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Upgrades and DSS

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redroze

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jul 15, 2013
Messages
405
I'm going from a 0.70 point good polish/symm and very good-ish cut (probably more like good) to a 1.33 carat excellent cut/polish/symm. Both rounds. It may sound naive but I want this to be my forever ring...any new rings would be in addition to my ering rather than replacing it. I've been thinking a lot about DSS diamond shrinkage symptoms and wonder if it's due to staying in a diamond size range that there is relatively no discernable difference in size. I've noticed PSers that have upgraded in terms of carat size and quality, tend to get DSS until they jump to a size where there is an obvious size difference.

This has been on my mind a lot as I wonder whether I should have made a bigger jump for my 'forever' diamond...say to 1.6. I know there will be a noticeable change but will it be noticeable enough to me? Mind you, I haven't seen my diamond in person yet so I'm hoping it will look great when I see it! In fact I have only seen mall quality diamonds as I don't have friends or family who give two craps about diamonds. I'm kinda scared but I trust Chris from ERD. When we got engaged 10 years ago, DH asked me to choose between a 70 point and a 1 carat and I chose the smaller one due to concern about finances. Looking back, even if I chose the 1 carat I still don't think we'd end up with a good diamond due to lack of knowledge and would have upgraded anyway.

Those who have upgraded happily...what was your original diamond size/quality and what's the new diamond's size/quality? Are you happy with the new one or does DSS still sink in? And why does this dissatisfaction occur? I have a pearl bracelet that I love and is so classic...I want my ring to feel the same, like its a signature piece that I will always wear.
 
You will be fine as long as you stay away from PS :lol:

I wonder if non ps'ers get DSS.
 
Lol Maisie.

You know what, I don't even know why I posted this. To find answers yes...but it's so individualized and subjective and specific. I'm guessing the answers will be different for everyone, and the level of satisfaction/dissatisfaction may change throughout life as priorities change. This forum is awesome, but there are much more important things to focus on in the world! So I'll go with my gut on this. I'm going to pump up the budget a bit to allow for a slightly larger diamond and leave it at that. If circumstances and desires change down the line, so be it...

Man it's so easy to obsess over something. I seriously need to refocus on another hobby. Lol...

Anyway, thanks all!
 
I've worn a .33 diamond for a lot of my married life, and received a one carat stone for my 25th. It only took a few years (and hanging out on PS) for DSS to set in :oops: so I got a 1.96 oec - STILL had a pretty bad case of DSS but really didn't want to spend thousands more on an upgrade - so I reset into a halo and that did the trick for me - in hindsight I think I just wanted more finger coverage, and for my diamond to be showcased a little more so I think that's why a halo setting worked so well for me. I'm completely content with my diamond now and I know I won't want to go any bigger. I don't know, it's kind of like you reach your comfort level and just feel content with what you have.

Going from a .70 to a 1.33 is a really nice upgrade!! And the 1.33 will look even bigger in comparision because it's well cut, so I'm sure you'll feel quite a difference. I don't think there's any way to predict if you're going to get DSS down the road, the 1.33 could very well be the perfect size for you for the rest of your life. There are PS'ers who have never had DSS. It's such an individual thing.

I don't know - do you think there's any chance you might someday want a larger stone? Only you can really answer that. If you think that you might, maybe now is the time to address it. But I think the 1.33 is going to look great on you and will feel quite *big*.

Honestly, worst case, you could upgrade if DSS ever shows up (even though I know you said you'd like to avoid that). Or you could get a halo LOL!

eta: I just saw your update so I guess you can ignore most of what I said lol! Congrats on your decision!
 
You will notice a difference between a .70 and a point 1.30, and a massive difference between a .70 and a 1.50 to 1.60!!!
 
From a .70 to 1.30 almost doubles the size of the stone. You will definitely see a difference - especially if the cut quality improves too.

I don't think non-PSers do get DSS. They are simply not focused on their erings which is much healthier than what we do - lol!
 
I think these are great questions, because it happens to a lot of us. If we can only decide to be happy with our choices and move on, because really, there is no end to the obsessing that can be done when it comes to diamonds.

Enjoy your new diamond. It sounds as though it's going to be a great upgrade in size, and the cut will make it even more wonderful.
 
MissGotRocks|1394062700|3628265 said:
From a .70 to 1.30 almost doubles the size of the stone.
Click to expand...

Not quite.

Just because the carat weight almost doubles does not mean the size increases proportionally.

Diameter
.7ct is about 5.7mm/5.8mm diameter

1.3ct is about 7mm/7.1mm diameter

So this is a 21% increase in diameter size.

Surface Area
.7ct is about 26.4 mm2 surface area.

1.3ct is about 38.5 mm2 surface area.

Roughly 46% (or up to 48%, using the higher end of each weight) increase in surface area (what you see face-up)


Just didn't want you thinking this stone would be twice as large and be disappointed!
 
Yup I know about the diameter difference. I've been wearing a 2 carat CZ ring around the house and it's 8 mm which feels too big, so I'm thinking 1.5ish will be just right (says goldilocks). There's also this nifty site where you can compare finger coverage of two diamonds on your actual finger size. I can definitely see a difference between 1.3 and 1.5...10% difference to be exact, comparing ideal cuts.

http://www.diamdb.com/compare/1.3ct-round-vs-1.5ct-round/
 
My case is a bit different, as I'm
Not upgrading size but shape and clarity.
Hope it's a forever ring! Lol.

What a cool link. Fun!
 
I would stop wearing that 2 carat. Get a 1 carat and wear that. That way your new diamond will look bigger.
2. When you start to get DSS put your ring away for a month. Wear just your wedding band. And then when you put the ring on it looks huge (I do this all the time).
3. I would go for the 1.5 now if you can swing it .
 
I wanted to respond to this because I think I'm in the same boat. Before I discovered PS, I was happily wearing my .6 carat (just an estimate in size, uncertified diamond) that I got when we really were just starting out and 3K was a lot of money for us. Then I started reading this forum and gained a wealth of knowledge. I started to look to trusted internet vendors and decided to upgrade to a 1.5 carat and eventually now to a 2 carat. I am currently in the process of making what I feel is most likely my last upgrade to a 3 carat. Beyond that size, I feel it will be totally disproportionate on my hand. I believe there is an end point for most people - beyond which it crosses over to gaudy and pretentious; however, that end point is different for different folks. I'm sure you will love the size of your new stone and may you wear it and enjoy it in good health!
 
Hi Redroze, I was trying to follow your train of thought so I could (maybe) be helpful. What are the dimensions of your current stone (it's .7ct right)? What are the actual dimensions of the 1.3 and the 1.5 that you're considering?

Are the dimensions on that website the same for the stones you're looking at? If so, then I'd agree that you'll see a difference between 7.09mm and 7.44mm, not huge, but I think it'll be noticeable so if you can afford it, then go for it.

With my first ering, I got both DSS and LCS (Lowering Color Syndrome). Not only did my diamond seem smaller over time, but I had an "I" colored stone that was perfectly white to me when I got engaged and then over the years, as I learned about and spent more time around diamonds, the tint became more and more obvious to my eyes.

With my new rings, no DSS (yet :))), but when I'm admiring my rings, I don't spend 100% of my time studying just the center stone. The jeweler and I put a lot of work into the design of the bands and choosing the H&A stones for the melee so I find that I spend as much (if not more) time admiring the flow & curves of the design and staring at the ridiculous sparkle of the melee.

So, in addition to the tips that Gypsy gave you, I think it would help if you spend as much time on the design as you are on deciding the size of the center stone, and I think you've done that, so you're off to a good start.
 
I can swing the 1.5 which I'm grateful for. Having no particular budget seems freeing but it's why I want to hit the target right. Gypsy - You're right about wearing the 2 carat..I was playing with it at home only but it can't be good for my future diamond's esteem lol. I'm going to toss it actually as I don't even wear it out. It served me well as it made me realize where the 'too big' boundary was. As an emerald cut perhaps, but sparkly rounds give a whole other feel at that size, to me. I never wear my faux jewelry even Swarovski as I feel fake doing so and I dislike the plastic look. So it was a frivolous purchase from years ago. I have a newfound appreciation for my wedding band - love the quiet elegance of it and I can see myself wearing just it sometimes ! So your tip is good and doable for me. Since I love the look of it so much I want to ensure my ering gives a worthwhile pop on my other hand. Slim and elegant and minimal on one hand and bright and sparkly on the other...nice balance i'd say! Chris said he will hunt for me, and I pointed him to some virtual Whiteflash options, so it's all good. Done.

Roxy the 70 point (almost sold...finalized in two weeks!) was 5.6 mm. The 1.3 is 7.1, and the 1.5 would be 7.4. Roughly. Seems tiny difference but diamonds are ever so tiny to begin with!

Scarlett glad you found your happy size. I'm finally enjoying this process - how lucky we are to be weighing the size of diamond to buy! To live with good health and security is such a luxury, and we are fortunate for it.

Art Deco how far are you from finishing your ring? Can't wait to see it - traps are a great choice. Can't wait to see it and glad you got the ratio you wanted!
 
redroze|1394079241|3628434 said:
Roxy the 70 point (almost sold...finalized in two weeks!) was 5.6 mm. The 1.3 is 7.1, and the 1.5 would be 7.4. Roughly. Seems tiny difference but diamonds are ever so tiny to begin with!
Click to expand...

Yep, I was actually looking at the diff between your .7 and the 1.5, and since it's almost 2mm I think that's a BIG jump. I went from 7mm to 9mm and it still feels big to me, so don't worry!
Now that you're starting to really have fun with this, I'm so excited for you!! Keep us informed w/ updates and pics okay? YAY!! :wavey:
 
Redroze- I always feel badly posting updates on your threads lol! So the EC is picked, traps are picked, I'm still waiting for the quote on the setting from GOG. Once I approve that then it will go to cad design. They asked if I needed a wax version but I said no. Luckily I'm Not in a rush but of course excitedly awaiting the numbers. Are you doing a wax?
 
I went from a 5.8 to a 6.8mm and I noticed a difference, but wasn't blown away by it. If yours has more a spread differential, it'll be more obvious.

The one thing I regret is that I kept the same setting, so while the new diamond is beautiful, it didn't satisfy my craving for an overall change, not just a diamond change.
 
artdecolover71|1394102884|3628550 said:
Redroze- I always feel badly posting updates on your threads lol! So the EC is picked, traps are picked, I'm still waiting for the quote on the setting from GOG. Once I approve that then it will go to cad design. They asked if I needed a wax version but I said no. Luckily I'm Not in a rush but of course excitedly awaiting the numbers. Are you doing a wax?
Click to expand...

Yup Chris is checking on how far they've gone as I approved the cads and they were proceeding to wax...eep! I feel like such a trouble maker! But at least I'm going up in cost...hopefully that helps with the time they've already spent on it.
 
I know tourmaline! What a smart tool - love your upgrade. Wow!

Logan - good to know! And yes I'm craving a setting change.,.dont think the solitaire will do what I want. I want a very fine halo...

Here's my face up difference, though this 70 point faces up 5.7 mm rather than my poorly cut 5.6mm. What a difference!

image_1330.jpg
 
I think that's a lovely upgrade!
 
I'm also looking into doing an octagonal halo. If WRD can keep it thin and dainty. Like this ring which has a 1.3 round. Love it!

I think this is the setting I want!! Fingers crossed that ERD can do it!!
image_1331.jpg
 
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