How to choose matching pair for studs?

[sparkle_zo]

Gurus, I am looking for a pair of stones for stud earrings (will be my first diamonds). Some online stores provide an option for “matching diamonds“, but some are not. How to make sure that stones look a like?

Please, could you give me your expert opinion on those pairs:

1. http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=2183235,2213205

2.http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255599.asp AND http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1225061.asp

3.http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-earrings?pid=LD01493894&pid=LD01550563&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP

 

[stone-cold11]

Match the face up dimension, table then the angles. Color can be off by 1-2 grades difference.

Like the JA pair the best.

 

[sparkle_zo]

Thanks, Stone-cold11! Are those diamonds reasonably priced (am I getting the most for money)?

 

[stone-cold11]

Depends.

Do you really want a H&A stone for the earrings? If not, there could be cheaper options out there that could be just as good. Also, you have to consider the vendors different policy regarding trade-up and buy back, those are also factored into the price of the stone.

 

[sparkle_zo]

I choose H&A as the best cut after reading training material on Pricescope. Do you think "Ideal" is good enough?

 

[stone-cold11]

H&A does not imply cut performance only optical symm but for these branded stones, their cut performance is good too.

For ear-rings, I would go down the cut grade to VG using the cut adviser and get a stone in the ear-ring pendant range. Those usually are cheaper as they are not graded ex cut by the labs and also usually has better spread, looks bigger for their carat weight, as they are cut shallower than ring stones.

 

[Lorelei]

Go by diameter and table generally to match. The JA pair appear to match well, ask for one of the gemologists to see how well they do match and also to check the grade setting clouds don't impact brilliance.

 

[sparkle_zo]

I am still seaching... expects, please what do you think about this pair:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1249062.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1259422.asp



How different premium cut from ideal cut?

 

[JulieN]

That is a good matched pair, and the stones are pretty. Good job!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/20/2009 4:12:49 AM
Author: JulieN
That is a good matched pair, and the stones are pretty. Good job!

Ditto, these do look good. Check the cloud inclusion in the first diamond isn't impacting brilliance and is eyeclean by asking someone at JA to check for you. Also in some cases premium cuts from this vendor have larger tables.

 

[sparkle_zo]

I recieved my order of H&A''s from James Allen and decided to return it... even it was good looking stones but not as bright as I would like it to be and not big enough

. So I am seaching again, this time for 0.7 ct each.

Would appretiate your opinion on those 3 stones (please pick 2 for studs):

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255579.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255582.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255579.asp


I''ve red so many good reviews about Brian Gavin on pricescope, should I turn there?
thank you!

 

[yssie]

I was thinking that it was amazing that you had found two diamonds that matched in every single capacity, to the table tenth! Then I noticed that diamonds 1 and 3 are the same

 

[Bosie]

Date: 12/27/2009 2:02:50 AM
Author: sparkle_zo
I recieved my order of H&A's from James Allen and decided to return it... even it was good looking stones but not as bright as I would like it to be and not big enough

. So I am seaching again, this time for 0.7 ct each.

Would appretiate your opinion on those 3 stones (please pick 2 for studs):

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255579.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255582.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255579.asp


I've red so many good reviews about Brian Gavin on pricescope, should I turn there?
thank you!

yes, ask for Lesley