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Early stages of diamond stud shopping

ChrisES

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Feb 9, 2012
Messages
220
EDIT: Oh! It's almost my first anniversary as a poster here! Please feel free to send diamonds. That's traditional, right?

Not buying any time soon so no stones posted, I'm just trying to figure out what my approach should be. These will either be a wedding gift this year or a first anniversary gift next year. (Ladies, please feel free to suggest when you'd want to receive them!)

Have purchased a beautiful 60-60 GIA VG from a B&M for an engagement ring (luckiest ignorant shopper ever!) I've decided this time to go for AGS0 stones from a PS vendor. Because, as I have frequently written, having beaten the odds once I'd rather have them stacked in my favor from now on.

My first two thoughts are either to go with a WF pre-selected .75 pair or to look for a matched pair in the .8-.9 range. Best candidate for that from 2 minutes of looking is a BGD Signature pair in the .88 range.

Couple questions:

1. Thoughts on minimum cut/clarity for studs? Probably will be set in a simple 4-prong WG basket. E-ring is D/SI2, which makes me a little nervous about finding out the hard way that she's color sensitive!

2. Anyone have any experience with WF's preselected earrings? On the one hand it makes me nervous to buy not knowing anything about the particular stones, but on the other hand I trust them to have good stuff and imagine that Liza could send me IS images if I asked. (I'm talking about the earrings here: http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/4-prong-basket-diamond-earrings-398.htm that are already set).

3. Any ladies have thoughts on a minimum size to hit / what I should pay for it? The WF pair looks like about $1500 for 4.5mm while this particular BGD pair would be about $2000 for about 4.9mm. Are those prices about right and would you pay for the bigger pair? (Yes, of course you would, this is PS :P) The only rules are that the stones have to be bigger than her 4.2mm emerald studs and smaller than her 5.75mm engagement ring. But I also probably can't spend more than $2000 total, unless I put if off until the first anniversary in 2014.

Input is much appreciated. I'll probably be resurrecting this thread from time to time as the process moves forward.
 
I have bought WF studs 3 times, so I highly recommend them! But I would select individual stones so that you have the possibility of upgrading later. I think you can easily do G-H in earrings since they face up white. I wouldn't go lower than that with a D color e-ring. Most people get SI1 in earrings (although I personally prefer VS2). There is really no point in looking until you are ready to buy. But we'll be happy to help you when you are ready!

I really do think this would be a perfect first anniversary present and it might allow you to save more and get her a forever pair more like 1 ctw.
 
Thank you, Diamondseeker. I hadn't even thought about upgrading. That's exactly why I posted now.
 
You are welcome! Look back because I added one more thought!

Also, you can look for eyeclean SI1-SI2 stones in any color because the reduction in price because of clarity will allow you to look at D-F, too.
 
Here's another question:

If selecting individual stones should I limit myself to pairs that the vendor has pre-identified, or should I look for two stones that "match" myself. I'm a little nervous about screwing that up but I assume that the vendor or posters here can help make sure they match. What about price? Is there a premium for vendor selected pairs?
 
Save the diamond studs for an anniversary. I always felt that a bride's main bling at the wedding should be the engagement ring. That is what everyone asks to see at the wedding. The studs would just get lost as an add on. If you want to give a piece of jewelry for a weddinf gift, perhaps big beautiful pearl studs would be nice.
 
ChrisES|1360339776|3375254 said:
Here's another question:

If selecting individual stones should I limit myself to pairs that the vendor has pre-identified, or should I look for two stones that "match" myself. I'm a little nervous about screwing that up but I assume that the vendor or posters here can help make sure they match. What about price? Is there a premium for vendor selected pairs?

I ALWAYS match pairs myself! I think I am more picky than the vendors are! So I would never even look at pre-selected pairs. I could match you some pairs in 10 minutes or less! I actually enjoy doing that! :lol:

Oh, and seeing the post above mine...the wedding band is enough for the wedding. Are you getting a diamond wedding band? Pearl studs would be a great gift, but some brides have in mind to wear chandelier earrings and that kind of thing, so I wouldn't expect her to wear them at the wedding if she prefers a different look.
 
Hi,
It's best if you select the diamonds yourself. When i bought my WF ACAs, I was able to find two diamonds that were identical in measurements & everthing and they were amazing. They were SI1s and completely eye clean. I went higher in color and lower in clarity so F SI1s. I do hope to buy some again soon and doing the same thing, except due to increase in prices, probably go down in color. ;))
 
I vote for giving them as a wedding gift - her something new! That or a pearl necklace. I got a pearl necklace as my wedding gift from my husband. I have him a watch.

I have experiences with BGD for studs and I highly recommend them. Their matched pairs make it really easy.
 
diamondseeker2006|1360340087|3375258 said:
ChrisES|1360339776|3375254 said:
Here's another question:

If selecting individual stones should I limit myself to pairs that the vendor has pre-identified, or should I look for two stones that "match" myself. I'm a little nervous about screwing that up but I assume that the vendor or posters here can help make sure they match. What about price? Is there a premium for vendor selected pairs?

I ALWAYS match pairs myself! I think I am more picky than the vendors are! So I would never even look at pre-selected pairs. I could match you some pairs in 10 minutes or less! I actually enjoy doing that! :lol:

Oh, and seeing the post above mine...the wedding band is enough for the wedding. Are you getting a diamond wedding band? Pearl studs would be a great gift, but some brides have in mind to wear chandelier earrings and that kind of thing, so I wouldn't expect her to wear them at the wedding if she prefers a different look.

Well- DS when my daughter is ready to have diamond earrings, I know who to ask!!!! That may be in a while yet. She is only 2!!!
 
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