Some help picking diamonds for studs - down to 2 options

[stargurl78]

I am buying myself a pair of diamond studs as a Christmas gift to myself and I looking for some advice. I purchased a pair of diamonds last week from James Allen and was going to send them to BGD to be set. The stones I bought are each 0.37 ct and were $640 each. They are both white, sparkly little firecrackers. The first one is completely eye clean. I can see inclusions in the second one, but only if I am really looking for them from about 4 inches away. That doesn't really bother me since they will be earrings. I am very color-sensitive though and this is why I chose F for the color:

JA Diamond #1 (HCA 0.7)
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1427665.asp

Carat weight: 0.37
Cut: Ideal
Color: F
Clarity: SI1
Certificate: AGS
Depth: 61.2%
Table: 56.2%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 4.60*4.62*2.82
Crown Angle: 34.3
Crown %: 14.80
Pavilion Angle: 40.6
Pavilion %: 42.70

JA Diamond #2 (HCA 1.9)
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1213054.asp

Carat weight: 0.37
Cut: Hearts & Arrows Ideal
Color: F
Clarity: SI1
Certificate: AGS
Depth: 62.3%
Table: 55.1%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Negligible
Measurements: 4.62*4.65*2.88
Crown Angle: 34.5
Crown %: 15.50
Pavilion Angle: 41.0
Pavilion %: 43.30


So when I contacted BGD about setting the stones, I was informed that they would charge me $105 to set these stones, being that I purchased them elsewhere. So I figured since I can still return the JA ones if necessary, I would check out BGD's diamond selection. I don't want to go much higher than $650 per stone and I found 2 stones that would work but they are smaller than the JA ones at 0.31 ct each. Brian confirmed that they are both eye clean and the stones are currently being held for me:

BGD Diamond #1 (HCA 1.1)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.313-f-si1-round-diamond-ags-104054189097

Type Brian Gavin Signature
Product ID: AGS-104054189097
Shape: Round
Report: AGS
Carat: 0.313
Color: F
Clarity: SI1
Measurements: 4.33 x 4.36 x 2.69
Lab Cut Grade: Ideal
Light Performance: Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Table %: 56.2
Depth %: 61.9
Crown %: 14.7
Crown Angle: 33.7
Star %: 56.0
Pav Angle: 40.9
Pavillion %: 43.1
Lower Girdle %: 77.0
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: Negligible
Girdle Min-Max %: 1.8 - 4.3
Girdle: Thin To Slightly Thick Faceted

BGD Diamond #2 (HCA 1.4)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.316-f-si1-round-diamond-ags-104054189103

Type Brian Gavin Signature
Product ID: AGS-104054189103
Shape: Round
Report: AGS
Carat: 0.316
Color: F
Clarity: SI1
Measurements: 4.33 x 4.36 x 2.70
Lab Cut Grade: Ideal
Light Performance: Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Table %: 56.9
Depth %: 61.9
Crown %: 14.9
Crown Angle: 34.7
Star %: 56.0
Pav Angle: 40.8
Pavillion %: 43.0
Lower Girdle %: 77.0
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: Negligible
Girdle Min-Max %: 1.6 - 4.3
Girdle: Thin To Slightly Thick Faceted

So which set of diamonds do you think I should I go with? Its essentially $63 more to go for the larger stones (once you consider the setting fee for outside stones), plus whatever shipping charges I'll have to pay to get them to and from BGD. I know for many of you, it would be a no-brianer that I should go with the larger stones and I think I got them at a great price compared to what's out there. But honestly, when I hold the 0.37ct up to my ear, I'm wondering if I would like something a tad smaller for everyday studs. So some of my questions are:

-Is either set of diamonds going to perform better?
-Do either of these sets make a better matched pair based on the numbers?
-Am I even going to notice much of a difference between the .31 and .37 sizes (4.3 vs 4.6 mm)?
-Is there any other reason (besides the setting fee) why it would be better to stick with the same vendor for the diamonds and settings?
-Does DSS happen with earrings too?
-Does HCA even matter in stones of this size?

I definitely don't want to go lower in color/clarity, I know that if I go any lower they won't be mind clean for me since I am so friggen picky. So let me know your thoughts! Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[Bosie]

go with BGD

 

[stargurl78]

Thanks for your suggestion Bosie! Any particular reason you would lean that way?

 

[stargurl78]

*bump* in hopes of some more responses

 

[m-2-b]

I recently purchased some diamond studs from BGD--they've got a great selection of matched pairs and I know if I want to upgrade later, it won't be a problem exchanging them for larger ones in the future. Their signature H & A's are top notch so I would definitely go w/ them.

 

[Amys Bling]

I'd go with BGD stones- they are eyeclean. To me that is more important than the .06ct each stud difference.

 

[stargurl78]

Thanks M2B and Amy! I'm fairly certain now that I'm going to go with the BGD stones. Still browsing their inventory to see if anything else jumps out at me but I should make up my mind within the next few hours.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would never buy earring stones and then send them to another vendor to set in settings unless it was something not available anywhere else. Are you doing his bezels or something? BG's can be upgraded which is a big plus, but I'd probably go to G or H color and try to get the size up a little.

 

[stargurl78]

Hi DS. The only reason I considered using the JA stones is that they are less money for larger stones, which still having great specs. When I posted this thread I was unaware of the BGD upgrade policy and have since made my decision to go with BGD. If I keep the JA stones, I'll have to pay to ship and insure them back and forth, in addition to paying the setting fee, so overall sticking with the same vendor for both the diamonds and the settings just makes more sense. I'm going to give them a call after work to place my order.

I was considering going with G stones rather than F, but the size increase that I'll get is less than 1/10 mm for $100 more (but its also an upgrade from SI1 to VS2, which doesn't really matter to me since Brian said the SI1's were eye-clean).

So I think my decision is made, I just have to make the call.

Thanks all for your help in pushing me towards the right direction

 

[m-2-b]

BTW, ask for the PS discount (if you didn't already know about it)!

 

[stargurl78]

I remembered to ask about it and I placed my order this evening. I can't wait to get these earrings!!! I went with the 8-prong settings. They don't have them on their site but they are available for purchase.