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Q&A: Help Finding Diamond Studs Within a $2-$3k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello,

looking for a 1 ctw pair of diamond studs, eye clean. Would like to stay under USD 2000-3000. Can you please help?

Thanks.

Can you also tell me what shape of diamonds you are looking for? Then I’ll be happy to send you my suggestion.

Oops! I forgot to mention the important bit! Sorry!
I’m looking for round cut diamonds.

Thank you for the additional information.

Here’s my suggestion of a pair with the quality I’d recommend:

Blue Nile LD08161123
Blue Nile LD09958410

Both stones are very well cut, eye-clean and going to look colorless.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

Thank you for your response. I like these. I wonder if the “feather” inclusion on the 0.5 carat can be seen though…

Would it make a significant difference to the prize but unnoticeable to size if I dropped to 0.49 carat?

Also, I presume Blue Nile would deliver to the UK?

I think I do like them to be honest. If you confirm that this is the best value given the size etc. then I will go ahead.

I also read Mike’s article on studs – I suppose matched pairs without certificate only make sense if the size is under let’s say 0.5 carat – is that correct?

Just want to make sure as this is my first substantial diamond spend… so a bit nervous.

I checked their inventory again and also found these two stones:

Blue Nile LD09805112
Blue Nile LD09791210

I think that the feather on the other stone is quite light and will be fine for studs. At the same time, the pair I found now is a great option, too. And we can be sure about the eye-cleanliness.

I’d personally stick with 0.50 carat stones with a certification. But you can also pick their preset pair:

Diamond Stud Earrings in 14k White Gold (1 tcw.)

Let me know what you decide

Can you give me recommendations for 1.5 ctw studs? If the price it right may opt for a bigger pair.

Here is their collection of settings, pick the one you like the most. They will mount it with the stones you pick automatically:

Build Your Own Earrings

And here’s my suggestion of 0.75 carat stones:

Blue Nile LD09971398
Blue Nile LD09982705

Thank you for all your helpful advice!

I have gone ahead and ordered your initial recommendation and closed the deal after speaking to Blue Nile:

Blue Nile LD08161123
Blue Nile LD09958410

I am very pleased to hear that!

It was my pleasure helping you. And please let me know how you like the studs once they arrive.

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.
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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