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Q&A: Looking for Diamond Studs With a $9,500 Total Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi there,

I’m looking for diamond studs. My goal is to keep the entire transaction below/around $9,500, including setting, appraisal, fees, etc, while hitting the 2-carat point on the pair.

Is that possible?

Here’s the best priced 2tcw I-color pair I found. The diamonds are very nicely cut and would be very bright and brilliant as earrings.
Blue Nile LD12711764
Blue Nile LD12350396

If you are not too color sensitive you can cheat a little and consider this J-color pair as well:
Blue Nile LD13113605
Blue Nile LD11908938

You can choose the setting here: Build Your Own Earrings

As for the appraisal, you’ll receive it along with the earrings.

So both these are paired for earrings?

Yes, you’d just put them in your shopping cart together with the setting and let their customer service know that you want to buy them as earrings. They would set them for you and you’d receive the the complete earrings.

I’m back…

Here’s my question…

This pair…
Blue Nile LD12989042
Blue Nile LD12874065

Is significantly less expensive and bigger… BUT I realize the color is worse.

I’ve been told that color is not as much an issue with earrings (compared to rings) and that, well, my wife would notice the extra size.

What do you think… that initial pair you showed me, is it worth an extra $2,000?

The K-color pair you sent me isn’t such a great choice. The diamonds don’t match in fluorescence (faint vs. medium) and one of the diamonds has many black crystals all over the surface that might be noticeable in person. It’s true that in case of earrings the color isn’t that big of a deal (that’s why we recommended I instead of H or G), but K color might already have a strong yellow hue, especially in a white gold setting. I’d go with a J color at the lowest if you want the diamonds to look white.

Just wanted to let you know I purchased the second set from Blue Nile.

Thanks for your help!

That’s great news! I’m glad you liked it so much.

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!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

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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