Blue Nile build your own diamond earrings

[Pkac]

Could anyone possibly explain to me why it seems to be cheaper to “build your own diamond earrings” on Blue Nile? If you simply opt to choose a standard pair you get only a good cut, I colour and I1 clarity, but when choosing to build your own with an ideal cut, I colour and SI1 clarity there’s only $100 difference in it plus you get a GIA certificate. Both identical carat sizes. Why is this?
(I bought a standard pair for a reduced price in the Valentine’s Day sale and have only just discovered that it appears I could have selected “build your own” and obtained a pair with better quality diamonds for pretty much the same price. But as I’ve paid customs already I’d rather not return, so just trying to understand the logic behind this because it’s bothering me!).

 

[missie1]

I have gotten all my Diamond studs from BN thru their build your own pair. You can alway upgrade thru this program and get great quality stones. I would return as I find any stock blue Nile items not to be very good quality stones. I know you paid customs but would bite the bullet and get nicer stones that you can upgrade to larger and only pay the difference.

 

[Pkac]

I have gotten all my Diamond studs from BN thru their build your own pair. You can alway upgrade thru this program and get great quality stones. I would return as I find any stock blue Nile items not to be very good quality stones. I know you paid customs but would bite the bullet and get nicer stones that you can upgrade to larger and only pay the difference.

I’m honestly so annoyed that I didn’t realise the build your own option was a much better deal. I was hoping there was something I was somehow missing when I first realised tonight, but clearly no, I just didn’t do enough research before purchasing the stock ones. That said, the ones I bought are not large (only 0.73 tcw - I just wanted a small pair for daily use and had a budget as I’ve blown too much on bags already this yeah, haha) so I’m wondering if the effort to return and pay more customs etc would be worth it for a pair that small. Would the naked eye even be able to tell the difference?

 

[FunBagz]

I would return and build your own for GIA graded diamonds. With graded diamonds, you know what you are getting. Ungraded ones come with essentially just an opinion of the cut, color, clarity, etc., and those opinions are generally generous and biased.

 

[Pkac]

I would return and build your own for GIA graded diamonds. With graded diamonds, you know what you are getting. Ungraded ones come with essentially just an opinion of the cut, color, clarity, etc., and those opinions are generally generous and biased.

Thanks for the feed back. Gosh, why would people even opt for the stock option (other than without doing their due diligence like me?) I just don’t understand it.

 

[missie1]

I’m honestly so annoyed that I didn’t realise the build your own option was a much better deal. I was hoping there was something I was somehow missing when I first realised tonight, but clearly no, I just didn’t do enough research before purchasing the stock ones. That said, the ones I bought are not large (only 0.73 tcw - I just wanted a small pair for daily use and had a budget as I’ve blown too much on bags already this yeah, haha) so I’m wondering if the effort to return and pay more customs etc would be worth it for a pair that small. Would the naked eye even be able to tell the difference?

To me it would be worth it because you will get ideal cut and that is the key to sparkling diamonds regardless of the size. They will definitely pop more. I have two pair 3.4 ctw and 1.10 ctw and both are GIA certified ideal cut Js and the sparkle is insane on both.

 

[Pkac]

To me it would be worth it because you will get ideal cut and that is the key to sparkling diamonds regardless of the size. They will definitely pop more. I have two pair 3.4 ctw and 1.10 ctw and both are GIA certified ideal cut Js and the sparkle is insane on both.

Ok, thank you. That was my thinking, to exchange for an ideal cut pair but stick to around an I colour to keep the price as close as possible.

 

[Pkac]

I will say though, I’m standing under light and looking at the earrings next to my engagement ring, which is a 1 carat, brilliant diamond, GIA excellent cut, F colour, SI1 clarity, and I’m not seeing with my naked eyes a hugely significant difference in sparkle. I’m weighing up the decision to exchange heavily just due to the hundreds of dollars I will waste on customs. Maybe I should just go to a jewellery store near me and examine some excellent cut studs to see if I can tell the difference when on.

 

[FunBagz]

I will say though, I’m standing under light and looking at the earrings next to my engagement ring, which is a 1 carat, brilliant diamond, GIA excellent cut, F colour, SI1 clarity, and I’m not seeing with my naked eyes a hugely significant difference in sparkle. I’m weighing up the decision to exchange heavily just due to the hundreds of dollars I will waste on customs. Maybe I should just go to a jewellery store near me and examine some excellent cut studs to see if I can tell the difference when on.View attachment 5320602

View attachment 5320603

When was the last time your e-ring was cleaned? Diamonds collect oils and dirt very easily and yours looks like it could use a good scrub. Soak it in some very hot (not boiling) water with some dawn dish soap, then gently brush with a soft toothbrush. Repeat several times if necessary and rinse with clean water. A dip in rubbing alcohol or some wines helps to. My guess is it will have a lot more sparkle when you are done. Another thing to consider is your e-ring diamond is graded SI1 in clarity, which means it could have coulds or other inclusions affecting its transparency. You’d need to check the GIA report for the inclusions and any comments about the clarity grade. GL!

 

[CashmereFiend]

My bet for why the build your own option is a better deal than the standard pricing for their stock diamond jewelry is probably because the individual diamond prices can fluctuate with the costs of the diamond market, but the stock price is calibrated so that the price itself will absorb increases and decreases in diamond prices on the market. Blue Nile wouldn’t be selling those stock diamonds unless they could still be sure they’re getting a profit from them, and they probably don’t want to have to vary those prices too much overtime. I’ve noticed that the diamond pricing on the build your own option fluctuates in accordance with the diamond market, so the general trend right now is to increase. The prices were extremely good about a year ago, and in the late 2020s. Not sure if this will help, but this is what I’ve read. I just recently purchased a diamond solitaire as well as diamond stud earrings with the build your own option, and I purchased my jewelry that way to get the best quality diamonds at the best prices. I am beyond thrilled with both of my purchases.

 

[Parisluxury]

Can you post pictures of BN build your own earrings? Very interested in getting them but wasn’t sure how the settings would look. I don’t like the prongs being too big/chunky.

 

[Pkac]

My bet for why the build your own option is a better deal than the standard pricing for their stock diamond jewelry is probably because the individual diamond prices can fluctuate with the costs of the diamond market, but the stock price is calibrated so that the price itself will absorb increases and decreases in diamond prices on the market. Blue Nile wouldn’t be selling those stock diamonds unless they could still be sure they’re getting a profit from them, and they probably don’t want to have to vary those prices too much overtime. I’ve noticed that the diamond pricing on the build your own option fluctuates in accordance with the diamond market, so the general trend right now is to increase. The prices were extremely good about a year ago, and in the late 2020s. Not sure if this will help, but this is what I’ve read. I just recently purchased a diamond solitaire as well as diamond stud earrings with the build your own option, and I purchased my jewelry that way to get the best quality diamonds at the best prices. I am beyond thrilled with both of my purchases.

Thanks for this, it’s very insightful!

 

[Pkac]

Can you post pictures of BN build your own earrings? Very interested in getting them but wasn’t sure how the settings would look. I don’t like the prongs being too big/chunky.

If I go ahead with the exchange I definitely will post pics - I’m still trying to decide as I’ve realised that by the time I pay for the return postage and customs, that will add up to a third of the entire cost of the earrings. I’m so conflicted because people keep giving me opposing advice - some people are telling me I won’t even be able to tell the difference between my pair and an excellent cut, other people are insinuating that the difference will be immense.
I’m also worried that the backings on the build your own will be too chunky - they look different to me on the website than the backings on the pair I have. If anyone has a build your own pair it would be so appreciated if you could post some pics!

 

[FunBagz]

If anyone has a build your own pair it would be so appreciated if you could post some pics!

I used the “build your own studs” option from BN to purchase two matching lose diamonds to be set by my local jeweler in halo stud settings I already own. They are .47ctw H VS2. I’ve attached some pics below, but you can’t really assess diamonds based on photos. They haven’t been set yet, so they are just resting in the settings in that pic. If you take some time to learn about diamond cut quality (not to be confused with the cut grade assigned by the lab grading the stones, which is generally considered to be an overly broad range depending on the lab), you can use BN’s advanced filters to limit the depth, table, etc. How well the facets line up and work together is the number one factor in how well a diamond reflects light, which is what makes diamonds bright and sparkly regardless of size. GL

 

[Pkac]

I used the “build your own studs” option from BN to purchase two matching lose diamonds to be set by my local jeweler in halo stud settings I already own. They are .47ctw H VS2. I’ve attached some pics below, but you can’t really assess diamonds based on photos. They haven’t been set yet, so they are just resting in the settings in that pic. If you take some time to learn about diamond cut quality (not to be confused with the cut grade assigned by the lab grading the stones, which is generally considered to be an overly broad range depending on the lab), you can use BN’s advanced filters to limit the depth, table, etc. How well the facets line up and work together is the number one factor in how well a diamond reflects light, which is what makes diamonds bright and sparkly regardless of size. GL


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Your earrings look stunning!