Poll: Diamond Drops and Diamond Leaves. Keep or Return?

[Smith1942]

Hi, my new diamond leaf earrings from Blue Nile have returned with the backs repaired, and I also got some of the double diamond drops I've been lusting after. Both were sale items. I'm unsure if I should keep both, return both, or keep one pair. Photos below.

Please help me decide!

If I return one pair, I'll have more money to get the things I want at Tiffany this weekend, which is the tax-free shopping weekend. My desired shopping list there totals just over 1k.

The purchases are more price-driven than previously since I'm coming to the end of the budget I had set aside for my core bling collection. I'm missing dangly diamond earrings. I know I could get them next year, or the year after next - it doesn't have to be now, of course - but gems and metals have a habit of shooting up fast. If I buy now, I'll get more out of my budget. I can definitely afford to keep both pairs of earrings and not go to Tiffany, or send one pair back and go to Tiffany. I'm not sure I can keep both pairs of earrings AND go to Tiffany right now. (On my list at Tiffany is the gold infinity bracelet for $525, the carnelian red dot charm for $300, a red silk Tiffany ribbon scarf for $75, and two gold necklaces for lengthening at $130 total repair. And it's a tax-free weekend.) The Tiffany items are smaller and I could easily keep both pairs of diamond earrings and get the Tiffany things over the next few months, but of course they wouldn't be tax-free, and I think Tiffany is probably due a price rise before the end of the year.

Leaf Earrings: 0.80 ctw, I colour, I1 clarity, 14k white gold. The specs are reflected in the price, $684. I do not think that the specs are obvious to the naked eye at all. They are very sparkly. http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-leaf-drop-earrings-14k-white-gold_39959

Diamond drop earrings: 0.48 ctw, H colour, SI2 clarity, 18k white gold. The cut of the diamonds is beautiful - very sparkly. BUT, there is a problem. When seen straight on, the lower diamond dangles to the side and you can only see the cup setting. But from an angle, they look good. http://www.bluenile.com/bezel-diamond-earrings-white-gold_4888

Here are the pics. Excuse the funny red rash on my ear - have no idea when that came up!

So, what would you do? Keep both pairs? Keep one pair? I didn't actually want a pair of diamond leaf earrings but they're really pretty and a stonking deal. Decisions....

 

[Smith1942]

More photos: On the first photo of the double drop, see how you can only see the bezel cup from the direct front view? Looks great otherwise.

 

[Smith1942]

Last photo.

 

[missy]

Hi Smith, I subscribe to the school of thought that a deal's only a deal if you're getting what you want. I like the leaf drops but not sure I would keep it if you prefer something else altogether. And I don't care for the bezel drops but that's my personal taste opinion. They seem clunky and don't lay properly IMO. In any case I would either wait for what you would really love and enjoy wearing rather than rushing to get it all now. Or if by sending them back you can get what you truly desire go for it. But I wouldn't keep something just because it was a good deal if you kwim. Life's too short to settle if you don't have to. Good luck with your decision!

 

[VRBeauty]

I voted return both. If you're not in love with them now, I doubt you'll grow to love them in the future. Hold out for earrings that make your heart go pit-a-pat - or at least earrings that you know you'll reach for often and enjoy wearing.

BTW it might just be the pictures, but it looks to me like the drop part of the leaf earrings isn't long enough for your lobes, so the earrings hang a bit to the side of your lobe rather than straight down. It's a personal thing (as always ) but that would bug me.

 

[Acinom]

If you have to make a choice I would definitely keep the first pair with the leafs. They are true eyecatchers but still suitable for everyday wear. I looooove them!! However, from your post I get the feeling that you are not really enthusiastic yourself? In that case I would return them and save your money for some special jewelry you really need/want

 

[VRBeauty]

You have over $1900 in those two pairs of earrings, right? That's a nice budget to work with for finding one truly wonderful, wearable pair of earrings! And if you don't find that one right pair right away, and your budget grows a bit over time... even better!

 

[misskittycat]

I think the leaves are a bargain and quite pretty but I don't care for the bezel drops. I'm not a fan of chain earrings per se and if these don't sit straight then it's a no from me. I would return the bezels and put that money towards the Tiffany items or hold out for something better.

 

[arkieb1]

The leaf drops look great on you!!! Keep those. The diamond drops don't look as good if you want to free up the cash I would return them.

 

[Smith1942]

Thanks, everyone! I should have mentioned that the diamond drops were $1,056 - sale price.

VRBeauty - I have about $1700 in these two pairs, but I'm the kind of person who prefers to have more pieces that cost less, rather than sinking large amounts into one pair. The leaves do swing very freely on me so I think it must just be the photo that makes them look not long enough. The other thing is that I've looked and looked for diamond drops, both in the US and the UK, and all the PS vendors, and the Blue Nile range is the one that suits my personal parameters best re. quality and price-to-diamond-weight ratio. Their melee is really well-cut and sparkly, and the H/I/Si2/eyeclean I1 specs help keep the cost down while still getting lots of sparkle because of the cut. I've hankered after the round drops for about 18 months, and I re-tried them on earlier. The lower diamonds do swing and really catch the light. But the leaves also swing very easily. Argh!

I like these too, but will wait for a sale. http://www.bluenile.com/marquise-diamond-drop-earrings-14k-white-gold_39964

But it would be really greedy to have all three! I'll have to choose one or two pairs. Or none, but then I'm not sure where I would get diamond drops as Blue Nile suits me the best.

Although I love the leaves, they are quite thin which makes them look perhaps a little insubstantial. Hard to capture on camera. I think the drops catch the light a little more, being round.

I'm no closer to deciding, am I!

 

[dtnyc]

I voted to keep the leaves. They are very pretty and unique w/o being unwearable.
I am not a fan of the diamond drop earrings- they don't look "worth it" to me.

Do you have diamond studs? or earrings that could take diamond halo jackets?
I would save towards something like that before going w/ the diamond drop earrings.

If you don't like studs I would look into diamond leverbacks or something like that to round out your ear wardrobe.

 

[movie zombie]

keep leaves, send back #2.
leaves look good on you but #2 does not.
leaves are unique, #2 is not.
however, if you're not pleased with #1, send it back, too.

 

[MissGotRocks]

keep leaves, send back #2.
leaves look good on you but #2 does not.
leaves are unique, #2 is not.
however, if you're not pleased with #1, send it back, too.

Totally agree with this plan!

 

[Enerchi]

I agree - keep the leaves, they are unique and you seem to write more enthusiastically about those vs the diamond drops! I also agree that the drops are more common and you can always find them eventually (although I appreciate you said it was a challenge) but I think that style would be easier to find or have made custom at a reasonable cost.

IF you waited and did the drops custom, you could just have a small ring/chain created by a vendor and then select the diamond stud of your choice to dangle -- maybe you go w a pair of princess's on point instead of another round!

Leaves stay, drops go back.

 

[VRBeauty]

In that case I'd change my vote if I could.

Meanwhile, here's an Etsy option -
http://www.etsy.com/listing/1512796...type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all

Ruby Lane: http://www.rubylane.com/item/754537-R211/Diamond-Earrings-White-Gold-Diamond

 

[pregcurious]

From a purely aesthetic point of view, I voted to keep the leaves. They look very classy and are a flattering shape. The drops look like they are not delicate enough. The loops on the chain seem big, and the way the diamonds are set make them look clunky.

It sounds like you've spent a lot of time looking around and thinking.

Are the leaf earrings on backorder b/c of PS?

 

[periwinklegirl]

Hi Smith, I subscribe to the school of thought that a deal's only a deal if you're getting what you want.

And I don't care for the bezel drops but that's my personal taste opinion. They seem clunky and don't lay properly IMO. In any case I would either wait for what you would really love and enjoy wearing rather than rushing to get it all now. Or if by sending them back you can get what you truly desire go for it. But I wouldn't keep something just because it was a good deal if you kwim. Life's too short to settle if you don't have to. Good luck with your decision!

This! Except I like the leaf drops and voted you should keep them.

 

[Smith1942]

Thanks for all your thoughts, everyone! Two more photos are below. Replying in order:

Missy - thanks for your considered response. I am very price-driven and sometimes the deal is what makes me fall in love! Maybe it's because I come from a very frugal make-do-and-mend family - in-laws too, so a double dose - who are the war generation, growing up with rationing and experiencing the Blitz, etc. Lots of Calvinist guilt about bling! Probably why I can't bring myself to spend a large amount on just one item.

VRBeauty - thanks for your response! Replied further up in the thread.

Acimon - yes, the leaves are pretty. But they are thin. Am going to post a pic below which will hopefully illustrate what I mean.

Misskittycat - you might be right about the setting on the drops. The shots are macro, though, so the "clunkiness" is magnified. They're quite delicate in real life, but I'm not 100% sure about the setting as the lower diamonds don't always face the front. It's difficult though because the diamonds are to die for!

Arkie - thanks, arkie! Another vote for the leaves, duly noted. By the way, your story on the other thread about your bunny being put to work mowing and fertilizing the lawn is hilarious! I hope you paid him a fair hourly rate!

dtnyc - Lots of options in your thoughtful post - thanks very much! You know, I actually do have teardrop leverbacks but they are just too precious to me to wear them for everyday. I want them to last for decades yet! I do have studs - baby bezels and some 1.12 ctw studs. The difficulty with the double drops I posted here is that the diamonds have the most unbelievable sparkle, like Brian Gavin Signature stones, but the camera isn't picking it up.

MovieZombie and MissGotRocks - thanks for taking the time to reply. It has occurred to me to send them both back. While I think that both are very pretty and both are a good deal, I could probably live without them!

Enerchi - you make excellent points about the design of the double drops being easy to find or replicate. I agree. I feel as if it's now or never with the double drops since they were in a sale, but of course that's just a false feeling.

VRBeauty - I'll see if I can change the poll to allow re-voting! Was it the lower price on the drops that made you change your mind? And, thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to post those links. I LOVE the Ruby Lane earrings!

Pregcurious - Ha ha, the earrings are not on backorder because of PS! Hardly anyone on here buys from poor BN! Pity, because the melee is really well-cut so all the jewellery pieces I've ordered from them have been super-sparkly. If you were interested in buying the leaves, you could consider waiting till the Christmas sale. Last year, there were some really nice reductions of 20-35%. Also, the drops setting is quite delicate in real life. I think it must be the macro shots making it look bulky.

Periwinkle girl - thanks so much for your thoughts! It's so nice of you - and everyone else - to respond.


I'm attaching a couple more shots. Excuse the spotty chin - too much suncream! I think the shots above make the drops look worse and the leaves better than in real life. In real life, the leaves are quite thin and almost flimsy, while the double drops have the most amazing sparkle. Seriously, if I didn't know better I'd think they were BGD Signature melee, but it doesn't come through on camera. Also, I held them against my Tiffany 0.25 E pendant and couldn't see a colour difference, whereas I'm usually very colour sensitive.

I have photographed the drops below with the Tiffany necklace, and posted a shot of how the leaves look from the front! Oh - and I'm going to change the poll to allow for re-voting since at least one person (VRBeauty) wants to re-vote.

ETA: I can't change the poll. Sorry!

 

[rubyshoes]

Keep the leaves, return the drops. I love the leaves!

 

[Smith1942]

Thanks for replying, Rubyshoes!

Maybe I keep both

 

[gemgirl]

I like the leaf earrings better but I would definitely return them for one reason- I don't own anything in I1 clarity and even if they were eye clean, that would bother me like crazy. The bezels are nice too. Keep the bezels.

 

[Smith1942]

I like the leaf earrings better but I would definitely return them for one reason- I don't own anything in I1 clarity and even if they were eye clean, that would bother me like crazy. The bezels are nice too. Keep the bezels.

I completely understand about the I1 clarity, Gemgirl. I usually feel the same, and the leaves are the only item I have that's I1. I took a chance on them because Blue Nile, I've found, tends to under-promise and over-deliver, and I liked the design, and I thought it was an excellent price for 0.80 carat weight. I just checked them under my x30 loupe and under my x20 loupe, which has a built-in light, and I can't see anything in them at all. But it's a mind-clean issue, I know. For example, lots of people here love the warmer diamond colours below I, but personally they're not "me" at all. Horses for courses! I've been pleasantly surprised by these I1s, anyway. The sparkle makes up for it - BN's melee is really sparkly! Must be well cut.

 

[LLJsmom]

Provided they are something you will wear often, keep the leaves. They look great and distinctive on you. They pretty and sparkly, yet not over the top that you couldn't wear them daily. And they're a good deal. Bezel, pretty, just not as pretty as the leaves. The leaves have more character.

 

[VRBeauty]

Smith - I'll see your frugal, guilt-ridden upbringing and raise you one. I was actually a "Calvinette" when I was in grade school!

My change vote comment was related to your preference for two small things over one large one - but the issue really wasn't the size or relative cost of whatever you end up buying, it was that if you pool those funds, you might be able to get something that makes your heart sing rather than two pairs of earrings that you seem to be trying to persuade yourself to keep.

Anyhow, I'd still suggest something like the David's drop earrings as an alternative to the BN drops. You'd probably want to upgrade the diamonds both in color and size thought.

One problem I have with the BN drops is that to me, it looks like they're an awkward length for you. Maybe they'd work better if you add a link or two to each? Or... talk to IDJ about making something similar with a finer chain and more of a DBTY-type bezel. That combination would have more movement, and it wouldn't be as noticeable whether the dangle faced forward or not.

 

[VRBeauty]

oops - I meant the Diamonds by lauren drops...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'll tell you honestly, I'd rather have one great pair of Tiffany earrings (or Victor, etc.) than 5 or 10 from BN. But that's just my focus...fewer outstanding pieces over having a lot of jewelry. Because I think when we have a lot of things we aren't truly in love with, they will end up eventually just sitting in a jewelry box. So my vote was to return both and never buy just because of a sale. Only buy things that you adore and don't even have to ask opinions on!

 

[TC1987]

The drops are my pick, but they need a chain about 2x that length. With a longer chain, the diamonds will move more freely. As they are now, the short chain length catches on the ear lobe.

The leaves are not my style at all.

 

[diamondenvy1]

The diamond leaves are ridiculously adorable. I don't personally care for the diamond drops at all, they look rather dated to me. But I echo others who have suggested you return both if you're truly not feeling either one, at least not to the extent you're desiring the items from your Tiffany's tax-free shopping list. Return and get those instead if that's what you're really after.

 

[Laila619]

I like the leaves!

 

[alisonia333]

I feel like if you're asking about keeping or returning, you probably don't love either enough to keep. Why not return them and get what you really want at Tiffany? I know you appreciate a good deal, but you're wearing the piece of jewelry around on your ears--not the price tag! I find that if I get a good deal on exactly what I'm looking for, I appreciate it a huge amount, but if I happen upon something I think is a good deal, but not something I've really been looking for, I end up regretting the purchase. Money spent on something that you weren't ever intending to buy isn't a savings! My grandmother survived the Great Depression and my mom is very frugal, so I totally understand where you're coming from, but I just don't see this as an example of saving money.