Q&A: Want to Buy 2 Year Anniversary Gift of Diamond Stud Earrings

I’m looking at diamond studs for my wife. My budget is $1500-$1600 and looking for 0.75 ctw. I prefer James Allen since I have purchased from them before. My wife wants platinum setting and I found they have pre-set studs in platinum for $1575 0.75ctw H-I, SI (non-certified). Should I just get this pair and be done with it?

OR

should I attempt to build my own? I noticed on your link for the $1500 budget for stud rings, you have several examples in the $1200 range of 0.81 and 0.83 ctw studs that are EX cut, SI2, G color, but ARE GIA rated diamonds! If I add the platinum setting ($240) to this, it comes out to around $1500.

Is it worth it to build my own to get the GIA rated diamonds and larger 0.83 ctw? vs non-rated 0.75 ctw? Please let me know. If it is worth it to build my own, do you have recommendation for pairing? Thanks.

Back in 2009, Ira helped me pick out an engagement ring for my wife via James Allen. We were very happy with the customer service at James Allen (we kept the engagement ring and stone, but ended up returning the matching wedding band and getting one custom made at with a local jeweler).

Anyways, since we’ve already used James Allen in the past and really like their customer service, I decided to keep my business with that company. Perhaps I would be more willing to try another company if the savings or value was significantly better.I did read your review on studs (very helpful). I went to Diamond wave and spoke to a rep. that recommended this platinum setting studs (http://www.diamondwave.com/-strse-127049/Round-Diamond-Stud-Earrings/Detail.bok) color HI, SI 0.7 ctw for $1599.

My comparable at James Allen was pre-set platinum, round, color HI, SI, 0.75 ctw for $1575. As you can see the price is very similar between the two companies. Since I have history at James Allen (and Diamond Wave was pretty much same price), I ordered pre-set studs via James Allen. I clicked through using your link so hopefully you get the referral.

This brings me to my question. Do you think it would have been better to design my own studs at James allen with the platinum setting (~$240)? This would leave me with $1335 to choose 2 stones.

https://www.jamesallen.com/design-your-diamond-studs/?module=diamonds&item1=1420945&item2=1510963

OR

https://www.jamesallen.com/design-your-diamond-studs/?module=diamonds&item1=1477842&item2=1444317

OR

https://www.jamesallen.com/design-your-diamond-studs/?module=diamonds&item1=1455057&item2=1481623

As you can see, some of the pairs have 0.8 ctw, color HI or better, and SI or better clarity. PLUS they have GIA cert.

I know the stones are small, so that’s why I really didn’t do as much research as I did with the engagement ring. I didn’t really think about the design your own until after I ordered the pre-set studs yesterday.

Is it worth it to call James Allen to change my order to this “design your own” GIA cert stones? Or should I just trust their judgement and go with the pre-set ungraded stones ? Let me know what you think.

This is a 2 year anniversary gift and the size of the stones are small so that’s why I kind of jumped the gun and ordered so quickly. Our next big anniversary, I’ll make sure I email you ahead of time.

So do I change my order for pre-set studs and design my own? Is the GIA certificate or the extra 0.05 ctw worth calling James Allen to change my order prior to ship date (set for Monday)?

Let me know what you think.

Thank you very much Mike. I purchased that set and my wife absolutely loves them (her first pair of diamond stud earrings). I will be sure to contact you when i’m ready to upgrade them. Thanks again for all your help.