when is a diamond too big?

[b5s4]

Hey everyone,
This is my second topic I''m posting here. I posted earlier about my search for an emerald cut diamond (which is still ongoing) but I''m also curious about what is an "appropriate" size for a diamond? I know that is a completely subjective question but the reason I ask is that I picked out the ring for the future diamond and the side stones are (on each side): one .07 ct round and one .125 ct baguette so a total of .39ct. This is on the small side as some other rings have much larger side stones and that got me thinking about what the size of the ec cut should be. My gf has said she wants something around .75 ct but I was thinking somewhere between .9 and 1ct. Now the most obvious answer out of all of this is to go with what she says

but I wanted to see what you all had to say about it too. Oh and I''ll be sure to post a pic of the ring.

 

[Skippy123]

I would talk to her about it. If you want to go bigger ask her if that would be okay. It also depends on your social circles too. The ring sounds like it will be beautiful

 

[swingirl]

Sometimes its a matter of what looks best on the woman''s hand. Fingers can be thick, thin, long, boney, whatever. I liked one style but when I tried on what I thought I liked I could tell the proportions weren''t right for me.

Take some time to go shopping and try on various sizes and shapes.

 

[lovegem]

beware of diamond shrinkage!

When I first started the whole diamond thing 2 years ago, I thought 0.3ct was big (that's what I bought). Then I wanted something bigger (around 0.6 ct, good that I didn't buy it) couple months ago. BF thought I should get something a bit bigger, because he knew I was gonna say "it looks kind of small, don't you think?". Anyway, I bought a 1.1 ct couple weeks ago. I love the stone, but I wouldn't mind a bigger stone in the future when we have more money.

I am the only person in my circle that likes diamond and gems so much.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/28/2008 11:55:38 PM
Author:b5s4
Hey everyone,
This is my second topic I''m posting here. I posted earlier about my search for an emerald cut diamond (which is still ongoing) but I''m also curious about what is an ''appropriate'' size for a diamond? I know that is a completely subjective question but the reason I ask is that I picked out the ring for the future diamond and the side stones are (on each side): one .07 ct round and one .125 ct baguette so a total of .39ct. This is on the small side as some other rings have much larger side stones and that got me thinking about what the size of the ec cut should be. My gf has said she wants something around .75 ct but I was thinking somewhere between .9 and 1ct. Now the most obvious answer out of all of this is to go with what she says

but I wanted to see what you all had to say about it too. Oh and I''ll be sure to post a pic of the ring.

I would maybe offer her the alternative of going a little bigger and see what she says.

 

[Icy Melona]

I think it''s a very personal view. I understand that a diamond can never be too big- thanks to some awesome baubbles I''ve seen on Pricescope and am now in danger of the diamond shrinkage syndrome.... but perosnally I think all diamonds, so long as they''re well cut and are eye clean clarity looks darn pretty.

Maybe see how the diamonds look worn and budget allowing, go from there.

 

[iheartscience]

To answer the title of your post: NEVER!

But seriously, a .9-1 carat diamond is certainly not too large. I would say once you get to 1.5-2+ carats in rounds and maybe 2-2.5+ carats in fancy shapes you have to consider finger size, lifestyle, what her friends are wearing, etc., to determine if the diamond is too large.

So unless your girlfriend was adamant that she wanted nothing larger than a .75 carat, I''d get her the 1 carat and pleasantly surprise her! I doubt she''ll be mad at you!

 

[nclrgirl]

I''ve noticed that 1 carat seems to be the "new norm" for ladies getting engaged. It''s a happy medium. Substantial (i.e. large enough), but not too large. I thought my 1 carat was HUGE when I got it 16 months ago. I''m already in the market for a 1.5 or larger! (I wish I had a blushing emoticon)

 

[:)]

When you start asking yourself that question, that is probably when it is getting too big!

 

[:)]

Date: 8/30/2008 12:49:58 AM
Author: nclrgirl
I''ve noticed that 1 carat seems to be the ''new norm'' for ladies getting engaged. It''s a happy medium. Substantial (i.e. large enough), but not too large. I thought my 1 carat was HUGE when I got it 16 months ago. I''m already in the market for a 1.5 or larger! (I wish I had a blushing emoticon)

For nclrgirl...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/30/2008 2:22:34 AM
Author:

Date: 8/30/2008 12:49:58 AM
Author: nclrgirl
I''ve noticed that 1 carat seems to be the ''new norm'' for ladies getting engaged. It''s a happy medium. Substantial (i.e. large enough), but not too large. I thought my 1 carat was HUGE when I got it 16 months ago. I''m already in the market for a 1.5 or larger! (I wish I had a blushing emoticon)

For nclrgirl...

LOL!!!! L I am so enjoying your posts, you do a great job in RT and you make me laugh!!!

 

[Madam Bijoux]

When is a diamond too big?

In a word: Never

 

[oldmancoyote]

When is a diamond too big?

When you can''t afford it.

b5s4: on a more serious note, also bear in mind that while the difference in size between a 0.75 and a 1.00 is clearly visible, you are still talking about relatively small objects. A well cut 0.75 round will be about 5.9-6.0 mm wide; a 1.00 is 6.5-6.6

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/30/2008 2:48:48 PM
Author: oldmancoyote
When is a diamond too big?

When you can''t afford it.

b5s4: on a more serious note, also bear in mind that while the difference in size between a 0.75 and a 1.00 is clearly visible, you are still talking about relatively small objects. A well cut 0.75 round will be about 5.9-6.0 mm wide; a 1.00 is 6.5-6.6

Just wanted to add that this is assuming well cut diamonds, otherwise this may not be the case and the diamond could face up considerably smaller or larger for it''s size.

 

[John P]

So many right answers given.

I sweated this when making my decision, especially being in the trade. No pressure, right? My girlfriend indicated several times that she absolutely didn''t want anything bigger than 1ct. I popped the q with a 1.57. Good move, John.

But no one else is you two. It really is all personal. I would say (based on past client experience) that Skippy''s social circle comment is something to be aware of. For some gals it looms large, for others it''s a non-issue.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/30/2008 3:17:23 PM
Author: John Pollard
So many right answers given.

I sweated this when making my decision, especially being in the trade. No pressure, right? My girlfriend indicated several times that she absolutely didn''t want anything bigger than 1ct. I popped the q with a 1.57. Good move, John.

But no one else is you two. It really is all personal. I would say (based on past client experience) that Skippy''s social circle comment is something to be aware of. For some gals it looms large, for others it''s a non-issue.

What made you know that would be ok with her? I really am just curious.

 

[John P]

Date: 8/30/2008 3:27:37 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 8/30/2008 3:17:23 PM
Author: John Pollard
So many right answers given.

I sweated this when making my decision, especially being in the trade. No pressure, right? My girlfriend indicated several times that she absolutely didn't want anything bigger than 1ct. I popped the q with a 1.57. Good move, John.

But no one else is you two. It really is all personal. I would say (based on past client experience) that Skippy's social circle comment is something to be aware of. For some gals it looms large, for others it's a non-issue.

What made you know that would be ok with her? I really am just curious.

I know her Ellen. She's not jewelry-addicted so I knew she would just be excited just to have been proposed-to, without worrying that the diamond might be bigger than what she had imagined. By the time she asked for specifics I predicted she'd already be in love with it. In fact it was not until the next day that she asked. She told me she realized last night that it was larger than she had envisioned but it "fit her hand perfectly."

I also credit reading what you all talk about on Pricescope with the decision. I believe I staved off any possible DSS for at least a year or two with that move. So far so good.

 

[oldmancoyote]

Date: 8/30/2008 2:51:55 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/30/2008 2:48:48 PM
Author: oldmancoyote
When is a diamond too big?

When you can''t afford it.

b5s4: on a more serious note, also bear in mind that while the difference in size between a 0.75 and a 1.00 is clearly visible, you are still talking about relatively small objects. A well cut 0.75 round will be about 5.9-6.0 mm wide; a 1.00 is 6.5-6.6

Just wanted to add that this is assuming well cut diamonds, otherwise this may not be the case and the diamond could face up considerably smaller or larger for it''s size.

As I said... but worth repeating.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/30/2008 3:44:37 PM
Author: John Pollard

I know her Ellen. She''s not jewelry-addicted so I knew she would just be excited just to have been proposed-to, without worrying that the diamond might be bigger than what she had imagined. By the time she asked for specifics I predicted she''d already be in love with it. In fact it was not until the next day that she asked. She told me she realized last night that it was larger than she had envisioned but it ''fit her hand perfectly.''

I also credit reading what you all talk about on Pricescope with the decision. I believe I staved off any possible DSS for at least a year or two with that move. So far so good.

Yer so shmart.

 

[John P]

At last, my study of the fairer sex is paying off!

 

[Alexiszoe]

Hi b5s4,

one other thing to take into consideration is that step cuts like EC tend to look smaller than a round with the same carat weight. Also, in a larger stone i feel that you can see the cuts of the EC rather nicely!

 

[Ellen]

@ John

 

[2Artists]

I think that visually you can get away with many size diamonds from small and chic to huge and magnificent but that being said there are some places in the world where a huge diamond would not be socially appropriate. It depends on where it is worn.

Mrs.2Artists

 

[Dancing Fire]

here are the basic rules again.lets say your GF wears a size 6 ring....

for RB she can go up to a 5 ct
for fanncy cuts she can go up to her ring size or in this case a 6 ct.

 

[:)]

Date: 8/30/2008 4:19:56 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/30/2008 2:22:34 AM
Author:

Date: 8/30/2008 12:49:58 AM
Author: nclrgirl
I''ve noticed that 1 carat seems to be the ''new norm'' for ladies getting engaged. It''s a happy medium. Substantial (i.e. large enough), but not too large. I thought my 1 carat was HUGE when I got it 16 months ago. I''m already in the market for a 1.5 or larger! (I wish I had a blushing emoticon)

For nclrgirl...

LOL!!!! L I am so enjoying your posts, you do a great job in RT and you make me laugh!!!

Lorelei that made my day! You make me laugh too!

Of course I aspire to be like you and El!

A bit of

but more like..

with some

and (ok I couldn''t resist this one)

Then the inevitable...