Opinions on swingy earrings

[milton333]

I'm trying to temporarily scratch my diamond itch while building up more savings toward my dream upgrade. I don't currently have any diamond earrings, so that's what I'm thinking of for now.

I'm not leaning toward studs, for a couple of reasons. I don't love the shape of my ear lobes, I think some of the impact of studs is lost if you don't wear your hair up (I rarely do) because your ears don't face totally forward , and I'd want larger studs than I really ought to buy with my longer-term plans.

So, I'm considering a couple of options, looking for a sparkly, moving diamond earring. First is swingy leverback earrings. Here's the WF inspiration-al earrings.


http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/inspiration-al-diamond-earring-settings-403.htm

Pros: Seems secure, dangly and swingy.
Cons: Maybe hangs too low? I'm looking for a moving diamond, not necessarily a longer earring. WF matched pairs all seem to start at .6 ctw, which is maybe more than I want to spend. Would be at least $1,550 for .6 ctw, about 4.4mm diameter stones. I guess I could try to track down slightly smaller stones, I was really looking for only about .5 ctw. I think this earring looks fantastic with larger stones, but would it look disproportionate with the size I'm looking for due to the length/drop? What is depicted is a .8 ct stone, much larger than I'm considering.

Blue Nile has a similar style in 14k, http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-14k-white-gold-earrings_23968?shape=RD These are also swingy. The WF version is more refined, but I could do these with .46 ctw G VS2 GIA ex/ex/ex HCA <2 stones (around 4mm) for $1,036, which is tempting, and there are about a billion other pairs and sizes to choose from.

The other style I am considering is these from BGD:


http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond-earrings/studs/bezel-drops-18k-white-gold-5774w18

Pros: I love bezel settings, and feel like these would give some extra size oomph to the diamonds. Bezel earrings just look more finished to me, something about the "floating diamond" look is not as pleasing to me as bezeled diamonds for earrings. I like how these are shorter and closer to the earlobe - they give the diamond movement and I feel like maybe that draws the eye to the face more than longer dangles? I think these look younger. More casual for every day. I can see this being appropriate for smaller stones (no info on the size depicted here).
Cons: Seems like these may not be as secure. I would constantly worry about losing them. Maybe too casual for when I'm dressed up?

BGD has a bigger selection of diamond pairs. I could do .46 ctw I VS2 or G/H SI1/SI2 for about $1,230. Around 4mm, plus bezel.

What do you think, which of these would you favor?

 

[woofmama]

I purchased a pair of .60tcw J VS2 BGD studs during their black friday sale. I have had them on since receiving them, the stones are ideal cut & amazing, but as you mentioned they are lost in my long thick hair. I seriously don't think a soul except maybe my hair stylist even knows I'm wearing earrings. I'm not a person to wear my hair up so I forward to seeing what you decide.
I chose the WF earrings. Out of the three options they look to hang at the perfect length. I strongly encourage you to go to J color and get at least .60 tcw. The stones may look large in the pics but aren't IRL. I do intend to either go larger, add jackets or buy diamond hoops and move these to my second piercing for next christmas.
I am a huge bezel fan, my ering is bezel set, but don't care for the wire on those BGD, I would be very afraid to lose them.If you pick the bezels perhaps they can make them in leverback style. I really think in earrings the size you're considering prong set is the best option. Seems to make the stones pop more.

 

[LibbyLA]

There are little plastic tube doodads that you can put on those wire earrings to make them less likely to come out.

liz

 

[jeweln]

another option is to contact IDJ for bezel dangle earrings with Ideal cut diamonds .

 

[chrono]

Is it possible to have a combination of the two? Have the diamonds bezeled for that extra size oomph and in leverbacks for more dangle and secure wearability?

 

[yennyfire]

I'd do exactly what Chrono suggested.....

 

[bunnycat]

+1 to what Chrono said.

 

[Circe]

Another vote for Chrono's suggestion ... and I'd have IDJ do it in white gold. They're amazing to work with, very patient and out to get the customer the best bang for their buck. That's not to down BGD, mind - I bought my two little pairs of bezels from them, and they were fabulous all through. But I've noticed customization is a little pricier with them, for whatever reason.

 

[yssie]

I really like the BGDs - they're elegant in a cute, whimsical sort of way. The combo of leverback + drop seems more *dramatic* to me, somehow, and I'm not sure that 20-30pointers will achieve that drama...

Oh catching up - I like the bezels idea! Maybe even take it a step further - a cluster instead of a single stone, or maybe an "engraved halo" like JbEG's Lynda instead of just the bezel? http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-Vintage/The-Lynda-Engraved-Halo-Bezel/20399168_cFXTdV

 

[Enerchi]

I prefer the BGD design to the lever backs, esp if you use the little white plastic tubes. I think the BGD's look more contemporary than the WF ones.

 

[JaneSmith]

Is it possible to have a combination of the two? Have the diamonds bezeled for that extra size oomph and in leverbacks for more dangle and secure wearability?

My vote is for this.

 

[VRBeauty]

I voted for the BGD option... it's similar to a pair of DBL earrings I've been eyeing. I have a pair of leverback-with-danglies earrings with a small colored stones (5 mm chrome diopsides set in 4-prong baskets) and I rarely wear them. The leverback feels stiff and formal compared to the dangling stone, and almost overwhelms the stones visually. Of course diamonds would have more presence just because they're white and bright, but I suspect that the BGD style would still be more balanced looking. I'd be tempted to ask them to make the back of the hook a little longer though - more of a shepherd's crook look like these JDEG earrings http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...ngles/16552540_2CvsMF#!i=1278150731&k=mhc26hM It's a more elegant look that also gives you a bit more security, and because of the brightness of the diamonds, the longer back shouldn't detract from the overall look.

 

[Rosebloom]

I love the BDG style and would definitely ask IDJ for a quote to do something similar (with longer post if possible).

 

[justginger]

I love the WF ones, they seem very elegant to me. In fact, they're currently second on my list of possibilities for my Pricescope gift voucher...

 

[milton333]

I voted for the BGD option... it's similar to a pair of DBL earrings I've been eyeing. I have a pair of leverback-with-danglies earrings with a small colored stones (5 mm chrome diopsides set in 4-prong baskets) and I rarely wear them. The leverback feels stiff and formal compared to the dangling stone, and almost overwhelms the stones visually. Of course diamonds would have more presence just because they're white and bright, but I suspect that the BGD style would still be more balanced looking.

Thanks, I think you express very well my reservations about the leverbacks.

I will contact IDJ, thanks to all who suggested it. I'll check back in when I move forward, thanks to all!

ETA: Also, I love those DBL earrings!

 

[crankymag]

Hi,

I have these custom made a while ago, thought I can provide some picture for your reference.




My 1st post here.

 

[tyty333]

Is it possible to have a combination of the two? Have the diamonds bezeled for that extra size oomph and in leverbacks for more dangle and secure wearability?

My vote is for this.

Another vote for this and talking to IDJ...bang for the buck!

Crankymag...those are lovely! What size are they?

Have you thought about doing bezel set diamond dangles that you could move from smaller hoops for everyday to bigger hoops
for a even more drama or to pave hoops for a more glamorous look?

 

[VRBeauty]

Welcome crankymag! Nice photos - nice earrings!

 

[crankymag]

Thank you tyty333, VRBeauty.

Crankymag...those are lovely! What size are they?

They are 1.08ct each if I remember right, they may not look as big as 2ct studs but that's how I like them.