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Hello –
I am looking to buy a pair of diamond studs for my wife. My budget is $2.5k-4k. I’d like to shoot for a tcw of around 1.5 (comfortable going -.10 tcw or so less). I realize this is a wide budget range, but I am trying to be flexible in order to get the best value.
Again, as far as color, clarity, and cut, I am open to whatever you recommend as the best value (I have been looking at I color and < SI 1 clarity). Based on reading your articles, it doesn’t sound like I should sacrifice on cut (should I go no lower than ‘very good’?).
I have been looking at the preset pairs from Blue Nile, but the fine print says the cut guaranteed is only ‘good’. Also, there are not pictures of the diamonds available.
For earring studs, we recommend sticking with I+ colored stones for pave and solitaire settings and H+ for halo settings (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/stud-earrings/). The diamonds must be within 1% of each other on the table size and the diameter of the diamonds should be the same. Under 1ct, the difference in average diameter should be <0.13mm. Over 1ct, the difference in average diameter should be <0.18mm. Color and fluorescence of both diamonds need to match. Also, make sure your studs come with a proper certification (we recommend GIA/AGS diamonds only). You can read more info on this topic here: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/diamond-certification/. Clarity-wise, once the stone is eye-clean, it’s eye-clean, no matter if it’s an SI2 or VS1. The actual clarity grade isn’t important (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/).
Preset earrings from reputable vendors look gorgeous, even though they are not certified. We had personal experience with James Allen and Blue Nile and studs from them were stunning.
Can you please tell me what setting style (solitaire/pave/side stones/halo) and metal color (yellow gold/white gold/platinum/rose gold) you’re planning to go with? This info will help me to set the right search parameters.
Also, just to be sure we are on the same page, are you looking for round cut studs?
Diamond: Round
Setting: I was looking at the basic 4 prong
Metal color: White gold
No problem, if you feel you want to stick with a certified pair, let’s search for such studs.
Have a look at these pairs I found for you:
Pair n. 1:
Blue Nile LD11768183
Blue Nile LD11780259
Pair n. 2:
Blue Nile LD11737726
Blue Nile LD11106163
Pair n. 3:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.64-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6399310?a_aid=dmnd1357 www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.64-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6304211?a_aid=dmnd1357
All these diamonds are well-cut, eye-clean and brilliant. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any 1.50ct studs within that budget.
Thanks for the recommendations. Before I share my thoughts on your selections, given that both of my studs are under 1ct should I go with a preset pair in your opinion? I figured that I should not since the cut guaranteed in preset is only “good” but it’s sounding like I might not notice it given the carat size of the individual diamonds? I don’t want to overpay for diamond features that won’t be noticed by the naked eye. What are your thoughts?
In regards to the options below, I would rule out 1 and 3 because of tcw versus price. 2 seems like a decent option, but I’m curious about the following: on #2, why is one diamond SI2 and one SI1. Could I save a little by having two eye clean SI2s? When I look at preset pairs with: I color; SI2 clarity; ideal cut; 1.4 tcw, I see pricing start right at $3k.
How does that compare to the options you sent above?
1.40-Carat Total Weight Round Diamonds
As for the second pair, even today I couldn’t find a matching eye-clean SI2 diamond, that SI1 was the best option I saw.
As for the pair you sent over, the first diamond is eye-clean. The second diamond has many crystals that might be visible. But if you want to risk it, then you can give that pair a try. Worst case scenario, if you end up not liking them, you can easily return them. Both those stones are certified (you can access the GIA certs). In case of a certified pair, you know where the inclusions are and you can choose the stones you like the most. Also, because of the excellent cut, they are more brilliant than preset studs. Even though preset studs look amazing, you can observe more brilliance when buying a certified pair of studs.
Thanks. The second pair you presented looks like the best option to me out of what you sent over.
Hope my wife likes them! Thanks so much for your help.
That’s wonderful news! It was my pleasure helping you.
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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