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Marina

Rough_Rock
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Hello All,
I haven''t been an active user on this site but enjoy reading the posts. Now that I am in need of help, I am hoping I will get some advice.
I am in process of getting some custom earrings made. I am attaching pictures to this thread so that you get an idea of what kind of earrings I am planning to make. These are just pictures to give you an idea but I am looking at all diamonds earrings of similar design.
I need help finding central stones for my earrings. I have recently visited a store where I saw similar earrings with central stones 0.85 (6.11 - 5.99 x 3.72) and 0.83 (5.99-5.86 x 3.74) sorrounded by a total of 24 diamonds for both earring (0.03 points each). While I understand that proportions of central stones are not ideal, this is to give you an idea of earrings proportion that I liked. Here are my questions:

1. How hard would it be to find a matching pair for central stones? Which vendors should I consider and what to look for? I am ok buying online as long as there is a good return policy and it''s reputable vendor.
2. What color/clarity would work for these earrings, will H/SI2 be acceptable and which inclusions in stones for earrings are acceptable? I like H&A but it''s not necessarily a requirement for earrings.
3. What size of central stones should I consider? These will be every day earrings but I don''t want them to be too small or too big. I am thinking that anything between 0.6 to 0.8 for central stone and then 0.03 for surrounded smaller stones should look very good.
4. Most importantly, my budget is $6000 total. That includes central stones, small stones, and custom work. I didn''t get estimates for custom work yet but i am thinking it will be around 1,500K. Is that reasonable? Most importantly, whoever does the work, has to be familiar with European lock and most importantly what is referred to as "Russian lock" since this is the only type of lock that I can wear in my earrings.
Sorry for a long post and thank you in advance for your help.

earrings diamond ruby.jpg
 
one more pictures showing central stone as pearl but in my case, I am looking for all diamonds.

pearl diamonds earrings.jpg
 
another sample picture

clustered earrings.jpg
 
another sample

diamond sapphire earrings.jpg
 
one more

cluster design earrings.jpg
 
Date: 9/14/2007 12:05:30 AM
Author:Marina

1. How hard would it be to find a matching pair for central stones? Which vendors should I consider and what to look for? I am ok buying online as long as there is a good return policy and it''s reputable vendor.
Not too difficult with the right vendor. Good Old Gold, Whiteflash, Wink, JA, ERD and many other vendors here are used to finding matching diamonds for earrings. I''ve personally dealt with GOG, WF, JA and Wink. I''d love to deal with ERD in the future.
2. What color/clarity would work for these earrings, will H/SI2 be acceptable and which inclusions in stones for earrings are acceptable? I like H&A but it''s not necessarily a requirement for earrings.
H SI2 is a great combo for earrings. Yes, H&A isn''t necessary as long as the stones are well cut. I would say as long as the inclusions are not noticeable (not black spots or cloud making grade), they''ll look great.
3. What size of central stones should I consider? These will be every day earrings but I don''t want them to be too small or too big. I am thinking that anything between 0.6 to 0.8 for central stone and then 0.03 for surrounded smaller stones should look very good.
Is your design to have coloured genstones to go right in the middle to differentiate the center diamond from the outside surrounding diamond melee? I noticed that some of the designs you posted are all diamonds but others have gemstones.
4. Most importantly, my budget is $6000 total. That includes central stones, small stones, and custom work. I didn''t get estimates for custom work yet but i am thinking it will be around 1,500K. Is that reasonable? Most importantly, whoever does the work, has to be familiar with European lock and most importantly what is referred to as ''Russian lock'' since this is the only type of lock that I can wear in my earrings.
I''m sorry I have no idea what it might cost. It''s been a while since I''ve had any major custom work done.
Sorry for a long post and thank you in advance for your help.
 
Thank you for your answers. Should I contact each of these vendors directly or post info about what I am looking for?
Also, in regard to you question, I am thinking that I will be doing all diamonds with no colored stones but the pictures were just to give an idea of design.
Also, would it make sense to go to J color?
 
Very seriously, after looking for a matched pair last year for months, I can tell you hands down, WhiteFlash is the very best source for matching pairs. For one thing, they cut all their diamonds to specific criteria, so it is simply easier to match up their stones. I''d really recommend something like I SI1. I''ll take a quick look and see what I can find.
 
Honestly? I''d price out the settings first... I think those are going to be pricey settings going custom. Then you can figure out your what your budget will allow for center diamond size.

Or try to find stock settings like that, and go from there.

I think i''ve seen some similar designs.
 
Something like these by Beverly K... I''d price them out at Pearlmans.

beverly K earrings.JPG
 
I also think you will go over budget with the settings. You''d need $5000 realistically for the center stones, and I know you can''t get settings with diamonds made for $1000. Those will be pretty blingy for everyday wear, too, if you go with stones in the .75 to .80 range and then surround them with a halo.
 
Not quite what you''re looking for, but agree that you''ll likely go over budget for something the size you want and custom work.

I didn''t have time to work out copying a photo that has right click disabled so here''s the link:
http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=1688
 
Date: 9/15/2007 9:01:29 AM
Author: Stardust
Not quite what you''re looking for, but agree that you''ll likely go over budget for something the size you want and custom work.

I didn''t have time to work out copying a photo that has right click disabled so here''s the link:
http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=1688
Ohh, those are so pretty, Stardust! Here''s the clickable link:

http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=1688
 
Those are pretty but not exactly what I want.
Basically, I think i would want to spend no more than 4 k on central stones (lower would be better but I know I have to be reastic). I am willing to go under 0.70 and maybe even consider I color with a little fluor. Would that work? What can I get for 4K?
I have a few estimates for custom work and these are not bad. One is from the person who did an awesome job on my other earrings. Yes, a little over my budget but i can be flexible on that.
 
Yes, these are similar but I don''t like the space between the center stone and melee and I would want the earings to appear shorter. I will check what else they have.
 
Well, I just wanted to add that you guys and girls have been very helpful. Thank you for all your advices, I really appreciate them. I have a feeling that with such a great team of participants on this forum, I might find what I am looking for.
 
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