Certified or uncertified stones for diamond stud earrings?

[amillionstars]

Hi. So, I'm looking at purchasing diamond stud earrings soon. I thought about it last year and the time wasn't right, also I was considering lab created diamonds (too difficult to be sure that the stones were truly 'quality') and I've changed my mind. I am going for mined diamonds now and I welcome any input anyone may want to offer.

Stats I'm shopping are: 2.0-2.5 ctw round brilliant, ideal cut, eye clean (SI1 is fine) and am willing to go lower in color (I-J) if they face up really white. I am shopping IDJewelry and Whiteflash. Both have upgrade policies but IDJ's policy for their studs is on uncertified stones (for full credit), certified stones can be upgraded but depends upon the market. Whiteflash has the most generous upgrade policy I've seen, just fyi.

Anyway, I know IDJ 'Pricescope Quality' stones would be beautiful and the price was really good for uncertified stones. But Whiteflash's A Cut Above stones are magnificent and certified. My question is, would you go with the uncertified stones if they are PS Quality (Yekutiel picking them) and a great price or would you go a little smaller ctw with Whiteflash and get A Cut Above stones certified then upgrade later? Just when I think I've made up my mind I waiver again. Ugh. I have made a purchase with IDJ and it was seamless with excellent customer service and a gorgeous ring, so I have no doubts about IDJ. And I am quite familiar with Whiteflash's reputation (stellar), so far my communications with them have been great.

I could end up talking in circles about this so I'll shut up for now and I'm open to any and all suggestions

Thank you in advance!


PS I am going with low set four prong basket setting, large or la pousette backs, white gold (both places agreed that platinum may be too heavy and cause drooping)

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

I'm not familiar with IDJ, but it sounds like WF has the better upgrade program. I would personally also feel more confident having certified stones especially at that size.

 

[headlight]

UGH! totally get your dilemma! I'm also shopping for 2 ctw RB studs. I'm fine with SI1 or 2, depending on inclusion type/location, but want E color. I know I will not upgrade so I'm not motivated by an upgrade policy. But I do want GIA (or AGS, but don't feel necessary) lab reports. If the report isn't important to you and you don't think you will upgrade, if you can get a better price on stones that are attractive to your eye in person, then that might be the way to go. I think it all boils down to price and your need for an upgrade policy. Quite honestly, I think you need to start with the need or not for upgrade policy. Do you think you will want to upgrade? If this is at all a possibility, then you have a starting point at which to figure this out. Given you said you are okay with I-J color, do you think you would want to upgrade at all in the future, or are you fine with the color? What color is your ring? You said you are happy with your ring... does that have a lab report? If it does not have a report and you are happy with it, then you may be fine with studs without reports. In that case, go with IDJ. You already have a relationship and get more bang for the buck. But if you want lab reports with known upgrade options, then you will have to go with WF and get either smaller or pay more for your desired size. I guess if you go WF, you can get the I-J color now with smaller stones, then upgrade later for your desired size and go up in color if not satisfied in long term with I - J. In my case, I know I want E color, no option. I've had other colors in studs so I know where I want to be and will not be upgrading. Also, I've had larger studs and I didn't like the larger size, so the 1 carat in each ear is the size. And I want the lab reports. So I'm pretty defined as to my goal... now I just need to save my pennies for a purchase which will be around 10k... I've already sourced a few options so I just have to hope we have a good year lol!!! Sit down and make a list of priorities and a flow chart and you will end up with your answer!

 

[headlight]

Oh... also, not going with plat is smart. Expensive and heavier. White gold is fine for studs. Don't wear in shower nor swim with them and you will go a very very long time before you would even consider a need to rhodium plate.

 

[Karl_K]

My opinion is.....
Let me ask you this
The report costs less than $250 and adds multiples of that to the value if the grading of the no report stones is accurate.
So why would someone sell accuratly graded stones with no report and lose all that money?

 

[amillionstars]

Oh... also, not going with plat is smart. Expensive and heavier. White gold is fine for studs. Don't wear in shower nor swim with them and you will go a very very long time before you would even consider a need to rhodium plate.

Thank you for all the feedback. There's certainly a lot to consider when choosing stones. You are very decided and I love that! I'm considering upgrading simply because I may start a little smaller then go up to the size I want later this year. The stones in my anniversary band are F color and they are beautiful. Dazzling white.

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

I've also read that uncertified stones are uncertified for a reason...

 

[JoeQueen]

Bumping this thread. Was looking to purchase Whiteflash preset 1.00ctw studs, but was told that they’re not certified. Would it still be worth it to purchase those?

 

[Drm1grl]

I have considered and researched this - and after doing so, I now only buy certified stones (first two sets of studs were not certified). Someday, I will either trade in or pass down each of my diamonds. In both circumstances, certified diamonds have a much more easily ascertainable value - so no more uncertified for me. I want GIA on all diamonds - even my little travel studs.

 

[elizat]

For myself, if the stones are under 50 points each I don't think that it really makes a lot of sense. Everyone has a different comfort level though.

 

[Karl_K]

For myself, if the stones are under 50 points each I don't think that it really makes a lot of sense. Everyone has a different comfort level though.

50 bucks each for a GIA report is not much for peace of mind.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I wouldn’t bother to certify any stones below 1ct, that’s my personal comfort level.

edit to add: though this depends on the price. If it’s a trustworthy seller (so I know theyre selling me mined, non clarity enhanced diamonds when they say they are), plus the stones appear to reasonably be the colour and clarity they are saying they are, and the price is low enough (I do a mental calculation of 2 colour grades and 1-2 clarity grades lower than they quote); I know I’ll never be selling my jewelry so it’s okay with me.

 

[elizat]

50 bucks each for a GIA report is not much for peace of mind.

For me, 50 points and below, I don't really worry about. But, everyone is different. I also do not buy modern stones, so things like seeing the hearts and arrows pattern, an ASET, and knowing all of the angles really don't factor into my decisions like they do with modern stones. If I'm buying smaller stones, they are usually part of a project and I have a vendors that I'd trust with uncertified stones.

 

[La2020]

Does certified stones help in retaining the resale value?

@amillionstars how much is the price difference? I will go for WF. The earrings can be upgraded or reset into other accessories in future.

OT a bit: I saw quite a number of Etsy seller (most from India) selling uncertified fancy colored diamond parcels at very attractive prices and was tempted to buy...

 

[Karl_K]

Does certified stones help in retaining the resale value?

Yes because everyone is going to assume anything but gia or ags grading is wildly off.
Same with insurance replacement they will try to replace with mall special 1ctw with no reports and not only will the grades be off so will the weight...they will be light halves.
The ftc lets them round the weight when sold as ctw.
1ctw can legaly be .95 ctw with light halves.