Katamari''s Ebay Challenge Studs

[katamari]

At a re-gift exchange I participated in over the holidays, I ended up with a $100 ebay gift card. Pretty cool--especially since the estimated value of the gift was only to be $25. When trying what to decide what to do with it, I decided to try to find the "best" pair of studs I could for the hundred bucks. I set the following parameters for the search:

1. They had to be "used" to try to filter out scammers. I also gave preference, when bidding, to individual sellers versus ebay stores for the same reason.
2. They had to be reputably certified or appraised.
3. They had to be set in platinum (because of my metal allergies).
4. I couldn''t spend more than the $100.
5. My preferences were (in this order): cost, cut, clarity, carat, color

I plan on getting "real" studs for my graduation present from my husband this summer, so I figured this would be a fun way to get some holdover earrings and have a little fun with it. I was trying to keep a completely open mind about the search, but expected to maybe end up with something in the .15 ctw range that was pretty included. Here''s what I ended up with:

 

[katamari]

.37 ctw
GIA graded
L color
SI2
"Good" cut

Not too shabby for $100

Of course, I definitely expect DH to do much better on my "real" studs

 

[katamari]

Here you can see some warmth. I think the color grading is pretty generous.

 

[katamari]

Totally generic settings. Not the delicate bezels I crave, but they will do.

 

[katamari]

Against my e-ring for some comparison. E-ring is D, and you can definitely see the color difference.

 

[katamari]

A fun shot:

 

[katamari]

And finally, some ear shots.

 

[katamari]

Thanks for looking!

 

[oddoneout]

It looks like you got a great deal.

 

[junebug17]

What a great find, you found a really good deal! And they look so pretty on you!

 

[April20]

Very cool! Great find for your parameters!

 

[kittybean]

What a fun challenge! I think you did very well. They are quite pretty, and they look really cute on you!

 

[Dreamer_D]

How fun! Thay look pretty good. How is the sparkle etc?

 

[Rhea]

Great, inexpensive find! I''m pretty impressed.

 

[princessplease]

They look great for an ebay find, Kat!
And I never knew you had an asscher!!!! That makes you 1,000,000x more awesome!!! I''m upgrading to one, and am just waiting for WF to verify my stone

 

[stci]

Wahooooo! Congratulations Kat! Beautiful find for every day!

 

[cally]

What a fun challenge! You did so well, too.

 

[yssie]

Nice find!

 

[motownmama]

FUN thing to do - good job!!!!!!!

 

[Rhea]

I showed DH this thread last night. He was impressed that you managed to find certified platinum earrings for that price. I love your experiment, too funny!

 

[Bella_mezzo]

super fun challenge, and great find!

 

[katamari]

Thanks so much oddoneout, junebug17, April20, kittybean, stci, cally, yssie, mowtownmama, and Bella_mezzo!

Dreamer, the sparkle is actually pretty good. Ellen would want more fire, but they do actually perform. And that makes me really excited for, and really craving, my upgrades!

Addy, I am a researcher, so there had to be parameters for the experiment! One of the threads is a little stripped, but not so much that I fear they will fall out. I had a lot of e-mail with the seller (which is why I think she finally accepted my offer). I looked for three months, overall, but am really happy with the find.

Um, princessplease, WHY DO I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS ASSCHER UPGRADE?! More details immediately! When will it be in? What setting are you getting? YAY!

 

[Amethyste]

They look great on your ears!! What a great find!