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How big are the diamonds you are looking for? I tell people if it is a good size, 60 pt or more, have a price range for the stone you want to buy and ask to look at both the more expensive and cheaper stone and compare them side by side. You should be able to see the difference immediately without the micro scope. with the eye piece, more then 99% of the people would not know what the heck to look for anyway. Then go from there. Are you looking to buy stone and the setting sepetately? Most people could not see the difference in quality of the stone if it was sitting next to there eye balls. Buy something you or your wife are happy within a certain price range. No one will know except for the very train eyes. I was born into the business. Dad's a custom jeweler from the old country. He made everything by hand, I mean by hand. He did and still does not own any machinery or casting equip. He make anything you want with a good few hammers, files and a a bit of fire. We have gotten so bad, or trained me so badly that when we see someone with a good size stone, we just glance and then shake our heads or nod if it a good piece. Much like seeing a good clean old style 911 that's done well or not. Love to help you but dad's retired and I have been out of the business for too long. If you have questions fire away. Prices of diamond is pretty much the same everywhere you go, the saving really depends of how much profit the dealer or retail stores are willing wants to make. If you like and are willing to travel to the jewelry mart in LA, I will ask dad tomorrow for some tips as to who to go to. Many of them are wholesalers but they may or may not sell to you. I stay away from people like the Jererly Exchange or the big tv ad companies.
Oh, one more advice. If they are studs with a good size stone, try to get the stud made with a screw back. We thread the stud portion so it is really hard to fall off one's ear. You have to unscrew it to take it off. I dislike the spring clips. Take a sweater off and goes the ear ring.
Good luck.
Jeff
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