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I am looking to buy a pair of diamond stud earrings for my wife to celebrate our anniversary. I have read your comments on James A versus Blue Nile and I am actively shopping both. I hope to make my decision in the next 24 hours.
I am looking for an individual carat weight of over 1. What advice do you have? What setting would you recommend?
……
I sent a message an hour ago but now realize that providing more detail will help you help me. I am in the market for a pair of diamond stud earrings. Budget is $20k. My wife is 5′ 9″. Like the article that I just read, I would like them to make a statement but not be so big as to look ridiculous. My wife prefers a silver-colored metal. I have looked at both BN and JA. JA doesn’t seem to have the right size stones.
Thank you for the additional info.
I looked around and I like this pair for you:
Blue Nile LD08484445
Blue Nile LD08097506
They are gorgeously cut and match perfectly. They’ll be very brilliant.
What do you think?
They look great. Would you go for Ideal versus Sig Ideal? I had identified the following as a possibility but not sure of the culet, etc.
Blue Nile LD02501220
You’re welcome.
Small culet is a no-go, you should stick with none.
Honestly, we ignore the signature ideals from Blue Nile and use our own parameters. The diamonds are usually more expensive with no additional bonus.
Very helpful, thank you. If I had a bit more to spend (more lise $21000) would you recommend a slightly bigger pair or is 1.5 each plenty?
What setting would you reccomend? Style and metal?
Many thanks.
You’re welcome.
If you increased your budget, it would look like this:
Blue Nile LD08422899
Blue Nile LD08423731
As for the metal, white gold is what we always recommend:
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/platinum-vs-gold/
The setting is a question of fashion/style. I’ll leave that one to you:
https://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-earrings/settings
The color difference won’t be noticeable?
I don’t think I understand. The new diamonds are both I-color like the previous pair.
I have run into a bit of a problem. Blue Nile says that I can’t order two unpaired diamonds in an earring setting. They say I have to use their tool. Are the two earrings you suggested already paired?
Also, I still have my question about I color. Not a problem for earrings?
……
Sorry, yes, both same color. Is I okay for earrings?
Second follow-up was around the process. BN says they can’t turn two unmatched diamonds into earrings.
I color is our usual recommendation for earrings and it looks great. There’s no need to go higher than that.
It’s usually possible to choose two diamonds separately, but if they don’t want to allow it, here’s a great preset pair:
Blue Nile LD08443022 and LD08484445
Thanks again for all the help. I have gone ahead and made the purchase from BN. All I had to do was to put the diamonds in my shopping cart and call customer service. They asked for the “order number” at the top of my cart and a rep guided me through the rest in a few minutes.
That’s great news! I’m happy it worked out well for you. You’re welcome, it’s been a pleasure helping you.
I hope you love the earrings when you receive them. If you could let me know how they look when they arrive, I’d appreciate it.
I spoke too soon. One of the diamonds may be unavailable. Below is the note I got from Blue Nile. What do you think of their proposed alternative?
Thank you for shopping with Blue Nile, it is a pleasure assisting you on such an important purchase.
Here is the link the new diamond we discussed:
1.57 I RD VVS2
Blue Nile LD08053407
It will be a very nice match to the one that has been confirmed available for your order:
1.58 I RD IF
Blue Nile LD08423731
This is the diamond that is currently delayed:
1.61 I RD VVS2
Blue Nile LD08422899
No worries. The alternative they suggested is great, the diamonds match very well together. Go for it.
Thank you!
You’re welcome!
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
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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