Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?!

[gktops]

Hey guys, As some of you know, I just purchased (and received) a three stone ring set in yellow gold with a platinum head (center diamond: .77 ct, side diamonds: .32 each.

The center diamond is a K color, and the sides are J. I can't notice a difference in the two, and they both look white to me in all lighting conditions i've seen thus far.

Now, as we all want bigger, I've noticed that you can get some Triple Ex K color 1.25+ ct diamonds for like 4k.

What do you guys think? Should I stick with the 3 stone (total price was $4600) or go for a 1.25+ K color solitare?

 

[Niel]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

well i really love that three stone with her finger size. Whatever it is it looks huge.


A few things to consider.

Did she want a three stone or a solitaire or no idea?

Other thing, The larger the stone the more color shows. So a 80 point K will show less color than a 1.25 ct.

Whats the normal size of her family members? her friends? Will she feel like her ring is average or small by comparison?

I had the same dilemma when picking my ring. My ring is also made of Ks. I could have had one big stone or the 5 stone i have. I had a very similar budget. just for myself, i wanted more vertical finger coverage than one large center stone. But that is not the same for everyone.

Your current ring is amazing btw

 

[gktops]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

I don't know what style she prefers... She is taking on the "it's your decision" role! And yeah, that is a great point that a 1.25+ with probably show more color. The 3 stone does provide a lot of finger coverage. I like it, I just wish it was a little bigger (doesn't everyone)!

Her mom is upgrading to a 2 ct RB shortly... I know she does expect something anywhere near that big, I just want my 1.4 tcw ring to be visible haha.

 

[Niel]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

I don't know what style she prefers... She is taking on the "it's your decision" role! And yeah, that is a great point that a 1.25+ with probably show more color. The 3 stone does provide a lot of finger coverage. I like it, I just wish it was a little bigger (doesn't everyone)!

Her mom is upgrading to a 2 ct RB shortly... I know she does expect something anywhere near that big, I just want my 1.4 tcw ring to be visible haha.

I think Pricescope can be a blessing and a curse. There are 2-5 ct stones left and right! And there are a million options and ways to spend your money staring you right in the face. Ive fallen into it too. "oh if i spend my money on a emerald cut solitaire i could get 1.5 cts!"

Someone will always have a bigger diamond ring. I would just try and get something you are happy with and find beautiful and proud to give her. And in 10 years you can upgrade if you want.

 

[04diamond<3]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

I don't know what style she prefers... She is taking on the "it's your decision" role! And yeah, that is a great point that a 1.25+ with probably show more color. The 3 stone does provide a lot of finger coverage. I like it, I just wish it was a little bigger (doesn't everyone)!

Her mom is upgrading to a 2 ct RB shortly... I know she does expect something anywhere near that big, I just want my 1.4 tcw ring to be visible haha.

I think the ring you put together is absolutely gorgeous! You picked the best cut stones and a 3 stone setting is just classing. I agree that the finger coverage is great, but I think you should give her the ring and maybe maybe give her the option to change it if she prefers something else.

Personally, I think for her size those stones look great! And WF has a great upgrade option should you choose to do that for her later. I will say though, everyone gets attached to the ring they're first given so she may not want to part with it...

 

[AprilBaby]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

That ring gives more coverage on your finger than my .40/1.21/.40 gives on my size 8 finger!

 

[gktops]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

Well, thanks for putting it into perspective, AprilBaby!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

I don't know what style she prefers... She is taking on the "it's your decision" role! And yeah, that is a great point that a 1.25+ with probably show more color. The 3 stone does provide a lot of finger coverage. I like it, I just wish it was a little bigger (doesn't everyone)!

Her mom is upgrading to a 2 ct RB shortly... I know she does expect something anywhere near that big, I just want my 1.4 tcw ring to be visible haha.

I think Pricescope can be a blessing and a curse. There are 2-5 ct stones left and right! And there are a million options and ways to spend your money staring you right in the face. Ive fallen into it too. "oh if i spend my money on a emerald cut solitaire i could get 1.5 cts!"

Someone will always have a bigger diamond ring. I would just try and get something you are happy with and find beautiful and proud to give her. And in 10 years you can upgrade if you want.

+1 - Great advice - you have put together a beautiful ring - enjoy it! There can always be upgrades later!

 

[insured]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

If you're looking for votes, mine is for the beautiful three stone you have. It's not true that everyone wants bigger, and I think your three stone will have more presence anyway, but in a balanced way. As someone said, the single larger stone may show the lower colour more.

That said, I bet your intended does have a preference, the trick is finding out what it is if she's too polite to tell you herself. Can you recruit one of her friends of family members to find out what it is and let you know?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

I think the ring is beautiful, but it would be helpful if you had some kind of idea what she likes. I never understand girls not giving some hints! But I'd probably go to a 1 ct J before I'd go to a 1.2 ct K.

Her mom doesn't count, but how about any friends or sisters? Do any of them have e-rings yet? That might be a better gauge of what she might be hoping for in terms of size, anyway. If you did get a 1 ct J now, you could always add two side stones for a future anniversary and make the 3 stone then. I kind of like that idea better than upgrading all the stones of the current ring, because she could keep her original 1 ct center stone.

 

[Sakuracherry]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

I'd keep the current ring you have. The finger coverage is amazing. If you decide to get a big solitIre later and want to keep the original stones, the side stones can be used for studs and the center stone can be used for a pendant. My opinion doesn't matter much, please ask her girlfriends and get what you think makes her happy.

 

[gktops]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

Both really good points! I think I'll keep the 3 stone! I can upgrade in the future if I want... I don't think a 1 carat will look much bigger than this 0.77 carat, plus I have the 0.32 carat side stones flanking it. Moreover, the cheapest 1 carat J I can find is 4.1k...Thanks for the opinions guys... I guess I should have made a vote at the top of this thread to make it easier for you!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

I am sure she will be thrilled!

 

[Logan Sapphire]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

I had a 3 stone that was very similar in size to yours at .78 center and .83ctw sides and then I upgraded the center recently to a 1.20 center. My old solitaire setting now holds a stone equivalent to a 1.25. Comparing the two (smaller weight 3 stone vs 1.25 solitaire), I liked the 3 stone better. It just felt like it had more presence but I'm also not a solitaire person so that factors into my preference. The one you chose is beautiful!

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

I like the three stone, but well... it's a matter of preference. I think sticking with the three stone for now, since you have it, is a good idea.

 

[kellc]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

I think that 3 stone looks so gorgeous as it is, I would keep it. I think the 3 diamonds are in really nice proportion to each other. I think people do tend to prefer a solitaire vs. non-solitaire, so if she would tell you that much, it might help! But if she won't I'd stick with what you have. If you or she really wants something larger later, you could upgrade the center stone and keep the sides.

 

[msop04]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

I really like the three-stone! It gives a lot of look and finger presence. I'm afraid the 1.25 ct solitaire will not be as impressive as all the three-stone goodness in the other setting. She will be sparkling all across her finger!

 

[CharmyPoo]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

It is personal preference. It's one thing where we are talking about a 3 stone with a huge center and another with 3 smaller stones. She will have to decide when she sees how "traditional" an e-ring she wants. There was a thread recently where someone was very unhappy with her three stone.

 

[gktops]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

Well, I'm not worried about that... She won't be "very unhappy" with anything... That's pretty messed up for her to be complaining that much!

 

[braga123]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

Well, I'm not worried about that... She won't be "very unhappy" with anything... That's pretty messed up for her to be complaining that much!

I don't know if it's messed up, honestly. Some ladies dream of their e-rings and have a certain vision. If the fiance doesn't deliver that vision, some ladies feel that their fiance doesn't know them very well, or didn't really consider her preferences. There is a very active thread right now by a very dissatisfied ring recipient. I think your choice is lovely, but I hope that she wasn't envisioning a solitaire.
ETA: My friend was in your exact situation a year ago. I gave him plenty of advice, but he had his mind made up that his fiance was "the type who would be happy with anything" he got her. So he didn't halo her ring. When I saw her after the engagement, she drooled over mine, (at the time it was set in a halo) and said that she was secretly hoping that he would get her a halo. My friend still does not know she felt that way, bc I think it's up to her to break it to him. I guess that what I'm trying to say is that you should give her a choice when you present it to her, just in case.

 

[iota15]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

I think most women would be too afraid of hurting their fiance to say anything negative about the ring - especially one as beautiful as that. People do have certain ideas about what their engagement rings will look like though.

In any event, it's a beautiful ring.

 

[Roxy]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

I think most women would be too afraid of hurting their fiance to say anything negative about the ring - especially one as beautiful as that. People do have certain ideas about what their engagement rings will look like though.

In any event, it's a beautiful ring.

+1 to all of this. Like I said in your previous thread, I think the ring really is beautiful, no doubt about it! That said, many folks DO have "certain ideas" about the look of their e-rings. I was like your SO, and I would have been happy w/ something this pretty (although I'd always envisioned a solitaire of some sort), however I was over the moon that my hubby (then boyfriend) INSISTED on taking me to some jewelry stores to try on a variety of stones/styles/settings well before popping the question. I was really moved that he cared about my input that much (goofy, but true).

He's the one that suggested an oval because the first ring he gave me was an oval ruby that I LOVED, and since I'd never even seen an oval diamond engagement ring, I was blown away. I saw your first thread where you were asking about ovals and I was super excited for you, but I assumed that you'd learned that she'd prefer a 3-stone.

Now that you've had a chance to spend a little time w/ the ring, are you feeling better about it? Are you feeling more confident about the colors at various angles and in a variety of lighting conditions? I hope so because it's lovely, so I'm just trying to understand your real areas of concern a bit, you know?

 

[motownmama]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

The ring you've purchased is lovely. You know your GF. We do not. But, since you're asking strangers to weigh in, I cast my vote for the 1.25 k. Excellent cut, right? That's an impressive size. The 3 stone does give coverage across the finger, but .... 1.25 is much bigger than .70
You're already comfortable with the land of K, as it were. Yes- bigger will show more body color from the side. Top down white and sparkly. You can go with a million and one bands with a solitaire too. Sorry if I'm complicating your life. I'm just one person and feel free to ignore me. Other people have made brilliant points. Is there a way you can look at these side by side comparison? You wouldn't be asking if you didn't have a nagging concern. Best of luck. You cannot go wrong, as your current ring is very pretty!

 

[gktops]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

Yes, I had originally planned on the oval, but I was not impressed when I saw it in person. These ACA rounds are 10x more sparkly. I am feeling a lot better about the ring now. It is pretty insane how much it sparkles in the light. I think I just wasn't 100% confident in my purchase earlier (sticker shock at $4500) haha... It does look white in every lighting environment that I have looked at it in. I haven't seen any aspects of yellow in the K or J stones (Maybe my ability to distinguish different colors just stinks).

And yes, motownmama, if I was to get a 1.25+ ct K diamond solitare, this one would probably be my max budget... Its an Ideal cut, but i'm not particularly impressed with the arrows view.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3908805-1.28-carat-Round-diamond-K-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?cid=DiamPG



I also think when you are looking at photos of rings on pricescope, and most of the photos are taken very close to the ring, the diamonds tend to look a lot bigger than a real life hand shot. That may be messing with my mind also!

 

[Roxy]

Re: Stick with my 3 stone or get a 1.25 ct solitare instead?

Yes, I had originally planned on the oval, but I was not impressed when I saw it in person. These ACA rounds are 10x more sparkly. I am feeling a lot better about the ring now. It is pretty insane how much it sparkles in the light. I think I just wasn't 100% confident in my purchase earlier (sticker shock at $4500) haha... It does look white in every lighting environment that I have looked at it in. I haven't seen any aspects of yellow in the K or J stones (Maybe my ability to distinguish different colors just stinks).

And yes, motownmama, if I was to get a 1.25+ ct K diamond solitare, this one would probably be my max budget... Its an Ideal cut, but i'm not particularly impressed with the arrows view.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3908805-1.28-carat-Round-diamond-K-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?cid=DiamPG

I also think when you are looking at photos of rings on pricescope, and most of the photos are taken very close to the ring, the diamonds tend to look a lot bigger than a real life hand shot. That may be messing with my mind also!

Yay! I'm glad you're feeling better about the ring, and yeah ACAs sparkle like crazy!!