If I were to buy 1/2 ct studs..

[mikey223]

I'm looking into buying stud earrings, for me, I'm a guy. I don't want anything too big and was looking at some 1/2 ct round studs. 1/2 ct total. Trying to do as much research as possible online before I walk into a jewelery store.

At that size and considering they're going to be studs, what's the most important thing for me to look for besides cut? Would getting a pair that are say I1 compared to a pair that are VS1-2 even be noticeable? Considering people aren't going to have their face on my ears.

 

[Andelain]

A lot of your answer there is going to be what inclusions make the stone an I-1. I've seen some beautiful I-1's, and even own an eye-clean I-2 myself. But most of the SI and I-1 diamonds on a chain B&M like Kays or other chains are heavily included to the point they reduce the sparkle a lot. I've seen some at the mall that belong on the end of a drill. You might want to consider one of the PS vendors like Whiteflash. The sell ready-made studs in that size that cost a bit more, but are well worth it. And they will be eye-clean and very well cut and sparkly.

 

[stone-cold11]

Ditto above.

Total carat weight or is that 0.5c for each stone?

If that is total carat weight, meaning each stone is 0.25c, most stone will be ungraded, in-house graded stones, especially in the lower color and clarity range as the cost of grading will be a significant proportion of the selling price, about 150-200USD for GIA, and thus not worth it for the vendor to send it for grading.

 

[marcy]

Mikey, I also suggest an online vendor like Whiteflash. They cost a little bit more but are well worth it.

 

[Imdanny]

I think for a guy .5 total ct. weight is a perfect size.

BTW, If you buy platinum studs from Brian Gavin (I'm not sure about other companies) you have the choice of screw backs. That's what I would get.

I would not go down in clarity, myself. To me, something that is cloudy and included is going to make a (negative) difference.

I know a lot of people don't agree with me about clarity for earrings/ for small earrings, but, to me, the idea of buying lower clarity is not appealing because people are going to see them (it's jewelry, that's the point) and you're going to be able to see and admire them sometimes.

My comfort ("mind clean") zone for clarity is VS2 (although I'd rather have VS1), VS1, VVS2, and VVS1. I wouldn't go lower myself unless it was something like an GOG August Vintage cushion and I was able to see images, and so understanding (and "agreeing with") the types and locations of inclusions. I wouldn't say never, but for .5 total ct. weight studs, no way. YMMV.

 

[jewels2]

I just purchased two sets of diamond studs from Whiteflash and am very pleased I bought one set of their Ready Set To Go for my daughter .25 CTW and another I picked out for them to set for myself .33 Ct Each H SI1 and they are both fantastic!
I highly recommend them.

 

[mikey223]

Thank you for all your input, you've helped tremendously, buying diamonds for the first time is a little more work than I anticipated lol. Still doing some research but I am leaning towards Whiteflash like a number of you suggested.

 

[yssie]

At that size I would go with I/J/K stones, SI/I1 from a reputable vendor.

I want shallower stones for studs, so I would be asking them to hunt down a shallower pair - which most likely would fall out of traditional H&A-brand proportions.

Depends on how much work you want to put into this! A ready-set-go pair from WF is guaranteed to be pretty, and it's easy, but that ease comes with a premium.

 

[Dancing Fire]

At that size I would go with I/J/K stones, SI/I1 from a reputable vendor.

I want shallower stones for studs, so I would be asking them to hunt down a shallower pair - which most likely would fall out of traditional H&A-brand proportions.

Depends on how much work you want to put into this! A ready-set-go pair from WF is guaranteed to be pretty, and it's easy, but that ease comes with a premium.

yep,bought 2 pairs of their .50ctw.a pair for each daughter.