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What difference in size is visible to the eye?

@Garry H (Cut Nut) I have assumed that this barcellet will be of H&A - likely CBI, so no need to mention size versus presence.

_

digressing: the discussion remidns me of a certain type of two stone rings, using diamond & pearl pairs often of the same diameter; each of the most admired whites overtaking the other in prominence in different light & such...
 
Do you have a Costco still open near you for grocery shopping? If so go and look at the sizes of diamond tennis bracelets there, they often have a decent range of sizes of them in the US.... No I'm not suggesting you buy one from there, I'm suggesting you go there to get a better idea of the different diamond sizes in them.
 
arkieb1 said:
Do you have a Costco still open near you for grocery shopping? If so go and look at the sizes of diamond tennis bracelets there, they often have a decent range of sizes of them in the US.... No I'm not suggesting you buy one from there, I'm suggesting you go there to get a better idea of the different diamond sizes in them.
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That's a good idea. I don't feel its safe to be in public right now, even with masks and gloves on, but down the road I will definitely keep in mind looking at Costco to get a feel for different carat weights. Thanks!
 
I've ordered two different CZ bracelets online. They are different sizes and different style settings. I'm hoping they will give me a sense of what the 4 - 5 mm range feels like. If they seem to big or too small, I'll send them back and try a different set of sizes.
 
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And Wink at HPD was extremely generous and sent me two diamonds to see and feel their sizes in person. One is a 1.25 ct and one is a 1.5 ct. (These are weights I'm considering for an earring upgrade in the future.)

I'll try to post a photo of them side by side tomorrow, next to my 1 ct studs to show everyone the relative size comparison between these three sizes.

After looking at the diamonds, I've concluded there isn't enough of an increase between my current studs (1 ct each) and 1.25 ct ones. To be worth the hassle of trading in and increasing the size, I'll need to go up to at least 1.5 ct, and honestly a smidge more than that.

I'm not in a position to upgrade in the near future, this is project for down the road. But it really helps me to know what I'm shooting for, size-wise and $-wise. It gives me goals and makes me work extra hard to reach them.
 
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Wink is definitely awesome!

I know you no longer need these pictures @RunningwithScissors but I thought I'd post them anyways in case anyone else is curious to see a size comparison.

The three stone pendant is 5.2mm (.5ct) / 6.5mm (1ct) / 7.45 mm (1.5ct).
The two loose stones are 6.5mm (1ct) and 7mm (1.25ct).
All five are CZ. Four of them are round brilliants, the 7mm loose stone is transitional cut.

IMG_1408.JPG

IMG_1409.JPG
 
RunningwithScissors said:
And Wink at HPD was extremely generous and sent me two diamonds to see and feel their sizes in person. One is a 1.25 ct and one is a 1.5 ct. (These are weights I'm considering for an earring upgrade in the future.)

I'll try to post a photo of them side by side tomorrow, next to my 1 ct studs to show everyone the relative size comparison between these three sizes.

After looking at the diamonds, I've concluded there isn't enough of an increase between my current studs (1 ct each) and 1.25 ct ones. To be worth the hassle of trading in and increasing the size, I'll need to go up to at least 1.5 ct, and honestly a smidge more than that.

I'm not in a position to upgrade in the near future, this is project for down the road. But it really helps me to know what I'm shooting for, size-wise and $-wise. It gives me goals and makes me work extra hard to reach them.
Click to expand...

You just made an interesting point. I’d like a 1.30 RB since it will take me to about 7mm from my 1.02 which is about 6.59 and I thought visually I would certainly see a difference. That upgrade is way down the line and I don’t really want to go too much bigger since FH is attached to my current ER.
 
BMI said:
Wink is definitely awesome!

I know you no longer need these pictures @RunningwithScissors but I thought I'd post them anyways in case anyone else is curious to see a size comparison.

The three stone pendant is 5.2mm (.5ct) / 6.5mm (1ct) / 7.45 mm (1.5ct).
The two loose stones are 6.5mm (1ct) and 7mm (1.25ct).
All five are CZ. Four of them are round brilliants, the 7mm loose stone is transitional cut.

IMG_1408.JPG

IMG_1409.JPG
Click to expand...

Thanks BMI. I think everyone will find these photos very helpful.

I'll post some photos too later today.

Isn't PriceScope a wonderful resource? Diamond and jewelry enthusiasts from around the world helping each other. I love that these threads are archived for future reference.
 
BMI said:
Wink is definitely awesome!

I know you no longer need these pictures @RunningwithScissors but I thought I'd post them anyways in case anyone else is curious to see a size comparison.

The three stone pendant is 5.2mm (.5ct) / 6.5mm (1ct) / 7.45 mm (1.5ct).
The two loose stones are 6.5mm (1ct) and 7mm (1.25ct).
All five are CZ. Four of them are round brilliants, the 7mm loose stone is transitional cut.

IMG_1408.JPG

IMG_1409.JPG
Click to expand...

Great visual!
 
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Here are photos of the size variations among four CBI diamonds: 1 ct, 1.25 ct, 1.5 ct and 2.5 ct.

The 1 ct and 2.5 ct are ones I own. The 1.25 and 1.5 ct are loose and were sent to me by Wink at HPD to see how I like the size. Wink knows I am not ready to purchase now, and also knows that these particular diamonds are too warm for my complexion (I need an icy cool D.) He sent them strictly for me to get a feel for the size.

(How awesome that a diamond dealer sends loaner diamonds to test out? I didn't even ask, he just sent them! Can't beat that for customer service!)

The stats:

Diamond #1: D 1.078 ct, 6.64 - 6.65 x 4.03 mm, set in martini setting

Diamond #2: K 1.25 ct (I don't know the exact mm size), loose

Diamond #3 I 1.5 ct (I don't know the exact mm size), loose

Diamond #4 D 2.558 ct (8.77 - 8.8 x5.39 mm) set in solitaire engagement ring

(ALL photos were taken in natural daylight with my iPhone. They were taken on my kitchen countertop which is black granite, and I was wearing all black so as to reduce the amount of outside color the diamonds reflected.)



IMG_5410.jpg
 
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Here they are on their side. (I punched the back of my earring through the paper sheet they are resting on to make it lay down in the same direction as the loose ones.)

IMG_5436.jpg
 
I will post the ear shots tomorrow! Getting late now, I need my lavender bath and a good night sleep.

bubble-bath.jpg
 
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@Wink Now, this is a great game!
 
Wow. Not much of a difference at least from your photos (which I loved seeing the side by side comparison shots), between the 1 carat and the 1.25 at least from the face up photo. I was expecting more of a visual difference. Interesting....
 
Not a huge difference between the 1 ct and the 1.25 ct but there is a difference. The 1.5 ct might prove to be too big for me for every day wear though.

I remember holding up earrings of that size years ago and feeling like they were too much in your face. I think it also depends on hairstyle - if you hair is longer and you are getting glimpses of them through the hair, that's one thing. If your hair is shorter and you see the entirety of the stone with nothing covering it, they could arrive before the rest of you does - lol! We all have different tolerances though so just have to find the size that speaks to you.

Thanks to BMI and RWS for the size comparison pictures - it really does help to see a visual!
 
Here are the ear shots.

First let me say, I ADORE my current studs! I've worn them every single day since they arrived in February. They've lifted my spirits during this dark time. My husband smiles and his eyes twinkle every time he sees them too. They make us so happy!

The reason I'm considering an upgrade is because I love my current studs so much -- not because I'm unhappy with them. I love them and just want more of them!

[Note: the following photos are taken in my master bathroom and there is a slight green cast to everything because my walls are painted light green. NONE of the actual diamonds have any green tint.]

First up is my current 1.078 ct D VS1 stud (6.64 - 6.65 x 4.03 mm):


IMG_5450.jpg
 
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Finally, here are two pics of Wink's 1.5 ct I VS2 (7.34 - 7.37 x 4.53 mm) held up next to my stud:

[I'm posting two pics because they are taken at minutely different angles which makes Wink's diamond appear slightly different sizes .]

IMG_5463.jpg

IMG_5466.jpg
 
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What's my verdict?

My own personal view is that while I can see a small size increase in the 1.25 ct, it is not worth the hassle to upgrade just a fourth of a carat. I need at least the 1.5 ct and quite honestly, if budget would allow, I'd love to be in the 1.75 range. The only problem is that it is extremely difficult to find two CBIs (or any super ideals) between 1.5 ct and 2 ct. If I were to win the lottery I would go up to 2 ct. (4 ctw). But that is not in my real life budget! Most likely I will save up for the next many, many months and go with the 1.5 or hope for something very slightly higher (1.6?) if Wink/John/Paul/Lieve and the CBI team can find them for me.
 
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Based on the pictures I think you could do the 1.50 size but it would be a large investment. I also think you need to keep the size of your engagement room in mind too as I think of earrings as a compliment to the ring but not something you would want to compete with. However, that’s just my way of thinking and we all see things differently. I wish you all the best with saving and deciding - certainly something to be excited about for the future!
 
@RunningwithScissors, I am super jealous of your tiny ears. Lucky girl! Can your make a mold of your ear with clay or even play dough? One of the things that I think might make a difference is where the hole in your ear is and the amount of ear around the stud. IMO part of how we perceive size is the scale of the home where it will live, a bit like furniture placement. I do not like it when any part of the stud overlaps the edge of the ear, to me that reads as trying too hard.
 
RunningwithScissors said:
Here are the ear shots.

First let me say, I ADORE my current studs! I've worn them every single day since they arrived in February. They've lifted my spirits during this dark time. My husband smiles and his eyes twinkle every time he sees them too. They make us so happy!

The reason I'm considering an upgrade is because I love my current studs so much -- not because I'm unhappy with them. I love them and just want more of them!

[Note: the following photos are taken in my master bathroom and there is a slight green cast to everything because my walls are painted light green. NONE of the actual diamonds have any green tint.]

First up is my current 1.078 ct D VS1 stud (6.64 - 6.65 x 4.03 mm):


IMG_5450.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice!
 
cokitty said:
@RunningwithScissors, I am super jealous of your tiny ears. Lucky girl! Can your make a mold of your ear with clay or even play dough? One of the things that I think might make a difference is where the hole in your ear is and the amount of ear around the stud. IMO part of how we perceive size is the scale of the home where it will live, a bit like furniture placement. I do not like it when any part of the stud overlaps the edge of the ear, to me that reads as trying too hard.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your ear compliment. =)2

But honey, I'd have to buy 3 ct+ studs for the diamond to touch the edge of my ear!

In the photos where I'm holding up Wink's diamonds next to mine, my lobe is smushed and bends downward in a way that makes it appear to have less skin below the stud than it actually does. Even the photo of my solitary stud is taken from a weird angle (its so hard to photograph ears!) and thus doesn't show as much lobe as is actually there. In real life I've wiggle room!

PS: I've been meaning to tell you how much I LOVE your ring (avatar pic). Can you post the link to its story? I know I've seen it but can't find it now!
 
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MissGotRocks said:
Based on the pictures I think you could do the 1.50 size but it would be a large investment. I also think you need to keep the size of your engagement room in mind too as I think of earrings as a compliment to the ring but not something you would want to compete with. However, that’s just my way of thinking and we all see things differently. I wish you all the best with saving and deciding - certainly something to be excited about for the future!
Click to expand...

Thanks Miss Got Rocks!

I like having jewelry savings goals. If I have a plan, and can picture what I'm shooting for, it lights a fire under my backside to work hard at my side hustles (which fund the sparklies) and also to be thrifty in my daily life. When I don't have a goal in mind, I find I have less energy to go the extra mile in my work, and far less will power to say no to extras in daily life.

Its all good fun. And something to think about other than the nightly news and current darkness.
 
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