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Earring Advice Needed

M

missyminx

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Mar 17, 2008
Messages
178
Hi it's been a long time! It's good to see everyone's beauties! :)

I have some diamond project ideas in my head and need some input and advice from you.

First idea
I have a pair of 1.63 ctw I VS2 non fluorescent earrings set in yellow gold bezels from BGD. However, I seldom reach for this pair because for some reason they don't really shine or scintillate or throw fire when I am in the light. Instead, it sparkles more in dim lighting. I am wondering if this is an issue due to the bezel setting which covers the edges of the stones? Would resetting them into claw prong baskets or martinis help?

Second idea
I have a 1.26ct I SI2 with med fluorescence (WF Expert Selection) which I have been thinking for years to find a twin to make into a pair of earrings. The stats are: 6.95 - 6.98 x 4.25 mm 57/61 33.5/40.8. Should I make the commitment and get the twin now? I have been postponing doing so and it looks like the diamond prices just keep going up. Any candidate suggestions would help.

Once I have this sorted, these two projects will satisfy my earring needs for a long time to come.

Thanks a lot!!
 
Reset the earrings into a pair you'll wear regularly and have the other diamond set into a marching pendant perhaps?
 
Hi Austina that was my exact thoughts years ago; I had the 1.26 initially set as a 4 prong basket pendant when I bought it from WF, then I later sent it to BGD to set into a yellow gold bezel pendant to match the 1.62ctw earrings. But I guess I wear studs almost every day and rarely reach for necklaces, so I am looking to convert the 1.26 into a pair of earrings too. I just need to find a matching stone.

I'm wondering to what extent does the bezel restrict light from entering the stone that it performs less compared to a prong setting, so I can decide if the lack of performance of this pair of earrings is due to the setting or due to the stones themselves. If someone could help explain this please.
 
Go bigger. Second idea. Get a WF match to the 1.26 stone you have. That's me. I went up to 1.1 and 1.2 each side and never regretted it. These are my staples EVERY SINGLE DAY. My 2c. Good luck.
 
Is the 1.6 BGD bezel pair upgradeable through BGD? Perhaps you can trade them in for a stone that matches your 1.26
 
I'd definitely ask WF to find you a suitable match for the 1.26 and make earrings out of them. I'd probably also sell the first pair as is to help with the cost. Doesn't seem like you're 100% happy with them anyway so they would be left unworn :wavey:
 
ac117 said:
I'd definitely ask WF to find you a suitable match for the 1.26 and make earrings out of them. I'd probably also sell the first pair as is to help with the cost. Doesn't seem like you're 100% happy with them anyway so they would be left unworn :wavey:
Click to expand...
Great idea!! Sell the first pair.
 
LLJsmom, Pintobean, ac117: Thank you for your advice! Every single suggestion you have made, makes so much sense! Unfortunately I was so impatient and had brain fog yesterday (hence not very rational), so I headed down to chinatown right after work and sought out a local jeweler to reset the diamonds into 6 prong basket settings! So no more bezels, even though I kept the cut up settings. Why didn't I think of trading the BGD as is in for a bigger stone! Is it too late to trade them in now that I have set them into another setting? They are signature BGD H&A stones.

What I don't really understand is that while they are now in 6 prong basket settings, I can see that the diamonds are darker and for some reason less fiery than the G 1.2ctw pair (that I got from GOG, set in 4 prong martini) that I have which are so fiery and sparkly. They scintillate, but don't throw off fierce flashes of fire like the Gs. They are also darker than the 0.54 ctw H/I VS2 baby martinis from BGD which I have in my second ear piercing. Sorry I don't have the exact detail of the baby melee because they are uncertified melee and I no longer have the invoice. Is this performance behaviour possible even though they are BGD H&A, a range for which I have very high regard? The stats are absolutely perfect on paper as well.

I showed the earrings to a colleague today and she said it was less fiery because of the lower color. Is this true?

LLJsmom, what color are your stones and do you think color shows up even more with the bigger sized stone even though it is on the ear? I too agree that this size is probably the forever pair that one can still pull off on a daily basis and not have to size up or down.

I have actually contacted Yekutiel to help me source a matching stone; he has come back with a twin, with a GIA cert but I hope to be able to see the idealscope and aset image too.

Now I think I have some thinking to do. Do I keep the 1.6ctw or sell/trade them away to fund the 1.26? I would never part with the 1.2ctw from GOG because they are so so so sparkly and fiery.
 
I'm not sure if BG would let you trade both stones in for one larger stone but you can ask. They may only allow you to trade one stone in towards one upgraded stone, which would still leave you with one .80 stone. If you don't have a use for that stone, it may just be easier to try to sell both of them now and use that towards and the stone Yekutiel is sourcing for you.

As to their performance differences, really hard to say without seeing the specs of both pairs of earrings. Your GOG stones may have smaller tables/high crown angles which produces a more fiery stone. I don't think the color alone would explain the differences you see, although your smaller G pair would look brighter/whiter when next to the I pair since they are obviously 2 color grades different.
 
I would stop trying to explain away why you don't like them as much. You just don't. I think you will be able to trade one but not both, with BGD. Not sure though. I started with a pair of 1.6 ctw I, VS2 from WF and had them for 3-4 days. I did not find them white enough or big enough. Many people will but if you don't, you don't. Can't force it. I ended up getting a G, SI1 from WF to match my F, VS1 (my original ering). Now the F and g were white enough. And the size is just right for my ear. Go with what gives you peace of mind. Trust your gut. And yes, I think color will show more the bigger you go, generally speaking all other things being equal. This showed me that I am quite color sensitive when it comes to MRBs. OECs, not so much. I have a K OEC that I find plenty bright and white enough. It's taken me a long time to learn to trust my eyes, but I'm learning.
 
Thank you for chipping in your thoughts again. I'm just not crazy about this pair and I kind of have to own up to it and act on it. IDJ has come back with the asset and idealscope images. How do they look?

GIA 1233755274-IdealScope-01.jpg

GIA 1233755274-Officelight black-01.jpg

GIA 1233755274-Officelight Gray-01.jpg

GIA 1233755274-ASET black (Fancy)-01.jpg

GIA 1233755274-ASET white-01.jpg
 
And here are the numbers. Thank you so much for your help!!

IMG_2116.jpg
 
Looks pretty good. I'm not a cut geek, but these numbers look pretty decent. Should be fine for a pair of earrings. What is the color? I'm wondering why you don't trade in one of the BGD for an upgrade, save some money there. Then trade in the other for another diamond. Why start over with IDJ? Or are you worried about getting another stone from BGD that you won't be in love with? Or is the IDJ price unbeatable?
 
Proportions on the IDJ stone look good.
 
LLJsmom and ac117 I've taken your advice and checked with WF. As I have decided to give the 1.6ctw pair to my Mum, I have to work around a budget. I found this diamond in their virtual selection that meets all my criteria. I'm thinking of calling it in.

It is a 58% table, 61.4% depth, 34.5 and 40.8. The stats look good. It's I with strong fluo which is something I decided I would need if I were to continue with I colour.

There are two black crystals in the table. WF says they are concerned it may not be eyeclean. Would you agree?

I'm also aware that their virtual selection has no upgrade policy. Which I'm fine with as I wouldn't need to after this. So if the stone performs and is eye clean I wouldn't mind getting it.

Here is the photo

IMG_2306.JPG
 
I would not really like the black inclusions, tbh. But if the price is unbeatable, and it is very sparkly in real life and you like it, and don't mind the black inclusions, then maybe...

I understand you're working with a budget. But if you're going to choose a stone that doesn't have an upgrade policy, then maybe you should consider IDJ if they can give you a better deal, on a nicer stone, with an upgrade policy. KWIM? The biggest draws for me for WF is their upgrade policy and their cut, even the expert selection stones are awesome. If you're not getting either, and instead a stone that has these dots, I'm not sure I would seriously consider it. If it's going to be your forever studs, I would keep looking. I am not certain about IDJ but I think they have a decent upgrade policy, even though you say you won't ever need it. I mean if you're searching in virtual inventory, you might as well through blue nile into the mix and say a hail mary.

Let us know how it goes...
 
Multiple black inclusions in the center is a deal breaker. I wouldn't consider it.

You have to compare the two I color stones regardless of fluorescence. Most of the time the fluorescence is not a factor, so I would not assume that fluorescence is necessarily going to match or be an advantage. I have definitely seen high and low color I color stones that did not match well. If your current stone is AGS graded, I hope you are looking at I color AGS graded stones for the match. I'd look at SI1 as well to give you a better chance of finding an eye clean stone. Oh and it would be easiest for them to color match for you if you'd send them your stone.
 
LLJsmom said:
I would not really like the black inclusions, tbh. But if the price is unbeatable, and it is very sparkly in real life and you like it, and don't mind the black inclusions, then maybe...

I understand you're working with a budget. But if you're going to choose a stone that doesn't have an upgrade policy, then maybe you should consider IDJ if they can give you a better deal, on a nicer stone, with an upgrade policy. KWIM? The biggest draws for me for WF is their upgrade policy and their cut, even the expert selection stones are awesome. If you're not getting either, and instead a stone that has these dots, I'm not sure I would seriously consider it. If it's going to be your forever studs, I would keep looking. I am not certain about IDJ but I think they have a decent upgrade policy, even though you say you won't ever need it. I mean if you're searching in virtual inventory, you might as well through blue nile into the mix and say a hail mary.

Let us know how it goes...
Click to expand...

Yup it makes sense not to close the door to any future possibilities! I've gone back to IDJ to check again if the stone at present (first stone from above) is a high or low I as it doesn't come with fluo.
 
diamondseeker2006 said:
Multiple black inclusions in the center is a deal breaker. I wouldn't consider it.

You have to compare the two I color stones regardless of fluorescence. Most of the time the fluorescence is not a factor, so I would not assume that fluorescence is necessarily going to match or be an advantage. I have definitely seen high and low color I color stones that did not match well. If your current stone is AGS graded, I hope you are looking at I color AGS graded stones for the match. I'd look at SI1 as well to give you a better chance of finding an eye clean stone. Oh and it would be easiest for them to color match for you if you'd send them your stone.
Click to expand...

Thank you for sharing too! My stone is GIA certified. However as I am in Singapore it might not be easy to send it over to get them to match a stone. Would a video help?
 
Ahh, ok. In that case, stick with GIA graded stones. There are a lot more of them, that's for sure.

Many virtual stones are in NYC, so it is technically cheaper for a vendor there to go pick up stones to look at for you as opposed to a vendor who'd have to have them shipped in. A video won't help with color matching. But getting a stone graded by the same lab is important.
 
I was wonder if you think the 1.26 x2 will be your daily pair - if so, rather than just re-set the 1.63 ctw into other studs, would you get more wear out of them if you made them into dangle drops that could attach behind your bigger studs, but also be worn under a round metal stud or pearl stud or whatever, so you would have a stud pair and a dangling pair and be able to combine them for a fancier stud + dangle pair? That's what I would do rather than have two pairs of different sizes.
 
I would ask IDJ for other options. Also, what's your budget for the new stone? We could help you look for possible matches...
 
distracts said:
I was wonder if you think the 1.26 x2 will be your daily pair - if so, rather than just re-set the 1.63 ctw into other studs, would you get more wear out of them if you made them into dangle drops that could attach behind your bigger studs, but also be worn under a round metal stud or pearl stud or whatever, so you would have a stud pair and a dangling pair and be able to combine them for a fancier stud + dangle pair? That's what I would do rather than have two pairs of different sizes.
Click to expand...

I've decided to give the 1.6 pair to my mum to wear for her daily wear... but the idea of dangle drops sounds yummy, especially with pearl dangles!
 
ac117 said:
I would ask IDJ for other options. Also, what's your budget for the new stone? We could help you look for possible matches...
Click to expand...

I've written to Yekutiel to ask for other stones as well as check if the current stone he recommended is a high or low I colour. My budget is in the range of US$5-6K. It would be so great if you all could me know when you come across any potential matches!! :)
 
Do you still have the images or report from WF on the 1.26 I SI2? Does it have 75 or 80 lower halves?
 
It has a 80 lower half. Here are the report and images:

IMG_2349.jpg

IMG_2350.jpg

IMG_2351.jpg

IMG_2352.jpg
 
The 80 lower half in a GIA report could mean that it is actually +/- 2.5% either side. Though from the pics, looks to be more around the 77-78% range.
 
 
 
Last edited:
missyminx said:
Thanks for the list and the effort to sieve the inventories! I like the blue nile one and will ask IDJ if they can bring it in when they open :)

What do you think of this? https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond..._round-EX-GIA-J-SI1-diamond-stock-15213-cert-
Click to expand...

Looks like the GOG has promise - I'd ask them to provide you with an ASET. I didn't realize you were also open to J's:
This one seems like it would be a good match: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/9080214...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
(AGS provides certificate, video and ASET here and I think it's the lighting that's making the stone look so yellow: http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104091570004-PLDQR.PDF; http://www.agslab.com/only-my-diamond/videos.php; http://www.agslab.com/only-my-diamond/aset.php)

And this one...
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/9200461...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com (less expensive through this vendor: http://diamonddealfinder.com/enquiry.php?id_field=6144240)
 
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