Help with earrings?

[newposter]

I know these questions have been asked before, but I''d love to hear some advice/feedback.
I''m starting to look for a pair of round diamond studs with an ideal cut (they don''t have to be H&A, but I do want a great cut!) and decent color & clarity (maybe g/h/i or even j? and SI1 or even SI2?) with a total weight of 1.2 to 1.5 (set in white gold or platinum).
I''m willing to shop online, but I''m not sure exactly where to start or how to know what cut grade to get if I can''t see the diamonds...
For example, do I need Whiteflash''s "ideal" stones or is the "very good" cut category sufficient?
I''ve been to a couple local (not mall) stores - - one of which had only HoF branded stones (beautiful but too $$) and one of which had VERY loosely graded cuts without certs. Agh! Any advice?

 

[niceice]

Diamond earrings cut to zero ideal cut proportions will tend to be more lively than those cut to very good... The same principle that holds true for the hand holds true to the ears although that is not to say that you have to buy ideal cut diamonds for your earrings - it's a matter of preference.

 

[luvmysparklies]

Hi newposter-

I just purchased some H&A cut diamonds from Wink that posts on this forum. I told him a while ago that I wanted some studs, but knew that I would have a very limited budget due to my wedding planning. I've been talking to him on and off about earrings and almost went with CZs, but really in my heart wanted real diamonds. Well he e-mailed me a couple of days ago that he got a great deal on a batch of very well cut H&A stones. I contacted him to see about the price and I wound up purchasing two .50ct. diamonds for earrings! Yay! They are F and G color VS2 and SI1 for a total of 2500. So, naturally I can't wait to get them, but

I don't have money to set them just yet! When I get them, I will post pics though. I'm thinking of maybe some martini settings that would show off the stones.

Anyway, he told me that he's got sizes from like .90 to about a half carat size, from D-H or even I color, I think... so he might still have something that could fit with what you're looking for? Anyway, you might want to contact him to check what he's got. I wrote down the sizes and prices, but left the sheet at work. Lemme see if I can write the stuff up for you and post the info. when I get to work tomorrow. Anyway, good luck!
Luv

 

[WinkHPD]

Thanks Luvmysparklies. I appreciate the kind words. I am informed that I will have a new package here in a few days that will also have some H&A stones in the .45 - .49 ct sizes which are hard to find as most cutters will cut the stones a little less well to keep to the .50ct size range.

I agree with Robin that the cutting is what makes the diamond beautiful and you should always get the best cut you can, even if it means a slightly smaller stone.

Wink