My most expensive "free" haircut

[newbie124]

So I got my hair cut today during a student workshop at a salon (hence the 'free' part), and about 1.5 hours later I realized that one of my diamond stud earrings had fallen out!

I had noticed recently that the screwback was starting to get pretty loose on the left one but didn't really think much about it. I guess today I learned my lesson

I called the salon but apparently they didn't find it. I also went back to the two stores I visited following my appointment, but I really didn't have much hope of finding it.

I'm so bummed b/c the earrings were my very first diamonds and they were a birthday gift from my BF.

Unfortunately I never got around to insuring them either, although I don't know if the cost of the one would have been more than our deductible anyway (I'm not really sure how jewelry insurance works, if it's any different from say homeowner's insurance).

I've resigned myself to the fact that I've probably lost the one for good, but now I'm doubly sad b/c I just tried to search for a replacement online and it doesn't seem that there's ANYTHING available that closely matches.

BF originally bought these through Blue Nile. I pulled out the GIA certs and here are the specs:

Stone A
.28ct H VS1 (round)
4.17-4.21 x 2.60mm
62.1%/55%
Cut/Polish/Symmetry: Excellent
Medium Blue fluor

Stone B
.28ct H VVS2
4.18-4.22 x 2.57mm
61.2%/55%
Cut/Polish/Symmetry: Excellent
Medium Blue fluor

How much leeway in regards to specs would I have in picking out a replacement? What would be the most important characteristics to try to match (I'm guessing size and color?)

I did a Cut Search here as well as on WF and Blue Nile and couldn't even find anything under .30 cts and what I did find were all pretty off in one way or another. Am I just going to have to resign myself to repurposing the other stone for something else and buy a new set of earrings down the road (we're in the process of buying an e-ring and saving up for the wedding now, so it would seem a bit extravagant to buy new studs on top of that right away)?

Are stones under .30 cts really that difficult to find? I would have expected there to be quite a lot of inventory of smaller stones...Are there other options for trying to find a matching replacement??

 

[JulieN]

You could safely go to I SI. A stone that size, I and up will look pretty much colorless.

You can call up any of the PS vendors for stones that size, and BN carries as low as .23 ct

 

[newbie124]

Thanks, Julie. Do I need to look for one with some fluor, though?

 

[angeline]

So sorry you lost one of your earrings! I would just call a vendor and ask them to match a stone for you. I would call Whiteflash because I have done business with them and I think I have heard of them finding smaller stones for people, but I''m sure any of the other popular vendors might be able to help you.

Worth a try! Good luck. Else maybe you can get the remaining stone set into a pendant, maybe with a bezel or something. I think it would look very nice like that too and you would still have it close to you.

 

[JulieN]

Medium fluor is only somewhat noticeable in sunlight.

 

[iheartscience]

First of all, that is such a bummer! I''m glad you still have one of your original diamonds, though!

I would definitely have a vendor source a replacement diamond for you since you''re looking for a match. I have seen smaller sizes on JamesAllen.com also, so it''s worth having a look there.

 

[UCLABelle]

Newbie124- I am so so sorry! When I read the thread I thought you were going to talk about being a hair model (I was one at Ted Gibson for about a year in NYC!

) but then read your awful story

....

I am so sorry. This is such a bummer, and I will be wishing/praying for a nice end to the story!

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Oh no, I am so sorry! I hope that you can find a suitable match soon!

 

[ajl]

I am so sorry. I know how it feels.

 

[newbie124]

Thanks for the sympathy, everyone. Helps me feel a little better

I think I will try as some have suggested to contact a vendor and see if they have access to something that would match, even if it''s not listed on their site. I''ve been working with Whiteflash for our e-ring stone, so I plan to contact my rep today and see if she can help.

 

[Jenn5504]

I am so sorry you lost one of your studs!!! I feel your pain, I lost a diamond solitaire pendant my now husband gave to me back when we were dating......it was specifically a "will this buy me a bit more time before "the" ring???". That pendant meant more to me than my engagement ring.......I still think about it a lot and I lost it over 3 years ago! He even got me a new pendant, similar size, nicer in fact, but the one I lost was soooooooooo sentimental.

I have BN studs myself and have found the screwbacks seeming very stripped the last several months.......guess I ought to go get that fixed.......

I don''t think it would be big problem at all to find a replacement diamond to match. WF is wonderful and could certainly find you a stone. My only concern though is going to be matchign the setting? Or would you reset both stones?

 

[newbie124]

Date: 1/24/2008 10:57:43 AM
Author: Jenn5504
I am so sorry you lost one of your studs!!! I feel your pain, I lost a diamond solitaire pendant my now husband gave to me back when we were dating......it was specifically a ''will this buy me a bit more time before ''the'' ring???''. That pendant meant more to me than my engagement ring.......I still think about it a lot and I lost it over 3 years ago! He even got me a new pendant, similar size, nicer in fact, but the one I lost was soooooooooo sentimental.

I have BN studs myself and have found the screwbacks seeming very stripped the last several months.......guess I ought to go get that fixed.......


I don''t think it would be big problem at all to find a replacement diamond to match. WF is wonderful and could certainly find you a stone. My only concern though is going to be matchign the setting? Or would you reset both stones?

Hi Jen,
Wow, that is so sad about your pendant

You have my sympathies!

Luckily, the studs were just in a simple 3-prong platinum setting that I hope shouldn''t be too difficult to mimic (it''s one of the standard choices BN gives for their earrings, so I assume others could easily match it).

 

[bee*]

I''m so sorry to hear that! I''m praying that someone happens to find it!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 1/23/2008 10:40:18 PM
Author:newbie124
I''m so bummed b/c the earrings were my very first diamonds and they were a birthday gift from my BF.

Newbie ... I''m so sorry. This is a diamond lover''s nightmare. Given the sentimental value it must be doubly devastating.

On the upside, I have every confidence that you are in the right place and you will find a fantastic replacement that will help you get over the loss of your diamond.

Good luck!