Difference in Martini Stud Settings

[Bailey_Lou]

Hi all!

I am currently researching for my first upgradeable pair of diamond earrings as I wait for my WF ring upgrade. *squee!* Yes, I am a research nerd. Anyhow, my question is this: What is the difference between a martini classic setting and a martini cocktail setting? Also, which one of these is the one that is purported to stretch out your earring holes? I don't want any other issues with my body parts getting stretched out, snort I should know as I just had a baby LOL.

Noobs

 

[Harpertoo]

You may have to ask BGD, but it appears one of the settings shown has a slightly rounded basket compared to more of a straight martini.

I have what I thought were classic/standard martini settings for my +2ctw earrings.
Bad photo, but you get the idea.

As far as stretching goes -- I do not wear mine all the time, but I have not noticed any ear stretching. I've had them for about 7 years.

 

[heididdl]

I can't answer the difference between t hose two settings. But I am coming up to my 1 year anniversary with my martini settings. I never take them out unless I clean them. I do push them very close to my ear they leave marks but I don't believe that they stretching my ears. I love the martini. I had baskets on my 2.05 studs and they drooped. My 2.41 sit perfect on my ears.

 

[yssie]

As far as I can tell there are three "types" of martini settings:
A) Where the prongs come to a pointy head/post meet
B) Where the head meets the post in a curved U
C) Where the prongs come to a "flat point" to meet the post - not quite as undisturbedly pointy as (A) because there is a small area of flatness that the post attaches to

My first studs were martinis of type (A). I absolutely detested them - if I didn't jam the backs on extremely tightly (tightly enough that part of the head actually nestled into the hole) they drooped, and I was constantly worried about stretching or even ripping the piercing!

My second and third studs were type (B). I loved them - the U-type head/post meet ensures that it's not possible to stretch the piercing, and the flatness of the U resting against the flatness of the ear surface ensures that they don't droop even when they aren't worn terribly tightly.

I've never had (C)... to be honest they seem like the worst of both worlds in terms of keeping studs perky: the heads can't sit inside the piercing like (A), but the small flat attachment surface isn't large enough to prevent droop like (B)...

My current studs are baskets. I chose them for the same reasons I liked (B) - no concerns about stretching, flat head prevents drooping. It just so happened that bucket-shaped baskets fit the style I wanted better than U-shaped martinis

 

[Bailey_Lou]

@Harper and Heidi: Thank you! It's good to know you didn't experience stretching. Your earrings are beautiful

@Yssie: So much information and very informative. Thanks! I think that I'll go for the rounded martini classic.

 

[Bailey_Lou]

Thanks so much for everyone's help! I have been going over old threads. Yssie, you are a diamond stud guru So I believe that I will be buying the more rounded martini classic from BGD. I will be starting with approximately .30 diamonds H&A each for approximately .60 tcw. I do love super ideals even though I'm reading that it is not necessary for diamond studs. However, these are a push present after having my little peanut and my first set of quality diamond studs. I want to upgrade in the next year or so to .75 tcw or so. My question is this: Is it okay to get 14k so that I don't spend money on a setting that I will upgrade in approximately a year? As far as I know I do not have any allergies. Also, I love bezels as well as the handmade martinis but I know that when you upgrade you don't get your money back on the setting. Plus, last question (at this time LOL): What do you think of K VS2/SI1 H&A from BGD? Again, when I choose to upgrade I will get the upgraded color and size. I currently have a "J" engagement ring and I like the color. I must not be color sensitive because my WF ACA J diamond looks gorgeous and white to me. Sorry for the long post and thanks to all of you guys for your help and input. I love PS and have been a lurker for so long. Now I'm addicted and I blame you ladies and your BRUTIFUL diamond studs/bezels-not to mention E rings

This is what I'm looking at. BTW if someone else gets these from lurking on PS I WILL find you . Here are the idealscope images:





http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...5051/AGS-104056315055/build_earring_workbench

 

[Bailey_Lou]

Also, I feel like I am cheating on WF with these studs but the prices are so much more on their site compared to BGD. Why is that?

 

[Gypsy]

It just happens that way sometimes. That's why we all shop around. There's no cheating. It's a free market place. You can call WF and ask them to price match if you want to. See if they can. If you don't want to, or they can't: buy from BGD.

There's nothing wrong with it.

I have a strong preference for ideal performance K's for earrings. I think it's a good choice.

 

[refraction]

Diamond earrings AND a ring upgrade?! I'm jealous

Brian Gavin just posted a 3-prong martini comparision!
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/news/types-of-3-prong-martini-settings-for-diamond-studs/

And it looks like they have a coupon codes right now too! Hmmm... maybe I need a pair of diamond studs too!

 

[Andelain]

Nice diamonds! Consider the 8-prong martinis in WG, they make the diamond look even bigger and rounder. I have a few pairs in different sizes, and love them.

 

[Bailey_Lou]

That's a good idea. I'll see if they can price match Gypsy. WF has been really busy so I may not find out until after BGD's promo is over. My beloved Victoria from WF has gone on to bigger and better things so now I don't have my own diamond guru to answer all of my questions . And I don't like to bug my Vera bc she is swamped. Losing a sales associate is probably why they're super busy along with the VD holiday (snort) I guess that I felt that I was cheating on WF because that's where we bought our first super ideal diamond and their staff is so helpful. I do consider WF "my" jeweler but since I'm on a budget I have to shop around. I wonder if I feel loyalty to them bc of their ACA AND because I can go in person since it's only an hour away whereas most people that shop online don't meet anyone face-to-face. Does shopping online make us "jeweler promiscuous"?

I'll look at the 8 prong Andelain- didn't know they make the set look bigger. Yum. Thanks for the information Refraction! The BGD martini link was just what I needed. BTW my husband forgot my birthday and Valentine's day last year. He remembered our anniversary at the last minute and bought me socks. So he is now paying for those mistakes bwaha haha (evil hand wringing ala Dr. Evil). That's why he's getting me an upgrade for our anniversary and the stud push present tee hee. PS is evil and he says he's going to add it to our computer's blocked site list.

 

[yssie]

Congrats on your LO! :bigmile:

You could certainly 'get away with' non-H&A stones for earrings and no-one will know the difference IRL, but if H&A is what you want to commemorate the occasion then I can't think of a better reason to splurge

14k is just fine, especially if you're planning on upgrading in a year or so - unless rhodium reacts particularly poorly to your skin chemistry or lifestyle you shouldn't even need to have it replated in that timeframe. But... if you're planning on re-using your martini settings with the upgraded stones (0.6ctw to 0.75ctw is within re-using range, I should think!) and you know you'd prefer 18k, my preference would be to just go ahead and get the 18k now. You won't be able to re-use bezels, but if you aren't planning to re-use your settings that doesn't matter! My studs are 8prongs like Andelain's, if you like a more prong-y look that could be a good compromise between some of the benefits of bezels (larger real-world look, extra security) and the benefits of prongs (you can re-use the settings).

K VS/SI H&As would make for fantastic studs It's a great combo, especially in this size range! They'll be dazzling IRL

You really, really shouldn't feel guilty about looking around, or about asking if they can price-match I consider WF "my" jeweller as well, though I'm definitely not local, and I understand the feeling of loyalty as I'm exactly the same way! But... you gotta do what you gotta do, and vendors definitely understand that! I will say, though, that most vendors in any field value and reward customer loyalty, and depending on yoru purchasing habits, whether or not you think you'll be a regular customer, etc., you may decide that having a relationship with one trusted jeweller is worth a higher pricetag up-front if they can't price-match. I know that sounds absurd, but maybe I can clarify it... I've bought pieces from WF that I could've purchased elsewhere for less but I've also benefitted from giving them pretty much all my business: they "know" me and "know" what I like to see, they've bent over backwards to make projects fit into my budget, they've set otuside stones for me, I never have to worry about being overlooked or having a project slip through the cracks... it really just depends on what your priorities are, with this purchase and potentially with future purchases! Certainly if you go with BGD and go to WF with other another project down the road they aren't going to 'hold it against you' or anything like that! I hope that made some sense...

If WF is local BGD is also nearby, right? So buying local with BGD is also an option? So there's really no wrong answer

 

[Bailey_Lou]

Yssie,
I thought about what you said and I did actually end up sticking with my original jeweler, Whiteflash. Denise from BGD was so sweet and helpful. Plus, I think that their customer service is awesome and their diamonds are just gorgeous. But, ultimately I did feel that it was best to stick with my original jeweler and I'm now working with Liza from WF for these earrings. They have really been bending over backwards to help me stay within my budget and I really appreciate that. Ultimately, I think that this was the best choice for us and loyalty is a big thing for me. We are definitely going to continue business with them as I'm already looking at a bigger diamond in the next year. DSS is evil and so is Pricescope!!!!

SO, when these earrings come in I will post the mandatory ear shot and let you guys know how the martini settings that I chose worked out. BTW, I did choose platinum even though eventually these will be upgraded to a bigger size and I may not be able to reuse the setting. They are ACA/ES and .31/.32 each. Thanks so much again for your help and sorry for the late post. I had to save up for these little guys and they are my first "big girl diamond earrings" purchase. Yay!

 

[yssie]

Congratulations on your new earrings!! I adore my diamond studs - I think in a few months you'll wonder how on earth you got by without them

I'm also happy to hear that you were able to come to a satisfactory conclusion re. vendor. There was truly no wrong answer - the only thing that matters is that you are comfortable with your decision, and it sounds like that's the case! I'm looking forward to seeing pics and hearing what you think about the martini settings

 

[Bailey_Lou]

I'll post pics as soon as they're ready!

 

[lizz1234]

I can't answer the difference between t hose two settings. But I am coming up to my 1 year anniversary with my martini settings. I never take them out unless I clean them. I do push them very close to my ear they leave marks but I don't believe that they stretching my ears. I love the martini. I had baskets on my 2.05 studs and they drooped. My 2.41 sit perfect on my ears.

Super super old post but curious to what backings do you have? I am hoping to wear mine 24/7 but I continue to read mixed reports on screw backings