Are prices too high now to make an exchange for my studs?

[zinninge]

I have an appointment with the jeweler in just a little while to discuss exchanging these GIA-cert stones for something better match in size and quality. But I've heard that prices are high now. Do you think I'd be better off keeping what I have?

Here are the numbers from the impossible to read reports:
0.77 carat, F, SI1
table 57
depth 61.4
crown 33.5
pavilion 41.0
cut X
polish X
symmetry VG
clarity grade is based on clouds that are not shown
5.90-5.92 x 3.63 mm
no fl.

0.75 F VS1
table 56
depth 62.4
crown 34.5
pavilion 41.2
symmetry X
polish VG
cut X
5.79 - 5.84 x 3.63 mm

Thanks for any advice, especially you experts out there. I wish I'd known more about you guys before I bought these!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Are prices too high now to make an exchange for my studs

are you still within a return period? I'd return and start over if you can and get 2 ideal cut stones. But if not, I would try to get the diameter measurements to overlap. Since you just got them I wouldn't worry about exchanging one stone.

 

[zinninge]

Re: Are prices too high now to make an exchange for my studs

Thank you, DiamondSeeker. I am still within the return period and asked for just that--two stones with better matching diameters and with cut parameters within these: 56-67 table and 59.5-61.9 depth. I told her I'm willing to forgo the VS1 quality in exchange for SI1 XXX and a truly good cut (not just GIA Excellent), and I'll go down to G color if I have to since I can't tell the difference anyway.

She did tell me that prices have gone up substantially and that it is very hard to find an SI1 that meets my definition of "eye clean," which is simply not in the middle of table where the clouds on one of my store are and that can be hidden under a prong. But this time around, thanks to you and the other kind PSers who have advised me, I am willing to wait until I can find what I want.

I am reluctant just to return them altogether. The jeweler is a good one and I found out they have a microscope and Idealscope which I can use--didn't know that before.

Plus--since I've already paid for them I get to wear the earrings I have now!

BUT . . . if you think my cut specification are too close, let me know. I found in on Pricescope from NiceIce, I think, and they are for a Premium Ideal diamond. I fear I may have a long wait! Let us just hope that prices haven't gone up so much that I'm better offer sticking with what I have.

Again, thanks for your help.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Re: Are prices too high now to make an exchange for my studs

Hi,
You spent a lot of $ to have earrings that it sounds like you like but aren't 100% satisfied with. Since you're within the return period, then possibly return them and wait a bit till you find the perfect pair. You'll be wearing your studs for many years!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Are prices too high now to make an exchange for my studs

These are from Nice Ice? Of so, I would certainly think they would work hard to find you a great matched pair! I do think the vendors who have their own stones cut (such as WhiteFlash and Brian Gavin) usually have a greater number of matched pairs judging from my own searches in the past. You might consider doing a return if they can't find you a better pair before the return period is over.

 

[zinninge]

Re: Are prices too high now to make an exchange for my studs

No, unfortunately only the specs are from NiceIce. The stones are from a local B&M store here in the Washington, DC area. Saturday is the end of my 30 day's grace period, so if they haven't found anything I will probably just ask for my money back. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much on PS in the .75 carat range that meets the NiceIce specs (depth 59.5-61.9 and table 55-57) and is also an F-G VS2 or SI1 (except from Blue Nile, which seems to have much higher prices than everybody else--please correct me if I'm wrong). Also, I'm not sure who to trust on the phone about "eye clean" SI1s--by which I mean the inclusions are not under the table but near the edges where they can be hidden by prongs. The last Blue Nile person I talked to told me an SI2 was eye clean, then when asked sent me a description of where the inclusions were. There black marks all over the place.

So if you an recommend a reliable vendor, please do. And if I'm wrong about Blue Nile prices, I'd like to know that too!

Thanks again.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Are prices too high now to make an exchange for my studs

For matched pairs, I have had the most success at WhiteFlash and would also try Brian Gavin. Both have stones cut for them and they get in new shipments every few weeks.