Oooh, help me figure out if I should upgrade my studs

[FacetFire]

Hey, everybody! I saw some studs today that are my dream size and I am very tempted to upgrade. I currently have a 1.3 ctw G SI1 pair that I love (about 5.4mm each). The have a lot of crystal inclusions that don''t affect the brilliance of the earrings and are pretty hard to spot. My dream size has always been around 6mm each stud, maybe around 1.75 ctw.

Well, today I saw two pairs of loose stones. One pair was 1.82 ctw G SI2/I1 (around 6.15mm each) and I could get it for around $4500. The other pair was 2.18 ctw G SI2 (around 6.5mm each) for around $6300. The I1 inclusion on the first pair is a white edge inclusion that is able to be put under a prong. I could trade my current pair in for $2000 toward either pair. Both pairs are very good cuts. I could easily swing the money for the smaller pair. The larger pair would be a bit tougher.

Here''s the thing. I know FI might like to get me bigger studs someday, but not for awhile. I think these are great prices and I don''t think he could get these prices when he was ready to buy. Also, I am only 27 years old, and I''m worried about the line where studs get to be too big. FI is a lawyer and I have a law degree also, so I don''t think it would be too much for our jobs. I''m really torn. No, I don''t NEED them, but gee, I really really want them. What do you guys think? Yes or no? Which pair do you think is a better price? Any other thoughts?

Thanks for the input!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Facet - If you *can* swing the $ for the larger ones without straining the budget too much it sounds like that might be the better plan long term. Otherwise you might always regret that you didn''t go a little bigger when you had the chance.

(BTW, asking PSers a question like this is like asking a parched man if he wants a drink of water, LOL!)

 

[Miranda]

I''d get the pair that will easy for you to swing now. 1.82 ctw won''t be too large to wear daily. They will be beautiful. If FI wants to get you more bling later on I''m sure you have other places to put that

! A neck, a right hand, TWO wrists, ankles, toes. Is the cut quality the same as what you currently have? If so, go for it!!!

I agree with DeeJay. You came to the wrong place to be told they are too big! Hehe

 

[justjulia]

I brought home the following, and returned all but one pair... (kind of like Goldilocks and the 3 bears)...here''s what worked for me:
1.5ctw they were too small (I swear shrinkage sets in)
3ctw, too big, cut wasn''t ideal, took them back, got the urge for "huge" out of my system
2.24ctw, PERFECT size for me, ideal cut--roughly 1 ct per ear

As long as the cut is good, and you can swing it, go for the big guns. They are classic and can be worn with anything. You are young, so yours may stay "perky." I found that I had to get those little plastic disks to put behind to make the studs stand up (I''m 45). Here''s mine:

 

[justjulia]

Sorry, me again. I just felt the need to add that you will always be able to find a deal, when the time is right, down the road. you don''t want to stress yourselves out trying to stretch the money. The 1.82 pair might just be the dream pair. I didn''t have mine until this year and I''m OLD, lol.

 

[qtiekiki]

The .35mm differences isn''t really noticeable and considering the $2K differences, I say go for the 1.82ctw pair. I don''t think they will be too big considering your careers. I am sure you will rubbing elbows with people who have similar or bigger studs in that field.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I''m looking at new studs, too, and I think I''d go for the 1.8 pair, myself. I feel like 1+ carat is just a little big on my ears. I actually think I want about .80 each, or 5.9-6.0mm. My problem is that I am now hooked on ideal cut stones with good color and clarity, and I will find myself paying alot more than most people do on earrings. Ugh! You are very lucky to get $2000 credit on your old pair, though. That would help a lot! But Julia''s don''t look too big on her, so you may be able to pull off the larger pair. I''d be very careful to be SURE you love the stones in the event you aren''t able to trade them in again.

 

[Giangi]

I just want to point out that 1caraters G/SI2 at about $3150K each is suprisingly (not to say suspiciously) cheap. You want to make sure they are indeed SI2s and not I/I1s.

 

[gailrmv]

hi FacetFire,
I think either would be very nice, it really comes down to whether the size difference is worth the price difference to you and if it fits into your finances right now. I agree that you will always be able to find something similar later if you decide to wait. Were you shopping at Grimball''s? I almost went there yesterday - that would have been a cool coincidence!
Gail

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 10/1/2006 10:19:13 AM
Author: Giangi
I just want to point out that 1caraters G/SI2 at about $3150K each is suprisingly (not to say suspiciously) cheap. You want to make sure they are indeed SI2s and not I/I1s.

Are they certified stones? If not, then they could be anything. Been there, done that.

 

[kcoursolle]

For a lawyer, I really don''t think the bigger studs are going to be too big for your age. They will be beautiful. However, I would suggest talking to your fiance about it since you said he isn''t quite ready yet. If he seems up for it and you can swing the $...then I''d go for it as long as these stones are great cut quality, GIA/AGS cert, etc.

 

[FacetFire]

Thanks for the thoughts, everyone! I didn''t really get all the details the other day because I wasn''t planning on looking for studs, so I need to ask some more questions before I proceed. I think the 1.82 pair may be the most appealing if everything else checks out just because I''m not entirely sure I can pull off the big ones at this age and it would give FI room to upgrade them in the future. Also, it just occurred to me that I may not want to go too much bigger than my solitaire pendant (.84 ct) on each ear...might look unbalanced. I''m going to go back and get the details and let you guys know what I find out. Thanks again!

 

[FacetFire]

Date: 10/1/2006 11:09:35 AM
Author: gailrmv
hi FacetFire,
I think either would be very nice, it really comes down to whether the size difference is worth the price difference to you and if it fits into your finances right now. I agree that you will always be able to find something similar later if you decide to wait. Were you shopping at Grimball''s? I almost went there yesterday - that would have been a cool coincidence!
Gail

Nope, wasn''t at Grimball''s, but I still think it would be cool if we ran into each other there!