Help w stud earring selection

[nccb]

Never bought diamond stud earrings before, and am looking for wife. She is petite, about 5'7" and tiny (100 lbs). I guess her ear lobes are normal but to be honest I don't notice ear lobes that much, so hard to say!

Saw some positive things about IDJ in NY, and dealing with Luann so I called her. She came back with these options....someone help!

$1500, color H, SI, 1.01 ctw, Luann says excellent cut
$1450, color F, SI, 0.81 ctw, Luann says excellent cut

My questions....
1) are these good prices? They seem to be but I am a novice
2) is the color bump (from H to F) worth the size decrease (from 1.01 to .81)?
3) Luann & IDJ safe to deal with?
4) Should I ask for certificate/papers or does it matter on earrings?

 

[chrono]

For stones of that size, I'd want proper lab reports on them. They might be earrings today but who's to say they won't be sidestones a few years from now?

 

[nccb]

Thanks - I will ask about it.

What about the other things?

1) are these good prices? They seem to be but I am a novice
2) is the color bump (from H to F) worth the size decrease (from 1.01 to .81)? Is this just up to opinion?

 

[chrono]

Whether the price is good will depend on what the lab paperwork says with respect to the colour, clarity, cut and etc.

 

[nccb]

They said the stones are not certified (they said not necessary for studs) but come with a store appraisal.

Lots of folks have had positive things to say about IDJ. Should I care about the certification that much?

 

[nccb]

Also I could get them appraised myself in addition to verify they check out, and 30 day return.

 

[nccb]

Anyone else have thoughts?

 

[woofmama]

I don't think it's necessary to go up from H color for studs. I have H SI1 1.00 tcw studs from BGD. Mine are certed, AGS0 and I paid far more than you're being quoted. Whether that's important to you, is up to you. Many on here want certed stones for studs but recommend going even lower in color to I-J-K. I'm linking BGD page so you can look at the difference. A lot of people have bought from IDJ & been happy with their purchase, just be sure to tell them you want PS quality stones.

BGD is offering 10% off today for their signature stones with 14k settings. Info is their site.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/brians-matched-pairs/

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Mine are H color as well, and as long as they are excellent cut, they will face up very white on the ears. Can't really comment on price because we don't know enough about the stones. I am assuming the clarity is low at that price. I'd definitely go with the larger H pair if all else is equal about the diamond quality.

 

[WillyDiamond]

OP
As someone else said, buy stones with AGS or GIA certs, not uncerted stones of that size.
Speak with Leslie at BGD
Best of luck.

 

[heididdl]

OP
As someone else said, buy stones with AGS or GIA certs, not uncerted stones of that size.
Speak with Leslie at BGD
Best of luck.

I have a different opinion if you buy presets from WF or buy uncertified stones from IDJ you are okay not having certified stones (we are talking .50 carat each).... Many PS have purchased uncertified stones for earrings and are so happy. If you use a vendor as mentioned you get more for your buck with out the paper. Sorry my HO.....Also...I am jealous I am 5'1 and 100 lbs (petite is under 5 4') your SO is just tall and slim. lol..

However size of studs isn't about height and weight its about what you feel comfortable wearing. I am small and love my 2.40 studs. That being said I think 1 carat is perfect and I would also stay with the best cut stones H color eye clean..........

 

[tmot14]

I also don't think certification is worth the price bump for studs. When I was looking, it was actually $1,000 more. IDJ are great because they allow upgrades on uncertified studs (minus the cost of the setting). I went with Whiteflash for my preset, uncertified studs since I thought I'd never want to upgrade, but a few months in and I'm already thinking maybe I should have gone with IDJ. Luann was wonderful to work with.

 

[artdecolover71]

For studs, I personally would rather have size, cut and clarity over color-but that is me I have un-certed OEC studs from Resonance of life and LOVE them. Good luck and I like Luanne a lot. I visited IDJ last winter. very nice people.