Diamond stud help; ~$700 range

[uncle dunkel]

Hi all, first I found this site years ago when I was sopping for an e-ring. it was very helpful so just a big thanks again.

Now I am looking to buy my wife a set of diamond studs. Round or princess is fine. Price range is around $700, but I am a bit flexible.

Would like largest ones I can buy without sacrificing brilliance too much. Thus, I've decided I'd definitely be ok with an I1 diamond, but I'm not sure about I2-I3. My wife is my no means a diamond or jewelry snob so she wouldn't know what that means, but I don't want them to look obviously bad either.

A possibilities I've found that I like are:
b2cjewels - 1/2 ct tw for $600 or 3/4 for $1000 (either shape, all I color/I1)
solomonbrothers - 1ct tw, round, I-J/si, for $900 - strongly considering this - any reason not to pull the trigger?
diamondstudsonly - 1.22 ct tw, round, I2-3 clarity, I-J color, Very Good Cut - $800 - initally loved this idea, but am now scared of the i2/3

thoughts on any or these or other options? like i said leaning towards the SB ones now....

thanks in advance!

 

[WillyDiamond]

Did you check WF or BGD for pairs?

 

[uncle dunkel]

I did check WF and don't think they had anything in my price range at 0.5ct tw or more (min i want to go)

what's BGD?

 

[uncle dunkel]

google is my friend. bg = brian gavin. looks like cheapest i'd get out of there is $1150 for 0.5ct tw

 

[WillyDiamond]

In retrospect, neither WhiteFlash nor Brian Gavin Diamonds can help you with your price constraint.
I am not sure, maybe Zales has something for you, but don't expect quality.
Best of luck.

 

[uncle dunkel]

would you recommend going to a zales or a similar chain store over buying preset earrings from one of the sites I mentioned (or bluenile)? why? I would've guessed the opposite

 

[klokkeblomst]

Are the diamonds uncerted? I'm guessing so for those prices. I would contact a customer service person at any of those sites and ask if they are willing to pick an eye clean pair for you. I2-I3 is going to be hard to find eye clean though, I think.

Do you have access to estate jewelry stores or pawn shops locally? Pre-loved may be the way to go. Diamonds By Lauren has interesting stud earrings in your price range, but not colorless.

I would NOT shop at Zales, no matter what.

 

[secretagentlaura]

Loupetroop has these oval studs for $800 - the size may be promising! http://loupetroop.com/listings/earrings/oval-diamond-stud-earrings

 

[uncle dunkel]

klokkeblomst - thanks for the suggestion about contacting customer service. will definitely try that. pretty sure none of them come with certs at this price

secret agent laura - thanks for that suggestion. any reason to think they will be better than the SI clarity, I-J color, 1 ct tw from solomon bros for around the same price?