Should I upgrade my diamond studs?

[lovemydeals]

So, I bought a pair of diamond studs from BlueNile over 15 years ago. They are .54 carat each, F color, VS2, Ex/Ex/Ex, no fluorescence. I bought them for $3300, not including the setting. Fast forward to today. Bluenile has an upgrade program where I can trade in my earrings for what I paid minus the setting cost. I can use that money toward an upgrade. My budget is around $5000. So, I found similar spec diamonds. They are .85 carats each, F colors, VS2, Ideal/Ex/Ex, no fluorescence. With the trade in, I can buy these for approx $4700, plus the cost of the setting and tax. Will .30 make a big enough difference in size for me to appreciate it? I know I can change my criteria and sacrifice color and/or clarity get something bigger. Would you do the trade?

Also, does anyone have any experience with the upgrade program?

Thanks!

 

[FunBagz]

Not all .54ct stones are the same diameter, nor are all .85ct stones. Do you have the lab reports for all the stones in question? If so, plug the measurements into diamdb.com. Assuming none of the stones are cut exceptionally shallow or deep, you will be increasing in size by about 36%, which is a pretty nice bump.

 

[lovemydeals]

Thank you, FunBagz! I checked out the website and based on my specs I am looking at a 30 - 31% increase in the face-up area. Gives me a good idea of what to expect.

 

[missie1]

.30 points definitely will make difference visually. I have upgraded my studs two times with Bluenile. My 1st upgrade was from .55 to .90 each ear. I should have went to 1.20 each ear . Kept those for 2 years and upgraded to my current pair at 3.4 ctw. My advice is to go as big as possible with this jump because if you find them too small later you will need to spend double again.

 

[Allisonfaye]

I upgraded my studs to 2 ctw back around 8 or 9 years ago. I would suggest going into a jewelry store and trying them on to see. I was considering 3 ctw and after trying them on, I thought they were too big for my small ears and also one of my ears was pierced at a bad angle so they didn't face up the same and it was more noticeable on the bigger ones. So I am sticking with what I have.

 

[jtc103]

Ohhh I’m curious about this upgrade program. Have you plugged in the specs of your current earrings on BN for current pricing? How much has it increased in price? Would you not get better return trying to sell it privately then using that money towards the new one you’re eyeing?

 

[lovemydeals]

Ohhh I’m curious about this upgrade program. Have you plugged in the specs of your current earrings on BN for current pricing? How much has it increased in price? Would you not get better return trying to sell it privately then using that money towards the new one you’re eyeing?

So, BN will give you 100% of your purchase price - minus the setting and taxes to use toward the purchase of a new pair of earrings. You have to spend 2x the amount of the original earrings. So, if you bought the original ones for $2000, you have to spend at least $4000.

When I plugged in the specs of my current pair, it had not gone up too much. I guess I could have tried to sell them, but didn't want to go through the hassle of doing i

 

[dieguteteufelin]

.3 carats is actually a pretty noticeable difference. If I was to do the trade I’d consider whether the extra size would impact wearability at all since those will be some gorgeous, eye-catching stones with a lot of wow factor.

 

[Rachel_Mara]

So, I bought a pair of diamond studs from BlueNile over 15 years ago. They are .54 carat each, F color, VS2, Ex/Ex/Ex, no fluorescence. I bought them for $3300, not including the setting. Fast forward to today. Bluenile has an upgrade program where I can trade in my earrings for what I paid minus the setting cost. I can use that money toward an upgrade. My budget is around $5000. So, I found similar spec diamonds. They are .85 carats each, F colors, VS2, Ideal/Ex/Ex, no fluorescence. With the trade in, I can buy these for approx $4700, plus the cost of the setting and tax. Will .30 make a big enough difference in size for me to appreciate it? I know I can change my criteria and sacrifice color and/or clarity get something bigger. Would you do the trade?

Also, does anyone have any experience with the upgrade program?

Thanks!

I would go down on the quality if you are wearing them on your ears in turn for bigger stones. No one will be able to see inclusions on your ears. Plus I find it’s the sparkle (cut) and colour that matters most to the naked eye. I think SI quality is suitable for earrings just my opinion. I think for your ears size is more important.

 

[Gourmetgal]

I would go down on the quality if you are wearing them on your ears in turn for bigger stones. No one will be able to see inclusions on your ears. Plus I find it’s the sparkle (cut) and colour that matters most to the naked eye. I think SI quality is suitable for earrings just my opinion. I think for your ears size is more important.

Wholeheartedly agree.