- Joined
- Aug 7, 2013
- Messages
- 1,863
I can see this being my final upgrade (famous last words, I know)-- I plan to have jackets made for dressier events. I have small lobes and I don't think I'd be able to wear larger than 0.80 each, as I think they'd be at the edge of my lobe. Also, my piercings are slightly uneven.
Budget: $6K, but I can stretch this and keep saving.
Size goal for this upgrade: 1.4 -- 1.6ctw. I currently wear 1.01 ctw.
Color G-J Clarity--up to SI1 or eyeclean SI2 I'm not picky about this--my skin is so pink all the time, that I feel like even K would look bright white in contrast. I also have dark hair that sort of shades the studs like a leafy tree does in the summertime, hah. Pinpoints of light! What I'm cognizant of, though, is eventual jackets that will probably be made in G/H diamonds.
Timeline: No big hurry, but I do feel as though it's "time" to do this.
Questions:
--VENDOR-- this is the biggest question, in my mind!
--Setting- 6-prong? 4-prong? What types of backs should I get, specifically? I want a low, low profile, and I want it to work with the jackets that I will also get... minimal droop! I'd choose white
gold.
--Calibrated gemstones for the future to wear with the jackets-- 6mm? Does this mean I should stay at the 1.4ctw size for diamonds? I am not a colored stone expert (or experienced shopper), so I'm not sure if this is a big consideration or not. I want to keep it in mind, though.
Regarding the vendor... my current studs are from our wedding jeweler in downtown Chicago. We have used the same man at the same business since our engagement in 1999! I love him. The original 0.50ctw studs were from him in 2003 or 2004... We upgraded to 0.66ctw, then to 1.01 ctw. He has a full trade-in value for the studs, so this would be easy. I currently wear G SI2. We have purchased a handful of other items from him through the years. I trust him and I would feel good about continuing to give him my business. I live two hours away from Chicago nowadays. He could just mail the studs to me, or I could make an appointment to view some choices (we've done both in the past).
Another choice is a local business that I use frequently through the year for repairs and small projects (under 2K). They buy diamonds/allow trades at their discretion. I am assuming my studs would be accepted for a fair price, but I know that I would take a "hit" as compared to the Chicago jeweler. This local jeweler offers AGS 0 stones, and they also carry Forevermark (I know there are no big Forevermark fans here). This local business does a ton for our community, and it would feel good to "shop small" this year, especially. I have posted about this owner before--he is the outgoing president of AGS! It is a two (three?) year term. He's really invested in the industry, and the shop does a lot of community events when not in the middle of a pandemic! He will do stuff like, "I just got a ton of black opals in, and I want you all to see them, so come sip some wine or whiskey next Friday night and let me show them off and teach you more about opals." I bought my grocery coop share at an event they hosted years ago! They did my custom sapphire/diamond anniversary band five years ago.
HPD CBIs-- They don't currently have anything aside from 0.60 Es in my budget
Whiteflash ACAs--I've been looking through their inventory, and they seem to have a lot available. Kind of overwhelming to me! It's fun to browse, though! Help me browse.
Sooooo, if you've made it this far, I'd appreciate any insights and suggestions regarding what I'm thinking. Thank you, you blingtastic people!
Budget: $6K, but I can stretch this and keep saving.
Size goal for this upgrade: 1.4 -- 1.6ctw. I currently wear 1.01 ctw.
Color G-J Clarity--up to SI1 or eyeclean SI2 I'm not picky about this--my skin is so pink all the time, that I feel like even K would look bright white in contrast. I also have dark hair that sort of shades the studs like a leafy tree does in the summertime, hah. Pinpoints of light! What I'm cognizant of, though, is eventual jackets that will probably be made in G/H diamonds.
Timeline: No big hurry, but I do feel as though it's "time" to do this.
Questions:
--VENDOR-- this is the biggest question, in my mind!
--Setting- 6-prong? 4-prong? What types of backs should I get, specifically? I want a low, low profile, and I want it to work with the jackets that I will also get... minimal droop! I'd choose white
gold.
--Calibrated gemstones for the future to wear with the jackets-- 6mm? Does this mean I should stay at the 1.4ctw size for diamonds? I am not a colored stone expert (or experienced shopper), so I'm not sure if this is a big consideration or not. I want to keep it in mind, though.
Regarding the vendor... my current studs are from our wedding jeweler in downtown Chicago. We have used the same man at the same business since our engagement in 1999! I love him. The original 0.50ctw studs were from him in 2003 or 2004... We upgraded to 0.66ctw, then to 1.01 ctw. He has a full trade-in value for the studs, so this would be easy. I currently wear G SI2. We have purchased a handful of other items from him through the years. I trust him and I would feel good about continuing to give him my business. I live two hours away from Chicago nowadays. He could just mail the studs to me, or I could make an appointment to view some choices (we've done both in the past).
Another choice is a local business that I use frequently through the year for repairs and small projects (under 2K). They buy diamonds/allow trades at their discretion. I am assuming my studs would be accepted for a fair price, but I know that I would take a "hit" as compared to the Chicago jeweler. This local jeweler offers AGS 0 stones, and they also carry Forevermark (I know there are no big Forevermark fans here). This local business does a ton for our community, and it would feel good to "shop small" this year, especially. I have posted about this owner before--he is the outgoing president of AGS! It is a two (three?) year term. He's really invested in the industry, and the shop does a lot of community events when not in the middle of a pandemic! He will do stuff like, "I just got a ton of black opals in, and I want you all to see them, so come sip some wine or whiskey next Friday night and let me show them off and teach you more about opals." I bought my grocery coop share at an event they hosted years ago! They did my custom sapphire/diamond anniversary band five years ago.
HPD CBIs-- They don't currently have anything aside from 0.60 Es in my budget
Whiteflash ACAs--I've been looking through their inventory, and they seem to have a lot available. Kind of overwhelming to me! It's fun to browse, though! Help me browse.
Sooooo, if you've made it this far, I'd appreciate any insights and suggestions regarding what I'm thinking. Thank you, you blingtastic people!
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