just need a little advice

[controlo]

hey guys! i''m 22 years old and i''m looking for a set of diamond earrings for my girlfriend of 6 months. i''ve been doing a bit of research but would still like some live expert advice.

i''ve checked out a few local jewelry stores and most of their diamond stud earrings are s1-I3. i''m really looking to spend no more than around $600. i''m definitely more concerned about color and clarity than i am weight. however, i feel like 1/3 ct. is probably the best route for me and should fit on her ears nicely. she really likes princess cut diamonds but i feel like round diamonds (ideal) look better in almost all cases.

i have a credit at kay jewelers which is pushing me to do business with them, despite all of the horror stories i''ve read. the problem is, i don''t think they carry anything better than s1. i took a gander at the leo diamond and have read some reviews on that as well, which are also rated at s1-s2.

what do you guys think?

G-I, vs1 (preferably). i don''t really know much about what a good/bad cut diamond is, necessarily. other than the diagrams found on the web, of course.

I''d really appreciate any help you can provide. feel free to let me know if my current course of thought is flawed. no doubt, it may be. thanks!!!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/26/2009 3:43:40 AM
Author:controlo
hey guys! i'm 22 years old and i'm looking for a set of diamond earrings for my girlfriend of 6 months. i've been doing a bit of research but would still like some live expert advice.

i've checked out a few local jewelry stores and most of their diamond stud earrings are s1-I3. i'm really looking to spend no more than around $600. i'm definitely more concerned about color and clarity than i am weight. however, i feel like 1/3 ct. is probably the best route for me and should fit on her ears nicely. she really likes princess cut diamonds but i feel like round diamonds (ideal) look better in almost all cases.

i have a credit at kay jewelers which is pushing me to do business with them, despite all of the horror stories i've read. the problem is, i don't think they carry anything better than s1. i took a gander at the leo diamond and have read some reviews on that as well, which are also rated at s1-s2.

what do you guys think?

G-I, vs1 (preferably). i don't really know much about what a good/bad cut diamond is, necessarily. other than the diagrams found on the web, of course.

I'd really appreciate any help you can provide. feel free to let me know if my current course of thought is flawed. no doubt, it may be. thanks!!!

Hi Controlo and welcome!

Firstly is this one third of a carat total weight for the earrings or for each? It is cut which gives a diamond its beauty so very important to concentrate on that, as for clarity some SI clarity diamonds can be eyeclean and be excellent choices which is helpful if you are on a budget. Do Kays do GIA and AGS graded diamonds? Your colour range is fine, to help the budget you could consider J colour too if the stones are well cut and reliably graded.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/26/2009 3:43:40 AM
Author:controlo
hey guys! i'm 22 years old and i'm looking for a set of diamond earrings for my girlfriend of 6 months. i've been doing a bit of research but would still like some live expert advice.

i've checked out a few local jewelry stores and most of their diamond stud earrings are s1-I3. i'm really looking to spend no more than around $600. i'm definitely more concerned about color and clarity than i am weight. however, i feel like 1/3 ct. is probably the best route for me and should fit on her ears nicely. she really likes princess cut diamonds but i feel like round diamonds (ideal) look better in almost all cases.

i have a credit at kay jewelers which is pushing me to do business with them, despite all of the horror stories i've read. the problem is, i don't think they carry anything better than s1. i took a gander at the leo diamond and have read some reviews on that as well, which are also rated at s1-s2.

what do you guys think?

G-I, vs1 (preferably). i don't really know much about what a good/bad cut diamond is, necessarily. other than the diagrams found on the web, of course.

I'd really appreciate any help you can provide. feel free to let me know if my current course of thought is flawed. no doubt, it may be. thanks!!!

I personally would prefer rounds, but if she really likes Princess, maybe you should consider getting her some?

If you decided to go that route, and wanted to relieve the stress of trying to get a well cut match, these might do the trick. You could get .50ctw in WG for $545.00. Just a thought, if you want to shop locally I totally understand!

 

[controlo]

thanks for the help, guys!

well part of the concern is that i''ll need these by the 1st of Sept. i believe the leo diamonds from kay are certified, but that''s it.

i also found some round 1/3 and 1/2 ct. H, VS at overstock.com

http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/14k-White-Gold-1-3ct-TDW-IGL-Certified-Diamond-Studs-H-VS/3928476/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/14k-Gold-1-2ct-TDW-IGL-Certified-Diamond-Studs-H-VS/3928603/product.html

or 1/3 h,S1

http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/14k-Gold-1-3ct-TDW-IGL-Certified-Diamond-Studs-H-SI/3926932/product.html

now, i''ve seen people post diagrams of the diamonds cuts/dimensions in order for someone to tell them if it''s a good one or not. how can i go about finding such information?

thanks again!

 

[stone-cold11]

No way to know the cut of these stones. Could be good or bad.

Definitely prefer the WF ready to go earrings.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/26/2009 3:19:28 PM
Author: controlo
thanks for the help, guys!

well part of the concern is that i'll need these by the 1st of Sept. i believe the leo diamonds from kay are certified, but that's it.

i also found some round 1/3 and 1/2 ct. H, VS at overstock.com

http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/14k-White-Gold-1-3ct-TDW-IGL-Certified-Diamond-Studs-H-VS/3928476/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/14k-Gold-1-2ct-TDW-IGL-Certified-Diamond-Studs-H-VS/3928603/product.html

or 1/3 h,S1

http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/14k-Gold-1-3ct-TDW-IGL-Certified-Diamond-Studs-H-SI/3926932/product.html

now, i've seen people post diagrams of the diamonds cuts/dimensions in order for someone to tell them if it's a good one or not. how can i go about finding such information?

thanks again!

Sorry Controlo the chances aren't good that these are well cut or clean diamonds. I can post you the cheat sheet but I doubt these diamonds above have the proportions listed so know way to match them to it.

depth - 60 - 62% - although my personal preference is to allow up to 62.4%
table - 54- 57%
crown angle - 34- 35 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6- 41 degrees
girdle - avoid extremes, look for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium etc
polish and symmetry - very good and above

note - with crown and pavilion angles at the shallower ends ( CA 34- PA 40.6) and steeper ( CA 35- PA 41) check to make sure these angles complement in that particular diamond - eyeballs, Idealscope, trusted vendor input - check as appropriate!

As the above implies, configurations depend on each other. A little give here can still work with a little take there.

From expert John Pollard.

With that said, here's a "Cliff's Notes" for staying near Tolkowsky/ideal angles with GIA reports (their numbers are rounded): A crown angle of 34.0, 34.5 or 35.0 is usually safe with a 40.8 pavilion angle. If pavilion angle = 40.6 lean toward a 34.5-35.0 crown. If pavilion angle = 41 lean toward a 34.0-34.5 crown.

GIA "EX" in cut is great at its heart, but it ranges a bit wider than some people prefer, particularly in deep combinations (pavilion > 41 with crown > 35).

 

[controlo]

i really appreciate your input. however, this is completely gibberish to me. i have no knowledge other than what i've read about color and clarity scales. could you tell me if it would be a wise choice to order the diamonds from whiteflash? would they typically meet these needs that you've posted about? thank you!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/27/2009 4:20:15 PM
Author: controlo
i really appreciate your input. however, this is completely gibberish to me. i have no knowledge other than what i've read about color and clarity scales. could you tell me if it would be a wise choice to order the diamonds from whiteflash? would they typically meet these needs that you've posted about? thank you!

It isn't always straightforward at first, I posted that chart as you asked for that type of info, but no worries if it isn't useful in this case!

Yes you can purchase with WF with confidence, they are a great company and will take good care of you. You can contact them and tell one of their experts what you are looking for and they should be able to help you every step of the way, or the ones Ellen posted could fit the bill nicely!

 

[controlo]

haha. maybe i bit off a bit more than i could chew when i requested that info. i''m going to just contact whiteflash and see if they can help me out. worst case scenario, i can show her some other diamonds and she can always pick some out if she decides. i just want to have something to give her on the 1st. thanks again!!!