want to buy for me!

[AllThatSparkles]

Hi all
I want to treat myself

to a pair of diamond studs. Now I am a college student, so I do not want to break the bank here. What size/color/clarity should I be looking for. Also, I have a platinum promise ring and I really like the metal...is it worth it to get platinum in the studs or should I go with white gold?
Hope everyone had a great weekend

 

[icelady]

Hi AllThatSparkles,

I have been researching studs also. I think that platinum may be overkill on earrings, white gold will save a little bit of money to put toward your diamonds.

There have been other threads recently regarding size of diamonds as it relates to age and personal style.

IMO if you are looking to wear them often, anywhere from around a half carat total weight to 3/4 ct total would be beautiful. With a really great cut, you can go with a lower color grade (H,I etc) and get really great white sparkly diamonds!

Good luck! AND post pics!

 

[Giangi]

I would suggest getting HIJK and I 1 clarity. Earrings are not scrutinized very closely, so, especially if you are a student, there's no need to get VS or so quality.

 

[eyesoftexas]

Having just done some of this research I would focus on SI1 or SI2 and I/J and maybe K in color. Depending on where you buy going for I in clarity is risky. Large inclusions will effect the brilliance and likely will not be a sparkly diamond. I evaluated several retail outlets at the mall and even some of their SI2 were pretty bad looking visually. I purchased the diamond ear rings online from one the main advertisers on this sight (Whiteflash - I have no connection with them) and I got a great price, very high quality and they sparkle like crazy.

And if you are really smart you would get whomever gave you that promise ring to buy you some nice matching studs!!!!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

----------------
On 3/14/2004 12:19:41 PM AllThatSparkles wrote:

Hi all
I want to treat myself

to a pair of diamond studs. Now I am a college student, so I do not want to break the bank here. What size/color/clarity should I be looking for. Also, I have a platinum promise ring and I really like the metal...is it worth it to get platinum in the studs or should I go with white gold?
Hope everyone had a great weekend----------------

My earrings are H SI1 and are gorgeous. . .If I was to purchase again I'd probably get H or I SI1s, the BEST cut I could find in the largest size my budget could support. Regarding metal, since cost is an issue, go for white gold. For stud earrings, having platinum isn't that big of a deal since the focus is the diamonds not the setting.

Michelle

 

[phoenixgirl]

White Flash has a bunch of ACA H&A stones in smaller carat weights. For instance, you could get 0.43ctw I SI1 ACA studs for $716 plus the cost of the settings.

 

[phoenixgirl]

Another idea:

0.817ctw J SI1 H&A stones for $1400

Also, Mondera and Blue Nile have pretty good selections of "H-I" "SI" clarity studs. I like Mondera's site better because when I got my studs there, it specified that they were SI1 (I think now it just says SI) and that the total carat weight would be within 0.02 instead of 0.04 of the purported carat weight).

However, if that's not the kind of budget you're looking at:

Right now on Blue Nile you can get the following studs plus settings in white (3 prong) or yellow gold (4 prong):
1/4 carat (at least 0.21) I+ SI2+ for $215
1/3 carat (at least 0.29) " " $275
1/2 carat (at least 0.46) " " $600
3/4 carat (at least 0.70) " " $1100

Mondera doesn't have white gold options so these are in platinum 4 prong settings (carat weights can range + or - 0.02):
1/5 G-H VS $285 H-I SI $255
1/4 G-H VS $310 H-I SI $280
1/3 G-H VS $410 H-I SI $375
1/2 G-H VS $850 H-I SI $725
3/4 G-h VS $1450 H-I SI $1200

 

[Buena Girl]

Wow, diamond earrings, very nice!!!

Especially if you go with white gold, colors G, H, or I would be beautiful.

The size would probably depend on how much $$ "break the bank" is. Diamond stud earrings with 0.5 tcw that I have seen can be as much $$ as spring break trips or even promise rings. Maybe check out some smaller ones, too, to compare size and how much you want to pay.

You should post a pic of your ring with the matching studs when you get them

 

[sumi]

Just be aware of the alloy they use if you go for white gold. I have a hard time wearing white gold earrings, I always end up with infected ears. My skin reacts negatively to white gold. For my own personal earrings, I make sure they are either 18k yellow gold or platinum. Stay away from white gold with nickel if this is a problem for you. If you have sensitive skin, you have to be especially careful of the metal used in earrings.


I thought someone mentioned a type of white gold that doesn't react negatively to skin, anyone remember?

 

[Daniela]

Sumi,

That was white gold alloyed with palladium. It's supposed to be whiter than its nickle-alloyed counterpart, too, from what I've heard.


Daniela

 

[MichelleCarmen]

----------------

Also, Mondera and Blue Nile have pretty good selections of 'H-I' 'SI' clarity studs. I like Mondera's site better because when I got my studs there, it specified that they were SI1 (I think now it just says SI) and that the total carat weight would be within 0.02 instead of 0.04 of the purported carat weight).

However, if that's not the kind of budget you're looking at:

Right now on Blue Nile you can get the following studs plus settings in white (3 prong) or yellow gold (4 prong):
1/4 carat (at least 0.21) I+ SI2+ for $215
1/3 carat (at least 0.29) ' ' $275
1/2 carat (at least 0.46) ' ' $600
3/4 carat (at least 0.70) ' ' $1100

Mondera doesn't have white gold options so these are in platinum 4 prong settings (carat weights can range + or - 0.02):
1/5 G-H VS $285 H-I SI $255
1/4 G-H VS $310 H-I SI $280
1/3 G-H VS $410 H-I SI $375
1/2 G-H VS $850 H-I SI $725
3/4 G-h VS $1450 H-I SI $1200----------------

Are these build your own or already put together? I'd recommend finding loose matching stones that you know all the specs on including crown/pavilion angles and all that so you're guaranteed to get a great set of earrings. Because of their location and hair covering them, makeup, lotion, conditioner, etc., all coming in contact, earrings can get smudged pretty easily and the better the cut, the less you have to worry about them maintaining their sparkle. Personally, I'd settle for no less than h&a or near h&a especially if you're going to wear these earrings for years to come. Get the best even if you have to get J or K color to afford the good cut.

Michelle

 

[Mara]

Yes I would never buy a pre-made set of earrings again. It costs the same or less to make your own if you are savvy online.

I agree with white gold instead of platinum. The price difference can be large depending on who you work with and on your ears all you see is the diamond anyway so the platinum wouldn't even get any compliments with those babies sparkling.

I would definitely do something like I SI2 and a very well-cut stone, you can maximize size and cut then and all people see are the sparkle!

 

[AllThatSparkles]

yeah! Thanks for the responses guys. I never thought about buying them individually then getting them mounted. I have seen other threads around here talking about leverbacks and also martini settings....so much to consider!!! ohhh this is going to be fun picking something out

...someone should start a thread of pictures of the best jewelry pieces everyone has bought for themselves!

 

[pqcollectibles]

As you shop, pay close attention to the diameter measurements. Choose 2 diamonds with diameters that match closely. If you go with super well cut diamonds, you can easily go I and even J in color. SI is fine as earrings don't receive the same close scrutiny of a ring.

If you have a size or price range in mind, we'd be more than glad to help you with your search.

 

[AllThatSparkles]

I tried Whiteflash and Moderna and BlueNile. I am having trouble finding princess stones in white gold, they are all in platinum in that shape...also I like bezel set studs...but I like princess shapes!

argh! Thanks for the help guys. This is fun!

 

[Buena Girl]

If you are leaning towards princess cut diamonds, your best bet may be to see what GoodOldGold has in small loose stones. From what people say, they have some of the best cut princess stones.

good luck!

 

[Mara]

and check out superbcert, they have branded princess cut stones, they may have small sizes in something like I/J SI2.

 

[ClownFishFunk]

Ooh diamond earrings! What fun to treat yourself! Definitely buy the stone separately and have them mounted in your tastes. Preset diamonds are often hard to find the full specs on. Can't wait to see the results!

 

[AllThatSparkles]

After researching and hearing what you all have to say about buying diamond studs I have decided to wait on the purchase. The stones that I want just seem to be a bit out of my price range. I would rather wait a year and buy my dream earrings rather than settling for something less to accomodate my budget. I guess I better bust out the piggy bank and start collecting my pocket change!

But I would like to thank all of you who helped me out in my quest! I will no doubt ask again when the time comes to buy!!!

 

[AllThatSparkles]

On second thought...I'm curious if it would look good if I went with white sapphire??