2nd post, need help - 1st time buyer!

[rahm77]

I''ve been reading many posts on this board (thanks for the great help already). I was looking at www.ice.com because my company get''s an additional 20% off their price, so they have .5 TDW Platinum studs for about $680 after my discount. Color F, Clarity I1, no mention of cut. I was a bit sceptical so I found this website and after reading your posts found myself on www.bluenile.com. I found the set below, sound like a good deal? Christmas gift for my wife of 1.5 years.

Set in Platnium 3-prong settings, $1,294. Almost twice as much as the ones on Ice.com. In fact I could get .75 TDW, F, I1 for about $1,000 on that site. Same settings, but I''m wary because they don''t mention cut like BlueNile and everyone on this site.

Advice? I''m new to this (the engagement ring is a family heirloom so I didn''t have to buy a diamond yet!)

1st stone

Carat weight: 0.30
Cut: Ideal
Color: H
Clarity: SI1
Depth %: 62.4%
Table %: 55%
Symmetry: Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to slightly thick, faceted
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 4.26x4.30x2.67 mm
2nd stone
Carat weight: 0.30
Cut: Ideal
Color: H
Clarity: SI1
Depth %: 62.8%
Table %: 54%
Symmetry: Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to medium, faceted
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 4.29x4.32x2.70 mm

 

[Jennifer5973]

These two stones do look lovely... In earrings, many suggest you can go lower in clarity (definitely SI1, and even SI2 to good I1s) and color (H-K) in well cut stones. Cut is still key, though, as you want these suckers to sparkle on her lobes. I would agree with this approach myself.

You are right on to pay attention to the cut and then perhaps go to I color or SI2 stones if you want to save money or go larger. Get the cut specs on any stones you''re cosidering, read up on the tutorial here and use the HCA to weed out poor performers. You''ll end up with a great pair of studs!