Big Gem Lovers - What’s the smallest you’ll go?

[mellowyellowgirl]

As I sat mulling about whether a 5 ct was big enough, rejected a 3 carat with beautiful colour, it made me think.

What is the smallest that I am willing to go these days?

I think my limit is 5 now. Maybe a 4 if it’s at least 10mm. I think my days of smaller stones are over. I still wear and enjoy what I have but I will not buy anymore. That pretty much rules out spinels, rubies and sapphires as well.

So tell me ladies, how small will you go?

***

Really random: If you’re watching Immortal Samsara please let me know!

 

[diamondyes]

What is immortal samsara and where can I watch it?

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

What is immortal samsara and where can I watch it?

It’s a Chinese series that I’m obsessed with. Crazy about. Like craaaaaaaazy. Will give away gems for a happily ever after ending kind of crazy! Easiest way to watch it right now is on YouTube.

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

I have thought a lot about this too. I believe my bare minimum is really at 10mm too, ideally 12+mm. I've been eyeing a lavender spinel for awhile, but not reaching that minimum has held me back. I just know myself and know I will keep looking for the same color in a larger stone. It just won't scratch the itch. The only exception I have is my Burmese spinel at 9x6 and it currently is getting a double halo dress.

 

[JewelledEscalators]

Less than 1 carat: you cannot be serious!

1 carat: if it's really nice, but will keep wishing it was bigger. Probably will only consider this size now if it's a mansin spinel or any other red red spinel, and will likely halo/cluster the hell out of it.

1 to 1.5 carats: pretty similar to the above

1.5 to 2 carats: If only available or affordable in those sizes (e.g. rubies) but depends how big the face up size is

2-2.5 carats: More like it, but would prefer 2.5 to 3 carats

2.5 carats to 3 carats: Now we're talking!

3-4 carats: Yes please!

4-5 carats: Yes please! Yes please! Yes please! Yes please! Yes please! Yes please! Yes please! Yes please! Yes please! Yes please! Yes please! Yes please! Yes please!

5 carats and over: Very very happy!!

My budget would tell me different though

If something is affordable in bigger sizes like tourmalines, garnets or amethysts, then I am likely to go big.

 

[diamondyes]

It’s a Chinese series that I’m obsessed with. Crazy about. Like craaaaaaaazy. Will give away gems for a happily ever after ending kind of crazy! Easiest way to watch it right now is on YouTube.

I’ll check it out!

 

[Ionysis]

Bizarrely I’m actually finding with rings / coloured stones I’m tending smaller these days. My 10ct emerald never gets a look in now. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still all about the finger coverage but I am definitely downsizing scale in my recent projects.

 

[seaurchin]

About 5 carats or 10mm and up for me, unless it's a diamond, of course. Or earrings. Fortunately, I don't have a problem with lab stones.

 

[alexah]

In the past, as long as the color really pops, I'm not that much of a "size-ist" - I'd just halo it... or double halo... or triple... you get the idea... But as I get older, I have stopped buying smaller stones - they're becoming less appealing to me. Don't have a specified size limit yet though.

***

Regarding Immortal Samsara, I haven't started it yet. It's on my list but I usually wait until it's mostly done airing until I start a drama.

I made the mistake of starting Love Like the Galaxy when season 1 finished so now I'm waiting for new episodes to drop (it ends at the end of August) and it makes me lose interest (short attention span?). The beginning of season 1 was slow but it picked up nicely and I've laughed out loud quite a bit since.

My favorite c-drama of late is A Dream of Splendor. Loved the chemistry between the "sisters" and especially the ML/FL. They were so organic together. I loved it until about 2/3 in and then it got a bit too soapy but the first half was excellent IMO.

Back to Immortal Samsara, you can head over to Reddit - there's always discussions about dramas here: https://www.reddit.com/r/CDrama/

 

[JewelledEscalators]

I grew up eating one of these - I think it has set unrealistic expectations

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

I grew up eating one of these - I think it has set unrealistic expectations

Yes, I need a Mahenge this size!

 

[JewelledEscalators]

Yes, I need a Mahenge this size!

You know when I first saw a picture of Manhenge spinel, my first thoughts were - it looks just like candy!

 

[T L]

Depends on the color, if it’s vivid enough, you can go tiny, and make them stackers!!

 

[Niel]

I have a ring with less than a half ct and a few with 10+
About the design and color for me.

 

[icy_jade]

I’ll buy 1 plus carat gems if I like the color and the price is good and assuming it’s one of the big 3 (ruby, sapphire, emerald), spinel or one of those super duper typically small n expensive gems like demantoid, alexandrite, etc. Or pairs for earrings are ok too.

Otherwise 5 and up sounds good to me. It’s also about how big the final ring/outcome is. Itty bitty just doesn’t do it so big halos are sometimes needed (like anyone is surprised to hear me saying that right).