Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for myself!

[UberClaire]

Hi all. I'm defending my PhD in March after six long years, and I'd like to buy myself a graduation present. I've always wanted a pair of diamond studs. In a perfect world, I'd like AVRs, at least 1ctw, but I don't want to spend ~5k. I'm flexible on total carat weight. I like OECs better than MRBs, but would be willing to consider MRBs since they're easier to find and evaluate. I'm not fussy about color or clarity for this purchase. Preowned is totally fine with me, in fact I'd probably prefer it due to the price difference. Budget is flexible, but I'd like to keep it as low as possible, under 2k probably. Screwback settings are a bonus, in white metal.

I was looking at this listing, and the price looked really good (even though the diamonds were ungraded), but it recently sold: http://diamondbistro.com/category/211/Earrings/listings/37049/Lowered-Bright-OEC-Diamond-Studs-over-1ctw.html

I know you all are amazing at finding great deals -- does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[sherryd]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

Well, seeing as you don't mind preowned, how about a local pawn shop? It's amazing what you can find in those stores.
I bet the quality will be better than many of the mall stores. I've looked, I know... Congratulations
on your graduation!

 

[SMC]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

You could try navigating through eBay - I'd post finds here and see if others will validate them for you.

I've read good things about OWD for old cuts. Have you tried contacting Adam and asking him to match 2 stones that are in your price range?

Otherwise, I've read that IDJ seems to give the best value for studs. I've work with Yekutiel before and I can vouch that he offers the most competitive prices out of the PS vendors. The studs will be MRBs though.

When do you need your studs by? BGD seems to offer 10% sales periodically. I got my 1.0ctw studs from them during their last sale, and I paid only a little above your 2K price range (and I chose platinum settings too).

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

I'd like AVRs, at least 1ctw, but I don't want to spend ~5k. I'm flexible on total carat weight. I like OECs better than MRBs, but would be willing to consider MRBs since they're easier to find and evaluate. I'm not fussy about color or clarity for this purchase. Preowned is totally fine with me, in fact I'd probably prefer it due to the price difference. Budget is flexible, but I'd like to keep it as low as possible, under 2k probably. Screwback settings are a bonus, in white metal.

I know you all are amazing at finding great deals -- does anyone have any suggestions?

Check out this pair -

2x .43ct = .86ctw (under $1,200, combined, leaving enough room for nice settings)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11473/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11523/

 

[UberClaire]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

I'd like AVRs, at least 1ctw, but I don't want to spend ~5k. I'm flexible on total carat weight. I like OECs better than MRBs, but would be willing to consider MRBs since they're easier to find and evaluate. I'm not fussy about color or clarity for this purchase. Preowned is totally fine with me, in fact I'd probably prefer it due to the price difference. Budget is flexible, but I'd like to keep it as low as possible, under 2k probably. Screwback settings are a bonus, in white metal.

I know you all are amazing at finding great deals -- does anyone have any suggestions?

Check out this pair -

2x .43ct = .86ctw (under $1,200, combined, leaving enough room for nice settings)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11473/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11523/

Thank you! I usually scroll past anything below SI2, but I bet in earrings those wouldn't look too bad.

 

[MarionC]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

I would encourage you to at least check out sites such as eBay. I got a lovely pair of Tiffany studs with paperwork that were a great deal.
It took patience and some research [and a little courage], but if you have time for the thrill of the hunt, it's worth it and you might get lucky!

 

[UberClaire]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

I'd like AVRs, at least 1ctw, but I don't want to spend ~5k. I'm flexible on total carat weight. I like OECs better than MRBs, but would be willing to consider MRBs since they're easier to find and evaluate. I'm not fussy about color or clarity for this purchase. Preowned is totally fine with me, in fact I'd probably prefer it due to the price difference. Budget is flexible, but I'd like to keep it as low as possible, under 2k probably. Screwback settings are a bonus, in white metal.

I know you all are amazing at finding great deals -- does anyone have any suggestions?

Check out this pair -

2x .43ct = .86ctw (under $1,200, combined, leaving enough room for nice settings)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11473/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11523/

Thank you! I usually scroll past anything below SI2, but I bet in earrings those wouldn't look too bad.

Well, these got poached.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

I'd like AVRs, at least 1ctw, but I don't want to spend ~5k. I'm flexible on total carat weight. I like OECs better than MRBs, but would be willing to consider MRBs since they're easier to find and evaluate. I'm not fussy about color or clarity for this purchase. Preowned is totally fine with me, in fact I'd probably prefer it due to the price difference. Budget is flexible, but I'd like to keep it as low as possible, under 2k probably. Screwback settings are a bonus, in white metal.

I know you all are amazing at finding great deals -- does anyone have any suggestions?

Check out this pair -

2x .43ct = .86ctw (under $1,200, combined, leaving enough room for nice settings)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11473/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11523/

Thank you! I usually scroll past anything below SI2, but I bet in earrings those wouldn't look too bad.

Well, these got poached.

UberClaire -

Sorry to hear that. That was the best matched pair of AVRs I'd seen in awhile, but I will keep my eyes peeled!

 

[canuk-gal]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

HI:

Valentines Day might bring "sale" offerings from favorite vendors...sit tight!

cheers--Sharon

 

[MarionC]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

I got a pair of studs at James Allen when they were having a sale last month.
Mine were well-priced even without the sale. I just looked at them today with my little hearts & arrows viewer... They are very sparkly, so I assumed they were "very nice". I was surprised to see that they are excellent cuts with perfect hearts & arrows. So JA might be worth keeping an eye on.

 

[UberClaire]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

My mom called me today to tell me that she and my dad had been secretly planning on buying me a pair of studs as a graduation present. She found a seller on eBay who was going to charge her $3860 for ungraded, 1ctw "F/G" "VS1/VS2" studs in a platinum 4 prong setting. Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaPpcKIsSyo

It would cost me less to get AGS ideal 1ctw H VS2/SI1 from Brian Gavin! I think she had some serious sticker shock.

So, I finally bit the bullet and emailed both GOG and OWD. I've bumped my total budget up to 3k. At this point, I am so wishing that I had purchased the pair from Diamond Bistro that I linked to in my original post! For the price, I don't think I could have beat that. I'd love OECs, preferably AVRs for the light return, but I'm not sure if the cost is worth it in stones that are so small that will be worn on my ears. I love looking at the facet pattern of my AVC, but that's on my hand so I have a lot more opportunity to actually see it.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

I think I would see what they have in AVR's because you could always upgrade to larger AVR's later if you wanted. I know he is expecting more in within the next month, plus they'd cut a pair. I think with an AVC or AVR e-ring, the AVR studs would be the most ideal. I can't justify it because I already have H&A stones, but if I were you, I think I'd bite the bullet and go for the AVR's. The light return is worth it for earrings.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

I think this would be a terrific pair to start out with. You could always bezel them or add a halo or jackets later to increase the size, too.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9165/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11699/

 

[UberClaire]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

I think this would be a terrific pair to start out with. You could always bezel them or add a halo or jackets later to increase the size, too.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9165/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11699/

I'm actually hoping to bezel them! I love that pair, the problem is just that I really don't want to spend that much. Once set, they'd end up over double my original budget. I just can't justify that for 0.89ctw. I wish I could take that pair, dial the clarity down to SI1/SI2, I'd be okay with pushing color down to around J/K (especially since they'd be bezeled), and seeing how much the pair costs then, haha.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

Yes, the clarity is killer!!!! I was thinking maybe you and your parents could chip in together since you both were looking at getting you some studs for graduation! Is that possible???

They desperately need to restock VS2-SI1 stones at every size range, but especially for studs.

 

[mrs-b]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

Hi Uberclaire.

I'd go with these:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9063/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9076/

the .56 is slightly deeper that the .52, so i suspect that would compensate for the extra ctw in that stone, making their diameters almost identical. And bezeling is very forgiving in that way anyway.

I've had my eye on that J I1 stone for some time, as I think it's *very* clean for an I1. I've also seen the K I1 in real life, and it's a lovely stone. Remember also - the I1 grading is before the clarity enhancement. The ISee2 grading on both stones is very good and, for the price, given the size, i think this would make a KILLER pair of studs.

Just my 2c worth.

ETA: The Megascope ratings for the stones are also very good, and almost identical.

EETA (!!) The K I1 comes out slightly better, if anything, on the Megascope.

 

[UberClaire]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

Yes, the clarity is killer!!!! I was thinking maybe you and your parents could chip in together since you both were looking at getting you some studs for graduation! Is that possible???

They desperately need to restock VS2-SI1 stones at every size range, but especially for studs.

Unfortunately, I think even with our contributions combined, I couldn't push it any more than $3500. And I probably don't want to -- my engagement ring was about the same price, haha!

 

[mrs-b]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

Just wanted to add -

The two diamonds I linked you to come to $2223. You'd come in well under budget - which is always nice.

 

[UberClaire]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

Just wanted to add -

The two diamonds I linked you to come to $2223. You'd come in well under budget - which is always nice.

Thanks for posting these! I think I'll wait to see if/when Lynda from GOG replies. I'm usually soooo hesitant about I1s, but it really helps that you've seen these! (Now I'm sure these will get poached like the last pair)

 

[mrs-b]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

I'm surprised they haven't been snatched up before now, to be honest. I had that K I1 on hold for myself for a while, until I was forced to admit that I had no earthly use for it and was just buying it because it was such a great deal!

Would you be doing white gold or yellow gold or platinum bezels?

 

[UberClaire]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

I'm surprised they haven't been snatched up before now, to be honest. I had that K I1 on hold for myself for a while, until I was forced to admit that I had no earthly use for it and was just buying it because it was such a great deal!

Would you be doing white gold or yellow gold or platinum bezels?

I think I'm going to have to wait until I get quoted some prices. My wedding set is platinum, but I wouldn't mind white gold if it was a significant price difference. I'm not even 100% set on bezels if they're cost-prohibitive or they don't have a bench that can do them well. I'm in love with the Brian Gavin milgrain bezels!

 

[charleston1]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

I bought my OEC 1.14carat studs from Diamond Zone and they were a great price.

Contact Diamond Zone via their website and specify what you are looking for and the price point you need to stay under and they should come up with some options.

Be forewarned that the photos of diamonds on the website make all the diamonds look like crap!
I was very nervous before they arrived. I can't believe I went ahead because the pictures were so bad but the price was too good and they said they were guaranteed. When they arrived, I was thrilled and they were gorgeous.

Here is my thread on them

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/oec-1-14-ctw-earrings.190941/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/oec-1-14-ctw-earrings.190941/[/URL]

I wear my diamonds studs more often than any other piece of jewellery.

 

[UberClaire]

Re: Looking at diamond studs as a graduation present for mys

....well, this is kind of an unexpected update. I heard back from GOG, but the suggested pair was pretty far out of my budget range and they didn't know when they'd be getting any more smaller stones in, so I'd just have to check the website for updates to see if any came in.

My mother found a pair on eBay which look pretty good in pictures, and for the price I couldn't beat it. I purchased them yesterday, and will get them on Monday. There's a refund guarantee if I'm not happy with the studs when they arrive. I really wanted to post the link for advice, but didn't want to risk them getting poached out from under me! The settings match my engagement ring, but if I keep the studs, I may choose to have them reset in BGD bezels.

They were slightly under $1800 -- ungraded OECs, estimated to be 0.6 carats each, J SI2. They look bright to me in the pictures, and for a starter pair, I'm hoping they'll be fine. It would have been about $2000 more for me to go with AVRs.







Your thoughts?