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What is your carat limit and why?

My biggest diamond is a 1.94ct MRB that is set in a bangle as I don't like MRBs as rings. This was given to me by my mum with the intention to be set as a ring.

I would dearly love to have a 2ct OEC as a ring, however, I do not wish to buy a diamond (earth-mined or LGD) that can trump my 1.19ct E VS1 EC that I bought as a 40th birthday present for myself some years ago (it has huge sentimental value and a sob story attached to it).

I am eyeing LGD OECs around 1.1ct mark to be set as a RHR.

If and when I need bling power, I would reach for my CS and pearl rings as some of them are whoppers (to me at least).

The number of occasions to wear my nicer blings had been far and between in the past few years. However, this is likely to change as I have joined a big international charitable organisation that has lots of social functions, including formal dinners with black tie dress code.

DK :))
 
4.5ct for me, if it's a round. I once owned a 5.3ct OEC and it looked silly on me. It just sat too high.

I like rings that are either long (running up and down the finger) or wide (running side to side). But not both. I currently have a 4.05ct round and would love to turn it into a 3 stone so it runs full side-to-side.

I'm always on these boards, banging on about "proportion, proportion, proportion". A ring is nothing more than an accessory. It needs to look good on your body and complement you. So - of course - there's a limit where it ceases to look good and just starts to look odd.

HOWEVER - having said that.....

If you're into diamonds/gems for their own sake, rather than trying to make them complement *you* - then I say have at it! If I owned the Hope Diamond, for instance, and my only options were - wear it, or carry it around in a little perspex box so I could admire it whenever I want - I'm pretty sure I'd find some way to get that sucker onto my body!!

I do think, tho, there's a point where diamonds/gems need to in things other than rings to look good, given that our digits are fairly small appendages. I'll also probably go to my grave, wondering why bigger is necessarily better. I mean - you have 2 diamonds: both are colorless, eye clean, super ideal cut. One is 1/2 a ct, one is 5ct. Inherently, why would one be better than the other? And I'm not moralizing here - I am simply curious and always have been. 10,000 posts on PriceScope, and still asking myself that most basic of questions....

Good thread, @PearCraze. :))
 
I forgot to mention that I am in the process of having my 1.19ct EC re-set in the setting that I have always wanted, from this:

ecreset_d.jpg

To this with no millgrain, plain shank 4mm at the top, with an added air gap/line between the main stone and the surrounding diamonds:

rt-101.jpg

The current setting is not substantial in that the shank near the top is not solid, and I had bent it horrendously out of shape during one drunken and very rowdy night out! :oops2:

This is the main reason why I am resetting it - to make it more secure. I thought I might as well reset completely and change the design, instead of just having a more solid shank.

The new design will provide more/better finger coverage and bling power. :lol-2:

I am meeting Simon Wright who made my bangle with the 1.94ct MRB in early May 2022 to discuss how to progress with this reset.

DK =)2
 
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Daisys and Diamonds said:
I did not know that
we could wear it for the long jubilee weekend lunch thing you guys are doing :appl: :appl: :appl: :appl: :appl: :appl: :appl:
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Not for me, as a brooch like that would look very odd with the rest of my camping attire of shorts, Hawaiian shirt and Crocs, along with unstyled hair (I can't be bothered to dry my hair and wear a simple Alice band instead)!!! :lol-2:

DK :))
 
dk168 said:
Not for me, as a brooch like that would look very odd with the rest of my camping attire of shorts, Hawaiian shirt and Crocs, along with unstyled hair (I can't be bothered to dry my hair and wear a simple Alice band instead)!!! :lol-2:

DK :))
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I wear shorts all year around

Yes, sometime in winter i am cold
and i tuck my hair into a cap wjen i go out
....hmm i could wear the Cullinan diamonds pinned to my cap :lol-2:
 
PearCraze said:
So I wanted to ask all of you...... aside from financial reasons, what is your carat limit and why?
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Depends on the shape.
And I never say never.
I would need to try it on and decide if it was the right carat weight for me.
But I like them BIG. And beautiful and bright.

As an example, this emerald cut is purrrfect. IMO.

20.75deliciouscaratsofemeraldgoodness.jpg

It's over 20 carats but you can go bigger for fancy shapes. Just saying. 8)
 
I personally believe lifestyle and social circle play a part in deciding what I am comfortable in wearing.

I would not feel comfortable wearing the 20ct+ EC posted by @missy to go grocery shopping in an old banger of a car, or to meet up with friends for drinks on Friday at a local watering hole dressed casually.

It would feel rather show off to me even if I can afford it.

DK :))
 
dk168 said:
I personally believe lifestyle and social circle play a part in deciding what I am comfortable in wearing.

I would not feel comfortable wearing the 20ct+ EC posted by @missy to go grocery shopping in an old banger of a car, or to meet up with friends for drinks on Friday at a local watering hole dressed casually.

It would feel rather show off to me even if I can afford it.

DK :))
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I wear what I want to please me and no one else.
Including bling.

I am a big believer in doing what makes you comfortable. In this case there is no right or wrong.

And as Dr Seuss likes to say...

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”— Dr. Seuss


"Life is too short to waste any amount of time on wondering what other people think about you. In the first place, if they had better things going on in their lives, they wouldn’t have the time to sit around and talk about you. What’s important to me is not others’ opinions of me, but what’s important to me is my opinion of myself.”
 
missy said:
I wear what I want to please me and no one else.
Including bling.

I am a big believer in doing what makes you comfortable. In this case there is no right or wrong.

And as Dr Seuss likes to say...

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”— Dr. Seuss


"Life is too short to waste any amount of time on wondering what other people think about you. In the first place, if they had better things going on in their lives, they wouldn’t have the time to sit around and talk about you. What’s important to me is not others’ opinions of me, but what’s important to me is my opinion of myself.”
Click to expand...

Yes to that, however, I am more conscientious about my surroundings and companies when it comes to bling for some reasons.

DK :))
 
Ionysis said:
I tried on an amazing 5ct step cut a couple of years ago as a potential upgrade and I have to say it was just too much. My current stone is a 4ct radiant in a three stone and I honestly thought the 5ct would have me swooning but I just felt it was soooooo ostentatious that I put it back without (much) regret.

DE57865D-9F99-48D3-A7E5-BFF33EC191F0.jpeg888C7D18-36D2-4A33-8CD0-56B8643DF221.jpeg
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I think that looks fabulous on you!
 
Mreader said:
LOL I have said that!
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I actually said that to three friends about my much smaller antique asscher. I think it’s 2.17 ctw but it has lots of junk in the trunk because of the old cut. It appears like a 1.5 face up..That’s very large for my friends. If I wore my other two rings when I’m with them I would feel uncomfortable.
 
FL_runner said:
I’m the same!
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I guess I don't mind being considered as an eccentric (and I know I am), however, I don't like to be considered as a show-off.

I remember attending a function some years ago, and one lady was wearing lots of jewellery. As soon as she was out of ear-shot, others would comment about her being a show off and the jewellery were all CZs from the likes of QVC etc...

DK :))
 
For the right diamond the limit does not exist! Haha! For myself and my own budget a nice but bold halo has done the trick, for now.
 
For me, Bella is my limit for a round, at 4.56cts I think it’s the perfect size on my size 6.75 finger. I don’t even notice the size anymore.

784095


770151
 
I prefer around 1.5 ct for an asscher, or 1.2 for a round.
For the same carat weight, Asschers face up smaller than rounds.

I used to wear a 2.26 generic asscher and, while is was beautiful, I sometimes felt a bit self conscious about its size.
Today I wear a 1.51 ct Octavia asscher and it's the perfect size for me.

If I find myself in a place/situation where I have any concern for my safety I'll still spin the ring around so the stone is facing in.
 
kenny said:
I prefer around 1.5 ct for an asscher, or 1.2 for a round.
For the same carat weight, Asschers face up smaller than rounds.

I used to wear a 2.26 generic asscher and, while is was beautiful, I sometimes felt a bit self conscious about its size.
Today I wear a 1.51 ct Octavia asscher and it's the perfect size for me.

If I find myself in a place/situation where I have any concern for my safety I'll still spin the ring around so the stone is facing in.
Click to expand...

I do the same thing! I’m a serial spinner!
 
I own/wear a 4.93 ct OEC and a 3.33 MRB but I could handle wearing this (my dream) stunning 7 ct OEC with no problem!

www.hancocks-london.com

7.09ct Brilliant Cut Tapered Baguette Diamond Ring | Hancocks London

Old European brilliant cut diamond engagement ring with tapered baguette shoulders & band of round diamonds all set in platinum & 18ct gold by Hancocks London
www.hancocks-london.com www.hancocks-london.com
 
Ceilimom said:
Right there with you. When I saw the question, my immediate thought was” why does there have to be a limit “? Of course monetarily , this is my limit on any further big stone purchases. Of course there’s my husband, he keeps worrying that I will get mugged coming out of our house:eek2: .
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For me probably 8.5 mm. I have a 8.2 mm OEC and I rarely wear it. I like low set rings and the bigger the stone, the deeper and therefore the settings are higher. I'm still trying to figure out a new setting for the OEC so it sits lower and then perhaps I'll wear it more. So for me, it's not about carat weight, but dimensions.
 
dk168 said:
I guess I don't mind being considered as an eccentric (and I know I am), however, I don't like to be considered as a show-off.

I remember attending a function some years ago, and one lady was wearing lots of jewellery. As soon as she was out of ear-shot, others would comment about her being a show off and the jewellery were all CZs from the likes of QVC etc...

DK :))
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They’re jealous!!!!!!!
 
Ceilimom said:
They’re jealous!!!!!!!
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The lady in question was kind of obnoxious too in her behaviours and mannerisms, very boostful, if you know what I mean.

DK :))
 
Lookinagain said:
For me probably 8.5 mm. I have a 8.2 mm OEC and I rarely wear it. I like low set rings and the bigger the stone, the deeper and therefore the settings are higher. I'm still trying to figure out a new setting for the OEC so it sits lower and then perhaps I'll wear it more. So for me, it's not about carat weight, but dimensions.
Click to expand...

I too like my jewellery set as low as possible.

The ones that are high are my three pearl rings (a Tahitian, a WSS and a SoC) and they are seldom worn as I worry about damaging them. They only ever come out when I attend very sedate event like a meal or a funeral! :roll2::lol-2:

DK :))
 
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