To Splurge Or Not Splurge on Earrings. Please help.

[AY]

Hi, so I just visited my jeweler in the diamond district to purchase earrings for my wife as a push present - she's due next month. My budget is about $5K. The jeweler had some pretty nice pre-set options. All were non-GIA certified, but I trust my jeweler and he had alternate certifications to accompany them. In any event, I viewed two options.

One was a 1.42ct, E color, SI2 clarity, and everything triple E.

The other was 1.96ct, E-F color, SI1 clarity, and everything triple E.

On the first, I was quoted $3,300. On the second, I was quoted $6,750. Maybe I could negotiated $6,500 on the second.

At any rate, both look beautiful, have great flash and sparkle, and I think my wife would be happy with either, although she might be blown away at the larger set.

Should I take the prudent route and go for the 1.42ct, or the splurge route and do the 1.96ct? I can afford both, but if she's happy with the smaller, and I can always trade up, what do you think? Are the specs desirable on both? Thanks much.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

I would not buy diamonds that size and that value without GIA or AGS certs. We have many stories that start with "I trust my jeweler". These are not .50 cttw studs.

 

[proto]

Not certified
"I trust my jeweller"
Splurge
?????
Jeweller profits

Unless you simply enjoy burning money or taking risks for the hell of it, why dont you buy a certified stone (so you have some idea of what you are buying) or let the forum provide some suggestions?

This could all end in tears if you buy an uncertified stone because you "trust your jeweller".

 

[AY]

Jeez, didn't want to get spanked here. I've went to him for our engagement ring, several of my friends and family have bought from him. Assuming you get passed the non-GIA issue, what do you think?

 

[AY]

I think it is AGS btw. I will confirm.

 

[baby monster]

I don't think it's spanking, just buying something that's been certified. You can get GIA certified 1.4ct studs from James Allen for 5k. So why buy a cat in the bag?

 

[RandG]

Jeez, didn't want to get spanked here. I've went to him for our engagement ring, several of my friends and family have bought from him. Assuming you get passed the non-GIA issue, what do you think?

No spanking here! Couple things, if this is a first pair of diamond studs, and speaking from experience, bigger is always better. My first pair was in the same size range you are looking, and I had them later set with a diamond halo, which made them look much bigger (photo below). You can see the halo pair (SI1 clarity) has the appearance of more scale than the 2.25 (VS clarity). I would set a budget and get the best stones you can for that budget.

I have bought stones without a cert, on instinct alone, and this is sometimes common when buying antique stones, particularly less than 1 carat. But I would suggest, given you want some independent validation, and may want to trade up in the future, to only look at GIA certified stones. That said, I did not get a cert on my first pair of studs .

 

[Dancing Fire]

I think it is AGS btw. I will confirm.

There's no chance that they are AGS graded stone for those prices.. 1.96ctw, E-F color, SI1 clarity for $6750?..
One stone alone will cost about $6500.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2962072.htm

 

[proto]

Apologies, didnt mean to spank anyone, (unless they happened to be under a table )

If they are actually AGS, then you can consider this. Or even EGL USA (maybe). However as DF mentioned, I would suspect shenanigans if these are AGS for that price/size. Or your jeweller has a massive crush on you.

What you absolutely cannot take is an in-house certificate or ceritificate from a "competitor" jeweller (which just so happens to be owned by the same beneficial owner of both shops - this happens frequently in Hatton garden), or EGL-Europe, EGL Israel, IGI or HRD (well these last 2 arent completely useless certificates, but they are going to be less strict than GIA/AGS)

 

[AY]

I botched that -- it is AGI, just an appraiser that I've worked with before. I think I've at least learned from the comments that I should go smaller if it's uncertified!

 

[proto]

the prices and specs just dont really add up to me. its too cheap.

When we say go smaller on uncertified, its not because its a better idea, its because if you are going to gamble, its better to gamle for less money.

well, thats how I understood the comment anyway.

 

[Dancing Fire]

I botched that -- it is AGI, just an appraiser that I've worked with before. I think I've at least learned from the comments that I should go smaller if it's uncertified!

What size do you have in mind?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

They likely are I 1 clarity and lower in color at that price. Cut quality is important to know, too. Unfortunately, people almost always overpay in a situation where the diamonds are not reliably graded. If you were buying .25 each studs, I don't think grading is absolutely necessary. But in stones a half carat and larger, you need GIA grading to know what you're getting. There is zero reason for larger diamonds that size not to be graded other than for the jeweler to make a greater profit selling to people who will just trust him. Tell him you'll pay for the GIA reports if the stones come back as he has represented them and see what he says.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

They likely are I 1 clarity and lower in color at that price. Cut quality is important to know, too. Unfortunately, people almost always overpay in a situation where the diamonds are not reliably graded. If you were buying .25 each studs, I don't think grading is absolutely necessary. But in stones a half carat and larger, you need GIA grading to know what you're getting. There is zero reason for larger diamonds that size not to be graded other than for the jeweler to make a greater profit selling to people who will just trust him. Tell him you'll pay for the GIA reports if the stones come back as he has represented them and see what he says.

That's a great idea. I also suggested it may be acceptable to buy smaller ungraded studs as I have done from very trusted widely reviewed vendors like Brian Gavin and Whiteflash. They both have uncerted pre-set earrings. At that size the $100 plus to cert the stones may not be worth it. At over 1cttw the value becomes much higher and it is absolutely worth it and necessary to gauge fair value for what you are paying vs what you are getting.

 

[AY]

Thanks for all the feedback. Now that I had more time, I did some research on the site and see that the jeweler is a PS-friendly seller -- Yekutiel at ID Jewelry -- and that many buyers were in the same situation and ended up happy. That being said, it looks like the specs are desirable for earring studs (particularly the 1.42ct), but was curious if anyone had any other thoughts. I can tell a lot of great stories how Yekutiel helped me with my engagement purchase! Love IDJ.

 

[baby monster]

IDJ is a great vendor. I bought my studs from them and Yekutiel can absolutely be trusted but I still wouldn't spend 5k on uncerted diamonds. They have access to great certed stones and will find you the best option. your choice though.

 

[partgypsy]

I'm confused, are those carats total weights (tcw) or per stone?

I also ditto getting stones with reports, and should have no problem finding good stones with reports in those sizes. Reports are good not just for valuation and resale, but also for getting two stones that match well.

 

[SB621]

IDJ is a great vendor. I bought my studs from them and Yekutiel can absolutely be trusted but I still wouldn't spend 5k on uncerted diamonds. They have access to great certed stones and will find you the best option. your choice though.

+1- it is called trust but verify. It is your money so spend wisely. Have them get GIA graded. I doubt they will come back with similar specs. Definitely I1's. I'm willing to bet my entire collection on it.

 

[AY]

So the question is whether it is worth an extra $2.5K or so to get GIA certified, because that's what I'm seeing for the 1.42ct set online.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Ahhh, well that is good that it is Yekutiel. Tell him the people at PS told you he needs to find you some GIA graded stones. My previous advice still stands...you get what you pay for, or less. So tell him you want well cut stones, GIA graded.

I once was trusting and bought a 1.5 ctw pair ungraded pre-PS. They were represented as H SI (I had asked for no lower than SI1). Much later on I took them to two other jewelers for an appraisal, and both said they were I1. Now I know that the price is a very good indicator of the quality of the stones.

 

[baby monster]

Do you have to have E color? I personally think it's an overkill for studs but others are more color sensitive. I'm looking on IDJ's site and if you drop to H/SI1-2, 5k will get you to around 1.4ctw.

 

[AY]

I guess it doesn't have to be E color. My understanding is color can be sacrificed a bit, so maybe I would do G-H, SI1, with similar remaining specs. Would hope to still be w/in budget. I asked IDJ to pull some certified stones so I can cure any agida I may have.

 

[LLJsmom]

I considered getting non-certified stones too, but am so glad I didn't. I think it was DS who told me she doesn't compromise on classic pieces. I'm glad I listened to her. I am totally at peace with my purchase. No regrets. And in the end, paying that much, I want to know exactly what I was getting for my money. Good luck!!

 

[heididdl]

Hi, so I just visited my jeweler in the diamond district to purchase earrings for my wife as a push present - she's due next month. My budget is about $5K. The jeweler had some pretty nice pre-set options. All were non-GIA certified, but I trust my jeweler and he had alternate certifications to accompany them. In any event, I viewed two options.

One was a 1.42ct, E color, SI2 clarity, and everything triple E.

The other was 1.96ct, E-F color, SI1 clarity, and everything triple E.

On the first, I was quoted $3,300. On the second, I was quoted $6,750. Maybe I could negotiated $6,500 on the second.

At any rate, both look beautiful, have great flash and sparkle, and I think my wife would be happy with either, although she might be blown away at the larger set.

Should I take the prudent route and go for the 1.42ct, or the splurge route and do the 1.96ct? I can afford both, but if she's happy with the smaller, and I can always trade up, what do you think? Are the specs desirable on both? Thanks much.

Yeah I trusted my jeweler from the Diamond district and not only was the color clarity and cut incorrect but when i traded them in for my upgrade the weight was slightly off when put on the scale. Believe me we have been going to this diamond guy who owns a building on 47th street for generations and boy was I surprised that my G color Si1 quality stones were so far from that.......Paid a pretty penny and ended up getting small trade in value. Mine were 2.05 total weight......So get GIA/AGS certified stones even if you have to go smaller they are worth every penny. When I asked for certified stones he balked at me so much more money yeah. Do yourself a favor go to IDJ on 47th street if that's where you are and get them there or whiteflash a cut above on line

Ooops just read the entire feed and I see that your guy is IDJ I would still get certified stones but you are in good hands

 

[AY]

So, after all that and the helpful input from you all, I landed on GIA-certified 1.6cts, G, SI2, triple E, faint flourescence at $6K. A bit over budget, but they are stunning and I feel better with the cert. I think wifey will be very satisfied. Thanks for taking the time with a newbie.

Can I ask a separate question? My wife's ring is GIA, but doesn't have the lazer inscription. Is that common, or problematic. I've had it separately appraised and know it is legit. It's also from IDJ.

 

[proto]

no laser is common.

Not a problem as long as your diamond has sufficient characteristics to make it easily identifiable, such as an inclusion on the diagram etc.

 

[baby monster]

So, after all that and the helpful input from you all, I landed on GIA-certified 1.6cts, G, SI2, triple E, faint flourescence at $6K. A bit over budget, but they are stunning and I feel better with the cert. I think wifey will be very satisfied. Thanks for taking the time with a newbie.

Can I ask a separate question? My wife's ring is GIA, but doesn't have the lazer inscription. Is that common, or problematic. I've had it separately appraised and know it is legit. It's also from IDJ.

I'm sure she'll love getting a sparkly push present. As far as inscription, not all GIA stones are inscribed but many new ones are. One of my studs is inscribed but not the other.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

So, after all that and the helpful input from you all, I landed on GIA-certified 1.6cts, G, SI2, triple E, faint flourescence at $6K. A bit over budget, but they are stunning and I feel better with the cert. I think wifey will be very satisfied. Thanks for taking the time with a newbie.

Can I ask a separate question? My wife's ring is GIA, but doesn't have the lazer inscription. Is that common, or problematic. I've had it separately appraised and know it is legit. It's also from IDJ.

Common to not have a laser inscription. It is not necessary, in my opinion.

Congrats on getting the diamond studs! Glad you were able to get GIA graded stones! I am sure she will be thrilled!