Opinions on studs upgrade: stay with BGD or switch to WF?

[MiniMinerva]

Hi everyone! I’m relatively new here so I hope it is not too soon for me to ask for your advice?

I have a pair of studs that I purchased long before joining PS, so I didn’t have the wisdom of the collective PS mind to assist me with the purchase. They are tiny but sparkly at 0.63 tcw (H/I, VVS2/VS1) in platinum bezels with millegrain, and are Signature BGD Hearts & Arrows.

I didn’t give serious thought to upgrading when I bought them, and I realize in retrospect that I really should have. There have been a few threads including recently where it has been mentioned that BGD has a more restrictive upgrade policy than others (e.g. WF), with a requirement of 2/3 C’s (carat/color/clarity). BGD says they are “very flexible” about upgrades but will not commit to anything less stringent than their stated policy.

I’d like to upgrade my studs to a somewhat larger size (maybe 1.3 tcw?) and higher color and I would opt for a prong setting instead of a bezel. There’s a good chance that I would upgrade them again in the future as I adjust to the size on my ears.

The question now is: given that I already own the BGD studs — should I stay with BGD for the upgrade, or should I start over with a pair from WF (or other)?

I have been satisfied with the quality of the stones and service at BGD but I am wondering whether it would be wiser to switch to WF for security in future upgrades. Please would you let me know your thoughts if any of you are willing to share?

 

[lovedogs]

I would start over with WF because BGD has yet to actually change their written policy. Despite saying they are "very flexible" no one knows what that means. Especially if you want to upgrade again in the future I wouldn't want any doubts about how easy that might/might not be able to do with BGD

 

[tyty333]

The cost of diamonds may have increased so much since you bought the .63 that its not worth trading in your old earrings.
Not sure how much you paid for the .63. Does it make sense compared to what they would sell for today? You could
try selling them on our pre-loved forum. They could go for earrings or possibly nice side stones at that size.

I'm of the mind to start over especially if you think that you'll want to upgrade again in the future.

 

[ac117]

I would try selling them outright and purchase from WF (only because they have much more inventory and, as you already stated, have a much easier upgrade policy). Your bezel settings were no doubt a pricier choice and IMO it also wouldn't make sense to destroy them to upgrade with BGD. They are a lovely starter size so I think they would be snapped up quickly!

 

[MiniMinerva]

I would start over with WF because BGD has yet to actually change their written policy. Despite saying they are "very flexible" no one knows what that means. Especially if you want to upgrade again in the future I wouldn't want any doubts about how easy that might/might not be able to do with BGD

Thank you @lovedogs ! It was actually your sage advice on another thread that gave me pause about the BGD policy. I hadn’t realized the nature of the restrictions until you brought it up. I completely agree that “very flexible” is too imprecise and uncertain.

 

[MiniMinerva]

The cost of diamonds may have increased so much since you bought the .63 that its not worth trading in your old earrings.
Not sure how much you paid for the .63. Does it make sense compared to what they would sell for today? You could
try selling them on our pre-loved forum. They could go for earrings or possibly nice side stones at that size.

I'm of the mind to start over especially if you think that you'll want to upgrade again in the future.

Thank you @tyty333 ! I did a quick search on the BGD site and the cost today isn’t much different from what I paid for the 0.63 pair (probably because even with the increase, the small size limits the actual dollar amount). I really like your idea of selling them on pre-loved so that someone else can appreciate them whether on the ears or the hand! I think I’ll give that a shot. I’d considered keeping them as a more casual pair but I have a feeling that after getting a new larger pair I just wouldn’t find myself reaching for them.

 

[MiniMinerva]

I would try selling them outright and purchase from WF (only because they have much more inventory and, as you already stated, have a much easier upgrade policy). Your bezel settings were no doubt a pricier choice and IMO it also wouldn't make sense to destroy them to upgrade with BGD. They are a lovely starter size so I think they would be snapped up quickly!

Thank you @ac117 ! You make a really good point about the WF inventory. I haven’t seen much at all on the BGD site for matched pairs lately.

You’re right that it would be a shame to destroy the bezels as they are quite well-done and make the most of the small stones. I did take care to consider the setting as well as the stones when I chose them. They really are a great starter size and have served me well! Fingers crossed that someone is looking for a starter pair...

 

[LLJsmom]

I would keep them for now. You maybe sick of them, and you may like them again in a couple of years, or there may be situations where smaller feels right. They're great basics.

 

[thecatmom]

I would side with @LLJsmom here. You can never have too much variety in stud earrings. There may be an occasion, perhaps a daytime summer picnic in the park, where smaller studs may look more appropriate? If selling the old earrings wouldn't contribute substantially to the overall cost of the new earrings, it would probably be a better idea to keep the older ones too.

 

[RunningwithScissors]

I would start over with WF.

I agree with @LLJsmom and @thecatmom to keep your original studs.

There may be situations where you need smaller studs, such as when you travel, or when you work out at the gym, or when you are visiting a not-so-safe area of town, etc.

When my own finances allow (they don't at the moment!) I'm planning on buying a small pair of studs for exactly this purpose. So I'd recommend keeping yours! You already have this wonderful foundation piece (and with BGD you know you have excellent quality!)

 

[MiniMinerva]

@LLJsmom , @thecatmom , and @RunningwithScissors
Thank you so much for the thoughtful advice to keep these smaller studs as a foundation/basics piece. You are right. I‘ve been feeling tired of them lately, but they are really perfect for summer picnics, travel, gym, sketchy areas, etc. and having the option to wear a discreet pair for certain occasions is something I would end up missing if I ended up with only the larger pair. Maybe it was the year of Zoom meetings and no travel influencing my feelings. In any case, thank you for your wisdom.

I had actually posted these little ones on Pre-loved but experienced a pang of regret when I did. I remembered obsessing over their videos before choosing each stone so they would be mind-clean even at this diminutive size.

So I guess the solution is...have both in the repertoire! @thecatmom is right that the value isn’t enough to significantly contribute to the new pair anyway. They are well-crafted tiny sparklers and the milgrain bezel does make them categorically different from the prongs I envision for the ACAs.

Thank you all for your wisdom and encouragement. I’ve been so glad I joined PS! People are so supportive here and it warms my heart. I hope someday I will be able to return the favor.