20 replies to this topic

[happycetacean]

Okay, first post on here.

Great forum, learning a lot from reading the FAQ.

I am wanting to purchase .66 TW (2 X .33) earring set from Bluenile.com

1. Should I go with the three prong or four prong white gold setting?

2. Which diamond option?

Option 1: [url="http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4528/option1.jpg"][url]http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4528/option1.jpg[/url][/url] ($756)

Option 2: [url="http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/5654/option2r.jpg"][url]http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/5654/option2r.jpg[/url][/url] ($842)

Option 3: [url="http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/7154/option3r.jpg"][url]http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/7154/option3r.jpg[/url][/url] ($875)


I know little about diamonds. Just want something that looks nice and will impress.

I just don't know if this is a good deal and if there is a substantial difference between
the cheapest option $756 and the more expensive $875. If there isn't, I'd much rather
save the money and go with the cheaper option.

Thank you for your help,

HC

Edited by happycetacean, 07 May 2010 - 05:07 AM.

[davidelevi]

Welcome!

It's a bit of an impossible question to answer. No-one has seen the diamonds - not even Blue Nile - and that's what you'd need to do to come to a judgement on whether the extra money would be worth spending. Now, the info available does tell us a number of things which may help. Bear in mind that the price (particularly on Blue Nile) is set where it is for a reason; you get what you pay for.

So, what are you paying for?

Pair 1 is discounted almost certainly because of their cut. BN's cut rating is not particularly reliable, but the basic proportions aren't promising. There is also a possibility that the SI1 inclusions are visibile.

Pair 2 may have a similar problem with inclusions; they are H colour rather than E/F, so despite seeming to be better cut they are not much more expensive

Pair 3 is at a relative premium because, despite their colour being graded lower (I-J) than the other two, they seem to be well cut and are higher clarity (VS2).

If I were to place a bet, I'd go with pair number 2. The significant question here is whether there is a clarity problem (the inclusions are visible?), but the only way to answer it is for you to look at the stones.

[happycetacean]

davidelevi, on Friday, May 7 2010, 10:25 AM, said:

Welcome!

It's a bit of an impossible question to answer. No-one has seen the diamonds - not even Blue Nile - and that's what you'd need to do to come to a judgement on whether the extra money would be worth spending. Now, the info available does tell us a number of things which may help. Bear in mind that the price (particularly on Blue Nile) is set where it is for a reason; you get what you pay for.

So, what are you paying for?

Pair 1 is discounted almost certainly because of their cut. BN's cut rating is not particularly reliable, but the basic proportions aren't promising. There is also a possibility that the SI1 inclusions are visibile.

Pair 2 may have a similar problem with inclusions; they are H colour rather than E/F, so despite seeming to be better cut they are not much more expensive

Pair 3 is at a relative premium because, despite their colour being graded lower (I-J) than the other two, they seem to be well cut and are higher clarity (VS2).

If I were to place a bet, I'd go with pair number 2. The significant question here is whether there is a clarity problem (the inclusions are visible?), but the only way to answer it is for you to look at the stones.

Thank you for your thoughtful response and input. I was looking over bluenile's grading info and they mentioned that if I call them, they'll inspect the stones to verify the blemishes are not visible on casual inspection. So I may do that and take the second pair. Buying diamonds is an interesting optimization problem, heh?


Edit: Which prong style should I go for? 3 or 4?

Edited by happycetacean, 07 May 2010 - 07:39 AM.

[Britani17]

Hi Happycetacean!

We have a beautiful pair weighing .63cttw. SI1 G-H already set in four prong white gold settings. We have a 100% upgrade in the future,with no restrictions, so you basically get a permanent credit at our store. Also, we guarantee the grades of the diamonds as well, and have free shipping. If you are interested let me know info@dbof.com.

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[davidelevi]

Just make sure that you give BN precise instructions as to what you consider to be eye clean: lighting, distance, angle of observation, visual acuity.

Given the size of the stones, I'd stick to 3 - less metal in sight.

The optimisation point of view is an interesting one. It's true that one could construe the thing as a mathematical problem. The issue is that so many of the parameters are difficult to quantify - for example personal preferences on cut or taste on shape...

[barry]

For this carat size, go with three prongs as it will allow more surface area of the diamonds to be open and seen.

[happycetacean]

davidelevi, on Friday, May 7 2010, 11:50 AM, said:

Just make sure that you give BN precise instructions as to what you consider to be eye clean: lighting, distance, angle of observation, visual acuity.

Given the size of the stones, I'd stick to 3 - less metal in sight.

The optimisation point of view is an interesting one. It's true that one could construe the thing as a mathematical problem. The issue is that so many of the parameters are difficult to quantify - for example personal preferences on cut or taste on shape...

davidelevi,

Can you please explain some of these concepts. I'd like to be at least nominally knowledgeable
before asking questions. What does 3 - less metal in sight mean?

[happycetacean]

barry, on Friday, May 7 2010, 12:17 PM, said:

For this carat size, go with three prongs as it will allow more surface area of the diamonds to be open and seen.

Thanks for the hint. Will do!

[barry]

Good Luck!

[davidelevi]

happycetacean, on Friday, May 7 2010, 07:28 PM, said:

davidelevi,

Can you please explain some of these concepts. I'd like to be at least nominally knowledgeable
before asking questions. What does 3 - less metal in sight mean?

Basically the same observation as Barry made (3 prongs = less metal, more stone visible than with 4). Sorry; I should have specified prongs.

On the concepts - do you refer to my observation about clarity? Or on treating the problem of diamond choice as a formal optimisation problem?

On clarity (which is by far the easiest and shortest), what I mean in long hand is the following:

1. Make sure they look at the stone in the lighting you want. Diffused strong lighting ("Northern sky") is the best environment for looking at diamond "imperfections".
2. Tell them at what distance you expect to see (or not see) the inclusion. Typical distance for "close observation" is about 10-12 inches for a ring - but for earrings it may be more (not that many people can get close to my ears, anyway)
3. Angle: do you expect the stone to be "clean" only when looked at straight from the top? Or also at some angle? Or even from the side? Normally what matters is the view from the top, since that's the way most people will look at it, but some buyers are fussier and want to make sure the inclusion is not visible from any angle.
4. Visual acuity: if your eyesight is particularly keen, you may be able to see things that others don't... so, don't be surprised if they tell you they can't see anything but you can.

[Jack7000]

An often overlooked consideration – social norms.

Earrings, especially studs are there to be seen but not examined.
In most social environments, there will be a minimum of 2’-3’ separating you from your admirers. And unless you pull your hair back (from the profile pic) your studs will seldom be available for close scrutiny.
Pick a dollar value you are comfortable with and buy the largest I, SI2 studs available. I color will look and flash white and no one will ever see SI2 from 12” away. Throw in some fluorescence (lowers the price but not the beauty) and those studs will be enormous.



Don’t get too wrapped up in the technical details; your friends and family will see the sparkle and won’t care at all about this color or that clarity.





HTH

[davidelevi]

That rather depends on where you are based. Samra is based in UAE. The OP is based in the USA...

In addition, there are other reasons/customs to be wary of UAE/Dubai sourced stones.

[happycetacean]

Wow, thank you everyone for the great responses and thoughtful insights.

Okay, one thing did shock me when I added the set to my cart.

Those 3 prong white gold studs add $250 (OMG!) to the overall price.

So my chosen Option 2 will actually cost me a whopping $1092.

Is that a fair price for a stud earring set?

Needs some of your sagacious advice. I never thought that a little gold backing would set
me back an additional $250.

HC

[davidelevi]

Good quality setting work - $20 per stone; two light settings = 3.5 grams of 18k gold = ~$100 of gold (at scrap value), plus alloy costs (silver, nickel or palladium) gets you to $150 quickly. Then you have the metalwork - whether it's cast or fabricated, it still needs to be made, and it requires time and energy - a bit of overhead, some profit, and it's not tough to get to $250. Is it the best deal in the world? No. But it's not unreasonable.

Just to pick two other well reputed online retailers (James Allen and Whiteflash) - both have settings or whole earrings that are cheaper, but at the cheaper price neither retailer allows you to pick the stones, or does it offer GIA reports for the stones.

[happycetacean]

davidelevi, on Sunday, May 9 2010, 05:37 AM, said:

Good quality setting work - $20 per stone; two light settings = 3.5 grams of 18k gold = ~$100 of gold (at scrap value), plus alloy costs (silver, nickel or palladium) gets you to $150 quickly. Then you have the metalwork - whether it's cast or fabricated, it still needs to be made, and it requires time and energy - a bit of overhead, some profit, and it's not tough to get to $250. Is it the best deal in the world? No. But it's not unreasonable.

Just to pick two other well reputed online retailers (James Allen and Whiteflash) - both have settings or whole earrings that are cheaper, but at the cheaper price neither retailer allows you to pick the stones, or does it offer GIA reports for the stones.

davidelevi, you are the man!

[HeartAndStone]

davidelevi, on Saturday, May 8 2010, 08:54 AM, said:

That rather depends on where you are based. Samra is based in UAE. The OP is based in the USA...

In addition, there are other reasons/customs to be wary of UAE/Dubai sourced stones.

ssshhhh.. but please tell us..
Two weeks ago, my cousin went to Dubai, and then I asked her to buy me a gold ring size 6, if she can find any diamond ring bargain that would be great. She said, I should stick to a gold ring forget the diamonds. I'm confused.

[davidelevi]

Nothing to be confused about. Dubai/UAE are good markets for gold, but diamonds aren't all that competitively priced (or well selected), plus there is the habit of selling them in sealed packages which make inspection and return near impossible. If you can, you are better off buying in the USA.

[happycetacean]

davidelevi, on Sunday, May 9 2010, 05:37 AM, said:

Good quality setting work - $20 per stone; two light settings = 3.5 grams of 18k gold = ~$100 of gold (at scrap value), plus alloy costs (silver, nickel or palladium) gets you to $150 quickly. Then you have the metalwork - whether it's cast or fabricated, it still needs to be made, and it requires time and energy - a bit of overhead, some profit, and it's not tough to get to $250. Is it the best deal in the world? No. But it's not unreasonable.

Just to pick two other well reputed online retailers (James Allen and Whiteflash) - both have settings or whole earrings that are cheaper, but at the cheaper price neither retailer allows you to pick the stones, or does it offer GIA reports for the stones.

I checked out both James Allen and Whiteflash and they don't seem to offer the screwback mount like Bluenile does. Their pushback mounts are cheaper (~$175). From your opinion, is there much difference in safety between a pushback or screwback?

[davidelevi]

No. My wife manages to lose both.

Actually yes, there is a difference, but it also depends on how good the clip is on the pushbacks. On the other hand, screwbacks can be a pain in the neck (literally!) if one takes out the earrings regularly (e.g. for showering/putting make up on) - which one should, but not everybody bothers.

[happycetacean]

davidelevi, on Tuesday, May 11 2010, 08:19 AM, said:

No. My wife manages to lose both.

Actually yes, there is a difference, but it also depends on how good the clip is on the pushbacks. On the other hand, screwbacks can be a pain in the neck (literally!) if one takes out the earrings regularly (e.g. for showering/putting make up on) - which one should, but not everybody bothers.

The screwbacks seem safer and the person getting these usually wears earrings all the time.