Stud earrings too small? Should I get larger? Advice needed.

[MaxineRet]

Hi! I am new to this site. I spent practically all of yesterday reading the old messages - very interesting! My husband purchased for me a pair of diamond stud earrings for our 10 year wedding anniversary last week. I''''ve been wanting them for several years, after seeing so many celebrities wear them on tv and in magazines. He got them from Blue Nile, and they are
1-1/2 total carats, color H, VS2, round brilliant, 4 prong basket, platinum. They are beautiful, but look so small! I still have 30 days to exchange. Do you think it is worth the additional $4,700 to go up from a 1 1/2 total carat to a 2 total carat? I don''''t know if it will make much of a visible difference, and whether it is worth the money? We''''re not wealthy, but can afford this, since the last time my husband bought me jewelry was my engagement and wedding ring! This would be for every day wear. I usually don''''t wear earrings, so I''''d wear these all the time. I''''m only 5''''3", 35, and my engagement ring is 1.25 carats - so I am thinking the smaller one is more proportionate? I am just worried that I will spend my life wistfully wishing I had larger diamond studs! Yeesh. Also, in your opinion, do you think it''''s more youthful to wear smaller studs? If so, then maybe I will stick with the present ones! I need all the help I can get! haha.

My earrings are screwbacks and they hurt a bit!! It was so hard to get them in, each morning. It''''s hard to pull out too. I still haven''''t gotten the independent appraisal, and still need to add them to insurance.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[Sundial]

Welcome to pricescope! Earring size is a very personal decision and there is no perfect size that fits everyone. I wore 1/3 carat each studs for years and recently upgraded to 1.25 carat each studs. I am 5''2" and the center stone of my three stone ring is 1.24 carats. Personally I think earlobe size is more relevant for studs than height and I do not think that earrings need to be in proportion to rings which are worn so far away from the ear. All that said though I think the size of your studs is excellent, but the choice is really up to you. I don''t care for screw backs though and if it were me I would change that. I also prefer the three prong martini settings.

 

[C Smith]

I think 1 1/2 CTW is perfectly fine but I''m not the one who has to be happy with your decision. If you think you want bigger stones and you can afford them, I say buy them! It will save you regret later

 

[Giangi]

From your post, to me it sounds like you''re not 100% satisfied with what you got.
I don''t think the additionat 0.5cttw is worth almost $5K. I am known for thinking outside the box.

I think IJK/SI2 is just right for earrings. Actually, a cherry picked I1 would be great too. Would going down in quality be an option for you? Earrings don''t get scrutinized very close and the quality combo I sugggested should not really be that much more expensive than the 1.50cttw you already own.

 

[decodelighted]

Would you ever consider bezel setting the existing studs? That could "plump up" the existing stone for much less $$ than going w/larger stones.

Wallermama has some killer bezel set studs that I dream of often! Will try to find the link.

 

[hoorray]

Great idea Giangi. I bought studs a couple of ears ago, and picked some out for a girlfriend a the same time. I got G/SI2''s, she got I/SI1''s, both are ideal cut. I think I could have easily gone lower in color, but just happened to like this pairing. We both got white gold martini settings rather than platnium since we don''t have allergy problems and you can''t see the setting. That also saved a few hundred dollars.

Size-wise, I agree it is personal. I down sized, to .6ct from 1ct each because for everyday wear, I perfer something a little more subtle. My girlfriend went with .75''s each. She has larger ear lobes than I do, and is a taller/bigger person. Proportionally we are both very happy with our picks. I like larger stones for dressing up, but since I''m usually in golf or other casual clothes, I like the smaller ones. Only you know what will feel right for your look and lifestyle. You could always buy from a place with an upgrade policy so that in the future if you decided to upgrade you could trade them in.

On the backings, I''m with you, and hate the screw backs. I got the La Poussant(sp?) or Guardian backs, which lock onto a slot on the earrng back rather than sliding off. They are much more comfortable for me to wear, and easy to get on and off once you get the hang of it.

 

[MaxineRet]

Thanks everyone! I think I will keep the current earrings. I am a bit hesitant mailing it back (what if it gets lost? how much is shipping insurance??). Based on what you guys have said, it seems like these are a good size for every day wear. I don''t think that extra .5 total carat will make it look like the celebrities'' earrings, which is probably be subconsciously what I want. LOL. Their''s must be at least 3 carats each ear! Maybe with the money saved, my husband can get me an anniversary band! haha.

I am going to order the Sharper Image Ultrasonic Jewelry cleaner from Ebay. I read great recommendations from most of you from the old posts.

Thanks again!