Diamond studs help & opinions please...

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#16
hmmm, sorry, but I've never heard of a jeweler saying cut is least important. Doesn't make sense at all. All rounds do not have the exact same # of facets, and even if they did the depth of the stone's cut, it's table, culet, etc. . . all seriously impact the stone's potential to sparkle. All round brilliants are not created equal.
This is WAY too much $ to spend on earrings w/o certifications that ensure excellent cut.
I'm a mere consumer, but I'm a very educated consumer and have been buying diamonds for years . . .
Cut IS king.
 
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#17
swanky mama of three said:
hmmm, sorry, but i've never heard of a jeweler saying cut is least important. Doesn't make sense at all. All rounds do not have the exact same # of facets, and even if they did the depth of the stone's cut, it's table, culet, etc. . . All seriously impact the stone's potential to sparkle. All round brilliants are not created equal.
This is way too much $ to spend on earrings w/o certifications that ensure excellent cut.
I'm a mere consumer, but i'm a very educated consumer and have been buying diamonds for years . . .
Cut is king.
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ita!
 
#18
No certificate AND comments about how cut doesn't matter? Sounds off to me. I'd be very hesitant to purchase such large stones without certifications and with unknown cut.

Instead of visiting Zales go visit a reputable jeweler and start comparing.
 
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#19
Run...far, far away. Sorry to say that as it's your friend's mother, but she doesn't sound like an ethical jeweler. Like Swanky said, cut is king when it comes to diamonds. I suggest you read up on diamonds on pricescope.com and check out some of their recommended vendors to get an idea on pricing & quality.

schadenfreude said:
An update!

So I called her back and asked about cut. She said since the stones are all round they have the same number of facets, and that cut actually matters *less*, especially on the ears. (E-rings are a whole other ball game.) The stones she has aren't officially certified... so there are no certificates for me to see, she said to have that done is 10-15% more, and again, not really worth it for the ears.

I stopped at (don't laugh) Zales after work just to sniff around and get some comparisons. They had a 2 ctw set that were nice but had noticeable inclusions, $5500.

So, with that information, what do you guys think? I've been to this woman's home and trust that she's not going to sell me crap. I just wish I knew more about this process so that I didn't feel so vulnerable.
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#20
I agree with the comments about having reservations now with hearing the jeweler's response. it just isn't correct. the "make" (cut & proportions) is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING for diamonds. yes, I agree that the "make" doesn't need to be ideal for the ears, & I even agree that you don't need certified diamonds for the ears, but if she can't give you any more details than THAT I would be extremely wary. the dealer who is supplying the diamonds to her should have some info. sounds a little like she's pushing you for a sale...no offense.

try pricescope or blue nile. you'll know EXACTLY what you're getting.
 
#21
Okay well.... The cut is important and a lot of people will cut back on some things for studs because they are in the ears and not in a ring.

However, It costs maybe $100-200 to certify a stone through GIA, PGS, EGL ect plus mailing costs. It is not 15-20% more. Maybe that is what she upcharges. But yeesh. Also I sell 2ctw in the SI, F-H color range for $6500ish with certs so it's not unreasonable for you to want more info on cut or a cert with 2ctw+ diamonds.


schadenfreude said:
An update!

So I called her back and asked about cut. She said since the stones are all round they have the same number of facets, and that cut actually matters *less*, especially on the ears. (E-rings are a whole other ball game.) The stones she has aren't officially certified... so there are no certificates for me to see, she said to have that done is 10-15% more, and again, not really worth it for the ears.

I stopped at (don't laugh) Zales after work just to sniff around and get some comparisons. They had a 2 ctw set that were nice but had noticeable inclusions, $5500.

So, with that information, what do you guys think? I've been to this woman's home and trust that she's not going to sell me crap. I just wish I knew more about this process so that I didn't feel so vulnerable.
Click to expand...
 
#22
^ITA...had the same reaction. but then I thought, maybe the jeweler is building in the additional value of the stone when she wants to increase by 15 - 20% (maybe the dealer of the stones is quoting that to her too). OP...FYI, certified stones are more valuable b/c they are certified. they will also hold their value better (you'll be able to sell them for more if you decide to re-sell/upgrade in the future).

with that being said, it is still no excuse...especially considering that she is a family friend. my biggest concerns are that fact that she's dismissing your questions, not giving you info that she could easily obtain, & trying to convince you that the most important thing about a diamond isn't actually important.
 
#23
Ugh!!! What a bummer. As much as I hate to say it because it's my friend's mom, I'm just skeptical. In her defense, I think she may have been misunderstanding my use of the term "cut" for "shape". But... nevertheless... I think for potential future resale value getting certified stones really is the best bet.

****! Well... any good e-retailers you guys can recommend? I haven't heard the best stuff about Blue Nile.
 
#24
I have to agree with everyone else, even though studs are on your ears not your finger, cut is still the most important factor, it is what makes them sparkle and gives them more life! IMHO color and clarity can be sacrificed on studs but cut is still the most important! I really don't know why she would tell you that...I would do some research on Pricescope.com and they have a whole list of recommended vendors and you can visit their websites.
 
#25
Do you have a local jeweler you can check with? You can see the stones in person and get a quick education on them and give locals a chance at making your $. My local jeweler is VERY competitive w/ online pricing. . . they know they have to be these days.
 
#26
Congrats on your honor and all your hard work to achieve it! You definitely deserve some gorgeous earrings. I think diamond studs are the most classic and beautiful to own. You will have them forever, and tho I'm not very knowledgable in this, I would definitely make sure you are getting the best for the money AND a certificate...Hope when you decide you will post pictures!:balloon:
 
#27
schadenfreude said:
Ugh!!! What a bummer. As much as I hate to say it because it's my friend's mom, I'm just skeptical. In her defense, I think she may have been misunderstanding my use of the term "cut" for "shape". But... nevertheless... I think for potential future resale value getting certified stones really is the best bet.

****! Well... any good e-retailers you guys can recommend? I haven't heard the best stuff about Blue Nile.
Click to expand...

It does sound very off- that is a LOT of money to spend on stones that are not certified.

Have you been to pricescope.com? They have a search tool where you can look for stones w/ certain specs. I've never bought from these, but Good Old Gold, White Flash, and James Allen are names that pop up here and there for good service and quality (I like lurking over there to see all the lovely things ppl post).
 
#28
I only just saw this thread but, phew, good to see so many other gals are on it!

Cut matters A LOT. I want the best cut for my earrings precisely because they aren't looked at as closely - badly cut diamonds aren't going to have any presence nestled back there on the ears and what a colossol waste of money. On the flip side, clarity and colour is where you can compromise with earrings for sure, like others have said, providing you've maximised cut. A Hearts and Arrows diamond is the creme de la creme of the round cut. You'll find come across that term with a bit of research.

Read up on pricescope.com forums. Good Old Gold also has some really good starter info in easy to understand language: http://www.goodoldgold.com/4Cs/

I don't believe that she mistook cut for shape either. The shape is round! I think you could safely assume she's bumped the colour and clarity grades up without the restriction of certification: you can't see inclusions in a true SI dimaond with the naked eye. She does sound like she's trying to take advantage. Incidentally, I was looking to buy a stone cut in-house by Good Old Gold (not yet certified) and they gave me the option of GIA certification before purchase... at zero cost to me. That's the way it should be. 15% - 20% more? She's just making sure you don't get them certified, because it'll disprove the stats she gave you. (Also, AGS and GIA are generally considered the best - i.e. strictest - certifiers.)

This actually makes me very angry. She's your Mum's friend so I'll leave it at that. You'll be spending a lot of money to commerate a whoooole lot of hard work: take your time to put in a bit of research and you'll be so thankful you did. The stones you see in Zales have got nothing on a super ideal cut stunner, not to mention are very over priced for what they are.

Last but not least, congratulations! What an achievement. :woohoo: Ask as many questions as you like.
 
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#29
^^^ I would also add PGS as an EXCELLENT lab. They are in Chicago and they are very strict grading. They completely map out the stone for you too, measurements, picture, plotting of inclusions. I know them very well and use them often.
 
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