NEWBIE Diamond Studs Help

[mysst]

My brother & I are looking to buy our mother a pair of diamond studs. Our budget is approximately $3000.

We live in Toronto, ON, Canada so I am not sure about going through Whiteflash/GOG since I think they charge for international shipping plus customs/taxes.

What kind of cut/clarity/colour should I go for? what about depth/table pavillion etc. Should I be concerned about that?

I was ideally looking for something about 1 ctw +.

And if you dont mind, could you help me find something??

I dont mind buying online if the price is right and I dont have to deal with too much headaches with duties/customs/international shipping costs etc.

I went to People's Jewellers and they had a pair of H & I colour earrings, 1.20 ctw, I-2 for $2500 plus tax. And they have a lifetime upgrade. I am not a huge fan of People's Jewellers since I think a lot of their jewellery is overpriced. But as of this point, I have nothing else to compare it to.

 

[dbsdiamonds]

Most studs sold are not GIA certed goods. So the "guarantees" are ranges of quality which may or may not work out to be accurate.

I''ve always recommended GIA certed goods first if going 1/2ct or larger in earrings, that way there is no nonsense going on with grading. It''s just as easy to match up two studs and have them done individually.

.60ct each rounds for 1.20ctw will get you below your stated budget in GIA studs.

Marty
CEO/Pres
Diamond Brokerage Service, Inc
www.dbsdiamonds.com

 

[neatfreak]

I bet the cut on the stones at People''s is very poor, meaning they won''t sparkle much, especially when dirty. I''d stick with a reliable vendor like GOG or Whiteflash and just suck up the customs costs personally...

Or even Bluenile has a Canadian "branch" don''t they? If you choose the stones yourself, and make sure to pick ideal cut ones, then you should be good to go and won''t have to pay customs I assume.

 

[CdnBlingGal]

I would totally recommend purchasing through WF. I''m on the West Coast and I have made a purchase through WF without any problems. I am also in the process of purchasing diamond studs as well. They too, have a lifetime upgrade policy if you purchase the ACA stones.
I would talk to a representative at WF and ask them to find you a nice pair of studs and about the shipping.

I would stay away from Peoples. The quaity isn''t there for what you are paying for. I''d rather look at Costco or Blue Nile Canada before I go through Peoples.