Didnt your ring come witha GIA certificate? I was told to NEVER buy a ring without a GIA certificate.
GIA invented the grading system. Stores like Tiffany's and Cartier will only sell GIA certified diamonds. their standards are very strict and they are highly respected within the jewelry industry worldwide.
I told my FH a long time ago, please please please... I want a GIA certified diamond. I got one
akajt98
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Re: Your Ring.....
We also went with quality over size. We made sure that the stone was GIA certified, because fact is it is a big investment so IMO you should know exactly what you are buying and having the GIA cert, just made us feel more comfortable with the purchase.
I do know for the $$ spent I could have had a much big stone with less quality, but we agreed that bigger wasn't necessarily better.
I have a 1.8 carat Asscher center stone, VVS2, G color, and simply love it!
SomethingBlu
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Re: Your Ring.....
Posted by Soon2BeMrs.S Did anyone get a diamond w/ a lesser clarity for a bigger stone? If you did are you happy with it? Is it true an I3 doesn't sparkel? Please help!
To answer your original question. No, I would not sacrifice quality for quantity. So I received a smaller stone because I wanted a certain 'grade'. But that's my preference. I have to wear my ring and you have to wear yours...I don't like big and flashy and because I have a certain cut, my DH couldn't really get anything above a certain grade because it wouldn't be worth it (there's a reason why certain retailers don't sell above a certain grade, not worth the money). As far as the I3...I will be very honest. You CAN see inclusions (black spots [carbon] within the stone) and depending on the color, you may even see hints of yellow/brown. As for sparkle, out of the '4 C's' the one that effects it the most is cut. How it's cut is as important as what clarity and color it is. But as a general rule, the lower the clarity, the duller the stone will be. Click here for a GIA tutorial...
Good luck!
ETA: Diasource.com has a chart explaining the '4 C's'...I3 (usually not sold) is 'I3 Included #3 Obvious inclusions. Very easy to locate with the unaided eye.'
Goldi1021
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Re: Your Ring.....
I would rather have a perfect smaller ring than a larger yellow one. My ring has a 1.35 center stone and 2 .30 side stones and all I know is that when I am driving, the inside of my car looks like a disco with sparkles all over the place.
dgtlsunshine
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Posted by Goldi1021
and all I know is that when I am driving, the inside of my car looks like a disco with sparkles all over the place.
leighdvm
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I definitely wouldn't sacrifice quality over quantity. I am lucky to have both a large stone and great clarity and cut, but if I had the choice, I'd choose better clarity.
mka06
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It's a personal choice -- some people prefer larger rings, some people care more about the quality of the stone. You should go with whatever will make you happy since you have to wear it every day!
m&m2005
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Posted by Goldi1021
all I know is that when I am driving, the inside of my car looks like a disco with sparkles all over the place.
I am like a little kid when that happens.... puts a smile on my face everytime!!!!!
akaMrsT
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Posted by SomethingBlu
Posted by Soon2BeMrs.S Did anyone get a diamond w/ a lesser clarity for a bigger stone? If you did are you happy with it? Is it true an I3 doesn't sparkel? Please help!
To answer your original question. No, I would not sacrifice quality for quantity. So I received a smaller stone because I wanted a certain 'grade'. But that's my preference. I have to wear my ring and you have to wear yours...I don't like big and flashy and because I have a certain cut, my DH couldn't really get anything above a certain grade because it wouldn't be worth it (there's a reason why certain retailers don't sell above a certain grade, not worth the money). As far as the I3...I will be very honest. You CAN see inclusions (black spots [carbon] within the stone) and depending on the color, you may even see hints of yellow/brown. As for sparkle, out of the '4 C's' the one that effects it the most is cut. How it's cut is as important as what clarity and color it is. But as a general rule, the lower the clarity, the duller the stone will be. Click here for a GIA tutorial...
Good luck!
ETA: Diasource.com has a chart explaining the '4 C's'...I3 (usually not sold) is 'I3 Included #3 Obvious inclusions. Very easy to locate with the unaided eye.'
Sasha is totally on point Cut is the biggest factor with respect to the 'sparkle' you want. I have a hearts & arrows round.
It sparkles like crazy
As for clarity, that is the visible inclusions in the stone. If you can see black dots (coal) with no loupe it is probably an I graded stone. I have a VS2 (no visible inclusions even with a 10x loupe) but we could have gone with SI1 (visible inclusions with a 10x loupe) but the jeweler's comparable hearts and arrows stones did not have as much brilliance.
This is my stone (jeweler's pic with some visible sparkle on the table ). It is totally clear to the nake eye and under the 10x loupe.
If you go with an I graded stone (clarity), for sparkle you want an AGS 0 graded cut (ideal)
ETA - if a larger stone is what you prefer, try going with the odd sizes e.g. 2.9 (instead of 3.0 when the price jumps) or 2.74 instead of 2.75
Pmpkn087
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Re: Your Ring.....
I would definately get a better quality than a bigger size.
Mine is a VS1 and just shy of a carat, .92 or something like that. Round cut. It shines a lot but is not very big. But, I picked it and I love it.
In some lights (flourescent light) it looks a little dull...but I have it in white gold and I heard that happens with white gold.
babybug631
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I actually had a 2 carat stone that I think was an I in color. It was beautiful, but was not that clear. FH wasn't happy so he brought it back and actually got a 1.5 carat with G in color. The smaller stone was actually more expensive because it was better all around. I am definately happier with the smaller stone. As they say, size doesn't matter. I would rather walk around with a better quality stone than a bigger, yellowish stone.
Soon2BeMrsS
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Posted by babybug631
I actually had a 2 carat stone that I think was an I in color. It was beautiful, but was not that clear. FH wasn't happy so he brought it back and actually got a 1.5 carat with G in color. The smaller stone was actually more expensive because it was better all around. I am definately happier with the smaller stone. As they say, size doesn't matter. I would rather walk around with a better quality stone than a bigger, yellowish stone.
Do you know the Clarity? The Stone we're talking about is a G
This site is a great resource. FI used it almost daily when we were looking for a stone.
jessnyc711
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Re: Your Ring.....
I agree with smaller better quality. I feel that It's better use of your money, think about it, why buy something that will be expensive that is not good quality. Plus you can get more sparkle if you decide to wear your wedding band w/engagement ring. I have a round brilliant 1ct. w/princess cut diamonds on the sides, then my wedding band has about two cts of princess cut diamonds so together it's a whole lotta bling bling! Plus since I take the subways to work everyday, I'm glad I don't have a huge ROCK.
babybug631
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I think it's VS1.
BRIDEMICHELE
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Posted by janelovesharry
As I am sitting here reading this... I asked my FH what the color and clarity is of my ring...he doesn't even look up from the Post and says, 'I don't know. I used to know. You should have asked me months ago.' So I said, ' Well, I hope you have it written down somewhere' He said, 'You can hope' Men...they just don't give a sh*t about that kind of stuff...at least mine doesn't. But I love my ring, it's beautiful and it's 1.25 carats and sparkles even when dirty...I LOVE it!!!
such a typical guy answer! You gotta love them!
candb
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Re: Your Ring.....
I would rather get a clear diamond with lots of sparkle rather than size. If you have a low grade diamond with black spots it's very noticible.
CC59
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I think it's VS1.
This is the clarity VS1 SI etc are clarity gradings...its different than the color...D E and F are colorless stones. All the letters are very confusing!!!
Jen2999
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I have a 3/4 carat flawless stone and it is GORGEOUS. I woulnt trade it for the world. I did however change the setting ...so my answer is Id want the smaller stone with better quality, you can always upgrade the setting later if you want more bling to go with it
ETA I have a leo cut stone from Kay jewlers and they sparkle SOOOO much. They put a reg one next to the leo and I was like ummm when you get me a ring it better be that kind hahahaha. It has more Fasets that the reg cut or something
