Fashion & Beauty
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Where to buy diamond earrings

DH wants to get me a pair of diamond earrings for Mothers Day. He initially looked at Tiffanys but is looking elsewhere. Where do you like to buy your jewelry? Where do you steer clear of? I just want something simple and can wear in a daily basis. Preferably $500 or less. I'm not a jewelry expert at all so maybe you can't get a nice pair of quality diamonds for that much but hopefully you ladies will be able to help me. =) links and pictures welcome!

Re: Where to buy diamond earrings

  • Honestly - I would go someplace like Jared or Kay or something. DH bought mine at T&co and I am sure he paid double for the Tiffany name. And for tiny diamond studs... It's not like you can tell they are Tiffany's! 
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  • I would go to a reputable, local jewelry store where you can get a fair deal and exactly what you want. Get a recommendation from someone. Go in with your price range and wish list and see what they can do for you. I find brand name places will have far less quality diamond earrings for a higher price.
  • DH got my e-ring, our wedding bands, a diamond solitare necklace and a few other pieces from Zales. Very good experience every time - it's the only jewelry store we shop at now. 

    Good quality, and they stand behind it! 

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  • imageSterl72410:

    DH got my e-ring, our wedding bands, a diamond solitare necklace and a few other pieces from Zales. Very good experience every time - it's the only jewelry store we shop at now. 

    Good quality, and they stand behind it! 

    Good to know! I want sure about the chain stores. Years ago we went to Kays with our own diamonds and they wanted thousands to make a setting. We ended up going to a one shop jeweler and we paid $500. I really don't know much though so all this info is helpful =)
  • image315bride:
    I would go to a reputable, local jewelry store where you can get a fair deal and exactly what you want. Get a recommendation from someone. Go in with your price range and wish list and see what they can do for you. I find brand name places will have far less quality diamond earrings for a higher price.

    THIS.  Zales, Kay, etc are way, way overpriced for unimpressive diamond quality.  You are paying for their extensive advertising and expensive mall rent. 

     A reputable local jeweler will have higher quality diamonds at more reasonable prices.  

  • If you're interested in shopping online, you could try www.anjolee.com. You can pick whatever size stones and quality you want to match your budget.
  • imageSterl72410:

    DH got my e-ring, our wedding bands, a diamond solitare necklace and a few other pieces from Zales. Very good experience every time - it's the only jewelry store we shop at now. 

    Good quality, and they stand behind it! 

    Same here. My e ring, band, FIs band, and my pearls are from Zales. They have a great diamond warranty 

  • Steer clear of the mall-type places (Jared, Kay, Zales, etc.). They are overpriced and the stones are not impressive. Find a diamond broker or go to an independent jeweler. When DH was shopping for my e-ring, he bought the diamond from a broker and then took it to an independent jeweler to have it set. He would have easily paid double what he did if he had bought a comparable ring from a chain store.
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  • Go to a reputable local jeweler.  Steer clear of the mall stores and chains.  The quality and prices are not nearly as good as the local reputable jewelers.  A close friend is a second generation jeweler in a family owned store.  It's amazing what you can get in her store compared to a chain since the owner is always there to negotiate. 

    I've browsed mall stores while using them to have watch links removed. Almost every one of them has called my champagne diamond by the name of a gemstone other than a diamond at some point.  I wouldn't shop for a diamond in a place that can't even recognize a fancy colored diamond.    

  • Bluenile.com also has a great reputation for customer service and great quality diamonds.  Just another place to check out!
  • Is there a way for an inexperienced shopper to be able to tell the difference in quality of a diamond?
  • imageIfferMarie:
    Is there a way for an inexperienced shopper to be able to tell the difference in quality of a diamond?
    If you're inexperienced, a reputable jeweler will explain things like the 4 C's to you and be willing to point out flaws with a jeweler's loupe to help you figure out which of the 4 C's are most important to you.  The GIA site can explain them easily for you.  You can read up on them here, print the brochure, and have questions in the back of your mind while you shop. 

    Some web references will refer to a 5th C being "Certificate."  Certificates rate the diamond and make them a little more valuable since the certificate explains the cut, color, clarity, and carat.  Any diamond can be certified at any point, but buying certified just means that the time has already went into inspecting and rating these things.  Certificates usually cost extra to have done which is why certified stones are more expensive.  EGL is another certificate and this is what they look like.  Hope this helps!

  • I would go to a pawn shop, you will get way more bang for your buck there.
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  • Bluenile.com.
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  • Costco has great quality diamonds for a fair price.
  • For ethically sourced diamonds that come from places that have environmental controls, see Brilliant Earth.  They have beautiful diamonds. The link below shows a pair of diamond earrings in your price range.

     http://www.brilliantearth.com/eco-friendly-jewelry/earrings/preset-earrings/

  • You will pay more at Tiffanys because the quality is far better than the other "mall" stores.

    I would suggest either Tiffany's or a local jeweler.  I had mine made by a local jeweler (they were a gift).

  • imagewoodie:

    For ethically sourced diamonds that come from places that have environmental controls, see Brilliant Earth.  They have beautiful diamonds. The link below shows a pair of diamond earrings in your price range.

     http://www.brilliantearth.com/eco-friendly-jewelry/earrings/preset-earrings/

    Interesting website...off to find out why they don't include Argyle diamonds

    The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.
  • Check out Pricescope before you buy.  We use an independent jeweler that works in one of the NYC jeweler's exchanges, my family has used him for well over 20 years.  If you're near a major city, you might have a diamond/jeweler's district.  Ask around for recommendations for a reputable jeweler. 
  • Costco! They are(were?) the number 1 diamond dealer in the US, and they have the same minimum color ad clarity requirements of tiffany.
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