Which earrings for daughter graduating with Masters degree?

[Mya]

Hello everyone,

I am very new to the world of diamonds and for the past few days I have been reading and learning a lot. At this moment I need to make a decision and I am a little bit stuck. Hopefully you experts can help me out .

I will be graduating from grad school in May and my parents would like to buy me diamond earrings. I have never had anything even close to a diamond and it would be a first for me. I would like to go for a pair of 3 prong martini studs under $500. I am 5''7, 120 lbs, 24 years old, have long brown hair and small lobes. What do you think is the right size? Of course I want as much sparkle as possible, as little metal around the diamond as possible. I would also like to go for certified diamonds.

I have been looking online a lot and at this point I believe I have two options.

Option #1: http://www.diamondstudsonly.com/build_your_own.cfm?dia_shape=BR&setting_type=3-Prong%20Basket&setting_metal=14WG#2

Round three prong basket 14 white gold SI1 Clarity G-H Color 3/8 carat tw for $550. I believe this is a great offer, please correct me if I am wrong. However, it is a little bit over my parents'' budget. Let me know if you have any idea how I can go down with the price without compromising the color and clarity of the diamond.

Option #2: http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_176-120.asp

Ladies 14k White Gold Three Stone Diamond Triangle Earrings Color H Clarity SI 0.5 ct. tw.

This is a little bit cheaper and I think a very good deal for $400. What do you think. The downside is that I am concerned about whether this is something that parents can give to their daughter??! Also, what do you think about the amount of metal around the diamonds? The setting appears to be thick, but I am unsure as I have never seen these earrings in real life. I am also unsure if these diamonds are certified.

Please let me know what you think about these two options (or let me know if there are alternatives). Thanks!

 

[Elmorton]

First of all, congrats on finishing your master''s!

Here''s a thread I started awhile ago - my budget is a little smaller than yours ($350-400), but I was looking at the 1/3 ctw from Whiteflash (no longer on the website but I''m sure they still carry them), Engagement Rings Direct, and Good Old Gold. It might help you sort out some of the initial questions and give you some places to check/compare:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/small-diamond-studs-couple-questions.78233/

And here is a thread with all different sizes of earrings so you can get an idea of what size will be perfect for you:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-diamond-studs.51981/

I didn''t like the reviews I read here about diamondstudsonly.com and would feel much more comfortable steering you toward the aforementioned vendors. James Allen is also a vendor that PSers have had good experience with.

G-H-I, SI1-2 are fine stats (and are the bulk of what you''ll find in the size/price range for earrings), but remember that the most important C is cut - that''s what will make the diamond sparkle.

 

[DRSDMS]

Hi - congrats on your graduation. This is a great gift, regardless of who it is from. It is totally appropriate for your parents to buy these for you.

My opinion will probably be unpopular, but at this size, you do not need certified diamonds. certification brings up the price of the diamond. I would buy uncertified diamonds and get them apprised by someone independent so I am sure of what they are. You''re better off putting your money (your parent''s money) into the diamonds. I do not know if James Allen or others will sell uncertified diamonds - you may want to call rather than looking on the website.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

You might want to go with a vendor that will upgrade them in the future (unless you are sentimental). I think it is a wonderful gift to for parents to give their daughter. I plan on giving my daughter her first diamonds. Congrats on your masters degree. That is wonderful!

 

[Mya]

First of all thank you all for your good wishes and your advice.

Elmorton-
Thank you for the links, they were very helpful. I know that Whiteflash is a great vendor, but their pre-set studs are not eligible for trade-up. I really wanted to have that option-I like the idea of having a pair that I can "upgrade" when I get older
I realized that, if you want the trade-up option, you pretty much have to buy the setting and the diamond separately. The only more or less affordable place that I found is diamondstudsonly.com. Now, that I found out that they are not recommended, I think I will have to get these studs myself some other time, unless someone else knows where to get (at least) 0.3 cts, 3 prong martinis that have a trede-up option and cost around $ 400???

DRSDMS-
I contacted James Allen. Here is there answer: The diamonds are non-graded, so GIA/AGS lab reports would not accompany the earrings. That is quite common though with respect to jewelry collections of this kind. Rest assure, the diamonds exude beauty and brilliance as well as a bright white appearance. : )

They also say that the earings have never been returned.

Tacori E-ring-
I also like the idea of having the option to upgrade the earring. But, yes, I gave it a thought, and I might actually be sentimental . I believe, maybe it is better to go for the triangle earrings, which I can have forever. And maybe later, I buy myself a pendant (the set can look really nice together: http://www.angara.com/shop.do?cID=1729&pID=7877), maybe with my job (that I hope to find soon!!!).

In summary, does anyone know where I can get (at least) 0.3 cts, 3 prong martinis that have a trede-up option and cost around $ 400??? Also, are the James Allen adies 14k White Gold Three Stone Diamond Triangle Earrings Color H Clarity SI 0.5 ct. tw. a good deal?>> http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_176-120.asp