Good price for Diamond studs?

[ilovebling]

Still haven''t bought my studs yet but I''ve decided on rounds.

What''s a reasonable price that you would pay for 1 ct tw studs (1/2 carat ea) or 1.5 ct tw studs (3/4 carat each)?

I''m trying to decide between those 2 sizes and it will depend on the price as well of course.

 

[Jennifer5973]

Based on recent experience, I have seen this pricing:

2 ct tdw (1 ct each), Ideal cut, I, SI2 = $8,000 ($4,000 ea)
1.5 tdw (.75 ea), Ideal cut, I, SI1 = $4,000 ($2,000 ea)*
1 ct tdw (.5 ea), Ideal cut, J, SI1 = $2,500 ($1,250 ea)

* Whieflash has Expert Selection pre-made studs, 1.5 ct tdw, for $4,000. The stones do not have GIA or AGS lab reports but are guaranteed by WF to be 1.5 ct tdw, I, SI, and I''d trust them.

Also, I believe that J, SI quality are great for earrings if the stones are cut extrememly well.

 

[MissAva]

I have one and 1/4 studs that I paid about 1400 for. g/si four prong platuim. They are not super ideal cut but they are incrediably sparkly which for me is what matters. That and they were more to my taste in terms of price.

 

[Libster]

Hubby purchased a pair of studs for me before we found Pricescope and while they are white and sparkly, they are not ideal cut. This was 3 years ago, and he paid right at $1,900 for 1ct. total weight and a jewelers appraisal of them as I-SI

The Whiteflash Expert Selection would be my first stop if I had to to do it over again, plus I''d start with .75 in each ear

 

[ilovebling]

Matatora, do you mean 1.25 CTW? Or 1.25 carats each?! I wish I could get that!

Do you all thinkg it''s worth it to pay $1500 extra for the extra 1/2 carat for the 1.5 CTW vs. 1 CTW? With earrings, does it make that much of a visual difference?

Thanks for all your help!
Now that I just got a digicam I will have to take pics after my purchase.

 

[Jennifer5973]

Date: 7/17/2005 8:15:11 AM
Author: ilovebling
Matatora, do you mean 1.25 CTW? Or 1.25 carats each?! I wish I could get that!

Do you all thinkg it''s worth it to pay $1500 extra for the extra 1/2 carat for the 1.5 CTW vs. 1 CTW? With earrings, does it make that much of a visual difference?

Thanks for all your help!
Now that I just got a digicam I will have to take pics after my purchase.

Well, i just went through hemming and hawing over a .5 stone for a 3 prong pendant vs a .77 stone and the consensus was that the extra .25 points in that size stone makes a significant difference. Here is the link with some good info on size relationships: Stone Size

It''s a tough call. Personally, I think it is worth it if you can afford it.

 

[Maxine]

Date: 7/17/2005 10:55:46 AM
Author: Jennifer5973

Date: 7/17/2005 8:15:11 AM
Author: ilovebling
Matatora, do you mean 1.25 CTW? Or 1.25 carats each?! I wish I could get that!

Do you all thinkg it''s worth it to pay $1500 extra for the extra 1/2 carat for the 1.5 CTW vs. 1 CTW? With earrings, does it make that much of a visual difference?

Thanks for all your help!
Now that I just got a digicam I will have to take pics after my purchase.

Well, i just went through hemming and hawing over a .5 stone for a 3 prong pendant vs a .77 stone and the consensus was that the extra .25 points in that size stone makes a significant difference. Here is the link with some good info on size relationships: Stone Size

It''s a tough call. Personally, I think it is worth it if you can afford it.

Jennifer, what is the best way to set the stones that are a bit larger.......sometimes my .5 (each) studs seem to "sag" a bit, and then they don''t look as good w/the sparkle tilted...if you know what I mean!!!! What about 3 prong settings?????

 

[Jennifer5973]

Date: 7/17/2005 11:25:48 AM
Author: Maxine

Date: 7/17/2005 10:55:46 AM
Author: Jennifer5973

Date: 7/17/2005 8:15:11 AM
Author: ilovebling
Matatora, do you mean 1.25 CTW? Or 1.25 carats each?! I wish I could get that!

Do you all thinkg it''s worth it to pay $1500 extra for the extra 1/2 carat for the 1.5 CTW vs. 1 CTW? With earrings, does it make that much of a visual difference?

Thanks for all your help!
Now that I just got a digicam I will have to take pics after my purchase.

Well, i just went through hemming and hawing over a .5 stone for a 3 prong pendant vs a .77 stone and the consensus was that the extra .25 points in that size stone makes a significant difference. Here is the link with some good info on size relationships: Stone Size

It''s a tough call. Personally, I think it is worth it if you can afford it.

Jennifer, what is the best way to set the stones that are a bit larger.......sometimes my .5 (each) studs seem to ''sag'' a bit, and then they don''t look as good w/the sparkle tilted...if you know what I mean!!!! What about 3 prong settings?????

I think the three prong martinis hold up well becasue they sit closest tthe ear (the basket styles have that metal ring and the stone sits higher).

I am no help here--in my research onstuds I am going through the same ting... I love the look of the martini but am not sure it is for me (I thin I am brainwashed by the traditional 4 prong baskets)... Still looking around.

Here is an old thread on this exact topic: Sagging Studs

Here is the gallery of stud styles at WF: Studs-WF The 6 prong is interesting too.

 

[Jennifer5973]

Ooooooooooooh! Check these out: 4 prong martinis

I think our prayers have just been answered!

 

[MissAva]

CTW sorry! Still I felt it was a decent buy, they are set in the four prong platnuim with screw backs. That just happens to be the style I favor.

 

[SquareCut]

Matatora, That is a great price! Where did you get them? I wonder if the 3 prong martinis sit lower in the ear than the 4 prong martinis. Has anybody compared them?

 

[Mara]

I think .75c each will make a visual difference over .50c each. But as for if it''s worth it to spend alot more..eh..

Personally I''d hand build them and try to find something like .90c each and not hit that 1ct each mark or something like that. Oh sorry that''s for 2ctw!

I would go with J SI2 for earrings or similar...you could get a .75 J SI2 for probably around $2000 each if you hand picked...unbranded H&A.

For .50 J SI2 it''d be around $1000 each for unbranded H&A. So you do end up paying almost double for a small increase.

Maybe start with 1ctw and then make a bigger jump to 2ctw rather than doing the inbetween? Who knows! It really is about preferences!

 

[Jennifer5973]

Here is another question--is there an alternative to screw backs for a secure post? I HATE screw backs--too difficult to take on and off...?????

 

[Kaleigh]

Jenn, there are the La Pousette backs. They are round disks that you squeeze on to the posts and are very secure. I got my 1.50 H VVS2 ideal cut studs for 5K from SP.

 

[MissAva]

Allright...nobody yell at me.I bought them off ebay. The only thing that bothered be was that the post were slightly thicker then I had expected. (My holes are small.) Other then that they were perfect. They arent branded so if that is a priority for you I would say pass on these. But to be earrings are diffrent from rings.
E-source I hope this helps!

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 7/17/2005 4:33:00 PM
Author: Matatora
Allright...nobody yell at me.I bought them off ebay. The only thing that bothered be was that the post were slightly thicker then I had expected. (My holes are small.) Other then that they were perfect. They arent branded so if that is a priority for you I would say pass on these. But to be earrings are diffrent from rings.
E-source I hope this helps!

You silly girl! No one is gonna yell at you. Well, OK, maybe to say, GOOD JOB! THEY LOOK LOVELY!

Hey, one more thing I''ve learned here... eBay can be a great place for an educated diamond consumer to find some really cool stuff! (Mara, I''m thinking of you!)

Lynn

 

[Jennifer5973]

Date: 7/17/2005 4:50:55 PM
Author: Lynn B

Date: 7/17/2005 4:33:00 PM
Author: Matatora
Allright...nobody yell at me.I bought them off ebay. The only thing that bothered be was that the post were slightly thicker then I had expected. (My holes are small.) Other then that they were perfect. They arent branded so if that is a priority for you I would say pass on these. But to be earrings are diffrent from rings.
E-source I hope this helps!

You silly girl! No one is gonna yell at you. Well, OK, maybe to say, GOOD JOB! THEY LOOK LOVELY!

Hey, one more thing I''ve learned here... eBay can be a great place for an educated diamond consumer to find some really cool stuff! (Mara, I''m thinking of you!)

Lynn

Ditto!

 

[Regular Guy]

MK,

Just a note to suggest Expert Selection at WF.

They seem also to have a new option, XO, priced counter-intuitively, but available nonetheless. Their standard studs, while not documented, have been commented on with favor here in many instances.

Also, I''ve read where they may swap in 3 prong Martini backs, but I may have that in error.

Regards,

 

[widget]

Here''s my diamond stud experience:

About a year ago I bought a pair for my niece: G color, 1.4+ctw, and here''s the shocker: I-1 clarity!!!!

I CANNOT OVERSTATE how beautiful these diamonds looked: White, bright, sparkled across the room, and for some reason faced up almost like two 1-caraters! I was absolutely floored.

They cost about $2300...

The secret of course is that they were selected by a good vendor who''s a real stickler for well-cut stones. (In my case it was DBL).

I really think compromises can be made when considering diamonds for earrings...as long as they''re well cut!

BTW...I think "sagging studs" are the worst! (I sure don''t need anything ELSE on me sagging!

Disc backs or martini mountings are the way to go...JMO

widget

 

[Kaleigh]

Widget,
I hear you on the sagging studs, that''s the worst. I have a jeweler that sells oversized backs in 14K yellow or white gold. They are great, and I use them with many earrings, not just my studs.

 

[Jennifer5973]

Widget, I just checked out David''s site...I see he does NOT recommend screw backs...any idea why?

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 7/17/2005 5:04:19 PM
Author: Regular Guy
MK,

Just a note to suggest Expert Selection at WF.

They seem also to have a new option, XO, priced counter-intuitively, but available nonetheless. Their standard studs, while not documented, have been commented on with favor here in many instances.

Also, I''ve read where they may swap in 3 prong Martini backs, but I may have that in error.

Regards,

Ira, correct. Martini is an option.

 

[Kaleigh]

Jenn,
I am guessing that it''s because the threads on them get stripped pretty easily. I don''t like them myself, too much trouble taking them off, and putting them back on.

 

[widget]

Date: 7/17/2005 6:57:22 PM
Author: Jennifer5973
Widget, I just checked out David's site...I see he does NOT recommend screw backs...any idea why?

My guess is because they're a royal pain in the neck... I had screw backs once, and not only was it a lot of trouble getting them on and off, but with all that "fussing" I seemed to get irritated earlobes more often!

w

 

[widget]

I was just remembering....YEARS ago, I wore only costume earrings....and I lost a million of them!!

I was TERRIFIED when I got my first pair of "real" earrings (the afore mentioned screwbacks).

Knock wood, but I''ve never lost an earring since I started wearing the genuine article.

I guess we''re subconsciously more careful with them, or at least more consciencious about being sure the backs fit tightly...

widget

 

[Blue824]

Date: 7/17/2005 8:15:11 AM
Author: ilovebling
Matatora, do you mean 1.25 CTW? Or 1.25 carats each?! I wish I could get that!

Do you all thinkg it''s worth it to pay $1500 extra for the extra 1/2 carat for the 1.5 CTW vs. 1 CTW? With earrings, does it make that much of a visual difference?

Thanks for all your help!
Now that I just got a digicam I will have to take pics after my purchase.

When I was looking for studs I looked at my department store...not to buy them from, but they have all the sizes lined up next to each other and therefore I was able to find what size i was picturing and what carat weight corresponded with them. Its hard for me to picture things online and that was the easiest way to visualize it for me.

 

[Mara]

I used to have screwbacks, they were kind of a pain to get on and off. I had them for 2 years and they never stripped, but I wore them probably less than 50 times in those 2 years. My set now are regular earring backs, I was kind of paranoid at first but I don''t wear them that often...if I did I''d probably get screwbacks again which felt safest, I could wear them all day and only a handful of times did I ever notice that the screw was unscrewing...so they seemed pretty safe I guess. I never tried the La Pousette? But I know everyone has their preferences!

 

[jazgill]

Hi
I''ve just purchased a pair of superb ACA H & A G, SI 1 studs from Whiteflash. TCW just over 1 carat and they are real traffic stoppers. 3 prong martini setting with double friction backs in platinum. Total price $3250. Excellent customer service thrown in as well.
Hope that helps.
Jaz

 

[pyramid]

Jazgill. Congratulations. A much better deal than you would have got in the UK if you could even find quality diamonds there.