Upgraders, do you think you''''ve finally got it right?

[Upgradable]

I know there are many differing views on the concept of upgrading an engagement rings, and many different reasons for doing so. But I''''m wondering how many of you feel you have finally reached the goal of the "perfect ring?"

 

[metromom]

the problem (for me at least) is that over the years my idea of "perfect" changes. I upgraded at our five year anniversary, I got the perfect ring for me at the time. I still absolutely love it, but approaching 10 years, I am already thinking about an upgrade. We are thankfully at a much different place right now, and I would love to express that in an upgrade. We''ve both worked extremely hard to get where we are in our careers, and can now afford something much different that we could have in the past. Not to mention, everything I have learned on PS and all the beautiful pictures I have seen, I just think tastes change over time.

 

[Dreamer_D]

No me

. And I haven''t even seen the most recent upgrade yet (color only, not size).

Frankly it is a psychological disease for me

and I need to put a stop to it. I am giving it the benefit of the doubt with this one last change, though. I think there is *something* concrete to my disatisfaction with my ring.... I want a substantial, big bling look -- always have -- and since a 3ct rock is NOT in the cards, I am banking on a rather blingtastic three stone satisfying that urge. If not, then I am clearly ill and will seek medical intervention.

 

[Upgradable]

I''m quite happy with my ering. We upgraded the stone several years ago, and last year I found the perfect setting for it with the Beverley K halo mounting. So, as far as the ering goes, I cannot ever see wanting to change it.

I do however have an insatiable desire to create gorgeous right hand creations!! This is the area that continues to sap my funds!

 

[AprilBaby]

I am done after my 1st upgrade. Went from .35 to 1.21 with .40 sidestones. I am getting to old to upgrade any more!

 

[Londongirl1]

Date: 12/28/2009 2:35:25 PM
Author: AprilBaby
I am done after my 1st upgrade. Went from .35 to 1.21 with .40 sidestones. I am getting to old to upgrade any more!

You're never too old to upgrade

. I haven't upgraded as my 1.01 stone is HUGE by UK standards - I can't see it happening but you never know

 

[iluvcarats]

For me, it''s not about the size. I find myself wanting a different stone. Sometimes an asscher, sometimes an emerald, sometimes an oec. Sometimes I want sleek and modern, and sometimes I lust for antique and romantic. I just love them all. I agree with DD, it is a disease

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 12/28/2009 4:10:44 PM
Author: iluvcarats
For me, it''s not about the size. I find myself wanting a different stone. Sometimes an asscher, sometimes an emerald, sometimes an oec. Sometimes I want sleek and modern, and sometimes I lust for antique and romantic. I just love them all. I agree with DD, it is a disease

But see, that is different, no? It isn''t a upgrade if it is another diamond, it is, ummm... another diamond

I too would like some other cuts. I want an Octavia now and one of GOG''s August vintage OECs or Cushions. But I think wanting those is different than an upgrade. Still a sickness, but not upgrade fever.

 

[D&T]

Date: 12/28/2009 4:10:44 PM
Author: iluvcarats
For me, it's not about the size. I find myself wanting a different stone. Sometimes an asscher, sometimes an emerald, sometimes an oec. Sometimes I want sleek and modern, and sometimes I lust for antique and romantic. I just love them all. I agree with DD, it is a disease

This is exactly how I feel too!

I'll have to add the August Vintage Cushion in there too...

 

[bebe]

No, nope, no way!

Don''t really love my stone. I was rushed and felt everything I''ve learned here at PS went right out the window.

Now that I have a very intricate setting, I''d like a 4ct RB (Brian Gavin) on a pave or fishtail thin shank and a matching band.
Why the heck I didn''t know this a year ago ??

If I had bought what started the whole upgrade business, 9 years ago, I''d have a 5ct Emerald cut with side stones in a Beaudry setting.
Should have bought it back then, but I kept thinking, it was so much money - but little did I realize what waiting that long would end up
costing me in size and quality. ugh

 

[iluvcarats]

Date: 12/28/2009 4:20:37 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 12/28/2009 4:10:44 PM

Author: iluvcarats

For me, it''s not about the size. I find myself wanting a different stone. Sometimes an asscher, sometimes an emerald, sometimes an oec. Sometimes I want sleek and modern, and sometimes I lust for antique and romantic. I just love them all. I agree with DD, it is a disease

But see, that is different, no? It isn''t a upgrade if it is another diamond, it is, ummm... another diamond

I too would like some other cuts. I want an Octavia now and one of GOG''s August vintage OECs or Cushions. But I think wanting those is different than an upgrade. Still a sickness, but not upgrade fever.

Well technically, maybe it is it''s own separate disease. But Uppy asked But I''m wondering how many of you feel you have finally reached the goal of the "perfect ring?" and I wasn''t aware that an upgrade had to be a bigger stone of the same shape. Size doesn''t necessarily constitute the meaning of upgrade. My diamond is 2.44, but I would consider a flawless D color 1 carat an upgrade. And a .5 carat natural pink or blue would be worth thousand$$$ more than my ring. I am talking about trading in my ring, not collecting them (although I would if I could

)

 

[luv2sparkle]

I have done my last stone upgrade. At 20, I had a .25 carat in a ring I hated. 25, brought a .75, bigger but not a great stone. Most stones in l985 were not even GIA
graded. At 48, I got a whiteflash ACA l.70 J VS2-the most beautiful stone. But I had always wanted at least a 2 carat. It was bought knowing I may upgrade if fiances were
right at our 30 year. In June, the time was right and I upgraded to a BGD 2.57 I VS2. Love it. Brian found a stock semi-bezel for me but I really dont like the sides of
the stone covered, so I will reset it one time. That''s it! I will force myself to be content. I just turned 50 in october and agree I am getting too old to keep doing this.
Now if I could just decide between three Leon''s.......

 

[Steel]

Technically my ring is an upgrade. My 1st e-ring was a 5 stone mall type ring. I wasn''t into jewellery in a big way and evenat that it was more than we could afford way back when. Later on I got a 1/3 ct princess in YG from a catalogue store and loved it for about 6 months. But the colour and inclusions killed the dream. I knew I needed perfection to be satisfied. So DH asked what I wanted. That was a 1ct well cut stone, D with the best clarity possible. VS1 was my minimum.

So that is what we bought and I think it is perfection.

I often look at the websites and imagine what I could upgrade it to. With 1k or 2k I could easily get up to 2cts by dropping the colour. But the D to me means more than the ct weight. It reinforces to me that what I have it ''just riiiight''. Call me goldilocks.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 12/28/2009 4:57:58 PM
Author: iluvcarats

Date: 12/28/2009 4:20:37 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 12/28/2009 4:10:44 PM

Author: iluvcarats

For me, it''s not about the size. I find myself wanting a different stone. Sometimes an asscher, sometimes an emerald, sometimes an oec. Sometimes I want sleek and modern, and sometimes I lust for antique and romantic. I just love them all. I agree with DD, it is a disease

But see, that is different, no? It isn''t a upgrade if it is another diamond, it is, ummm... another diamond

I too would like some other cuts. I want an Octavia now and one of GOG''s August vintage OECs or Cushions. But I think wanting those is different than an upgrade. Still a sickness, but not upgrade fever.

Well technically, maybe it is it''s own separate disease. But Uppy asked But I''m wondering how many of you feel you have finally reached the goal of the ''perfect ring?'' and I wasn''t aware that an upgrade had to be a bigger stone of the same shape. Size doesn''t necessarily constitute the meaning of upgrade. My diamond is 2.44, but I would consider a flawless D color 1 carat an upgrade. And a .5 carat natural pink or blue would be worth thousand$$$ more than my ring. I am talking about trading in my ring, not collecting them (although I would if I could

)

Ohhhh... do you think you ever would trade in your RB for a different shape? Or is it just an itch?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 12/28/2009 4:40:20 PM
Author: bebe
No, nope, no way!

Don''t really love my stone. I was rushed and felt everything I''ve learned here at PS went right out the window.

Now that I have a very intricate setting, I''d like a 4ct RB (Brian Gavin) on a pave or fishtail thin shank and a matching band.
Why the heck I didn''t know this a year ago ??

If I had bought what started the whole upgrade business, 9 years ago, I''d have a 5ct Emerald cut with side stones in a Beaudry setting.
Should have bought it back then, but I kept thinking, it was so much money - but little did I realize what waiting that long would end up
costing me in size and quality. ugh

You got your diamond at ERD, right? Do they have an upgrade policy? I know it isn''t a BGD but you could get a super ideal cut through them too. I think that would look HUGE and give you the look you seem to be after for sure!

A 5ct emerald sounds perfectly divine to me as well. I love step cuts in larger sizes like that!

 

[brellymom]

Let''s not call it upgrade, shall we say slowly making our way to the perfect ring . I love my ring and if I never get another one, I will be happy. BUT, as with many of us, I sacrificed a bit in color to get the cut, clarity, and carat I wanted. SO if I won the lottery, I''d go to D/E, but keep everything else the same. Oh well, for now it''s on to eternity bands, RHRs, and diamond studs.

 

[iluvcarats]

Date: 12/28/2009 6:57:38 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 12/28/2009 4:57:58 PM

Author: iluvcarats

Date: 12/28/2009 4:20:37 PM

Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 12/28/2009 4:10:44 PM


Author: iluvcarats


For me, it''s not about the size. I find myself wanting a different stone. Sometimes an asscher, sometimes an emerald, sometimes an oec. Sometimes I want sleek and modern, and sometimes I lust for antique and romantic. I just love them all. I agree with DD, it is a disease

But see, that is different, no? It isn''t a upgrade if it is another diamond, it is, ummm... another diamond

I too would like some other cuts. I want an Octavia now and one of GOG''s August vintage OECs or Cushions. But I think wanting those is different than an upgrade. Still a sickness, but not upgrade fever.

Well technically, maybe it is it''s own separate disease. But Uppy asked But I''m wondering how many of you feel you have finally reached the goal of the ''perfect ring?'' and I wasn''t aware that an upgrade had to be a bigger stone of the same shape. Size doesn''t necessarily constitute the meaning of upgrade. My diamond is 2.44, but I would consider a flawless D color 1 carat an upgrade. And a .5 carat natural pink or blue would be worth thousand$$$ more than my ring. I am talking about trading in my ring, not collecting them (although I would if I could

)

Ohhhh... do you think you ever would trade in your RB for a different shape? Or is it just an itch?

Maybe

I guess that is my point. If I were to upgrade it would be because my "favorite" changes all the time. Some people think "I wonder what it would be like to have a bigger stone." I wonder what it would be like to have a different stone. But nothing in the near future. If I did, I may not have a need for an engagement ring/wedding band at all....

 

[Upgradable]

I guess I have kind of placated myself by saying that I''m completely happy with my ering. I cannot imagine ever trading that in! But I''m all about collecting other rings of other shapes and sizes. In fact I have others that can be "place holders" for my ering/wring. I have my highly colored omc in hammered yellow gold (I call it my Flintstone set), my three stone from James Meyer, and a five stone band, all of which can be worn in place of my ering or on my right hand instead.

 

[HVVS]

No, I''m probably not there yet. I made a "bad" purchase the first time, in that the size of the diamond was chosen based on a particular setting that was not available by the time I got the diamond. That diamond was very nice but too small, and I parked it for over 2 years and looked for an upgrade off and on. I finally bought an upgrade just to get something I *would* wear. But it has a table inclusion (SI2) so I''m still kind of looking.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

My upgrade was to buy another ring because I loved my original to much to part with. I recommend doing this so that you keep the sentiment.

 

[gardengloves]

I''m feeling a sense of peace and contentment where I am with my ring right now. This was the first and the last upgrade for me.

I upgraded a few weeks before I learned about PS, and I must say, these chunky cushions and perfectly cut rounds, ( and the Octavia) I''m learning about here may have influenced my purchase, but I was very focused on a certain shape and style for many years. DH and I both worked very hard, built our life together and this upgrade really crowned it for me, for both of us really, and feels very right.

Had I known about PS, I might have gone for a more custom setting, and that may happen in future if I pick up the old bug to change things around, but I''m sticking with this stone. Yes, I have little gripes, did I get the perfect proportion side stones? should I have gotten a micro pave basket?--- but all of that gives me something to look forward to if the bug strikes.

I''ll just admire the cavalcade of gorgeous possibilities that parade through PS on a daily basis, drool from a distance, and concentrate on projects like killer studs and learning about pearls when finances allow. Maybe someday working on the original stone which I still have, turning it into a pendant or resetting it, but for now, I am at peace and very grateful to be so. So that''s my upgrade story....

 

[Alexiszoe]

Date: 12/28/2009 2:16:53 PM
Author: metromom
the problem (for me at least) is that over the years my idea of ''perfect'' changes. I upgraded at our five year anniversary, I got the perfect ring for me at the time. I still absolutely love it, but approaching 10 years, I am already thinking about an upgrade.

I agree. For now I am happy with my fat cushion, but maybe 5 or 10 years later my idea of ''perfect'' would be a 5 carat asscher or emerald. I am shape schizophrenic too, so I don''t know when my idea of ''perfect'' will change!

 

[bebe]

Date: 12/28/2009 6:59:23 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 12/28/2009 4:40:20 PM
Author: bebe
No, nope, no way!

Don''t really love my stone. I was rushed and felt everything I''ve learned here at PS went right out the window.

Now that I have a very intricate setting, I''d like a 4ct RB (Brian Gavin) on a pave or fishtail thin shank and a matching band.
Why the heck I didn''t know this a year ago ??

If I had bought what started the whole upgrade business, 9 years ago, I''d have a 5ct Emerald cut with side stones in a Beaudry setting.
Should have bought it back then, but I kept thinking, it was so much money - but little did I realize what waiting that long would end up
costing me in size and quality. ugh

You got your diamond at ERD, right? Do they have an upgrade policy? I know it isn''t a BGD but you could get a super ideal cut through them too. I think that would look HUGE and give you the look you seem to be after for sure!

A 5ct emerald sounds perfectly divine to me as well. I love step cuts in larger sizes like that!

Hi dachsie - love your little sweeties in your avatar. We had 4 over the years.

Yes, I did get my cushion from ERD and I am aware of their upgrade policy. The last time I checked it, I''d have to fork over
a very tidy sum of cash to meet their policy. Not sure how flexible Mark is on that. At times I''ve wondered if Leon could just rebuild my ring, either using a halo or if I can get a RB. At the time we were designing it, he told me I''d never be able to reuse the setting - ouch.

If I end up just keeping the entire ring as it is, maybe Leon could tweak it a bit.

I do have a plan in my head to buy a small RB and just keep upgrading every year. Maybe I could get a large RB by the time I''m 90!!

 

[marcy]

I agree it is a disease and all the pretties on PS just add to my wish list.

I am pretty content with my upgrade but of course I might someday look at a bigger diamond - but I''d want the same cut, color, clarity. Right now I am content in increasing my jewelry inventory.

 

[gardengloves]

Date: 12/28/2009 8:50:10 PM
Author: bebe

Date: 12/28/2009 6:59:23 PM

Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 12/28/2009 4:40:20 PM

Author: bebe

No, nope, no way!


Don''t really love my stone. I was rushed and felt everything I''ve learned here at PS went right out the window.


Now that I have a very intricate setting, I''d like a 4ct RB (Brian Gavin) on a pave or fishtail thin shank and a matching band.

Why the heck I didn''t know this a year ago ??


If I had bought what started the whole upgrade business, 9 years ago, I''d have a 5ct Emerald cut with side stones in a Beaudry setting.

Should have bought it back then, but I kept thinking, it was so much money - but little did I realize what waiting that long would end up

costing me in size and quality. ugh

You got your diamond at ERD, right? Do they have an upgrade policy? I know it isn''t a BGD but you could get a super ideal cut through them too. I think that would look HUGE and give you the look you seem to be after for sure!


A 5ct emerald sounds perfectly divine to me as well. I love step cuts in larger sizes like that!

Hi dachsie - love your little sweeties in your avatar. We had 4 over the years.


Yes, I did get my cushion from ERD and I am aware of their upgrade policy. The last time I checked it, I''d have to fork over

a very tidy sum of cash to meet their policy. Not sure how flexible Mark is on that. At times I''ve wondered if Leon could just rebuild my ring, either using a halo or if I can get a RB. At the time we were designing it, he told me I''d never be able to reuse the setting - ouch.


If I end up just keeping the entire ring as it is, maybe Leon could tweak it a bit.


I do have a plan in my head to buy a small RB and just keep upgrading every year. Maybe I could get a large RB by the time I''m 90!!

Bebe, I have a friend with a massive 3 carat beauty. She is my inspiration in all things diamond! She recently had it reset with a halo. All I can say is BLING CITY, a halo by Leon would be gorgeous!

 

[girlygirl29]

I just got my ering last month...still perfect for me as I choose it (FI did a marvelous job choosing the stone!). I have a Tacori 2620 with a 2ct Asscher. I can see myself wanting to upgrade the stone in 5 years or so...especially if I keep hanging around here!! Anyway, I am wondering from those of you who have been thru the upgrade process, did you keep your setting? My issue, if you can call it one, since we are talking 5+ years from now is that my setting was really expensive, ~5k. A larger stone won''t fit in it and I can''t stomach just not using such an expensive setting, even more though is the sentimental value I already have placed in it.

Thoughts? Any experience anything similiar?

 

[luv2sparkle]

You know, Bebe, I remember you saying that before and so I am being extra cautious to decide on exactly what I want in a ring. But I wonder if it is possible to truly
pick one. Especially with Leon, since you can''t try them on ahead of time. GRRR... it is so hard. I wish there was a formula or I could make a pros and cons list or
something. I seem to waffle back and forth and I have changed my mind over and over. Just when I think I have decided...give me a couple months.... and I will
change my mind again. I love the Heidy, that was my first choice, and the 313 Ashley (it has a large brown oval diamond in it) and Leon has a new solitare, it think
the photo is 1267-page 4 solitares. Maybe I should do a ps poll.

 

[luv2sparkle]

girlygirl-if I were you I would keep that setting and not change it. It is so very pretty. I haven''t spent that much on a setting yet so it would make me a little
crazy.

 

[girlygirl29]

Date: 12/28/2009 9:31:26 PM
Author: luv2sparkle
girlygirl-if I were you I would keep that setting and not change it. It is so very pretty. I haven''t spent that much on a setting yet so it would make me a little
crazy.

It is so very pretty...and I am over the moon with my ring!! I think being on here makes me a little crazy sometimes because there are sooo many beautiful rings and stones.

 

[bebe]

Date: 12/28/2009 9:26:48 PM
Author: luv2sparkle
You know, Bebe, I remember you saying that before and so I am being extra cautious to decide on exactly what I want in a ring. But I wonder if it is possible to truly
pick one. Especially with Leon, since you can't try them on ahead of time. GRRR... it is so hard. I wish there was a formula or I could make a pros and cons list or
something. I seem to waffle back and forth and I have changed my mind over and over. Just when I think I have decided...give me a couple months.... and I will
change my mind again. I love the Heidy, that was my first choice, and the 313 Ashley (it has a large brown oval diamond in it) and Leon has a new solitare, it think
the photo is 1267-page 4 solitares. Maybe I should do a ps poll.

sparkle, I think it's the knowledge we gain here on PS that keeps our heads spinning, ha ha. It wasn't unitl a year or so ago that I would even consider a RB for
my upgrade. But as I have learned so much about cut and how that affects a diamond, well, all I can say is I want as close to perfection as I can get for my money. And in
my eye, a RB can give me that. I have a 1.52 ACA from Whiteflash and that stone dances like crazy. I'd love for my ring to do the same. I was hesitant on the RB because it was something I hadn't considered and I was afraid I'd not be happy in the end. When Leon saw my stone from ERD he didn't have many nice things to say about it. In fact I almost backed out on the stone after visiting with Leon, but Mark was out of town, we had a hurricane barreling towards ort house and we were stuck in NYC. I just couldn't concentrate on the diamond and in the end, I now see it as a rushed decision. Can't say hubby is too happy with that - the ring was an insane amount of money.

If my cushion looked it's size (4.26) - then I'd be ok with it. But to me and others it look like 3 carats, maybe! I just screwed up, bigtime.