Newbie HERE, Recommended size for diamond earrings?

[Pandabear90]

Hey all, would appreciate some feedback from anyone or everyone...

1 year anniv. coming up and was looking to purchase round cut diamond earrings for the gf...was wondering what would be the best size to purchase...as I will be purchasing online from bluenile or white flash or another vendor...

I know the .5tcw- 1tcw is the more popular sizes...I was looking into the .5tcw...but would that be too small, is my question?

What do you guys think? Also in terms of color and clarity...for such small sizes as this does it really matter? as long as its above H/I and SI1...

Thanks,

Panda

 

[yssie]

Does she wear earrings regularly? If so what sorts - studs, dangles? Big or small?
What's your budget?

IMO the 0.5-1ctw size isn't large enough to make a *statement* unless the stones are part of a larger enveloping design - double-bezels, say, or something more intricate, so if she tends toward larger earrings I'd suggest skimping on stone size and allocating a larger portion of the budget to a statement setting.

I personally LOVE baby bezels - there's something so very sweet about the "drop of glitter on the ear" effect and I think baby bezel studs would be perfect for a first anniversary gift! But... I have three pairs: 0.1ctw baby bezels, 0.5ctw AVCs, and 2.5ctw OECs, and the baby bezels get the most wear, so I'm biased

 

[Pandabear90]

Does she wear earrings regularly? If so what sorts - studs, dangles? Big or small?
What's your budget?

IMO the 0.5-1ctw size isn't large enough to make a *statement* unless the stones are part of a larger enveloping design - double-bezels, say, or something more intricate, so if she tends toward larger earrings I'd suggest skimping on stone size and allocating a larger portion of the budget to a statement setting.

I personally LOVE baby bezels - there's something so very sweet about the "drop of glitter on the ear" effect and I think baby bezel studs would be perfect for a first anniversary gift! But... I have three pairs: 0.1ctw baby bezels, 0.5ctw AVCs, and 2.5ctw OECs, and the baby bezels get the most wear, so I'm biased

budget not sure... im looking to get round cut studs. That was my question...i'm not sure if I should go with the .5tcw or go a little bigger and in between .5 and 1 tcw...

she doesn't wear anything too big all the earrings ive seen her wear are around that .5-1 size i believe but i never asked her and i don't think she has a diamond pair

 

[Rhea]

I'm not in the US so take this with a pinch of salt.

0.5 ctw is big enough if that's what your budget covers. I went out this past weekend with two girlfriends, one sporting 0.25 ctw diamonds and the other 0.1 ctw diamonds and both pairs looked amazing! My own are much bigger at 1.7 ctw but every time I see this one girlfriend who wears the 0.25 ctw I'm reminded that I got suckered into the bigger is better thing. Smaller and mighty can make an incredible impact!

Another friend was wearing an engagement ring which was way under what most PSer would consider wearing as determined by recent threads, her husband said that it was a quarter carat in the best colour and clarity going, but it suited her and looked amazing on! Sure, you want to make an impression. We're hobbyist who obsess over these things. In the real world, 0.5 ctw earrings is a super nice gift.

 

[VRBeauty]

Can you tell us a little about your girlfriend - like her age and height and does she have fine/delicate or more normal (for lack of a better word!) features? Also what sort of budget are you working with?

I agree with Yssie - baby bezels ( relatively small diamonds surrounded with a fine bezel) are a wonderful gift, very wearable, and very do-able on a budget. The perfect BB'sr me would be .5ctw, but when I was younger (and - ahem - smaller overall) I could have gotten the same effect with smaller earrings. However, for any stone size I'd look for a setting that sits fairly low to the ear, which I think eliminates some of the lower-cost vendors.

 

[Pandabear90]

Can you tell us a little about your girlfriend - like her age and height and does she have fine/delicate or more normal (for lack of a better word!) features? Also what sort of budget are you working with?

I agree with Yssie - baby bezels ( relatively small diamonds surrounded with a fine bezel) are a wonderful gift, very wearable, and very do-able on a budget. The perfect BB'sr me would be .5ctw, but when I was younger (and - ahem - smaller overall) I could have gotten the same effect with smaller earrings. However, for any stone size I'd look for a setting that sits fairly low to the ear, which I think eliminates some of the lower-cost vendors.

Sure, mid 20s, dirty blonde, 5'4, green/hazel eyes...budget around the 1g mark give or take.


My original gut was to get .5tcw but is like a .76tcw a weird number??

Also how about clarity and color...should That matter much due to <1tcw

 

[valmanin]

Does she wear earrings regularly? If so what sorts - studs, dangles? Big or small?
What's your budget?

IMO the 0.5-1ctw size isn't large enough to make a *statement* unless the stones are part of a larger enveloping design - double-bezels, say, or something more intricate, so if she tends toward larger earrings I'd suggest skimping on stone size and allocating a larger portion of the budget to a statement setting.

I personally LOVE baby bezels - there's something so very sweet about the "drop of glitter on the ear" effect and I think baby bezel studs would be perfect for a first anniversary gift! But... I have three pairs: 0.1ctw baby bezels, 0.5ctw AVCs, and 2.5ctw OECs, and the baby bezels get the most wear, so I'm biased

Sorry for the momentary threadjack, but Yssie, I am dying to see the AVC bezels!! I've often fantasized about the same thing, but have not seen any small ones posted. Do you have any pictures handy?

Okay...sorry OP...as you were...

 

[Pandabear90]

no problem lol, I'm just looking for some advice

 

[HappyNewLife]

this thread has 34 pages of diamond earrings

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-diamond-studs.51981/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-diamond-studs.51981/[/URL]

As for color/clarity for things on ears and in the .5-1ct size, I'd probably do I/J and SI1, focusing on cut above all else

 

[Pandabear90]

this thread has 34 pages of diamond earrings

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-diamond-studs.51981/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-diamond-studs.51981/[/URL]

As for color/clarity for things on ears and in the .5-1ct size, I'd probably do I/J and SI1, focusing on cut above all else

I looked through alot of those pages, didn't find too many .5tcw and was just making a post to get the forum's opinion...

The cut makes a bigger difference, for that size...not questioning just learning

 

[missy]

Hi Pandabear, what a lovely and thoughtful gift for your girlfriend!

What are her jewelry preferences? Does she like delicate jewelry or bigger pieces? Does she like to get blinged out or does she have a more understated style? These might help point you in the right direction. I think whatever you can afford is the right size as long as it has an ideal cut/excellent cut you are good to go. Most girls can rock any size as shown here. Sometimes big is not always better and underrated and delicate are beautiful.

And as Yssie has pointed out bezels on the studs are beautiful as are halos depending on your girl's aesthetic preferences. Good luck and please come back with ear shots!

 

[Pandabear90]

Hi Pandabear, what a lovely and thoughtful gift for your girlfriend!

What are her jewelry preferences? Does she like delicate jewelry or bigger pieces? Does she like to get blinged out or does she have a more understated style? These might help point you in the right direction. I think whatever you can afford is the right size as long as it has an ideal cut/excellent cut you are good to go. Most girls can rock any size as shown here. Sometimes big is not always better and underrated and delicate are beautiful.

And as Yssie has pointed out bezels on the studs are beautiful as are halos depending on your girl's aesthetic preferences. Good luck and please come back with ear shots!

She is most conservative, I don't think she cares about the bling, and I just want to get her something nice, and was looking for feedback on if .5tcw is too small or should I go to like a .7xtcw

Also I'm deff going to go with just plain round studs

 

[missy]

Hi Pandabear, what a lovely and thoughtful gift for your girlfriend!

What are her jewelry preferences? Does she like delicate jewelry or bigger pieces? Does she like to get blinged out or does she have a more understated style? These might help point you in the right direction. I think whatever you can afford is the right size as long as it has an ideal cut/excellent cut you are good to go. Most girls can rock any size as shown here. Sometimes big is not always better and underrated and delicate are beautiful.

And as Yssie has pointed out bezels on the studs are beautiful as are halos depending on your girl's aesthetic preferences. Good luck and please come back with ear shots!

She is most conservative, I don't think she cares about the bling, and I just want to get her something nice, and was looking for feedback on if .5tcw is too small or should I go to like a .7xtcw

Also I'm deff going to go with just plain round studs

Sounds good. I think either would be beautiful if they are well cut diamonds which I know you are planning on getting her so I would suggest to get the best well cut you can in the largest size (i.e. .5 to .7) your budget allows. So if your budget allows for .7ctw I don't think they would be too big nor do I think .5 ctw is too small based on everything you wrote. IOW you cannot go wrong as long as the diamonds are well cut.

 

[VRBeauty]

Either size would work, but personally I'd go with the smaller, .5ctw stones so I could maximize the quality of the diamonds. It will be hard to get high quality ~.7ctw earrings for under $1,000.

 

[Pandabear90]

Either size would work, but personally I'd go with the smaller, .5ctw stones so I could maximize the quality of the diamonds. It will be hard to get high quality ~.7ctw earrings for under $1,000.

I understand, I'll go a little over 1,000 if necessary. In terms of color, cut, clarity, from 1-3 whats most important, 1 being most important? I mean I know they are all different categories but in regards to my situation.

Also do any of you guys have .5tcw studs to post pics?

 

[VRBeauty]

I'm sorry, I don't have ear pics, but...

#1 criteria is cut - it's excellent cut that will make the earrings really come alive and be noticed.

#2 for me is clarity - and for earrings, I'd be comfortable with eye-clean SI1.

#3 for me is color, and I'd go down to J for earrings.

There are others who would probably put color higher than cut.

 

[Rhea]

I'd swtich colour and clarity as compared to what VR values. No one is going to get that close to your girlfriend's ears except you, her dog, and her doctor. Inclusions won't be seen in 4 to 4.3 mm diamonds at a normal distance that most people will be at.

 

[Pandabear90]

I'm sorry, I don't have ear pics, but...

#1 criteria is cut - it's excellent cut that will make the earrings really come alive and be noticed.

#2 for me is clarity - and for earrings, I'd be comfortable with eye-clean SI1.

#3 for me is color, and I'd go down to J for earrings.

There are others who would probably put color higher than cut.

I see and what other vendors website should I check out besides whiteflash?

 

[E B]

This is a pretty pair:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...d_details/CAGS-104062895133/CAGS-104071810109

 

[Pandabear90]

This is a pretty pair:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...d_details/CAGS-104062895133/CAGS-104071810109

Does it matter if the sizes are different?

 

[EvangelineG]

I'm not in the US so take this with a pinch of salt.

0.5 ctw is big enough if that's what your budget covers. I went out this past weekend with two girlfriends, one sporting 0.25 ctw diamonds and the other 0.1 ctw diamonds and both pairs looked amazing! My own are much bigger at 1.7 ctw but every time I see this one girlfriend who wears the 0.25 ctw I'm reminded that I got suckered into the bigger is better thing. Smaller and mighty can make an incredible impact!

Another friend was wearing an engagement ring which was way under what most PSer would consider wearing as determined by recent threads, her husband said that it was a quarter carat in the best colour and clarity going, but it suited her and looked amazing on! Sure, you want to make an impression. We're hobbyist who obsess over these things. In the real world, 0.5 ctw earrings is a super nice gift.

+1

Given your budget of around 1K, I would say that .5ctw in an ideal cut, compromising on clarity and colour to hit your budget is without a doubt the way to go.

I have a 0.26 c Crafted by Infinity diamond (ideal GORGEOUS cut), and even though he is small, he packs a heck of a punch. The ideal cut will give you edge to edge sparkle, and so the impact of the diamond is maximized. I wouldn't hesitate to find a mate for this diamond and set him into studs, if I didn't have other plans...

Go for the .5 ctw! I think bezels would be fantastic if the budget allows, and 3 prong martini if not. I would definitely check out the offerings at Brian Gavin.

 

[yssie]

This is a pretty pair:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...d_details/CAGS-104062895133/CAGS-104071810109

Does it matter if the sizes are different?

Since you can be certain these stones are impeccably cut (BGD's H&A line) look at the mm, not the carat weight:
4.08 x 4.11
4.04 x 4.07

These are so close in size that you'd be hard-pressed to see any difference at all loose, side by side, let alone set and in her ears with her head in-between... The 2-grade colour difference would be my concern: I assume they're small enough that that difference won't be notable either, but I would ask call in and ask. Assuming colour isn't a concern I would have no hesitation buying these as a matching pair for earrings for myself.

 

[yssie]

852 + 175 for the below = 1027, right on budget
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond-earrings/studs/classic-martini-earrings-14k-white-gold-5386w14

I believe that by buying the stones separately (instead of pre-set) entitles you to upgrade them per BGD's Signature line policies, but I would recommend confirming this with them.

If you aren't worried about upgrading these will save you a couple hundred. Again, no worries about quality of cut, but the stones aren't upgradable or eligible for trade-ins, etc.
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/3-prong-martini-diamond-earrings-1343.htm

 

[Pandabear90]

852 + 175 for the below = 1027, right on budget
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond-earrings/studs/classic-martini-earrings-14k-white-gold-5386w14

I believe that by buying the stones separately (instead of pre-set) entitles you to upgrade them per BGD's Signature line policies, but I would recommend confirming this with them.

If you aren't worried about upgrading these will save you a couple hundred. Again, no worries about quality of cut, but the stones aren't upgradable or eligible for trade-ins, etc.
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/3-prong-martini-diamond-earrings-1343.htm

Thanks everyone for the comments.... yssie your first link just sends me to a link with stud settings. I'll probably go with a .5tcw and get ideal cut...with a decent color and clarity. I rather do that then get like something bigger and with shitty characteristics...just to get "bigger" ...

 

[yssie]

852 + 175 for the below = 1027, right on budget
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond-earrings/studs/classic-martini-earrings-14k-white-gold-5386w14

I believe that by buying the stones separately (instead of pre-set) entitles you to upgrade them per BGD's Signature line policies, but I would recommend confirming this with them.

If you aren't worried about upgrading these will save you a couple hundred. Again, no worries about quality of cut, but the stones aren't upgradable or eligible for trade-ins, etc.
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/3-prong-martini-diamond-earrings-1343.htm

Thanks everyone for the comments.... yssie your first link just sends me to a link with stud settings. I'll probably go with a .5tcw and get ideal cut...with a decent color and clarity. I rather do that then get like something bigger and with shitty characteristics...just to get "bigger" ...

Yes, those settings + the stones EB suggested: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond_pair_comparisions/compared_diamond_details/CAGS-104062895133/CAGS-104071810109

Both WF and BGD offer excellent value for money without compromising on stone quality. You are not going to get stones with "shitty" characteristics from either vendor, period.

 

[Pandabear90]

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/diamond-pairs-compare.aspx?idnos=3055249_3061857,3171943_3171955

If I'm comparing 2 sets of diamonds what information is most important and what makes this one more expensive then the other, if they both have the same clarity and color?

Thanks

 

[VRBeauty]

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/diamond-pairs-compare.aspx?idnos=3055249_3061857,3171943_3171955

If I'm comparing 2 sets of diamonds what information is most important and what makes this one more expensive then the other, if they both have the same clarity and color?

Thanks

It could just be a quirk of the price the vendor originally paid for the diamonds - one pair bought when prices were more favorable than the other pair. In this case I think the less expensive pair is also the better pair - If you're going to continue shopping around, I'd put a hold on those so no one else swoops in to benefit from your search!

 

[Pandabear90]

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/diamond-pairs-compare.aspx?idnos=3055249_3061857,3171943_3171955

If I'm comparing 2 sets of diamonds what information is most important and what makes this one more expensive then the other, if they both have the same clarity and color?

Thanks

It could just be a quirk of the price the vendor originally paid for the diamonds - one pair bought when prices were more favorable than the other pair. In this case I think the less expensive pair is also the better pair - If you're going to continue shopping around, I'd put a hold on those so no one else swoops in to benefit from your search!

I see, I was seeing on whiteflash that they don't have certified set of diamonds less then a size of .6tcw

Is it bad to get diamonds uncertified? whats the cons?

 

[Sunstorm]

Personally, in general I do not think there is Such a thing as a perfect size as each person is different and we can each wear different sizes for different occassions, depending also on what other jewelry we are wearing, clothes, mood,etc. That said for everyday I wear 30 pointers; ideal cut F vs2, cut is key. I an a huge fan of classics like studs I did decide to halo them though and never looked back. I totally love the look. I just found that 42 pointers would have been more proprotional if not in a halo. I am about your gf's height with tiny earlobes but they also make studs turn a bit sideways needing this size to show. I do not think You can get anywhere near this size for 1000 though if You get quality. You can go down to SI and G/h if You like though. My colleague OTOH is much larger than me overall and she wears 12 pointers and they look cute on her so whatever you can afford, get quality and less carat if You have to. Keep us posted Please.

 

[VRBeauty]

I see, I was seeing on whiteflash that they don't have certified set of diamonds less then a size of .6tcw

Is it bad to get diamonds uncertified? whats the cons?

I'm sorry, I don't have a definitive answer for you. Maybe someone else can chime in. But... here are my thoughts.

Certifications cost money, both in terms of the cost of the service itself and the associates shipping and time. I've seen certifications for clear (vs. fancy colored) diamonds as small as .35, but I don't think it's common to cert them at that size. For smaller stones like the ones you're considering, lab certs would be most important to you if 1) you're planning to re-sell the stones at some point, and 2) you're not certain of the qualifications of the vendor you're buying from, or whether you can trust the information you're getting from them. In many cases a certification will give you information about cut angles etc. that many stores wouldn't have otherwise.

Personally I'd be comfortable buying these uncerted stones from Whiteflash. The listing includes the stone measurements, angles etc. you'd need to run them through the HCA tool, and it gives you ASET and hearts and arrows photos you need to assess light return and symmetry. Both of the stones in that first WF pair score well below 2 on the HCA and have good ASETs etc. And they can be traded up with WF later if you want (I don't know the conditions that have to be met for a trade-up) and I don't recall reading any complaints about WF's color or clarity assessments.