Bargain Studs? Is it possible?

[ladyroadwarrior]

Hi all,
I'm a newbie and thinking of buying myself a blingy present! As a single gal without a family history of diamonds, this will be my first purchase. I'm in my late 20s, work in a very professional setting and want earrings that are some everyday bilng.

Here is my dilemma:

I've just gotten a big promotion at work and think I deserve somethings special I would like to keep it under $1200-1400 and recognize that seems like a very small budget for this type of project. So, do I:
A) Buy the BGD preset halos (ooh sparkly!) and call it a day? http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond-earrings/studs/diamond-halo-studs-18k-white-gold-5469w18
B) Buy presets from one of the typical PS vendors and stretch budget to reach about .75ctw (like this http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/8-prong-martini-diamond-earrings-644.htm)
C) Find some sort of combo of lower color very good stones and try to make it work?

One thing that I've read a lot on the forums is the superior optics (and therefore sparkle/shine) of really well cut stones. I believe it - for engagement rings or larger pieces. PSers often contrast these good stones with the low quality 'frozen spit' you can find in the 'maul' stores.

Can someone explain if there is a happy medium? Is it even possible for me to find studs that are bright, clear, sparkly and not microscopic in my budget (without being perfectly graded?)

Thanks in advance - from lurking I can tell that this forum has a huge amount of knowledge and I'm looking forward to your perspectives!

I

 

[Circe]

Congratulations on your promotion! That's wonderful news, and I think it's an awesome reason to get yourself something celebratory.

I think that this is the perfect situation in which to call Yekutiel at ID Jewelry. I have a pair of 1.44 tcw studs from them that I adore that came in *miles* under other companies quotes. I also just went with BGD for smaller studs, because the pre-sets save a nice chunk of change, and finding perfectly cut .12 stones can be a headache. But in the size range you're considering? I'd at the very least want to be able to compare my options. I wouldn't try doing it myself, though: matching stones is something that's best left to people with huge inventories and excellent search software ....

P.S. - Would you be amenable to second-hand, or would that take some of the bloom off the rose for you? If not, plenty of people here are great at finding eBay bargains ....

 

[rubybeth]

I think you can go with lower color/clarity for earrings, but don't sacrifice on cut because diamonds sparkle on your ears just as much as they do on your hands. I say you can go lower on clarity/color because most people are holding their earlobe up to their face to inspect it, whereas they *might* do that with an engagement ring. If I were you, to maximize your budget (which sounds healthy to me!), I'd give ID Jewelry a call and let them know you are a Pricescoper: http://idjewelryonline.com/

You can always get earring jackets later to bling them up, like the Brian Gavin halo set you posted. Having a pair of studs, you can dress them up or down, depending.

ETA: I see Circe posted pretty much the same thing as I did.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You've had some good suggestions already, but I would even suggest waiting just a little longer so you can add to your budget. Even though you can upgrade with some of these vendors, it isn't cheap to keep getting new settings.

I do think the BG halos studs are pretty and a good buy. But 5.6mm is the size of my .65 stud, so I wouldn't quite say they are the size of .75 studs.

 

[Gypsy]

I would call ID jewelry as well. Ask for Yekutiel. Tell him you are a pricescoper but don't need super ideals with hearts and arrows. Your priorities are great light return and bright brilliant stones that perform well. J color and eyeclean.

 

[MissStepcut]

I'd start scouring the secondary market: Jewels by Erica Grace (though I think their deals used to be better, I still see great finds there) Oak Gem, Dover Jewelers, diamondbistro, local pawn shops... When it comes to gifts from me to me, I would pretty shamelessly be looking for that lobe coverage, since I'll be the only one to ever know that they're not perfectly unincluded, or perfectly new, or whatever fault they might have.

 

[manderz]

I agree with the secondary market suggestions. I was able to buy my college graduation studs on ebay, they are 1.3 ctw bezels, not the best clarity but beautiful and sparkly, and I paid $1050 for them, about a month and a half ago. If you describe what you're looking for, there are some VERY handy folks who love scouring the internet for a great piece

 

[Jax172]

I have .80 total weight in K VVS stones from BGD that I got for around that price. The Ks don't look yellow at all on the earrings and they are a nice size for everyday wear. Plus they are upgradable should I want to go bigger or better color later. Check out J-K color for a nice savings.

 

[Smith1940]

I have some Blue Nile Signature studs and they are so, so sparkly due to the excellent cut. You can easily go down to SI1 and SI2 in the Blue Nile Signature, and I colour also, which looks perfectly white. My e-ring is an I but an excellent cut, and it looks really white!

One other idea: I have always had my diamonds set in white metals full bezels, because it makes the diamonds look bigger! In my opinion, it's also a very neat look. I'm not so keen on all those prongs as I think they can overshadow smaller diamonds of the type you find for ear studs. Blue Nile does a lovely full bezel earring setting in 18k white gold and platinum, and recently they introduced that bezel setting in 14k white gold which will save you a bit of money.

See the link below. These look nice, and plus the setting it should come in around your budget. Mine are tcw 0.35 each stone, and with the bezel they're definitely large enough and sparkly enough that lots of people comment on them.

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-earrings?first_step=diamond&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#diamonds_forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|builder=BYOE|pid=LD02241011|pid=LD02241068

 

[Smith1940]

I've just clicked on the BGD halo studs - they look really nice indeed! A good price for something which looks a good size, too! I think their diamond melee is supposed to be an extremely good cut, so I'm sure they'd be super-sparkly too.

It's true that they're an inexpensive option for a lot of bling - however; I think you have to ask yourself this: How happy will you be 2 years or 10 years from now with the halo look made from lots of smaller diamonds? It's quite a different look from a single stud. What look does your heart desire? If what you really desire is the single-diamond look, you will buy those in the future and then when you get them you won't love your halos as much, and it would be cheaper to buy the single studs in the first place, even though they cost more now.

Only you know if you are happy with the look offered by the BGD $750 earrings.

As a poster above said, another route is to up your budget, if you can afford it, and buy a "forever" pair of diamond studs. If you could stretch to $1600-1700 you could get such a wonderful pair you'd wear them forever, and this would probably be the cheapest option since prices tend to rise over the long-term.

Decisions, decisions!!

 

[makemepretty]

I personally don't like the BGD halo earrings, they remind me too much of cluster jewelry. I'd get studs before I'd buy those. The Whiteflash ones you posted are much much better. Like others have said, ID Jewelry is awesome. If you know what you're looking for you can find great deals on used sites.

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

I would get some upgradeable studs in a cheap martini setting like from BGD, $1400 would get you .60tcw and when you are ready you can upgrade them for bigger later on.

 

[m-2-b]

Having just purchased some diamond martini studs from BGD, I would recommend contacting them directly and telling them what your budget is. I would purchase studs that you could upgrade later on down the line instead of the preset ones. They've got a new search engine, too, that will allow you to look for matched pairs. Good luck w/ your search!

 

[jewels2]

Congratulations on your promotion! That's wonderful news, and I think it's an awesome reason to get yourself something celebratory.

I think that this is the perfect situation in which to call Yekutiel at ID Jewelry. I have a pair of 1.44 tcw studs from them that I adore that came in *miles* under other companies quotes. I also just went with BGD for smaller studs, because the pre-sets save a nice chunk of change, and finding perfectly cut .12 stones can be a headache. But in the size range you're considering? I'd at the very least want to be able to compare my options. I wouldn't try doing it myself, though: matching stones is something that's best left to people with huge inventories and excellent search software ....

P.S. - Would you be amenable to second-hand, or would that take some of the bloom off the rose for you? If not, plenty of people here are great at finding eBay bargains ....

Can I ask about how much of a price difference was IDJewelry to something comparable from another vendor? Also, did they charge shipping?


THANKS

 

[ladyroadwarrior]

Hi All,
Thanks so much for your responses!

If I am really honest, I would prefer traditional studs to the bgd halos - but if and only if I could afford said studs in a size approaching .75 or 1ct total weight that are really great.

To answer some of your questions, I am 100% open to pre-loved pieces, ebay finds, etc. I have no attachment to how I source these lovelies, just that I think they're fabulous and I feel good about the price I pay (I'm sort of a bargain-hunter).
However I clearly don't have the knowledge to do this on my own - if anyone could assist that would be just great

I also think bezels are very classic and could be my preference to maximize size. Totally open to this - as well as pronged styles.

When you all suggest Yuketiel at ID - are you really pointing me in the direction of their pre-sets? Or are you thinking something different?

So many decisions...what's a girl to do?

 

[Jax172]

Why don't you contact BDG and tell them your price range and desires in size and let them make a suggestion? They are really very helpful and this way you will get a set that can be upgraded to a larger size or better color later.

 

[ladyroadwarrior]

I have contacted both IDJ and BGD to see what they could come up with based on my budget and preferences (well cut but no super premiums required, comfortable down to I-J-K, reasonably eyeclean, prefer to maximize size) and am still waiting to hear back.

In the meantime, I found these estate 1.35 cttw OEC studs via an antiques vendor.

So far I don't have color or clarity stats - probably ungraded. A total shot in the dark... but they are awesome size. What are your thoughts on these? Worth considering so long as the vendor has an ironclad return policy?

 

[yssie]

I have contacted both IDJ and BGD to see what they could come up with based on my budget and preferences (well cut but no super premiums required, comfortable down to I-J-K, reasonably eyeclean, prefer to maximize size) and am still waiting to hear back.

In the meantime, I found these estate 1.35 cttw OEC studs via an antiques vendor.

So far I don't have color or clarity stats - probably ungraded. A total shot in the dark... but they are awesome size. What are your thoughts on these? Worth considering so long as the vendor has an ironclad return policy?

I saw those too... the price is too good to be true IMO. So they aren't as advertised (or maybe they are, they say nothing about colour/clarity in the listing IIRC...)

BUT they might still be good deals, depending on what you are looking for! If there is an ironclad return policy (I would ask them for it in writing even with RL's universal 3day policy) I can't see the harm in having them shipped out, see what you think in-person!

 

[ladyroadwarrior]

Yes, I suspect they are too good to be true. For now I think I will wait to hear from ID and BGD and see what they say.