Ladies: What's better: Smaller high quality engagement ring or larger average quality diamond ring?

Question

Basically, something like Tiffany vs the local diamond center. Both might be same price, but Tiffany would be way smaller. What would you rather receive?

Answer 1

Tiffany's is way overpriced in my opinion. It's the quality/color/clarity/cut of the stone that is most important, not the size or the setting. So I guess my answer would be smaller high quality engagement ring.

Answer 2

I hope that my not being a lady doesn't automatically invalidate anything I say...but I DID just buy an engagement ring. When you say smaller and larger, if you mean smaller than 1 ct. or larger than that and lower quality, I'd suggest going for the larger size. Even if the smaller size is a better quality, the better brilliance will still be dwarfed by its minuscule size. Shop for a stone that has the best clarity and cut that you can afford in a particular weight range...color is something that you can safely sacrifice without a noticeable difference up to a degree (I think it was as low as I or J that was pretty much still colorless until you looked through the stone from the bottom with a white background behind it).

Also, if you can find a diamond distributor versus going to a retail store, you'll be able to get much more for your money. Distributors will send their "poorer quality" (they're still decent, but not the best) to the mainstream chains and will keep their best diamonds for either themselves to sell personally or sell to high-end stores like Tiffany who will just mark them up even further. Those stones that are trademarked at the retail stores (Hearts on Fire, Canadian Ice, etc.) are these same high quality diamonds branded so that the prices can be marked up even further.

Answer 3

Oh man, now there's a touchy subject. I sold engagement rings for many years. I'm a romantic at heart, so when these girls walk in saying that their man had better buy at least a one carat ring for an engagement ring, my heart broke for the boy I had never met. However, many more girls/women are starting to be about size first, then later they care about the quality. It really depends on the girl. The easiest would be to walk past a jewelry store and say that you were thinking about picking up a nice but inexpesive pearl necklace for your mom for mother's day. Then let her lead you around the store to the different cases. Tell the salesperson that you're just looking for now. If your girl is hopeful, than she should gaze at the rings in the engagement section. You can then ask her what a certain shape is, let her or the salesperson tell you. Then she'll probably follow up with which shape she likes. The shape of the stone can be just as important as the size or quality to a woman. Tiffany's is overpriced, but some girls do like name brands. So really just see how she reacts to the rings in the engagement section. Look at something for your mom. Ask if they have a sales flyer, then get out and distract her with food or some other errand. By all means, so search online for best prices also. Depending on the size of ring stone you buy, depends on whether it automatically comes with a certification. You might have to have an appraisal done otherwise after you purchase it if needed. Your choice. Hope this helps you somewhat. Feel free to email me below if you have other jewelry questions that I may be able to help clarify for you.

Answer 4

I would a ring regardless from whence it is purchased be that Tiffany's or the local jeweler. Your fiancee' deserves a ring that signifies the beauty of your relationships.

KAYS Jewelers is nice, Tiffany's is great and even WalMart has nice diamonds..

Depending on your budget, think this over. A smaller more expensive Tiffany ring, OR a nice larger affordable diamond.. Let your heart be your guide.

She will love either. Look @ her tonight while asleep and you will have an answer. She loves whether it's a Tiffany or a KAY's.

Congratulationz and best wishes!

Answer 5

Set yourself a price and get the best QUALITY you can for your budget.
My husband got an antique. It was hand made, so although I'm not crazy about brands it solved my desire for unique items. None of my friends had seen one like it before and it sparkles like crazy it's really beautiful.
If you get a smaller size with great quality in a claw setting (so you can see the diamond right to edges) it's always far more brilliant and flashy. Also - only the best diamonds can be put into a white gold setting - that way a crappy colour can't be disguised. It might help you choose.
My tip though, is try and get a vague idea what she likes.

Answer 6

Depends on the ring, but I would never want a ring from "the local diamond center"

Buying a high quality diamond ring wholesale would be the best choice, if that is something possible for you.

Really tho, the most important thing is what is the most important thing to the woman who will be wearing the ring! Her opinion & feelings about the subject are more important than anyone's in here!

Answer 7

Quality is best because it determines how pretty the diamond is and how long it will look good.

However, you have to consider the size and shape of your woman's hand. I have very petite fingers and when my husband and I went ring shopping almost everything I tried on was gargantuan and made me look ridiculous. We chose sapphire because I don't happen to like diamonds all that much.

Be sure to get one that comes with a certificate - that is your investment guarantee. Otheriwse you are just going by whatever the salesperson says about the jewel. A certificate from one of the gem industries is like a guarantee of quality. Name doesn't matter, quality matters. We found our perfect ring at Zales in a mall after going to at least ten places (some cheap, some expensive) and my sappire ring came with a certificate because it was selected and cut by a diamon cutter and therefore is a higher quality than most sappires. It also happened to be on sale, but that was just luck.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Qualilty over size, always. Nothing looks worse than a cheap (but large) diamond that doesn't sparkle and is cloudy and yellow. You can always add additional diamonds to the smaller high quality ring later when money is not so much an issue. You can't really improve on a poor quality diamond.

Answer 9

My wife could care less whether the ring was tiffany or not, but wanted a tiffany style setting. And a larger diamond.

Paying for a name and paying for quality are two different things.

When it comes to quality refer to the other C's (cut, clarity, and color) and certification, GIA is one of the better certificates. Otherwise its just an opinion the quality of the gem.

Everyone has their own opinion on what minimum quality is. For me it was an Ideal Cut, H color (near colorless), and VS2 clarity (inclusions seen at 10x magnification). Then I looked for the largest in my price range and had it set.

Answer 10

The bottom line here is to set a limit on the amount spent and stick to your budget. If she insists on a 2 carat ring, then she can have it if she willing to replace clarity with size. Another option is a synthetic diamond that would cost far less yet still have size and clarity. If she wants something big and showy, then the synthetic should provide that, yet still stay within budget. A lot of celebrities are rumored to have those big gaudy engagement rings...that are synthetic. I know a lot of couples who picked synthetic diamonds and used the money saved towards the down payment on a house or to pay off debts. That makes a lot more sense than spending it on jewelry. Don't let her bully you into going into debt or spending more than you can afford.