So conflicted about studs. Help!!!

[Frumasring]

Hi folks,

I’m starting a new thread because my stud upgrade struggle is so real it’s truly frustrating me. I was wondering if folks could advise me on a pair of studs from Blue Nile that have great HCA scores but are I color, SI1 clarity, 1.14 ctw and 1890.00 without setting.
What I initially thought I wanted was BIG and SPARKLY for under $2,000 but then the more I learned, the more I’m doubting myself over color and clarity. An amazing member of this group helped me to realize I’m experiencing analysis paralysis.
Some things I know, I’m not color sensitive at all but I do want bright and sparkly, and I’m not sure if SI1 clarity will detract from the ideal cut of these stones. Attached are GIA certs and a link to the stone videos.

Thank you all for your thoughts and support!!!

1.14-Carat Total Weight Round Diamonds | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

 

[gregchang35]

Based on the images, I think the stones perform really well.

I do not think the clarity will affect the performance... but, their location on the diamond for setting purposes might be an issue.

what did BN say?
Am hoping other members will chime in with their opinions, as I am not really an MRB person.

 

[coda72]

I think these diamonds will most likely make great earrings. The only thing I would have Blue Nile check to make sure the twinning wisps on the one diamond do not affect the sparkle. I doubt they will, but if you are really concerned, that would be the only issue I can see.

 

[snotty_pie]

My 2 cents... if you know you are not color sensitive, I will be fine given that there are so many shadows from your head, hair, etc.

But if you're having doubts for the clarity now, it may be worth it to go with VS grade so that you're not constantly thinking about it. I know that if I have doubts before a purchase, I am never quite satisfied with my purchase/decision if I compromise.

 

[mwilliamanderson]

My 2 cents... if you know you are not color sensitive, I will be fine given that there are so many shadows from your head, hair, etc.

But if you're having doubts for the clarity now, it may be worth it to go with VS grade so that you're not constantly thinking about it. I know that if I have doubts before a purchase, I am never quite satisfied with my purchase/decision if I compromise.

I agree with snottie_pie. Perhaps you should listen to your inner voice here. If you go down just a bit in size and save a bit more you can buy some diamonds you will be proud to own without any regrets. I did a pricescope search and found 2 blue nile stones very well suited to each other. I took pictures of the lab reports since I’m not sure how to add a link.
.

 

[gregchang35]

As @snotty_pie and @mwilliamanderson has mentioned, if Si1 is going to bother you with thinking about those inclusions, change the parameters.

There will be inclusions unless it is an IF stone. It about where those inclusions are and how it will affect the sparkle and the integrity of the stone that matters most. So ask BN, for their assessment of it.

then when you receive the stone- check it for yourself to see if it settles your questions.

It’s about tolerances. It sounds like the clarity is an issue, then change it. Of course other tolerances will habe to change, too. In the end, it has to be suit you for all the right Reasons.

 

[Frumasring]

I think you’re all right, I’m going to take a pause. I’m going to go to my local jeweler and see what size I’m comfortable with. I think I’m learning that I won’t be able to tolerate lower color or clarity. It looks like from searching BN that I’ll need to go down in size. To get .86 ctw, VS2, G In my price range these:

0.86-Carat Total Weight Round Diamonds | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

HCA scores of 1.4 and .8. Both should sparkle beautifully and look great for their size.
any thoughts on these, even though I have no clue if they’ll be big enough for my liking. But I do think a few months ago I tried on a pair of .75 that I thought were so much bigger than my current pair. but when I really started looking on BN, I got carried away about size and that’s how I got caught in the SI1 trap. But I think at some point I saw a “it’s easier to find a. Eye clean than a mind clean stone” and that really resonated with me.

 

[mwilliamanderson]

I think you’re all right, I’m going to take a pause. I’m going to go to my local jeweler and see what size I’m comfortable with. I think I’m learning that I won’t be able to tolerate lower color or clarity. It looks like from searching BN that I’ll need to go down in size. To get .86 ctw, VS2, G In my price range these:

0.86-Carat Total Weight Round Diamonds | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

HCA scores of 1.4 and .8. Both should sparkle beautifully and look great for their size.
any thoughts on these, even though I have no clue if they’ll be big enough for my liking. But I do think a few months ago I tried on a pair of .75 that I thought were so much bigger than my current pair. but when I really started looking on BN, I got carried away about size and that’s how I got caught in the SI1 trap. But I think at some point I saw a “it’s easier to find a. Eye clean than a mind clean stone” and that really resonated with me.

The link just takes me to the Blue Nile homepage so I can’t see which ones you’re referring to.

 

[Frumasring]

The link just takes me to the Blue Nile homepage so I can’t see which ones you’re referring to.

Eek, I’m sorry! I’m attaching GIA carts and HCA scores. BN doesn’t have video for either of these posted

 

[gregchang35]

Glad to hear that you are listening to your inner thoughts about your tolerances. It helps narrow the search.

with sizing- you are doing the right thing with viewing them in a store. Of course spend time with the sizes you try and take pics.... this will help you visualise and understand what you are comfortable with. That is how I decided what size I could tolerate in my ears.

The HCA seems to say they are in a good range.
Good luck with store visit.

great steps forward!

 

[mwilliamanderson]

I think they look great, but request ASET images. You can also buy some 5 mm cz’s to wear for a few days to really get a sense of how you feel about the size. Good luck!

 

[Frumasring]

Almost there, folks!!! I’m good with size of a minimum .75 ctw. ive learned so much from you all but I’ve come across something I think is odd. I have the above pair on reserve but thought I’d try to find something a little bigger than .86 ctw and came across these .90ctw studs. could I really notice the difference between .43 per stone and .45 per stone?? Would it be worth the $230.00?

Then what I thought was crazy was the poor HCA score on one of these stones. Why is the .90ctw set more expensive but a worse performer?

anything I should be concerned about in the .86 ctw set?

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Almost there, folks!!! I’m good with size of a minimum .75 ctw. ive learned so much from you all but I’ve come across something I think is odd. I have the above pair on reserve but thought I’d try to find something a little bigger than .86 ctw and came across these .90ctw studs. could I really notice the difference between .43 per stone and .45 per stone?? Would it be worth the $230.00?

Then what I thought was crazy was the poor HCA score on one of these stones. Why is the .90ctw set more expensive but a worse performer?

anything I should be concerned about in the .86 ctw set?

That’s a steep pavilion angle a steep crown angle and a table that’s pushing it. It costs more because it weighs more. Not because it’s more desirable. Also, it’s only .06mm wider than your other stones. I would not consider this one.

 

[Frumasring]

That’s a steep pavilion angle a steep crown angle and a table that’s pushing it. It costs more because it weighs more. Not because it’s more desirable. Also, it’s only .06mm wider than your other stones. I would not consider this one.

Thanks for the explanation!! I’m learning so much. So I’m thinking I’m ready to pull the trigger on the .86 ctw studs. Can you give me your final thoughts on them. Just so you don’t have to scroll up a lot, I’m attaching GIZ carts and HCA scores here again. Thank you for everything!!!

 

[ccuheartnurse]

I understand the urge to upgrade & not finding precisely what you want. I've been in the same position. There just isn't the volume of stones to choose from in BN's inventory.
I suggest 2 things....

1. You wait till the exact pair comes up that you want because you have to pay double the amount to upgrade with Blue Nile. So if you go for the smaller set now, I don't know if that will make you happy. In your head you wanted .50 cts. So then if you want to upgrade again, you need to double that amount to do so. It might be that it just wont be doable for you. I think, just like the mind clean aspect of the SI stones, you might want to ultimately get to the magic .50 ct / stone.

2. Sell the stones you currently have, yes, even at a slight loss. Get a pair from WF (great upgrade policy & decent inventory) & know that you can upgrade as often as you like. Also, there is the confidence that when they say an SI is eye clean, it's eye clean, especially for studs. I've had large SI-1's for rings which have been completely eye clean. They have their stones in stock. They don't have to call them in from anywhere.

I think you should wait it out another few weeks & think about what you should do. Take great pictures of your present set & post them for sale on LT to see if you get any interested buyers. If not, then pursue the upgrade with BN. If you sell them, you have a clean slate to go where you want.

If you buy the .43's & are sure you wont be upgrading them again, you can set them in a very delicate bezel & buy jackets for them from IDJ. The halo will add another 3-4?mm to the size. There are a ton of threads on IDJ jackets. I don't see the ones I have on there. I think mine are for 5mm stones. 22 -3 pt stones = .76/.79 ct. Also to say, if you decide you don't like the jackets, I would bezel set the smaller pair in a bolder bezel size.

Search results for: 'jackets'

idjewelry.com

 

[ccuheartnurse]

Forgot to post this list from Stuller.com. They have some simple jackets (without diamonds) that might be helpful to look at. Many jewellers, including IDJ, can order Stuller. BN does not order from Stuller but again, it's easy to find a vendor who does.

Stuller, Inc.

Stuller, Inc. is the #1 supplier of fine jewelry, findings, mountings, tools, packaging, diamonds and gemstones for today’s retail jeweler.

www.stuller.com

 

[Frumasring]

I understand the urge to upgrade & not finding precisely what you want. I've been in the same position. There just isn't the volume of stones to choose from in BN's inventory.
I suggest 2 things....

1. You wait till the exact pair comes up that you want because you have to pay double the amount to upgrade with Blue Nile. So if you go for the smaller set now, I don't know if that will make you happy. In your head you wanted .50 cts. So then if you want to upgrade again, you need to double that amount to do so. It might be that it just wont be doable for you. I think, just like the mind clean aspect of the SI stones, you might want to ultimately get to the magic .50 ct / stone.

2. Sell the stones you currently have, yes, even at a slight loss. Get a pair from WF (great upgrade policy & decent inventory) & know that you can upgrade as often as you like. Also, there is the confidence that when they say an SI is eye clean, it's eye clean, especially for studs. I've had large SI-1's for rings which have been completely eye clean. They have their stones in stock. They don't have to call them in from anywhere.

I think you should wait it out another few weeks & think about what you should do. Take great pictures of your present set & post them for sale on LT to see if you get any interested buyers. If not, then pursue the upgrade with BN. If you sell them, you have a clean slate to go where you want.

If you buy the .43's & are sure you wont be upgrading them again, you can set them in a very delicate bezel & buy jackets for them from IDJ. The halo will add another 3-4?mm to the size. There are a ton of threads on IDJ jackets. I don't see the ones I have on there. I think mine are for 5mm stones. 22 -3 pt stones = .76/.79 ct. Also to say, if you decide you don't like the jackets, I would bezel set the smaller pair in a bolder bezel size.

Search results for: 'jackets'

idjewelry.com

Hi! I appreciate your response!! I’ve actually thought about scrapping things with BN quite a bit, mostly because of their run around. But, I did some math. In my budget and with taking a loss from the original BN pair, I still won’t get 1ctw from Whiteflash. I’ll only get 14K white gold settings with .75 ctw studs, so- smaller than the .86 from BN. I also think that I wasn’t necessarily committed to 1 ctw but just wanted to see how close I could get to it and what I’d have to sacrifice to get there. I’m also not really sure if I’d be able to tell the difference between .86 ctw and .90 ctw. Part of the dilemma of buying sight unseen I guess.

jackets seem like an option to consider in the event I ever want to dress these up. but I can’t do bezels. i just feel they are too much metal for my ears. I’m not thinking I need to make the .86s bigger, I just want them to dazzle because they are G, ideal cuts.

 

[mwilliamanderson]

I totally appreciate the advice @ccuheartnurse is giving you. I bought a True Hearts diamond from James Allen and will be taking a big loss to buy into a company with better diamonds to choose from and a better upgrade policy. I think you will be happy with those two stones. I personally would try to find two with an hca score of between 1 and 2. I just did a search on pricescope and found 2 on blue nile. I think one of them is yours on hold. Here is a photo and a link.

Diamond Search Results | Real-time Information on 1,000,000+ Diamonds | PriceScope

PriceScope's Diamond Search is the best place to find the best diamond prices. Search and compare over a million natural, lab and fancy color diamonds.

www.pricescope.com

I also want to say that your two choices should be lovely as well so don’t take my OCD to heart if you think you’ll be happy with them lol!

 

[Missie1]

Did you cancel the other earrings you ordered? I hope you didn’t and you at least get them to try on.

 

[Snowdrop13]

It was me who suggested the I Si1 pair and I’m really sorry they have caused you such indecision! I feel that you’re overthinking this now, maybe you should take a pause, buy some cheap CZ studs and wear them for a bit so you can be sure you get the absolutely correct size. These are earrings- colour is less important (I’d say, anyway) as you won’t be looking at them all the time. Plus you have a K e-ring, is that correct? Clarity too, no one will get that close to you to see inclusions. Personally I think paying for VVS2 is a waste here. Aim for the best cut possible to get the maximum sparkle, and keep the earrings clean. Then you’ll be on to a winner.

 

[Missie1]

It was me who suggested the I Si1 pair and I’m really sorry they have caused you such indecision! I feel that you’re overthinking this now, maybe you should take a pause, buy some cheap CZ studs and wear them for a bit so you can be sure you get the absolutely correct size. These are earrings- colour is less important (I’d say, anyway) as you won’t be looking at them all the time. Plus you have a K e-ring, is that correct? Clarity too, no one will get that close to you to see inclusions. Personally I think paying for VVS2 is a waste here. Aim for the best cut possible to get the maximum sparkle, and keep the earrings clean. Then you’ll be on to a winner.

The pair you suggested were really great find and I was confident they were going to be exactly what OP wanted in terms of sparkle and brightness. I totally agree with you regarding color. OP ering is a K so I’m not sure why she thinks an I isn’t white enough. My fear with going for a G is that it will make the e ring color show warmth when next to one another. I of my preference of not going below VS because I can’t handle searching for eyeclean SI.