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Earrings for the wife...zero knowledge about diamonds

dannydan

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 8, 2016
Messages
1
Hi,

i'm looking to get a new pair of earrings for my wife, and I have zero knowledge on diamonds :)
I am looking to order a build-your-own from Blue Nile and I need help understanding what's worth the extra cost and what isn't.
It's important to note that she only cares about how the earrings look to the naked eye. So anything not visible wouldn't be worth the extra money. She would like it to sparkle though :)
She is interested in stud earrings of about 0.6 carat (0.3 each). Would VS1 be a good choice? And how about the color / cut?
Please give me some guidance on what would be good choices :)
Oh and one last question - does it matter at all if the encasing is white or yellow gold?

Thanks in advance,

Dan
 

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
40,225
Cut is what matters most. No one gets close enough to earrings for clarity to be a big deal, AT ALL. So I'd go for eyeclean Si1/Vs2. As for color, personally I'd go for I-J-K range. If all she cares about is what you can see, there's no point in spending money on anything else. No one is going to look close enough at a 30 point stone to see inclusions from more than 10 inches away or color from the small sides.

I wouldn't use Blue Nile's stud function though. They're settings aren't really nice and their stones are just okay. You can do much better for the money.

I would use Whiteflash or BGD for studs. Do you know if she wants to be able to upgrade them? Or does she plan to keep them permanently.

These would be perfect: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/diamond-pairs-details.aspx?Diamond1=3643214&Diamond2=3643215 Fully upgradable.

I would absolutely to white gold settings. And I would do martini's on stones of that size: http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/3-prong-martini-diamond-earrings-304.htm

Those would be perfect.

So would these (though you would have to ask when they get in):
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.300-j-vs2-round-diamond-bfg-20252
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.304-j-vs2-round-diamond-bfg-20333
With these settings: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond-earrings/studs/classic-martini-earrings-14k-white-gold-5386w14

Same price. Great upgrade policy. Can't lose.

No upgrade policy but nice as well, and similar price: http://www.jamesallen.com/earrings/preset-diamond-studs/18k-white-gold-0.75ctw-three-prong-martini-round-brilliant-diamond-earrings-item-17157 H Si would be fine if guaranteed eyeclean.
 

VRBeauty

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Apr 2, 2006
Messages
11,210
Re the settings - I have studs just a bit larger than what you're considering (.78ctw) set in traditional three-prong martinis, and a pair just a bit smaller (.46ctw) set in Whiteflash's 8-prong martinis. (http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/8-prong-martini-diamond-earrings-1548.htm) I find the 8-prong martinis to be way more comfortable for every day wear... and these are pretty much my every day earrings. The 3-prong martini settings have a slightly cleaner look, but they don't feel as comfortable or secure, to me, for every day wear.
 

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
40,225
I prefer bezels fyi for studs, and love the 8 prongs too. But if upgrades are expected soon on the studs then I wouldn't spend that much more on settings, that's why I recommended those I did. But for permanent or long term studs...definitely agree with VR.
 
Q

Queenie60

Guest
Hi Dannydan - I would suggest that you give Yekutiel from ID Jewelry a call. He sourced some beautiful stones for my stud earrings a few months ago. He's easy to work with and will do his best for the Pricescope community. And, my studs are gorgeous!! Good luck to you. :wavey:
 

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
40,225
Queenie60|1462822018|4029397 said:
Hi Dannydan - I would suggest that you give Yekutiel from ID Jewelry a call. He sourced some beautiful stones for my stud earrings a few months ago. He's easy to work with and will do his best for the Pricescope community. And, my studs are gorgeous!! Good luck to you. :wavey:

If you do this specify eye clean PS quality stones, and idealscope image, and GIA lab report.
 

WillyDiamond

Brilliant_Rock
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Joined
Dec 7, 2004
Messages
1,452
Call Leslie at BGD, she will give you matched pairs.
Best of luck
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Messages
58,547
I like the pairs Gypsy linked a lot, but I personally prefer I color (or higher for myself). I could link you several pairs because Whiteflash consistently carries a nice quantity of stones that can easily be matched. I also would recommend either the martinis or 4 prong basket settings (the lowest priced ones) in case you ever decide to upgrade them. I personally prefer the baskets because the base sits flat on the ear, and I worry a little about martini's stretching the piercing hole.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3171974.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3222833.htm

or

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3497421.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3497422.htm
 

VRBeauty

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
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11,210
diamondseeker2006|1462851684|4029634 said:
I personally prefer the baskets because the base sits flat on the ear, and I worry a little about martini's stretching the piercing hole.

The back of an 8-prong martini setting, where the prongs meet and the post is attached, is actually quite flat. In fact, WF's 8-prong martini setting is shaped more like a shallow champagne glass than a martini martini glass! ;)) This setting will not stretch the piercing hole.

Cheers!
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
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VRBeauty|1462909755|4029886 said:
diamondseeker2006|1462851684|4029634 said:
I personally prefer the baskets because the base sits flat on the ear, and I worry a little about martini's stretching the piercing hole.

The back of an 8-prong martini setting, where the prongs meet and the post is attached, is actually quite flat. In fact, WF's 8-prong martini setting is shaped more like a shallow champagne glass than a martini martini glass! ;)) This setting will not stretch the piercing hole.

Cheers!

Oh, yes, I was speaking of the settings at $195 because I wouldn't pay more than that if there was a chance of upgrading. Those martini's are 3 prong. I personally wouldn't put 8 prongs on stones that small..too much metal to diamond ratio! But it's good to know the 8 prong martini setting has a flat base!
 
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