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What is your carat limit and why?

gregchang35 said:
i thought my 1ct generic asscher was big. then i paired it with my full eternity. that set is spot on.

i also have a 1.2ct generic asscher and i am happy that is my limit for a solitaire.
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You have my perspective. I like balance, I like to see some of that 1st phalanx.
 
This is merely the way my brain works, so consider me the weirdo I am as you read further. :lol:

I recently tried on a 1.8ct MRB, a 2.5ct OEC, a 3ct MRB, and a 6+ct MRB. My sweet spot was the 2.5ct. I’m now in my 50s and while my face may not look it, my hands do. And so I feel like the 3ct and 6+ct made me think my hands looked even older than normal. Why? (And here’s the weirdo part.) Because I personally have never known a younger woman to wear a diamond that large. It was always the more mature, established women with the big rocks. And I am anything but mature and only mildly established. LMAO! So I’m not “old enough” (in my brain) to pull off a huge rock. :razz:
 
I honestly think ~2 carat is my max, and I have a size 7.75 finger. I have big hands..but I find the height of larger stones annoying everyday.

I could maybe do a larger spready shape like a pear, or maybe even a halo to maintain the lower height
 
I got to try on an 8.5ct ring my jeweler had just finished making. It looks pretty silly on my stumpy fingers but that doesn't mean I wouldn't rock it if I had the chance, lol. My only limitation is $$$. I'm older than dirt so I figure I can get away with it.

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PearCraze said:
I recently purchased a beautiful upgrade, a 3ct cushion in a three stone setting. And although its gorgeous, and probably far bigger than anything I could have imagined, I still find myself gravitating towards bigger diamonds. I don't think it has to do with DSS, but really a feeling of luxury and size I am trying to achieve on my rather plump fingers. A constant barrage of massive diamonds on pubescent fingers plastered over luxury brand campaigns which have warped my idea of what diamond size actually looks like on the average size finger.
I made the mistake of trying on a 6.5ct radiant, 380k, at a local store, and it all went down hill from there.... it was massive, it looked double the size of the diamond I had on, and I finally felt "now this looks big"- it felt like luxury and the price tag reflected it. Of course I came rushing home, looked at finances... speculated on what small business I could start up, or invention I could come up with.. lol. My DH was amused and said "you know even if we were multi-millionaires, Im pretty sure you would stick to the carat size you have now". At first I was like.... DH you don't know me because I want that 6.5ct ring now....lol. But that comment gave me pause.... I realized that just because people can go larger doesn't mean that they do. When or why does the upgrading stop, and larger diamonds just become something to admire from afar?

So I wanted to ask all of you...... aside from financial reasons, what is your carat limit and why?
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I think I am really good at 3.66 Emerald cut ER and 3.00 studs.
I stalk celebrity engagement rings daily (its an obsession) and around 3 -4 seems the right size for a non celebrity as many "regular celebrities" have stones this size.
there are many that have much larger size but 3 stands up to the best of them
Is this important in my life not really but you asked
Lol so I am content with the size I have and no DSS I'm done
 
I’m more than content, actually sweet spot satisfied with my 3.35 EC w/ baguette side stones. It’s where luxe enough, and practical for my lifestyle, intersect. My eyes see great finger coverage and enough sparkle and presence without feeling over the top. Before purchasing my 3.35 I was looking at 4-4.5ct ECs but it felt like too much for me (PS collective gasp! :lol:). DG offers an upgrade policy so who knows. Maybe as I inch closer to 60 in 5.5 years I might succumb to the bigger is better itch. Right now, this feels just right. How do I know? I’m contemplating RHR colored gemstone projects for which I’ve never had urge. It feels like I’ve closed the door on e-ring upgrades.

I do however adore oohing and ahhing over all of your redesigns and upgrades! :kiss2:
 
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My limit would be that I do need to see a little skin on either side of my finger. I've tried on sizes where the diamond was wider than my finger and I disliked that immensely.
Not saying I can't change my mind when I get older. ;)
 
Sigh. I’ve been struggling with this for about a month. When I first got my upgrade I thought it was “too big”. Didn’t like it. I wore it for 2 weeks. Everyday. TWO weeks. And then it started to seem “smaller” and not just to me… but everyone around me. DSS is real and fast.

My MA literally said to me, “When I first saw it, I thought it was huge. Now it seems like a normal size”

So while I was previously thinking of a smaller stone for everyday wear, now I’m thinking maybe larger.

So my husband is gently researching stones to see if anything jumps out. Preliminary stages as we don’t even know what size would be “perfect”

The only thing he knows: he was the same setting and a RB.

I just don’t know the line between “too much.. and huge” and I think if you look at a diamond too much, you get used to it and perspective gets skewed.
 
RetroQT said:
This is merely the way my brain works, so consider me the weirdo I am as you read further. :lol:

I recently tried on a 1.8ct MRB, a 2.5ct OEC, a 3ct MRB, and a 6+ct MRB. My sweet spot was the 2.5ct. I’m now in my 50s and while my face may not look it, my hands do. And so I feel like the 3ct and 6+ct made me think my hands looked even older than normal. Why? (And here’s the weirdo part.) Because I personally have never known a younger woman to wear a diamond that large. It was always the more mature, established women with the big rocks. And I am anything but mature and only mildly established. LMAO! So I’m not “old enough” (in my brain) to pull off a huge rock. :razz:
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I know what you mean! When i was much younger I’d call hands with huge diamonds “realtor hands!”
 
This is a tough one- I have a 4ct EC and my in-laws/family still have no idea. Lol. It’s been 3 years. We live in an area where it’s not remotely uncommon - so I’m not standing out by any means. However - I don’t wear it around family or certain events. Anyone who knows me - knows I’m just obsessed w jewelry - period. It can be an estate $1k piece or me admiring a 1 million dollar Sotheby’s jewel. I am the first person to be your cheerleader w your purchase! I love all jewelry - regardless if it’s my own. Lol. I would love a 6ct EC (that would be the max I’m pretty sure) and white and long). Art Deco probably. I would also love a 4ct tops OEC bezel set and maybe H color. Not too white but that is white enough for me! I don’t wear my EC to certain things (I know if I’m so obsessed - you probably wonder why) but to be honest, I feel like it’s almost a respectful thing. We are very generous all around w family etc but not everyone gets or has the appreciation of spending so much money on such a luxury item. I get that. So I just try to be a bit mindful of that. There’s no right or wrong. Everyone does spend their money differently. So so true. My passion is jewelry. My husband gets it. #soblessed. His is golf! I get that! I’d rather spend it all on jewels versus all My friends clothes, bags and shoes! I have good ones but don’t need 20 bags when I can have my ER! Xoxo
 
allycat0303 said:
Sigh. I’ve been struggling with this for about a month. When I first got my upgrade I thought it was “too big”. Didn’t like it. I wore it for 2 weeks. Everyday. TWO weeks. And then it started to seem “smaller” and not just to me… but everyone around me. DSS is real and fast.

My MA literally said to me, “When I first saw it, I thought it was huge. Now it seems like a normal size”

So while I was previously thinking of a smaller stone for everyday wear, now I’m thinking maybe larger.

So my husband is gently researching stones to see if anything jumps out. Preliminary stages as we don’t even know what size would be “perfect”

The only thing he knows: he was the same setting and a RB.

I just don’t know the line between “too much.. and huge” and I think if you look at a diamond too much, you get used to it and perspective gets skewed.
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I agree that your mind gets used to it because you’re seeing it all the time but trust me that stone is huge and amazing and your fingers are so petite I don’t think you have much more finger real estate left!
 
Mreader said:
I agree that your mind gets used to it because you’re seeing it all the time but trust me that stone is huge and amazing and your fingers are so petite I don’t think you have much more finger real estate left!
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My mind is totally skewed to be honest. I feel 7 in this setting might be it… my husband is set on 10. He thinks 7 ends up in 10 in a few years so he prefers to do 10 now.

So we go back and forth. And then there’s the issue of what really becomes “suitable for everyday wear”. I don’t think I know anymore. I don’t think anyone cares/ notices what I wear so it becomes a question about what I like to see when I look down.

Still mulling it over, but it’s been a persistent discussion for last month.
 
allycat0303 said:
My mind is totally skewed to be honest. I feel 7 in this setting might be it… my husband is set on 10. He thinks 7 ends up in 10 in a few years so he prefers to do 10 now.

So we go back and forth. And then there’s the issue of what really becomes “suitable for everyday wear”. I don’t think I know anymore. I don’t think anyone cares/ notices what I wear so it becomes a question about what I like to see when I look down.

Still mulling it over, but it’s been a persistent discussion for last month.
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Can you get some CZs in those sizes to wear? What would concern me the most would just be the depth.
 
allycat0303 said:
My mind is totally skewed to be honest. I feel 7 in this setting might be it… my husband is set on 10. He thinks 7 ends up in 10 in a few years so he prefers to do 10 now.

So we go back and forth. And then there’s the issue of what really becomes “suitable for everyday wear”. I don’t think I know anymore. I don’t think anyone cares/ notices what I wear so it becomes a question about what I like to see when I look down.

Still mulling it over, but it’s been a persistent discussion for last month.
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Honestly, what you now have is huge and beautiful on your finger and the absolute largest I think you can wear in a round with halo without it looking ridiculous. I am being very blunt because I think you’d be making a major mistake to go larger than what you have, not to mention wasting a monumental amount of money to upgrade at this point in time. If you wanted a 7 ct emerald cut, that might work. But for a round with halo, you’re at the absolute max of what would look good on your finger. Just because you’re used to the size now (which is great) does not mean it needs to be larger. Your current ring is larger than 99.9% of engagement rings as it is. You need to think about safety as well. Please know that I genuinely care about you when I say all of this.
 
diamondseeker2006 said:
Honestly, what you now have is huge and beautiful on your finger and the absolute largest I think you can wear in a round with halo without it looking ridiculous. I am being very blunt because I think you’d be making a major mistake to go larger than what you have, not to mention wasting a monumental amount of money to upgrade at this point in time. If you wanted a 7 ct emerald cut, that might work. But for a round with halo, you’re at the absolute max of what would look good on your finger. Just because you’re used to the size now (which is great) does not mean it needs to be larger. Your current ring is larger than 99.9% of engagement rings as it is. You need to think about safety as well. Please know that I genuinely care about you when I say all of this.
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+100. A five carat diamond is large. Getting used to something doesn’t change the fact that it is large. I think if you went larger you would find it unwearable on a daily basis and that would be a shame. Is there another piece of jewelry that you would like to think about making? Might change your focus a bit and give you something else beautiful to think about and plan.
 
When I got my 2.3 ct AVR in 2013, it was at the high end size wise of my family and social circle. It took me awhile to feel comfortable wearing it, and as all the regulars know, it took me 8 years to decide on a setting!!! I loved the stone and really had no option to upgrade it to a larger version. So once it was set in the perfect (for me) setting, I became content with what I have. I wouldn’t want to wear a larger diamond not because of what local friends might think (they are nice and wouldn’t ever say anything mean!), but because I don’t want to feel like I am showing off or flaunting what I have. However, I do have PS friends that I could wear larger stones around, but those are rare and wonderful occasions! I do have the 2.7 ct antique asscher ring, so I have one for each daughter. So I chose two smaller diamond rings over one large one.

There are times, though, that I’d also like to have a classic Whiteflash ACA solitaire :lol:, and I think that would need to be between 2.5-3 cts max and F VS1 while I am dreaming. I have tried on 5-6 ct ECs before at an estate jeweler, and I would wear one of those if I felt like spending that kind of money. ECs and antique cushions are my favorite shapes for large stones. I get more pleasure these days collecting some designer jewelry that I love which adds a little variety to my diamond jewelry. So I can honestly say that money isn’t my limitation (to a degree). I just have a particular comfort level for the world in which I live.
 
It’s a soft plan at this point. Meaning I haven’t committed or decided. A 7 is only 1.5 mm more then a 5 by spread. So I’m not sure that would be hugely different.

I went home this weekend actually, first time with ring. And no one even remotely noticed the size. Except my brother’s wife. She said it seemed a little bigger then my original e ring and asked if it was a 3 carat. My parents/aunt commented it was more sparkly then my original ring, and my mom asked me if there was an upgrade policy in case I wanted to go up.

We will live with the idea for a bit and see where it settles. Right now, he’s just periodically browsing the inventory to see if a stone interests him. His constraint isn’t financial. He just wants to find whatever he considers to be the right stone.
 
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allycat0303 said:
It’s a soft plan at this point. Meaning I haven’t committed or decided. A 7 is only 1.5 mm more then a 5 by spread. So I’m not sure that would be hugely different.

I went home this weekend actually, first time with ring. And no one even remotely noticed the size. Except my brother’s wife. She said it seemed a little bigger then my original e ring and asked if it was a 3 carat. My parents/aunt commented it was more sparkly then my original ring, and my mom asked me if there was an upgrade policy in case I wanted to go up.

We will live with the idea for a bit and see where it settles. Right now, he’s just periodically browsing the inventory to see if a stone interests him. His constraint isn’t financial. He just wants to find whatever he considers to be the right stone.
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I have a suggestion, if you do have the itch to go bigger and financial constraints aren’t really a thing, would you rather save up to get a huge ring (7 or 10, whichever) in addition to your engagement ring? Of course it would take longer, but it would mean that you could have the best of both worlds, ie a ring that fits your current lifestyle (and is very large!) and a bigger one for special occasions. And then you could get it in a different setting, since you’ll already have the large stone in a halo. You could also perhaps do a different shape. You can then wear both (one on each hand) at special occasions, or wear the larger one only. If you get used to the size of the larger one and feel like you actually can rock a 10ct daily, you can turn your 5ct into a different piece of jewelry (perhaps a pendant) or sell it at that time.
 
allycat0303 said:
My mind is totally skewed to be honest. I feel 7 in this setting might be it… my husband is set on 10. He thinks 7 ends up in 10 in a few years so he prefers to do 10 now.

So we go back and forth. And then there’s the issue of what really becomes “suitable for everyday wear”. I don’t think I know anymore. I don’t think anyone cares/ notices what I wear so it becomes a question about what I like to see when I look down.

Still mulling it over, but it’s been a persistent discussion for last month.
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I’ve been to your thread and had a look at your photos. The current ring in its halo covers your entire finger. It’s incredibly beautiful and totally huge. Frankly, just my opinion, anything bigger would go from giant but stunning to a gaudy parody.

There IS such a thing as too big - especially in modern brilliants. You could get away with bigger in an antique cut or emerald cut. But I think any bigger than that stone in that shape and setting would just look, frankly, tacky - despite the enormous amount of money you would have spent on it.
 
4 carats. That’s it for me.
 
AllAboardTheBlingTrain said:
I have a suggestion, if you do have the itch to go bigger and financial constraints aren’t really a thing, would you rather save up to get a huge ring (7 or 10, whichever) in addition to your engagement ring? Of course it would take longer, but it would mean that you could have the best of both worlds, ie a ring that fits your current lifestyle (and is very large!) and a bigger one for special occasions. And then you could get it in a different setting, since you’ll already have the large stone in a halo. You could also perhaps do a different shape. You can then wear both (one on each hand) at special occasions, or wear the larger one only. If you get used to the size of the larger one and feel like you actually can rock a 10ct daily, you can turn your 5ct into a different piece of jewelry (perhaps a pendant) or sell it at that time.
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It’s such a nice idea but I don’t wear anything else. Not even earrings. My ears aren’t pierced! I do on occasion wear some VCA bracelets (sweet) but only when I operate because I believe it’s good luck. My husband doesn’t have to save up for a new size, so it’s not a limiting factor. I don’t have the lifestyle of special occasions. I just work. That’s pretty much it. It’s been that way for the last 20 years and isn’t going to change.

I don’t have strong feelings about this. He’s going to look around, and I’ll leave the decision up to him. For us, we don’t worry much about gaudy/tacky/ what others think. He sees it on me, and either likes it or doesn’t. At this point in our lives, we just do what makes us happy.
 
allycat0303 said:
My mind is totally skewed to be honest. I feel 7 in this setting might be it… my husband is set on 10. He thinks 7 ends up in 10 in a few years so he prefers to do 10 now.

So we go back and forth. And then there’s the issue of what really becomes “suitable for everyday wear”. I don’t think I know anymore. I don’t think anyone cares/ notices what I wear so it becomes a question about what I like to see when I look down.

Still mulling it over, but it’s been a persistent discussion for last month.
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Your ring is stunning! It's beautiful and huge. Any larger would span more than your finger. Here is a picture of a 10ct MRB without a halo. I'm not sure of the ring size but I would venture it's larger than yours. I am all for doing exactly what one pleases but I really question if this would be suitable daily wear for a surgeon even if on a chain. The diameter of a 10ct stone is almost the same as the diameter of a size 3.5 ring. Pricescopers often speak about ring pops but this would be getting close to literal ring pop size.

Screenshot_20220412-083215_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
I like this thread! It's fun reading all the responses.

I've been thinking about it, and I'm at my carat/finger coverage/spending limit with my current ring, which is a 3ct EC that measures 9.94 x 7.16 mm (I feel like I'm cheating if I say 10x7 lol).

I feel really lucky to have it, but it definitely makes me feel uncomfortable and self-conscious at times. And there are definitely many occasions when I will not wear my ring. I feel similar to @Emeraldcutlover . I've realized that I enjoy wearing my ring the most when I'm by myself, or around other people who can afford something similar, or going somewhere fancy like a nice dinner or a high end jewelry store. I don't like wearing my ring when I'm around other people who make a lot less than me and would never be able to afford it (e.g. around some extended family members, volunteer charity events, etc.). I'm sure a lot of this is in my head and this could apply to many things in life, but I don't want to make someone else feel bad about what they can and can't afford. It's not like I work any harder than someone holding down multiple working class jobs to support a family, I'm just lucky to have a good job that pays well.

Anyway! That's not to say that I don't plan on spending more $$ on luxury items, because I definitely have a wish list I'm slowly working towards. But for me, I've realized that just because you can, doesn't mean you should. There is definitely a carat/price limit that I'm comfortable with, and it's a nice thing to have arrived there and not be constantly chasing the next what-if, because that's just a never-ending pursuit =)2
 
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I had another thought to add to my earlier response about not really having any appreciable limit, size wise. Most of my thoughts apply to wearing a stone in a solitaire setting. I think in a halo or 3 stone setting there’s definitely a point where I’m like :shock::shock: and it’s a lot earlier than a solitaire.

For example, my mom has this ring which she rarely wears anymore now that she got her anniversary ring, but that she wore for many years. It’s a 2ct EC with a thick baguette halo, can’t remember the dimensions. I don’t know if it’s because the EC is one of the prettiest ones I’ve ever seen (icy WHITE and beautifully cut) or because the baguette halo adds so much size that that 2ct takes up as much space on the finger as a 5.5-6ct or something; but I feel like that 2ct is more in your face than i would usually consider a 2ct. And I am the person who was totally comfortable with the idea of a 3.3ct round in a (super delicate) double halo as a daily ring, by the way. I still think I could rock a 10ct EC everyday, but it would have to be as a solitaire. I can’t even imagine that with accent stones.
 
dk168 said:
You can get a CZ version of this brooch, and I am very tempted just for the fun of it!

DK :lol-2:
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Oh I want one! From where? Maybe I’ll be the queen for Halloween!
 
allycat0303 said:
It’s a soft plan at this point. Meaning I haven’t committed or decided. A 7 is only 1.5 mm more then a 5 by spread. So I’m not sure that would be hugely different.

I went home this weekend actually, first time with ring. And no one even remotely noticed the size. Except my brother’s wife. She said it seemed a little bigger then my original e ring and asked if it was a 3 carat. My parents/aunt commented it was more sparkly then my original ring, and my mom asked me if there was an upgrade policy in case I wanted to go up.

We will live with the idea for a bit and see where it settles. Right now, he’s just periodically browsing the inventory to see if a stone interests him. His constraint isn’t financial. He just wants to find whatever he considers to be the right stone.
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All that really matters is that you and your husband are happy with whatever you choose to do. I'm sure everyone on the forum just wants the best for you. And if you upgrade, I'll be excited to see the pictures.
 
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