For those with MRB and OEC studs......

[Midsommer]

......honestly, which do you prefer? Or are more likely to wear?

I have to decide between OEC or WF pre-set type MRBs - the MRBs are marginally more expensive.

I'm not fussy on specs as I don't think it is AS important for earrings, but both would be less than H color and good to average clarity.

How do they perform "in real life" ? My current pair of studs are very small (.10 each ear) and I haven't seen oec studs in person.

I am looking for an every day pair of studs and I'm having trouble deciding! My only reservation would be - are OECs less sparkly? Or is it just a different type of sparkle?

I've saved up for them (grad student) and I don't want to regret the choice. What did you consider when you made your choice?

Thanks

 

[yssie]

I have had both. My current studs are 2.5ctw OECs that face up like 2.25ctw RBs.

OECs that are a good match in terms of faceting can take a while to match on your own - it's easier to have a vendor search for you, but you're going to pay for that service. A pair of OECs that perform like RBs (edge-to-edge light return) and that are a good match in terms of faceting are going to take a while to find, and unless you're willing to do it yourself I don't think they'll be notably cheaper than RBs.

WF's RBs are gorgeous. RBs generally face up bigger. They're ready to go - no waiting months for the right pair to turn up... that'd be my pick unless you *want* OECs.

 

[Midsommer]

I have had both. My current studs are 2.5ctw OECs that face up like 2.25ctw RBs.

OECs that are a good match in terms of faceting can take a while to match on your own - it's easier to have a vendor search for you, but you're going to pay for that service. A pair of OECs that perform like RBs (edge-to-edge light return) and that are a good match in terms of faceting are going to take a while to find, and unless you're willing to do it yourself I don't think they'll be notably cheaper than RBs.

WF's RBs are gorgeous. RBs generally face up bigger. They're ready to go - no waiting months for the right pair to turn up... that'd be my pick unless you *want* OECs.

Thanks, really appreciate your reply! I have my eye on one pair that are pre-selected OECs by a vendor (so due to their reputation I would assume a good match) but evaluating online is harder for me. I do like the look of OECs (diamonds, generally ) but it is a gamble in terms of how it will actually perform as they are don't have specs (they are made up in settings and probably due to the lower carat weight the vendor hasn't bothered getting cents).

The tricky thing is WF have pre set sizes (0.5 & 0.75) and I am keen for a size "in between". I'm sure they could make them, but again that may take some time and perhaps the price would jump up? Just feel like I want something at least 0.6ctw but budget won't stretch to 0.75 ctw WF ones. Best bet to contact them and see I suppose. Thanks, you have helped clarify for me. I do like their 8 prongs but many threads think that setting overwhems a smaller diamond. Arghh! Didn't realize it would be so hard to clarify what I want.

 

[yssie]

I have had both. My current studs are 2.5ctw OECs that face up like 2.25ctw RBs.

OECs that are a good match in terms of faceting can take a while to match on your own - it's easier to have a vendor search for you, but you're going to pay for that service. A pair of OECs that perform like RBs (edge-to-edge light return) and that are a good match in terms of faceting are going to take a while to find, and unless you're willing to do it yourself I don't think they'll be notably cheaper than RBs.

WF's RBs are gorgeous. RBs generally face up bigger. They're ready to go - no waiting months for the right pair to turn up... that'd be my pick unless you *want* OECs.

Thanks, really appreciate your reply! I have my eye on one pair that are pre-selected OECs by a vendor (so due to their reputation I would assume a good match) but evaluating online is harder for me. I do like the look of OECs (diamonds, generally ) but it is a gamble in terms of how it will actually perform as they are don't have specs (they are made up in settings and probably due to the lower carat weight the vendor hasn't bothered getting cents).

The tricky thing is WF have pre set sizes (0.5 & 0.75) and I am keen for a size "in between". I'm sure they could make them, but again that may take some time and perhaps the price would jump up? Just feel like I want something at least 0.6ctw but budget won't stretch to 0.75 ctw WF ones. Best bet to contact them and see I suppose. Thanks, you have helped clarify for me. I do like their 8 prongs but many threads think that setting overwhems a smaller diamond. Arghh! Didn't realize it would be so hard to clarify what I want.

I've found that OECs photograph beautifully - those large, slightly asymmetric facets, the abraded facet meets - compared to MRBs, which usually (IMO) look a bit boring in photos since the patterning is so predictable... IRL I prefer the In-Your-Face attention-grabbing scrutiny-demanding glitz and glamour of MRBs, especially for earrings. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my OECs: they're beautiful stones and a lovely match, and I wasn't in any hurry so I got them for a great price, but if given the option of trading them for WF ACA/ES studs I wouldn't hesitate.

OECs usually come with EGL reports, and smaller stones rarely have them, you're right. You really have to see them in-person though - you really can't judge light return from the reports, especially given the asymmetries. I would definitely recommend calling WF and seeing what the in-betweens would run you so you know exactly what you're comparing

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I have looked at both, and I will say that MRB's are going to have a lot more impact on the ears. I have WhiteFlash ACA's at 1.6 ctw and have seen mom2boys' pair that are over 2 cts EACH, and those are absolutely fantastic! I now have an AVR (newly cut OEC) for a ring, and I do think about the idea of having OEC studs. But I'd probably want at least a carat each to really be able to appreciate having them, and I'd probably go with AVR's to get the light performance. But I doubt I'll be able to swing those considering there are other things higher on my wish list.

 

[Midsommer]

I have looked at both, and I will say that MRB's are going to have a lot more impact on the ears. I have WhiteFlash ACA's at 1.6 ctw and have seen mom2boys' pair that are over 2 cts EACH, and those are absolutely fantastic! I now have an AVR (newly cut OEC) for a ring, and I do think about the idea of having OEC studs. But I'd probably want at least a carat each to really be able to appreciate having them, and I'd probably go with AVR's to get the light performance. But I doubt I'll be able to swing those considering there are other things higher on my wish list.

Oh, I would love (in distant future) a pair of AVR earrings too!

Ok, now I've decided it has to be a ready to go / pre-set pair in range 0.5-0.75. Budget between $800-1200. Do I go with WF or BGD? I just want basic martini setting. There is also BN but people seem less positive about their earrings. Ideas? Anyone handy at finding good deals?

Will there be an appreciable difference in size on the ear between 0.5 and 0.75 - I have small attached lobes & I have a pair of aquamarines in 5mm that seem a bit big hence why I think 0.75ctw is the limit.

Help welcomed!

 

[pinkjewel]

I have looked at both, and I will say that MRB's are going to have a lot more impact on the ears. I have WhiteFlash ACA's at 1.6 ctw and have seen mom2boys' pair that are over 2 cts EACH, and those are absolutely fantastic! I now have an AVR (newly cut OEC) for a ring, and I do think about the idea of having OEC studs. But I'd probably want at least a carat each to really be able to appreciate having them, and I'd probably go with AVR's to get the light performance. But I doubt I'll be able to swing those considering there are other things higher on my wish list.

Oh, I would love (in distant future) a pair of AVR earrings too!

Ok, now I've decided it has to be a ready to go / pre-set pair in range 0.5-0.75. Budget between $800-1200. Do I go with WF or BGD? I just want basic martini setting. There is also BN but people seem less positive about their earrings. Ideas? Anyone handy at finding good deals?

Will there be an appreciable difference in size on the ear between 0.5 and 0.75 - I have small attached lobes & I have a pair of aquamarines in 5mm that seem a bit big hence why I think 0.75ctw is the limit.

Help welcomed!

I've noticed in some of the DBTY threads, people have said that the BGD diamonds face up smaller than Whiteflash at the same ct weight, I don't know if that would also apply to the size diamonds you are looking at. But you might want to also compare mm sizes as well as ct weight when you deciding between the two.

 

[Rosebloom]

I have looked at both, and I will say that MRB's are going to have a lot more impact on the ears. I have WhiteFlash ACA's at 1.6 ctw and have seen mom2boys' pair that are over 2 cts EACH, and those are absolutely fantastic! I now have an AVR (newly cut OEC) for a ring, and I do think about the idea of having OEC studs. But I'd probably want at least a carat each to really be able to appreciate having them, and I'd probably go with AVR's to get the light performance. But I doubt I'll be able to swing those considering there are other things higher on my wish list.

Oh, I would love (in distant future) a pair of AVR earrings too!

Ok, now I've decided it has to be a ready to go / pre-set pair in range 0.5-0.75. Budget between $800-1200. Do I go with WF or BGD? I just want basic martini setting. There is also BN but people seem less positive about their earrings. Ideas? Anyone handy at finding good deals?

Will there be an appreciable difference in size on the ear between 0.5 and 0.75 - I have small attached lobes & I have a pair of aquamarines in 5mm that seem a bit big hence why I think 0.75ctw is the limit.

Help welcomed!

I've noticed in some of the DBTY threads, people have said that the BGD diamonds face up smaller than Whiteflash at the same ct weight, I don't know if that would also apply to the size diamonds you are looking at. But you might want to also compare mm sizes as well as ct weight when you deciding between the two.

I participated in many of those DBTY discussions so I just wanted to clarify. The diamonds themselves are the same size. So a .5 ct ACA from WF is the same diameter as a .5 BGS from BGD. In fact since Brian developed the formula for ACAs when he worked at WF, they are probably identical. The discussion in the DBTY threads has to do with bezel size. WF has a much thicker bezel than BGD. In small sizes of a DBTY the difference in bezel size can make the WF diamonds look bigger (worth noting that many prefer BGD's delicate bezels). But since you're looking for martini settings, they should look identical. I would base my decision between the two companies solely on price, availability, and upgrade policies.

And, as to your question about size, I would go with the larger size!

 

[distracts]

I do like their 8 prongs but many threads think that setting overwhems a smaller diamond.

I am unsure as to how many people who think that actually HAVE 8-prong settings on smaller stones. I do on several colored stone earrings, where the contrast between the prongs and the stone is much greater than that on diamond earrings with white-metal settings, and they are not overwhelming at all, even on 4mm stones.

 

[yssie]

I would base my decision between the two companies solely on price, availability, and upgrade policies.

And, as to your question about size, I would go with the larger size!

Ditto!

And

I do like their 8 prongs but many threads think that setting overwhems a smaller diamond.

I am unsure as to how many people who think that actually HAVE 8-prong settings on smaller stones. I do on several colored stone earrings, where the contrast between the prongs and the stone is much greater than that on diamond earrings with white-metal settings, and they are not overwhelming at all, even on 4mm stones.

Ditto!
Stargurl's older ~0.65ctw studs look fabulous to me [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/glam-shots-of-my-new-bgd-8-prong-studs-what-do-you-think.168902/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/glam-shots-of-my-new-bgd-8-prong-studs-what-do-you-think.168902/[/URL]