Earrings colour - up to approx 0.7-0.8 ctw

[bmfang]

Hi all,

Thinking about getting my wife a pair of diamond studs now. While she would love a pair of 1ctw+ studs, on her dainty ears, she's said that 0.5ct+ on each ear might be too much. She currently wears a pair of studs inherited from my late aunt which are probably around 0.25-0.3ctw.

So am asking the PS community, for a set of studs this small, is diamond color really that important? I'm considering I or J coloured stones cut to ideal/superideal proportions. I take it clarity isn't really much of an issue either so could I even afford to go down to SI2 or I1 clarity grades? I guess the only limiting factor is whether I could find stones cut to ideal cut standards at those clarity grades?

Looking at a budget of up to USD1700-1900 for the pair inclusive of setting. Thinking about using either a 3 prong martini setting or a 4 prong basket setting. With screw backs or la pousette backs. Which of the two settings is better & would allow the stones to perform as best as possible?

Cheers!

 

[bunnycat]

Hi there- I know a lot of people like martini settings, but I favor 4-8prong settings for earrings (and rings too) because sometimes I forget to take my earrings out at night, and so if I fall asleep and forget, then at least I don't worry with there just being 3 prongs.

As for color- here was my first pair of studs I got from BGD which were J SI1 Signature stones (I think these were .68ctw), sitting inside earring jackets from IDJ (the "Pricescope Specials") which I believe are F-G 3pters for color comparison.

I hatey-hate screw backs myself, so can't help you there....locking backs are what I use. Still a bit of a pain, but not as much as a screw back.

What a lovely present for you to think of for your wife!!!

 

[bmfang]

Hi there- I know a lot of people like martini settings, but I favor 4-8prong settings for earrings (and rings too) because sometimes I forget to take my earrings out at night, and so if I fall asleep and forget, then at least I don't worry with there just being 3 prongs.

As for color- here was my first pair of studs I got from BGD which were J SI1 Signature stones (I think these were .68ctw), sitting inside earring jackets from IDJ (the "Pricescope Specials") which I believe are F-G 3pters for color comparison.

I hatey-hate screw backs myself, so can't help you there....locking backs are what I use. Still a bit of a pain, but not as much as a screw back.

What a lovely present for you to think of for your wife!!!

Thanks for the feedback bunnycat!

At this point in time, WF and JA appear to be outside of my price range (WF more so). I spent 90 mins this evening searching through the JA inventory while giving my heavily pregnant wife a leg massage and found plenty of K coloured stones that are up around the 0.8ctw for around USD1300, but in terms of proportions and cut, they left a lot to be desired. There are some nice I SI1/VS2 stones there, but they are pushing up to the USD1450-1550 mark just for the stones which doesn't leave a lot left for settings and then I have to factor in 10% GST upon importation to Australia (plus probably a FedEx surcharge for International Priority Shipping upon it landing here in Australia).

Your J SI1 BGD Signature stones certainly look as white as the F-G melee in those photos! BGD seems to be cleared out of in-stock inventory at this point in time. Plenty of Advance Selection stones but cripes, looks like rough prices went up and the polished prices went up accordingly. There is a 0.342 J SI1 and 0.340 J VS2 pairing available currently for around USD1210 and while I love the J VS2 stone, there is a sizeable black crystal inclusion in the J SI1 directly under the table that is then being reflected by the pavillion facets. From a distance it should be eye clean (that's what Lesley has said to me) but I'm having difficulties with "mind clean" as the Idealscope and ASET images show that one little black crystal reflecting around. But for USD1210, it's pretty darn good.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You can't really tell as much about color in photos. I would not go below J color and I would not even do J color unless the stones are ideal cut. Clarity is important in that low clarity can negatively affect the brilliance of the stone. So J SI1 is as low as I would go for studs.

Don't do screw backs or LaPousette on stones that small. Regular backs are more than adequate. I like 4 prong baskets because they have a flat base that sits against the ear.

I'd ask Whiteflash if these are close enough matches (in diameter):

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3567116.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3222877.htm

Then settings are $195 for the 4 prong baskets or martinis.

 

[bmfang]

You can't really tell as much about color in photos. I would not go below J color and I would not even do J color unless the stones are ideal cut. Clarity is important in that low clarity can negatively affect the brilliance of the stone. So J SI1 is as low as I would go for studs.

Don't do screw backs or LaPousette on stones that small. Regular backs are more than adequate. I like 4 prong baskets because they have a flat base that sits against the ear.

I'd ask Whiteflash if these are close enough matches (in diameter):

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3567116.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3222877.htm

Then settings are $195 for the 4 prong baskets or martinis.

Hi diamondseeker2006

Thanks for your response. I did a live chat with a WF rep and have some options now (but they are at the top end of my budget for less total carat weight than other vendors). Granted the stones are very beautiful, no qualms from me about that. Friction backs are not an option that my wife ever considers, so it has to be those types of backs. Similarly, WF doesn't have many 18kt white gold options in lieu of 14kt, and I know my wife's preference for either 18kt gold or platinum.

It is still a curveball decision re: colour. The WF rep did offer me some H coloured options but when I queried her about what they will look like from normal social viewing distances set in an earring, she did mention that all three colour options should look white face up.

The BGD stones that I had mentioned in a previous post score very well on the HCA. 0.8 and 0.9 from memory. Mainly due to shallow crown % and crown angles (sub-34 degrees) married with 40.7-40.8 pavillion angles. SO, theoretically, they should be a better deal but I'm still weighing my options.

Now the question is, do I wait until it is closer to Valentines Day and see if any coupons come up for WF or BGD to use in a purchase or do I negotiate with either organisation on price now. That plus I'm monitoring USD-AUD exchange rates for the most opportune time.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would not wait because the selection will be more slim close to Valentine's Day, and certainly there is rarely much of a "sale" on diamonds. I don't think there would be much, if any, negotiating room on stones this size, but it cannot hurt to ask.

I also prefer platinum settings and I have bought platinum from WF the last two times I bought new studs. They have platinum settings in stock for some of the settings. In small stud settings, I cannot think of any reason to get 18k white gold over 14k, but I do understand wanting platinum.

WF does offer uncertified excellent cut studs already set, .75ctw for $1600. Those are not eligible for upgrades, however.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/4-prong-basket-diamond-earrings-555.htm#size=

The 4 prong platinum settings alone are $315:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/4-prong-basket-diamond-earrings-1352.htm#size=

The reason we do not recommend screw backs is that will wear down the posts over time and possibly require new settings or post replacement. Plus they are just a pain to take on and off to clean the diamonds, which should be done often. You certainly can get LaPoussette backs if that is what she likes.

 

[bunnycat]

DS has a very very good point. Since you are overseas, and dealing with any problems would be a massive bear after receipt...VS2 is probably a safer bet than SI1. I don't personally have any problems with J's for earrings myself...now on my second (larger) set....I only wished they had a little fluor, but I am a fluor lover.....

Maybe look through the J diamond thread to see how you feel? Both my pairs of J (both from BGD- Signature cuts) was and are equally awesome. Never even notice a difference next to the jackets unless I am holding them in front of my face....but in the mirror, nope. Not an issue at all....Good luck!

 

[bmfang]

I would not wait because the selection will be more slim close to Valentine's Day, and certainly there is rarely much of a "sale" on diamonds. I don't think there would be much, if any, negotiating room on stones this size, but it cannot hurt to ask.

I also prefer platinum settings and I have bought platinum from WF the last two times I bought new studs. They have platinum settings in stock for some of the settings. In small stud settings, I cannot think of any reason to get 18k white gold over 14k, but I do understand wanting platinum.

WF does offer uncertified excellent cut studs already set, .75ctw for $1600. Those are not eligible for upgrades, however.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/4-prong-basket-diamond-earrings-555.htm#size=

The 4 prong platinum settings alone are $315:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/4-prong-basket-diamond-earrings-1352.htm#size=

The reason we do not recommend screw backs is that will wear down the posts over time and possibly require new settings or post replacement. Plus they are just a pain to take on and off to clean the diamonds, which should be done often. You certainly can get LaPoussette backs if that is what she likes.

I think I might just have to pull the trigger then in the very near future. Inventory at WF and BGD (my two preferred online vendors) is very limited between the 0.3ct - 0.4ct ranges within the budget that I have. As you've said, it might be even slimmer pickings closer to Valentine's Day.

As for the reason for 18kt over 14kt, my wife's skin is quite sensitive and when she has worn 14kt and 9kt white gold items, she has had rashes come up afterwards. So 18kt and platinum are really the only options. Plus, being Asian, the two of us don't tend to purchase anything lower than 18kt gold quality (in white, yellow or rose).

I did see the uncertified 0.75ct H-I SI studs available at WF. TBH, they are a good deal, value for money wise, but given that I'm looking at ideal cut grade stones, I'd rather choose my own certified stones and get them set. They also cost roughly about the same as RBC 18kt white gold studs that I can find locally (though depending on which B&M retailer I choose, the stones will be anywhere between H-K and SI-I1 clarity). Plus I'd rather have the ability to upgrade at a later point in time.

I'm going to have a bit more of a think about the WF and BGD options. ATM, I'm leaning more towards BGD as there is another matched pair there that looks more promising than the other pair I mentioned above. Only thing is that the la pousette backs are only available on the handmade BGD 3-prong martini settings as BGD's platinum 4-prong basket settings are made by an outside vendor. I will have to ask Lesley whether or not that platinum setting can come with a la pousette back instead.

This will be the first la pousette back set the Mrs will have as all of her fashion jewellery has friction backs (and consequently she doesn't wear them all that often). The other two sets of more classically styled earrings are screw backs (one of them she's worn over 10 years and the posts and thread are still fine).

 

[bmfang]

DS has a very very good point. Since you are overseas, and dealing with any problems would be a massive bear after receipt...VS2 is probably a safer bet than SI1. I don't personally have any problems with J's for earrings myself...now on my second (larger) set....I only wished they had a little fluor, but I am a fluor lover.....

Maybe look through the J diamond thread to see how you feel? Both my pairs of J (both from BGD and his Signature cuts) are equally awesome. Never even notice a difference next to the jackets unless I am holding them in front of my face....but in the mirror, nope. Not an issue at all....Good luck!

Thanks bunnycat! DS' comments have been very helpful. I think I'm virtually ready to pull the trigger now on the pair I'm looking at.

I'm a fluor lover as well. The Mrs has come around to it after seeing how well the K VS2 BG Blue stone we just purchased looks. If only more smaller stones at BGD had that property!

Unfortunately for me, the JA True Hearts stones that are available with fluor do look a little hazy and milky based off the 360 deg videos there. So that has thrown JA out of the running.

I'm thinking that I coloured stones will be a better option. I'm going to stay away from the SI1s. BGD's stone vids aren't quite as high def as JA's are so the SI1 stones there are a bit difficult to rule in or out (unless the inclusions are quite noticeable, like in the 0.342 J SI1).

 

[bunnycat]

DS has a very very good point. Since you are overseas, and dealing with any problems would be a massive bear after receipt...VS2 is probably a safer bet than SI1. I don't personally have any problems with J's for earrings myself...now on my second (larger) set....I only wished they had a little fluor, but I am a fluor lover.....

Maybe look through the J diamond thread to see how you feel? Both my pairs of J (both from BGD and his Signature cuts) are equally awesome. Never even notice a difference next to the jackets unless I am holding them in front of my face....but in the mirror, nope. Not an issue at all....Good luck!

Thanks bunnycat! DS' comments have been very helpful. I think I'm virtually ready to pull the trigger now on the pair I'm looking at.

I'm a fluor lover as well. The Mrs has come around to it after seeing how well the K VS2 BG Blue stone we just purchased looks. If only more smaller stones at BGD had that property!

Unfortunately for me, the JA True Hearts stones that are available with fluor do look a little hazy and milky based off the 360 deg videos there. So that has thrown JA out of the running.

I'm thinking that I coloured stones will be a better option. I'm going to stay away from the SI1s. BGD's stone vids aren't quite as high def as JA's are so the SI1 stones there are a bit difficult to rule in or out (unless the inclusions are quite noticeable, like in the 0.342 J SI1).

Congrats! I hope we get to see it soon! I can tell you a K with some fluor is awesome! And I too wished the smaller stones were available in the BLue line, but I still my BG 8 prong studs!

Mind if I ask the stats on your BGB K? I was ummm...browsing... very recently through the Blues... My old BGB I .926 is back on the site....Truly and amazing stone...Faced up like an H...I have something else now...

 

[bmfang]

[quote="bunnycat|1484101476|4114

Congrats! I hope we get to see it soon! I can tell you a K with some fluor is awesome! And I too wished the smaller stones were available in the BLue line, but I still my BG 8 prong studs!

Mind if I ask the stats on your BGB K? I was ummm...browsing... very recently through the Blues... My old BGB I .926 is back on the site....Truly and amazing stone...Faced up like an H...I have something else now...[/quote]

bunnycat, link to the 0.962ct K VS2's page:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.962-k-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104091071008

Another PS-er picked up a 0.926 J VS2 that was listed at the same time. Both beautiful stones but in the end, I decided weight was more important than colour. Though the J VS 2 did have strong fluor whereas the K has medium. Got the ring today and am utterly impressed with he quality of the setting and the stone faces up quite white so my wife is quite happy with it!

Currently going through setting options with Lesley. Turns out that la pousette's can be fitted to all the earring settings for an extra 125 if they aren't already on them. And the handmade three prong martinis can become 4 prongs for no extra cost. Which means the four prong wire baskets in platinum with la pousette's will be the same price as a pair of 4 prong martinis in 18kt white gold. Now can't make up my mind as to which setting is better.

My current thinking is 4 prong martinis...

 

[bunnycat]

[quote="bunnycat|1484101476|4114

Congrats! I hope we get to see it soon! I can tell you a K with some fluor is awesome! And I too wished the smaller stones were available in the BLue line, but I still my BG 8 prong studs!

Mind if I ask the stats on your BGB K? I was ummm...browsing... very recently through the Blues... My old BGB I .926 is back on the site....Truly and amazing stone...Faced up like an H...I have something else now...

bunnycat, link to the 0.962ct K VS2's page:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.962-k-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104091071008

Another PS-er picked up a 0.926 J VS2 that was listed at the same time. Both beautiful stones but in the end, I decided weight was more important than colour. Though the J VS 2 did have strong fluor whereas the K has medium. Got the ring today and am utterly impressed with he quality of the setting and the stone faces up quite white so my wife is quite happy with it!

Currently going through setting options with Lesley. Turns out that la pousette's can be fitted to all the earring settings for an extra 125 if they aren't already on them. And the handmade three prong martinis can become 4 prongs for no extra cost. Which means the four prong wire baskets in platinum with la pousette's will be the same price as a pair of 4 prong martinis in 18kt white gold. Now can't make up my mind as to which setting is better.

My current thinking is 4 prong martinis...[/quote]

Beautiful stone! Congrats! Love the very slightly shallower crown angle with that one. Handmade platinum sounds
Iike a slam dunk.

 

[bmfang]

I would not wait because the selection will be more slim close to Valentine's Day, and certainly there is rarely much of a "sale" on diamonds. I don't think there would be much, if any, negotiating room on stones this size, but it cannot hurt to ask.

I also prefer platinum settings and I have bought platinum from WF the last two times I bought new studs. They have platinum settings in stock for some of the settings. In small stud settings, I cannot think of any reason to get 18k white gold over 14k, but I do understand wanting platinum.

WF does offer uncertified excellent cut studs already set, .75ctw for $1600. Those are not eligible for upgrades, however.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/4-prong-basket-diamond-earrings-555.htm#size=

The 4 prong platinum settings alone are $315:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/4-prong-basket-diamond-earrings-1352.htm#size=

The reason we do not recommend screw backs is that will wear down the posts over time and possibly require new settings or post replacement. Plus they are just a pain to take on and off to clean the diamonds, which should be done often. You certainly can get LaPoussette backs if that is what she likes.

After discussions with Whiteflash and BGD, I ended up back with BGD for the final choice. Lesley was (again) a pleasure to deal with and I think I ended up with a very good deal relative to the stones that the WF rep recommended to me. There was a little bit of wriggle room. Looking fwd to seeing the stones set in the handmade 18kt white gold 4-prong martinis with la pousette backs arriving in a couple of weeks (and we'll be out of the hospital after the c-section and back at home).

So DS, I took your advice and went up to I coloured stones rather than the J coloured ones I initially considered. But the kicker (and best part) is that I got much higher clarity stones than were otherwise available (and the price for these two was very good compared to other pairs which were marginally cheaper [less than USD$10 difference] but which had less ctw). Can't believe that I ended up with a pair of 0.333/0.334 I VVS2 stones!

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond_pair_comparisions/compared_diamond_details/AGS-104082451046/AGS-104082451042

The inclusion plots on these two are ridiculously clean (so I will not have to worry at all about the inclusions affecting light return). IS and ASET images for each of these also put my mind at ease. I'm going to have fun putting my new Gemoro Eclipse triplet loupe to use trying to search for the minute clouds and feathers that are drawn on the plots.

 

[HappyNewLife]

I'm very color sensitive and can really only "stand" G or higher in a larger diamond. That said, my studs are I or J (IDJ said they're H, but they're too warm for an H IMO) and I can only tell when they're out of my ears and I'm inspecting them. In my ears they're just sparkly diamonds and not yellow.

As for setting, that's kind of up to what she likes. I personally HATE basket settings because it bugs me when the diamonds are sticking out of my ears super far (as if they're floating). I like martinis because they sit lower (like, the martini point goes further into my pierced hole) in my ear.

 

[luckykit]

I would not wait because the selection will be more slim close to Valentine's Day, and certainly there is rarely much of a "sale" on diamonds. I don't think there would be much, if any, negotiating room on stones this size, but it cannot hurt to ask.

I also prefer platinum settings and I have bought platinum from WF the last two times I bought new studs. They have platinum settings in stock for some of the settings. In small stud settings, I cannot think of any reason to get 18k white gold over 14k, but I do understand wanting platinum.

WF does offer uncertified excellent cut studs already set, .75ctw for $1600. Those are not eligible for upgrades, however.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/4-prong-basket-diamond-earrings-555.htm#size=

The 4 prong platinum settings alone are $315:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/4-prong-basket-diamond-earrings-1352.htm#size=

The reason we do not recommend screw backs is that will wear down the posts over time and possibly require new settings or post replacement. Plus they are just a pain to take on and off to clean the diamonds, which should be done often. You certainly can get LaPoussette backs if that is what she likes.

After discussions with Whiteflash and BGD, I ended up back with BGD for the final choice. Lesley was (again) a pleasure to deal with and I think I ended up with a very good deal relative to the stones that the WF rep recommended to me. There was a little bit of wriggle room. Looking fwd to seeing the stones set in the handmade 18kt white gold 4-prong martinis with la pousette backs arriving in a couple of weeks (and we'll be out of the hospital after the c-section and back at home).

So DS, I took your advice and went up to I coloured stones rather than the J coloured ones I initially considered. But the kicker (and best part) is that I got much higher clarity stones than were otherwise available (and the price for these two was very good compared to other pairs which were marginally cheaper [less than USD$10 difference] but which had less ctw). Can't believe that I ended up with a pair of 0.333/0.334 I VVS2 stones!

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond_pair_comparisions/compared_diamond_details/AGS-104082451046/AGS-104082451042

The inclusion plots on these two are ridiculously clean (so I will not have to worry at all about the inclusions affecting light return). IS and ASET images for each of these also put my mind at ease. I'm going to have fun putting my new Gemoro Eclipse triplet loupe to use trying to search for the minute clouds and feathers that are drawn on the plots.

what a beautifully matched pair!!! i'm glad you found what you were looking for, and then some! congrats! your wife is going to be very happy.