Time for studs :)

[beesok]

Hi everyone, so I finally decided that it''s time to buy some studs - I''ve been wanting them for a while!
I was thinking of 3 ct total weight, was told by a jeweller to not go below H and I don''t mind inclusions. I understand that the cut is the most important.

So how do I go about this? I live in London but travel often to NYC and the Middle East (Dubai). I don''t think I want to buy stones online - prefer to see them. I also have a good jeweller who would set them for me so it''s really the stones that I am after. Do you recommend the diamond district in NYC? The prices in Dubai are slightly cheaper than Blue Nile (my friend checked for me). Does anyone recommend any jewellers there?

My question is how do I pick the best quality stones? Do I just ask for the certificate and keep checking them on the HCA?

If I get H colour, SI2 but with a very good cut would that be good?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[stone-cold11]

Get an idealscope and go shopping with it? http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_order.asp

 

[beesok]

thanks but this seems a bit complicated
do you think that checking the parameters on the HCA is not enough?

sorry if I sound stupid, I am a total beginner when it comes to diamonds and I would like to invest in a nice pair of stud that will last for a while but somehow don''t see myself walking around with that tool kit

Also, I might as my husband etc to buy them for me on a business trip so would rather have some kind of reference system incase I don''t get to see the stone personally

 

[stone-cold11]

HCA is a rejection tool based only on 4 parameters, minor facets are not included, 3 of which are average numbers of 8 different measurement each and rounded in significant steps by GIA (assuming you are looking at GIA as they are more common, AGS is more accurate but rarer, other labs avoid as they are usually not grade they are represented), so the results can be bad if everything goes just the wrong way, you get a leaky stone or you reject a good stone.

depends on how good you are at looking at diamonds and how safe you want to be.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

If you want amazing uncomplicated studs, I would just get ACA studs from Whiteflash or H&A studs from Brian Gavin Diamonds. I know you are reluctant to buy on line, but those two vendors are consistantly amazing, their prices are competative, and their customer service is top notch. You can view all images of the stones and get all the necessary data to make an informed decision. That would be my strong preference.

Can''t wait to see what you get!

 

[beesok]

OOOKKKKK I am bad at looking at diamonds don''t really look at them much he he he I love my engagement ring and my husband bought it for me as a surprise so I didn''t really choose it but he knew what shape etc I wanted and it''s amazing.

With studs it''s different - there is less "pressure" and I decided that we should buy them together

Am not in a rush, like I said I want to get really nice ones - prefer to have one pair but the perfect one so really want to do all my research.

So basically you are saying that the HCA is not accurate if done based only on the parameters of a GIA certificate?
Great - so do I have to walk around with the Idealscope tool kit?

 

[beesok]

I guess I could try - I mean I shop online all the time but this is going to be an expensive purchase an dI just don''t want any mistakes...

The problem is I live in the UK so shipping them from US is going to be complicated (taxes etc) and I am in NY every couple of months for a week or so so I don''t know how feasible this will be

I really really really want the studs! But I am going to be patient to get the right ones

 

[stone-cold11]

It is not really that big... You can probably stuff them all in your handbag.

Or you can go with a few PS vendors, that are based in NYC, that provide Idealscope image. Select the stones in advance, ask them for the idealscope image, finalize a few candidates then go NYC for actual viewing?

The PS vendors are, GoodOldGold (Long Island, just outside NYC, near JFK airport), JamesAllen, IDJewelry, EngagementRingDirect and ExcelDiamond in NYC. All requires appointment before visiting their office.

 

[beesok]

Thanks that is actually very helpful. I will contact them and ask for pics to be sent to me - when I get these can I post them here to get input form the Pros?

I guess I need to add this to my to-do list for my NYC visit in June!

 

[stone-cold11]

Yap. Good hunting.

 

[Bliss]

Ooooh, did someone say STUDS!?

I just got a killer pair from ID Jewelry in NYC. Most of the legwork was done online - Yekutiel e-mails you photos of the diamonds, the GIA/AGS info and Idealscope images. I happened to be in NYC so I picked them up, but if you want killer cut, I don't think you could go wrong with a PS vendor! Yekutiel's parents are diamond cutters, so the man knows cut! If you say you're a PSer, he'll go above and beyond for you!

 

[Maisie]

Try Dr Indira Marchant in London. She is wonderful to deal with. Her website is www.bestdiamonds.co.uk. She can get Infinity diamonds and she charges the same for them as the US vendors do.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Yes, take the idealscope took kit with you in your purse/handbag. The whole set up is very compact and will fit.

Buying from a PS vendor makes things so much easier.

Like Bella said (and if you cannot find any diamonds while in NY), going with WF''s ACAs makes the decision re: which diamonds are cut best a breeze because all the photos/images are right up on the website.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Bliss''s studs from ID are AMAZING!!! Maybe stop in there when you are in NYC and see waht they can do for you. She said if you mention pricescope you get really, really awesome diamonds

 

[Bosie]

If you are going to be in NYC, and want the diamond district, and want to shop with confidence, then google the following and ask for Megan:

www.secureideals.com

Best of luck