10th Anniversay Diamond Studs - need advice

[DiamondGrasshopper]

I want to suprise my wife with diamond earrings for our 10th anniversary. I know...I know...what about the anniversary band?? The answer: I have to save that for our 20th so she''ll stay married to me! (grin) Plus I''m terrified of what comes after that.

Anyway- congratulations on this great website. I have read just about everything related to earrings - and have come to the conclusion that the Whiteflash Experrt Selections Ready Set to GO earrings are exactly what I want. I''m on a budget (<2000) and I''ve learned the following:

1. With study color/clarity not as important as cut/carats
2. Therefore color of G through I is acceptable.
3. Maximize carats/cut
4. These Expert Selections represent a very good value and Whiteflash is a reputable dealer.

Here''s the information/advice I need.

1. Setting: I have read that many like the Martini setting becuase it doesn''t sag in the ear. That is important to me, however there are 3 different Martini settings and a rather beguiling 4-prong setting (in that it looks like a Tiffany earring)

Does anyone have advice to choose between the 3-prong, 3-prong-heavy and 8-prong Martini setting (Don''t like 8 prong)?

Has anyone gotten the 4-prong setting and does it sag?

2. Secured backing: I know my wife prefers very secure backings. I think she likes the screw type, but I read a thread or two the prefers a ''french''-word (can''t remember it) as a backing. The website doesn''t appear to give me a choice on this one however.

Can you recommend a secure backing? Do I have a choice?

3. If anyone has the time/interest - it looks from the website that I''ll be getting about 0.8 total cw, in I color with SI clarity for somewhere in the ~1300 dollar range (depending on cut/setting) Not sure why the Martini setting is more than the 4-prong. Would you mind having a peek and see if I''m getting a good deal?

Thank you very much -

Hopper

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I can only say that I prefer 4 prong settings and mine at 1.5 cts. total weight do not sag whatsoever. I guess if you put a 2 ct. in each ear, that might be an issue! But it''s not with smaller stones.

 

[DiamondGrasshopper]

Wow - quick reply - thank you!

Let me add a few things:

1. She will wear these every day. For sure. I'm thinking 0.35 to 0.5 carats for each earing will be plenty fine.

2. It doesn't look like the expert selections give you a choice on the backings.

3. She has an engagement ring that is 0.65 ct, H color, VS1


I guess if someone has time to look at the 'Build-your-own-earing" option - let me know if you think I can do better than the Expert Selections. I've tried, and am not sure if I'm doing any better.

Really - terrific website!

Hopper

 

[belle]

Date: 6/26/2006 8:51:08 AM
Author:DiamondGrasshopper

1. Setting: I have read that many like the Martini setting becuase it doesn''t sag in the ear. That is important to me, however there are 3 different Martini settings and a rather beguiling 4-prong setting (in that it looks like a Tiffany earring)

Does anyone have advice to choose between the 3-prong, 3-prong-heavy and 8-prong Martini setting (Don''t like 8 prong)?

Has anyone gotten the 4-prong setting and does it sag?

i have the 3prong heavy and LOVE it. my earrings are the same size as your potential ones, so i know exactly how they will look.

the 3prong martini is the best thing to happen to studs

i think the 8prong is beautiful but it would be better suited for the really big carat weights.
i used to have the 4prong, it doesn''t always sag but it sits up off of the ear whereas the 3prong ''nestles'' in the ear.

Date: 6/26/2006 8:51:08 AM
Author:DiamondGrasshopper

2. Secured backing: I know my wife prefers very secure backings. I think she likes the screw type, but I read a thread or two the prefers a ''french''-word (can''t remember it) as a backing. The website doesn''t appear to give me a choice on this one however.

Can you recommend a secure backing? Do I have a choice?

i don''t like the screwbacks or the la pousette (the french word) backs at all. i much prefer the heavy friction backs. at this size you are perfectly safe with the heavy friction backs and i would highly recommend them.

Date: 6/26/2006 8:51:08 AM
Author:DiamondGrasshopper

3. If anyone has the time/interest - it looks from the website that I''ll be getting about 0.8 total cw, in I color with SI clarity for somewhere in the ~1300 dollar range (depending on cut/setting) Not sure why the Martini setting is more than the 4-prong. Would you mind having a peek and see if I''m getting a good deal?

Thank you very much -

Hopper

the ready set go earrings are a great deal. you will be getting awesome diamonds for a nice price.

well done diamondgrasshopper! your wife is going to be VERY happy with these earrings (and with you!

)


congratulations on your 10th anniversary and welcome to ps!

 

[Sundial]

I agree with Belle all the way here! The martini studs are wonderful and they make the diamonds look as if they were floating on the ear. I have had people ask me to take mine off and let them see how they are set! I also think heavy friction backs are the way to go. I have friends with screwbacks and they hate them. It seems to take longer to get the earrings on and off and I''ve heard horror stories about earrings being lost when the threads wore out. You can''t go wrong with Whiteflash diamonds either. Happy anniversary, you are a great husband to choose such a nice gift!!!

 

[aljdewey]

I''d echo everything Belle said.

I LOVE the 8-prong settings.....but for larger stones. On smaller stones, I think it''s too much metal.

My earrings are .55 each (upgraded from .39 each), and I went with the 3-prong heavy martini setting for the old pair and the new pair. They are the nicest settings I''ve ever had. WAY nicer on the ear than my former 4-prong basket settings, which *never* sat right on the ear.

Regarding backings, I''ve owned all 3. I lost two screwback earrings....both when the threads wore down. Another drawback to screwbacks is thicker posts. They are a pain to screw on/off, and they don''t really offer more security. Then I went to the La Pousette backs. While they were secure and I never lost a stone, they were a PIA to get on/off.

I went with the heavy friction push backs, and I''ve worn my earrings every day for the last 1.5 years. They are plenty secure and much easier to maneuver (I take my earrings off every morning prior to getting in the shower).

All that said, you can ask for whatever backs you''d like on Expert Selection earrings, but I''d strongly suggest the heavy friction push-back ones.

 

[DiamondGrasshopper]

Thanks very much to each of you for the adivce:

I''m definitely going with the Expert Selections from Whiteflash, Martini setting (hand-made) and the friction backs. I spoke to Jamie at Whiteflash and she was very courteous and helpful. Now I just have to decide between the 0.7 ctw and the 0.8 ctw''s.....about $300 difference for I''m not sure how big a difference in size.....

Just need to pull the trigger....any last words of advice?

 

[scarlet16]

I would honestly go with the build it yourself option. If you give Jamie your criteria, she can search their database and look at the stones for you and you get to approve them. The benefit is that in the future you can upgrade the stones. The price difference really isn''t that much either.

I just got a pair of I color, one SI1, one VS2, .39 each, 3-prong martini setting w/ heavy pushbacks (both from the expert selection collection) and they are STUNNERS!! Oh and if you''re concerned about turnaround time, don''t be...I ordered mine on a tuesday and had them by thursday of that same week!!

As for size, I think the difference between a .35 stone and a .40 sotne will be very minimal visually. You should just have them look for the best possible matching stones w/in that price range, and whatever comes up you should go with...and like I said earlier...if she decides to go bigger, she''s free to upgrade later on!

Congrats on the 10th anniversary!

 

[coda72]

I have the 0.8 ctw studs that you are considering, and like Scarlet said, I would go with the build them yourself option if I had to do it all over again. I wanted to be able to upgrade my earring in the future, and I''m not able to do that with the Ready Set Go option. If you think your wife will never want to upgrade, the Ready Set Go earrings are a good choice. The diamonds are very well cut and sparkle nicely. But if you think she might want bigger earrings someday, it''s best to pick out your own diamonds.

 

[Mara]

i love 3 prong martinis but those 8 prongs are GREAT for larger diamonds, the ones we tried on were .75c each and they were stunning on them. i don''t think i''d put them on smaller stones. everyone else has given great advice, please post finished pictures!!

 

[DiamondGrasshopper]

Done deal!! Promise to send a picture in once I get them. I went with the 0.7 ctw, Expert Selection, hand-made Martini-setting in white gold. Customer service has been very good so far...it seems like a small/personable outfit - a couple of them knew about my purchase!

I will also let everyone know how my buying experience was and my impression of the earrings.

Thank you again - Hopper

 

[ladykemma]

ditto friction backs. screw backs a pain. i have 4 prong, would consider martini.

the only droopy earrings i have seen were women who had stretched or ripped their earring holes. if she doesn''t have stretched out ear holes, I wouldn''t worry about which basket.

 

[kcoursolle]

I''m entering this thread late, but I just want to say congrats on a lovely purchase. I''m sure your wife will adore these earings. Be sure to show us some pictures when you get them!

 

[DiamondGrasshopper]

Even though I asked for the handmade martini settings, the rings were sent out promptly yesterday, and I can pick them up after 10:30am today. What great service from Whiteflash! Promise to continue giving feedback and will post pics later tonight/tomorrow AM. I''m excited and can''t wait to see them.

 

[cutey TT]

Awesome! Congratulations on your purchase. Your wife will surely love them! Can''t wait to see pictures.

I also purchased a pair of diamond studs from WF recently, but have to wait to receive them since I am having them shipped out of state. I did, however, "visit" them yesterday and words do not even begin to describe how gorgeous they are. I chose the w-prong setting in platinum and they are amazing. You will love the 3-prong martini setting...Brian showed us a pair of the handmade setting without any diamonds in them and they looked very sturdy, yet delicate at the same time.

 

[DiamondGrasshopper]

My wife was thrilled with the earrings. They are just beautiful and they look terrific on her ears. I am blessed with a wonderful wife (and as a side note - one with small lobes!!! It makes the diamonds look huge on her!) and our 10 years anniversary will be easily memorable! I''m just happy to get her something that she''ll wear every day. Thanks to all for help....a picture will be posted within a day or two.

My feedback on Whiteflash -they were just excellent through every step of the process and the earrings fully met my expectations.

 

[mrssalvo]

YAY...so glad things went as planned and your wife is happy. Congrats on 10 years. can''t wait for the pics..

 

[Sundial]

So glad that the earrings worked out well for you! Please don''t forget to post pictures for us.