ENGAGEMENT DIAMOND RING - what size?
 

Hi y'all,

Just curious as to what is the average SIZE of the diamond for an engagement ring, and women's views on what is an acceptable size to them.

What size ring did you give (if you're a guy) or receive (if you're a girl)?

If you haven't given or received, what do you think you will give or expect to receive?

Just talk purely on diamond size please. I already know that what's most important is the guy's personality, etc. etc. etc.

(I know that we had already :
"engagement rings" with KillarneyRose and erniegurl00)

My darling hubby gave me a solitare that he allowed me to exchange for a totally different design. I tend to bang my hands alot and I used to wear the AGD badge as a ring which didn't work out too well..kept being afraid that I would knock the top pearl off.

My engagement ring is now sort of like an anniversary ring, it's flat with 5 rows of 2 diamonds each with 2 ss's inbetween. I've never seen one like it, even at Kay Jeweler's where we got it. I was going to use it as my eng./wedding band but decided to get a plain wedding band.

I've gotten lots of compliments on it. :D :D

The size of the diamond obviously falls on the amount of money you have to spend. For example, you could get a 1 carat diamond for $3,000, but it will more than likely be a yellowish color and probably have carbon spots in it. However, for the same $3,000 you could get a slightly less-in-size diamond which is near flawless (no discoloration, great cut, is clear and still resonably large)....and probably set in platinum.

I was in this perdicament when I bought my fiances ring. I chose to go with the second option: near flawless diamond (.68 carat) , set in platinum and reflects much light, rather than a large and gaudy yellow diamond. Don't forget, the larger the diamond you get, the more difficult it is to match a 'wrap' or a 'band' to it.

In a nutshell; quality over quantity, just like rush!

Good luck!

PS, I also bought mine from Kay's and DO NOT BE AFRAID TO BARGAIN with them, I talked them down over $1,000.....they're salespeople, if they want your business, they'll meet your budget.

4-cs
 

cut
clarity
color
carat


This should help.

http://www.tiffanys.com/html/catalogs/default.asp

My oval is a .80. It's the perfect size for my finger, and it's set east/west.

IS 2
F in color

This was perfect for me and I didn't expect anything more...don't need it. He chose the diamond first and designed my ring himself, so you can bet no one will ever have my ring. It's set in platinum.

I discouraged my ex-bf from platinum (when we were seriously discussing marriage) because it scratches SO easily - and it wont last the number of years you hope to be married! If you are a white metal person (as I am) - go for white gold, it will last so much longer!

On the same idea of diamonds - do you think its tacky for a single girl such as myself to wear diamonds - especially if they are of a larger carat weight? My aunt passed down to me a 3 stone anniversary ring that is a total of 3.30 carats - and it is beautiful...but is it ok to wear diamonds if im not married?

I think it's perfectly fine for a single girl to wear diamonds- I do!! I just don't wear it on my left hand. :D

To tell you the truth I'm not sure how big my diamond is. My band is white gold, the diamond in the middle is a round cut, and it has two smaller diamonds on the side.

I would have truly preferred just a band because my ring gets caught on EVERYTHING!!! I told that to my husband and he kind of got upset. I tried to explain to him that I loved the ring that he picked out for me but I'm just not very careful. I'm surprised I haven't broke a prong on it yet!

In a perfect world: 2.1 +

Tiffany please, I have a thing for the blue box & white ribbon!

Disclaimer: Sounds snobby right? Well, coming from a single girl, I can always dream...right?

:D Right on!

I was telling my mom how my bf and I can't go into a mall jewelry store w/o being bombarded by salespeople thinking we're ring shopping. She asked "what does he say to all that?" I replied "nothing - he knows better than to get my ring from a mall jewelry store anyway!"
:p

My perfect ring is about 1 carat total. I have small fingers so anything big and bulky in a single stone will not look good on me.

Here's one for you: what are your feelings on a platinum setting and a CZ stone???? (disclaimer: obviously not what I have since I'm not married or engaged but i want to see if anyone agrees with me on this)

Should I one day get married I intend to give a ring that is not absurd, and is wearble. I know it's all fun to give a ring that is like a million dollars so that the bride to be can wear it for a few months then put it in a box and look at it once a year, but wouldn't it be fun to have one that is not so insanelyt large that should the bride wish to wear it on random dress-up occassions, she could. I know nothing of size numbers, but I would first go for purity (which I presume is clarity), it'll have to be platinum, the cut I'm uncertain of, but the color would have to be very, very clear...I assumed that 'c' would go with clarity hand-in-hand.

Well I haven't received one yet but we have been seriously talking about it. What my boyfriend did is...He told me to go to adiamondisforever.com and design the ring that I would like and then he did the same. We each made a couple of rings and emailed them to each other. I really do think it was a great idea! Our rings were very similar, so I know when I do get my ring Iwill love it. As to size around 1 carat is good enough i think.

Ronnie:)

Good Luck!!!!;)

That is absolutely not true, says my metallurgist father. Gold is actually a soft metal and can be scratched without too much effort. Gold can also be damaged by the acids in paper, which is why I'm getting a platinum ring. Platinum is tough and much more rare than gold, which is why it costs more. It's more resistant to the elements and is more difficult to shape into jewelry, which is why PT jewelry is more expensive. It will also last longer. The prongs on a PT ring will not get worn down as quickly as gold, which is VERY important in keeping your diamond safe.

As for carat size: KappaStarboy is aiming to get something between 1.25 and 1.5 because...well, yeah, I want a big rock, darn those two X chromosomes, but those are the sizes that look good on my hand. I also wanted an emerald-cut until I tried on rings, and found that round looks much better! The setting and the size of your hand can affect the way the stone is viewed by others...when in doubt go with a 6-prong Tiffany-style setting, it looks good on everyone. Also, the ring is what I'm going to wear the rest of my life, I told him that I don't care if we get married in Vegas by an Elvis impersonater, but I want an amazing ring to cherish forever.

As for average size, I believe I read somewhere that the nationwide average size of an engagement ring is 1/3 of a carat, but DeBeers of course has that "If you don't give her at least a carat you shouldn't even bother" campaign going, because once you hit a carat diamond prices skyrocket due to the rareness of good quality stones that size.

I think I will take the proof that every piece of platinum I have had for only a few years has a zillion scratches on it and girl I work with who *had* to have a platinum ring had to replace it for the same reason...and we have cushy internet jobs that dont put a ton of wear and tear on our jewlery lol :rolleyes:

Sarah,

I would have to disagree with you. Sure, Platinum does scratch...but after years of buffing (which is what you're supposed to get done to platinum, because yes...it does scratch and any good jeweler will let you know that). But after buffing, it reaches it's beauty again. You won't ever buff away your ring either. I have a huge amount of platinum, and it looks amazing every day.

hmmmm... still dont believe it but ill fold (and try getting my pieces buffed again) :)

LOL, you crack me up. Try it and see how it goes. My platinum is very very thick though...all the way around. I'm not sure how a thin band goes...but I'm sure that someone here could let us in on that...or ask the jewler, I'm sure they'd know.

Keep me posted. I've had mine buffed once already, and it looked so much better afterward (not that it looked back), but of course the bottom of mine is scratched, but who sees it (it's a thick African shank).

:)

Okay, as you ALL know...
I've worked in jewelry retail for 2 1/2 years.
Platinum is VERY durable...but does not always wear well. It will get scuffed and a more dulled look over time. I don't call it "scratched" but more of an antique look. Platinum is very dense and very hard to buff out. When a jeweler has to buff platinum he almost has to buff away a layer to get to the shiny stuff.
Now white gold, on the other hand, is more durable than yellow gold because it is a mad substance. However over time the yellowness can come through and it needs to be rhodium plated for that shiny luster.
A hint with gold: the higher the stamp, the more pure gold it is, thus the softer it is!
Hope this clears up some things!

NOW! Someone asked about a platinum setting with a cz. Great idea if you want the look of a large stone without the price. BE CAREFUL though, as Cubic Zirconia is soft and with scratch easily and the surface can get dulled with harsh abrasives like bleaches and amonia...but otherwise a neat idea!

Hootie

I hope it does work because I have my grandmothers diamond ring in platinum, a signet ring in platinum and a 3 carat midnight sapphire ring in platinum that im scared to wear for fear of scratching.

Thanks for the info TriSigma and Hootie!

Hold onto that sapphire in platinum ring! It's a classic and sure to be worth a lot some day!

;)

Volgirl, the last time I checked the only crime is in a beautiful diamond NOT being worn......wear it, love it......why should only the engaged and/or married girls have the fun??????

Hee-hee! Glad to see I'm not the only one with that thought. As I like to say "no jewelry and no wine with a jingle!" (i.e., those cheesy radio commercials for jewelry stores, as well as the equally cheesy Sutter Home and Turning Leaf commercials...bleh!)

Mr. RedRoseSAI bought my ring direct from a diamond merchant...some friend of a friend who owns a shop on Jewelers' Row in Chicago. The stones are absolutely gorgeous, plus he got an incredible deal on it - I'm sure the mall stores would have been MUCH more expensive!

My engagement ring is set in platinum and is over 65 years old. It was my fiance's grandmother's ring. I agree that platinum dulls more easily, things like lotions, or cooking or overly active hands wear away its shine after awhile. However, it must be durable if it has lasted over 65 years and its still in mint condition.

My diamond is a full carrat in the center, set in a four prong setting with 2 diamond baguettes on each side. It was designed in the late 1930's.

Well, like I'm getting married anytime soon (in the process of a break up :( ) but I've always heard don't waste the cash on platinum and go for white gold. I'd like to have somewhere between .75 carats and 1.33 carats, square cut, in a white gold ring...I'm very modernistic and minimalist, so should it ever happen for me, I think my "dream ring" will be way cool.

Tiffanys is the only way to go. call me spoiled and call me snobby but i just love the jewelry there...those rings shine like nothing i have ever seen before!!! and yes, i know that you can find quality diamonds else where...but i just can't help it. i have picked out the cut, the setting, the size...everything, now all my baby needs is the $$$ ;)

I have to throw my hat into the ring on this here ring issue...

A few years ago, I was dead set on the 1 carat-round platinum VS1 from Tiffany's (which, despite its cache, is just as much of a "mall jewelry store" as the more famous ones like Kay, Zales, and BBB. They're just in nicer malls.). I didn't care whether or not my significant other (funny that I didn't have one at the time) could afford it, I wanted it--and that's all that mattered. I worked at a jewelry store at the time, so I felt as if I were the expert on fine jewelry.

It all changed when I tried on the ring. 1 carat is WAAAAY too big for my hand. I could barely keep my hand up...and I didn't want to go through life with this huge ring that was like, a down payment on a house or a semester's tuition. Plus, my tastes changed--and yours could too before you find the right person. 3/4 is probably the best for my hand, although it's not as striking as a 1 carat. I still like platinum, although I'm willing to settle for white gold. Yellow gold is too much like my skin tone.

On a completely different note, my engagment ring is not even real. It has sentimental value though...My fiance had a white gold/diamond ring on layaway here at home, but decided he wanted to propose while we were on vacation in Florida. He went to a Zales outlet, bought a small band (which is real) with a small chip (which is not real) so he would have something to propose with. Afterwards, I decided to keep the fake ring. The wedding bands we want don't really go with a solitare, and I work in a restaurant...an expensive diamond isn't very practical.

I would love to have a ring that is a least a one carat solitaire. Set in platinum with side diamonds. :D :D

I have always wanted a big rock......I have less-than-delicate fingers for a smaller-boned person, so to me my hands look big and clumsy unless I have a perfect manicure. I gravitate towards bigger, chunkier jewelry anyway. I just turned 30 last weekend and my gift from my darling, adorable, sweet, wonderful hubby was a new diamond!!!!!!!! It's 1 1/2 carats and totally GORGEOUS!!!!! It's actually even better quality than my last one (which was just under a carat) and so sparkly! It looks fantastic with my setting and looking at it now I don't know how I ever lived without it. I know that some people with smaller fingers don't like bigger stones but I LOVE them.

Like RubberSoul was talking about, I've always been on the smaller end of the diamond spectrum... I have really tiny hands, and anything bigger than 3/4 carat looks like a mountain on me.

I actually wear my former engagement ring every day, with my ex-fiance's blessing. (I do wear it on my right hand though, not my left!) It's a gold band with 12 very small diamonds channel set. Not a traditional engagement ring so much, but it's pretty, looks nice on me, and was the best he could afford at the time, which was fine by me.

In the future though.... I want either a 1/2 or 3/4 carat diamond on a gold band...either a solitare with the 6 prong Tiffany set or with the two smaller side diamonds. But really, I'll be happy with whatever I get. I guess I need to get a boyfriend first though, hm? :D

I always do get a lot of suprised remarks when people find out what the meaning behind my ring is :)

We had a pretty unusual situation though - my parents actually knew him before I was born...they used to babysit him (eek!) and we've been friends since we both were in diapers (well, I'm guessing he was out by the time I was born...he is 6 years older than me, LOL) We got engaged in large part because our families pressured us into it, but both realized we really were better off just being very close friends.

He's still my best friend on earth...we went through a few years of awkwardness, during which time I did give him the ring back, but he gave it back to me again and asked me to wear it as a symbol of our friendship. Awww :)

My bestfriend just got engaged and she showed me her ring on Saturday. Her diamond is 1.57 carats and it is beautiful. I guess it really pays off to work in a jewelry store :)

for engagement rings, i would pick the center diamond at least with G/H in color, VS2/SI1 in clarity, and Very Good as the Cut, and i think that's usually the min standard for most shoppers when they pick the center diamond. then buy as big diamond as possible according to your budget.

Agreed, but I'd be much happier with a smaller diamond as I don't like it catching on anything.

I don't really care how big the diamond is. I have small hands so smaller is probably better. Clarity is also something that is not important. It's not like I will have a microscope up to check anyway.
When my boyfriend proposes, I will just be glad it is him. Granted we already talked about rings and I think he has already bought it, but he won't be proposing for another year. Yay for talks to the father.:rolleyes:

My wife and I agree that diamonds are extremely overrated. They are not rare, the value in them is created by a manipulated market and the impact of diamond mining in Africa has been horrific. We absolutely don't do diamonds.

I got her a tsavorite engagement ring. Tsavorite is a deep-green garnet, much rarer than diamonds, actually, but not nearly as expensive. She got a remarkable ring out of the deal for not a lot of money.

Unfortunately, she just lost the stone off of the ring, (another good reason not to spend too much money on jewelry) so we're having a hell of a time with the jeweler trying to find a new stone.

Stealth marketers are bad people.

I agree! I have a friend that would not accept a ring that was less than 1.5 carats. He ring is gorgeous, but it didn't make her marriage work out! Another friend wanted at least 2 carats, and while she is happily still married, I don't think her marriage is any better than mine because she has a big rock on her hand.

Then again, I'm not really much of a jewelry person. The few pieces of nice jewlery that I have I love because of who they came from, not because of how big they are, or how much they are worth. I no longer equate love with expensive jewelry!