What do you guys think about Quad rings??

palmettogirl924

I can't decide if they look too gaudy or if they look classic and pretty?

This is the one I've had my eye on in particular: $2300, but it's on sale for $1700!





(I got this one off of their website- ZALES- you can see the quad a bit better)
I've typically like solatire's- princess cut like the one below, but maybe it's just too plain...? Also, how much of a difference is there (in person) between .5, 3/4 and 1 carat? Is it hugely noticeable?


This is just 1 carat, and it's $3000.

heyimbren

I don't think you can have "too plain" of a ring- it's all personal preference and style.

For the difference in carats, you should go to a jeweller and look at the size in person. That will give you a better idea.

leia1979

I'm not familiar with quad rings. Is that four princess cut stones arranged to look like a larger stone? If you like the square look and lots of sparkles, then it seems like a good choice. The price seems good, too.

In terms of size, I recommend just trying stuff on. I went for a 3/4 carat equivalent (not a diamond). That's 6mm in diameter on a round brilliant. I personally thought 1 carat was too big for me, even though it's probably only another half millimeter in diameter bigger.

palmettogirl924

Yes, it's 4 princess cuts to look like 1.

bethsmiles

I don't like either of those rings. But it really only matters what you like

loopy82

I am also personally not a fan of quad rings, but as everyone was saying below, to each his own.

Elle1036

Clusters aren't typically my style, but I like that one ok.  Of course, all that really matters is what you like.

As far as the sizes, like someone else has mentioned, you really need to try some on to get an idea of what you need.  What size is your finger?  I ended up getting a 2 carat stone (moissanite, though) because anything smaller made my finger look fat.  If you have thinner hands (from that picture, it looks like you might) then a smaller stone will be better.  I know plenty of girls who have .5 or .75 carat stones that look great.

calindi

I actually don't mind either of those.  I prefer round stones on my own finger, but if one of my friends had that, I'd like it on their finger. 

breezerb

I don't mind them but as PPs said, it's all a matter of personal taste.  It doesn't matter what ring you choose, some people will like and some won't.  You are best to choose what you (and your FI) like and honestly who cares what others think? You are the one who has to look at it and wear it everyday.

katanne9

You should get whatever you love and no one should sway your personal opinion.

I, personally, really do not like quad rings. I hate that you can see the lines when the 4 diamonds are pushed together and I don't like the light refracts when all 4 are together. To me it looks confusing, not like a larger stone. I think it's a trend. If you like it because you want a bigger stone, I would just switch to moissanite.

You need to try on the rings to see how different size look on you.

And also, just to be clear on the value - four .25ct diamonds are not the same value as one 1ct. diamond. You will pay a lot more as your stone size goes up (ie. the appeal of this sort of ring).

Princess*Cut

Yeah I dont like the quad ring either. They are however generally cheaper than a solid diamond. The second ring looks better although the solitaire is not my type of a ring. Best of luck in what you choose!

loves2shop4shoes

Quad ring is NMS personally, but if you like it, go for it.  I prefer the second ring, but am still not a huge fan of princess cuts.  Again, that's just me.  

aperitisa

I agree with the PPs.....its definitely not my style, but to each his own!

deburnin

The quad is too flashy for me and the solitaire is too boring (for me). Gosh I am picky. lol

I also recommend going to look at different diamond sizes in person. I knew from the get go that I wanted a half carat or less because my mom's e-ring is just under a carat and I thought that was a good size for me as well. I'd almost prefer even smaller. One of the jewelers we went to pulled out loose diamonds starting at a little over a half carat and a little under to show us the difference in sizes. He also showed us a two carat diamond and I just about died.

desertsun

Palmettogirl, just wanted to let you know that a friend of mine has that exact ring from Zales and she's had stones fall out. Twice. And waited WEEKS to get it back. I highly recommend a different style or store.

jemmini6

I actually just went to Zales this weekend to try on rings (princess cut solitaire) because I wasn't sure how the different sizes would look on my hand.  I personally think a 1 carat looked waaayy  too big on me.  The .5 carat and the .75 carat were both pretty nice, but the .75 carat was a lot higher mount.  I'd say my 'perfect' size would be in between the .5 and .75, probably around a .6 or so.  But if I had to choose either the .5, .75, or 1, I'd go with the .5.  I think with those kinds of things, you definitely need to try them on in person.  Looking online, I thought the 1 carat looked about right for my hand, but it's way bigger in person.  It's also a matter of personal preference, I'm not a flashy person, and I don't wear any rings normally, so it's more important to me to have something that's not to high and won't snag on stuff than having a big rock to show off.  I also suggest trying on the wedding band with a solitaire, the solitaire by itself was a little plain (but so am I ) but with the band with a little bit of diamonds on it looked perfect.

calindi

I totally agree with jemini.  My ideal diamond size would be about .75 carats.  Gotta try it on to tell!

**Mutley**

I don't think quad rings look gaudy or classic.  I think that they look like they are trying too hard to be a bigger center stone. 

Goldlie11

I hate quad rings. 

sapphirebaby926

I don't like it but I don't like quad rings in general. If you like it and it's your style then go for it

SopChick

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_guys-think-quad-rings?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:59bf1073-95e0-4314-bf86-e80d3ef1596bPost:9c54819e-ec36-464e-9eb7-b0b6d8076d81">Re: What do you guys think about Quad rings??</a>:
[QUOTE]Palmettogirl, just wanted to let you know that a friend of mine has that exact ring from Zales and she's had stones fall out. Twice. And waited WEEKS to get it back. I highly recommend a different style or store.
Posted by desertsun[/QUOTE]

This was going to be my exact caution to you. Having worked with quads, this is a big concern. Due to the style, you need to make sure that your prongs (generally "V" shaped on the corners of the quad) are tight at all times. With a solitaire if one prong is looser the other 3 should generally hold until you get it repaired. With a quad, it is very difficult to get the tension just right to keep the stones together if one prong ever becomes loosened. Unfortunately it's not the case of the store, but the style.

As someone else said already, yes the lower price is appealing now, but a solitaire diamond of the same total carat weight (or even really a smaller weight but the same price as the quad) is going to have more vaule, and retain its value over time. The way the stones in the quad are set, they have a groove in them to keep them together, so they can't really be set any way other than in a quad. I suppose maybe in a bezel setting, but that's a tangent, and I think you get my point. :)

All that being said, if you really like the style, just keep in mind that you need to get it checked often, and be more careful with it then you would need to be with a solitaire. It is a bit trendy, but again, that's a personal choice!

leia1979

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_guys-think-quad-rings?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:59bf1073-95e0-4314-bf86-e80d3ef1596bPost:a1b28a6b-646e-458f-bc05-22e15b85ca09">Re: What do you guys think about Quad rings??</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What do you guys think about Quad rings?? : As someone else said already, yes the lower price is appealing now, but a solitaire diamond of the same total carat weight (or even really a smaller weight but the same price as the quad) is going to have more vaule, and retain its value over time.
Posted by SopChick[/QUOTE]

You make a good point, but when I picked out my ering, resale value is not something that came to mind. It goes back to my complaint of people justifying an expensive ring as an investment. This should only matter if you're planning to sell it sometime down the road.

PandaBurr

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_guys-think-quad-rings?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:59bf1073-95e0-4314-bf86-e80d3ef1596bPost:3e405d95-7fee-4bee-9587-6139830977d9">Re: What do you guys think about Quad rings??</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What do you guys think about Quad rings?? : You make a good point, but when I picked out my ering, resale value is not something that came to mind. It goes back to my complaint of people justifying an expensive ring as an investment. This should only matter if you're planning to sell it sometime down the road.
Posted by leia1979[/QUOTE]

I completely agree with this statement. My opinion may be biased however, since I opted for a sim and not a diamond.

HobokensFury

I'm personally not a fan of quad rings because you can see the lines.  It is however a great option for people who want the look of a larger stone for a snaller price.  I do like the halo setting of the first one... then again I'm partial because I have a princess cut halo.

SopChick

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_guys-think-quad-rings?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:59bf1073-95e0-4314-bf86-e80d3ef1596bPost:3e405d95-7fee-4bee-9587-6139830977d9">Re: What do you guys think about Quad rings??</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What do you guys think about Quad rings?? : You make a good point, but when I picked out my ering, resale value is not something that came to mind. It goes back to my complaint of people justifying an expensive ring as an investment. This should only matter if you're planning to sell it sometime down the road.
Posted by leia1979[/QUOTE]

Very true, I guess it's just an old habit from working in jewelery. I know personally I wouldn't think of resale value as a selling point, but many do. I also don't see the "expensive ring as an investment" side of things to justify going over and beyond your budget... I guess that's why I stopped working jewelery!  <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-wink.gif" border="0" alt="Wink" title="Wink" />



(that and I think if I worked another day in retail it would have ended very badly... I am not cut out for that, more power to those that can take it!)

SassyBrass

It's just depends on what you like. I personally am not feeling it, I can tell it's smaller diamonds, and it feels they are trying to compensate.
I have really dainty hands and really didn't want a giant rock on it. My diamond by standard is pretty small (1/3 carat) but the way my husband designed it was not just a plain old boring band. That's one of the issues I have with solitaires is that it's a little too plain.
If it's what you like and it looks good on you, I say rock it, but for your value I'd go for a slightly smaller single diamond rather than 4.