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Q&A: Help Deciding Betweeen Pairs of Diamond Earrings

By Mike Fried,

Hello – I am looking to buy diamond stud earrings. I was searching online for information to educate myself, and enjoyed your article. Went to a jewelry store yesterday and tried on some 1.42 and 1.80 ctw, G color, SI1 earrings. They didn’t provide info on the cut although I am sure I could have asked for it. Seemed as if cut is important with earrings. I am not sure if I want around 1.5 ctw or 2.0 ctw. Also not sure if I want 3 or 4 prongs, white gold or platinum. Would appreciate some advice and assistance. Thank you!

I’m afraid that I can’t help you with the question about size. It’s completely subjective. There is no norm. Also, the choice of the setting is 100% a matter of personal taste and style. I’ll leave that one to you.

I’d be happy to make some recommendations for you, but I need a little more info.

Can you give me your ballpark figure of what you’re planning to spend? Then I’ll be able to help you more.

I am thinking between 1.5-2 ctw. I would love to get close to 2 – but not sure if I can on my budget.
I am looking for the best quality I can get for around 8,000ish as my max – although I could be willing to go higher if I needed to. I would also be willing to go lower 🙂 LOL – I only want to do this once so I want to get what I want this time. I am thinking 18k white gold, 3 prong martini style.

I probably should go to a jeweler and try on the sizes to see what I like the best, but if you can give me some ideas that would be great. I have been on blue nile and also on james allen. James Allen only seems to go up to 1.5 ctw. Do you know why?

Great, thank you for the additional info.

This would be my recommendation from both sites:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2565134?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2510185?a_aid=dmnd1357

Blue Nile LD08148516
Blue Nile LD07890365

We like to cherry-pick the diamonds instead of just getting the preset. This way you can make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.

What do you think?

When I searched, I used build your own earrings where they sell the diamonds in pairs. It looks like you picked each one individually instead?

For that price, I thought that I would get a better color than I. For earrings I believe that the cut is the most important factor is that correct? After that would it be clarity or color?

Thanks!

We search for the diamonds individually to make sure we recommend the best combination possible.

I color is our usual recommendation for studs and it looks fantastic. You are right, cut is the most important aspect of a diamond. Clarity in studs is even less important than in rings because you are not looking at them from the same distance. What matters most is that the 2 diamonds match perfectly (color, fluorescence, dimensions).

Thanks for the information. I am just not sure that this is the right fit for me. For James Allen, one of the diamonds is a SI1 and the other is a VS2. Shouldn’t they be the same? I would like to get a better color – G or better. Would it be better for me to get a higher grade color and maybe SI1 or a not so great color and a VS2? I am just trying to figure out what the right fit is for me. I assume no fluorescence is the best?

They don’t have to match in clarity (clarity grade is not that important as long the diamond is eye-clean. Once it’s eye-clean. it’s simple eye-clean and that’s it).

Our usual recommendation for earrings is an I+ color, SI2+ clarity (as long as there are no visible inclusions) and an excellent cut. Fluorescence (none, faint or medium) is a bonus on an I color, it helps the diamond look whiter.

Do you want to see some options with a higher color grade?

Hi! Thanks for providing me with the info. I am understanding what you are saying and may end up with going with the I but psychologically I was looking for a G maybe an H, I guess. I just think if down the road they get turned into pendants the better color might be better. If it isn’t too much trouble could you show me some G and H so I can compare the pricing differences. Also do you prefer James Allen because you can actually see the diamond you are picking ? I don’t think you can see them with Blue Nile right?

……

I have one other question. When you cherry pick the diamonds, how do I go about having them made into earrings? I was just playing around with the Blue Nile website and I added the individual diamonds to the cart but it doesn’t give me an option to build earrings out of them.

Just message their custom service and tell them that you have two diamonds that you’d like to set as earrings. They’ll help you with that.

Thanks! Not sure if you saw my other email. Was wondering if you can show me some G and H color, so I can compare with the I.

Also he James Allen you showed me last week one was sold so if you can find one more that matches the other one you found that would be great. I just want to be able to decide on the color based on the price. My only other option is to go smaller and upgrade at a later date if I feel the need. Maybe do 1.5 total? What do you suggest? I guess this is a personal preference.

I understand your concerns and if an I color is too big of a jump for you, let’s stick with higher grades. I wasn’t trying to push “bad” diamonds, but from our experience, I color diamonds set as earrings look perfectly colorless. Are you planning on turning them to pendants one day? This information, in fact, might change my recommendation because if you decided to use a halo design (smaller diamonds around the center stone), then it might have a yellowish tinge.

I’ll send you several options to choose from:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2545790?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2587453?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2464849?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2460486?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2477856?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2581077?a_aid=dmnd1357

As for James Allen vs. Blue Nile, choosing one company over the other always depends on our readers’ specific requirements. In this particular case, JA offers better value.

Let me know your thoughts.

I am really buying these just for earrings right now. I was just thinking longer term with the quality, as I don’t have daughters and I am thinking one day the diamonds would be passed down to hopefully grandchildren so I am just thinking of the versatility. I know it might be silly, but that is what I do LOL. After I was doing some looking on my own, I thought maybe I would go with the I, depending on the cost because I don’t want to spend a fortune either.

My only other option is to go smaller, maybe 1.5 carats total, and get a better quality but I do like the .9 size. I tried on both in a jewelry store, and the 1.5 ctw was nice, but I really did like the 1.8 cwt.

Thank you for your other recommendations below, I appreciate the time you are putting into this for me.

I noticed that the last one has both a F and G color – I would imagine the colors aren’t that too far off?

I will let you know what I decide!

That is sweet of you. I know there’s a lot of money in the game, so make sure you take your time and think it through before you commit to buy anything.

As for the last pair, exactly, there’s no difference between those two color grades.

I looked at all the diamonds you showed me below, and I am between the H and the G/F. The difference besides the color is the symmetry (Excellent on the H, Very good on the G/F) and the crown (35 and 35.5 on the crown and 36 on the G/F). I read a little on the website and it says the crown should be between 33-35 to be perfectly round, but 36 doesn’t sound far off and it is in earrings.

Which one do you think is the better set, in your opinion? The G/F is only 180 more, but not sure if I should be focusing more on the symmetry and going with the H.

Thank you for your opinion and your assistance. Once I decide I am going to order this week. James Allen is closed due to the weather otherwise I might have called them today. I need to ask their opinion on the settings. The martini setting doesn’t seem to be available for total cwt greater than 1.5.

Thank you again!

……

I called James Allen and I put the F/G ones on hold. They are checking to see if I can get the martini setting with these or not. They said usually it is made for stones up to 1.5 ctw so it may be a custom item which makes the setting non returnable. If that is the case, I am going with either the 4 prong or the basket setting. If you have any suggestions/comments on the setting I would welcome them! 🙂

In any event, looks like I may be ordering soon, probably within a week. I will end up ordering over the phone I believe, so just want to make sure you get credit for the purchase. They do have my email on file. Is there anything I need to do on my end?

Thank you!

Regarding the differences in the symmetry grades, there are none. Excellent and Very good symmetry is fine, I would just recommend avoiding the Good grade.

In my opinion, there’s no need to go higher than an H (especially for earrings), but if having G/F stones puts you more at ease, go with them. They will look great.

Regarding the setting, well, that is 100% a matter of personal taste and style. I think it’s best to leave you to pick it out.

Thanks for thinking about us with the email address. It will help us to double check with JA.

Thanks again for all of your help. I went to some jewelry stores yesterday and I am starting to wonder if 1.80 ctw is too bit and if I should go with 1.5 ctw. What do you think? Would you be able to show me some 1.5 ctw in the G color range? I am not 100% sure what to do. I am second guessing myself. I was pretty set on the 1.80 but I tried on 1.75 yesterday and 1.50 and I liked them both but thought maybe the 1.50 is better for everyday. Do you think 1.80 can be worn every day and not look too big?

Unfortunately, I can’t help you with the question about size. It’s completely subjective. If you think the 1.5 tcw would work better for you, let’s focus on that.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.77-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2613243?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2610065?a_aid=dmnd1357

These diamonds are gorgeously cut and match perfectly, but make sure you ask JA about the clouding on the second one, we need to know if it won’t affect the brilliance of the stone.

Thanks for the info. I went to a jewelry store again today and I think I am going to end up with the 1.80 ctw. The only problem is that JA does not offer the martini setting on diamonds over 1.50 ctw. I can get the setting, but it is considered custom, so it is not returnable. It makes me a little uncomfortable purchasing it (the setting is $400) without it being returnable.

What is upsetting is that jewelry stores and Blue Nile all offer the martini setting for diamond earrings of this size and they can be returned. I like JA because you can see the diamonds clearly and you know what you are getting. I was searching through Blue Nile and I know there are some diamonds that you can look at too. I may end up looking there for something similar to the choices you sent me for JA (1.80 G/F with SI1 clarity). I emailed JA to ask if they could make an exception on the setting, and also to ask what other settings I could get so we will see how the respond. I like how the martini setting looks on the ear. I tried that as well as the 4 prong and the martini looked nicer to me. JA has a scalloped basket setting but it is 6 prong – it does say it lays flat against the ear though.

Thank you for the info. I’m sorry to hear about the issues you’re having with James Allen. Let me know how this turns out.

Blue Nile is a reputable company and we recommend them to our readers often. I would just recommend being cautious of the diamonds without an actual picture. Blue Nile still don’t have the real pictures of all their diamonds, so I’d focus on the SI and VS diamonds that do have a picture/video of them to be on the safe side.

Blue Nile LD08288661
Blue Nile LD08322970

These diamonds are very well cut and match perfectly.

Let me know your thoughts.

Thank you! You are the absolute best! How do you think these diamonds compare to the ones from James Allen? They look really nice when looking at them online. I can barely see any inclusions even though they are SI1. The James Allen website seems to magnify them more which I like. If setting wasn’t an option which diamonds would you prefer/recommend?

If it were up to me, well, I would go with the cheaper pair, of course. Both of the pairs are lovely. I would compare their prices, but since the JA’s pair is not available at the moment, I don’t see the prices and unfortunately, I don’t remember them. The BN diamonds are equally beautiful and will make beautiful earrings.

The James Allen ones were $8170 but I have to pay more for the setting. Their standard martini setting doesn’t accomodate ctw of 1.5 or higher so it has to be customized which makes the setting non returnable. It is $250 in white gold and $400 in platinum. The scallop setting is more.

They have the diamonds you picked out for me on hold until Friday. I am going to look at the Blue Nile ones tonight and compare them both, with pricing for settings and decide and order by Friday. I am kind of leaning towards James Allen because I felt like they give you more info about the diamond and the zoom is closer I think.

I will let you know what I decide. Right now I am leaning toward trying the scalloped basket, and if I don’t like it I return it and get the custom martini setting but I am going to think about it a little more!

……

Me again – is there a reason why the diamonds look brighter and better on the Blue Nile site? Is it because they aren’t magnified as much as they are on the James Allen site?

It’s just the way the photo/video was taken and it doesn’t mean that the JA would be less bright.

I just wanted to let you know that I placed my order tonight. I went with the F/G diamonds you found me at James Allen. I am trying the handmade scalloped setting in white gold with the la pousette backing. I kept going back and forth and I figured I just had to make a decision 🙂 They are completely returnable so that gives me peace of mind. If for some reason I hate the setting, I can then go with the custom martini setting. The girl I spoke to today thought that with larger diamonds, more prongs was a safer setting. I am just hoping it lays flat to the ear. I don’t like how the classic 4 prong basket setting looks.

I will let you know how they are when I get them. It sounds like it may be a couple of weeks!

I am excited to finally make a decision and I thank you for your help! You have been a tremendous resource for me, and I don’t think I could have done this without you!

That does sound great, I’m glad you have the perfect situation!

I’d love to know how they look when they arrive, thank you. And you’re very welcome, it’s been a pleasure helping you.

Have a great weekend!

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online. Get 30% off lab-grown diamonds during a limited time sale.
What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Free International Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisals
  • One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
  • Free ring inscriptions
  • Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • Best-in-class packaging
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

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What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Free Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisal
  • One free resizing within the first year of purchase
  • High quality images of about half of their diamonds
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
  • Best in class fulfillment
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