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Best Bang for Buck in soitaire studs?

sushi

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 9, 2008
Messages
221
Hi Diamond Gurus!

Im looking for a pair of round diamond studs for my wedding present. We got married 4 months ago, and im yet to choose my gift (DH decided this was the best way, which im VERY happy about)

So i need some advice on how low I can go in each category. Im sorry if this is a novice question, but I want to make sure i have my pitch ready when i contact the vendors.

First of all budget : around 8k-10k. Do i tell the vendor my budget or do i tell them what i am looking for?

Second, I have read that as studs are further away from sight you can go lower in colour and clarity (and hopefully therfore bigger!) Ideally I want as close to 1carat each as possible. I have read online that if it is a stud, you can go to H-J and no one will notice. The problem is that my E-Ring is a D-Vs2 (1.8 carat), so im worried if if i go lower, i WILL be able to see it.

Clarity. Again I have read that clarity can be slightly lower in studs, as you are not looking so close. I suppose the ideal is to find any inclusions I can hide under clasps, but I get very confused with clarity. In my engagement ring, even under a loup I cant see anything, but it is only 1 tier higher than s1, which I always presumed is easy to see with the eye. Im worried if i ask for an clarity I, the diamond will be not "eye clean". Again I have read A LOT about that on here. I gather the general consensus is "you get what you pay for" and "it depends what you consider eye clean" Well to me eye clean is something that neither I nor anyone can see with the naked eye, close or far away. What do I ask for here?

Cut - I THINK this might be the most important but, but again i find it hard to understand. I gather that i dont want a think girgle.. is that right?

Everything else- fluorescence. If i am going for a h-j am I correct in saying I want a strong blue florescence to offset the colour? If the florescence is blue, does that mean you get blue flashes or colour? I think I would like that!

Final question? Second hand or new? Im not superstitious, and it isnt an e-ring, so i was wondering with 2nd hand i could get more "bang for my buck"?

Thank you all again!
 
Another option:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.823-j-si1-round-diamond-ags-104055878083
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.823-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104055121019

And yes, fluor would def help lower colour stones look whiter.

To address your concern, lower colours are not that noticeable in studs (or pendants), the reason being all that ppl can see is the face up position and as long as a diamond is well cut (as in the BGD stones I'm linking you, which are super-ideal cut, as in you cannot get a better cut than this, at least IMO), you should be ok.

Secondhand or brand-new is up to you, but personally I prefer the comfort and security of buying from a well known vendor. Plus, with their lifetime upgrade program, you could always upgrade them to larger studs later should you be inclined then.
 
another though, how about buying solitaire rings on ebay and making them up myself, or would it be a nightmare to match?
 
sushi|1328950231|3123897 said:
Very interesting, thanks ladies. Let the research begin, I can see a lot of hours spent on this now haha.

Just saw these, they are super cheap (well you could still buy a car I suppose. Whats your take?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/320846846581?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Thanks!

These would have to be total junk at that price. Please don't buy diamonds on ebay. There are a few exceptions, but you probably aren't going to find well cut, good quality studs on there.

If you have a D colored diamond ring, I am not sure you'd be happy going below H or I color on studs. But ideal cut stones in these colors will look very white on the ears as others have said.

Here is a great pair of very well matched .80 ct., I VS diamonds:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2728109.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2733337.htm
 
Thank you so much!

Actually i emailed the ebay seller, just out of curiosity, asking for the specs, and they sent me a really rude reply! No surprises really.

The white flash ones look interesting. Im going to go to my local jewellers and check out some i colors to see if i am ok with them. But its really interesting to know i dont have to buy a D, E or F. i was hoping to go for 1ct or bigger, but i suppose that will be a few more k on top, and im already milking this!

I really appreciate the advice. Thanks

Sushi :)
 
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