at what carat weight do you wonder if a ring is "fake"?

[betty6333]

I was reading a thread and it brought up a good point, depending on the area of the country and many other factors, the "average" size ring varies A LOT.

for instance I live in the mid west, and in my area a 1 carat is a rarity. Even people living in multimillion dollar homes rarely wear anything over 1-2 carats.

What would you say is the average carat weight, for the area of the country you are in, and at what point if you were walking around your local mall would you start to wonder if someone's ring was just "too big to be real".

Also at what carat weight do you think some one would assume YOUR ring was not an actual diamond?

Based on how I dress, (casual) and that my hair tends to be in a ponytail and makeup is a rarity for me, I would guess that if I wore anything over 1.5 cts in a RB, it would be assumed to be fake. I say this because I have had multiple people ask me if my ring is real!

Walking around a mall here, a ring over 2 cts especially if it is a "stock" looking ring, may or may not be real, because even in the upscale boutiques where people drop hundreds to even a thousand for a handbag, rings tend to be conservative. There are a few lodges where visitors come skiing in the winter.... There a 2 -3 carat is not out of the ordinary, but where I live, most people balk at a 1 carat stone!

 

[Haven]

I'm in the Midwest as well, but very large rocks abound in my area. And, it seems like the richer you are, the less dressed up you look as you walk around, so you can't judge people's SES based on their clothes. Everyone is polished, but people are pretty casual around here. (My mom calls it the land of the workout pants. Ha!)

I don't often wonder if a ring is fake, actually. I'll occasionally see a very gaudy ring that looks either super cloudy or lifeless, yet huge, so I'll wonder if it's filthy or just an unfortunate case of frozen spit. But usually, I'm just trying to keep the drool on my chin hidden as I take in all the beauties.

If I had to guess, I'd say most women are sporting 2 to 4 carat solitaires around here, if not larger.

 

[Nashville]

I must be naive because I never assume a ring is fake...

 

[kelpie]

I don't really look at it by size, age or the person's style since I am a young guttersnipe who rocks a big stone most people may wonder or assume it is fake. In my small town I think 1/4 or 1/3 ct is typical.

I wouldn't prima facie assume something was fake based on size, I look at the quality of the of setting and brilliance of the stone. Most fakes I see people wearing are really poor ones like from those spinning displays in department stores and they get cloudy from just washing your hands. I don't think those fool anyone. They are also disproportionately scissor cuts if they're rectangular which almost no one wears in a real diamond. If it was a well cut stone that looked like a diamond in an awesome well made setting I'd assume it was real. Also if you have a fake in an old cut I think those fool just about everyone because they assume it's heirloom.

I over-analyze it more than most since I am into diamonds. Like I said people in my small town must think mine is fake even though the setting is handmade and ornate and it is a "measly" 8.5 mm spread. When I wear it to work in DC, I think the more affluent audience probably never second guesses it. I've never see a stranger running around with more than 2.5 or 3 cts though. When I visit San Diego, it seems like everyone has that size.

 

[Ninna]

No.......
My friends in Ireland get .25-75 ct.
Now that we have moved to the west for good, I have to say that 2-3ct is the norm
Clothes/Cars do not seem to matter......I have seen 4ct+ at the farmers market and the Gym

 

[Autumnovember]

I've probably assumed a ring was fake one or two times so it's very rare that I think a ring is fake. I just enjoy the beauty of it and the sparkle

 

[that_someone_special]

it depends on how it looks, not how the person is dressed (I'm a good example of that.)

Family ALWAYS tells me my rings look fake- and maybe they do... because of how I dress. I always say that I have a lesser chance of being robbed for "fake" jewelry then

Like Haven, I've seen gross looking rings and I wonder if they are just dirty, fake, or..... a horrible quality. I think I USED to believe everything was real (why would anyone pretend a 3ct diamond is real if it isn't?) .

 

[betty6333]

I forgot to add the quote, which I have heard before,
Which goes something along the lines of
" it is so big people probably assume it is fake"

I never used to think about it until a person said it to me when I went from a .5 rb to a 1 ct.
I think it is interesting how ring styles and sizes vary ! Thanks for responding so fast !

 

[Dancing Fire]

center stone only...

No.Ca,So Ca and N.Y.C avg is 2.89 ct

the mid-west avg is .53 ct

south. Fla and Tex avg is 2.72 ct.

the U.S. avg e-ring is .81 ct

PSer's avg is 1.22 ct. and growing thanks to all the upgrades ...

 

[kenny]

It's not only the size but the context.

If I encounter a person wearing 3 ct studs while working in an obviously low-paying job I assume they are more likely to be fake than the same studs on the same person exiting a new Mercedes to enter a fine restaurant.

But sure, I could be wrong.

 

[rosetta]

Is the NY average really almost 3 cts? Where do these figures come from DF. Just curious.

 

[rosetta]

I have the biggest rock among all my friends at 1 ct. We are not millionaires yet, but some of us will be. I doubt anyone but will buy any bigger stones except for me. It's just not their thing.

 

[kenny]

center stone only...

No.Ca,So Ca and N.Y.C avg is 2.89 ct
:

2.89 in Southern California?
I'm sure that is only for the wealthiest towns of Southern California, like Beverly Hills and Newport Beach.
That cannot possibly be all of Southern California averaged together.
I'm sure the average in my particular Southern California beach city is way way under 1 ct.

 

[Astra]

Since I live in very small country in Europe I'd say everything above 0.5 could be considered fake... diamonds are very rare to see here (and very expensive), and even if you see them those are usually around 0.25 engagement rings.

 

[Clairitek]

The biggest diamond I have ever seen in person on someone in public was 5 carats. I vacillated on whether or not it was real. I eventually worked up the nerve to ask her about the ring (not "Is that real?") but just to tell me the story behind it. It was real.

I think I would probably pay more attention to the light performance and colors the diamond throws off if I think it might be fake. That would put up red flags for me more than size. I think CZ is a pretty obvious sim but I am not as familiar with higher quality alternatives.

 

[Imdanny]

2.0

When my stepfather's mother died it turned our her "two carat diamond" was a fake.

I just don't get that. If you can't afford a large diamond, then don't have one. Why try to fool people? Who cares what other people think? To me, that's just ridiculous.

 

[yssie]

I must be naive because I never assume a ring is fake...

Haha ditto to that, Nashville.


Then again, I suppose most people assume mine is fake, judging by my age/casual dress/car/apt, not that I honestly care

 

[Nomsdeplume]

I have assumed a diamond was fake about twice in my life. It was probably over 5 carats every time. I had a law professor with a substantial ring, probably about 3.5 carats, and it was a very delicate pink. We always assumed it was a pink diamond (her husband is very wealthy) but later she told us the truth- it was a pink sapphire. It is still one of the prettiest rings I have ever seen though.

 

[MonkeyPie]

2.0

When my stepfather's mother died it turned our her "two carat diamond" was a fake.

I just don't get that. If you can't afford a large diamond, then don't have one. Why try to fool people? Who cares what other people think? To me, that's just ridiculous.

It may have less to do with other people than you think. I am currently wearing a sim because I had to sell my real diamond, and wanted to be able to keep wearing my e-ring.

I notice size less than I notice sparkliness. (Is that a word?) If it looks dull and lifeless but huge then I wonder, but if it sparkles in a lovely way then I am just jealous!

 

[Circe]

2.0

When my stepfather's mother died it turned our her "two carat diamond" was a fake.

I just don't get that. If you can't afford a large diamond, then don't have one. Why try to fool people? Who cares what other people think? To me, that's just ridiculous.

Maybe some people just like how they look? I don't wear fakey diamonds for the most part, but I have plenty of synthetic corundum: I buy hand-cut ones from Thailand and set them myself in chunky, baroque silver settings. I feel like a medieval lordling, and more than once I've marveled at the fact that what would once have been a king's ransom (these are the nice people who called the Black Prince Ruby an, um, ruby, after all ...) is now available over the internet for a pittance. Modernity: it's not just about the indoor plumbing!

As for when I start to wonder about fakes? Like everybody said, situational. The last time I actually did wonder was on my flight back from London, when I sat back to this snotty nightmare of a woman back in economy. She was working on her laptop and she would huff and sigh and not, y'know, move whenever I or the dude in the window seat needed to get out. Nevertheless, she also didn't want to swap and take the window seat. "Entitled" was the word that sprang to mind. She was about my age, and wearing a really flat-looking radiant in a halo, I'd guesstimate at 2-3 carats. It didn't look quite right to me, with a huge window that I could see her finger through ... but I do wonder if I'm maligning the ring because I didn't like the woman, or vice versa. The human mind can be quirky, sometimes.

 

[lknvrb4]

2.0

When my stepfather's mother died it turned our her "two carat diamond" was a fake.

I just don't get that. If you can't afford a large diamond, then don't have one. Why try to fool people? Who cares what other people think? To me, that's just ridiculous.

Exactly my thoughts. I would love to have a bigger diamond but right now that is not possible, for me faking it is not even an option. I would rather not wear a ring than wear a fake an have someone compliment me for my supposed diamond. To each their own though.

 

[anitabee]

i'm with the others...

where did you find those stats on average ering carat weight, dancing fire?

almost 3 carats on average for SoCal, NoCal & NYC??!! that's hard to digest!

 

[LaurenThePartier]

center stone only...

No.Ca,So Ca and N.Y.C avg is 2.89 ct

the mid-west avg is .53 ct

south. Fla and Tex avg is 2.72 ct.

the U.S. avg e-ring is .81 ct

PSer's avg is 1.22 ct. and growing thanks to all the upgrades ...

LOL, these all sound awfully made up DF, but I'm especially calling BS on the So Fla and TX average.

 

[E B]

center stone only...

No.Ca,So Ca and N.Y.C avg is 2.89 ct

the mid-west avg is .53 ct

south. Fla and Tex avg is 2.72 ct.

the U.S. avg e-ring is .81 ct

PSer's avg is 1.22 ct. and growing thanks to all the upgrades ...

LOL, these all sound awfully made up DF, but I'm especially calling BS on the So Fla and TX average.

They are. The 'source' is DF, and the numbers are his guesses.

 

[Dancing Fire]

center stone only...

No.Ca,So Ca and N.Y.C avg is 2.89 ct

the mid-west avg is .53 ct

south. Fla and Tex avg is 2.72 ct.

the U.S. avg e-ring is .81 ct

PSer's avg is 1.22 ct. and growing thanks to all the upgrades ...

LOL, these all sound awfully made up DF, but I'm especially calling BS on the So Fla and TX average.

They are. The 'source' is DF, and the numbers are his guesses.

yes,but his guesses are very accurate.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

center stone only...

No.Ca,So Ca and N.Y.C avg is 2.89 ct

the mid-west avg is .53 ct

south. Fla and Tex avg is 2.72 ct.

the U.S. avg e-ring is .81 ct

PSer's avg is 1.22 ct. and growing thanks to all the upgrades ...

LOL, these all sound awfully made up DF, but I'm especially calling BS on the So Fla and TX average.

They are. The 'source' is DF, and the numbers are his guesses.

yes,but his guesses are very accurate.

Then your cat must have walked across your keyboard and hit "submit" during that post . . .

 

[betty6333]

I never wondered if a ring was fake until a year or 2 ago ( aside from the obvious fakes they sell at the discount stores)

But the lady who's husband does very well financially, was talking with me and we came upon the subject of diamonds. She told me her ring was a gold ring with a 1 ct cz because she wanted the big look without the cost.

To each his own, I was just surprised, because before that incident, I assumed if the family had the ability to buy a nice stone, that it would be real.


DF... you crack me up... I am sure there are towns where people average 2 ish ranged in tx, but, I am thinking over all... it isnt as accurate as you would hope, but if anyone knows of any actual stats do share!!!

 

[jaysonsmom]

In my area anything under 3 carats is probably real because people can realistically afford it, but usually the larger the carat size the more tinted the color, and the more the clarity suffers, so I can definitely tell it's real.

So when I see a 3ct + looking ring absolutely icy white in a very generic setting, I think it's fake because if they can afford a 3+ ct colorless stone, they're usually able to afford a more elaborate designer setting. That being said, I feel sorry for the people who paid the over 6 figures for a 3ct D-F color solitaire from Tiffany & Co, because I'd assume it's fake.

As some of you know, I recently upgraded to a 1.81 RB in a solitaire, and last week for the first time, one of my coworkers said: "Wow, that is some rock! Is that a CZ?" Doh!..it was a guy, and he didn't know any better 'cos he's been divorced for over 10 years, and hasn't been in the market for a ring in over 16 years, so he hasn't realized that the size of e-rings are getting bigger (so I forgave him). However, that incident has made me decide that I may have to get a more elaborate setting so that people wouldn't assume it's one of those CZ/Sterling imposters you get at the Maul.

 

[Beacon]

In my area there are all sizes of rings and I assume most of them real.

What I often assume fake are diamond stud earrings. So many of these fakes are sold at Nordstroms and they don't look half bad when 1ct or smaller. I see alot of young people who are creating a certain look, with tattoos, hip hoppish, wearing "diamond" stud earrings, men and women. I always assume these are fake.

In fact, I have a predilection not to buy plain diamond stud earrings cause I think many will assume mine are fake

 

[shihtzulover]

In my area anything under 3 carats is probably real because people can realistically afford it, but usually the larger the carat size the more tinted the color, and the more the clarity suffers, so I can definitely tell it's real.

So when I see a 3ct + looking ring absolutely icy white in a very generic setting, I think it's fake because if they can afford a 3+ ct colorless stone, they're usually able to afford a more elaborate designer setting. That being said, I feel sorry for the people who paid the over 6 figures for a 3ct D-F color solitaire from Tiffany & Co, because I'd assume it's fake.

As some of you know, I recently upgraded to a 1.81 RB in a solitaire, and last week for the first time, one of my coworkers said: "Wow, that is some rock! Is that a CZ?" Doh!..it was a guy, and he didn't know any better 'cos he's been divorced for over 10 years, and hasn't been in the market for a ring in over 16 years, so he hasn't realized that the size of e-rings are getting bigger (so I forgave him). However, that incident has made me decide that I may have to get a more elaborate setting so that people wouldn't assume it's one of those CZ/Sterling imposters you get at the Maul.

Hmmm...in my area, the largest that I have seen amongst people that I know was about 1.5 carats.

My soon-to-be fiance and I picked out a 1.53 carat princess cut diamond (colorless range), and we chose to have it set with a platinum Tiffany-style band. I had the option to get a designer band, and I found a Tacori that I thought I loved - until I saw it in person. I guess the plain setting might make people more likely to think that it's fake, but I don't really care - when I looked at different settings in person, this is the one that I liked the most. I think it worked out well this way, because I was able to focus more of our budget on the stone, and I was therefore able to get a bigger diamond.