Diamond studs guidance--$2k budget

[Blackswan]

I would appreciate some guidance on buying my first pair of diamond studs. What is your opinion on the following:


Diamond Earrings

Your Diamonds:
Signature Ideal-cut, H-color, SI1-clarity
Total Carat Weight: 0.84
Stock #: LD02819632
Stock #: LD02949638



Your Setting:
Martini Three-Prong Earrings in Platinum


Price: $2,054.00 Setting: $240.00 Diamonds: $1,814.00

I have purchased a few pairs in the past and returned bc there was just no wow factor. Im looking to maximize bling on my budget. Thanks in advance.

 

[JulieN]

were the ones you returned also BN Signature?

 

[Blackswan]

No, they were half carat, very good cut with e/f color and vs2 clarity. In doing more research, I've lerned I can relax color and clarity for these size earrings, so I'm looking to maximize overall sparkle and size.

 

[sugarski]

Can you post the exact specs of each stone (or at least diameter & table)? Then we can tell you if this is a well-matched pair.

FWIW, I recently bought .86 ctw studs from Brian Gavin. I went with J VS2, but they were significantly less than the ones you posted (actually, mine were on sale, but the pre-sale price was still much less). They are incredibly white in appearance. I'm probably not color-sensitive, but when I put them in my hand right next to a ring with an F color stone, I can't see any difference *at all*. That probably has a lot to do with the fact that BGD Signature stones are, by reputation, as well-cut as any diamonds you can possibly find. Fantastic cut can help mask tint in diamonds.

I personally also prefer the selection of settings at BGD, and the fact that they do regular posts as opposed to screwbacks. I have heard many people say screwbacks are uncomfortable and a pain to get on and off, so I think BN should at least offer non-screwbacks as an option. So, to me, you can do better than BN for your studs. I would look at Whiteflash and James Allen as well as BGD.

I also suspect that if you can wait till after Christmas, you will find a lot of vendors will have more inventory on stones this size. They sell a lot of diamonds this time of year. HTH!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Can you post the exact specs of each stone (or at least diameter & table)? Then we can tell you if this is a well-matched pair.

FWIW, I recently bought .86 ctw studs from Brian Gavin. I went with J VS2, but they were significantly less than the ones you posted (actually, mine were on sale, but the pre-sale price was still much less). They are incredibly white in appearance. I'm probably not color-sensitive, but when I put them in my hand right next to a ring with an F color stone, I can't see any difference *at all*. That probably has a lot to do with the fact that BGD Signature stones are, by reputation, as well-cut as any diamonds you can possibly find. Fantastic cut can help mask tint in diamonds.

I personally also prefer the selection of settings at BGD, and the fact that they do regular posts as opposed to screwbacks. I have heard many people say screwbacks are uncomfortable and a pain to get on and off, so I think BN should at least offer non-screwbacks as an option. So, to me, you can do better than BN for your studs. I would look at Whiteflash and James Allen as well as BGD.

I also suspect that if you can wait till after Christmas, you will find a lot of vendors will have more inventory on stones this size. They sell a lot of diamonds this time of year. HTH!

I agree about looking at BGD or WF. I had a pair of ACAs from WF about that size and they were AMAZING. I would go with them, if given the opportunity. And, I'm not anti-BN. In fact, I ordered a pair of earrings from them today, but not diamond earrings! For those, I'd go with another vendor and pick loose diamonds. I usually get my fashion/fun stuff from BN.

 

[sugarski]

Can you post the exact specs of each stone (or at least diameter & table)? Then we can tell you if this is a well-matched pair.

FWIW, I recently bought .86 ctw studs from Brian Gavin. I went with J VS2, but they were significantly less than the ones you posted (actually, mine were on sale, but the pre-sale price was still much less). They are incredibly white in appearance. I'm probably not color-sensitive, but when I put them in my hand right next to a ring with an F color stone, I can't see any difference *at all*. That probably has a lot to do with the fact that BGD Signature stones are, by reputation, as well-cut as any diamonds you can possibly find. Fantastic cut can help mask tint in diamonds.

I personally also prefer the selection of settings at BGD, and the fact that they do regular posts as opposed to screwbacks. I have heard many people say screwbacks are uncomfortable and a pain to get on and off, so I think BN should at least offer non-screwbacks as an option. So, to me, you can do better than BN for your studs. I would look at Whiteflash and James Allen as well as BGD.

I also suspect that if you can wait till after Christmas, you will find a lot of vendors will have more inventory on stones this size. They sell a lot of diamonds this time of year. HTH!

I agree about looking at BGD or WF. I had a pair of ACAs from WF about that size and they were AMAZING. I would go with them, if given the opportunity. And, I'm not anti-BN. In fact, I ordered a pair of earrings from them today, but not diamond earrings! For those, I'd go with another vendor and pick loose diamonds. I usually get my fashion/fun stuff from BN.

I'm not anti-BN either- I got a great deal on my gold charm bracelet there! I just like other places more for diamonds.