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Help! Just bought BlueNile studs - GIA triple ex but low HCA

md1984

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 28, 2014
Messages
26
Hello,

I just wondered if anyone might be able to advise me. I have just bought some GIA triple excellent studs from Blue Nile - 1.4 tcw, J / SI2 (eye clean). They are very pretty... I like the size and don't mind the colour. They are reasonably sparkly, although not as sparkly as my e-ring - not sure if the colour plays any part in this given that the e-ring is a G colour.

I have just checked them on the HCA and they only get a 'good' rating. I have just looked at Whiteflash and I could get these slightly smaller K colour ACA diamonds for slightly more money:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3634228.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3642162.htm

Do you think I should return the Blue Nile studs and buy these, or would the lower colour not be worth it to know the cut is probably better? Any other suggestions! My budget is around $3200 give or take a bit...

(I originally went with Blue Nile as they ship from the UK where I live, whereas somewhere like Whiteflash there is the hassle of customs which is potentially impossibly complicated if I have to send the earrings back...)

Thank you in advance for your help!
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Jan 11, 2006
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58,547
Re: Help! Just bought BlueNile studs - GIA triple ex but low

I have and love my WF studs, but we could see if there are other BN stones that would be better if that is easier for you with customs. I would not go below J color, and I'd probably do I color with a G color e-ring. Yes, I absolutely would return studs that scored "good" on the HCA.
 

Snowdrop13

Ideal_Rock
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Re: Help! Just bought BlueNile studs - GIA triple ex but low

Well, the cut is what makes the sparkle so there is no doubt the ACAs will do that! Are the BN studs definitely eye clean? I guess it is possible too that inclusions might be playing a part in reducing the light return.

I just bought an ACA and I'm in the UK- let me tell you that the customs was absolutely no problem at all. FedEx called me as soon as the diamond was here and sent me the bill by email. You could get the VAT refunded were you to return an item, that might be more tricky, I agree. Are you sure you'd be ok with a K colour?
 

md1984

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 28, 2014
Messages
26
Re: Help! Just bought BlueNile studs - GIA triple ex but low

Thank you so much for your replies. That is really helpful to know that you both think a K is definitely too low, and a J possibly too low as well. I hadn't really considered an I, actually... I had sort of thought either go to a J to get the larger 1.4tcw stones or go to F/G/H with a lower tcw of around 1.2, so maybe the I is a compromise to consider. I'm not sure my budget would stretch to ACAs in a better colour, so perhaps I'd better stick with Blue Nile and check the stones on the HCA. I know it's not 100% guaranteed, but will excellent HCA scores be fairly reliable in finding really sparkly diamonds?
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
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Messages
58,547
Re: Help! Just bought BlueNile studs - GIA triple ex but low

These are measurements to help you stay in ideal cut territory with a GIA excellent cut stone.

table: 54-58

depth: 60-62.3

crown angle: 34-35.0 (up to 35.5 crown angle can sometimes work with a 40.6 pav angle)

pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0 if the crown angle is close to 34)


I would stick with I color and SI1 clarity since returns are a pain. SI2 clarity can have an effect on light return in some cases, and sometimes they are not eyeclean. I just wouldn't want to deal with buying and returning stones. Many members here even with large budgets go with I color because well cut ones face up white. If you are not bothered by the tint in J, you can certainly stick with J. But I would look at SI1 for clarity.
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
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58,547
Re: Help! Just bought BlueNile studs - GIA triple ex but low

But, let me ask you this. If you ever think you might want to upgrade the studs, I would go with Whiteflash. I have upgraded mine a couple of times to get to the final size I wanted.

I am going to link you what I would choose from WF:

This is overbudget, but I would rather wait and get these, if possible. They avoid the price jump at .70 and it isn't all that common to find a matched pair in the upper .60 range.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3634222.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3634220.htm

Less but still over:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3328815.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3328815.htm

Just a little over:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3634229.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3634230.htm

On budget:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3667397.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3265496.htm

As you can see, WF stones are SO easy to match up because of their cut consistency!
 

md1984

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 28, 2014
Messages
26
Re: Help! Just bought BlueNile studs - GIA triple ex but low

Thank you, DiamondSeeker, for taking the time to look for these. It is the morning here in the UK and I am looking after my 10 month old son, so will have a proper look again this evening once he has gone to bed. The WF stones are quite a lot more expensive than BN and, if I went with the 1.2tcw/I/VS option for example, I'm not completely sure I'm enough of a connoisseur to go for the ACAs at a total of £3400 GBP inc tax paid on import over BN GIA Excellent (with HCA score excellent) at a total of £2600 GBP! Do you think they would look that much nicer to the average person like me to justify the price difference? Thank you again so much for all your help... I really appreciate it.
 

md1984

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 28, 2014
Messages
26
Re: Help! Just bought BlueNile studs - GIA triple ex but low

Oh, sorry... I forgot to answer your question about upgrading. I think I would prefer not to upgrade in the future due to the cost and hassle of returning to the US - I would lose my 23% tax and import duty and have to insure them for the return, etc.
 

md1984

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 28, 2014
Messages
26
Re: Help! Just bought BlueNile studs - GIA triple ex but low

Thank you again for your help, DiamondSeeker and Snowdrop. I have asked ID Jewelry to see what they can find in a slightly lower carat weight - around 1.2tcw with a better colour and cut. I really appreciate your help! Those ACAs do look like they'd be very beautiful but I think they are just a little on the pricey side for my budget at the moment. Thanks again.
 

Snowdrop13

Ideal_Rock
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Re: Help! Just bought BlueNile studs - GIA triple ex but low

Great news, they have lots of fantastic reviews! You must report back when you get the earrings.
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Re: Help! Just bought BlueNile studs - GIA triple ex but low

That's a good idea! Just post the GIA grading reports here before you commit!
 

md1984

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 28, 2014
Messages
26
Re: Help! Just bought BlueNile studs - GIA triple ex but low

Hi DiamondSeeker! Thank you so much for offering to look at the reports. I am considering these two stones: GIA report numbers 5166938038 and 6221445869. I'll try to post links to the reports below and hope they work!
 

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