On the hunt for diamond stud earrings -- reality check?

[skim]

Hi,
Short-time lurker here. I've been looking for a pair of diamond stud earrings for weeks, maybe over a month. I've had some help, but I found that I'm mostly on my own. I've even posted for a multi-vendor quote and haven't heard a peep.

So, maybe.. its me?

Just want to do a reality check on my expectations, hear/read your opinions, and would also welcome your help.

I'm looking for a "pricescope" quality set of earrings (~2tcw +/- .10), and while the favorite brands of this forum (WF, HPD, BG, etc) make it easy to find that perfect pair, its either more than I'd like to spend, or I have to dial down the weight and clarity.

If I go hunting for non-branded diamonds, I seem to find acceptable specs, but access to images, videos, ASET, etc are hardly available for those. Maybe I'm searching at the wrong places?

My ideal spend is 14k for 2tcw +, less for under the 2tcw mark. I prefer G VS, but willing to go up/down a color and/or clarity. As I've educated myself more an more, I don't want to compromise on cut -- my search has been within the pricescope specs, and I've also been adapting the specs from here: https://www.heartsandarrows.com/hearts-arrows-diamond-ideal-cut-dna.aspx

So, here is the reality check I'm looking for:

* Is it really this difficult to find a super ideal (or very very close) cut diamond other than the branded ones?
* While I do want the perfect cut, it seems I'm struggling with the premium placed on it (and the fact that its challenging to find (and verify) outside of the branded selections). Should I actually compromise on cut just a bit? If so, what parameters should I adjust?

Thanks for reading, and all your help.

S

 

[Snowdrop13]

Just for your interest, there’s previously been some chat about shallower cut stones being good for earrings, here is one of the threads,

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...e-these-shallow-spreadys-for-earrings.227306/

 

[ac117]

1ct G VS super ideal stones for $14k is not possible - seems like best you could do is H SI1 but these would be eye clean. They are going on your ears so I wouldn't be concerned:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4045000.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4006539.htm

It would be possible to find top performing GIA XXX stones in your criteria though:
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R101-8414041Z3?
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R102-354860587?
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R102-63Z898425?
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R101-12894Z982?

This would be a stunning pair:
https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/107749...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/114521...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

 

[Queenie60]

I would suggest you reach out to Yekutiel at IDJ. He found excellent/ideal cut GIA stones for my earrings a few years back and they're beautiful. Give him your parameters and be specific about what you want. Also, confirm trade-up policy with him and get it in writing. However, if I were to do this over again, I would purchase from Whiteflash as they have an excellent upgrade policy, no questions asked. And their diamonds are branded which gives you the peace of mind that they're the best possible cut.

 

[KKJohnson]

This is just over the budget H SI
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...etails.aspx?Diamond1=4006539&Diamond2=4045000

They just don’t appear to have anything in a G VS matched pair, have you spoken to Whiteflash and inquired if they had anything coming down the pipeline?

 

[skim]

Thanks Snowdrop13, ac117, Queenie60, KKJohnson!

RE: Shallower cuts. I did read about that prior to my search, and although it sounds like a good option (and probably value proposition), I stopped contemplating that route because as someone that is shopping exclusively online, I feel that I need access to images, videos, ASET, and those seem hard to come by.

RE: The "Perfection" set from B2C -- I did contemplate, and they could have had a sale. For some reason these don't show up when building a pair of earrings, so I reached out, filled out the form, to have them contact me. Nada. Then I started searching this forum and the internet for reviews, and quality of service (and settings) seem to be mixed at best. I do still like these, and if the website allowed me to configure and purchase these as earrings, it would have been done already. But given the speed bump, and the fact that no one responded, I'm gonna sit on the fence.

RE: IDJ -- I recently reached out, but haven't heard back.

RE: WF -- I like the ACA series, and see all the positive reviews here. Also given the transparency with images, videos, ASET, etc (even very quick responses with specific image requests!), I do feel very confident that I would get a great pair of diamonds. The biggest hesitation is cost/value at the moment -- and this isn't specifically about WF -- just the super ideal category.

It appears, for a similar ~14k budget, I can get either:
* H VS1 "perfection" cut
* H SI1 ACA cut

Will I, or rather my DW, realize or appreciate the difference in cuts?

After all I've read and learned, I will probably lower my target ctw. Thanks all.

 

[AprilBaby]

The ACA is so sparkly I think you notice the cut.

 

[Diamond_Hawk]

RE: The "Perfection" set from B2C -- I did contemplate, and they could have had a sale. For some reason these don't show up when building a pair of earrings, so I reached out, filled out the form, to have them contact me. Nada. Then I started searching this forum and the internet for reviews, and quality of service (and settings) seem to be mixed at best. I do still like these, and if the website allowed me to configure and purchase these as earrings, it would have been done already. But given the speed bump, and the fact that no one responded, I'm gonna sit on the fence.

This is very disheartening news, for sure! When I read this post I immediately called the B2C sales team and they were also confused as they had not received notification from the website. I am glad it is posted here so we can investigate!

The diamonds you are considering are available and are indeed part of the B2C "Perfection" line which represents the highest standards of cut and light performance - perfect for someone who has come to understand the valuable information found here on PriceScope. I would recommend a call to our Customer Service Team or online chat - they are available 24 Hours/Day Monday - Saturday.