Deciding between two studs, help please!

[opeeradio]

I have learned a lot via this forum, but now that I have decided to get my girlfriend diamond studs I have narrowed it to two options and can't decide.

Option 1: REEDS 3/4 ct wt, round, I color, I3 clarity, friction backing

http://www.reeds.com/Diamond-Solitaire-Earrings-3-4ctw-plu19033828.html

Option 2: Blue Nile 1/3 ct wt, round, I color, I1 clarity, screw backing

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-14k-white-gold-stud-earrings_27764?track=po

Obviously I think bigger is better, but I'm concerned as to why the REEDS studs are so cheap. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks for your advice!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, the Reed's pair is horrible quality and that is why they are so cheap! Clarity of I 3 means there are very visible inclusions that will affect the performance of the diamonds. And in fact, I am not impressed at all with the I1 clarity of the Blue Nile pair.

I'd recommend this pair from WhiteFlash a 100 times more than those:



http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/4-prong-basket-diamond-earrings-319.htm

 

[opeeradio]

Well, the Reed's pair is horrible quality and that is why they are so cheap! Clarity of I 3 means there are very visible inclusions that will affect the performance of the diamonds. And in fact, I am not impressed at all with the I1 clarity of the Blue Nile pair.

I'd recommend this pair from WhiteFlash a 100 times more than those:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/4-prong-basket-diamond-earrings-319.htm

Thanks for the quick reply @diamondseeker2006! I really like whiteflash.com, really high quality options but you definitely pay for it! The Blue Nile price is $360 but I have a code for $75 off, if they were $285 instead would that change your opinion at all? Here is the link again:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-14k-white-gold-stud-earrings_27764?track=po

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, discounts are always nice! I am just going to tell you that I have learned the hard way over time that you get what you pay for with jewelry. If the WhiteFlash earrings are more than you can spend, then I do not want you to feel like you have to overspend. But, I am now at the place in life where I would rather wait and get good quality jewelry as opposed to poor quality sooner. I would honestly rather see you give her something else off Blue Nile than give her poor quality diamonds. But that is just my opinion, of course! They do have some pretty earrings other than diamonds that would be nice!

 

[MissStepcut]

I think there might be better ways to use your jewelry gift budget than diamond studs. At this price point, the quality and size won't be as good as they could be. But, there are still lovely earrings to be bought around this price point.