Diamond Stud Color

[principesse]

Help me decide please

How much does color matter in Diamond studs? I keep reading you can go down to J but would love some insight from the experts here.

My jeweler has sent me a few options to choose from. All are excellent cut, VS1 to VVS 1. The biggest differences are in size and color. All are GIA/HRD certified of course:
- 2.4 ctw F color
-2.02 ctw I color
-2.6 ctw J color
-2.02 ctw H color

It’s so hard for me to decide. Should I shell out the largest amount for the first F color pair? Or would I get more value out of another pair? Help, please. How much does color matter?

 

[MamaBear]

Have you got paperwork on these diamonds individually? That is a good starting point. You want the highest cut quality. We can’t really tell you anything about them until we know that

 

[principesse]

Have you got paperwork on these diamonds individually? That is a good starting point. You want the highest cut quality. We can’t really tell you anything about them until we know that

Thank you. Yes, I do, I will edit to include the certificates
Looking forward to feedback

 

[MissGotRocks]

Cut is truly the most important aspect in any diamond. Color and clarity are secondary and to some, not as critical as they are in a ring.

 

[Lookinagain]

I don't think you need to have VS1 or VVS1 in earrings. VS2 and SI1 so long as eye clean should really be fine. You are paying for clarity that isn't so important. You need to make sure the diamonds are well cut. And also which lab graded them. I would think H/I color would be fine in well cut stones. I had ACA's H color and traded up in size but went to an I color and they are plenty white for me although I'm not super color sensitive. That is also something you need to figure out. Your color sensitivity.

 

[Sanderson44]

I agree cut is the most important. I will say that I have had two pairs of studs, H/I studs with VS2/SI1 and found that to be a sweet spot for me. I think you could probably even go down to a J if it is well-cut as well...

 

[principesse]

I agree cut is the most important. I will say that I have had two pairs of studs, H/I studs with VS2/SI1 and found that to be a sweet spot for me. I think you could probably even go down to a J if it is well-cut as well...

I will post the certificates shortly, but they are all excellent cut, certified by GIA/HRD. Two of these options (the 2.02 ctw H color and the 2.4 ctw F color) are HRD certified and the other two are GIA.

Is there a difference between GIA and HRD? When I looked it up I saw somewhere that GIA is preferred because HRD isn’t as strict, I can’t remember the source though. Is that true?

And, of course, the question that haunts me…would I/J color look too yellow and blend in with my pale skin? I’m afraid of buying something I will regret

 

[principesse]

I couldn’t figure out how to edit the original post to add the certificates, so I’ve attached them here instead. There is one certificate I couldn’t find (for one of the 2.02 ctw I color stones. I have seen it though).

 

[headlight]

Color is important to me and if it didn’t matter or make a difference there wouldn’t be different colors!

 

[headlight]

They would not download for me

 

[principesse]

They would not download for me

Oh, I will try to post screenshots in a bit then, thanks for letting me know

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I will post the certificates shortly, but they are all excellent cut, certified by GIA/HRD. Two of these options (the 2.02 ctw H color and the 2.4 ctw F color) are HRD certified and the other two are GIA.

Is there a difference between GIA and HRD? When I looked it up I saw somewhere that GIA is preferred because HRD isn’t as strict, I can’t remember the source though. Is that true?

And, of course, the question that haunts me…would I/J color look too yellow and blend in with my pale skin? I’m afraid of buying something I will regret

Just commenting on the GIA/HRD thing - it depends where you’re based. HRD is widely accepted in Europe and Asia and considered a top lab there but has almost zero presence in the US. GIA is the gold standard worldwide. GIA certs should command a premium over the equivalent HRD grade; and you’re best off going for the GIA cert if you can. But it’s not like HRD is not considered rigorous enough to be a top lab in most of the world (though in the US has a diminished reputation). A one colour/clarity grade difference from GIA may be possible and is usually considered acceptable margin of error.

 

[principesse]

Just commenting on the GIA/HRD thing - it depends where you’re based. HRD is widely accepted in Europe and Asia and considered a top lab there but has almost zero presence in the US. GIA is the gold standard worldwide. GIA certs should command a premium over the equivalent HRD grade; and you’re best off going for the GIA cert if you can. But it’s not like HRD is not considered rigorous enough to be a top lab in most of the world (though in the US has a diminished reputation). A one colour/clarity grade difference from GIA may be possible and is usually considered acceptable margin of error.

Thank you so much for clarifying. I am in Asia

 

[principesse]

 

[dk168]

Concur with the sentiment that the cut is the most important.

For earrings, I would be happy to drop down to SI clarity and I/J colour for stud earrings, to get the biggest stones in the best cut.

Personal preferences and all that.

DK

 

[MissGotRocks]

The cut of those diamonds per the certs are all over the place. Is there a reason you must deal with that jeweler rather than buying studs online?

 

[principesse]

The cut of those diamonds per the certs are all over the place. Is there a reason you must deal with that jeweler rather than buying studs online?

Oh, can you explain please how the cut is all over the place? I am not an expert at all. Regarding the jeweler, they have been my jeweler for years, so I trust them. I cannot purchase online as I’m not in the US. Would really appreciate if you can explain more about the cut
I am taking it you don’t recommend any of those options then? As per the certificate, the cuts are “excellent”, so I’m so confused

 

[principesse]

The cut of those diamonds per the certs are all over the place. Is there a reason you must deal with that jeweler rather than buying studs online?

Also wanted to ask please, if you could request any Diamond pair to make studs, what specs would you choose? That would be very helpful

 

[MissGotRocks]

Recommended cut parameters:
Table 55-57
Crown 34-34.8
Pavilion 40.7 - 40.8
Color is up to you. I chose G color but many people have been very happy with H - J color. Just depends on how color sensitive you are. VS2-SI1 in clarity. Again, it is always a balancing act between total carat weight that you want and color/clarity. All of those things factor greatly into pricing of course.
These are an example of H VS2 studs. How do you find the color/clarity of these?

Diamond pair details | Complete characteristics for chosen diamond pair

The most carefully chosen diamond pair. Every diamond is unique, but we choose the most similar diamond pair

www.whiteflash.com

 

[MissGotRocks]

Oh, can you explain please how the cut is all over the place? I am not an expert at all. Regarding the jeweler, they have been my jeweler for years, so I trust them. I cannot purchase online as I’m not in the US. Would really appreciate if you can explain more about the cut
I am taking it you don’t recommend any of those options then? As per the certificate, the cuts are “excellent”, so I’m so confused

GIA excellent cut encompasses lots of variance. Compare to the cut parameters that I referenced above. The GIA cut grade of excellent can be very misleading unfortunately.

 

[principesse]

So I’m guessing I should keep looking?

 

[principesse]

GIA excellent cut encompasses lots of variance. Compare to the cut parameters that I referenced above. The GIA cut grade of excellent can be very misleading unfortunately.

Thank you, yes that was very helpful. I will ask my jeweler to look within these parameters

 

[MissGotRocks]

Yes, I would keep looking. Whiteflash does sell and ship internationally so because you don't live in the states doesn't mean you can't buy here. I wish you all the best in finding what you want; if we can help in any way, just let us know!

 

[RunningwithScissors]

Regarding cut quality, by GIA's own published findings, they give the Excellent cut grade to more than 75% of the diamonds they evaluate, so not a particularly exclusive grade.

Regarding color, everyone's ability to see color is different. Also, people's color preferences are different. Lastly, color shows differently against different skin tones. For example, I've very pale and anything below an H looks fairly tinted on my skin. My husband and my MIL have a dark olive skin tone and diamonds all the way down to K/L look fairly "white" on them.

My studs are E, but I know I'm the exception, not the rule. But even if weren't as good at seeing color, I personally wouldn't go below an H for studs b/c they just wouldn't appear as light/bright against my skin tone.

You may want to go look at some diamonds in person to see what your own personal color preferences are.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Have you looked at Jann Paul? Worth a peak.

cheers--Sharon

 

[principesse]

Regarding cut quality, by GIA's own published findings, they give the Excellent cut grade to more than 75% of the diamonds they evaluate, so not a particularly exclusive grade.

Regarding color, everyone's ability to see color is different. Also, people's color preferences are different. Lastly, color shows differently against different skin tones. For example, I've very pale and anything below an H looks fairly tinted on my skin. My husband and my MIL have a dark olive skin tone and diamonds all the way down to K/L look fairly "white" on them.

My studs are E, but I know I'm the exception, not the rule. But even if weren't as good at seeing color, I personally wouldn't go below an H for studs b/c they just wouldn't appear as light/bright against my skin tone.

You may want to go look at some diamonds in person to see what your own personal color preferences are.

Thank you so much. I tried on these I color 2ctw and I think they looked white on me even though I’m pale but of course the jewelry shop lighting might have made a difference. I think I is the lowest I am willing to go with color.

 

[RunningwithScissors]

Thank you so much. I tried on these I color 2ctw and I think they looked white on me even though I’m pale but of course the jewelry shop lighting might have made a difference. I think I is the lowest I am willing to go with color.

Sounds like it was a good experiment and now you know your color preference/threshold. (And I bet it was fun trying them on!)

 

[canuk-gal]

Sounds like it was a good experiment and now you know your color preference/threshold. (And I bet it was fun trying them on!)

+ a billion. (where possible) Try on before you buy on.