How big is big?

[Dancing Fire]

Illinois ranks #3? I doubt it. It’s mostly rural and outside the suburbs I rarely see .50. Even in the suburbs it’s rare to see over 1 ct.

Yup, the chart that missy posted doesn't make sense. State of MD with the biggest diamond?..

 

[RunningwithScissors]

@RunningwithScissors -

Please be aware before you put any store by these stats - DF is the joke-stats guy. These stats are based on nothing. Don't fall for it.

Just a PSA.

I appreciate the well meaning PSA.

But I simply stated my own observations, which are that my friends/family/colleagues in the more urban parts of the the coasts have and prefer larger stones than friends in the middle of the country who have/prefer much smaller diamonds. And the numbers DF threw out (jokingly or not - doesn't matter) actually match almost exactly my circle of peeps.

Of course I am under no illusion my circle represent the average person in America. I was simply chiming in on the size of the diamonds I witness around me.

 

[RunningwithScissors]

Yup, the chart that missy posted doesn't make sense. State of MD with the biggest diamond?..

While I wouldn't have picked MD as being #1, it certainly would be in the top 5 states with the largest. On the whole, the state's population is wealthy, the cost of living and standard of living are very high, and its citizens have one of the highest rates of education in the country (mostly white collar jobs.)

Yes, there are states with more wealthy cities, like NYC, LA, San Fran, Dallas, Houston, but because MD is a smaller state, there are not great swathes of the state that are very poor (for example what you get in upstate NY, or inland CA or anywhere in TX outside of the major cities).

I'm from DC/MD and my husband and I had to leave the Mid Atlantic altogether in order to afford to buy a decent house, prices are/were through the roof in the DC metro area. We didn't want to be so mortgage poor that we couldn't buy sparklies! (or in my husband's case, French wine!)

 

[mrs-b]

I appreciate the well meaning PSA.

But I simply stated my own observations, which are that my friends/family/colleagues in the more urban parts of the the coasts have and prefer larger stones than friends in the middle of the country who have/prefer much smaller diamonds. And the numbers DF threw out (jokingly or not - doesn't matter) actually match almost exactly my circle of peeps.

Of course I am under no illusion my circle represent the average person in America. I was simply chiming in on the size of the diamonds I witness around me.

Sorry, RWS - my comment wasn't specifically directed to you. More to DF.

 

[Dancing Fire]

And the numbers DF threw out (jokingly or not - doesn't matter) actually match almost exactly my circle of peeps.

And they think I'm a BSer...

 

[Austina]

Here in the UK, it’s not that usual for people to have big diamonds, as previously quoted, the average (we’re told) for an ER is .25ct, so if you have .50 ct that’s considered big.

I also agree that it depends on the size of your fingers and hands whether something looks big or not. My friend has a .50ct that look huge on her tiny fingers, on me it didn’t. I‘ve tried on 2cts, which in my mind was big, but on my hand, I didn’t think it looked big at all.

I don’t think Bella looks too big on my 6.75 size finger and I normally wear her everyday (not since lockdown with the constant handwashing). I don’t know if it’s just that I’m used to her, but I don’t think she looks that big on my finger

I tried on a 10.38ct emerald cut at Sotheby’s, and that definitely was too big
Bella


10.38ct Emerald cut

 

[missy]

Here in the UK, it’s not that usual for people to have big diamonds, as previously quoted, the average (we’re told) for an ER is .25ct, so if you have .50 ct that’s considered big.

I also agree that it depends on the size of your fingers and hands whether something looks big or not. My friend has a .50ct that look huge on her tiny fingers, on me it didn’t. I‘ve tried on 2cts, which in my mind was big, but on my hand, I didn’t think it looked big at all.

I don’t think Bella looks too big on my 6.75 size finger and I normally wear her everyday (not since lockdown with the constant handwashing). I don’t know if it’s just that I’m used to her, but I don’t think she looks that big on my finger

I tried on a 10.38ct emerald cut at Sotheby’s, and that definitely was too big
Bella


10.38ct Emerald cut

All look amazing on you but Bella outshines them all. Of course I might be biased but still. Swoon! And she looks huge on you too!

 

[missy]

Yup, the chart that missy posted doesn't make sense. State of MD with the biggest diamond?..

With all due respect @Dancing Fire you are not in the position to say what I share does or does not make sense. Just saying.

 

[missy]

From one of the links I shared yesterday. Not just based on size but on average value per carat. And statistics are just numbers synopsizing data from a sample exercising the mean or standard deviation. We all know individuals outside of the averages and I would go as far to say most PSers are not the "average" consumer especially when it comes to gems.

The survey by WP Diamonds, which specializes in the buy-back of diamonds, jewelry and watches, reviewed market data based on 15,000 consumer inquiries covering all 50 states. With this data, WP Diamonds was able to assign rankings to the states based on diamond value, diamond size and diamond shape.

The states that rank highest for the average value per carat are New York, Florida, California, Connecticut and Maryland. Rounding out the top 10 are New Jersey, Massachusetts, Kansas, Tennessee and Colorado.

The states where size really matters are Maryland, Michigan, Illinois, Alaska, New York, Texas, Florida, Virginia, Arkansas and California.


It’s interesting to note that four states — including New York, Maryland, Florida and California — made the top 10 on both lists. New York is #1 in quality but also #5 in size. Maryland is #1 in size and #5 in quality.

 

[Slickk]

In my area, NYC suburbs, sizes run the gamut. Seeing two carats is common but anything much larger is considered Big.
I think finger size is a huge factor in how large a stone looks on the hand. My larger knuckles dwarf stones below 8mm on me. My DIL and coworker easily wear 1.5-2 ct and they look huge on them. On me, not so much...darn

 

[Dancing Fire]

With all due respect @Dancing Fire you are not in the position to say what I share does or does not make sense. Just saying.

 

[kenny]

How big is big?
Big varies.

But is always twice the size of your diamond.

 

[diamondnewbieny]

I am in NYC. In my area 2ct is the norm. I still see some around 1ct and some smaller one.

I used to think 1.5ct and up is big. It is still big with small size fingers in my opinion. Like many had said, it depends a lot on finger size... I have size 8.5 finger and my 2.5ct does not look big on my hand.
It looks huge on smaller finger...

 

[alittlelight]

I think Kenny nailed it

 

[JohnnyAngel]

I live in Michigan and have a 1.20 carat diamond. I think it’s around average here. I definitely see much bigger on the regular!

 

[daisygrl]

It is never big enough. Mine still hasn't grown much since I got her.

 

[monipod]

I think under 1ct is considered perfectly adequate in Australia. Over 1ct is getting a bit showy. 2+ is definitely for the well-to-do set or older women as upgrades.

I have a two carat oval which is gorgeous (an I1 bluffy stone, so affordable) but it would certainly make a statement here in Australia. I probably chose a less showy setting for it for that reason. I want to wear it without people gawking at it too much, which would be the case if I put it in a halo.

 

[Lalola44]

While I wouldn't have picked MD as being #1, it certainly would be in the top 5 states with the largest. On the whole, the state's population is wealthy, the cost of living and standard of living are very high, and its citizens have one of the highest rates of education in the country (mostly white collar jobs.)

Yes, there are states with more wealthy cities, like NYC, LA, San Fran, Dallas, Houston, but because MD is a smaller state, there are not great swathes of the state that are very poor (for example what you get in upstate NY, or inland CA or anywhere in TX outside of the major cities).

I'm from DC/MD and my husband and I had to leave the Mid Atlantic altogether in order to afford to buy a decent house, prices are/were through the roof in the DC metro area. We didn't want to be so mortgage poor that we couldn't buy sparklies! (or in my husband's case, French wine!)

Agreed, I live in Bethesda and I think people outside the state seriously underestimate the level of wealth that exists here. When considering the communities closest to northwest DC and those on the coast one quickly realizes that MD is nothing to shake a stick at. I can see how it would land in the top 5 states on the list as well. It's really quite common to see large stones in the neighborhoods in Montgomery County

 

[dumbo]

I see 4ct+ all of the time around here. I have seen as large as 10ct on fingers and 6ct (D/E color) as solitaire earrings. Massive; totally lit up the room. I figured she was a Saudi princess of some sort. she also had what looked to be a 30ct tennis bracelet and a multi-color Graff butterfly watch on, while having coffee in the morning at Starbucks.

 

[Neptune]

When I saw it, I immediately thought of the title of this thread. Yes, 63 carats is too big for me.

Sotheby's Jewels on Instagram: "Wise words from @stephaniegottlieb : Size matters Just under 63 carats - this pear has size AND quality!! D-VVS2, holy moly, it’s PEARfection! Head to 1334 York Avenue today through Monday to see and try on all

15K likes, 500 comments - sothebysjewels on December 1, 2021: "Wise words from @stephaniegottlieb : Size matters Just under 63 carats - this pear has size AND quality!! D-VVS2, holy moly, it’s PEARfection! Head to 1334 York Avenue today through Monday to see and try on all the jewels from...

www.instagram.com

 

[mistaleung]

I bought my finance a 1.5carat engagement ring., I think it is big and not too big for daily use.

 

[missy]

When I saw it, I immediately thought of the title of this thread. Yes, 63 carats is too big for me.

Sotheby's Jewels on Instagram: "Wise words from @stephaniegottlieb : Size matters Just under 63 carats - this pear has size AND quality!! D-VVS2, holy moly, it’s PEARfection! Head to 1334 York Avenue today through Monday to see and try on all

15K likes, 500 comments - sothebysjewels on December 1, 2021: "Wise words from @stephaniegottlieb : Size matters Just under 63 carats - this pear has size AND quality!! D-VVS2, holy moly, it’s PEARfection! Head to 1334 York Avenue today through Monday to see and try on all the jewels from...

www.instagram.com

It needs a halo.

 

[missy]

Before I got Bubbalah I thought oh she is too big so I will get her and reset her in a solitaire setting. Which I still am planning on doing. One day. But I had a week with her (not even) and I thought wow, she doesn't seem too big at all now. What was I thinking? LOL. Lucikly for me, at least at this point in time, she is "just right" but I can see perhaps sometime in the (near?) future she might become too small.

JK!!!

 

[Neptune]

It needs a halo.

Why didn't I think of that!

 

[blingmeupscotty]

When I saw it, I immediately thought of the title of this thread. Yes, 63 carats is too big for me.

Sotheby's Jewels on Instagram: "Wise words from @stephaniegottlieb : Size matters Just under 63 carats - this pear has size AND quality!! D-VVS2, holy moly, it’s PEARfection! Head to 1334 York Avenue today through Monday to see and try on all

15K likes, 500 comments - sothebysjewels on December 1, 2021: "Wise words from @stephaniegottlieb : Size matters Just under 63 carats - this pear has size AND quality!! D-VVS2, holy moly, it’s PEARfection! Head to 1334 York Avenue today through Monday to see and try on all the jewels from...

www.instagram.com

Is this liz taylors hand? wait..is this real? perhaps I should go googling..even I couldn't wear that and I wear door knockers.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I feel like big is such a subjective term and depends on who you hang out with. I have a few circles of friends, and “big” differs depending on the circle. Like, in one circle anything above a carat would be considered “big”, most people don’t wear anything bigger than that. In another circle, the average size is 2-3ct I would say, with some people wearing some real honkers. I would say in that circle 4ct+ would be considered big.

In my personal opinion, 4ct+ is where I start thinking of a ring as BIIIIIG, and 2.5ct+ is significantly sized imo.

 

[AprilBaby]

Its time to rethink big. With the lab diamond and moissy 2 ct is becoming the new small. Now I think 6 cts is the new Big.

 

[Octave]

A few years ago I came across a quote from a British female author who, when asked about what size of a diamond would impress her, said:
„An eight would make her interested, a nine would make her satisfied, and a ten would make her addicted“ (by the way, she mentioned that it's much the same with men - lol)!
But maybe my memory is playing a trick on me and it was just seven, eight and nine, that would at least let me play along.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Just thought of a joke answer to complement the more serious answer upthread:



Also, @Octave, I like your style. I think I need to tell my SO mama needs a 10ct someday

 

[Octave]

Just thought of a joke answer to complement the more serious answer upthread:



Also, @Octave, I like your style. I think I need to tell my SO mama needs a 10ct someday

Haha! I understand that you limit yourself to 10ct. 12 would also be too big for all days, you bump everywhere with it, not to mention insurance costs!