Brilliant collection earrings anyone??

[Andromeda]

Hello everybody!

I have been so super in love with two amazing settings on PP and thanks to all of you amazing, lovely, sweet and helpful pearl sisters here, I know how one of them looks like IRL.

Here are the settings I am talking about:
1. http://www.pearlparadise.com/p-1721-brilliant-collection-freshadama-pearl-amp-diamond-earrings.aspx
2. http://www.pearlparadise.com/p-1028-romantic-collection-white-freshadama-freshwater-pearl-amp-diamond-dangle-earrings.aspx

I came across this thread where I found loads of reference pictures of the romantic setting and I had almost decided on it till I bumped into this picture of Princess Diana:
http://www.dianasjewels.net/Necklaces/1986Austria.jpg

The setting of her earrings does look very much like the brilliant collection one I think.

I was wondering if anybody has this setting and can give their invaluable opinion and ear shots or can advise me on the pros and cons of the settings. Thanks in advance

 

[NacreLover]

I have the romantic, but haven't seen the other setting before. Is it new? Looking at it, I would think it would limit you on the size of pearl you could use with this finding. I couldn't wear it since I have a tear in one piercing and this would show. If you do get them please do a review.

 

[pearlsngems]

Neither works for me as one of my ears was pierced higher than the other (not intentionally). If you have any asymmetry in your piercings this could affect you.

I have a pair of Freshadama earrings in the "Classic Leverback" setting (which is the Romance setting minus the diamond) and it really pinches the earlobe that has the higher piercing. There is just not enough space for the lobe. I don't wear them often, as a result.

The Brilliant setting would be a problem for me also because the pearl wouldn't dangle low enough on that side to clear the earlobe, and the two earrings would look lopsided.

 

[pkinnew]

Andromeda - I don't have either one of these but I am partial to drop earrings and love a touch of diamonds. Based on earrings I have from PP I think you'll be very pleased with the quality. Let us know what you decided!

 

[LitGeek]

I have the Classic setting (Romantic minus the bling) with 10-11mm baroque Tahitians and find them very comfortable. I am saving for the Brilliant dangles in white freshadama to wear with my new strand. I think the Brilliant looks more formal, which is what I am looking for since I purchased the freshadama drops to wear more casually. I think both are lovely though! Which do you see yourself getting more wear from?

 

[seaurchin]

First, they're all lovely and so much is just individual taste. Also, this may not be at all what your vision is, but if I was lucky ducky enough to be picking out some pearl and diamond earrings right now, I'd get PP's allure setting. And, I'd get the largest pearls I could afford, probably drop shaped. That's because I've bought smaller pearl earrings and always wished later that I'd gotten something showier, but never wished I'd gotten something smaller or with *less* wow factor. Drop shape imo looks sexy in an earring, looks larger (the mm size listed is the width, so they'd be much larger than rounds of the same mm size) and is also less expensive, so more pearl for the money, showier. If you have a round pearl strand, I'd get at least 1/2 mm larger. Imo, drop shape is also nicely less old style matchy-matchy with a strand of rounds. (you can custom order the pearls but might want to ask them to email you pics first because I believe custom orders aren't returnable).

About the two you've listed, when I get post earrings it's usually because they're plain studs, so, least expensive. But, if I'm paying more anyway, I find wires much more comfortable, for lying down or talking on the phone, for example. Another possible problem with that style earring (the brilliants) is I'd worry that since there's little room between the post and the dangly pearl, the pearl may be partially on the earlobe and sit strangely.

The romantic setting is nice too, but I've heard someone not like how the diamond sticks out farther than the pearl in that particular setting. And, I guess I just prefer the line of tiny diamonds in the allure setting. You get diamond glints all the way up that way.

Anyway, that's just my bossy personal opinion haha. But as I said, they're all nice and I certainly wouldn't turn any of them down. Let us see what you get!

http://www.pearlparadise.com/p-1863-allure-collection-white-freshadama-freshwater-pearl-amp-diamond-dangle-earrings.aspx

 

[SMC]

I love the Brilliant Collection earrings! They seem very similar to this Mikimoto style:

 

[bsomlo]

I have the Romantic setting in both white gold and yellow and like it, and I also have the Eternal:

http://www.pearlparadise.com/p-1951-eternal-diamond-dangle-earring-14k-gold.aspx

I must say, I like seaurchin's suggestion of the Allure setting and will keep it in mind for the future!

 

[pearlsngems]

What I'd like to see PP carry is a finding like the Eternal in shape (which I think would actually fit my ear lobe that has the higher piercing) but without the diamonds. That is, an affordable alternative to the Classic that is more secure than the French hook/Shepherd's hook.

 

[LitGeek]

What I'd like to see PP carry is a finding like the Eternal in shape (which I think would actually fit my ear lobe that has the higher piercing) but without the diamonds. That is, an affordable alternative to the Classic that is more secure than the French hook/Shepherd's hook.

You might try having hoop dangles made. PP has plain gold hoops at a very reasonable price. They use large pin heads to set the pearls, which is also very affordable. I love my dangles and look forward to adding many more to my collection.

 

[pearlsngems]

What I'd like to see PP carry is a finding like the Eternal in shape (which I think would actually fit my ear lobe that has the higher piercing) but without the diamonds. That is, an affordable alternative to the Classic that is more secure than the French hook/Shepherd's hook.

You might try having hoop dangles made. PP has plain gold hoops at a very reasonable price. They use large pin heads to set the pearls, which is also very affordable. I love my dangles and look forward to adding many more to my collection.

I've actually made these for myself. I have several smallish hoops (in silver and gold), and it's easy to pass a head pin through a drilled pearl and make a simple or wrapped loop to create a pearl charm. I also use the charms in interchangeable hook findings I make.

 

[Andromeda]

Thank you everybody for the great advice and tips! It actually makes sense that the height of piercing will drastically affect the way the brilliant setting will look like on a person. Also the other settings are a lot more accommodating. Honestly I love the romantic setting and the eternal with a drop tahitian, but am not sure if PP carries them in drop white metallics since no matter how much my heart skips a beat when I see the breath-taking tahitians here at the forum, my dark hair leaves no room for dark colored jewelry

The hoop idea is fantastic too. Love this setting (umm actually love all Her jewelry!):
http://www.dianasjewels.net/Earrings/AADS002785.jpg

More close up pictures here:
http://www.dianasjewels.net/pearlearrings.htm

Not sure which jewelers to contact to get it done within budget!

I truly agree with all of you that the brilliant earrings may not be for everybody. Though the Mikimoto setting SMC suggested is a great looking one with a lot more flexibility I think.

So many options so hard to decide!!

 

[pkinnew]

Andromeda - I never knew Diana was such a pearl fan! Thanks for sharing the photos!

 

[LitGeek]

Andromeda PP made my hoop dangles for me. Here is the link to their plain hoops http://www.pearlparadise.com/p-307-polished-hoop-earring-14k-gold.aspx and the eye pins for the pearls http://www.pearlparadise.com/p-346-eye-pin-large-14k-gold.aspx. You would just need to choose your loose pearls. I would call or chat w/ PP because they do have white drops.

You can see a photo of the white freshadama drops Hisano made for me in this thread http://www.pricescope.com/forum/pearls-new/freshadama-vs-aaa-metallic-t196420-60.html

PS - Kate Middleton also wears hoop dangles