Here are my 0.57, 0.56 carat F VS1 RB studs. I think it’s important for you to try on various pairs and find the best carat weight and size for you.
Diamond Studs
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Here are my 0.57, 0.56 carat F VS1 RB studs. I think it’s important for you to try on various pairs and find the best carat weight and size for you.
Periogirl is correct. Also, it is not a new technology. There have been several companies that market them. Where I live one company calls them a centennial cut. Meh. I feel like it is marketing that mostly could be used to mask poor cutting. As I said before, a diamond looks it’s best by having good cut proportions. Adding on facets doesn’t make it automatically sparkliest. It’s probably going to make it look more splintery.
Here are some shots of the round brilliants I have had and currently have. The first pair were no name .5ctw (still have them for my 2nd hole).
then I got my first super ideal pair from Brian Gavin (.67 ctw). I went with BGD because that is where my e-ring stone is from.
I traded those in a couple of years later to upgrade to my current pair which is .81 ctw. (Apparently I never gave them a photoshoot because the lighting in our current house stinks...) Pardon the wet hair. But here is an ear shot of the .81 BG pair with a .82 ctw old european cut pair. (The super ideal cut pair is 4.75mm each)
Old European cuts (.82 ctw ~4.5mm each...)
real life perspective with a pair of .20ctw studs (3mm each..)
then I got my first super ideal pair from Brian Gavin (.67 ctw). I went with BGD because that is where my e-ring stone is from.
I traded those in a couple of years later to upgrade to my current pair which is .81 ctw. (Apparently I never gave them a photoshoot because the lighting in our current house stinks...) Pardon the wet hair. But here is an ear shot of the .81 BG pair with a .82 ctw old european cut pair. (The super ideal cut pair is 4.75mm each)
Old European cuts (.82 ctw ~4.5mm each...)
real life perspective with a pair of .20ctw studs (3mm each..)
Thank you so much for taking the trouble to post photos. Super helpful and got very good info from this thread. I am looking to get second hand ones to skip paying VAT. John Lewis had a good selection in various sizes.
My first diamond studs were .5 ct each (1 ct total) and I was happy w/ those for every day to start. Then there is psychological "shrinkage" so I upgraded to .85 ct each (1.7 ct total) and when I first put them in I felt they were borderline too large for everyday! But now I am used to them and very happy with them for everyday wear. I'm glad I didn't spring for a full 2 ct total as I think I would have found them too large/ostentatious for daily wear. I have a thread somewhere about my purchase, will try to find it.
ETA--here's the thread w/ my earrings: https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/my-diamond-stud-earrings-upgrade.992124/
Good luck! I would definitely go see some in real life. If you are looking at ones pre loved at an actual store, try to view them near a window, away from jewelry store lighting. If they still look pleasing in natural light (and not the fancy jewelry store lighting that is skewed to make ALL diamonds look sparkly, even poorly cut ones), then you probably have a decent pair on your hands.
Hi ladyS if you are up for a train or car journey I can recommend a good manufacturing jewellers that you can see a reasonable selection of choices at in a "shop" environment. They possibly won't allow you to put the posts through your ears but you can look at them on holders by your ears for guidance until you narrow it down. They will certainly be less expensive than a high street jewellers such as Beaverbrooks or Goldsmiths etc and they will also be able to tell you exactly what stone grading etc you are getting. They will also manufacture exactly what you want in their on site workroom from loose stones if they don't have what you looking for in the shop although probably not "while you wait".
My studs are Asscher cuts which I bought around 10 years ago now.
PM me if you would like more information.
My studs are Asscher cuts which I bought around 10 years ago now.
PM me if you would like more information.
M
MagpieInTraining
I have two pairs: a 0.5cttw (for my second piercing) and a 3cttw, the latter with a removable halo for when I want a loooot of bling (both are rounds). Planning on buying a third pair at a more in between size and maybe a different shape at some point as I love diamond studs!
Have you decided on something? Many people have contributed ideas and information.
Hi ladyS if you are up for a train or car journey I can recommend a good manufacturing jewellers that you can see a reasonable selection of choices at in a "shop" environment. They possibly won't allow you to put the posts through your ears but you can look at them on holders by your ears for guidance until you narrow it down. They will certainly be less expensive than a high street jewellers such as Beaverbrooks or Goldsmiths etc and they will also be able to tell you exactly what stone grading etc you are getting. They will also manufacture exactly what you want in their on site workroom from loose stones if they don't have what you looking for in the shop although probably not "while you wait".
My studs are Asscher cuts which I bought around 10 years ago now.
PM me if you would like more information.
Thank you all - very good advice here and I ve learned so much. I checked out the ‘previously cherished’ (I.e. second hand) section at John Lewis but haven’t found anything that really attracted me. Thank you @bunnycat who suggested checking the sparkle near the window, away from artificial light- it makes all the difference. Also I was incorrect about VAT on second hand diamonds- they are not exempt any more.
I do prefer to see and handle items in person rather than buy online so will need to devote some more time to this when I can.
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I'm an outlier, but I prefer smaller studs of high quality.
Also I hate screw backs. I've never lost my jumbo backs.
Also I hate screw backs. I've never lost my jumbo backs.
Then your average is not my average. Call me Doctor.