Help! Trying to buy earrings for my girlfriend...

[kipp]

Okay,

so I have definitely done some reading here on the forums and throughout the rest of pricescope, and I've more or less narrowed down what I'm looking for based on my budget.

I am looking for a pair of diamonds for some decent studs that are under $1500 (not including the settings). I know from reading here on the forums that for studs, clarity and color are not as important (at least compared to a ring, since people don't usually look at ears up close), and that cut and carat are the most important factors.

Is getting H&A diamonds a must? Clearly I can get non H&A diamonds for cheaper, but I'm wondering if that makes a huge difference or not. For example, when I look at the WhiteFlash Idealscope Images for non H&A diamonds, they don't look any different for H&A diamonds (I still see the hearts and arrows).

I guess I'm really just looking for some advice and either confirmation or rejection that some of the rocks I had in mind look like they fit the bill. I have attached a screenshot of some diamonds from pricescope. I am leaning towards the .41 and .414 at the bottom of the first section, mostly because they are a good size, right around my budget, H&A, etc.

however, I know that I can also get slightly smaller ones that have slightly better color, clarity, etc, and I really wanted to get some opinions on what might be best.

Or, if you have different suggestions altogether, let me know.

Thanks!

 

[Lord Summerisle]

Have you considered Whiteflash ready to go Expert Selection diamond earrings... for .8twc you looking at around $1400 in platinum or $1190 in white gold for I SI diamonds...

 

[kipp]

I am open to anything really, so thanks for the suggestion. I noticed that the majority of the loose diamonds I mentioned above are from whiteflash. Does this mean I might have better luck at getting a better price on diamonds from their website?

Thanks!

 

[Lord Summerisle]

They''re Ready to go ones are from their expert selection... and are preselected to match up nicely.

I got a pair of them for my other half, much smaller than your considering... but they are lovely i foget the actual specs - .25twc, G VS comes to mind...

Anyways... they are lovely stones, and the preset ones do present a good bargin - i dunno what caused them to be in the ES line, since the Arrows are lovely... Brian knows best

 

[Logan Sapphire]

I just wanted to say that I have H&A earrings that are .41 and .42 and they''re a great size! I guess I could forsee getting bigger ones in the future, but I think the ones I have look really good.

 

[Mara]

i don''t love the numbers on the .41 and .42 stones on that chart...but the WF stones don''t come with any specs at all, so i guess it''s a tradeoff.

if you aren''t looking for super perfect stones, either those GOG stones or the WF pre-set ones would work out, the WF pre-set ones have been bought by a few people on here who noted that they can see the arrow patterns, so they are supposed to be very well-cut...just with no specs.

i will say that i have had crappily cut earrings and now have smaller H&A ones...i would only buy well-cut earrings from now on, the difference is huge AND my smaller ones look as big as my old larger ones due to the better cut. that said, i don''t think H&A or perfection is necessary in earrings, as long as the basics for a well-cut stone are there, then their max sparkle will do the job.

good luck!!

 

[kipp]

Thanks for the input. What exactly defines an H&A diamond from one that is not H&A?

Also, I noticed that you mentioned the dimensions given for the diamonds I listed were not that great. What is it that makes them better vs. worse? Is the low HCA number an issue? I know that that the 0.41 and 0.42 are listed as being H&A, but if their other specifications aren't that great, am I right in assuming that it's not worth getting them.

I really am just getting started with this whole process, but I want to get the best product for the money, so I'm not sure if larger is better.

Thanks for your help, and any other suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Mara]

personally i dont like stones with depth over 62% and that pav angle at 41 is not my fave either. doesnt mean it will be ugly by any means, it''s just me being a stickler.

H&A vs non is the perfection the pattern...but alot of WF''s ES and other nonH&A stones still show arrows that are suitable for many people''s eyes but not perfect enough to please the experts. like my big e-ring stone is a WF ES stone that was probably rejected for an ACA H&A but it has a great pattern and it looks fabulous to me...plus you save $$.

 

[kipp]

Okay,

I''ve come to the conclusion that going to the extra trouble of looking for "perfect" stones for a pair of studs is probably not worth my effort and that I should probably just go with the expert selection stones at whiteflash.

One last question: Are platinum settings really necessary for earrings? I was planning on just going with white gold. I''m not trying to be a cheapo here or anything, but I''m just wondering if there is a particular value to getting platinum settings for studs.

 

[Lord Summerisle]

again it comes down to personal choice.

Worth noting... some folk are allergic to some forms of white gold, (i think its due to the nickle content in come mixes - but someone more knowledgeable than me can say better) so you can always ask for the non allergenic form... its been said on this forum before i cant remmeber off the top of my head.

Knowing my other half wasnt sure if she could wear WG i went with Plat. but i also asked WF if they could do them in a 3 prong martini setting, which they kindly did for me... even tho i was going with the expert selection ready to go set.

 

[Mara]

definitely a big fat no on overspending for platinum, as long as she doesn''t have an allergy to white gold.

our jeweler originally talked greg out of getting plat earrings, people are conditioned to think plat means quality but in reality on the ears, WG is just fine and it''s much cheaper too.

all my other jewelry is plat but my earrings are set into white gold martini 3 prongs...LOVE the 3 prong vs the old 4 prong.

 

[kipp]

You all have made my day. Thanks so much for the insight!

My girlfriend is not allergic to white gold, so I think we're in good shape.

Lord Summerisle, I was wondering myself if WF might do the 3-prong for the ready set to go, since I think that would be a great look.

I'll give them a call and hopefully get everything figured out by the end of the week. When the studs come, I'll be sure to post pictures.

Thanks!

 

[Lord Summerisle]

Certainly theres no harm in asking if they''ll do you them in the 3 prong... whats the worst they can say?

 

[noobie]

Date: 5/11/2005 3

2:43 PM
Author: kipp
You all have made my day. Thanks so much for the insight!

My girlfriend is not allergic to white gold, so I think we''re in good shape.

Lord Summerisle, I was wondering myself if WF might do the 3-prong for the ready set to go, since I think that would be a great look.

I''ll give them a call and hopefully get everything figured out by the end of the week. When the studs come, I''ll be sure to post pictures.

Thanks!

They will do 3 prong and whatever back you want, la pousette, friction or screw. Many like the la pousettes. Good choice by the way The ES ready to go are perfect quick economical option.

 

[Lord Summerisle]

here ya go...

the ones i got caroline: