$10,000 for diamond studs

[Black Jade]

I was planning to save and trade up for diamond stud earrings, but unexpectedly DH gave me $10,000 to spend for a birthday present.

I am a happy lady, obviously.

This would be $10,000 for EVERYTHING,including setting. Knowing my husband, he is going to object to spending $10,000.01, I MUST keep within budget. I want to get the best deal for the money, obviously.

It seems like I can afford 1.5 to 2 carat total weight earrings if I set them in white gold. I would like them to be as big as possible. But I want pretty, too. I don''t want any eye visible inclusions and I want them to be cut so that they''re inceredibly sparkly.

Any suggestions to start me off in my search?
Thanks,
Black Jade

 

[cara]

how color sensitive are you?

 

[Regular Guy]

Maybe these two with martini backs?

edited to add...I re-read your focus on no eye visible inclusions. Just check with WF on this. You might instead explore for only SI1...but even then, you'd want to ask them if and how they are eye clean.

Frankly...seems like you'll never be looking at them, and neither will anybody else, up close...but what do I know.

Regards...

 

[Ellen]

Looking at WF, this is the biggest match, then they jump above your budget. But honestly, this would be a fabulous, and very noticeable size, imo. I''ve got 1.16 tcw ACA''s, and they are very noticeable.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=1445183,1445181

Set in either these, but ask for the handmade version.

http://www.whiteflash.com/Fine-jewelry/Diamond_Studs/Three-Prong--Martini---SETTINGS-ONLY_1119.htm

Or these, which I think are gorgeous.

http://www.whiteflash.com/Fine-jewelry/Diamond_Studs/Eight-prong--Martini---SETTINGS-ONLY_949.htm

 

[Ellen]

Date: 9/22/2008 12:11:15 PM
Author: Regular Guy
Maybe these two with martini backs?

Good find Ira. I''ve had such dismal luck lately with ES stones, I didn''t even look this time.

 

[Skippy123]

Wowzers, what a budget!

I have J colored earrings and I feel good about them; I agree with Cara find out how color sensitive you are and remember that they will bee seen on your ears not hand so you might be able to go to a J or K?? Also you might want to look for eye clean SI1's or SI2's

What about these

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Matching_Compare.aspx?oldID=1225152&newID=1225151 (I think there is a PS discount to get these babies under the 10k mark). 1.23 carats each I am thinking BIG! haha

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 9/22/2008 12:12:45 PM
Author: Ellen
Looking at WF, this is the biggest match, then they jump above your budget. But honestly, this would be a fabulous, and very noticeable size, imo. I've got 1.16 tcw ACA's, and they are very noticeable.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=1445183,1445181

The set Ellen pointed out are nice. For $10K are you sure you just want earrings? If you went for good size diamonds, not HUGE, you probably could get a pair of studs AND a pendant for that amount. That's what I'd do

In fact, that IS what I did - but my budget was much lower. lol

 

[Ellen]

Date: 9/22/2008 12:44:01 PM
Author: MC
The set Ellen pointed out are nice. For $10K are you sure you just want earrings? If you went for good size diamonds, not HUGE, you probably could get a pair of studs AND a pendant for that amount. That''s what I''d do

In fact, that IS what I did - but my budget was much lower. lol

Now there is a fabulous idea!

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 9/22/2008 12:44:01 PM
Author: MC

Date: 9/22/2008 12:12:45 PM
Author: Ellen
Looking at WF, this is the biggest match, then they jump above your budget. But honestly, this would be a fabulous, and very noticeable size, imo. I''ve got 1.16 tcw ACA''s, and they are very noticeable.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=1445183,1445181

The set Ellen pointed out are nice. For $10K are you sure you just want earrings? If you went for good size diamonds, not HUGE, you probably could get a pair of studs AND a pendant for that amount. That''s what I''d do

In fact, that IS what I did - but my budget was much lower. lol

HI:

And throw in those earring jackets.....

cheers--Sharon

 

[Black Jade]

Date: 9/22/2008 1:40:16 PM
Author: canuk-gal

Date: 9/22/2008 12:44:01 PM
Author: MC

Date: 9/22/2008 12:12:45 PM
Author: Ellen
Looking at WF, this is the biggest match, then they jump above your budget. But honestly, this would be a fabulous, and very noticeable size, imo. I''ve got 1.16 tcw ACA''s, and they are very noticeable.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=1445183,1445181

The set Ellen pointed out are nice. For $10K are you sure you just want earrings? If you went for good size diamonds, not HUGE, you probably could get a pair of studs AND a pendant for that amount. That''s what I''d do

In fact, that IS what I did - but my budget was much lower. lol

HI:

And throw in those earring jackets.....

cheers--Sharon

You all think like me. I asked DH right away if I could get several things. However, he said just ONE thing. To remember this birthday forever.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 9/22/2008 1:44:48 PM
Author: Black Jade
You all think like me. I asked DH right away if I could get several things. However, he said just ONE thing. To remember this birthday forever.

Well, ok, he''s being sorta sentimental, can''t fault him for that.

Look at it this way, you could have some left over for the next gift.

 

[Black Jade]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I looked up Ellen''s suggestion which look beautiful and also Skippy''s suggestion which looked BIG. Both looked tempting. Unfortunately, even with the discount, Skippy''s was over budget even with the PS discount, which brought the diamonds alone to $10,056. I have to say 2.5 ctw sounded interesting.

But I don''t know if the quality would bother me. I don''t know if I am color sensitive or not. One of my diamond rings is unknown mall quality and one is F SI1 ideal cut. I don''t know if the F is prettier to me because it is an F or because it is ideal cut. I have darker skin and my color season is autumn (if any of you all are familiar with that) and I tend to wear warmer colors next to my face. Not bright white but ivory. So I might like J color or even K. I don''t have any stores around here that I could really go to tell. All of the stores around here say that everything in the store is G/H VS but nothing ever has a certificate, if you know what I mean and the stones don''t look like any kind of quality even to me, far from expert.

I do know that I had to make an effort not be be sensitive about the F color ring being an SI1. I can''t see the inclusion, except with a loupe and I stopped louping the ring soon after I got it because I knew I would drive myself crazy. I also found myself apologizing and explaining that it was SI1 to people. Even though nobody saw anything and people in fact were saying what a good clarity the diamond obviously was.

I guess I need to call Whiteflash and question them. They''ll tell me if an SI2 is visible, won''t they?
Is the handmade 3 prong martini different in price? Does the 8 prong show a lot of metal and is one more secure than the other?
Thanks, Black Jade

 

[Black Jade]

Date: 9/22/2008 1:50:01 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 9/22/2008 1:44:48 PM
Author: Black Jade
You all think like me. I asked DH right away if I could get several things. However, he said just ONE thing. To remember this birthday forever.

Well, ok, he''s being sorta sentimental, can''t fault him for that.

Look at it this way, you could have some left over for the next gift.

Yeah, he''s a sweetie, definitely.

 

[Black Jade]

How do I match up the diamonds on Whiteflash to see if two diamonds are a good pair?
I see there is a button to click but then you get so many choices--how do you tell if one is a good match. I tried to make other matches for the I VS diamonds and 8 pages came up and they varied VERY MUCH in price.

Black Jade

 

[Black Jade]

By the way, does H & A make a huge difference in diamonds or is AGS ideal cut ok? Whiteglash ACA is H& A, right? And Expert Selection is everything else?

Black Jade

 

[Ellen]

Date: 9/22/2008 2:05:46 PM
Author: Black Jade
Thanks for all the suggestions. I looked up Ellen''s suggestion which look beautiful and also Skippy''s suggestion which looked BIG. Both looked tempting. Unfortunately, even with the discount, Skippy''s was over budget even with the PS discount, which brought the diamonds alone to $10,056. I have to say 2.5 ctw sounded interesting.

But I don''t know if the quality would bother me. I don''t know if I am color sensitive or not. One of my diamond rings is unknown mall quality and one is F SI1 ideal cut. I don''t know if the F is prettier to me because it is an F or because it is ideal cut. I have darker skin and my color season is autumn (if any of you all are familiar with that) and I tend to wear warmer colors next to my face. Not bright white but ivory. So I might like J color or even K. I don''t have any stores around here that I could really go to tell. All of the stores around here say that everything in the store is G/H VS but nothing ever has a certificate, if you know what I mean and the stones don''t look like any kind of quality even to me, far from expert.

I do know that I had to make an effort not be be sensitive about the F color ring being an SI1. I can''t see the inclusion, except with a loupe and I stopped louping the ring soon after I got it because I knew I would drive myself crazy. I also found myself apologizing and explaining that it was SI1 to people. Even though nobody saw anything and people in fact were saying what a good clarity the diamond obviously was.

I guess I need to call Whiteflash and question them. They''ll tell me if an SI2 is visible, won''t they?
Is the handmade 3 prong martini different in price? Does the 8 prong show a lot of metal and is one more secure than the other?
Thanks, Black Jade

Yes they will.

I am not sure if there is a price difference on the handmade. I want to think I paid the same price as the regular, but got the handmade.

Call and ask to speak with Lesley. She has taken good care of me through a few purchases, and is just lovely to work with. She''ll take good care of you.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Pretty close pair, different vendors...I don''t know the price but would be worth checking into; as with the rest of the INfinity Inventory:

=394&sid[]=503&Submit=Compare&record_listing=index.php?pid=41&lang=eng&prfr=0&prto=200000&ctfr=0.82&ctto=1.24&cufr=0&cuto=10&cofr=2&coto=10&clfr=0&clto=6&Submit=1&sh[0]=2&typ=aj&rl=50:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=394&sid[]=503&Submit=Compare&record_listing=index.php?pid=41&lang=eng&prfr=0&prto=200000&ctfr=0.82&ctto=1.24&cufr=0&cuto=10&cofr=2&coto=10&clfr=0&clto=6&Submit=1&sh[0]=2&typ=aj&rl=50

Home page:

http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php

cheers--Sharon

 

[Black Jade]

Well, I called Whiteflash and Lesley was busy so I talked to Katie.
She said that as someone who has an F color diamond already, I probably won''t be happy with a K, that J is the lowest she would suggest. She also says that no one will see SI2 inclusions in earrings. But this might be a mindclean issue.

She suggested I get smaller ones and remember their upgrade policy. However, I know my husband--he won''t want me upgrading his special present. So I want to get it right the first time.

She showed me how to match things on the site, so I suppose I''ll be surfing around there and asking you all what you think of various pairs.

The Infinity diamonds looked nice too--but how would I find out a price?
Thanks

 

[Ellen]

BJ, sorry, I missed your other questions! I see one got answered.

Yes, ACA is H&A, ES is everything else. You can get great stones from the ES, you just need to know what to look for. Ira found a great pair that''s in budget, nothing wrong with those at all. I can''t get Sharon''s page (Infinity stones) to load, but you would call whatever vendor has the stones and ask. Be sure to ask if there''s a PS discount also.

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 9/22/2008 3:12:12 PM
Author: Black Jade
Well, I called Whiteflash and Lesley was busy so I talked to Katie.
She said that as someone who has an F color diamond already, I probably won''t be happy with a K, that J is the lowest she would suggest. She also says that no one will see SI2 inclusions in earrings. But this might be a mindclean issue.

She suggested I get smaller ones and remember their upgrade policy. However, I know my husband--he won''t want me upgrading his special present. So I want to get it right the first time.

She showed me how to match things on the site, so I suppose I''ll be surfing around there and asking you all what you think of various pairs.

The Infinity diamonds looked nice too--but how would I find out a price?
Thanks

HI:

Two ways, call or fill out the information inquiry form when you toggle the vendors name:

http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=61&lang=eng&sid=55

http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=61&lang=eng&sid=65


Here is another pair: S12 and I1 clarity respectiovely, same vendors; likely less $$ due to clarity

=445&sid[]=391&Submit=Compare&record_listing=index.php?pid=41&lang=eng&prfr=0&prto=200000&ctfr=0&ctto=10&cufr=0&cuto=10&cofr=7&coto=8&clfr=3&clto=9&Submit=1&sh[0]=2&typ=aj&rl=50:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=445&sid[]=391&Submit=Compare&record_listing=index.php?pid=41&lang=eng&prfr=0&prto=200000&ctfr=0&ctto=10&cufr=0&cuto=10&cofr=7&coto=8&clfr=3&clto=9&Submit=1&sh[0]=2&typ=aj&rl=50


I have a pair of AGS 0, H & A, I1 earrings (Cut by Infinity + Cut by Tolk) and they are marvellous............

cheers--Sharon

 

[Black Jade]

Here I am again.
Here are some possible choices for the diamond studs.

Katie found these for me today.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=1445164,1445187

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=1445157,1445163

These are the ones that Ira found

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=1445157,1445163

and there are also the ones Ellen suggested.

I was looking up some on Blue Nile, too.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid2=LD01412874&pid3=LD01385003&filter_id=6&track=summary_image_link

http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid2=LD01129488&pid3=LD01397238&filter_id=6&track=summary_image_link

http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid2=LD00472295&pid3=LD01397632&filter_id=6&track=summary_image_link

Any of these that you would immediately decide against?

I guess Im struggling a lot with the size vs. clarity/color issue. I am really drawn to the idea of 2 carat tw pair. But I fear that they won''t be white or that I will be unhappy with the inclusions. Maybe this is because I''m a newbie.

I also like the idea of getting a 1.80 ctw pair and having .90 carats each that looks like about a carat, but costs a bit less, so that I can up the color/clarity. There seem to be several of those on Blue Nile. And I bought from them before and liked them. But I am sort of attracted to the H & A idea from what I see in the photos (haven''t seen in person, my ring is just an AGS0 ideal) And I don''t like the idea that I have to get screwbacks, which is all Blue Nile offers. Plus, they can''t look at the stones and tell you about them.

Well, not complaining, I''m delighted to be having the problem of making this decision and feel very lucky!

 

[Fly Girl]

I saw one of those Crafted by Infinity K''s in person at Continental a couple of weeks ago. I love the K color for earrings. And, the Infinity cut is sooooo beautiful! The diamond is not blinding white, like new fallen snow in the sunlight, but if you have darker toned skin, it will look absolutely fantastic on you. I wear J studs myself, and I figured that at my advanced age, softer colors would be better. Actually, though, they look pretty darn white. I decided that Js or Ks for earrings are perfect colors. They look white face up, and no one will ever look at those stones from the sides, which is how you see the very slight body color. And, I''m picky about my ring stones where I prefer those to be D-F. But for earrings, Js and Ks are a bargain. Go for the size!!!