What have you regretted sacrificing?

[Rhea]

Interesting to hear your experience. We always hear that Europeans are happy with smaller diamonds. But your friends wish they had gone bigger. Maybe it’s a generational shift?

We have a lot of US tv and media here so while saying you want Housewives big is distasteful, it's still perfectly possible to normalise seeing a certain size. DSS is a worldwide phenomenon.

I agree, a generational shift everywhere. In the 50s my grandmother had a maybe a tenth carat, in the 70s my mother had a quarter carat. In general things are getting bigger everywhere.

I wonder how many people answered this poll about their original ring. We're a very skewed bunch here with multiple upgrades and multiple rings.

 

[FL_runner]

I do think social media and things like reality TV have influenced tastes.

I do think there have always been “jewelry people” though! My mom loves jewelry though and would be such a PSer if she was into technology she and my father were engaged without a ring, which she didnt mind at all, but when she progressed in her career she bought a gorgeous diamond at an estate auction and designed her dream ring (a pear which inspired me), then slowly put together a high quality capsule jewelry collection with a local jeweler in her preferred 18kt YG. Never a lot of items, always well thought out, suited her taste/style and worn often! Now that I’m older I feel sorry for all the $$ I spent on costume jewelry in my 20s- I should have followed her example earlier!!

 

[rainydaze]

Great thread! Very useful information and it's nice to people's experiences in one place.

For me: shape.

I started out with exactly what I asked for - a princess cut in a platinum setting. I didn't really know about cut, color, or clarity. I figured he'd set the budget that worked for him and I was good with whatever size his budget allowed for.

The diamond I received didn't have a great cut, and it was an EGL I. The tint really came to bother me as well as the suspicion it was lacking in 'pretty'. I tried a reset into a blingy, well-made, hand-forged, hand-engraved setting which was amazing, but it didn't make up for my lack-of-love for the diamond.

I was/am happy with what I traded it in for. I didn't have to sacrifice on anything - the size is right for me (1.36 ct), the color and clarity are awesome (G/VS1), and the cut is a beautiful OEC which is what I wanted. The only thing is that round diamonds are not especially flattering on my hands - squares, pears, cushions, rectangles all look better. However, I didn't want to sacrifice performance and beauty, and for me the OECs and ideal mrbs offered the most in that regard. (I might have opted for an Octavia had that been on my radar at the time, however the face-up spread as compared to rounds at the same price point might have swayed me away.)

I recently got a new ring (while keeping the OEC) and I went straight for a three-stone with WF ACAs. Didn't even hesitate or consider getting something in the shapes that flatter me more, because I first had to have ideal cuts and a three-stone (which is quite flattering to my hand, so it covered that.) No regrets there either - had to be ACAs, had to be VS2 or better, and I played around with color vs. size until I found a center diamond that blew my socks off. I went in thinking lower color and larger, and I ended up higher color and smaller... interestingly the three stones are all G/VS1 so I've got some consistency going!

So, while I seriously lust after some of the gorgeous octavia, emerald, asscher, and pear rings here on PS, I know in my heart I have covered the ones that will please me most. The solitaire OEC still looks a bit odd on my hand, but the diamond is so pretty that I soon forget about it. (I am still looking at a reset to help with that.) I am good at compromise, though, so I am happy to figure out the order of my priorities (cut, then budget, then color, then clarity, then size) and adjust the elements as necessary... which has left me without any real regret.

ETA: on the three-stone ring I also wasn't willing to sacrifice an excellent trade-up policy that is super easy (I am not good at selling on my own or negotiating trade-ins) with a company I felt as confident as possible would be around a long time and would have a good selection. I love everything about this ring, but I have also learned that I do enjoy change.

 

[Cerulean]

Great thread! Very useful information and it's nice to people's experiences in one place.

For me: shape.

I started out with exactly what I asked for - a princess cut in a platinum setting. I didn't really know about cut, color, or clarity. I figured he'd set the budget that worked for him and I was good with whatever size his budget allowed for.

The diamond I received didn't have a great cut, and it was an EGL I. The tint really came to bother me as well as the suspicion it was lacking in 'pretty'. I tried a reset into a blingy, well-made, hand-forged, hand-engraved setting which was amazing, but it didn't make up for my lack-of-love for the diamond.

I was/am happy with what I traded it in for. I didn't have to sacrifice on anything - the size is right for me (1.36 ct), the color and clarity are awesome (G/VS1), and the cut is a beautiful OEC which is what I wanted. The only thing is that round diamonds are not especially flattering on my hands - squares, pears, cushions, rectangles all look better. However, I didn't want to sacrifice performance and beauty, and for me the OECs and ideal mrbs offered the most in that regard. (I might have opted for an Octavia had that been on my radar at the time, however the face-up spread as compared to rounds at the same price point might have swayed me away.)

I recently got a new ring (while keeping the OEC) and I went straight for a three-stone with WF ACAs. Didn't even hesitate or consider getting something in the shapes that flatter me more, because I first had to have ideal cuts and a three-stone (which is quite flattering to my hand, so it covered that.) No regrets there either - had to be ACAs, had to be VS2 or better, and I played around with color vs. size until I found a center diamond that blew my socks off. I went in thinking lower color and larger, and I ended up higher color and smaller... interestingly the three stones are all G/VS1 so I've got some consistency going!

So, while I seriously lust after some of the gorgeous octavia, emerald, asscher, and pear rings here on PS, I know in my heart I have covered the ones that will please me most. The solitaire OEC still looks a bit odd on my hand, but the diamond is so pretty that I soon forget about it. (I am still looking at a reset to help with that.) I am good at compromise, though, so I am happy to figure out the order of my priorities (cut, then budget, then color, then clarity, then size) and adjust the elements as necessary... which has left me without any real regret.

ETA: on the three-stone ring I also wasn't willing to sacrifice an excellent trade-up policy that is super easy (I am not good at selling on my own or negotiating trade-ins) with a company I felt as confident as possible would be around a long time and would have a good selection. I love everything about this ring, but I have also learned that I do enjoy change.

Can you share pictures of your rings? I’m curious!

 

[rainydaze]

Can you share pictures of your rings? I’m curious!

Sure! Happy to oblige!

The three-stone has a 1.17ct center and .3 sides. Platinum, made by DK, size 7.5 (though I have gained some weight since getting it, so it isn't nice and loose as I like).

The OEC is 1.36ct. I had it resized from 6.25 for 7.5 and it made it a lot higher.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

I have owned A LOT of diamonds over the years. The only two "Cs" I care about are cut quality and clarity. I love a fiery diamond, no fire, not for me. I can deal with a "bluffy" diamond, but not carbon. My eyes can easily spot it without a loup. Earrings, necklace, fine. But not a ring. It'll drive me crazy.

 

[Cerulean]

Sure! Happy to oblige!

The three-stone has a 1.17ct center and .3 sides. Platinum, made by DK, size 7.5 (though I have gained some weight since getting it, so it isn't nice and loose as I like).

The OEC is 1.36ct. I had it resized from 6.25 for 7.5 and it made it a lot higher.

Wow I love both of these! They look great - we have really similar size / shape fingers too, actually! So I really appreciate you sharing pics

your OEC is gorgeous BTW

 

[rainydaze]

Wow I love both of these! They look great - we have really similar size / shape fingers too, actually! So I really appreciate you sharing pics

your OEC is gorgeous BTW

Thank you!!
I am excited to see where you land with your reset. I hope you continue to share the details as you have with your other projects. I have enjoyed following along, and the results!

 

[PreRaphaelite]

I have owned A LOT of diamonds over the years. The only two "Cs" I care about are cut quality and clarity. I love a fiery diamond, no fire, not for me. I can deal with a "bluffy" diamond, but not carbon. My eyes can easily spot it without a loup. Earrings, necklace, fine. But not a ring. It'll drive me crazy.

This. 100% this.
Well said!

 

[wifelife]

This is kind of a different perspective...

My original engagement ring was a 1.5ct lab diamond in my favourite setting (jbeg sophie with pave). I loved it at first, but ultimately the lab diamond was not mind clean for me. I initially thought it would not bother me which is why I went in that direction.

I stopped wearing the ring, and lost it along the way. Which makes me sad. DH was happy for me to upgrade, but we would have kept the ring and set a sapphire into it and put the stone in a pendant.

I lived without a ring for a while, then the bug hit me. My 'upgrade' is a natural diamond, but smaller (1ct). My original ring was platinum, which I came to really dislike on my skin. So went with a rose gold solitaire which matched mine and my DH's wedding bands.

So, what I have ended up with is a sacrifice in carat size and a cheaper setting but I have no regrets at all with this second ring. I do wish I had of just gone natural initially, but that is all a part of the learning experience right?

 

[Cerulean]

Thank you!!
I am excited to see where you land with your reset. I hope you continue to share the details as you have with your other projects. I have enjoyed following along, and the results!

Ahh thank you! I will definitely keep the forum posted. I am forever indecisive! I may cycle through a few more ideas yet

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

I do think social media and things like reality TV have influenced tastes.

I do think there have always been “jewelry people” though! My mom loves jewelry though and would be such a PSer if she was into technology she and my father were engaged without a ring, which she didnt mind at all, but when she progressed in her career she bought a gorgeous diamond at an estate auction and designed her dream ring (a pear which inspired me), then slowly put together a high quality capsule jewelry collection with a local jeweler in her preferred 18kt YG. Never a lot of items, always well thought out, suited her taste/style and worn often! Now that I’m older I feel sorry for all the $$ I spent on costume jewelry in my 20s- I should have followed her example earlier!!

Think you’re right. some people have said that they felt pressured to go for >2 carats because of social media and then they ended up liking something smaller.

Now that moissanite and lab grown are getting more popular, I have seen several posts from young women asking if their large LGD or moissy is too bling. I hope that as durable rainbow sparkles become more affordable in all their forms, there will be more sparkle all around.

 

[dk168]

Nothing, 1.19ct E VS1 with a great cut and a longer shape that I like, HRD certified, purchased from Diamondhouse in Antwerp back in 2005, and chose the stone in person out of 3 brought in for me to assess.

The original setting was not to my liking as I was rather green at the time about what like and dislike in settings except for the stone to be bezel-set. Now addressed in the form of a new setting.

DK

 

[ZestfullyBling]

I diamonds, especially fancies.

I would say size, then shape
If I would have just spent that extra whatever to get the size/shape I really wanted initially, would have saved me alot of funds down the road.
Cut is most important to me, then if stone is eyeclean or not.

 

[nala]

Every time I look at an elongated diamond—I crave the one thing my round can’t give me. And that craving is getting stronger and stronger. But then I remind myself that I have no idea who an emerald cut will perform like and that I can’t take that risk. So I guess that my regret is shape— sometimes.
I have my holy grail stone that I arrived at last year. Prior to that my regrets were
Cut bc I didn’t know about PS before my first stone. Then I found PS and read that color is masked by cut, so I started to think how much bigger can I go if i give up color so I dropped to an I and got an almost ideal cut diamond (hca and idealscope) but the regret came back when the tint really bothered me. So I guess it’s been a rocky road and I’ve experienced every type of regret. But for now, I will not trade in my round. I would have to play around with an emerald for a good two years to know if it’s my one ring.

 

[Cerulean]

Every time I look at an elongated diamond—I crave the one thing my round can’t give me. And that craving is getting stronger and stronger. But then I remind myself that I have no idea who an emerald cut will perform like and that I can’t take that risk. So I guess that my regret is shape— sometimes.
I have my holy grail stone that I arrived at last year. Prior to that my regrets were
Cut bc I didn’t know about PS before my first stone. Then I found PS and read that color is masked by cut, so I started to think how much bigger can I go if i give up color so I dropped to an I and got an almost ideal cut diamond (hca and idealscope) but the regret came back when the tint really bothered me. So I guess it’s been a rocky road and I’ve experienced every type of regret. But for now, I will not trade in my round. I would have to play around with an emerald for a good two years to know if it’s my one ring.

I tooootally get this with the elongated stones! They speak to me! Especially moval / pear.
One day maybe you’ll get your emerald so you can have an alternate to your gorgeous MRB!

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Sure! Happy to oblige!

The three-stone has a 1.17ct center and .3 sides. Platinum, made by DK, size 7.5 (though I have gained some weight since getting it, so it isn't nice and loose as I like).

The OEC is 1.36ct. I had it resized from 6.25 for 7.5 and it made it a lot higher.

I love this setting for the OEC . Is this David Klass as well?

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

I may have sacrificed dental work for a diamond. Is that a category?

 

[rainydaze]

I love this setting for the OEC . Is this David Klass as well?

Thank you! No, the setting for the OEC is by James Meyer.

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Thank you! No, the setting for the OEC is by James Meyer.

I'm going to look him up. Those shoulders are fabulous, just the right amount of detail. And I love the bezel.

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

I have owned A LOT of diamonds over the years. The only two "Cs" I care about are cut quality and clarity. I love a fiery diamond, no fire, not for me. I can deal with a "bluffy" diamond, but not carbon. My eyes can easily spot it without a loup. Earrings, necklace, fine. But not a ring. It'll drive me crazy.

I've heard the term "bluffy" before. What does this mean to someone in the trade, please?

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

I've heard the term "bluffy" before. What does this mean to someone in the trade, please?

To me, it's eye clean enough that the inclusions don't "bother" me. When selling we stick with GIA grades, this is a personal descriptor for me. I like stones like this for earrings, necklaces, or even a ring depending on a case by case basis.