ID Jewelry Dilemna for Diamond Huggie Hoops Custom Order

[plummiecat]

Hi Everyone,
I'm new to posting but have been a lurker for a few weeks. After reading all of the older posts and seeing pics of diamond huggie hoops, I decided I had to ask for a pair for Christmas. After checking around with several online stores, I chose IDJ due to the fair price and the promise to have the earrings made in time for Christmas. I custom ordered the 10 stone design with 15 pointers, F/VS ideal cut 18k. I spoke with the sweet Luann several times and she promised they would be perfect. Yesterday she sent me a photo of the earrings AFTER they had been shipped. I saw the pic and was shocked. The back part of the hoop is scalloped with holes cut out! (Sorry I can't figure out how to post the pic).

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=2a130d48fd&view=att&th=13447b1f9e7665ec&attid=0.1&disp=thd&zw

This design was never discussed with me. I wanted the solid, plain classic hoop in the back.
Now I don't know what to do. IDJ is closed until Monday. Should I go ahead and pay for overnight shipping myself to speed the process up and hope IDJ reimburses me> Do you think they can fix the earrings and get them back to me in a week? Please share your personal experiences with IDJ. Thanks so much!

 

[dani13]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that!!!! I would just pay to have the earrings to you asap, so you can send them back asap. I know that Luann will take care of this for you!!! I think that their customer service is great, I would have no worries, as they just want to make us PS-ers happy!!! Call her Monday and explain the situation, I'm sure they can have the new ones done in no time!!! Good luck!

ps- are you able to post a pic? Even if its just with your camera phone? I'm curious to see what you're talking about!

 

[plummiecat]

Thanks for your reply! I feel better now. Are you able to see the link? I haven't seen the earrings in person yet, they are on the delivery truck right now.

 

[Enerchi]

Plummiecat, the link you posted did not work.

I haven't purchased thru IDJ but have spoken w Luann a few times on a (hopefully soon!) upcoming project, and I also have a good feeling that for a PSer (or anyone for that matter) they want to make sure you are fully satisfied. I think their customer service is amazing!

Good luck - and would love to see a photo if you can cut and paste one!

 

[plummiecat]

Here's a pic

 

[dani13]

Oh my, yes, I would want those changed too!!! Doesnt look right!!! You want it like this:

 

[dani13]

.

 

[plummiecat]

Do you find yours to be heavy? Luann said the reason the holes were put there was to reduce weight.

 

[PintoBean]

Give them a call on Sunday. RIght now, at least for the holidays, they are opened Sundays - I called them last Sunday.

I think the holes are there to lighten up the weight, but, may also be a compromise between rising metal prices and maintaining competitive pricing.

 

[dani13]

Plummie-

I don't have a pair- I just searched on PS for pics (I think they might be Jill S's). I do like them with the plain backing, but I do remember reading some people having problems with the earrings being too heavy- so maybe they are making them like this now to help remedy that problem? I would just call tomm and see if you can speak to Luann or Yekutiel. One of them should be there to explain the situation.

 

[Enerchi]

Plummie, the above explanations may be the case and I understand it isn't what you thought you were getting, but to the 'untrained eye" (mine!) they look very nice like this as well! I like the solid back, but this does make them look a little lighter and perhaps slightly more delicate. It isn't what you wanted, but they do look very nice. Could it be worth seeing them in person first, trying them on - getting opinions from those you trust - then decide to return them if you are still not happy?

They really do look very nice....

 

[minmin001]

it says office hour not open during the weekend but lastweek when I sent an e-mail on sunday she replied me right away and was in the office for me to call. so I would try to call them

 

[plummiecat]

Thank you. I'm starting to think you are right. Maybe I should try them on first.

 

[PintoBean]

I actually kind of like the scalloped back - it's more "shapeply", and could, in fact, allow more light to the diamonds and enhance the sparkle!

Just had a brilliant thought = whenever your significant other does something "bad", he can make it up to you by filling those holes up with more diamonds!

I actually got my mother the same pair - 10 15 pointers within the year. In all honesty, the diamonds are so gorgeous, I never really paid attention to the backs of the huggies, until the pictures were posted in this thread to compare and contrast. I think you'll be THRILLED when you see them!

 

[plummiecat]

I'm pretty sure that I want the holes filled in and Luann told me that could be easily done. I'm not sure about the scalloped shaped, though, on the second half of the hoop. If I leave it scalloped then it might match the diamond portion more. I just never considered having the back of the hoop scalloped so I'm not sure. Any opinions?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hmmm, I really think you'll need to try them on to decide. My first thought was that it looked like they just forgot to put the diamonds in those holes! So that might bother me. But if you could take a few ear shots before sending them back, that would be great!

Do you mind sharing what the specs were on yours and an idea of price? That was the size I was thinking about.

 

[blueiris]

I too was talking with ID Jewelry about huggies with 15 points. In fact, I believe Luann sent me the pics of your earrings following my first inquiry! I did notice the holes in the back and asked about them, but I think they were already closed yesterday when I asked so I haven't heard back yet.

I wondered if these are stock settings for "in and out" diamond hoops, perhaps? At any rate, I also would not want the holes in the back. I'll be interested to hear what you decide to do. When you get the earrings, would you mind measuring them for me (in millimeters, if at all possible)? Luann thought that they are around 3/4", which is a little larger than I'd really like. Thank you if you can help out with a measurement (and photos would be lovely, too, hint hint!)

diamondseeker2006, for F/G SI stones (which are fine with me since they're little diamonds and Luann assured me they would be eye clean) I was quoted $2175 (18K white gold). For F/G VS stones, Luann quoted me $2475. You can get the Costco version for ~$2000. I have those here now but I am just not crazy about the setting and will be sending them back (they have 4 prongs for each diamond and it makes the diamonds look squarish. Plus they don't fit right up to my ear lobe; there is a little gap between my ear lobe and the start of the diamonds). I do like the 15 pt. stones in them, though. For me, I think 10 pt. is a little small and 20 pt. might be a little too much for an everyday look (for me - I'm very casual!)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I too was talking with ID Jewelry about huggies with 15 points. In fact, I believe Luann sent me the pics of your earrings following my first inquiry! I did notice the holes in the back and asked about them, but I think they were already closed yesterday when I asked so I haven't heard back yet.

I wondered if these are stock settings for "in and out" diamond hoops, perhaps? At any rate, I also would not want the holes in the back. I'll be interested to hear what you decide to do. When you get the earrings, would you mind measuring them for me (in millimeters, if at all possible)? Luann thought that they are around 3/4", which is a little larger than I'd really like. Thank you if you can help out with a measurement (and photos would be lovely, too, hint hint!)

diamondseeker2006, for F/G SI stones (which are fine with me since they're little diamonds and Luann assured me they would be eye clean) I was quoted $2175 (18K white gold). For F/G VS stones, Luann quoted me $2475. You can get the Costco version for ~$2000. I have those here now but I am just not crazy about the setting and will be sending them back (they have 4 prongs for each diamond and it makes the diamonds look squarish. Plus they don't fit right up to my ear lobe; there is a little gap between my ear lobe and the start of the diamonds). I do like the 15 pt. stones in them, though. For me, I think 10 pt. is a little small and 20 pt. might be a little too much for an everyday look (for me - I'm very casual!)

Thank you! And I am just like you...very casual so I need earrings that are not too blingy or else it would look silly with my jeans! My reasoning was exactly the same regarding the 15 pts.! I also am interested in a diamonds-by-the-yard necklace, and it would be really nice to coordiate the size diamonds in both (at least dreaming is cheap!).

 

[blueiris]

diamondseeker2006, I have a DBTY by WF with 15 12 point stones. I love it but since I got my solitaire pendant, that's all I wear (the pendant is bezeled and fixed with those little "rabbit ears" so I can't wear it on the DBTY). With 15 stones, the 12 point stones are a great size for the DBTY, but I definitely think you could go bigger. I kind of wished I'd gone a little bigger with mine.

Back to the earrings ... I also have the WF huggies here (I thank my lucky stars for my patient, tolerant DH!) They are really nice. I love the shape - they are rounder than the Costo. And I love the style - they are cleaner in setting than the other huggies I've seen. And I love the size - a little smaller than the Costco pair and also smaller than the others I've seen here. I just wish they were 15 point stones! I'm considering custom through WF (like cpster got, her thread was my inspiration) but the price is considerably more because they have to use CAD, etc. What I really want is for WF to develop a huggie like their current one with the 10 point stones, only with 15 points (and 20 too, for those who do want a bigger look) and then offer those as stock items.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

diamondseeker2006, I have a DBTY by WF with 15 12 point stones. I love it but since I got my solitaire pendant, that's all I wear (the pendant is bezeled and fixed with those little "rabbit ears" so I can't wear it on the DBTY). With 15 stones, the 12 point stones are a great size for the DBTY, but I definitely think you could go bigger. I kind of wished I'd gone a little bigger with mine.

Back to the earrings ... I also have the WF huggies here (I thank my lucky stars for my patient, tolerant DH!) They are really nice. I love the shape - they are rounder than the Costo. And I love the style - they are cleaner in setting than the other huggies I've seen. And I love the size - a little smaller than the Costco pair and also smaller than the others I've seen here. I just wish they were 15 point stones! I'm considering custom through WF (like cpster got, her thread was my inspiration) but the price is considerably more because they have to use CAD, etc. What I really want is for WF to develop a huggie like their current one with the 10 point stones, only with 15 points (and 20 too, for those who do want a bigger look) and then offer those as stock items.

Ahhh, then you have the same DBY as sna77's wife! That is very beautiful! Have you tried layering your two necklaces? I am thinking that if my DBY is 16", then I could wear a 17" solitaire pendant or diamond cross with it. It is really hard deciding on diamond sizes when we have no access to try things on!!!

Okay, well I love the WF huggies, but the killer is that they are almost as much as the 15 point pair from IDJ! But I agree that it would be very nice if they would sell them in at least two, if not, three sizes in stock. If you have a chance to take a picture of your DBY or WF huggies, please post them because I'd love to see them! It really helps to see pictures of the items on a person.

I am also thankful for a very easy-going husband!!!! It's good that I have a little bit of self-restraint because he really doesn't mind me buying jewelry!

(I just looked for your e-ring thread because I thought we had such similar taste in jewelry and I LOVE your new set! We were moving to a new home at the time you posted and I wasn't on here much that year! But that is one of my very favorite solitaire settings! Just gorgeous!)

 

[plummiecat]

Thanks kind PSers for letting me know IDJ would be open Sun. I just got off the phone with Luann and Yuketial, and they both were super sweet. He promised to make me a brand new pair if I wasn't happy but unfortunately they won't be ready in time for Christmas. I had requested a pair without an airline and Luann said the holes were there to let in light. My only concern about the holes is when I wear my hair in a ponytail the holes will show. Hopefully FedEx will find the package and I will have a present under the tree. I will post pics and ask for opinions when I receive them. Thanks for all of your responses. I have been in a tizzy over this since Friday.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I will look forward to seeing the pictures! I don't really think the holes for light idea has much purpose since most people will have hair behind those holes! I think the weight issue would be more valid. But I am glad they will remake them for you if you don't like them!

 

[blueiris]

plummiecat, I'm glad you reached Luann and I am so glad they'll be able to get the earrings just the way you want them (I had no doubts as their customer service seems very good!) But ... did FedEx lose the package?! I hope not! Please keep us updated, and I hope you have them for Christmas!

diamondseeker2006, thank you for the lovely compliment on my rings! I haven't layered my two necklaces as they are too close to the same length (18" for the DBTY and 17.5" for the bezel pendant). I am tall and my neck is not especially thin (not "fat" either, just not very swan-like!) so I don't look great in shorter necklaces.

If I get a chance, I'll try to take some photos of the DBTY necklace and the WF earrings, though I'm not sure where I'd post them as I don't want to start a thread (I do wish PS had a private messaging system just for things like this!) I hear you on the pricing for the WF earrings, especially the custom. My husband and I have been talking it over. He strongly feels that the 10 pt. earrings are not "enough". He said unless you're right next to me, you can't even tell they are diamond earrings (partly because of the way my ear lobes face, I think). I said I just couldn't see spending so much more for the WF 15 pt. earrings (custom), so maybe I should just keep the Costco 15 pt. earrings, even though I don't love the style. And then he said it's not worth the savings if I don't love them! And he's right, and he knows me well; if I have something I don't love I just don't wear it. I'm still thinking about doing something with I.D. Jewelry too and should know more about the size of their hoops tomorrow.

 

[plummiecat]

IDJ will do custom .15 pointers for $2475 (VS/F, ideal cut, 18K), cheaper than WF and much, much lower than JA (over $4K). If you want SI 14k then you could get them for under $2000 though I don't know the exact price. IDJ has 20 pointers SI 14k on their site for $2450.

 

[plummiecat]

Thanks so much! I'll keep you posted if they arrive in time.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

plummiecat, I'm glad you reached Luann and I am so glad they'll be able to get the earrings just the way you want them (I had no doubts as their customer service seems very good!) But ... did FedEx lose the package?! I hope not! Please keep us updated, and I hope you have them for Christmas!

diamondseeker2006, thank you for the lovely compliment on my rings! I haven't layered my two necklaces as they are too close to the same length (18" for the DBTY and 17.5" for the bezel pendant). I am tall and my neck is not especially thin (not "fat" either, just not very swan-like!) so I don't look great in shorter necklaces.

If I get a chance, I'll try to take some photos of the DBTY necklace and the WF earrings, though I'm not sure where I'd post them as I don't want to start a thread (I do wish PS had a private messaging system just for things like this!) I hear you on the pricing for the WF earrings, especially the custom. My husband and I have been talking it over. He strongly feels that the 10 pt. earrings are not "enough". He said unless you're right next to me, you can't even tell they are diamond earrings (partly because of the way my ear lobes face, I think). I said I just couldn't see spending so much more for the WF 15 pt. earrings (custom), so maybe I should just keep the Costco 15 pt. earrings, even though I don't love the style. And then he said it's not worth the savings if I don't love them! And he's right, and he knows me well; if I have something I don't love I just don't wear it. I'm still thinking about doing something with I.D. Jewelry too and should know more about the size of their hoops tomorrow.

I can definitely see why 10 pointers would be too small considering the size of your e-ring, especially. I kind of like things to be somewhat in proportion, although I wouldn't want earrings tooo blingy regardless of the e-ring size. I agree completely with the thought process about the Costco earrings. I've been married just a couple of years longer than you and I have learned that lesson more than a few times! So I try not to make the mistake now of settling for something other than exactly what I want (even if I have to wait to get it). Ordering sight unseen does make it harder, though. You can post the huggie hoops in the Show Me Your Diamond Studs thread which is currently at the very top of the Show Me the Bling Forum. There are different kinds of earrings posted in that thread besides studs. Go ahead and just put a picture of the DBY necklace in the same post. I know it is a busy time and I understand if you can't do it right away.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

IDJ will do custom .15 pointers for $2475 (VS/F, ideal cut, 18K), cheaper than WF and much, much lower than JA (over $4K). If you want SI 14k then you could get them for under $2000 though I don't know the exact price. IDJ has 20 pointers SI 14k on their site for $2450.

That's exactly what I think I'd want. I already have my Christmas and anniversary gifts chosen, so those will have to be on my 2012 wishlist! I look forward to seeing yours plummie!

 

[blueiris]

I can definitely see why 10 pointers would be too small considering the size of your e-ring, especially. I kind of like things to be somewhat in proportion, although I wouldn't want earrings tooo blingy regardless of the e-ring size. I agree completely with the thought process about the Costco earrings. I've been married just a couple of years longer than you and I have learned that lesson more than a few times! So I try not to make the mistake now of settling for something other than exactly what I want (even if I have to wait to get it). Ordering sight unseen does make it harder, though. You can post the huggie hoops in the Show Me Your Diamond Studs thread which is currently at the very top of the Show Me the Bling Forum. There are different kinds of earrings posted in that thread besides studs. Go ahead and just put a picture of the DBY necklace in the same post. I know it is a busy time and I understand if you can't do it right away.

Do we share a brain? I found myself thinking today about the size of my e-ring and the size of the earrings and just knew that 10 pt. is not enough. But just as you said, I wouldn't be comfortable with too much bling going on on my ears. That's why 15 points seems about right, and judging from the Costco earrings, I think it will be. I wish those were set differently; I would keep them if I liked the setting better. Also like you, I have learned a painful lesson more than a few times, and I have greatly improved my abilities to choose wisely, in everything from clothing to home furnishings to jewelry. It took me long enough, though!

Good idea to use the diamond studs thread to post some photos. I'll try to take photos tomorrow if I can.

Do you have a thread on your Christmas and anniversary gifts (or maybe they're not jewelry? )? The huggies are my Christmas gift but it's okay if I don't have them for Christmas. I'm already working on my birthday/anniversary/Mother's Day gifts and my birthday isn't until April! But these things take time and thought, as you know.

plummiecat, I hope tomorrow you see the FedEx truck pull up with your earrings! We're all excited for you to get them.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I can definitely see why 10 pointers would be too small considering the size of your e-ring, especially. I kind of like things to be somewhat in proportion, although I wouldn't want earrings tooo blingy regardless of the e-ring size. I agree completely with the thought process about the Costco earrings. I've been married just a couple of years longer than you and I have learned that lesson more than a few times! So I try not to make the mistake now of settling for something other than exactly what I want (even if I have to wait to get it). Ordering sight unseen does make it harder, though. You can post the huggie hoops in the Show Me Your Diamond Studs thread which is currently at the very top of the Show Me the Bling Forum. There are different kinds of earrings posted in that thread besides studs. Go ahead and just put a picture of the DBY necklace in the same post. I know it is a busy time and I understand if you can't do it right away.

Do we share a brain? I found myself thinking today about the size of my e-ring and the size of the earrings and just knew that 10 pt. is not enough. But just as you said, I wouldn't be comfortable with too much bling going on on my ears. That's why 15 points seems about right, and judging from the Costco earrings, I think it will be. I wish those were set differently; I would keep them if I liked the setting better. Also like you, I have learned a painful lesson more than a few times, and I have greatly improved my abilities to choose wisely, in everything from clothing to home furnishings to jewelry. It took me long enough, though!

Good idea to use the diamond studs thread to post some photos. I'll try to take photos tomorrow if I can.

Do you have a thread on your Christmas and anniversary gifts (or maybe they're not jewelry? )? The huggies are my Christmas gift but it's okay if I don't have them for Christmas. I'm already working on my birthday/anniversary/Mother's Day gifts and my birthday isn't until April! But these things take time and thought, as you know.

I am almost certain we must be twins separated at birth or something! I have thought that a couple of times during this thread! And yes, I DO plan for holidays on into the next year! Let's don't forget Valentine's Day! (Seriously, I skip some if I don't have a firm plan for what I want at the time. Or I might want one bigger thing and combine the gift for a couple of occasions. But right now I have the huggies and a DBY necklace on the list for 2012!)

No, my Christmas and anniversary gifts haven't been posted yet since I don't officially get them for another week! The Christmas gift is the small diamond cross from Tiffany's (except bought from a secondary source but still new). The anniversary gift, like your huggies, will likely also not be completed by the 26th because of the jeweler looking for a colored stone for the center of a ring for me. That will be posted once it is finished in the Show Me the Bling forum. I probably will only post the cross in the thread on crosses in the Jewelry Pieces forum unless there is a special Christmas thread.

 

[blueiris]

Just returning to this thread after the bustle of Christmas ...

plummiecat, did you get your huggies? I hope they arrived and that you were/are able to get them just how you wanted them! Please share photos if you would like to. I'd love to see them!

diamondseeker2006, I too skip gifts for holidays - and even my birthday - if there isn't something I really want. I don't want just anything, just to have a gift for "the day". It's more important to me that I get exactly what I want.

I just saw photos of your diamond Tiffany cross and it's gorgeous! Did you get your ring yet?

Here is an update on the huggies I had here. I wasn't able to get decent photos of them on my ears. It's the first time I've tried to take photos of earrings and I couldn't get a photo that wasn't blurry and out of focus. Things got very busy here with Christmas approaching and I didn't get a chance to try taking photos again before I had to return the 10 pt. huggies to Whiteflash before the 10-day return period was up. I also returned the Costco huggies (as I mentioned, they just weren't what I really wanted).

But, I have great news! Sheerah at Whiteflash told me that in early 2012, they will most likely be offering huggies just like the ones they make with 10 pt. stones, but with 15 pt. stones! I can custom order them now, but I am debating waiting until they're a stock item, just in case I am mistaken about what size I would like (because I could return a stock item, but not a custom one). I am really excited about these! I like Whiteflash's huggies design a lot. Also, going from 10 pt. stones to 15 pt. stones increased the size of the earrings only .5 mm (that's an estimate at this point, but I hope it holds true). I want diamond huggies, not diamond hoops, and their 10 pt. version sits very close to the ear, so the 15 pt. huggies will be just a tiny bit bigger.