diamond stud help

[PollyPrissyPants]

Hello! I''ve been lurking for a while, but this is my first post. Now, let''s get down to business:

My husband surprised me with a pair of diamond stud earrings yesterday (b-day gift). They are 0.94cttw and the appraisal that came with them states they are color G-H, clarity SI2-SI3. He bought them at a B&M for a little over $1100. They are very pretty, and I''m sure by far the nicest ones they had in this size at the B&M, but my husband did say when he gave them to me that he wasn''t particularly attached to these stones, so it wouldn''t bother him at all if I wanted to return these (30 day policy at the B&M) and find ones more to my liking. I think he wanted to totally surprise me, so that is why I wasn''t involved in the shopping and purchase of these, but now that his big ta-da moment is over, I can basically shop for my own.

So, this is where I need some help! It seems like the consensus around here is to get ACA studs from White Flash in 3-prong martini settings. So, I was trying to shop around online but I am getting totally confused.

Will I really notice a big difference with the ACA studs? I''m not sure what to do because it seems that the WF ACA''s would be at least twice as much for something of comparable size. I am willing to spend around $2000-ish, so I''m not boxed into the $1100, but I want to know if smaller ACA''s wil look better than what I have now. Also, I looked at Good Old Gold''s website and I am also thinking about their H&A studs. It''s important to me that whatever I get will include a good trade-up policy, which I think both of those venders do have.

Any opinions/suggestions you can offer would be a HUGE help. Like I said, I''m getting kind of overwhelmed looking at all the different websites and tring to keep it all straight.

These are the two stones I''m kind of thinking about now, but I''m just not sure. They are both around 0.4 ct. Will I notice a big size difference from the 0.47s I have from the B&M? Also, I wouldn''t mind a little lower in the clarity department (still eye clean though) but I''m not seeing anything lower available at this time. Also, WF doesn''t have anything in the range 0.45-0.5 (that I can find anyway). Thanks!

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-636645.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-636646.htm

 

[Skippy123]

Those are beautiful stones; WF has a lifetime upgrade policy (check out their website). Also, their diamonds are ideal well cut and they are hearts and arrows. I have a WF diamond and love it; it is so sparkly. Do you happen to the the type of cut you have?

 

[PollyPrissyPants]

Thanks for the reply, Skippy!

Are you asking about the cut of the earrings my husband bought at the B&M? They are round brilliant, although nothing branded and not H&A ideal. The jeweler says that they don't certify their earring stones to keep the price down.

I also thought those WF diamonds looked like winners, but I am a little concerned about the drop in size. I guess I'm wondering if the ACA cut will make up for that. Or would a slightly less-ideal cut stone be good enough, like maybe the expert selection stones at WF?

Since I'm not super color-sensitive and not concerned about the clarity as long as it's eye-clean, I was wondering if I should wait until WF has some stone in the 0.4-0.5 range that are a little lower in the clarity and color departments. For those of you who have purchased through WF, are there more options if you work with an employee directly (over the phone) versus what is listed on the website?

I would wait for some lower clarity/color ACA's to pop up, but I want to be able to compare the WF diamonds to my B&M earrings in person before I return anything. I am betting that the ACA's would blow me away to the point that I would return the B&M earrings, even though they cost less than half as much--but I'd still like to see them in person which only gives me 29 more days!

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 3/29/2008 11:28:22 PM
Author: PollyPrissyPants
Thanks for the reply, Skippy!

Are you asking about the cut of the earrings my husband bought at the B&M. They are round brilliant, although nothing branded and not H&A ideal. The jeweler says that they don't certify their earring stones to keep the price down.

I also thought those WF diamonds looked like winners, but I am a little concerned about the drop in size. I guess I'm wondering if the ACA cut will make up for that. Or would a slightly less-ideal cut stone be good enough, like maybe the expert selection stones at WF?

Since I'm not super color-sensitive and not concerned about the clarity as long as it's eye-clean, I was wondering if I should wait until WF has some stone in the 0.4-0.5 range that are a little lower in the clarity and color departments. For those of you who have purchased through WF, are there more options if you work with an employee directly (over the phone) versus what is listed on the website?

I would wait for some lower clarity/color ACA's to pop up, but I want to be able to compare the WF diamonds to my B&M earrings in person before I return anything. I am betting that the ACA's would blow me away to the point that I would return the B&M earrings, even though they cost less than half as much--but I'd still like to see them in person which only gives me 29 more days!

Well the ACA's and ES will sparkle lots more than just a good cut diamond. I would call WF and see what they could do for you; they are open on Monday or send them an email.

Maybe these 2 if they are eye clean
http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-540932.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-636655.htm

 

[Gothgrrl]

Whiteflash has the best trade-in policy in my opinion. When you trade up, all it has to be is a $1 or more. I like that. GOG states itf you trade up, it must be $500 or more and JA states it has to be 2X the amount of purchase.

Like Skippy said to call them up Monday. They probably can give you more info and options. Just remember, cut is king.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would buy from either WF or GOG. Both have excellent trade-in policies. I''d probably try to get as close to .5 each as possible even if you have to wait for more stones to come in. But I''d check with both of them to see what they have. Thank goodness your husband offered to let you look for other stones!!!

 

[PollyPrissyPants]

Yeah, no kidding!!!! That was the best part of the gift. Now I''m just praying he does the return on his own--I really don''t want to be there for all that B&M high-pressure.

Thanks for the reassurance/encouragement. Now I am pretty sold on getting earrings from GOG or WF. Has anyone ordered the H&A pre-sets from GOG? There are only two options in each size range: VS2-SI2 and SI3-I1. I was hoping for SI2''s, because just being eye-clean is all I care about. But I''m wondering how bad the lower clarity earrings really are. I''m not a clarity nut, but it''s not like clarity doesn''t matter to me AT ALL. If anyone has a pair in that range, I''d love to see photos and hear what you think of them!

Also, in doing some searches on the plethora of stud threads around here, I was surprised to hear how many people opt against the screw-backs. What''s the deal with that? Are they uncomfortable, difficult to keep clean, something else? The ones I have now are push back because the jeweler told my husband that "it''s not worth it" to do screw backs in "such small stones". I plan to add the earrings to my jewelry insurance policy anyway so I guess I don''t really need the screw backs if there is some disadvantage to them. I was just surprised to read how many people around PS get push backs because I assumed the obvious choice would be the screw backs.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/30/2008 8:37:12 AM
Author: PollyPrissyPants
Yeah, no kidding!!!! That was the best part of the gift. Now I''m just praying he does the return on his own--I really don''t want to be there for all that B&M high-pressure.

Thanks for the reassurance/encouragement. Now I am pretty sold on getting earrings from GOG or WF. Has anyone ordered the H&A pre-sets from GOG? There are only two options in each size range: VS2-SI2 and SI3-I1. I was hoping for SI2''s, because just being eye-clean is all I care about. But I''m wondering how bad the lower clarity earrings really are. I''m not a clarity nut, but it''s not like clarity doesn''t matter to me AT ALL. If anyone has a pair in that range, I''d love to see photos and hear what you think of them!

Welcome PPP!

I know GOG has some lovely preset studs, Whiteflash also have the Ready set to Go studs which contain Expert Selection diamonds. Either of those earrings from each vendor would be lovely, I don''t know if the GOG studs are upgradable, I know the WF RSG aren''t, but if you went for the ACA studs, those may be.

As to lower clarity, I think it is even easier for earrings to shoot for an SI2 clarity or even clean I1''s, earrings aren''t under the same scrutiny as a ring. In all cases whichever vendor you choose, they will be able to advise you whether the diamonds are eyeclean and suitable for your purposes.

 

[shelleydog]

I had a terrible experience just trying on some screwbacks because my holes are small. The threading damaged the inside of my ear and three weeks later I still couldn''t wear earrings. A much better choice would be the tension backs/posts. Mine are stamped with Protektor but the most common brand is La Pousette. You must push small tabs on both sides of the back to release the tension to remove the backs. Very secure. Just my two cents!

 

[SYC]

Hi PPP,

Have you looked into Whiteflash''s Expert selection? There are some great values there. You may be able to get some diamonds that just missed the ACA mark by a hair. If you ask them, they may be able to find you something a little larger than you would get with ACAs, and within the budget you''ve set. Eg, something diamonds along these lines (unfortunately, I didn''t see a good match, but I''m sure they would be able to call in something for you that would match):

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-5272.htm#


Or you may want to try James Allen -- I think their trade-up policy requires a tradeup to something 2x in value, but they have great prices. This is a little higher in color/clarity than you may be looking for, but I think it would be a beautiful pair (I pulled this up from the Diamond Cut Quality search on PS):

0.46 F VS1 1.4-EX
ex-ex-ex-vg 0
H&A 62.5% 54.8% 35.1° 40.7° thn-med no id id neg 4.92*4.95*3.09 AGS $1130

0.46 E VS1 1.4-EX
ex-ex-ex-vg 0
H&A 62.3% 53.7% 34.4° 40.8° thn-med no id id neg 4.92*4.98*3.08 AGS $1210

Good luck and have fun with your shopping!!

 

[PollyPrissyPants]

shelleydog--thanks for sharing your experience with the screw backs, i''ve never heard of those tension backs. did they come with your earrings, or did you buy them separately?

 

[shelleydog]

I had them put on my earrings when I purchased them. When inquiring on pricing for these, I had a huge range - from $285 to $20 ($20 is what I paid). They take some getting used to but I feel very secure with them. Others have posted about them as well. Do a search on La Pousette in this forum (I hope I''m spelling that right).

 

[marcy]

I think the studs from WF or GOG would be lovely. What a great birthday gift. I have problems with screw backs too, 2 of my studs have them but I find I''m all thumbs getting them off or on. I finally started making sure I have my head over the bed when I''m putting them off or on so if I drop the backs I can find them easy.

 

[PollyPrissyPants]

Well, that''s an interesting technique!

Thanks everyone for your help. I''ve contacted White Flash, so hopefully I''ll be able to get something soon. I''ll be back to post pics!!!

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 3/30/2008 5:39:17 PM
Author: PollyPrissyPants
Well, that's an interesting technique!

Thanks everyone for your help. I've contacted White Flash, so hopefully I'll be able to get something soon. I'll be back to post pics!!!

Keep us posted; can't wait to see what they come up with for you.

 

[PollyPrissyPants]

Oh--one more thing: is there a PS discount at WF?

 

[sna77]

Date: 3/30/2008 6:53:29 PM
Author: PollyPrissyPants
Oh--one more thing: is there a PS discount at WF?

Sure thing... Use the cut search tool... You''ll see WF''s stones on their along with their PS price....