Stud Earings

[Jonathan the Jeweler]

I am working on making a set of 1ctw diamond stud hearing as a personal project for a friend. I am looking for tips regarding what clarity,color, and cut stones would be best. Price is a consideration, but it is not the only consideration, as I am sure my friend would be willing to pay a little more for significant improvements in quality. I have told her that at my store we carry two grades of stud earings g/si1 set in plat for 4k and H/I1 set in 18k for 2k. I know that I can do much better personally and have told her such. but I am thinking the pricepoints are fair and would simply give her better goods for her money. I have already received some quotes from a dealer I know through work, F/VS1 for around 2.6k for the pair and G/SI2 for 1.6k. He said the cut on both these sets of stones is excellent or very good but I haven''t seen them nor have I received dimensions. I would have the stones set myself but I am also debating whether two use plat, 18kw, or even 14kw. in three prongs or four. I would appreciate everyones input and may even consider a PS vendor if the deal made sense.

 

[Skippy123]

I would look for stones through Whiteflash or Good Old Gold and get a simple setting in case she wants to upgrade in the future. I would do a stone near colorless and SI1 or SI2 so she gets more bang for the buck.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 12/28/2007 6:53:07 PM
Author: Skippy123
I would look for stones through Whiteflash or Good Old Gold and get a simple setting in case she wants to upgrade in the future. I would do a stone near colorless and SI1 or SI2 so she gets more bang for the buck.

Ditto.

 

[marcy]

Date: 12/28/2007 6:55:35 PM
Author: Kaleigh

Date: 12/28/2007 6:53:07 PM
Author: Skippy123
I would look for stones through Whiteflash or Good Old Gold and get a simple setting in case she wants to upgrade in the future. I would do a stone near colorless and SI1 or SI2 so she gets more bang for the buck.

Ditto.

Agreed.

 

[Lynn B]

I would imagine that, as a jeweler, you well realize that cut rules for beautiful stones. Therefore my recommendation would always be to get the best cut you can find.

I am partial to H&A RBs, and I recently upgraded my studs from .89 tcw to 1.47 tcw. In the first case, the diamonds were one J and one K; my new pair are two K''s. I ADORE them! (All four stones been killer cut, AGS-0, H&A RBs.) My new Ks face up blindingly white and I couldn''t be happier.

Also, I love eyeclean SI stones, and my currrent studs are SI1. I would have been thrilled with eye-clean SI2''s, had they been available.

Regarding the setting... I am partial to 3-prong martini''s, they don''t droop and they look like they are floating in the ear. I love platinum, but since only the tips of the prongs really "show"... I went with WG. Less expensive and personally, I''d rather put the $$$ toward the stones.

Here''s a link to my studs, if you are interested in seeing them...
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/winters-coming-needed-new-ear-warming-studs-1-47-tcw.72105/

 

[Steel]

Date: 12/28/2007 7:07:26 PM
Author: marcyc

Date: 12/28/2007 6:55:35 PM
Author: Kaleigh

Date: 12/28/2007 6:53:07 PM
Author: Skippy123
I would look for stones through Whiteflash or Good Old Gold and get a simple setting in case she wants to upgrade in the future. I would do a stone near colorless and SI1 or SI2 so she gets more bang for the buck.

Ditto.

Agreed.

Thritto...

 

[Jonathan the Jeweler]

Thanks for the opinions Skippy and Lynn, what you wrote was very helpful to me. Your right I will recomend the G/SI''s. The Difference in color between G and F is not noticable to all but the most trained eyes. Might as well let the old girl save an extra grand. Thanks all.

 

[surfgirl]

You know, I cant help wondering why you use your place of work in your signature phrase, but you're preferring to not sell your friend a pair of earrings from your place of business...Is there a reason for that other than the price points? I'm honestly curious..

 

[Jonathan the Jeweler]

If I sold them to her through my place of business than I would have to follow standard mark-up procedures, and I don''t want her paying for that when I am an independent jeweler myself. I worked for wholesaler/importer before I got my job at the store, and still have close relation with them. I know how the business works. Why would I sell a friend pieces at high retail, when personally I can do much better? When people see me at the mall they are Bailey''s customers, when they call me personally they are mine. For certain product BBB is my only source (watches mostly), for anything else, I can source product personally for friends. I am more than just a corporate employee.

 

[denverappraiser]

Date: 12/30/2007 3:00:16 AM
Author: Jonathan the Jeweler
I am more than just a corporate employee.

Actually I would describe this as being LESS than a corporate employee, or at least less than a good employee. Good luck on your continued employment using this approach. Perhaps your new management is casual about their employees doing this but at most companies this will get you fired.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I understand that you're a corporate employee and you don't want to go through the normal channels or procedures, but I have to ask. If you're an independent jeweler as well as a BBB employee, why don't you already have external wholesale contacts or contacts in general (outside of PS) that you can go to for help on this project? Granted, there are industry experts on PS, but for the most part, we're just average people who like jewelry and gemstones. I would think that a real jeweler would feel they're taking a risk by researching a project through a forum of amateurs (though knowledgeable and well educated amateurs). Why are you looking for advice on cut, clarity, and color, when as an independent jeweler you should already know all there is to know about what would make a good pair of earrings, spec-wise?

 

[CrookedRock]

Date: 12/30/2007 10:20:34 AM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
Why are you looking for advice on cut, clarity, and color, when as an independent jeweler you should already know all there is to know about what would make a good pair of earrings, spec-wise?

Those were my exact thoughts... Too strange.

 

[Jonathan the Jeweler]

I have discussed this project with my manager, and he has no problems with it. I guess making the claim to be an "independant jeweler" is a bit far out, but I do have all or most of the resources of one. I guess I just wanted some feedback and perhaps viewpoints of some ladies who wear studs clarifying what aspects of stones they value most. I am a very good producer for the company, and employees can often buy goods directly from vendors even at a discount for personal reasons. I don''t believe this constitutes un-ethical business practices, Its not like I undercut my store when I am there.

 

[Jonathan the Jeweler]

BTW nobody knows all there is to know, you can always learn more. Just because I believe something about diamonds, doesn't mean it is a universal truth. Diamonds are a very subjective item, and people can have differing viewpoints that are all valid. I was just trying to get some viewpoints. I hope that seems reasonable.

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 12/30/2007 12:48:24 PM
Author: Jonathan the Jeweler
I hope that seems reasonable.

Jonathan, what doesn't seem reasonable, at least to me, is that you sign your name on each post as an employee of BB&B. That? Seems quite unprofessional and shady, if I'm being honest. Which is why I asked what I asked in the first place...although Hudson said what I really wanted to say. If you didn't use the name of your employer in your online postings - and as you already know, many people here know of your employer's stores - then I wouldn't have any problem with someone posting that they're "in the business but would like some feedback on something specific for a customer". But the way you present yourself and the situation you're asking about, it IS undercutting your employer, whom you so blatantly advertise that you're working for. It's very odd. I'm with Neil on this one. It smells underhanded to me. And I'm quite sure if your boss knew what you were doing on a basically public forum, you wouldn't be employed at BB&B for much longer.


ETA: Just to clarify, "independent jewelers" don't work for corporate stores. They are "independent" and thus, work for themselves only.

Also, the way you're presenting yourself, as trying to "help a friend not pay full price" and all? You are the type of "friend in the business" that we always advise people to stay away from when they come here saying "I have a friend in the business who works for a store but is willing to help me get my diamonds really cheap from a wholesale source, what should I do?" Because of the shady practices usually involved. These same people usually come back here and complain that their "big deal discount" purchase ended up not being so great but now they cant get their money back, or exchange for what they really wanted, or have any real recourse at all now, etc. So if you're trying to get a side career going as a private jeweler, the way you're going about it is putting you in exactly the shady category that we always advise against here. Just a free career tip...

 

[denverappraiser]

Date: 12/30/2007 12:42:27 PM
Author: Jonathan the Jeweler

Its not like I undercut my store when I am there.

Johathan,

OK, you only undercut them when you're not there.
Do you seriously not see the problem with this?

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[Jonathan the Jeweler]

There would be nothing "shady" about how I conduct my business. Perhaps i should remove my signature, since you all seem like you are on the verge of reporting me to God knows who, so I withdraw, and now know not to come here anymore for friendly advice. Thanks alot...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Jonathan, I don't see that you have to have all your friends buy from BBB. I also don't see anything wrong with your helping friends to buy jewelry for better prices elsewhere. I am sure most employees of companies buy from competitors at times. I think you just come across the wrong way sometimes.

The best thing you can do for this friend is to tell her to look at the WhiteFlash and Good Old Gold sites and see what kind of settings she likes best. Then I would recommend G, H or I color ideal cut stones at SI1 clarity, unless she is particular about higher clarity. WF has ACA stones that are super easy to match up, and GOG has some pre-set pairs of heart and arrows stones at two quality levels. That way, you can both get a great idea on pricing for top quality stones, and she has the advantage of being able to trade them in at a later time, if she wishes. I think white gold is perfectly fine for earrings and I would not pay for platinum.

 

[Jonathan the Jeweler]

Thank you diamondseeker. Your post was helpful.

I know this business is one where ethical practices are of the utmost importance. I would never knowingly do anything unscrupulous. Saying that I risk being fired over working on a personal project for a friend, shows that you have an unrealistic view of this business. I believe the company appreciates the half-million in business I do for them working part-time, and that whatever personal projects I engage in are my own business, and are irrellevent to company. Perhaps you all should withhold judgement on matters which you are not the judge.

 

[Lorelei]

Jonathon, I agree to definitely consider S12 clarity also as some have suggested, many out there are eyeclean, and they can be a great choice for earrings as they are not under the same scrutiny as a ring. Also well cut J colour can face up plenty white if the cut is good. I also agree with DS that WG is fine for earrings.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 12/30/2007 1:07:15 PM
Author: surfgirl

Jonathan, what doesn''t seem reasonable, at least to me, is that you sign your name on each post as an employee of BB&B.

I thought anyone in the "biz" had to do that, per forum policy. But I could be wrong. *shrugs*

 

[Jonathan the Jeweler]

Thats why I had it there... Perhaps I should put my credentials back up

 

[Ellen]

Date: 12/30/2007 2:40:20 PM
Author: Jonathan the Jeweler
Thats why I had it there... Perhaps I should put my credentials back up

I would contact the Admin and ask to be sure.

 

[CrookedRock]

Jonathan, I think think that some of the problem may have stareted from day one by the tone of your posts. I seem to recall a thread where explaining to you that CUT IS KING around here got a little heated. Everyone is most certainly welcome to have and share their opinions... Having said that, there are many experts on the forum, and probably even more extrememly educated comsumers. Acting like someone who seems to know a lot and works in the industry is fine, but then asking a question about studs, which seems to be simple to most here (and probably could have been answered by doing a search), is probably really throwing people off. Coming in as a newbie, trying to defend BB&B as a whole company to start (you did eventually back down), and being somewhat defensive in your posts has probably created a bad taste in some of our mouths. I don''t think that anyone here is trying to scare you off, just trying to get you to take it down a tad. Just know that this is an extremely friendly forum that values honesty (whether good or bad, but always tactful). I know there are people on this forum who have purchased stuff from BB&B or other mall stores per say, and it would be nice to have your opinion on these things from time to time. Just try not to always sound so defensie and I am sure you will get a much better welcome from the Awesome PS''ers! Good Luck Jonathan!

 

[orbaya]

Date: 12/29/2007 11:23:17 PM
Author: surfgirl
You know, I cant help wondering why you use your place of work in your signature phrase, but you're preferring to not sell your friend a pair of earrings from your place of business...Is there a reason for that other than the price points? I'm honestly curious..

If he puts together these earrings himself, then he gets to pocket the money, whereas if he went through the proper channels where he works, he wouldn't get anything except a commission. Maybe I'm misunderstanding something though...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Listen, if I worked for XYZ Jeweler in my town, I can assure everyone here that I''d still send my friends to PS vendors for diamonds! I don''t think that since he works for BBB part-time really means that he represents that company. But perhaps it would be better for the company to not be mentioned in that case. I agree that Andrey should be asked about the rules.

 

[JohnQuixote]

In Jonathan’s defense, PS rules require that trade members identify themselves with personal and business names (number 10).

To Jonathan: My impression is that you’ve come here with genuine interest in expanding your horizons. I think that’s admirable. Diamondseeker and others offered input on the tone of your posts. As a participant of some years here I will say these are very smart people and their words have merit.

Date: 12/30/2007 2:18:03 PM
Author: Jonathan the Jeweler

I know this business is one where ethical practices are of the utmost importance. I would never knowingly do anything unscrupulous. Saying that I risk being fired over working on a personal project for a friend, shows that you have an unrealistic view of this business. I believe the company appreciates the half-million in business I do for them working part-time, and that whatever personal projects I engage in are my own business, and are irrellevent to company. Perhaps you all should withhold judgement on matters which you are not the judge.

What I’m hearing you say is that it’s unfortunate that someone would think you are undercutting your company; if we walked into your store it would be clear that you serve them well. Though required by forum policies to ID your name and company, the company has no stake in PS. To that end you appear to be here to broaden your horizons, personally, and learn as well as contribute.

I hope I’m reading you correctly. Forgive me if my interpretation is unwelcome. I don’t presume to stand in your shoes but I do hope to foster amity here, because I wish more professionals would participate. It requires thick skin at times but as you said; “you can always learn more.” I find that to be true every day.

Neil just wrote a tremendous journal article on the subject of pros broaching PS. Here is a thread with a link to it and some discussion, if you’re interested.