Round Diamond Stud Earrings - Anniversary Gift - Help!

[cramogon]

Hello everyone,

I'm in the market for a pair of round diamond stud earrings for an anniversary gift. My wife and I got married last year and engaged almost 2 years ago. When I purchased her engagement ring I did a lot of research on diamonds and the 4 C's and ended up getting a great diamond and engagement ring for my budget.

With diamond earrings, I'm at a loss. I don't know enough about what to look for in diamond earrings and frankly don't have as much time to learn as my anniversary date is fast approaching. I have been to a couple jewelers and have looked online as well. Just based on what I have seen I know that I would like to get round diamond stud earrings set in white gold, somewhere in the .75 to 1 ct TDW and be between $1500 and $2000. Maybe someone can help me with the following questions:

Is it important/recommended that diamonds in diamond earrings have a certification? I've noticed that the certification isn't as widely publicized as it was for a diamond for engagement rings.

Screwback vs pushback: is one recommended over the other?

Color: Is the color as noticeable/important? The diamond I purchased for my wife's engagement ring is F in color. Would an H or I still look pretty white for diamond stud earrings?

Clarity: So far most of the diamonds stud pairs I have seen in jewelry stores and online are I1, I2, I3, and lower. Are inclusions a big deal for diamond stud earrings? I know this is personal preference, but I remember that when looking for an engagement ring diamond, inclusions at this level were sometimes noticeable to the naked eye.

Budget: Is my budget realistic for what I am looking for? I have seen prices as low as $500 and all the way up to $3,500.

Thank you in advance for any help!

 

[AprilBaby]

Give Whiteflash a call with your budget and see what they can do for you. I just got ACA .84ctw F studs for $2500. I'm sure they could work with you. Ignore the above poster.

 

[VRBeauty]

There have been many debates on the earring back question - here are a few threads to peruse. I think it's safe to say that PS'ers by and large prefer friction/tension/push/butterfly back earrings. When you order the earrings, ask what size tension backs are provided with the earrings. You can ask for medium or large tension backs. They might cost a bit more, but some people feel they're more secure than the smaller backs.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/screw-back-or-tension-backed-studs.150848/

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...or-la-pousette-backs-for-my-new-studs.177729/

 

[heididdl]

having just gone through this the answer is yes yes yes....It doesn't matter what size you choose but you should get certified stones. James Allen, , Whiteflash and other of the on line vendors will certainly have a pair in your budget. Unlike your engagment ring there is more wiggle room in color and clarity but getting an ideal cut is a paramount when buying studs. some PS ers even go as low as J color Si2 (eye clean) with ideal cut stone.

I will take a look and see if I can suggest any on line pairs.

I have large tension backs but don't laugh but I also put .50 c plastic tips on the back of the tension backs to ensure that mine don't call off and mine are tcw 2.41....

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.51-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-pair-233645,238085

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/diamond-pairs-details.aspx?Diamond1=2892571&Diamond2=2890056

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'd always get nice quality diamonds for studs. I have bought some more than once from WhiteFlash. The great thing is that you can get full credit on them if you ever want to upgrade them later. I have done that!

Here are some pairs I'd recommend.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2960088.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2970618.htm

or

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2953063.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2949883.htm

 

[cramogon]

Thanks to everyone who replied. So it appears that whiteflash was mentioned by many people. The links I clicked through were mostly for loose diamonds. Does whiteflash mostly sell the loose diamonds for stud earrings? Do they set them as well?

 

[VRBeauty]

Thanks to everyone who replied. So it appears that whiteflash was mentioned by many people. The links I clicked through were mostly for loose diamonds. Does whiteflash mostly sell the loose diamonds for stud earrings? Do they set them as well?

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/search.htm

Choose your earring style (3-prong, 4-prong, 6-prong, 8-prong, or bezel). Choose friction back or screw back. Tell them which diamonds you want set in them. Done.

Check the diamond studs thread to see some examples of the different earring styles. I think 3-prong, 4-prong, and bezel-set are most popular among PS'ers. The 6- and 8-prong styles are somewhat newer... I think they're kind of charming.

ETA: Here's the diamond studs thread.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-diamond-studs.51981/

 

[cramogon]

Thanks to everyone who replied. So it appears that whiteflash was mentioned by many people. The links I clicked through were mostly for loose diamonds. Does whiteflash mostly sell the loose diamonds for stud earrings? Do they set them as well?

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/search.htm

Choose your earring style (3-prong, 4-prong, 6-prong, 8-prong, or bezel). Choose friction back or screw back. Tell them which diamonds you want set in them. Done.

Check the diamond studs thread to see some examples of the different earring styles. I think 3-prong, 4-prong, and bezel-set are most popular among PS'ers. The 6- and 8-prong styles are somewhat newer... I think they're kind of charming.

I'm leaning towards 3 prong or 4 prong setting. Any opinions on if one is better or more secure than the other?

Has anyone purchased studs through Blue Nile or ERD? I bought my wifes engagement ring from ERD but it seems that this post and many others mention WhiteFlash more.

Also, what does ACA stand for?

 

[VRBeauty]

4-prong has a basket setting - the diamonds are set up off the ear a bit. WIth larger stones that might cause some drooping, but that shouldn't be an issue with stones less than 1/2 c.

3-prongs are also known as "martini" settings because they have that classic martini shape in profile. That's what I have - I like them because there are fewer prongs in evidence so they look more like they're floating on the ear. They also nestle into the ear a bit more. That's why some people don't like 3-prong styles - they say they "dig into" or expand their ear holes. (I haven't noticed that, but I also don't wear my studs every day.) The 6- or 8-prong martinis get around that problem because the back, where the prongs meet, is flatter.

ACA stands for "a cut above," a Whiteflash name for cut that was developed to maximize brilliance. Most people here would agree that you can't go wrong with ACA's. (I've had some - they're so well cut that the stones can look whiter and larger than similarly graded generic counterparts.) You can probably find equally good stones at bluenile. The ACA demarkation takes the guesswork or comparison out of it for you, but you do pay a bit more for that assurance. IDJ also has a good reputation and good prices. For more discussion about ACA's vs other vendors or brands, you might want to start a thread posing that question.

 

[Dandi]

I bought my diamond studs from WF, one is an I VS2, and one is a J SI2. I normally would bother with VS clarity for earrings but it just happened to be a great match for the J stone. They are completely eyeclean and look so white when worn, I love them! I used to have 4 prong studs, and decided to get the WF ACAs in 3 prong martinis, I much prefer them. I liked the 4 prong settings too, but felt that they gave the stud an ever so slightly squarish look.

 

[LaraOnline]

3-prong is a nice setting, it looks very elegant. And yes, it avoids that 'squarish' look, which I like.
OP, I reckon 3-prong tension / big butterfly backs would suit perfectly for the 'every day elegant' size you are looking at.

Of course, if I ever got around to getting 2.00c in each ear *lol*, I would go 6-prong for security.

And the appealing thing about screw-ins is the sexy feeling that you could - if you wanted to - shower, sleep and LIVE in your studs.

OP, is your girl a shower-and-sleep kind of jewellery girl? Because the screw in type closures are much more hassle to get on and off, but do contribute a sense of security. I'm saving the screw in type closure for the Mega jewellery (of my dreams).

 

[AprilBaby]

WF has matched pairs, a nice feature, and yes they set them. Mine came in three days! I prefer the butterfly backs. And the upgrade policy is fabulous!

 

[cramogon]

@ LaraOnline - I think i like the 3-prong martini setting better. My wife would more than likely take the studs off each night.

My wife doesn't have any diamond studs today so I am having a hard time picturing different size diamonds on her ears. From experience, do you ladies think .375 to .5 ct per stud is a good size?

Does anyone know if WF negotiates on price?

 

[FancyDiamond]

@ LaraOnline - I think i like the 3-prong martini setting better. My wife would more than likely take the studs off each night.

My wife doesn't have any diamond studs today so I am having a hard time picturing different size diamonds on her ears. From experience, do you ladies think .375 to .5 ct per stud is a good size?

Does anyone know if WF negotiates on price?

To me, anything under 0.5ct (per stud) is too small. I have 0.72ct and 1.22ct studs, and I find the larger studs better for me. Guess the size is a personal preference, but most importantly, depends on the size of one's earlobe. Do you have a photo of your wife's earlobe?

To get an idea about earlobe size versus stud size, search and review ear-shots here on PS.

Tell WF your budget, and let them work with you, and recommend best C's. For myself and budget, I would pick the largest, best cut, eye-clean Si1 diamonds and if necessary, go as low as J. BTW, I color is white enough for studs.

 

[LaraOnline]

@ LaraOnline - I think i like the 3-prong martini setting better. My wife would more than likely take the studs off each night.

My wife doesn't have any diamond studs today so I am having a hard time picturing different size diamonds on her ears. From experience, do you ladies think .375 to .5 ct per stud is a good size?

Does anyone know if WF negotiates on price?

I would definitely go as big as possible, whilst still retaining elegance in terms of colour and clarity.

For earrings, colour and clarity stats can be stretched a little.
I would consider as low as H or I in colour, and to SI1or even SI2 -EYECLEAN as viewed through the table, with NO coloured inclusions.
You will notice a solid price drop between SI1 and SI2. You (or your diamond merchant) may have to work harder to get a great stone at SI2, but they do exist.

I have a beautiful pair of Hearts on Fire earrings, bought for me by my husband, and they are colour J. While I *think* I can see the warmth face up if I look at them closely, they look absolutely beautiful on the ear. And they are SI1, no problems whatever.

 

[VRBeauty]

I have .79 tcw - about .79 per ear - and I like then just fine. That size is centered nicely in my earlobe, whereas the larger diamonds I tried on were not. No, I would not turn down a pair of 1.5 ctw earrings, and someday I might get a slightly larger set of old euro cuts. But the .75 -.80 ctw range is very nice and I'm willing to bet that most women would love to have a pair like that.

BTW if you get expert cut, well proportioned diamonds like the ACA's, they will look bigger and brighter than a comparably sized and graded pair that you might get at your local Macy's store. The cut really does make a difference.

 

[woofmama]

I have .50ct ea H SI1 , 1.00 ctw for the pair, diamond studs set in the three prong martini's from Brian Gavin. I started out with a pair of .30ct ea J VS 2, .60 ctw. Going up from the .30 diamonds to the .50's was a very nice visible difference and the color difference was noticeable as well. I highly recommend you get as close to 1.00 ctw as your budget allows.

I'm very happy with the size, color, clarity and settings. Mine are set in 14WG. They're regular push backs which I only take out to clean about once a month.

The cut on the BGD diamonds and WF diamonds are the same, and both have an upgrade policy, however I do believe from what I've learned on here that WF has an easier upgrade policy than BGD.