The Ultimate Dilemma! If You're Buying a Ring on the Same Budget, Should You Focus on the Brand or the Size of the Diamond?

2019.08.01 published

Which camp would you choose if you were in my shoes??

Here is the consultation content from the upcoming brides this time.

Indeed, this consultation is likely to elicit very different responses from different people!

We received over 100 responses, many of which included the phrase "I chose based on design!"

Among those, I'll mainly introduce the responses that discuss whether to prioritize brand if the price is the same or to choose no-brand (or cheaper stores) for a larger diamond.

Answer 1

It’s a tough decision! 🤔 Haha

I prioritized brand, but if it turns out to be really small, I might prioritize the diamond instead! 💎 Haha

Answer 2

I had a dream brand for the engagement ring, so I chose based on the brand! ✨

Answer 3

I chose based on cost performance!

I went to a local jeweler, and honestly, most people wouldn’t know the brand of the ring you’re wearing. Since a brand name comes with a high price tag, I opted for a good quality piece from a no-brand wholesaler for the same price.

Although the brand items were too expensive for me, at wholesaler prices, they were affordable, allowing me to increase the number of diamonds!

I have slender fingers, so large diamonds didn’t suit me well. For my wedding band, I chose a design with multiple small diamonds arranged like a half eternity.

If I were to find a similar design from a brand, the price would have been outrageous, but with the wholesaler's price, I was able to get the design and diamonds I initially thought I’d have to give up on!

Just a note, the box from the local jeweler wasn't very pretty, but once you take it out, who cares? Haha

If special designs from brands elevate your mood, then that choice can certainly lead to joyful moments! ^ - ^

But I think if you like a piece you bought from a wholesaler or a local jeweler, there’s nothing to feel embarrassed about!

Answer 4

I prioritize brand.

More than that, I had decided, "I won’t marry unless I get a Tiffany ring!" so I told my husband about it!!

Normally, it's hard to get my hands on such brands, so I think it's a joy to be able to get them as bridal pieces!

Answer 5

Honestly, Japanese people tend to care more about clarity than carats, right? Compared to domestic brands, I think the diamond quality from foreign famous brands isn't as good...

Also, it is said that large diamonds don’t suit Japanese hands. It seems that around 0.2ct is just right.

If there isn’t a desire to want a brand you admire, I think choosing a brand ring leads to a situation where you’re comparing and perhaps feeling looked down upon by others, so personally, I choose based on "affordable prices."

What you prioritize—price, brand recognition, diamond size, or personal preference—is hard to rank, but if you force a ranking, you can understand your deeper subconscious!

By the way, I’m not usually interested in brands, but I have a fascination for GUCCI, and since I wasn't interested in diamonds, I chose a GUCCI ring that had a small stone, which was somewhat cheaper than the market price.

I thought "How cute!" when I first saw it in-store, and I genuinely feel like it was my fate ring.

Answer 6

I had a huge fascination with brands, but in the end, I bought from a wholesaler.

The reason is that I could make many arrangements. When I brought in images I liked, they showed me many similar designs, and I was able to choose what I liked from a variety! ❤️

The shop was very accommodating with specific requests like changing this stone or adding mill grain, allowing me to customize it to my liking!

Although I looked at custom-made shops from scratch, if I’d asked for the same design, the price was more than twice that of the wholesaler.

Since it’s something I would wear for life, I did contemplate buying from a brand,... but I could customize it to my liking while keeping costs down, so I am happy with my purchase from the wholesaler!

Answer 7

I’ve looked at various brand rings, and I admit, the store ones are indeed pretty, creating a sense of unity when paired with an engagement ring, which is very attractive.

However, the prices were very high and hard to reach.

Answer 8

I prioritize the size of the diamond in a ring.

When friends ask which brand it is, I admit it feels prideful to answer with a famous one, but in reality, no one asks about the brand when seeing the ring.

However, the size and brilliance naturally catch people's eyes. Even when searching for engagement rings on Instagram, it feels wasteful to see small diamonds from famous brands.

If you truly want a famous brand, it seems the brand value isn't worth it unless it comes with a substantial diamond that makes a statement.

For me, I want to focus on quality since the engagement ring will be a treasure for a lifetime.

Answer 9

I have no interest in accessories, so I didn’t buy an engagement ring, just the wedding ring. I chose a Disney design from Kei Unno! ✨

While places like Tiffany and Cartier have cute options, I just don’t care that much, feeling that if I lost it, I would think, "But that was expensive!"

When I lose my wedding ring, the first thing that comes to mind is, "That was expensive!" which doesn't feel great... (laughs)

So, I chose a design featuring my favorite character, Rapunzel. ☺️ It’s been three years since I got married, and I still love it; I handmade a Ring Pillow in Rapunzel's design for when the ring no longer fits, so it looks like I’ll be able to enjoy it for a long time! 🎶

Answer 10

I bought it at a brand store!

The reason is the extensive after-service and having stores nationwide, so even if I move or grow older, I can get repairs done at a nearby location!

While wholesaler options could raise doubts about the future of their business 🤔

Answer 11

I admire brand rings, but living in a rural area, there isn’t an actual store I could try on or confirm the fit, so it became complicated...

In the end, I thought, "Let’s go make an original one ourselves!" and reached this conclusion.

Answer 12

I bought both the engagement and wedding rings in Okachimachi! I prioritized quality and I’m satisfied!

I can use any extra budget for the ceremony or honeymoon!

Answer 13

I had no brand attachment, and rather, I saw no advantage in the increased price of diamonds with others' brand value.

Therefore, I purchased a high-quality diamond ring at a significantly lower price directly from bijoupiko, which sources from origins.

I focused on color (hue), clarity, and cut from the 4Cs.

Answer 14

I focused on maintenance, looking for a ring I would wear for a lifetime. I chose Kei Unno, which offers free lifetime maintenance on bridal rings! (*^^*)

I think there are other shops offering free maintenance too.

I heard that Ai Prumo only provides one free size adjustment; they said while you can adjust sizes endlessly, it would incur a fee.

In the case of full eternity rings, even Kei Unno mentioned they couldn't adjust them.

I was worried about potential swelling from pregnancy or changes in finger thickness, and thought it would be sad if I couldn’t wear my wedding ring. It’s nice to have a bridal guarantee! (｡･･｡)

Answer 15

I chose based on cost performance!

Initially, I was enamored with Tiffany, but I thought, "For an engagement ring, it needs to have a big diamond!" and switched to a wholesaler 😊

When wearing an engagement ring, you don’t carry the box around, and standing back, people won't recognize the design as high-end, will they? 🤣

As a result, I was able to have a diamond over twice the size for the price of a high-end one! 😊😊

As for my wedding ring, I went to Tiffany, but they only had sizes starting from 4, so I had to pass.

My size is 3, and a size 4 caused discomfort by rubbing against my middle and pinky fingers, so I judged it unfit for something I would wear for a lifetime.

I thought if I couldn't get Tiffany, any place would be the same, so I chose my wedding ring from the wholesaler where I got my engagement ring.

Answer 16

I prioritized cost performance!! I bought wedding rings at a store called Gala in Okachimachi for about 50,000 yen for both of us.

I looked at established places like 4℃ and Ai Prumo, but when I saw the prices at Gala, there was no hesitation!

Answer 17

I'm brand-focused 💍

I have long admired Tiffany, and since my engagement necklace was from Tiffany, I decided to get my wedding ring from there as well! 😊💓

I do think branded items are more expensive, but I believe their aftercare is also substantial! ☺️

Answer 18

I used to not care much about brands, but when I saw a male coworker raving about something he found at a wholesaler for a great deal,

Honestly, it made me think that’s not really something you should try to save money on, right?

Answer 19

I bought from a ring shop (TSUTSUMI) located in a large shopping facility!

Once worn, no one knows which brand it is; the quality was good and they were cheaper compared to branded ones, so I decided on that! 🥺❤️

Still, it's cute in design and I’m satisfied! 🙏🏼

Answer 20

I’m a wholesaler supporter. I also got my ring from a wholesaler.

I had no interest in brands whatsoever, so I wasn’t resistant at all.

Just as the questioner mentioned, wholesalers can provide large gemstones at lower prices.

I heard not so pleasant stories, though, about acquaintances who said any ring with a diamond less than 0.2 carats doesn't carry any value when selling it at pawn shops, regardless of the brand.

I had also heard stories from gem dealers about the relationship between brand prices and the actual value of the gemstones, so I never had the urge to buy branded items.

However, I think there are people who prioritize brands, and I believe it’s good to have personal preference flexibility.

I think it's super wasteful!

Answer 21

While I didn't initially have a brand preference, I had a set budget for the ring.

If I’m working within that budget, I’d rather choose a ring with a larger diamond regardless of brand!

In the end, I bought three rings for around 350,000 yen in Okachimachi.

Answer 22

I chose the Cartier ring that I had always admired 💍

My priority was not the diamond size but rather the quality and color,

Compared to non-branded options, the price was higher, but I think I managed to keep it somewhat lower within the same brand's range.

Since the carat size isn’t large, it’s easy to wear daily and is one of my favorites.

I think similar quality rings could have been a bit more affordable if they were non-branded or domestically sourced, but I believe the high-quality ambiance and service of Cartier offered an invaluable experience for this once-in-a-lifetime purchase.

Answer 23

Having already decided on a design base I wanted, I browsed through both wholesaler streets and brand shops!

As I thought they offered roughly similar designs, I considered going with a wholesaler, but

My husband said, "While the item may be similar, where you buy it can also be a memorable part of the experience." So, although it isn’t a luxury brand, I opted to purchase from a legitimate brand!

Answer 24

I wasn't focused on brands, so I bought my engagement and wedding rings from a jewelry shop located in a shop mall 💍💕.

I had them set at the highest diamond rank, but even compared to friends who bought brand rings, the price was about half! Haha

Answer 25

I purchased from 4°C.

I had no brand name focus and would have been fine with a local jeweler, but I didn't want to deal with potential shop closures regarding maintenance and guarantees, so I chose a brand-name shop with some reputation. 😂

Answer 26

Personally, I don't mind about the brand, so I prioritize cost performance! 😊

I had an artisan create a one-of-a-kind ring from scratch by hand, and since there were no brand fees, I got great quality at friendly prices.

Answer 27

We opted out of foreign high-end brands! The reason is there aren’t any in our city! Haha

Since I want to treasure my wedding ring for life, I thought it would be awkward to have to drive long distances or take the Shinkansen for maintenance someday.

In the end, since the brand of my engagement ring (4°C Bridal) that my husband gifted me is about 40-50 minutes away by car, we ended up buying the marriage rings there!

Looking around, I felt it’s also important to choose rings that accommodate my income and suited my lifestyle. 💦

Answer 28

I wasn’t planning to buy an engagement ring, but it became necessary for the engagement ceremony.

Since I had to make a sudden purchase, I prioritized price, going to Bijoupiko in Omotesando, where discounts were offered if I bought three rings. 💡

I’m not brand-focused, so I believe I spent a bit less than average.

In reality, good items indeed look great, and they lead to a desire for the even better ones. However, being honest, it’s not something I wear every day anyway,

since wedding rings tend to get scuffed up quickly, I think it's better to go with something reasonably priced.

Answer 29

Since I rarely wear an engagement ring, I chose Cartier, which I prioritized.

I wanted to match the characters from my favorite manga "NANA"!

Conversely, for the wedding ring, I wanted something I could wear all the time, which is why I opted for custom-made ones, spending around 100,000 yen together!

I chose silver material to save costs.

Answer 30

I got my engagement ring from a wholesaler! I made my wedding band by hand ❤️. Since I wasn't very interested in brands, I thought that buying something overly expensive would ultimately just be for show, as no one would know the brand once it's out of the box... 😆

I rather wanted to spend my money on the wedding and honeymoon, so I kept the rings affordable! 😂 I saved around 200,000 yen, which helped me upgrade my Maldives honeymoon to the ultimate luxury experience! 😁❤️

Answer 31

I bought from a somewhat reputable brand but not a high-end one like Cartier; I went with 4°C.

I didn’t choose based on brand because I don’t believe having a brand ensures I will always love it, and regretting later would only bring disappointment.

I chose 4°C not because it's a small shop but due to their good aftercare services!

Because my engagement ring was intended to be something of value in case of any issues that necessitated selling it for living expenses.

Hence, I believe focusing on the diamond is important! (^^)

Answer 32

I considered maintenance and the number of stores! (So I lean towards brand-focused)

Since I might have transfers, it's important to me to have easy access to cleaning and consultations where I move.

Answer 33

I bought my wedding rings in my home country, the Philippines, where prices are 1/3 of those in Japan!

It was a pair of heavy 18K gold rings for 50,000 yen 😂 It was ridiculously cheap! 😂

Answer 34

If I had a choice between brand vs. diamond size for the same amount, I’d probably lean towards brand! (laughs)

Answer 35

I focused on brands and got both from Tiffany, but now I sometimes think it might have been better to go for a no-brand ring with a bigger diamond.

Yet, considering that I can instantly get cleaning done at any location and that the box is cute, it makes me happy.

I think a noticeable engagement ring should be from a brand, but for wedding rings that require maintenance, branded options are better!

Answer 36

If you dream of the perfect box for your ring, then it's definitely a brand choice! However, after that moment passes, it generally isn’t easy to tell which brand it is, so I believe the diamond size ultimately matters more.

When gathering with friends, the compliment is usually on the diamond size, right?

In the end, even for branded items, unless it’s above one carat, it feels as good as worthless. I’d be sad if people thought, "They shouldn't have splurged when they couldn’t afford it..." so I chose to get the largest possible diamond within my means.

Therefore, I lean towards size rather than brand.

Answer 37

I don't focus on brands, but considering warranty and support, I opted for a brand ring. I’m someone who wears the engagement ring daily! 🙏🏻

Answer 38

I reckon brands are virtually unnoticed, so I prioritize cost performance! 🤣

Personally, I bought my ring at Costco (laughs). For diamond necklaces, I shopped at a wholesaler! 🤣

I didn’t experience the luxury feeling at the time of purchase, but for someone who values that or likes certain brands, a brand would be ideal. ❤️

For me, the size and beauty of the diamond matter more than the brand! (laughs)

Answer 39

While diamond size is important, I also think the weight of the platinum matters. 🤔

If the design is recognizable as branded, then it's fine to focus on the brand (like CHANEL).

Whereas I haven’t seen wholesaler items, I worry about their quality. 😫

Answer 40

Once worn, I think unless it’s a uniquely designed brand item, no one will recognize the brand, so if you find a design that’s similar, it’s better to get it affordably! ✨

Answer 41

Both my partner and I went ring shopping together where my husband had done prior research and presented various options to me.

Although I was vaguely attracted to famous brands, I felt flattered by my husband’s wish to provide a quality diamond, so we decided on the shop he found.

Answer 42

I looked at famous brands numerous times but ultimately chose based on cost performance for both my engagement and wedding rings.

They aren’t branded, but with the same budget, they have large, numerous diamonds, so friends said, "I’ve never seen such a big one!" which makes me feel delighted.

Answer 43

I remember feeling happy when I saw the dreamy Tiffany blue during the proposal 🥺❤️

The box is cute just to display, and I prioritize brands!

Answer 44

I focus on cost performance!

Honestly, once you invest in the ring, only those knowledgeable would recognize the brand.

If you love brands, then prioritize them, but🤔

There are often more valuable experiences to spend on than rings, and I believe you won’t regret spending on those!

Answer 45

I went with classic Tiffany. While I saw cheaper and larger options, I wanted to emphasize maintenance and aftercare for something I would wear for life. Thus, I focused more on quality than size.

Since I’m in an international marriage, having care available abroad and reliable options took precedence. I think no matter how expensive, when assuming that I’d wear it for life, it doesn’t count as such an expense!

Answer 46

Initially, I leaned towards brand but, in the end, I worked with a local jeweler to order a custom piece.

Since not many could recall which ring belonged to which brand, I thought there was no need to announce, "My ring is from here!" so I opted out of brand store purchases.

I’m satisfied with having a larger diamond for a lower price than branded options! ☺️

We conducted further surveys!

There were various opinions, but I wondered about their overall proportions, so in an Instagram story I asked,

"If the price were the same, would you prefer a brand ring or a no-brand ring with a larger diamond?"

Additionally! I also inquired about hypothetical situations＊

The roughly even split in the responses relates to the average price of engagement rings being around 300,000 yen.

The upper responses seem to have been considered based on a 300,000 yen budget (probably), so I asked again,

"If you had a 1,300,000 yen ticket that you must use on rings, which engagement ring would you buy?" after having over 500 responses!

<Question ①>

Over 80% said they would prefer a high-end brand even if it means choosing a smaller diamond, if money wasn’t an issue.

<Question ②>

If you didn’t have to spend all 1,300,000 yen on the ring, would you spend it or not?

95% responded that they wouldn’t spend all 1,300,000 yen!

<Question ③>

If your ring budget increased, would you increase your ring's price?

The answers split evenly between "buying the same items again" and "buying more expensive ones."

<Question ④>

Given that you have a budget of 1,300,000 yen for rings, how much do you think you would spend on a ring?

What do you think? Your friends? Your husband?

I believe that individual values regarding the questions vary dramatically.

Moreover, I think everyone's feelings upon seeing these survey results are surely diverse too.

Listening to others can provide a delightful opportunity to reflect on what you want to do and can generate interesting conversations, so please engage your husband or friends in discussions.

You might say, "I read a topic on marry about this, what do you think?" and enjoy the conversations! ♩

@hakone_wedding08