Diamond Studs

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#994
ame said:
OP: If you happily wear your CZ studs daily, and wish to get the real deal in a similar or slightly small size for budgetary reasons, that sounds like a really worthy birthday gift to yourself. They'll outlast an LV, for sure. If you'd like some input on stones let me know. You can do it "piecemeal" or preset, and I can point you in the direction of some great vendors to get a pair to blow your mind--you'll see the difference for sure. There ARE some CZs that are cut like diamonds and tinted to be more realistic, though the refractive indexes are different so there are visible differences, most notably when turned upside down, as stated above.
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I am in the market for a pair in the 1 ct total weight market and have no clue how to go about it. I have a pair of 2 cttw but work as an educational advocate with lots of lower income families in public schools and that size just isn't always appropriate. A smaller earring between .75-1.00 total would be a lot more acceptable but I don't even know how or where to start. Since they'll be sitting at my ear does the cut really make that much of a difference? Any chance you could share some insight or point me to an already existing thread that I could read?
 
#995
twin-fun said:
I am in the market for a pair in the 1 ct total weight market and have no clue how to go about it. I have a pair of 2 cttw but work as an educational advocate with lots of lower income families in public schools and that size just isn't always appropriate. A smaller earring between .75-1.00 total would be a lot more acceptable but I don't even know how or where to start. Since they'll be sitting at my ear does the cut really make that much of a difference? Any chance you could share some insight or point me to an already existing thread that I could read?
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Cut quality always matters, why not get the best cut for your money since cut quality dictates the sparkle factor? Don't spend money on something that isn't going to sparkle the best it can. Cut is king.

I think as far as where to start, I'd want to know where you're comfortable buying, and what type of budget you have. Budget can make a difference in just how realistic you really need to be, some people will go into the search thinking they can get some massive diamonds of impeccable quality and they really only have the budget for a .5ct stone of such quality and need to get a reality check--because they can get seriously screwed by a jerk vendor otherwise. If you're in NYC area you have TONS of local resources you can visit to view in person, many of which also have online presences. And if you live in say NJ and the vendor is in NY, you might be able to waive sales tax due to being out of state, thus saving a little money while still being a local purchase. If not, that's not a big deal, I just mentioned it due to the quantity of vendors.

There are several threads that I've posted in regarding this sort of thing (not necessarily stud related, but cut related) that might help, hopefully you can find one to review (don't bump it because then people start posting in them and we don't need to rehash in a zombie thread. I have a cheat sheet for rounds as well, in the Diamond FAQ thread, which will help if you decide to look for some stones online as well. If you want to discuss specifics, PM me, and we can look at VERY specific stones and discuss why something is better than another, without posting those in the open, because any stone that gets publicly approved gets poached and that just makes me irate.
 
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#996
ame said:
Cut quality always matters, why not get the best cut for your money since cut quality dictates the sparkle factor? Don't spend money on something that isn't going to sparkle the best it can. Cut is king.

I think as far as where to start, I'd want to know where you're comfortable buying, and what type of budget you have. Budget can make a difference in just how realistic you really need to be, some people will go into the search thinking they can get some massive diamonds of impeccable quality and they really only have the budget for a .5ct stone of such quality and need to get a reality check--because they can get seriously screwed by a jerk vendor otherwise. If you're in NYC area you have TONS of local resources you can visit to view in person, many of which also have online presences. And if you live in say NJ and the vendor is in NY, you might be able to waive sales tax due to being out of state, thus saving a little money while still being a local purchase. If not, that's not a big deal, I just mentioned it due to the quantity of vendors.

There are several threads that I've posted in regarding this sort of thing (not necessarily stud related, but cut related) that might help, hopefully you can find one to review (don't bump it because then people start posting in them and we don't need to rehash in a zombie thread. I have a cheat sheet for rounds as well, in the Diamond FAQ thread, which will help if you decide to look for some stones online as well. If you want to discuss specifics, PM me, and we can look at VERY specific stones and discuss why something is better than another, without posting those in the open, because any stone that gets publicly approved gets poached and that just makes me irate.
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Thank you so very much for your thorough response. I do not live in NYC or even close and have no problems buying from a reputable online seller. Thank you so much for the info you already provided. I am such a novice that I did not know that cut dictates sparkle, lol! I thought it was all about clarity. I will look for the threads you mentioned.
 
#997
twin-fun said:
I am in the market for a pair in the 1 ct total weight market and have no clue how to go about it. I have a pair of 2 cttw but work as an educational advocate with lots of lower income families in public schools and that size just isn't always appropriate. A smaller earring between .75-1.00 total would be a lot more acceptable but I don't even know how or where to start. Since they'll be sitting at my ear does the cut really make that much of a difference? Any chance you could share some insight or point me to an already existing thread that I could read?
Click to expand...


Hi kind of off topic but if you are concerned about wearing your large diamond stud why not try something different like a pearl stud or another semi precious stone stud? Just another idea than a second pair of diamond studs. :flowers:
 
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#998
Julide said:
Hi kind of off topic but if you are concerned about wearing your large diamond stud why not try something different like a pearl stud or another semi precious stone stud? Just another idea than a second pair of diamond studs. :flowers:
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Thanks so much for the input! I already own pearl studs and a couple of plain gold hoops and while I love colored gemstones on rings I don't like them as earrings on me. I find that I'm reaching for the large diamond studs less and less even in my private life so these smaller studs would probably replace the 2 karat ones I currently own as I'm considering selling them.
 
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#999
ame said:
Cut quality always matters, why not get the best cut for your money since cut quality dictates the sparkle factor? Don't spend money on something that isn't going to sparkle the best it can. Cut is king.

I think as far as where to start, I'd want to know where you're comfortable buying, and what type of budget you have. Budget can make a difference in just how realistic you really need to be, some people will go into the search thinking they can get some massive diamonds of impeccable quality and they really only have the budget for a .5ct stone of such quality and need to get a reality check--because they can get seriously screwed by a jerk vendor otherwise. If you're in NYC area you have TONS of local resources you can visit to view in person, many of which also have online presences. And if you live in say NJ and the vendor is in NY, you might be able to waive sales tax due to being out of state, thus saving a little money while still being a local purchase. If not, that's not a big deal, I just mentioned it due to the quantity of vendors.

There are several threads that I've posted in regarding this sort of thing (not necessarily stud related, but cut related) that might help, hopefully you can find one to review (don't bump it because then people start posting in them and we don't need to rehash in a zombie thread. I have a cheat sheet for rounds as well, in the Diamond FAQ thread, which will help if you decide to look for some stones online as well. If you want to discuss specifics, PM me, and we can look at VERY specific stones and discuss why something is better than another, without posting those in the open, because any stone that gets publicly approved gets poached and that just makes me irate.
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Question for you regarding NYC sources...is there a list of reputable diamond dealers maintained on this forum? I know the jade thread runs a list of retailers and am wondering if there are particular sources that are recommended in NYC? No biggie if you don't want to share sources. Thanks!
 
#1,000
Pirard said:
Question for you regarding NYC sources...is there a list of reputable diamond dealers maintained on this forum? I know the jade thread runs a list of retailers and am wondering if there are particular sources that are recommended in NYC? No biggie if you don't want to share sources. Thanks!
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I've heard only good things about ID Jewelry in NYC diamond district.
 
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#1,001
Pirard said:
Question for you regarding NYC sources...is there a list of reputable diamond dealers maintained on this forum? I know the jade thread runs a list of retailers and am wondering if there are particular sources that are recommended in NYC? No biggie if you don't want to share sources. Thanks!
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Not really....

I like Good Old Gold in Mass Park LI, and as mentioned ID Jewelry is good, Brilliantly Engaged is good, James Allen has an NYC outpost, I am sure I am forgetting someone. Steven Kirsch is great for settings.
 
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#1,004
I definitely second the recommendation to get jumbo backs. I have them for my 2 CTW studs (martini set) and they hold the studs nice and upright without any of that drooping forward that drives me nuts!
 
#1,005
hi ladies -
my husband is getting me a pair of diamond studs for my birthday! so excited as this will be my first pair. but i'm picking out the diamonds, and since i'm new to this (but have learned 1000x what i knew just in the last two weeks...) i'm driving myself crazy with ASET images and idealscope images and whether i should go whiteflash or blue nile or james allen. i'm looking for a 1 ctw pair (i have very small earlobes, which i didn't realize was a blessing until this!) set in platinum 3 prong martinis, and wondering where you've had the best shopping experiences...
 
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