Inexpensive 1/4 ct studs?

[recordaras]

Hi everyone,

I'm a long time lurker here on Pricescope - like many, I came here to research engagement ring options and have become hooked ever since.

I've also come to realize that while I'm waiting for the ring and proposal, I really want a pair of small (1/4 ct) diamond studs. However, I'm on a fairly tight budget and I would really love some advice on where to purchase something of decent quality and yet not too expensive (as a reference I'm using the cost of the most inexpensive 1/4 ct JA studs - $340). Ebay maybe?..

In any case, thanks in advance for any ideas!

 

[VRBeauty]

I got mine from DiamondBistro, but there aren't any listed there now.

Here's an ebay option:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SI1-G-Antiq...Earrings&var=580117042549&hash=item416881fbd7 (Also offers white gold)

or two, if you want to go the ebay route:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-14k-whi...69620?pt=US_Fine_Earrings&hash=item2ec409c2b4 (these are princess cuts)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stunning-pa...s_VintageFineJewellery_CA&hash=item589fd9b1d5 (Great Brittain, no buy it now option)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/14k-yellow-...35421?pt=US_Fine_Earrings&hash=item2c6d82951d (this seller has a bunch of different size/quality earrings - is probably resetting stones recovered from scrap gold... it might be worth your while to look through his/her stock)

Here's the search string I used - I'm sure it could stand some further tweaking:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sad...ook,+-silver,+-over,+-ss&_pgn=2&_skc=50&rt=nc

 

[SB621]

You should post in the Pre-loved forum about wanting to buys studs. I know several people have done that and found a great deal.

 

[recordaras]

Thank you for your replies and advice! I'll definitely post on the preloved forum - I actually did take a look around there, but it seemed that it was mostly much larger stones than what I had in mind. I'll also pole around Diamond Bistro!

 

[IE_Princess]

How important is cut? Amazon has several pair in the sub $300 range, with G-H stones and SI1-SI2 clarity, good cuts (but not VG or EX). Here's an example priced at $260:

http://www.amazon.com/White-Round-Diamond-Earrings-SI1-SI2/dp/B009T8RVTW/ref=sr_1_30?s=jewelry&ie=UTF8&qid=1368197648&sr=1-30&keywords=.25+diamond+stud+earrings

I guess it really depends on what you are looking for within your budget. Better cut stones will have more sparkle and will probably look larger. I think the JA studs at $340 look nice.

 

[recordaras]

How important is cut? Amazon has several pair in the sub $300 range, with G-H stones and SI1-SI2 clarity, good cuts (but not VG or EX).

I was actually hoping someone with more experience would be able to help out with that question. I realize that you get what you pay for, but at such a small size would the "good" cuts be noticeably less sparkly? Just checked the JA ones, they don't seem to specify the cut at all.

 

[IE_Princess]

I think that these forums definitely tilt toward getting the best cut diamonds that you can. That said, it's your budget. You're talking about diamonds that are .125 carats each. I just bought itty .10CTTW diamond studs (.05 carats each) for my second holes in white gold with the same parameters (G-H, SI1-2) and they are bright and twinkly. I didn't want to spend a lot of money for something so small (they were $80). I think they are brighter than my .25CTTW studs, but those are in YG so the color is affected. I have no idea about the color or clarity on those; they were a gift many, many years ago.

When I buy a pair of larger diamond studs I plan to look at matched diamond pairs and get something like A Cut Above from Whiteflash.

 

[recordaras]

I did some more browsing over the weekend, and it seems that ID Jewelry has really inexpensive studs. I read some reviews on PS from 2011, and people were really happy with the quality of their uncerted stones... Has anyone recently bought from IDJ?

 

[WillyDiamond]

I did some more browsing over the weekend, and it seems that ID Jewelry has really inexpensive studs. I read some reviews on PS from 2011, and people were really happy with the quality of their uncerted stones... Has anyone recently bought from IDJ?

Yes, tons of people

 

[recordaras]

Yes, tons of people

That's good, hopefully someone will be able to share their experience.

 

[VRBeauty]

Yes, tons of people

That's good, hopefully someone will be able to share their experience.

I haven't purchased from IDJ so I have no experience to share, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy stud earrings from them based on what I've read here in the past. A quick search on "IDJ earrings" will bring up lots of feedback.