Confusion as to clarity and color for earrings?

[kackaren]

My husband has decided to upgrade my current earrings to something in the 1.75 to 2.00 total carat weight range. A "friend''s jeweler has shown me a pair of 2.05 TCW at what we feel is a good price ($6,500), but the color is K/L and the clarity is S13. In looking at sites on the internet like diamondstudsonly.com and diamondstudsource they are in the same price range but show colors in the G H range and S1 clarity. Do you think I would be happy with the jeweler''s studs or are there respected internet sites that I should check or has anyone purchased from the sites I listed? Locally, most other jewelers I have worked with are asking $10,000 for the same size but a better color/clarity combo. Since this is a big expense any help would be appreciated.

Also, I have longer/larger piercing holes and only wear post earrings versus wires....would martini or basket settings be best?

 

[tyty333]

Are all these stones you are talking about GIA/AGS certified? Just trying to make sure you are comparing apples to
apples.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I don''t think those are GIA/AGS since there is no SI3 category in those labs. I''d look for GIA/AGS graded diamonds. Also you didn''t mention cut quality which is very important, the most important thing about diamonds IMO.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

I''d look for AGS or GIA diamonds too.

If you don''t have to use that jeweler (e.g. if you arent'' locked into an upgrade policy) I''d get Whiteflash ACA diamonds in J SI1 and set them in their W prong setting (I''d probably also price them from Brian Gavin Diamonds too, to see which is more cost effective).

$6500 is a good price, but only if you are getting great diamonds. I''d be leery of KL SI3 they are likely EGL graded and probably not the best cut diamonds...

What about these (they will sparkle like no other:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-2163487.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1467007.htm

 

[tyty333]

To compare prices I can only go as low as J in color SI1/SI2 in the $3500+ range for a 1 carat stone.
So for probably in the $7k range you could go up in color/clarity and get GIA/AGS cert. diamonds
with decent cut (maybe not perfect like you would want for an engagement ring but very good
cut for earings).

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I''d be weary of any diamonds "graded" SI3 as they probably are of lower clarity. With the amount your spending, take your time and find some great well-cut diamonds with an AGS/GIA grading. I think that regardless of diamond size, it''s good to buy properly graded stones so you know you''re paying for what is claimed.

I''m a huge fan of Whiteflash (bought my studs there). Maybe call them and see what they can find for you.

 

[diamonddev]

Si3 is not a grading used by GIA but I have seen it used by other labs like EGL. The K/L grade it probably not to horrible for earrings, But I would probably go a little whiter in color. I think I have all but given up on local jewelers after purchasing a few things from online vendors, you just cant beat the prices. But make sure you check the BBB first, unfortunately there are a load of fly-by-night dealers out there. As far as the vendors go I cant speak for diamondstudsource but I have purchased from diamondstudsonly.com and can say the grading on the AGL (American Gem Lab) was actually very good. I took them in to have them appraised for insurance (and assurance) at a local gemologist who pulled them from the mountings to get an accurate grading, and they actually weighed 1.08ct rather than 1ct as advertised, So hard to complain. Oh, and my wife loved the martini setting.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 1/12/2010 3:15:16 PM
Author: diamonddev
. But make sure you check the BBB first, unfortunately there are a load of fly-by-night dealers out there. As far as the vendors go I cant speak for diamondstudsource but I have purchased from diamondstudsonly.com and can say the grading on the AGL (American Gem Lab) was actually very good. I

Someone mentioned writing a complaint to the BBB about diamondstudsonly.com

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/diamondstudsonly-com-and-americangemlab-fruad.79013/

ETA - I did a search for diamondstudsource and nothing popped up. Personally, I'd stick with a well-known vendor.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Personally I don't have anything against I1 (or roughly an S13 clarity stones or lower colors. BUt I do have issues with those characteristics in poorly cut, uncerted diamonds. Also I don't care much for split grades which indicates to me a lot of ambiguity and therefore could be anything they want to call them.

What did you think when you saw them IRL?

ETA: I just searched Infinity database and GOG and they both have I1 stones, 0 for light performance, AGS certed, Heart and Arrow, much higher colors than you are looking for a few hundred dollars more than what you are looking for. I know what I'd choose!

cheers--Sharon

 

[marcy]

I agree with what everyone has said and based on the size you are getting I would go for the ideal cut even if you end up with a lower color and clarity. On earrings I think they were look marvelous.

 

[kackaren]

Thank you for your input. At this point, I think I will be considering a "build your own" pair at Blue Nile...one earring being and H and one being an I but rated "ideal" with a total carat weight of 1.86. If I stay with their ideal ranking, will these be a good choice for earring studs in the way of sparkle, cut, clarity? Still trying to find a comfortable price range but with a quality that I will be happy with since this may be my last pair for life!

 

[Bella_mezzo]

what are the price range on those? You may be able to get better diamonds from Whiteflash ro Brian Gavin diamonds for the same price (which I would highly recommend)...

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 1/13/2010 11:41:30 AM
Author: kackaren
Thank you for your input. At this point, I think I will be considering a ''build your own'' pair at Blue Nile...one earring being and H and one being an I but rated ''ideal'' with a total carat weight of 1.86. If I stay with their ideal ranking, will these be a good choice for earring studs in the way of sparkle, cut, clarity? Still trying to find a comfortable price range but with a quality that I will be happy with since this may be my last pair for life!

Hi,

If you''re going for loose diamonds, then try Whiteflash. They have all the ideal scope and Aset images so you can see how well the diamonds are cut. Mine are from that vendor and they''re amazing! Perfectly matched. Mine are F SI1. Color was a bit of an overkill. . .I''d happily go down to H to get larger ones.