Opinions on stud size and advice on nickel allergy

[alisonia333]

Hi everyone!

I am currently wearing BGD signature studs that are 4.40mm (both 0.321 ct I VS2, FYI) in 14k WG 3 prong martinis. I am concerned that the setting is stretching out my ear piercing. The triangle where the 3 prongs converge sort of shoves into the hole, even when I don't fasten them really tightly and I notice my holes look bigger and seem to sag more when I wear dangly earrings . I like a setting that sits close to the ear, so the diamond is sort of floating on the earlobe, which is why I didn't go with a basket setting. I wanted a 6-prong martini originally, but thought that the prongs might overwhelm the small stones and ended up with a 3-prong style. I've worn these studs for about 4 months and am also concerned that when the rhodium plating wears off, my nickel allergy might kick up from the WG. I haven't had white gold jewelry before, only YG, plat or sterling, so I don't know if my allergy to nickel will be bothered by WG yet. When I used to wear cheap metals as a kid, my skin would get covered with tiny little liquid filled bumps that were red and itchy. I've never had this problem with the button on jeans, but have had the problem with a belt buckle once. I don't know how sensitive I am, but my ears would get red and swollen with some discharge from the hole when I wore cheap earrings.

So the questions are:

1. Do you think I should get platinum instead of WG for my next stud settings, or is it safe to stick with WG because I haven't had a reaction so far? Obviously I would prefer white gold because they're just earrings and I'd rather not spend twice as much for platinum unless it's really necessary. Opinions?

2. What style setting should I consider to not stretch out my holes but also not sit far off the earlobe?

3. What size stone should I upgrade to to make it worth it? I don't want to spend money to upgrade the settings without upgrading the stones...it doesn't make sense, when I'll just have to upgrade the settings again when I do decide to upgrade the stones. I'd rather not upgrade at all now, so the budget is somewhat limited...maybe $1,500 (the value of the stones I have now is $1000 towards the new ones). What size mm increase would make the studs noticeably bigger on my ear? I'm currently at 4.4mm and I'll post a picture of those on my ear below. I have spent many hours in the Show me your diamond studs thread, so I do have an idea of what different sizes look like on different ears...but I just wanted more experienced opinions on how much I should increase in diameter to make a difference visually.

Thank you so much in advance, I love reading RockyTalky!
--Ali

 

[shimmer]

I would go for at least 5mm... 5.5mm would be ideal for a really noticeable change.

I would spend the extra on platinum now because you may have to down the road anyway.

As far as setting styles I can't help as I've only had a traditional 4 prong basket. I would guess a bezel setting with a curved back would be the lowest set with the least chance of expanding your lobe.

 

[alisonia333]

I would go for at least 5mm... 5.5mm would be ideal for a really noticeable change.

I would spend the extra on platinum now because you may have to down the road anyway.

As far as setting styles I can't help as I've only had a traditional 4 prong basket. I would guess a bezel setting with a curved back would be the lowest set with the least chance of expanding your lobe.

I think you're probably right about the platinum (uggh!). I don't really love the look of bezelled studs, so maybe I should give basket settings a try. I just like a round look and would rather not do 4 prongs because it can make them a little square looking. 5.5mm would be like $4500+ just for the diamonds because unfortunately I have to upgrade two of the Cs, I guess. Something to think about, I guess. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Octavia]

I also have a nickel sensitivity/allergy and I wouldn't recommend messing around with it. The degree of allergy can worsen with repeated contact and can get really nasty. When I got my studs, it hurt to pay the premium for platinum but I wear them every day so it was worth the peace of mind. After well over a year of pretty much continuous wear, I've never had a single infection or other issue, and I had previously more or less given up wearing earrings because they made my ears so irritated after 3-4 hours. So, IMO, the extra cost of platinum is well worth it. (BTW, I don't know how I never put two and two together about why my belly gets itchy when I wear certain pairs of pants -- thank you for mentioning that because I feel a little less crazy now!)

As far as setting style, I love love love my BGD Truth settings. They sit very close to the ear but are more rounded at the post than most martini settings so they don't dig into my holes. And they're so pretty. Did I mention that I love them?

No advice on size, as mine are similar in size to yours and don't plan to ever upgrade mine, as I think bigger stones look funny on my ears. But I agree that 5mm is probably the minimum to make the reset really worthwhile.

 

[Efriede]

I also have nickel allergy and had the same problem with cheaper 14k WG earrings over and over. Then I got BGd studs in platinum Truth studs. I have them since 15 months and wear every day, my ears are finally happy, no problems whatsever. So, yes, platinum is really worth the comfort for me.

As for the settings, I adore Truth, but I also think that 8 prong look also very nice with 5mm stones. And they are 50% cheaper than Truths even in platinum, so good option..have a look at sturgirl post about her 4.9mm stones in 8 claw prongs from BGD, just adorable. If I do the studs purchase again today, I would definately choose those, as you never know about upgrades and those are not that pricey as Truths.

As for the size, I agree 5 mm min for upgrade. Right now BGD have absolutely great pair at 5.5mm G Sl. 1 for around 4000$. before PS discount. Great price. I would totally get them if I dont have to deal with customs and waisted truth settings.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The BG 4 prong baskets are low set and my preference for sitting close to the ear but flat so that the ear hole is not stretched. The prongs are tiny and absolutely do not make the stone look square at all! I would get platinum. I'd also probably go to .5 each to make the upgrade worthwhile.

 

[alisonia333]

Octavia: The truth settings are gorgeous! Definitely more than I want to spend now, though. Nickel allergy is definitely annoying, especially because I like white metal. 5mm seems to be the consensus, I better get saving! If you have pants you love, you can always put some sort of barrier over the button...I bet if you're handy with a needle and thread you could sew a little piece of cloth over the back of the button. Or paint some sort of lacquer over it, maybe?

Efriede: It looks like Stargurl had basically the exact same size studs I have now before she upgraded and I love her 8-prong settings! I love the truth settings, but the 8-prongs are great and much more affordable. I would LOVE to find a matching pair of stones just a hair under .50 carats each, because the price jump is so big and most .50 stones seem to be a touch over 5mm, so I could probably get two .48 stones and still hit 5mm. Not too many .48s though! Do you know what the PS discount is at BGD? I didn't ask for one when I bought my studs and it wasn't listed on the site like it is on WF and JA...

Diamondseeker2006: Thanks for the info on the basket settings, I think it's between those and the 8-prongs. I'm torn because I'm still not sure if I like the not really visible prong look more than I like the 8-prong look where the prongs are much more noticeable...I do like the shape it makes. I think 5mm/.5ct stones seems to be the overall opinion, so I will have to keep checking BGD every day and see if I can score some 5mm just under the .5ct each mark and save some money. I'm searching for color above "I" too, because I'd rather upgrade color than clarity if I have to upgrade 2 of the C's to get trade-in value or whatever. Thanks for your advice!

 

[Downtownie]

Well, your current studs are gorgeous but I understand why you want to upgrade. As for size, perhaps you can try on different sizes to see? Maybe you have a friend with 4.5, 5.0, and 5.5 mm "stones" that you can play around with?
I am a huge fan of the 8 prong stud setting--even though it's a high number of prongs, the shape of the setting is so graceful that I don't think the metal will be overwhelming.

 

[itzme]

I actually just received my pair of upgrades 4.9mm each with 8 prong setting, just like stargurl's, and I absolutely LOVE them! I never considered 8 prongs before, until I saw Stargurl's upgrades. Rather than looking like it has too much metal, it just looked perfect. The way BGD makes the prongs into small dainty claws really enhances the diamond. I had the issue with my prior martini's, in the approx. size you currently have, digging into the holes also. These 8 prongs are set low, do not protrude up like typical baskets, and are very comfy. Win-win situation for me. Hope this helps with your decision.

 

[alisonia333]

Downtownie: Thanks for the advice on the stones of different sizes. I may just buy a few cheapo czs or something to compare, because I don't know that any of my friends know the mm size of the earrings. I really do love my current studs and I wish I could keep them for another year or two, because I'd like to be able to do a bigger upgrade in size than I can afford right now, but if I want to have studs to wear now, I really have to get some new platinum settings. Yada yada. Thanks!

itzme: Do you happen to have any pictures of yours? I'm so happy to hear you didn't have the weird hole stretching issue with the 8-prongs. i was really leaning towards those with the original pair, but I thought they would overwhelm the stones. Having seen stargurl's I think they look great on a slightly larger stone than mine. I read your thread on your studs and wondered if you ended up upgrading the color. I also wondered what the pricescope discount is on signature stones. Thanks so much for your help!

 

[bunnycat]

allisonia- I meant to post a pic here yesterday but have been sidetracked. I just got my first "really nice" studs from BGD. These are .68ctw (4.5mm) in the 8 prong setting. If you go up to 5mm, I bet it would be beautiful and not out of proportion at all! (SMTB to come soon...)

 

[itzme]

I did end up upgrading the color to H's and I'm much happier. Maybe my prior pairs were "lower" I's, but regardless my upgrades are noticeably brighter and whiter. I also see more fire in these compared to my other ones, or maybe mentally I'm just justifying these upgrades to make myself happier. LOL. I do think the 8 prongs look better at this slightly bigger size, but I don't think think it'll look bad with yours. You would just have to ask them to make the prongs "very small, dainty, thin claws", at least thats what I did. I worked with Jamie, and she seem to totally get what I'm talking about. I'll try to get pics up, but stargurl's upgrade thread was very helpful.

 

[distracts]

I am allergic to nickel and got my latest earrings in the Stuller X1, which is Stuller's nickel-free white gold ( [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sapphire-earrings.188051/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sapphire-earrings.188051/[/URL] ). You are limited to the more basic Stuller settings, but there are still plenty of options (I just wanted a not-plain basket with a rounded back and was able to find that). For that particular pair, the cost of the settings + backs + setting the stones came out to $200, whereas the basic platinum basket settings were a bit over twice as much.

If you're torn between 8 prongs... DO THE 8 PRONG. I have some 8 prong colored stone earrings and honestly the prongs just kind of disappear (and they're on 4mm stones in a contrasting color). I imagine they would even more with white metal on diamond.

 

[stargurl78]

I actually just received my pair of upgrades 4.9mm each with 8 prong setting, just like stargurl's, and I absolutely LOVE them! I never considered 8 prongs before, until I saw Stargurl's upgrades. Rather than looking like it has too much metal, it just looked perfect. The way BGD makes the prongs into small dainty claws really enhances the diamond. I had the issue with my prior martini's, in the approx. size you currently have, digging into the holes also. These 8 prongs are set low, do not protrude up like typical baskets, and are very comfy. Win-win situation for me. Hope this helps with your decision.

Thank you for your kind words about my studs itzme! We're going to need to see a thread for your new pretties!! I was just about to put in a vote for the 8-prong studs too, I love my studs. They sit very low and the prongs are done so well, they are perfect little claws. They definitely do not overwhelm the stones. Can't wait to see what you decide to go with!

 

[alisonia333]

Bastetcat: your studs are gorgeous!! If those are 4.5mm in the prongs, I am not worried at all about the stones being overwhelmed or too much metal. I will keep my eye out for your SMTB, I look forward to ear shots

Itzme: I also see some color in my I studs. They face up white, of course, but if I catch myself at certain angles in the mirror I see a tint. I think I would actually be happier with H color. I also wish I had gotten lower clarity stones when I purchased my studs, but these VS2s were the best buy at the time. I am more than happy with eye clean SI range and it would have made upgrading easier, too. Ahh well!

Distracts: Just checked out your sapphire studs! They're beautiful! I'm kind of limiting myself to BGD for settings because that's where my stones will be from and easiest that way. I wish they did palladium wg! Thanks for the vote for the 8-prongs, I'm pretty much sold on that style now.

Stargurl78: It seems like I'll end up your stud twin I definitely want to go for the 8-prongs at this point. They really look so lovely and delicate, and I asked for tiny clawed prongs on my 3-prong martinis and they are flawless and perfect (even at 30x!), so I'm confident I can get a delicate look. Now I just need to cut the small frivolous spending for a few months so that I can indulge in the larger frivolous spending! I'm hoping to hit 5mm and stay under .5ct so I don't have to pay a huge amount for the last 2 or 3 points.

Thanks!!