What cut for stud earrings?

[less_confused]

The advice I am getting is to be more tolerant on cut & clarity for stud earrings: H/I color and SI1 clarity.

What about cut?
I am looking for 1.5ct ttw ~2ct ttw stud earrings. Worn infrequently, and probably day and night.

Is the H&A something noticeable? Should I go for Ideal cut?

Appreciate your thoughts....

 

[Gypsy]

I think it depends on your priorities and you didn't mention them

.

What's the most important to you? Size, cut, budget? What's mindclean for you? Do YOU need a superideal cut?

Also are you looking for an upgrade policy (doesn't sound like it) or anything like that?

It's really a personal thing. 99% of people out there wouldn't be able to tell a near hearts and arrow with Ideal light performance from a 'perfect' superideal.

I personally went for superideals in the studs I just ordered. I've seen them in person and just WANT them. So my Cut and size were most important to me. So I dropped on everything else. But I know MANY PSers on here would NOT have made that same call. And it's not a call I would have made for someone else. As they are my earrings, I could chose what was important to me and what wasn't.

So... tell us more about what you want?

 

[stone-cold11]

Go for shallower pavilion combination to max the size of the stone. Even look at VG cut stone is possible. Weed out using the cut adviser.

What is the budget?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/24/2009 12:28:04 PM
Author:less_confused
The advice I am getting is to be more tolerant on cut & clarity for stud earrings: H/I color and SI1 clarity.

What about cut?
I am looking for 1.5ct ttw ~2ct ttw stud earrings. Worn infrequently, and probably day and night.

Is the H&A something noticeable? Should I go for Ideal cut?

Appreciate your thoughts....

It is up to you, many types of diamonds can make great earrings from shallower combos to h&a etc, up to you what you prefer. DEFINITELY get a great cut to bring out the sparkle. You can look at H/I colour and SI1 or SI2 clarity, even some I1 if reliably graded and verified eyeclean to eyecleanish can make super earrings, Wink has some I1 Infinity sometimes which can make great earrings if you are open to I1.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/24/2009 12:35:56 PM
Author: Gypsy
I think it depends on your priorities and you didn't mention them

.

What's the most important to you? Size, cut, budget? What's mindclean for you? Do YOU need a superideal cut?

Also are you looking for an upgrade policy (doesn't sound like it) or anything like that?

It's really a personal thing. 99% of people out there wouldn't be able to tell a near hearts and arrow with Ideal light performance from a 'perfect' superideal.

I personally went for superideals in the studs I just ordered. I've seen them in person and just WANT them. So my Cut and size were most important to me. So I dropped on everything else. But I know MANY PSers on here would NOT have made that same call. And it's not a call I would have made for someone else. As they are my earrings, I could chose what was important to me and what wasn't.

So... tell us more about what you want?

Good post!

Did you get some sleep Gyps?

 

[joelly]

Date: 7/24/2009 12:35:56 PM
Author: Gypsy
I think it depends on your priorities and you didn''t mention them

.

What''s the most important to you? Size, cut, budget? What''s mindclean for you? Do YOU need a superideal cut?

Also are you looking for an upgrade policy (doesn''t sound like it) or anything like that?

It''s really a personal thing. 99% of people out there wouldn''t be able to tell a near hearts and arrow with Ideal light performance from a ''perfect'' superideal.

I personally went for superideals in the studs I just ordered. I''ve seen them in person and just WANT them. So my Cut and size were most important to me. So I dropped on everything else. But I know MANY PSers on here would NOT have made that same call. And it''s not a call I would have made for someone else. As they are my earrings, I could chose what was important to me and what wasn''t.

So... tell us more about what you want?

Hi Gypsy, do you mind sharing where you get the superideals studs from? I am interested in purchasing one for my mom. I''m thinking next yr or so for her birthday.

BTW, I

your avatar.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 7/24/2009 12:38:35 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 7/24/2009 12:35:56 PM
Author: Gypsy
I think it depends on your priorities and you didn't mention them

.

What's the most important to you? Size, cut, budget? What's mindclean for you? Do YOU need a superideal cut?

Also are you looking for an upgrade policy (doesn't sound like it) or anything like that?

It's really a personal thing. 99% of people out there wouldn't be able to tell a near hearts and arrow with Ideal light performance from a 'perfect' superideal.

I personally went for superideals in the studs I just ordered. I've seen them in person and just WANT them. So my Cut and size were most important to me. So I dropped on everything else. But I know MANY PSers on here would NOT have made that same call. And it's not a call I would have made for someone else. As they are my earrings, I could chose what was important to me and what wasn't.

So... tell us more about what you want?

Good post!

Did you get some sleep Gyps?

Thritto, awesome post! I am with Gypsy and Lor that I don't mind SI's or I's in studs because people are only going to see the sparkle in your ear.

 

[Moh 10]

Date: 7/24/2009 12:28:04 PM
Author:less_confused
The advice I am getting is to be more tolerant on cut & clarity for stud earrings: H/I color and SI1 clarity.
.

I just thought I''d add that you should see lots of diamonds in person and make up your own mind on clarity and color.

Unfortunately is common for people to force their preferences onto others.
If you buy what someone else prefers you may regret it later after you learn more and develop your own preferences.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 7/24/2009 12:42:30 PM
Author: Moh 10

Date: 7/24/2009 12:28:04 PM
Author:less_confused
The advice I am getting is to be more tolerant on cut & clarity for stud earrings: H/I color and SI1 clarity.
.

I just thought I'd add that you should see lots of diamonds in person and make up your own mind on clarity and color.

Unfortunately is common for people to force their preferences onto others.
If you buy what someone else prefers you may regret it later after you learn more and develop your own preferences.

I think the people of PS give good advice and in good faith based on their experiences.

I do think it is a good idea to go out to a store to see what your own personal tolerance is, but on average I think most people can't tell a VS1 vs eye clean SI1, etc and same goes from some colors. I had fun the other day and took a friend to see stones to see if she could tell the difference between a J and G; she couldn't. I think that is awesome because that means some savings
for her!

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 7/24/2009 12:38:35 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 7/24/2009 12:35:56 PM
Author: Gypsy
I think it depends on your priorities and you didn''t mention them

.

What''s the most important to you? Size, cut, budget? What''s mindclean for you? Do YOU need a superideal cut?

Also are you looking for an upgrade policy (doesn''t sound like it) or anything like that?

It''s really a personal thing. 99% of people out there wouldn''t be able to tell a near hearts and arrow with Ideal light performance from a ''perfect'' superideal.

I personally went for superideals in the studs I just ordered. I''ve seen them in person and just WANT them. So my Cut and size were most important to me. So I dropped on everything else. But I know MANY PSers on here would NOT have made that same call. And it''s not a call I would have made for someone else. As they are my earrings, I could chose what was important to me and what wasn''t.

So... tell us more about what you want?

Good post!

Did you get some sleep Gyps?

3 hours honey. Better than nothing.

Thanks so much for asking.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/24/2009 12:42:30 PM
Author: Moh 10

Date: 7/24/2009 12:28:04 PM
Author:less_confused
The advice I am getting is to be more tolerant on cut & clarity for stud earrings: H/I color and SI1 clarity.
.

I just thought I''d add that you should see lots of diamonds in person and make up your own mind on clarity and color.

Unfortunately is common for people to force their preferences onto others.
If you buy what someone else prefers you may regret it later after you learn more and develop your own preferences.

MoH has a point, if you could view some in person to see what you like best before handing over money, it would be a good idea. You might prefer D VVS for earrings as an example, if so thats perfectly fine! Yes you CAN go for lower colour and clarity certainly but if you can view some in person to make sure of what is beautiful to you then that would be best. Try AGS0 cut grade from Jareds or Hearts on Fire to see some very well cut diamonds in the size you want and various colour and clarity grades as an exercise.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/24/2009 12:47:30 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 7/24/2009 12:38:35 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 7/24/2009 12:35:56 PM
Author: Gypsy
I think it depends on your priorities and you didn''t mention them

.

What''s the most important to you? Size, cut, budget? What''s mindclean for you? Do YOU need a superideal cut?

Also are you looking for an upgrade policy (doesn''t sound like it) or anything like that?

It''s really a personal thing. 99% of people out there wouldn''t be able to tell a near hearts and arrow with Ideal light performance from a ''perfect'' superideal.

I personally went for superideals in the studs I just ordered. I''ve seen them in person and just WANT them. So my Cut and size were most important to me. So I dropped on everything else. But I know MANY PSers on here would NOT have made that same call. And it''s not a call I would have made for someone else. As they are my earrings, I could chose what was important to me and what wasn''t.

So... tell us more about what you want?

Good post!

Did you get some sleep Gyps?

3 hours honey. Better than nothing.

Thanks so much for asking.

Oh goodness....well its something....

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 7/24/2009 12:39:24 PM
Author: joelly

Date: 7/24/2009 12:35:56 PM
Author: Gypsy
I think it depends on your priorities and you didn't mention them

.

What's the most important to you? Size, cut, budget? What's mindclean for you? Do YOU need a superideal cut?

Also are you looking for an upgrade policy (doesn't sound like it) or anything like that?

It's really a personal thing. 99% of people out there wouldn't be able to tell a near hearts and arrow with Ideal light performance from a 'perfect' superideal.

I personally went for superideals in the studs I just ordered. I've seen them in person and just WANT them. So my Cut and size were most important to me. So I dropped on everything else. But I know MANY PSers on here would NOT have made that same call. And it's not a call I would have made for someone else. As they are my earrings, I could chose what was important to me and what wasn't.

So... tell us more about what you want?

Hi Gypsy, do you mind sharing where you get the superideals studs from? I am interested in purchasing one for my mom. I'm thinking next yr or so for her birthday.

BTW, I

your avatar.

Thank you Joelly! I like it too... T-gal photoshopped the shoe onto her. Makes me smile.

There are a lot of vendors who carry superideals, who I would buy from in a heartbeat. I wanted something pretty specific that no one had in stock so I knew any vendor I worked with would have to find my earrings for me: Fully upgradable superideal H&A AGS0, K color WITH flouresence in both earrings, and my only comment on clarity was 'completely eyeclean'... and I wanted handmade bezel settings one stop shopping. AND, I didn't and don't have a timeline. I got qoutes and BGD was the winner for me, but Infinity was a CLOSE second. I've bought form both BGD and Wink before too, so that also played a role in deciding who I asked for qoutes, personally, because they'd already both delievered products that exceeded my expecations and I wanted to reward that

But I wouldn't hestiate to buy from GOG who carried GORGEOUS superideals (see Ellen's ring!), but I didn't ask them for a qoute just because for me, another weird thing I wanted, for this purchase, was to buy from the cutter and since I know Paul and Brian from these boards, I wanted studs cut/examined by them specifically. I'm picky though. And like I said... it's a PERSONAL choice. When you're ready to buy... just post and I KNOW that we'll find you the perfect superideal for you.

What a sweet daughter you are!

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 7/24/2009 12:55:22 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 7/24/2009 12:47:30 PM
Author: Gypsy

3 hours honey. Better than nothing.

Thanks so much for asking.

Oh goodness....well its something....

Best part is I have an important meeting at 1:00 that I have to ON THE BALL for. *laughs hysterically* Gonna start prepping for it now, actually. Take care honey, I''ll talk to you soon.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/24/2009 1:03:10 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 7/24/2009 12:55:22 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 7/24/2009 12:47:30 PM
Author: Gypsy

3 hours honey. Better than nothing.

Thanks so much for asking.

Oh goodness....well its something....

Best part is I have an important meeting at 1:00 that I have to ON THE BALL for. *laughs hysterically* Gonna start prepping for it now, actually. Take care honey, I''ll talk to you soon.

GL with the meeting

 

[less_confused]

Excellent advice.

I want H/I and SI1 earrings - seen them, and they look just fine. I think 1.5 ct ttw is about right.

What I can''t figure out is how to approach cut. (Ideal vs Super ideal)
I''d like to maximize size and sparkle.

Should I sacrifice depth to get a bigger looking diamond? Will that significantly affect the sparkle on earrings?

I am near SF - if someone can suggest a store that is able to show me the cut differences, I would be very grateful!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/24/2009 3:06:51 PM
Author: less_confused
Excellent advice.

I want H/I and SI1 earrings - seen them, and they look just fine. I think 1.5 ct ttw is about right.

What I can't figure out is how to approach cut. (Ideal vs Super ideal)
I'd like to maximize size and sparkle.

Should I sacrifice depth to get a bigger looking diamond? Will that significantly affect the sparkle on earrings?

I am near SF - if someone can suggest a store that is able to show me the cut differences, I would be very grateful!

Ok that sounds fine. Best way to approach it is to use the HollowayCut Advisor , you can select stones which score between 1 and 2 and also some which score below 1 - these are the shallower cut diamonds which can make good earrings and pendants. Also here is a cheat sheet you can use which will get you what we call a Near Tolkowsky cut round diamond.

depth - 60 - 62% - although my personal preference is to allow up to 62.4%
table - 54- 57%
crown angle - 34- 35 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6- 41 degrees
girdle - avoid extremes, look for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium etc
polish and symmetry - very good and above

note - with crown and pavilion angles at the shallower ends ( CA 34- PA 40.6) and steeper ( CA 35- PA 41) check to make sure these angles complement in that particular diamond - eyeballs, Idealscope, trusted vendor input - check as appropriate!

As the above implies, configurations depend on each other. A little give here can still work with a little take there.

From expert John Pollard.

With that said, here's a "Cliff's Notes" for staying near Tolkowsky/ideal angles with GIA reports (their numbers are rounded): A crown angle of 34.0, 34.5 or 35.0 is usually safe with a 40.8 pavilion angle. If pavilion angle = 40.6 lean toward a 34.5-35.0 crown. If pavilion angle = 41 lean toward a 34.0-34.5 crown.

GIA "EX" in cut is great at its heart, but it ranges a bit wider than some people prefer, particularly in deep combinations (pavilion > 41 with crown > 35).

Check out this page for more on usage of the HCA.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/ideal.asp

If you have a Jareds in SF then take a look at their Peerless which are their branded AGS0 cut grade. Shallower diamonds often look sparkly and bright due to their shallow proportions, these are the ones which normally score below 1 on the HCA.

 

[Black Jade]

DO find a store and try different earrings on, I agree that it''s incredibly important. People on Pricescope are very knowledgeable about diamonds and that is important (it''s why we''re here and I certainly appreciate it), but they can''t see you and tell what you look like, nor do they know what you look like.

When I was buying my earrings, I read thread after thread in which the consensus was that martini settings are the best, but when I tried them on in person, they did not suit me AT ALL. If I had not tried on earrings at a B & M, I would have ordered martinis--and had to return them or have been dissatisfied. As it was, I got a basket setting and it''s great for me.

In the same B & M, I tried on J color, very good cut earrings, I think they were Si2 (I forget, but it was a lower clarity) and they looked great! I would have been satisfied with those. However, I had already ordered H color VS2 H&A AGS000 ACA diamonds from Whiteflash for my earrings. And the lesser quality, from the B & M would have cost me about $5,000 MORE money for the same size (I got 1.81 ctw from WF, they are .90 apiece and basically are 2 ctw earrings to look at). So i would say that you could get beauiful earrings in a lower color and clarity, that are not Hearts and Arrows, which would make you very happy. I am by no means going to complain about mine though--they are literally perfection. You don''t NEED such a quality and if it turns out to cost more money to get it and you have to skimp on the size you want or something, go with less. But if you WANT it (and I did, my earrings were a special present from hubby), there''s something delightful about having H&A AGS000 earrings. I can''t see my earrings normally, but whenever I happen to catch sight of myself accidently in a mirror or car window or anything, wow, how they sparkle and shine, in any lighting condition, it just doesn''t matter.

I personally wouldn''t want to go with I1 diamonds, especially for a larger pair of earings like you have in mind, but I tend to be a mind-clean sort of person. I think that with any P''scope vendor, you are likely to get more beautiful earrings, cheaper than you will get at a B&M.

Let us know what you decided.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Yes, go for ideal cut! Reason being, with studs, they get gunked pretty fast because of hair products, oils, lotions, etc. getting on them. Better cut means they''ll still look great even if you haven''t had a chance to clean them over a few days time.

I ended up getting super idea stones and do not regret at all! I decided to go with F SIs. A bit too high for color and if I ever upgrade, I''ll probably get H or I stones.

 

[Black Jade]

My earrings really sparkle under any and all conditions, but I still clean them a lot, at least once a week. They''re white gold so I use very warm water and a squirt of dish detergent in my cheapie US (from Walmart, which is probably not really a US, but hey, it costless than $20 and has two convenient baskets to wash and rinse in).

 

[joelly]

Date: 7/24/2009 1:01:19 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 7/24/2009 12:39:24 PM

Author: joelly

Date: 7/24/2009 12:35:56 PM

Author: Gypsy

I think it depends on your priorities and you didn''t mention them

.


What''s the most important to you? Size, cut, budget? What''s mindclean for you? Do YOU need a superideal cut?


Also are you looking for an upgrade policy (doesn''t sound like it) or anything like that?


It''s really a personal thing. 99% of people out there wouldn''t be able to tell a near hearts and arrow with Ideal light performance from a ''perfect'' superideal.


I personally went for superideals in the studs I just ordered. I''ve seen them in person and just WANT them. So my Cut and size were most important to me. So I dropped on everything else. But I know MANY PSers on here would NOT have made that same call. And it''s not a call I would have made for someone else. As they are my earrings, I could chose what was important to me and what wasn''t.


So... tell us more about what you want?

Hi Gypsy, do you mind sharing where you get the superideals studs from? I am interested in purchasing one for my mom. I''m thinking next yr or so for her birthday.


BTW, I

your avatar.

Thank you Joelly! I like it too... T-gal photoshopped the shoe onto her. Makes me smile.

There are a lot of vendors who carry superideals, who I would buy from in a heartbeat. I wanted something pretty specific that no one had in stock so I knew any vendor I worked with would have to find my earrings for me: Fully upgradable superideal H&A AGS0, K color WITH flouresence in both earrings, and my only comment on clarity was ''completely eyeclean''... and I wanted handmade bezel settings one stop shopping. AND, I didn''t and don''t have a timeline. I got qoutes and BGD was the winner for me, but Infinity was a CLOSE second. I''ve bought form both BGD and Wink before too, so that also played a role in deciding who I asked for qoutes, personally, because they''d already both delievered products that exceeded my expecations and I wanted to reward that

But I wouldn''t hestiate to buy from GOG who carried GORGEOUS superideals (see Ellen''s ring!), but I didn''t ask them for a qoute just because for me, another weird thing I wanted, for this purchase, was to buy from the cutter and since I know Paul and Brian from these boards, I wanted studs cut/examined by them specifically. I''m picky though. And like I said... it''s a PERSONAL choice. When you''re ready to buy... just post and I KNOW that we''ll find you the perfect superideal for you.


What a sweet daughter you are!

Hi Gypsy,
Thank you for the insights. I will def posts here for advice.
BTW, your dragon looks very pretty in pink. Love it!!!

 

[Gypsy]

Thank you Joelly, that's the best thing to do. As I believe Lorelei said, it's really a matter of who has what you want when you are ready to buy. For me, no one had want I wanted in stock, so I knew I'd have to order and wait-- plus I wanted a really strong upgrade policy. But with a single stone pendant as a present, we should be able to give you lots of different options at lots of different vendors, and then you can just pick what works for you.

Lorelei... I got lucky. They rescheduled on me! So the meeting is now on Wednesday! YAY. And thank you for caring.

Less-confused. If you are in the Bay Area there are a few places I would browse. If you are willing to go to the South Bay, I highly recommend visiting Joe Escrobar in Campbell. Eric posts here and is familar with PSers, and will be able to speak to you not just about color, clarity and about cut but about other factors too... and they carry AGS 0, plus they have a lovely selection of everything. So I wouldn't be surprised if they have a nice number of earrings you can try on. They are also the jeweler I use here for any repairs I need to anything I truly care about. They have a nice bench.

http://www.escobardiamonds.com/

Another place is CH Jewelers in the Valley Faire Mall in San Jose (just 5 minutes away from Joe Escrobar). They are SUPER expensive (and I MEAN SUPER) but they carry Hearts on Fire, Lazarre, and other superideal brands. Now, I've been in that store many times and the Sales Associates, while somewhat better than most don't know SQUAT about diamonds though they VERY MUCH pretend to. So... ignore them. Just ask to see a Lazare and a HOF next to a non-superideal, but nice diamond. I've done this, and it's helpful.

http://www.chpremier.com/ch-finejewelry.html


I think it's worth the trip because they are both jewelers with a nice selection of products, they are (IMO) less crowded and less obnoxious than most of the stores in SF itself AND you can compare a jeweler that is recommended on PS and whom PSers have bought from (Joe Escrobar) with a jeweler who carries really high quality merchandize as well, but is still very much a typical B&M.

Oh. And make an appointment at both, so you can be assured of service and attention.