10 years anniversary diamond ideas

[fsrick]

Hi all,
Thanks for the valuable forum, I picked my diamond for my engagement ring 10 years ago based on the information I learned in here. Here we go, 10 years passed by and I am looking for an upgrade.

My engagement ring was 1.28 ct F VS2 from BGD. I try to get a larger size this time and thinking about lowering the color due to my budget.
I am thinking about the following two. They are similar size, but one is I/VS2 and the other one is G/SI1. Should I trade the color with clarity?

2.591 I VS2 Signature Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS Graded 2.591 carat I VS2 super ideal cut Brian Gavin Hearts & Arrows Round Cut diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com

2.494 G SI1 Signature Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS Graded 2.494 carat G SI1 super ideal cut Brian Gavin Hearts & Arrows Round Cut diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com

Thanks for the help again!

 

[Jax172]

Hi all,
Thanks for the valuable forum, I picked my diamond for my engagement ring 10 years ago based on the information I learned in here. Here we go, 10 years passed by and I am looking for an upgrade.

My engagement ring was 1.28 ct F VS2 from BGD. I try to get a larger size this time and thinking about lowering the color due to my budget.
I am thinking about the following two. They are similar size, but one is I/VS2 and the other one is G/SI1. Should I trade the color with clarity?

2.591 I VS2 Signature Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS Graded 2.591 carat I VS2 super ideal cut Brian Gavin Hearts & Arrows Round Cut diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com

2.494 G SI1 Signature Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS Graded 2.494 carat G SI1 super ideal cut Brian Gavin Hearts & Arrows Round Cut diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com

Thanks for the help again!

If BGD says the SI1 is eye clean I would get the G color F to I is a big jump and you will likely notice that if you’ve had an F all this time. The clarity change isn’t going to be noticeable to you if BGD says it’s eye clean.

 

[DejaWiz]

Welcome back, fsrick!
I agree with Jax172 that the G color would likely be a safer move since an F color has been in the picture for so long, but BG's upgrade policy requirements state two of the three: increase color, clarity, and carat...this one only meets one out of two requirements (size/carat increase).

 

[Jax172]

Welcome back, fsrick!
I agree with Jax172 that the G color would likely be a safer move since an F color has been in the picture for so long, but BG's upgrade policy requirements state two of the three: increase color, clarity, and carat...this one only meets one out of two requirements (size/carat increase).

They have been known to bend that as long as the carat increase is significant enough though in my experience.

 

[fsrick]

They have been known to bend that as long as the carat increase is significant enough though in my experience.

yes, since the price delta is big enough, they are okay with it.

 

[fsrick]

Welcome back, fsrick!
I agree with Jax172 that the G color would likely be a safer move since an F color has been in the picture for so long, but BG's upgrade policy requirements state two of the three: increase color, clarity, and carat...this one only meets one out of two requirements (size/carat increase).

Actually, my wife rarely wears the ring, only for some occasions, maybe a couple times a year. Do you guys think that will change anything?

 

[Jax172]

Actually, my wife rarely wears the ring, only for some occasions, maybe a couple times a year. Do you guys think that will change anything?

In a diamond that size I personally would rather the higher color as long as the SI is confirmed eye clean. I can see color pretty easily though and the larger the stone the easier it is. I would want a whiter stone. I own a set of BGD earrings. Each stone is about 0.75 in size and one is an I and one is a J and I can very clearly see the color difference from my G engagement ring. I think the jump from F to I in such a size of stone would be significant even if she doesn't wear it a ton. Maybe you can ask them to do some videos for you of each stone next to an F so you can see what she thinks.

 

[WillyDiamond]

Sorry to rain on your parade.....Those 2 diamonds are big ticket items. With the economy and stock market the way it is going, I would refrain from any non-essential purchases. You have a beautiful ring from BGD already, can you wait a little longer?
You never know, prices may drop because demand is tailing off and you will not have to drop color. Best of luck either way.

 

[fsrick]

In a diamond that size I personally would rather the higher color as long as the SI is confirmed eye clean. I can see color pretty easily though and the larger the stone the easier it is. I would want a whiter stone. I own a set of BGD earrings. Each stone is about 0.75 in size and one is an I and one is a J and I can very clearly see the color difference from my G engagement ring. I think the jump from F to I in such a size of stone would be significant even if she doesn't wear it a ton. Maybe you can ask them to do some videos for you of each stone next to an F so you can see what she thinks.

Thanks for the comment, it is more like a surprise to her so I dont want to show to her yet, let me check with BGD on the SI.

 

[Lookinagain]

You never know, prices may drop because demand is tailing off and you will not have to drop color. Best of luck either way.

I'd be happy if demand were tailing off and therefore prices, but I'm curious why you think that. Also, isn't supply tailing off as well?

 

[elizat]

Actually, my wife rarely wears the ring, only for some occasions, maybe a couple times a year. Do you guys think that will change anything?

Are you asking more from a standpoint of how she will view the diamond or if it makes sense? From the second standpoint, if she rarely wears the ring she has now, that may not change if you buy her an even larger ring. My thought would be to make sure she would actually want a big size jump!

 

[RunningwithScissors]

If she's not currently wearing her ring, what about purchasing a different type of jewelry (necklace, earrings, etc) that she might wear more often? I would have loved to receive a diamond pendant necklace on my 10th anniversary. Unfortunately my husband wasn't into buying jewelry at that time.

For me, I personally wouldn't want to pour more $$$ into something my loved one rarely wore. I'd much rather try something else they potentially might get more enjoyment out of, perhaps not even jewelry if jewelry isn't her thing. What about a trip to someplace she'd like to visit?

 

[fsrick]

If she's not currently wearing her ring, what about purchasing a different type of jewelry (necklace, earrings, etc) that she might wear more often? I would have loved to receive a diamond pendant necklace on my 10th anniversary. Unfortunately my husband wasn't into buying jewelry at that time.

For me, I personally wouldn't want to pour more $$$ into something my loved one rarely wore. I'd much rather try something else they potentially might get more enjoyment out of, perhaps not even jewelry if jewelry isn't her thing. What about a trip to someplace she'd like to visit?

I did plan a trip. I proposed in Paris so we plan to go back. And I want to give her the new ring there. I know she loves the ring, but she is just so afraid to lose it or damage it all the time. That is why she only wear it occasionally.

 

[fsrick]

Are you asking more from a standpoint of how she will view the diamond or if it makes sense? From the second standpoint, if she rarely wears the ring she has now, that may not change if you buy her an even larger ring. My thought would be to make sure she would actually want a big size jump!

Oh, I was just saying she may not be sensitive to the color. And we can just treat it as a new diamond and don’t compare with the F she already has. And wondering if people will pick I or G in that case.

 

[lulu_ma]

Can you ask BG to take side by side pics of the two stones you are considering?

 

[Lookinagain]

but she is just so afraid to lose it or damage it all the time. That is why she only wear it occasionally.

then won't she be even more worried with a larger stone? I like @RunningwithScissors idea of a pendant or diamond studs if she doesn't have those already. Or a five stone ring for her right hand?

 

[distracts]

Actually, my wife rarely wears the ring, only for some occasions, maybe a couple times a year. Do you guys think that will change anything?

If she only wears it a couple of times a year, is upgrading really the best use of the money? Is there something else she would like more? Another piece of jewelry like a pendant or stud earrings? Designer handbags? New car? Extravagant vacation? Bathroom remodel?

With that said, if she already has and is used to and likes an F, I would go with the G over the I.

I did plan a trip. I proposed in Paris so we plan to go back. And I want to give her the new ring there. I know she loves the ring, but she is just so afraid to lose it or damage it all the time. That is why she only wear it occasionally.

If she's afraid to lose or damage it, that fear will only be increased with a bigger diamond. Do you have a separate insurance policy (not a rider on your homeowners) with the original engagement ring? If not, I would be sure to get one. I would also not actually be sure without a serious conversation about it that this is actually the reason vs she just isn't that into the ring and doesn't want to hurt your feelings so has come up with an "acceptable" reason she doesn't wear it... I've seen that a lot.

 

[WillyDiamond]

I'd be happy if demand were tailing off and therefore prices, but I'm curious why you think that. Also, isn't supply tailing off as well?

I don’t think you can equate supply of diamonds to other items in short supply, like cars, different factors. The diamond supply is there, it all depends on how much the big players want to increase or restrict supply. Diamond supply is really controlled by a few players, diamond supply is not your typical supply-demand model.

I am now convinced more than ever that the consumer is putting the brakes on buying/demand, especially what I call non-essential items. In today’s Wall Street Journal, many of the larger container ship companies are cancelling many of their planned routes because demand has tanked. This should be some the busiest times of the year for them and they are now cutting way back.

 

[lucida818]

Totally agree with @RunningwithScissors @distracts @Lookinagain on her fear of losing her precious ring

 

[MillieLou]

Don't trade her original e-ring without her knowing!!!

Take her to Cartier in Paris and let her choose whatever piece of jewellery she wants on the day of your anniversary. Her choice will probably surprise you.

 

[RunningwithScissors]

Don't trade her original e-ring without her knowing!!!

Take her to Cartier in Paris and let her choose whatever piece of jewellery she wants on the day of your anniversary. Her choice will probably surprise you.

That is such a romantic idea! I would be over-the-moon if my husband did that!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Actually, my wife rarely wears the ring, only for some occasions, maybe a couple times a year. Do you guys think that will change anything?

I did plan a trip. I proposed in Paris so we plan to go back. And I want to give her the new ring there. I know she loves the ring, but she is just so afraid to lose it or damage it all the time. That is why she only wear it occasionally.

I have to agree with the others. She isn't wearing the ring she has now. I can't understand even thinking of upgrading it. She'd likely wear it less than the original! (In any event, I wouldn't go below G color, and that G stone has inclusions that would bother me. So wait for a VS2 or higher, but ONLY if she says she wants a larger diamond...and it definitely doesn't sound like she would!)

I also agree with the idea of diamond studs or a diamond pendant. The idea of taking her to choose a piece of jewelry in Paris is also an excellent idea!

I think a surprise upgrade in this situation is likely to not go over well.

 

[Double E]

Congrats on the 10th anniversary! That must have been a meaningful journey And a sweet idea to surprise her~

Onto the upgrade plan, while my wife is also a happy owner of a BGD anniversary diamond ring ( I bought her few years back on our 1st anniversary), I am also not that convinced on upgrading the diamond for your situation…

It’s been mentioned, she rarely wears it, worries on loosing or damaging it, it’s an F already. Plus it’s not small actually outside PS. Really sounds a better idea to repurpose such a big budget. Or diversify it if jewelry is still in your mind. All down to personal preference, but how about a lab diamond, natural sapphire or other colour stones with her favourite colour which can comes at much lower price? The colour she likes may not be any trade ideal, or choose heated stones if you guys don’t mind. Just my experience, I got my wife a lab pink sapphire three stone ring that she obviously wears it nearly every time going out without any worry, if she breaks it, ok another colour this time!

Let her choose her gift is actually another good idea! She will definitely like what she picks!

And going back to Paris simply can’t be beat!