants and feels comfortable wearing. Trust me, very few women (if any?!?!) will tell you the ring was too big.

 

[oldminer]

The smaller the woman, the larger the SUV she drives.
The larger the motorcycle, the more macho the driver comes across (so they think)

Diamonds need to be sized according not only to your budget, but according to the needs and desires of the person who is to wear it. What do her peers wear? What are her dreams of jewelry all about? How well do you know what makes her happy?

Generally, a larger diamond is more impressive and well received. Some people would prefer a very fine quality, but in a smaller stone. It depends on the person, their cultural background and it could also be how large (or small) the person is, too.

 

[widget]

Hi, findarock...

I think finger size shouldn''t be a factor.....while you girl''s taste, lifestyle, where she lives, what her peers wear might be factors.

I tend to think that unless you''re Donald Trump or something, you probably can''t get a rock that''s "too big"...

Just for fun, I''m posting a picture of KristyDarling''s 3.5ct RB on her teensy 3.5 size finger

. I suspect that there are very few women in the world who would object to having this beauty!

widget

 

[findarock]

widget/David/All,

It seems I got a quick lesson into the Psyche of what is important to women. Like someone said, I doubt there is a woman that would turn down or be disappointed if her diamond was too BIG.

I think one of the biggest thing that I will take away from this is that I think one of the biggest things to consider is to get a better understanding of what she likes and how that relates to her peers, where we live, etc.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 10/31/2006 9:31:17 PM
Author: findarock
widget/David/All,

It seems I got a quick lesson into the Psyche of what is important to women. Like someone said, I doubt there is a woman that would turn down or be disappointed if her diamond was too BIG.

I think one of the biggest thing that I will take away from this is that I think one of the biggest things to consider is to get a better understanding of what she likes and how that relates to her peers, where we live, etc.

Now you''re on the right track! Notice the size of diamonds her friends and family members have. You certainly don''t have to go out and get a 2 ct. diamond. But there generally is a comfort range where a woman will be most pleased, and that depends on those factors you''ve mentioned above.

 

[shinythings]

Sounds like you''re on the right track, but realize that the people on this board tend to like big diamonds, and that''s part of why we''re here! Remember to take your girlfriend''s personality and occupation into account.

There are definitely women out there who would think a diamond can be too big and would feel inappropriate wearing one.

 

[findarock]

Good to hear that I am traveling down the right path.

I was gettting a little concerned about how to pull the different elements together. It may be reading into something that really is not an issue at all.

 

[findarock]

Ok, just to review its not about the size of the woman and more about what she likes.
So I should ask her what sort of setting, cut clarity, size, etc?

 

[mrssalvo]

If you''re not trying to keep the proposal a surprise I definitely think it''s a good idea for the two of you to try and look at some things together so she can get an idea of what she likes on her hand. stone size, settings, metal etc...

 

[plg_cp]

Hey findarock,

Where you live definitely has an impact on people''s expectations about size. I gave my fiancee a 0.57ct round and she gets comments from people who genuinely think it''s big.

If you ask PS members, 0.57 is maybe good for one earring, lol. The average here must certainly be over 1ct but that would be almost obscene where I live.

Mark

 

[kcoursolle]

As far as getting her opinion on settings and the stone, I really think this is an excellent idea. She is the one who will be wearing it and it's important that she love the style.

There are often women who come on this site and ask for advice because they received a ring as part of a surprise proposal and they don't like the ring. They don't know what to do because they don't want to hurt the guys feelings and tell him they don't like the ring. If you want an example of this look up a screen name "selma."

However, if surprising her is important to you or to her, you still have options. One thing you could do is pick out the diamond and buy a "temporary" $200 WG setting. Then after proposing the two of you could pick out a setting together. If you are unsure about a diamond shape, many vendors here have return periods and trade up policies just in case she wants to change that too.



Good luck! It really sounds like you are taking *her* into account already and asking all of the right questions. I'm sure you will do just fine, and that she will love what you end up with.

 

[diamondfan]

Find, I think the best course is what has been mentioned, assuming you are not surprising her totally. Note her reactions to rings on her friends, and go to a nice store so she can try things on. She may think she loves one shape and totally change her mind in the store when it is on her. White or yellow metal? Contemporary or classic setting? There are a lot of variables. Once those are more or less nailed down, I would say, get the nicest and largest stone you can, without giving up what is important. Stay eye clean and keep color in mind if she is one to notice a variation. Then, line up all your criteria including budget, and meld them to a convergence point if that makes sense. Good luck, and if you are not trying to surprise her at this juncture you can really get some good information and save yourself stress!

 

[pinkrose]

Date: 12/3/2006 11:36:45 PM
Author: plg_cp


If you ask PS members, 0.57 is maybe good for one earring, lol. The average here must certainly be over 1ct but that would be almost obscene where I live.


Mark

That is so true. This forum attracts diamond lovers so you''ll find bigger preferences on here. Personally, I''m petite and have a size 4 finger and anything big I wouldn''t feel comfortable wearing on a daily basis.