which would you rather have?

[rosy]

Hi,
Would you rather have a 1.50 carat diamond solitaire with a plain wedding band or a 1.38 carat diamond solitaire with a diamond wedding band? That''s the trade off, save some money & put it into getting a diamond wedding band (the shared prong or channel set type) or throw the entire budget into the diamond solitaire. Any advice will be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[fortheloveofdiamonds]

I, personally foregoed the larger diamond for the diamond band. However, it was my decision to make. I believe that it is about the beauty of the *whole* ring that is important. However, might not be how your fiancee to be views it. Maybe you can put the larger stone in a temporary Tiffany setting and your gf can decide if she wants to keep it as such or change it. That way you can get the bigger diamond and have some more time to save for the diamond band, if that is what she wants.

Good Luck!

 

[zoobiedo]

Personally, I would probably prefer the diamond ring with the diamond band. However, I do not like solitaire settings so it''s all a matter of preference.

 

[kevinraja]

Technically speaking the size between 1.38 carat and 1.5 cart stones is not that huge. Moreover, the cost/carat is significantly less for a stone 1.49 carat or under when compared to cost/carat for a stone 1.5 carat and over. I would STRONGLY recommend going for a 1.38 carat stone as you are not going to gain any significant size by buying the 1.5 stone. You will also save lot of money, which you can use to buy the diamond wedding right. Good luck

 

[solange]

I think it should depend upon how much you would save by buying the smaller stone and also which stone you really like best. You can always get the wedding band in the future and you will have the larger ring now..

If you really prefer the larger stone and the difference in price is not enough to get a really beautiful wedding band then I would go for the larger stone and get the wedding band as an Anniversary present when you are able to get exactly what you want. A beautiful 1.50 solitaire with a plain wedding band will look beautiful and you will have something to look forward to when you are ready to get the diamond one.

I am sure that whatever you decide to do will make you happy. Best of luck.

 

[Hest88]

I''d prefer the diamond wedding band even if the stone in question were significantly smaller, but when you''re talking about the difference between 1.38 and 1.5 the difference is so minute that I don''t know why you wouldn''t opt for the smaller stone and the diamond band.

 

[aljdewey]

Ditto - there is so little visual diff between 1.38 and 1.5....but there is a HUGE visual difference between plain band and diamond band.

Having done both ways......first a solitaire and then adding diamonds.....I''d vote for the smaller center stone and diamond band.

My single stone was beautiful, but the sparkles and shooting rainbows became like a light show when the diamond band and sidestones were added. It''s that many more facets shooting off light. It accents the center nicely.

 

[goldengirl]

I'd take the 1.38 and diamond band combo. IMO, that's not a lot of size in the center stone to sacrifice, and the bling of it plus the diamond wedding band will be more eyecatching than a 1.5 solitaire and plain band.

Edited to add: oops, everybody else beat me to it!

 

[Aurora Borealis]

Personally, I''d prefer the smaller stone with the diamond band since, as aljdewey suggested, "there is so little visual diff between 1.38 and 1.5....but there is a HUGE visual difference between plain band and diamond band."

I''d also prefer my wedding band to be a little more substantial because sometimes I may not want to wear the whole set together.

On the flip side, if she''s a size girl, she''s gonna want the 1.50 ct. Not for visual difference, but because she''ll be able to say that it''s one and a half carat, and not less.

If she''s not a size girl, go for the diamond band!

 

[rosy]

Thanks for the opinions. I''m so glad I asked! It will be the 1.38 with the diamond wedding band. The next step is to find a very sparkly wedding band which I have time to do since I won''t be getting married for another year & a half (almost wish it was sooner, can''t wait to wear the diamond wedding band). Interestingly the jeweler told me to just say that the 1.38 is a 1.50 if people ask. She said it''s diameter is 7.24 which is the same as an average cut 1.50 diameter! I do like her!

 

[belle]

are the diamonds similar in quality? i would rather put my $$$ into a high quality diamond and let it shine!!

 

[rosy]

Yes, they are very similar. They both score less than 2 on the HCA & have similar polish & symmetry & same clarity. The 1.38 is an H color & the 1.50 is an I color.

 

[finerthings]

I like the look of a solitare and a plain wedding band, so I would go with the larger diamond. I find that adding more diamonds in the form of a wedding band takes the focus off the main stone and actually makes the solitare seem smaller.

 

[Bagpuss]

Well, I''m awkward, I''d go for the bigger diamond, a plain band and then get the diamond set eternity band on my first wedding anniversary or the birth of my first child (whichever came sooner!). That way, I''d get all three rings and be able to wear them in any combination that I fancied.

Signed pieces do some wonderful diamond set full eternity bands, in a variety of styles and carat weights. They do them in platinum and yellow gold, the quality of their diamonds looks wonderful and their prices are very reasonable. I''m thinking about getting one for myself after Christmas or maybe dh will spring for one as a Valentine''s pressy!