Turn around time for diamond earrings

[kev-man]

I''m soon going to be in the market for a pair of diamond stud earrings as a first anniversary present for my wife. I''m thinking about going the internet route for this (probably one of the recommended vendors around here).

I''m going to want them delivered to me by end of may/early june.

When should I start the process of looking for a set, and when will I want to have a decision made to make sure that I can go through all the proper steps and still have them ready by around June 1?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/5/2008 12:51:11 AM
Author:kev-man
I''m soon going to be in the market for a pair of diamond stud earrings as a first anniversary present for my wife. I''m thinking about going the internet route for this (probably one of the recommended vendors around here).

I''m going to want them delivered to me by end of may/early june.

When should I start the process of looking for a set, and when will I want to have a decision made to make sure that I can go through all the proper steps and still have them ready by around June 1?

Thanks for the help.

Actually depending on what you want, there is no time like the present to set the wheels in motion, but personally I would wait no later than the middle of April to start looking.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/5/2008 5:08:28 AM
Author: Lorelei

Actually depending on what you want, there is no time like the present to set the wheels in motion, but personally I would wait no later than the middle of April to start looking.

Ditto. Trying to find studs is harder than a stone for a ring, because they have to match fairly well. Also, depending on what size you're looking at, they could get bought up quickly once listed. So I would speak to the vendor of your choice, tell them what you want, and let them start looking. When they find them, go ahead and get them, and just put them away until time. That way you don't have to worry about it.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 3/5/2008 8:09:17 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 3/5/2008 5:08:28 AM
Author: Lorelei

Actually depending on what you want, there is no time like the present to set the wheels in motion, but personally I would wait no later than the middle of April to start looking.

Ditto. Trying to find studs is harder than a stone for a ring, because they have to match fairly well. Also, depending on what size you''re looking at, they could get bought up quickly once listed. So I would speak to the vendor of your choice, tell them what you want, and let them start looking. When they find them, go ahead and get them, and just put them away until time. That way you don''t have to worry about it.

Ditto, and when you decide let them know about your deadline so they can try and be accommodate you. How exciting!!

 

[Yekutiel]

Hi Kev-Man,
My advice would be to take your time but hurry up. It depends on what size and quality you’re looking for. For example diamond studs up to 1.50ctw shouldn’t be a problem and can be easily find a nice a pair for a nice price. However, I have found in my experience that sizes above 1.50ctw are pretty difficult to get in the quality and for a great price. It’s always helpful just to shop around and see what you can get in the market even today if you are not ready to purchase.

 

[marcy]

Ditto - the sooner the better. Especially if you are going to take the time to find the perfect pair.

 

[sugarplum]

i agree with what everyone has said. the sooner the better. finding the perfect pair takes longer than you''d think.

 

[Allison D.]

I''d agree that earlier is better. While it likely wouldn''t take very long to set the stones and get them out to you, what will take a bit more time is finding stones that are a decent match.

How long you can wait really depends on what size you''re looking for. If you''re looking in the .30-.40 each range, those are a bit easier to come by than looking for .75 each or 1.3 each.

 

[onvacation]

We were quoted a month for a custom setting, and that was with the stones ready. I say you''d better start a-lookin! Good luck!

 

[kev-man]

I'm going to start browsing some of the common sites. When I'm looking at Whiteflash for example, can I search for loose diamonds and try to match them based on same size, color, cut and similar depths and tables? What else should I look for when trying to match stones for studs?

I'm imagining that the total CW will be between 1-1.5 C. This will have to match my wife's 2.45CT E color ring. I imagine getting her some quality stones now and then upgrading the size some years down the road.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 3/6/2008 12:07:55 AM
Author: kev-man
I''m going to start browsing some of the common sites. When I''m looking at Whiteflash for example, can I search for loose diamonds and try to match them based on same color, cut and similar depths and tables? What else should I look for when trying to match stones for studs?

I''m imagining that the total CW will be between 1-1.5 C. This will have to match my wife''s 2.45CT E color ring. I imagine getting her some quality stones now and then upgrading the size some years down the road.

Thanks for the help.

Hi Kev-Man -- From what I understand, I believe that if you let WF know what you are looking for, they should be able to make a good "match" for you and basically just show you what they''ve come up with etc. They should match on pretty much all the specs you listed. I know, from seeing other projects that PS''ers have done via WF that they have done a really great job matching stones for others.

Good luck with your project! I''m sure your wife will love the finished product especially given that it is coming from such a thoughtful and loving hubby!

 

[kev-man]

What are people''s opinions about top quality/brand names (such as A Cut Above) for studs vs. going a level down (still good quality though) and getting better size or specs?

I''m imagining spending between $6-8k for this purchase so I''d love to hear from some women what they would be looking for in their first pair of diamond studs.

Thanks.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/6/2008 12:17:41 AM
Author: kev-man
What are people's opinions about top quality/brand names (such as A Cut Above) for studs vs. going a level down (still good quality though) and getting better size or specs?

I'm imagining spending between $6-8k for this purchase so I'd love to hear from some women what they would be looking for in their first pair of diamond studs.

Thanks.

That would be fine, like in WF's ES section. And yes, you can search for your own if you want, that's how I got mine.

I just lost a huge post, and don't have time to type it again. Sorry I couldn't elaborate!

Here's a great pair I found, to give you an idea.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=684406,636714

 

[jaz464]

My husband gave me ACA studs for this last Christmas. I had given him a list of specs I wanted if he ever decided to surprise me so he simply gave those to WF and they matched up two perfect diamonds. I believe matching up diamonds is best left to the experts and they will find you a perfect pair. As I said, mine are ACAs and they are sooo sparkly. Personally, I wouldn''t consider anything less than ES at WF.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/6/2008 8:13:41 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 3/6/2008 12:17:41 AM
Author: kev-man
What are people's opinions about top quality/brand names (such as A Cut Above) for studs vs. going a level down (still good quality though) and getting better size or specs?

I'm imagining spending between $6-8k for this purchase so I'd love to hear from some women what they would be looking for in their first pair of diamond studs.

Thanks.

That would be fine, like in WF's ES section. And yes, you can search for your own if you want, that's how I got mine.

I just lost a huge post, and don't have time to type it again. Sorry I couldn't elaborate!

Here's a great pair I found, to give you an idea.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=684406,636714

Ok, hopefully I have time to explain now.

First, while I said ES were fine, and they are, there were no matches. That's a problem you can run into, and I did in searching for you. I searched G-I, VS2-SI2. I didn't try for J's, because I don't know how color sensitive she might or might not be, but if you think that's ok, you can try again with those included.

Also, you can go up or down a color and be fine, as in a G & H, or H & I. It won't be noticable, I have a G & H and can't tell which is which. Clarity, as long as it's eyeclean, and not affecting the performance, will be fine. But as you can see in the pair I found, you can't always get the same color/clarty.

Table size and diamter are things to pay attention to. You want them fairy close. Two stones of the same weight can be different diameters, so watch for that.


I also found these, the only two that came up, they just happened to match. But these are a bit more than you wanted to spend. Wasn't much inbetween.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=684399,684397


As for size, I have a pair of .58 each ACA's, and they really stand out well. I'm not a big size gal, so they're fine for me. Personally, unless you know your wife is into size, I'd recommend the .75's. That's a really nice size, and if she wanted to, she can always upgrade.


HTH!

 

[kev-man]

I don''t think I want to go lower than g/h color. Even i is too low for me. I''d rather go smaller and get better color and higher quality stone (I don''t care as much about clarity as long as it is eye clean), but I want the babies to sparkle and look clear.

That is what my wife always gets compliments on about her ring is how much it sparkles. Even though color doesn''t cause it to sparkle more, the E color definitely helps the overall appearance of the ring.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/6/2008 7:38:59 PM
Author: kev-man
I don''t think I want to go lower than g/h color. Even i is too low for me. I''d rather go smaller and get better color and higher quality stone (I don''t care as much about clarity as long as it is eye clean), but I want the babies to sparkle and look clear.

That is what my wife always gets compliments on about her ring is how much it sparkles. Even though color doesn''t cause it to sparkle more, the E color definitely helps the overall appearance of the ring.

Exactly.

But you do what you feel comfortable with. That first pair I linked fits your bill.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I went with WF ACA''s. It took me about 4 months to find a pair of H VS2''s at .75 each. You''ll be in the .75-.90 range with your budget. I probably wouldn''t go too low in color since she has an E color e-ring. And I wouldn''t go smaller than .75 each since she has such a large diamond ring. So definitely start looking now! I''d contact a WF salesperson and tell them your budget and preferences so they can be watching the new stones as they come in.