Help!!! What size diamond for a 15th year anniversary?

You know, I must be the LUCKIEST SOB on earth. I've been married 22 years, and my wife, for the most part is really thrifty. I think if I bought her a big diamond she would puke.

I think the only big diamond she is really interested in is the one in Wrigley Field!

 

FYI: so you don't have to worry about getting her one with 15 big-ass rocks, and still have an excuse as to why you got her one with three stones.

A "proper" Anniversary ring has three stones, symbolizing; past, present, future.

*whew* That's a relief.

Whatever size our fellow armchair experts come up with - Make sure color and clarity are up to snuff. This time, she'll not only be looking at size, but will definitely be looking at this sucker with her friends through a wimmenfolk-magnifying-whatchamacallit-loop.

*That* is the bedspring test for the next few years.

 

Look for an "Eternity band"

They are very appropriate anniversary gifts.

DL

Here's an example of the style:

 

quality, not quantity.

If you want to go for size, fine. But in my opinion, you'd be making a big mistake going with a large, flawed stone.

Look for a stone with good clarity. This is what will make it sparkle and be eye-popping. Unless by "eye-popping" she means "the size of a ping pong ball," a clear stone will be much more beautiful. That said, a flawless 1-carat stone can cost much more than a flawed stone that is much larger.

Also in my opinion, clarity is more important than color. In fact, I like older stones, and some old mine cut diamonds can have a yellowish tint and be absolutely spectacular. I like these very much.

In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. Also, there's no need to go with a big name - HW, Cartier, Tiffany - their markup is simply not worth it.

Good luck.

 

I almost didn't respond to your thread (unfortunalty for you I did...lol)

My wifes' engagement ring is over 2 cts. so I don't think she would think that was an "eye popper". Though, with the advent of excellent synthetic diamonds why not go that route? She gets an "eye popper" and no one knows unless they are bringing their loop. Use the money on a great Vacation for the two of you. When I've talked to my wife about getting her a bigger center stone, she doesn't want it. But she's 5'-1" so maybe it looks bigger on her. I guess I'm lucky also.............

If you do purchase a diamond, be careful. There are a lot of scammers in this industry.

Good luck & congrats on the 15th (we are 6 strong)

*note - I'm not saying don't spend the money on her in some way. I want you to have a 16th anniversary.

 

I sort of have the opposite problem.

I too was married as a gradute student, but managed to scrape up enough money for a 1/2 carat ring for my wife.

This month will be our 10 year anniversary, and I feel like I should get her something special. However, my wife doesn't really wear jewlery. She hardly ever wears her engagement ring. She does wear her wedding ring, but it is just a simple band.

I've bought her plenty of jewlery over the last 10 years, and it basically just sits in a box.

I've wanted to get her a ring for this anniversary, but she has repeatedly said that she doesn't want one. We are going on a cruise, and I am buying some new bedroom furniture, so it's not like I'm not getting her anything. But, I still feel like I should get her some kind of ring.

Maybe one of those anniversary bands, if it is not too "eye popping"? (i.e. something simple).

Does anyone know of a good place to get quality jewlery? Is it worth getting something over the internet, or are you just likely to be ripped off?

Thanks,
Dom

 

My friends are crazy, they would rather go into major debt than get their wives a less than "eye catching" ring.

I've learned a lot in the past few months while my friend was searching for rings. I've learned that it's not only the size, cut and color but a myriad of other factors as well. He ended up going to Tiffanys and spent around 20K for I believe a 2 ct ring. My other friend went to Cartier and spent I think 50K for a 3ct ring.

I wonder what the average amount is for an engagement ring in the US. I'm figuring 1500?

 

FYI, the traditional gift for a 15th anniversary is crystal with the modern gift being glass or watch. Diamonds are for the 10th anniversary.

 

I just went through this myself last month. It was my 10 yr anniversary, and my wife made it very clear that she wanted bling. She now has bling.

If your wife wants an 'eye popper', get her a round cut. Most of the 'weight' of a round stone is in the surface area, so the rock looks huge. If you get an emerald or princess or other 'square' cut, the weight is in the depth of the stone so they don't look as large. For 15 years she should at least get 1.5-2cts, especially if you have a Ferrari in the garage.

Husker, If you need a jeweler, PM me. I have a good friend and neighbor in the business, he can hook you up.

 

Congratulations!

Having gone thru my 12 years wedding anniversary myself. Spend $15k ($1k/year - get it?). Even if you have to put it on a loan, it's worth it as she is priceless.

Here's what I would recommend, get her a solitaire princess cut ring worth $11k and surprise her with a rolex watch (like a SS lady just for around $4k).

Good luck.

 

What's she getting you for the anniversary?

hmmmmmm

 

Take her to the Diamond District in NYC and let her pick something out. The amount you'll save will cover the expense of the trip compared to retail (unless you have a good wholesale source) and the diamond quality and selection is incredible.

 

just as a reminder....

if u want the cut which gives the most billiance and shine.....

go for the standard brilliant (round) cut.

a quality brilliant cut diamond is always an eye popper. the **** will shine a mile away!

 

i would think that an "eye popper" would START at 3 carats... Not only that, but, as others have mentioned, make sure it's 3 carats and the color and clarity are in order, as well... You could probably buy a 328 with the money she's looking for you to spend... Good luck, let us know what you do and post pictures when you finally decide...

 

Spoken like a true unmarried man....

 

Spoken like a true happy/ smart man....
Married sounds a whole lot like, face down in the mud getting kicked and stomped by a bull.
If you can afford it, go for it! If you can't really, get a loan, if you don't want to, do it! If you have been together that long, I would break the bank.

 

Darth 550 posted an example of "channel set" diamonds...Cartier (and others) offer this style setting in a triple roller ring ..quite nice.

When I contemplated using these as wedding bands, the elderly woman clerk said, "Oh honey, you'd better save that one for an anniversary...maybe the tenth one!"

Well, that was very good advice! After ten years, I bought it but my first wife handed it back to me...

Husker, 15 years with me would be about softball sized.....LOL!

 

A 2 carat stone is BIG. BIG to the point where people will see it and think "wow thats big". Personally, I think much over 2 is too big - 3 and beyond is just too much.

I would say look in the 1.5-2ct range but go for the FOUR C's. They always talk about the 3 C's - clarity, color, carat. The fourth is by FAR the most important and that is the cut.

There are whats called "hearts and arrows" diamonds. When they put a special kind of light in the diamond, it creates internal reflections. Any errors in the cut are magnified. Diamonds that create a "hearts and arrows" shape are the best cut diamonds out there. Combine that with a good cut and good clarity, and you get an "eye popper".

Check this site out for info

http://www.goodoldgold.com/4csmain.htm

A 2ct H&A diamond is going to run you about $20k, but it will be far superior to a larger or similarly sized one of lesser cut.

My .02 anyway.

As for how much to spend... go for quality, and see what your budget allows for size. If you have an $80k car, maybe a $20k diamond (that won't really depreciate like your car will) isn't so bad an investment.

Finally, check eBay. Diamonds don't wear with age and you can buy the rock and get a different setting if you dont like the setting. The setting is a fraction of the price of a ring, and on eBay you're always paying market value. Just be sure you buy from a VERY REPUTABLE seller. Easy to get taken out there.

 

My advice would be to go for something around 1.5 - 2ct. Some diamonds are just too "bling." My mom has a 5ct VS1 square cut and it's too large IMO. My girlfriend made it clear that she doesn't want a ring that size if I ever decide to pop the question (lucky me ).

While a 5ct diamond is, I suppose, an eye-popper, there is a point where it's too big. However, if you wife wants something really large, you should probably look into enhanced diamonds because you can get a massive stone that won't break the bank. I have heard that enhanced stones look perfectly normal unless you put it under a loupe. You can get a 5ct enhanced for probably $8k instead of $80k.

I am inclined to think that diamonds are way over priced in general. You should just buy her stock in DeBeers