Diamond earrings

[themauvehen]

I am thinking of investing in some diamond earrings.

A shop in my town sells quality second hand jewellery and has various pairs of diamond stud earrings.

What should I be looking out for?

Insurance costs!

Also, are they certified as not being blood diamonds? (or old enough to predate - not just the certification system, but the rise in diamond-funded slaughter in the second part of 20th century)

In choosing, you need to look at the quality of the stones: the 4 Cs

carat: size
colour: there's a scale, the 'whiter' the better
clarity: the clearer the better
cut: do you like how it sparkles

Please please look at www.pricescope.com/community/forums/rockytalky.3/

It's an American forum for diamond enthusiasts, these people are enthusiasts but you can read through old threads or ask for recommendations, they are usually happy to help. They are much more knowledgeable than the UK consumer generally (I saw that nicely because Americans are a lot more demanding in the jewellery stakes generally) and you will learn that it's all about the cut of the diamond that gives it it's fire and sparkle. You can actually go down on colour and clarity quite a bit and still get a superior looking diamond if the cut is good especially for earrings. Cut is king.

It really depends on your budget but I'd be looking at buying from USA, even with shipping and import duties it's likely to be cheaper and you'll get better quality.

If you're happy going second-hand I'd have a look at auctions. We got my antique engagement ring at a trusted local auction house and had it valued at over seven times more than we paid. It also ticks the ethical boxes (or is not adding to the problem depending on how you see the ethics question as regards old diamonds vs new).

I recently had some made for me in Hatton Garden. A very good friend who works in the diamond industry put me in touch with a colleague who gave me 'mates rates' but even with that discount they still came out a (very) little more expensive than this website.

www.diamondsfactory.co.uk/design/3-prong-setting-stud-earring-cler1301?utm_source=webtargeting&utm_medium=Adroll&utm_campaign=Web-High-Intent-Campaign

Trust your eye. If you're not massively fussed about 'natural' diamonds then consider going down the laser treated route.

(They basically laser out inclusions, it's pretty invisible to the naked eye and only a gemologist would know. But it makes your stones a good deal cheaper. FWIW- my whole family are jewellers and I dont fuss about it because they're still worth the money I paid but look like they're worth a good £3-£5k more.)

my whole family are jewellers

Please adopt me, I'm no trouble & love diamonds.

Mine are from America ( my dh works there ) they have a screw back. Bloody genius and can't be lost ! So look for that!

Yes, I like the idea of a screw back!

Lots to think about and learn. Thanks.

I wax wading in to make sure you but Ines with secure backs.

I had diamond studs bought for me 7 years ago. I wear them every single day and they make me feel very classy and glam but not flashy. I wear them with a matching single diamond pendant. Very sound investment.

I had another set bought for me last year of little daisy clusters but they backs arnt secure and I'm scared to wear them!

I went shopping for diamond studs last month and one jeweller put me off screw backs - he said if they're removed too roughly it can ruin the thread and the setting would need to be changed. I don't know how true that is though!

I had a look online and bought these:

www.amazon.co.uk/Silver-secure-locking-earring-Aloxia/dp/B00B4AC65W?tag=mumsnetforum-21

and they're brilliant. I have no concerns about losing the earrings at all now.

Mine are fine after 3 years. I'd rather risk them being safe and worry about any damage later although I really can't see it being a problem as they are like new 5 years down the line .

Hat makes no sense . Obvs 5 years or 3 . Fat fingers 🙄

I had screwbacks once and they used to work free over time so I was constantly tightening them. One eventually fell off. Luckily I only lost the butterfly not the diamond and I returned the earrings for a refund. (Costco, one year return policy). When I had my current pair made the jeweller was adamant that a tight fitting standard butterfly with a slightly ridged post was the safest option.

The rate at which I lose earrings I wouldn't. There are so many high quality fakes nowadays (ciro is good) that if the rest of your jewellery is good people will assume diamond studs are real anyway.

I have owned 2 pairs of diamon earrings. Note the "have".

Bought some. Wore daily for 5-6 years. Lost one.

Replaced on insurance. Wore daily for 2 years. Lost one. Whilst paying higher insurance premiums

I now wear "fakes" but very good ones. I am not sure you can really tell that much. And if anyone judges - meh. Just do not want to go through the sick feeling again of having lost one.

I would never bother again tbh.

Mine never work free and I check them at regular intervals just in case .

I have gorgeous diamond stud earrings bought for me by my parents on my 30th birthday, but am too scared to wear them in case I lose one!

Can anyone recommend some good fake diamond studs?

I treated myself to a pair of diamond stud earrings after my DM died and left me some money. I love them and wear them loads. They are screw back earrings and I have never had any trouble with them and I have had them 13 years now.

Look on qvc for fakes , they have a website as well as a channel .

I bought some diamond earrings a few years ago. They cost £1500. Went back after a week as I couldn't wear them. Three days are my maximum for any earrings so now I never wear any apart from very occasionally for Christmas Day or a wedding etc.

I have thought about fakes but the stones are always really big and I want understated rather than flashy. If I could find some diamonique that was small enough to look realistic (for me), then i would consider that route.

Those Swarovski earrings in the mn email
Look pretty good for a fiver!

Have you got a link, queen? I don't seem to have that email.

Debenhams do v small diamond studs set in silver. Oddly I can wear silver in my ears all the time but not 18ct gold. Oliver Bones do some really classy earrings in silver.