n & o color diamond studs

[bright&shiny]

My husband rewarded me for going to a football game this weekend with a trip to my favorite BM in Boston. We browsed rubies, but found nothing that set my heart 'a fluttering, so we turned to diamond studs. Much to my surprise, they had a set of well cut 1.78 ish each studs. They were warm - I guessed L or warmer (those lights in the stores can be tricky), but they turned out to be N & O's. The difference in color between the 2 was difficult to tell - and I was surprised to like them so much. They looked good under the loop - are eye clean, well cut, and sparkly.

So here's my question: is $12K too much for this pair of well matched stones? They are GIA certified, one was VS2, the other SI1. Both had very good cuts. I don't remember the exact dimensions, but they are shallow - but boy, did they light up. I, fortunately have coloring that does better with warmer colors than cooler colors, so the warmth was fine (for earrings).

One issue, I didn't bring my ideal scope - but each had an area in the center that went right out the bottom so I could see my finger.... I know that is not 'fish-eye', but I'm not sure what to call that particular problem. I suspect it is the result of the shallow cut.

My second question: am I better off trying to find a similarly sized pair from one of our trusted vendors? What would the effect of fluorescence have on this range of color (these had no fluorescence). Any other words of caution or encouragement from those of you who know more than I?

 

[reader]

I cannot offer much help, but I do believe a vendor here would offer more competitive pricing in that regard.

Also, if that is the prize you get for attending a football game, I roundly congratulate you. I am not a football fan myself, and I would have quite happily gone if offered a similar prize. Please post pics when your studs are complete!

 

[lyra]

Just using the diamond search tool here, it looks like you could go up to K with a great cut for that price, or near it. I would definitely go with a PS vendor with a budget of $12K.

 

[bright&shiny]

Lyra & Reader,
Thank you for your suggestions. I am certainly lucky that it was my reward for going to the game

Interestingly, now that I have seen a warmer color, I actually think I want to look for a matched pair of warmer studs. Probably K or L's. I'll post pics when they are made...

 

[Rockdiamond]

hi bright,
From your description, they were not graded by GIA.
N is a letter grade- but the next darker grade is O-P ( as opposed to plain "O")
That calls the grading into question, meaning, who knows what color diamonds you saw.......
From your description they sound pretty badly cut as well...
Personally I love the warmer colors- find a nicely cut pair, they'll sparkle beautifully and save the hubbie some buckerinos.......

 

[antelope1]

Nothing like jewelry store lighting to make diamonds look amazing! If you can see your flesh tone out of the bottom, that's leakage -- which you will see in strong sunlight. Or rather, that other people will see when they look at your ears in sunlight.