Studs - Budget and what to look for?

[rubymd]

I want to start saving up for a pair of studs. The saving part is since I have gotten ruby studs, a ruby ring, and IDJ diamond earring jackets in the last month so I our bank account needs to take a but of a break. But I would like to get some diamond studs in a few month or so for the jackets I just got.
The jackets arriving by Thursday are for 5MM studs since that is the size of ruby studs I purchased.
So when I get studs I will want them to face up as close to 5MM as possible. From reading here that likely means over .80 CTW but more like between .90 and 1.
So questions as I just start to plan for this project later in the year.

No matter what I would get them in White Gold either screw back or La Posset (SP)

From what I can tell most people recommend Whiteflash, IDJ, Brian Gavin or James Allen for studs. Is there anyone else I am overlooking? Is there one of them that you would recommend over the others (understanding I want to balance budget with performance)? Random question do any of them have layaway? If not I can just start the project when I have saved up the total.

What are the draw backs of ready studs from Whiteflash, IDJ, Brian Gavin or James Allen VS GIA certified?

What would you recommend is what the ideal stud profile is if you were balancing budget, need it to be nearly 5mm (for the jackets), and performance of the stones? (cut/color

Given all of that what would be a good range of a budget for the project to save up? Can I get a decent pair with the settings for $1500 (this seems unlikely but I thought I would ask)? $2000 ?

 

[Enerchi]

I went with .42 & .43 (or was it .41????) J's for my earrings from BGD. I figured I'd rather save the colour issue since *I* don't see them and they aren't being compared side by side, so J's were good choices for me. I set them in a 3 prong WG martini setting with tension backs and I have had NO problems. I think I've only worn these earrings since I got them, about a year ago. I take them out to clean them and I see no issues with my piercing - no stretching or anything. I find the tension back is good for me. My IDJ jackets are the 5mm size and they are perfect - maybe even a tad loose (meaning they spin only slightly, they are not a tight/immovable jacket, which I think is probably better).

The studs, last year, were under $1800US. HTH.

 

[rubymd]

Thanks a ton. One question is do you know how large yours face up MM wise. I think that is what I really would love with the jackets. So if yours are a good fit at say 4.9 or 4.85 that would be soo useful to know what I would need to look for. It is also good to hear that J color worked with your jackets. I worried a bit that going warmer would be hard when they would be next to side diamonds.

Also what cut did you get? Do they need to be ideal? I have read that Si or S2 are ok in studs. Is that true or is the performance compromised?

 

[Rhea]

You might be able to find some on DB since you're taking some time to save. There have been a few pairs in the last several months that have sold for substantially less than what they would new.

My studs are old cut stones, but I have a pair of 4.3 mm and one is SI1 or 2. I can't see any imperfections without a loupe. These are not jewelery store versions of I1 which are often uncerted and liberal with their grading. In the earring thread there are even a few pairs of I1s which the owners are very happy with. On the ear, at normal viewing distance, no one is going to see the inclusions.

I think the difference with the pre set studs you mentioned is no upgrade policy.

 

[Enerchi]

Hey Ruby - I'm looking at my invoice. Turns out they are .44 and .437 The .44ct is 4.87x4.91x3 and the .437ct is 4.88x4.90 x 3.03. Both J's and both are H&A's, Ideal cut and AGS graded - who knew??? Clearly I'm really poor at this important details - I don't even know the birthweight of twin earrings!!

hope that helps you...

 

[rubymd]

Thank you so much. That gives me a great understanding that if I look for studs that face up at the high 4.80's they should work without much of a airline. But it sounds like at least for you J's worked with the jackets. That would be the one issue I would worry about warmer colored studs since I have read that the jackets (which are coming tomorrow so excited to see how they look with my ruby studs) will face up really white and if I get warmer studs will it look off.

I looked at IDJ at their GIA certified studs and it seems like their might be options with them when the time comes even if I want to get certified studs in addition to considering already set uncertified studs.

I am also going to try a high end pawn store in the area that has a HUGE jewelry section. I would only get certified studs so I was certain that I knew what I was getting. And they have a good gemologist on staff who runs the jewelry department. Which makes sense since they buy a lot of jewelry (they also buy estates not just PAWNs) and would need to make sure they knew what they are buying. The also have layaway so if I found the right pair I could pay for them over a few months.