Foo - Size v. Quality

Ladies,

Would you rather receive:

a 1-carat round solitaire, but in about an H or I (near colorless range) and SI (inclusions, not visible to naked eye)

OR

a 0.80 carat, F (colorless range), IF (internally flawless).

Difference in diameter is about 6mm versus 6.5mm

Maybe it's just me, but I'd prefer a set of new tires....

This is very much a personal preference. Does the woman this ring is intended for like big, blingy jewelry? If so, get the bigger stone.

If it matters to her....find a new woman.

If it matters to her....find a new woman.

Yeah, that attitude is just a tad bit extreme and silly. If you had a fixed budget for your next bicycle you'd go thru the same process going thru all the options, e.g. carbon or ti, Shimano or SRAM, etc. It's not an issue of saying should I spend $10k or 50k or whatever.

If it matters to her....find a new woman.
We're talking about the same pricepoint.

Ladies,

Would you rather receive:

a 1-carat round solitaire, but in about an H or I (near colorless range) and SI (inclusions, not visible to naked eye)

OR

a 0.80 carat, F (colorless range), IF (internally flawless).

Difference in diameter is about 6mm versus 6.5mmThis depends on the woman. My wife likes nice things but would be pissed if I gave her unwieldy (on her hand) jewelry. Having said that, there is not a big visual difference between .8 and 1ct.

There are plenty of nice diamonds out there... cut & how the diamond is mounted are the major factors in how much the ring sparkles. Note that the designer cuts @ various jewelers are not necessarily better than other stones.

I would go with the smaller stone.

We're talking about the same pricepoint.

What makes you think price was my focus?

Bigger... she will show it around to other girls, the bigger the better.

Yeah, that attitude is just a tad bit extreme and silly. If you had a fixed budget for your next bicycle you'd go thru the same process going thru all the options, e.g. carbon or ti, Shimano or SRAM, etc. It's not an issue of saying should I spend $10k or 50k or whatever.

No actually I think Modo is right... hopefully you aren't so young and foolish to not understand...

Frankly as a woman the ring is not as important as the man I am getting... quality is always more important than quantity... unless your woman is superficial and likes to show off... than why are you marrying her?

What makes you think price was my focus?

What makes you think it matters to her??

It's a moot point ....

I have a budget, I have already decided what is appropriate in terms of how much to spend, and I'm looking at different stones of different specs. Anyone who has shopped for one knows there are trade-offs. Everything is a compromise if you have a budget, which is 99.999% of us.

I would go with the smaller stone.


I agree, for the reason that the size difference in diameter is only about 0.5mm, and with an IF clarity grade, there is almost no risk of fractures or chips that might result from "feather" type inclusions found in lower clarity grades. As a symbol of long-lastingness, I feel better about going for the slightly smaller but much higher quality stone.

None of the above. Diamonds are terrible buys, with prices being propped up by an effective monopoly and huge margins at the jewelers'. All that 4-C talk is just a way to justify the high cost; put some qualitative measurements on artificial constructs and watch people pay more for characteristics that don't matter.

You don't have to take my word for it. You can google and verify that there's no natural shortage of diamonds. Another easy way to verify this is to look at the used market. No, don't go by its appraisal value (worthless since no one will buy it at that price) but by how much you can sell used but like-new diamond-based jewelry for. Unless it's some antique or a really unique diamond (read: millions of dollars), you'll loose more than half your purchase price the minute you walk out the jewelers'. Yes, that's worse than a car.

Put the money into a really nice vacation together. Those memories will last longer than diamonds.

I agree, for the reason that the size difference in diameter is only about 0.5mm, and with an IF clarity grade, there is almost no risk of fractures or chips that might result from "feather" type inclusions found in lower clarity grades. As a symbol of long-lastingness, I feel better about going for the slightly smaller but much higher quality stone.

That was my initial reaction, too. And I verified it with my wife.

If it matters to her....find a new woman.


No actually I think Modo is right... hopefully you aren't so young and foolish to not understand...

Frankly as a woman the ring is not as important as the man I am getting... quality is always more important than quantity... unless your woman is superficial and likes to show off... than why are you marrying her?

I agree with both of you. For me, a bling ring is not needed.

I guess we are just different. *shrugs*

The actual valuelessness of diamonds, the people who desire them, the wholly artificial, invented market for them in the first place, and the horrible consequences of their mining and production aside:

How can you wear these stupid things?

A giant lump on your finger will only serve to catch, scratch, and scrape on absolutely anything you can imagine. That just sounds amazingly annoying whether you paid $3000 or got it out of a Cracker Jack box.

I agree with both of you. For me, a bling ring is not needed.

I guess we are just different. *shrugs*

The OPs GF might feel the same way about pickup trucks and fancy wheels. "winks"

Unless it's some antique or a really unique diamond (read: millions of dollars), you'll loose more than half your purchase price the minute you walk out the jewelers'. Yes, that's worse than a car.

Dumb analagy - the car will never stop depreciating. It's funny how most people have no qualms about dropping 30 grand on a vehicle but snicker at others for spending on things that last a lifetime.

What makes you think it matters to her??

It's a moot point and discussed ad nauseum. And you're preaching to the choir, so you are not adding anything new to the collective knowledge or opinion base with the silly comment.

I have a budget, I have already decided what is appropriate in terms of how much to spend, and I'm looking at different stones of different specs. Anyone who has shopped for one knows there are trade-offs. Everything is a compromise if you have a budget, which is 99.999% of us.

So, the inane point about "if it matters to her blah blah blah...." is misplaced. That kind of comment would be more appropriate if the question were "gee, I'm behind on my mortgage payment but I really want to impress my sweetie with a 3-carat rock." The question of which SPECS to get within a given, predetermined budget is natural and reasonable. It's an inexpensive purchase, a purchase intended to last a lifetime, and therefore a decision that merits careful decision making. This inane, ridiculous comment, belongs in another thread on another forum. Very troll-like.

Probably should give you a lecture on personal finance....but I doubt it would help.

The OPs GF might feel the same way about pickup trucks and fancy wheels. "winks"

oh...you mean useable stuff that might actually help produce more income?
The fancy wheels? meh....

come on, let the guy get the diamond... and let him be happy about it. she can pawn it later it things get rough :P

Probably should give you a lecture on personal finance....but I doubt it would help.

HA!!! How can you possibly be in a position to give me a lecture on personal finance, knowing absolutely nothing about me or my financial situation or my budget or how I arrived at my budget? What qualifies you to be dispensing financial advice?

...

come on, let the guy get the diamond... and let him be happy about it.

+1

It's no different than spending money on bike/car schwag or a big screen TV. If it makes him happy and his SO happy, who cares?

+1

It's no different than spending money on bike/car schwag or a big screen TV. If it makes him happy and his SO happy, who cares?

Yep

The OPs GF might feel the same way about pickup trucks and fancy wheels. "winks"

That would be true is she doesn't have a use for a pickup truck. *winks*.


Dumb analagy - the car will never stop depreciating. It's funny how most people have no qualms about dropping 30 grand on a vehicle but snicker at others for spending on things that last a lifetime.

The car will never stop depreciating because it's being USED. Things break down and technology advances. A diamond just sits there. And it doesn't last forever. It can be crushed with a hammer into dust.

+1

It's no different than spending money on bike/car schwag or a big screen TV. If it makes him happy and his SO happy, who cares?

Thank you!

+1

It's no different than spending money on bike/car schwag or a big screen TV. If it makes him happy and his SO happy, who cares?

+2. Doesn't affect me. If they are both happy, then go for it. :)

A diamond just sits there. And it doesn't last forever. It can be crushed with a hammer into dust.

BS - A diamond does last forever - De Beers says so.

BS - A diamond does last forever - De Beers says so.

I'd rather just have a beer. ;)

HAHAHAHA!!! What, are you 15? How can you possibly be in a position to give me a lecture on personal finance, knowing absolutely nothing about me or my financial situation or my budget or how I arrived at my budget? What qualifies you to be dispensing financial advice to anyone even if you DO know the person? The only reason I'm not completely ignoring you is I find your ignorance entertaining. Do you serve the roll of troll or joker in other threads, as well?

Son...I could buy you and everything you have 2 or 3 times over, before lunch...and still go to bones for dinner tonight without worrying about the bill.

+2. Doesn't affect me. If they are both happy, then go for it. :)

He's free to spend his money however he wishes. No post in a forum will change that.

Son...I could buy you and everything you have 2 or 3 times over, before lunch...and still go to bones for dinner tonight without worrying about the bill.

That's funny. And even if that were true, how does any of that qualify you to dispense financial advice to me, again, without knowing any of the particulars?

If you are married, which seems doubtful, did you avoid buying a ring by explaining your infinite financial wisdom to her? LOL.

PS, I'm not your son (thankfully).

That's funny. And even if that were true, how does any of that qualify you to dispense financial advice to me, again, without knowing any of the particulars?

If you are married, which seems doubtful, did you avoid buying a ring by explaining your infinite financial wisdom to her? LOL.

PS, I'm not your son (thankfully).

22 yrs and counting, son.....care to try again?

oh...and what qualifies me? A finance degree. A CPA. 20+ yrs industry experience with most of them in Fortune 100 companies, either in Finance positions, hi level accounting positions, or as a CFO.
You don't have to take anyone's advice.....but it wouldn't hurt you to think about what people are saying.

22 yrs and counting, son.....care to try again?

oh...and what qualifies me? A finance degree. A CPA. 20+ yrs industry experience with most of them in Fortune 100 companies, either in Finance positions, hi level accounting positions, or as a CFO.
You don't have to take anyone's advice.....but it wouldn't hurt you to think about what people are saying.

Even 50 years as a CPA would not qualify you to be dispensing financial advice to me about this prospective purchase, because you have NO information about my finances or my budget or how I arrived at it. ...

Interesting how you completely avoided the question about what ring you gave or didn't give to your wife. Heehee...

Go for the smaller one.

Get one that has the perfect cut :)

Even 50 years as a CPA would not qualify you to be dispensing financial advice to me about this prospective purchase, because you have NO information about my finances or my budget or how I arrived at it. That would be like going to an attorney and saying gee, I have this legal issue, what is your advice, where the attorney knows nothing about the facts. More importantly, nobody ASKED for your financial opinion.

Interesting how you completely avoided the question about what ring you gave or didn't give to your wife. Heehee...


My original advice, which you apparently took as financial advice, wasn't financial. But as I said....take it or leave it.
As for my wife's ring, I assure you, it wasn't the focal point of our engagement or marriage.

But while we are on the subject, why do you think you need to buy her a 1 ct. ring, or even a .8 ct. ring?
What is motivating you to spend that money? Is this an attempt to impress her? If she is impressed, then my original statement holds more water than you can imagine.

My original advice, which you apparently took as financial advice, wasn't financial. But as I said....take it or leave it.
As for my wife's ring, I assure you, it wasn't the focal point of our engagement or marriage.

But while we are on the subject, why do you think you need to buy her a 1 ct. ring, or even a .8 ct. ring?
What is motivating you to spend that money? Is this an attempt to impress her? If she is impressed, then my original statement holds more water than you can imagine.

Not at all, she's already impressed with me. As I am her.

I decided on this set of parameters because I *like* it, I think she will too, it's within my means (paying cash), and for something I plan for her to wear the rest of her life it only makes sense that I get something we will really like. For you to presume that this would be the focal point of my relationship with her is..well..presumptuous.

Not at all, she's already impressed with me. As I am her.

I decided on this set of parameters because I *like* it, I think she will too, it's within my means (paying cash), and for something I plan for her to wear the rest of her life it only makes sense that I get something we will really like. For you to presume that this would be the focal point of my relationship with her is..well..presumptuous.

Perhaps....but having been there, done that...I am fully aware of the importance of saving one's resources. There will be times when money is tight. If you are happy with your decision, then I'm just a jerk on the interwebs.
However, and I say this simply cause I do give a damn about people. Prepare for the worst....

That's funny. And even if that were true, how does any of that qualify you to dispense financial advice to me, again, without knowing any of the particulars?

If you are married, which seems doubtful, did you avoid buying a ring by explaining your infinite financial wisdom to her? LOL.

PS, I'm not your son (thankfully).

Darn Modo you beat me to it... I was going to grab a box of popcorn and sit back and watch you school the guy.

Moo Boy... you should be so lucky to get finanical advice from Modo... he does know what he is talking about.

Bottom line - we are all picking on you... do what you want to do and what's in your heart. If it's important and you think you show love by buying that big juicy ring, do it. Only you out of all of us know your gal. I'm just saying if you spent that kind of money on a ring for me.... I would wup your ass... crist we could both get custom ti bikes and take a trip to Europe and still save money. I much rather do that then have some bauble on my finger... plus being young... maybe you aren't thinking about a bleak future... you would be better served to invest than spend... but that's just me... I am old and concerned about my future.

Have you priced diamonds lately? A GIA certified stone with the above specs, purchases through a competitive online source, would not buy one custom Ti bike. Much less two plus a trip. Maybe a decent European vacation for two. My budget is a little more than retail on one of my three road bikes.

Also, why would you assume I'm young? I'm nearly 40.

Ha, have you priced diamonds lately? A GIA certified stone with the above specs, purchases through a competitive online source, would not buy one custom Ti bike. Much less two plus a trip. Maybe a decent European vacation for two. My budget is a little more than retail on one of my three road bikes. And about three weeks salary....a far cry from DeBeers "three months."

Also, why would you assume I'm young? I'm nearly 40.

Yep...her assumption was correct, comparatively speaking.

Yup, it's all relative. But not young like straight out of college and unestablished. My budget is quite conservative by most standards.

Yup, it's all relative. But not young like straight out of college and unestablished. My budget is quite conservative by most standards.

What ever you choose to do, I wish you and the future mrs. the best.

Ha, have you priced diamonds lately? A GIA certified stone with the above specs, purchases through a competitive online source, would not buy one custom Ti bike. Much less two plus a trip. Maybe a decent European vacation for two. My budget is a little more than retail on one of my three road bikes. And about three weeks salary....a far cry from DeBeers "three months."

Also, why would you assume I'm young? I'm nearly 40.

OK now I am just curious... I do know a thing or two about jewelry and the price of things... how much were the rings you were pricing? It's very difficult to find a 1 ct diamond in white gold or platinum or yellow gold for less than say $7500 - 9000 on up... Good quality - something worth writing home about is starting around 12000+ Is that your price range?

If so, I can definitely purchased two custom ti bikes and a Europe vacation for that...

but I am with Modo... whatever, I wish you two the best (but please tell me your fiance is also 40 or so... not 25).

Certainly not 25! She's 19. :)

A man has gotta do what a man has gotta do...

My wife asked for a custom built tandem as an engagement present... this would normally be around $4000.00 if you had one built and a little less if you happened to be the builder (me).

This thread is awesome. :popcorn

MooCow, I'm glad you see the importance of spending three weeks of salary on a chunk of carbon.

BTW, Diamonds are a less stable structure of carbon than graphite. Given enough time, that diamond will turn to graphite. Diamonds aren't forever.

Anyway, I smell jealousy in this thread, plain and simple. Not of the ring, but the situation. Thanks to the other posters who responded to the actual call of the question. Thread adjourned.you spent the whole thread desperately trying to defend your position then use the "y'all just jealous" line before storming out with panties firmly in a wad?

oh my did you ever win.