Thoughts about buying diamond earrings online?

[foxterrierfan]

I'm looking to buy a pair of diamond studs online, and am willing to sacrifice some quality to get to 2 ctw (I'm thinking H-I, SI 1 or 2). I've done a fair amount of online research, and was thinking of purchasing a pair from Marshall Pierce (a Chicago jeweler I've purchased from previously) that quality for around $8500 which seems like a very competitive price to me. However, after reading some blogpost about buying diamond earrings from Amazon.com, I looked and they appear to have really good deals (about $6500 for the same described quality for supposedly certified diamond earrings). The actual vendor is Jewelry by Nikash, some Houston jeweler which I can't seem to find much about online. I'm thinking the deal is probably too good to be true. If anyone has any thoughts (or recommendations) on this topic, I would welcome them! Thanks in advance for your help.

P.S. Does anyone have 6 prong diamond earrings and do you like them? I've always liked how 6 prongs looked on diamond rings, but it seems like industry thinking is that it will cover up too much of the stones.

 

[Dancing Fire]

I'm looking to buy a pair of diamond studs online, and am willing to sacrifice some quality to get to 2 ctw (I'm thinking H-I, SI 1 or 2). I've done a fair amount of online research, and was thinking of purchasing a pair from Marshall Pierce (a Chicago jeweler I've purchased from previously) that quality for around $8500 which seems like a very competitive price to me. However, after reading some blogpost about buying diamond earrings from Amazon.com, I looked and they appear to have really good deals (about $6500 for the same described quality for supposedly certified diamond earrings). The actual vendor is Jewelry by Nikash, some Houston jeweler which I can't seem to find much about online. I'm thinking the deal is probably too good to be true. If anyone has any thoughts (or recommendations) on this topic, I would welcome them! Thanks in advance for your help.

P.S. Does anyone have 6 prong diamond earrings and do you like them? I've always liked how 6 prongs looked on diamond rings, but it seems like industry thinking is that it will cover up too much of the stones.

but not GIA lab report...

 

[Gypsy]

What's your primary goal?

Cost and size

or sparkle and quality?

 

[Gypsy]

How do you know what the cut, the clarity or the color REALLY is on those? Are you going to get them appraised? Their 'certificates' aren't worth the paper it's written on.

 

[foxterrierfan]

Dancing Fire - not clear, but probably you are correct. I called Marshall Pierce and they don't usually have certificates for their pre-set earrings, either, but would be willing to get them for me. Amazon/Nikash states their diamonds are GIA or EGL USA certified and that their *rings* come with the certificates (this leads me to believe that the earrings do not - although I haven't actually called them).

Gypsy, I would say cost and size, primarily. Although obviously I'm hoping they aren't totally lifeless. I just don't feel as though I need to be as particular about earrings as with a ring. As for the certificates, I wasn't planning to take them to be appraised if I bought from Marshall Pierce, primarily because I have made a couple of significant purchases there and take some comfort from that. Just so I understand, if Marshall Pierce gives me the GIA diamond grading report (which I've been calling a certificate), is this not to be trusted? I'm open to other recommendations . . .

 

[slg47]

you can trust GIA or AGS grading reports. other labs...not so much.

 

[MissStepcut]

If cost is a primary concern AND you're doing earrings, why not get I1s? If they're eye clean from even 18 inches, no one will be able to see the inclusions.

 

[foxterrierfan]

I thought about that, but was concerned that if I was buying online, sight unseen, going with a clarity higher than S1 or S2 might not be a good idea.

 

[Dancing Fire]

I thought about that, but was concerned that if I was buying online, sight unseen, going with a clarity higher than S1 or S2 might not be a good idea.

no matter how you look at it a nice pair of GIA or AGS 1ct. H-I SI1 will cost you over $10K.

 

[MissStepcut]

I thought about that, but was concerned that if I was buying online, sight unseen, going with a clarity higher than S1 or S2 might not be a good idea.

If you buy photographed stones from James Allen or GOG or another vendor with high quality photos, I think you'll be quite happy with the outcome. Even in I1 (for earrings). If you aim for slightly sub 1 ct (like .9 to .99) I think you can hit your budget.

 

[foxterrierfan]

Thanks, that is very helpful! Any tips on matching stones for earrings? I looked on James Allen awhile back and recall being a little overwhelmed by that task.

 

[MissStepcut]

Thanks, that is very helpful! Any tips on matching stones for earrings? I looked on James Allen awhile back and recall being a little overwhelmed by that task.

If it were me I would look for two stones with:
1) very similar diameters
2) similar table percentages
3) both with a "light sprinkling" of inclusions across the stone

 

[CedarRapids]

Thanks, that is very helpful! Any tips on matching stones for earrings? I looked on James Allen awhile back and recall being a little overwhelmed by that task.

JA has a matched pair search engine:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/matching-pairs/

Also, call them among others and describe what you want. Put them to work!

 

[dani13]

I would also call ID Jewelry....www.idjewelryonline.com. Yekutiel has found some great stones for alot of PSers (make sure you tell him you're one)!!!

 

[foxterrierfan]

Thanks all! I hadn't realized the JA site had matching, but now I see it. Also, thanks for the tip on I.D. Jewelry. I'm going to have to find a way to increase my jewelry budget, it is all so tempting . . .

 

[Gypsy]

Thanks all! I hadn't realized the JA site had matching, but now I see it. Also, thanks for the tip on I.D. Jewelry. I'm going to have to find a way to increase my jewelry budget, it is all so tempting . . .

I totally second ID jewelry. Make sure you tell him that "Unlike other PSers, I want SIZE and BUDGET FRIENDLY instead of 'cream of the crop'" He'll get it.

 

[Dandi]

Another huge ID Jewelry fan here! They will bend over backwards to get you an awesome deal, and of course their jewelry is beautiful.

Oh and I love your screen name I have 2 mini foxies myself!

 

[foxterrierfan]

Thanks again for all the guidance, it is so helpful! Much better than me just roaming the internet on my own.

P.S. DandiAndi - thanks and love your photo!!! I'll have to upload one of my two crazy dogs for myself. . .