Should I upgrade (again)?

[ilazdiamond]

I have been a long time lurker on this site...and like many of you...I am addicted to looking at diamonds!

I used to have a 1.10 RB and recently (Nov. ''05) upgraded to a 1.37 princess. The reason I did this was because I have a princess channel wedding band and never felt that the two "matched." Anyway, I am having a lot of doubts about my upgrade and am considering doing it again in order to go back to a RB. I just feel that nothing sparkles quite like a round. Anyway, in order to make this next upgrade worthwhile, I think that I would be looking for a 1.5 RB. Unfortunately, I am locked into a jeweler in terms of upgrading and it''s going to cost some $. Any advice?

I would post pics, but I am having trouble making them smaller...

Thanks for the help!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Sounds like a good idea to me!

 

[diamondfan]

I think on PS you have a tough time with people not encouraging an upgrade! But honestly, it always boils down to (imho) can you comfortably swing it and get what you want without too much sacrifice? If so, and this is important to you, then I say, you go for it!

 

[ilazdiamond]

A little extra info...

The 1.10 RB was a GIA VS1 I
The 1.37 princess is a GIA VS2 I

As long as I'm planning to stay with a GIA cert...what is the lowest clarity and color you would go for a 1.5RB?

I know...I know...cut is the most important!

 

[lizz]

Yes, it''s hard to beat the sparkle of a round. The lowest I would go? I don''t know how color-sensitive you are, but I would go as low as a J or K with I1 clarity (if the inclusions weren''t that visible). I personally would get the most for my money.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would stick with I and VS2.

 

[butterfly 17]

I am more of a clarity snob than an color snob, but there are some sweet Si's here, so the absolute lowest I would go would be H SI1, but it would have to be the cleanest SI1 to get my vote. Also, it depends too on the price, etc.

 

[FireGoddess]

I'm more of a color snob than a clarity snob, so I'd go down to SI1, SI2 if it's eyeclean and a good one...but personally I stick with G and above. You could easily go to H or I, especially with some blue fluor, seeing as how you've had stones this color already and have liked them. I'd stick with the I if the color is pleasing to you and go down to SI1 or a good SI2.

 

[anika]

Ilazdiamond,
I am also looking to upgrade. It is good to consider if you would sacrifice clarity or colour for size. But only you can tell what colour you like so I would suggest looking at some well cut stones around G-J and seeing what your colour threshold is. In terms of clarity- SI2 fine but you have to be specific on what to get.
You have to juggle your budget with what your heart really desires. I was thinking of a small upgrade (1.2 to 1.4 ct) but decided its not enough. In saying that from a princess to a round you should notice even more size difference.
Whats your ideal size? If you can, have a play in you local stores; it really helped me decided my upgrade plan.
Are there any jewellers who would trade your ring?
Good luck!
Anika

 

[ilazdiamond]

I would say that I am more of a clarity "snob." Therefore, I''m wondering how easy it is to find an eye clean SI2. I know that there are many ps''ers that have beautiful SI2 stones. Any tips?

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 6/1/2006 6:59:05 PM
Author: ilazdiamond
A little extra info...

The 1.10 RB was a GIA VS1 I
The 1.37 princess is a GIA VS2 I

As long as I''m planning to stay with a GIA cert...what is the lowest clarity and color you would go for a 1.5RB?

I know...I know...cut is the most important!

how do you feel about the "I" color? are you comfortable with it?

 

[ilazdiamond]

Since I''ve only had I colored stones...they don''t bother me.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 6/1/2006 8:59:37 PM
Author: ilazdiamond
Since I''ve only had I colored stones...they don''t bother me.

then... i suggest a VS2-SI1 stone with a beautiful cut.

 

[marriahlyn]

I would say hopefully the jeweler has a few stones in the size range so that you can compare and pick the stone that speaks to you the most. I have an SI2 that is technically not "eye-clean" but you have to squint to see the little inclusion in the stone. No one else will ever see it and it doesn''t bother me a bit. The color is an icey white E.

 

[dbgaap]

For color I like G and above.
When I looked at SI1''s and SI2''s, sometimes, the SI2 looked better to me than the SI1.
Most of them weren''t that great but I did find a nice clean SI1.

It''s possible.
1.5c RB soudns yummy!

So are you over the "matching" thing?
Will you like you princess band with the RB?

I think I would like it, based on how this setting looks:

 

[togal]

I had a "J" and upgraded to an "F", and I''m loving the clear, no-color aspect of my upgrade. I really don''t think I would go lower than an F (possibly a G) now that I''ve experienced an essentially colorless diamond. I did, however, compromise price-wise by getting an SI2. If I were to weigh the two (color vs. clarity), I would go with color every time. I would suggest asking your jeweller to show you a number of loose stones, in various clarities and color ranges, and see which you prefer when compared to one another. Also, having looked at several shapes during my search, there really is nothing that beats the sparkle of the RB, IMO.