DP.
This thread is so helpful. I went through the same thing a few months ago and ended up not getting anything because it was overwhelming.

Anonymous wrote:OP here again - sincerely, many thanks for everyone's advice - this is extremely helpful. Honestly, I never imagined buying earrings would be as complicated as buying the engagement ring (that was many years ago). I think Blue Nile might be the way to go (I'm in NOVA). She doesn't like flash and prefers quality and a little subtlety if that makes sense.

OP, you should consider stopping by Dominion Jewelers as well. Right down Rt. 7 from Tysons Corner. If you want to go on a weekend you need to make an appointment. They have staff in house that can do just about anything.

OP here again - sincerely, many thanks for everyone's advice - this is extremely helpful. Honestly, I never imagined buying earrings would be as complicated as buying the engagement ring (that was many years ago). I think Blue Nile might be the way to go (I'm in NOVA). She doesn't like flash and prefers quality and a little subtlety if that makes sense.

OP, your money will go a LOT further if you buy from a reputable out of state vendor. No sales tax on purchases of over $750. Unfortunately, that means you can't use Blue Nile if you're in VA.

I would look for diamonds with top cut grades from AGL or GIA. Round diamonds are easy; the depth and angles can tell you how much fire and sparkle to expect. You want "eye clean" stones. What that means is dependent on individual taste; you can see inclusions under magnification in my set but not with the naked eye. That's fine with me, but others place a higher priority on higher clarity.

Color, you could probably go to I without the "warming up" of the diamond being noticeable.

There's a site called Pricescope with lots of information, but I can tell you I've had good experiences with Whiteflash, Brian Gavin, and Good Old Gold.

Not OP but thanks for all this input. I want to buy some nice earrings for myself for a birthday present, and had no idea where to start!

If she's picky, offer to take her to the jewelry store. DH has learned that's the best give he can give me!

I'm in the minority with preferring princess cut (wearing my standard pair of princess studs). I would not wear standard brilliant cut studs, so that's one data point against them.

Blue Nile is amazing, seriously. I wear my 1ct total (.5 each) almost everyday. Get the martini setting.

Cut should be your #1 priority but you don't have to pay for the Choice or Signature (whatever its called). You can google some cut statistics and play around. Once you find some diamonds you like, put the stats in this calculator:

https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

If you are at all interested in environmentally friendly jewelry OP, check out Ken and Dana Design. They have natural and lab grown diamond studs.

Anonymous wrote:Blue nile is great! Don't waste your money on Tiffanys! Locally Dominion or Charleston Alexander are great too. Zales, Jareds and Kays don't have nice earrings. We looked at those places and they looked more like river rocks with very visible inclusions.

+1 Blue nile has a store at Tysons in case you need it. One caveat about Martini studs -- sometimes people have problems with that setting.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/martini-settings-stretching-ear-holes.76477/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^And cost less than solitares

Everyone's taste is different but I'm not a fan of the cluster of diamonds. Solitaire is a more classic look.

+1. I think they look cheap.

Anonymous wrote:Blood diamonds are out of fashion. Why not go with a prettier rock?

I understand that you want to tell yourself that. If you have any blood diamonds you are feeling guilty about them you can give them to me.

Anonymous wrote:^^And cost less than solitares

Everyone's taste is different but I'm not a fan of the cluster of diamonds. Solitaire is a more classic look.

Blue nile is great! Don't waste your money on Tiffanys! Locally Dominion or Charleston Alexander are great too. Zales, Jareds and Kays don't have nice earrings. We looked at those places and they looked more like river rocks with very visible inclusions.

Blood diamonds are out of fashion. Why not go with a prettier rock?