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Magical Day Help!

Choosing a Diamond: 1.23 carat or 1.31 carat?

posted 1 year ago in Rings
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    1.
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    7 posts
    Newbee
    clovese      

    Hi everyone,

    My boyfriend and I went ring shopping last weekend and I picked a setting (1.7mm pave platinum setting). I left the diamond selection up to my boyfriend. We looked at a 1.23 carat round Excellent Ideal cut, D, VS2 diamond (very beautiful and sparkly)! The jeweler wanted to show us one more diamond before we made our final decision though - it's a 1.31 carat round Very Good cut, E, VS2 diamond. He had to have it transferred from their other store and we're going to see it this weekend.

    My boyfriend said he is leaving the decision up to me (both diamonds are almost the same price). I have a 4 and 3/4 ring size. Any suggestions on which to pick?

    Thanks!

     

     

     
    2.
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    306 posts
    Helper bee
    SLS79    September 2010  

    The size is so close, go for the better diamond.  I think that even if a stone is a bit smaller, but a better diamond, the extra sparkle makes it look so much nicer (and sometimes bigger).

     
    3.
    1,491 posts
    Bumble bee
    jayce    December 10, 2010  

    I would go for the slightly smaller but better quality diamond. The size difference is really negligible... like, even if you put the two stones right next to each other, I think it would be hard to tell that one is any bigger than the other. So I would choose based on which stone is sparklier and has more brilliance!

     
    4.
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    Sugar bee
    mandb122    March 6, 2011   Temporarily in Minnesota, From South Carolina, Wedding in Charleston

    I agree that the sizes are not different enough so I'd totally pick the slightly smaller diamond of better quality.  

     
    5.
    Hostess
    2,252 posts
    Buzzing bee
    chelseamorning    November 1, 2008   Washington, DC/Atlanta

    I agree, the size difference will be negligible. Pick the one that is better quality and more sparkly.

     
    6.
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    Honey bee
    abbyful    June 7, 2011   Kansas City

    Go for the 1.23 carat round Excellent Ideal cut, D, VS2.

    Cut is VERY VERY important. It's the most important of the 4-Cs. (It's what gives a diamond it's sparkle.)
    And beween the two stones you posted, you won't be able to tell the different in size or color when it's on your finger anyway.

     
    7.
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    Busy bee
    prettyflowers    September 2010  

    Go with cut all the way.  The color difference won't be visible and the size difference won't either.

     
    8.
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    Helper bee
    gulbraa44    July 9, 2011  

    Pick the better quality for sure

     
    9.
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    Busy bee
    noodlesploosh    June 25, 2011  

    Cut and clarity make all the difference. Higher quality is way more important than size when the stones are that close in size. Honestly, that's like not even a millimeter of size difference! But the sparkle and fire will really make the smaller stone pop!

     
    10.
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    Helper bee
    anon12345    January 2011  

    I agree!  Definitely go with the better cut!!!

     
    11.
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    Honey bee
    Meowkers    August 27, 2011   Los Angeles, CA

    Are both of these stones certified by the same lab?  Because the ratings are not consistent from lab to lab so an E color diamond in one lab may not be an E in another.  What every jeweler told us is to buy the diamond not the certification.  Meaning, base your decision on which diamond appeals to you more, (visually), and not what the paperwork says.  I think once you look at the two and compare you'll know which one you want, regardless of the paperwork.

     
    12.
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    596 posts
    Busy bee
    flutterbi    June 30, 2012  

    Based on what you said, I would say go with the better cut smaller diamond. BUT - see them side by side first and see which one you like more. I was amazed at how different the diamonds could be when set side by side. I picked the one that I liked the look of most (and I LOVE it!!). Sometimes they even had the same grading - but if they were graded by different labs they might be different.

     
    13.
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    Newbee
    clovese      

    Thanks so much, everyone. This is really helpful! I was definitely leaning more towards the 1.23 because of how incredibly sparkly it was! The jeweler showed us about four diamonds that day and the 1.23 outshone them all.

    To answer your question, Meowkers, both diamonds are graded by the EGL laboratory.

     
    14.
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    1,135 posts
    Bumble bee
    neontl    April 2011   Seattle, WA

    I would go with the 1.23 and the better quality!

     
    15.
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    Blushing bee
    Delovely    July 2, 2011   Blacksburg, VA

    Better quality definitely!

     
    16.
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    Bumble bee
    baldor1    May 7, 2012   Southern California

    As what other PP's have already stated...size is negligible at this point. Go with the better quality diamond.

     
    17.
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    Bee Keeper
    KMSull    August 7, 2010   Lexington, KY (via Atlanta, GA)

    Better quality.

     

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