Diamond studs upgrade, please help!

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M

MillyT

O.G.
Dec 4, 2011
155
0
#1
Ladies, I am looking to upgrade my 0.8x ctw studs to 1.2-1.5ctw, to celebrate a new job! I have selected two diamonds and put them on hold. But now I am second guessing my choices... These will be my go to studs for a long long time, so really wanted something nice!

#1
Shape and Cutting Style ........................................... Round Brilliant
Measurements .............................................5.67 - 5.70 x 3.50 mm

Carat Weight .................................................0.70 carat
Color Grade .............................................................. G
Clarity Grade ............................................................SI1
Cut Grade ........................................................Excellent

Polish ............................................................. Excellent
Symmetry........................................................ Excellent
Fluorescence ..........................................................None
Clarity Characteristics.............................. Feather, Cloud

Depth 61.6%, table 56%, crown 34 pavilion 40.6, girdle medium to slightly thick, faceted 4.0%, cutlet none.

#2:

Shape and Cutting Style ........................................... Round Brilliant
Measurements .............................................5.66 - 5.69 x 3.53 mm

Carat Weight ................................................0.70 carat
Color Grade .............................................................. G
Clarity Grade ...........................................................SI1
Cut Grade ...................................................... Excellent

Polish ..............................................................Excellent
Symmetry.........................................................Excellent
Fluorescence .........................................................None
Clarity Characteristics...............................Crystal, Cloud

Depth 62.1%, table 56%, crown 35 pavilion 40.8, girdle medium to slightly thick, faceted 3.5%, cutlet none.

What do you think? Yay or nay? TIA!
 
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#3
The 2nd one is less ideal anglewise than the first. More importantly have you SEEN them--I'd be concerned about the plots. Crystals and feathers in SI clarity stones are not always eyeclean.
 
#4
Thank you both for your reply!

Ame: No I haven't seen them, these are from blue nile. Do you think the cut is decent enough? on paper at least? Can you tell me what you don't like about the 2nd one? My budget is <=$5000 for both so probably won't be able to go up to VS2. I have SI1 for my current studs in bezel setting and they seem clean to me. But I don't have a good eye for this...

Oh and do you think 4 prong would be better for this size?

Thank you so much for your help!
 
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#5
I prefer 3 prong martinis to a 4 prong basket, it's a cleaner look. If they have a 4 prong martini, that would be doable too. I don't care for a basket setting. My preference.

Only pro about blue nile is return window.

If you are buying from Blue Nile, I personally am not comfortable with an SI clarity. I can't do an SI without photos of each stone being available, and they simply don't do that. Sites like Brian Gavin, Whiteflash, James Allen, Good Old Gold, HIgh Performance Diamonds--they provide the actual diamonds in real images that help you identify the inclusions and whether they will be as visible to you or not.

Regarding the 2nd one--that pavilion angle goes better with a crown closer to a 34.5. They line up very well. This is not TERRIBLE but you'd get better light return from a better crown angle. I am also not sure about the clarity with crystals sight unseen.
 
#6
ame said:
I prefer 3 prong martinis to a 4 prong basket, it's a cleaner look. If they have a 4 prong martini, that would be doable too. I don't care for a basket setting. My preference.



Only pro about blue nile is return window.



If you are buying from Blue Nile, I personally am not comfortable with an SI clarity. I can't do an SI without photos of each stone being available, and they simply don't do that. Sites like Brian Gavin, Whiteflash, James Allen, Good Old Gold, HIgh Performance Diamonds--they provide the actual diamonds in real images that help you identify the inclusions and whether they will be as visible to you or not.



Regarding the 2nd one--that pavilion angle goes better with a crown closer to a 34.5. They line up very well. This is not TERRIBLE but you'd get better light return from a better crown angle. I am also not sure about the clarity with crystals sight unseen.
Click to expand...


Ame thank you so much for your expert opinion. More importantly&#65292;thank you for taking the time to explain each point.

This time I'll have to go with BN only because my previous studs were from them. They'll take them back and credit full price toward this upgrade.

I'll try to work with their reps to see if the stones are eye clean.

3 prong Martinis are so elegant however I am paranoid about losing a prong. Maybe I should stick with bezels then? Decisions decisions...

Again thanks so much for your time and help!
 
#9
MillyT said:
Ame thank you so much for your expert opinion. More importantly&#65292;thank you for taking the time to explain each point.

This time I'll have to go with BN only because my previous studs were from them. They'll take them back and credit full price toward this upgrade.

I'll try to work with their reps to see if the stones are eye clean.

3 prong Martinis are so elegant however I am paranoid about losing a prong. Maybe I should stick with bezels then? Decisions decisions...

Again thanks so much for your time and help!
Click to expand...

A 3 prong is plenty secure for a stud earring. If you lose a prong, I need to know what you're doing with your head. If they're in your ears, you would have to be doing things like dragging your head on the concrete.
 
#11
Why don't you contact Brian Gavin Diamonds or Good Old Gold. Brian Gavin is one of the best cutters. I would not spend money on an SI1 diamond. It's grey looking. I would go down no less than vs2, but would try for vs1 esp with G. Both the houses above are excellent and honest. If you want cushions, brian is known for his exceptional cuts of those and everything else.
 
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