Platinum vs. white gold for martini studs

[blueiris]

I'm allergic to nickel, especially in my ears, and I've read that nickel is a component in white gold. The earrings I wear regularly are platinum for that reason.

I'm thinking of getting a pair of studs in a martini setting. I am not sure yet what size but am considering around .80 - 1 ct. each (1.6 - 2.0 cttw). Would platinum settings be too heavy and cause drooping? I'd never thought of this until somewhere here I read a post about it (I can't find the post).

Thanks for any advice!

 

[geckodani]

With the amount of platinum you are talking about for martini settings, I don't think there will be aby problem with drooping. You definitely do NOT want to go with WG if you are allergic to nickel!

 

[stone-cold11]

Some jewelers have WG with Palladium instead of Nickel.

 

[blueiris]

Thanks very much, geckodani. I haven't seen a martini setting in person but they do look like they use less metal, so I hope you're right!

Stone, thank you for your idea. I thought about the possibility of white gold w/out nickel but was hesitant to venture into a custom piece just for earrings.

 

[stone-cold11]

Maybe they have stock setting, no harm asking, right?

 

[blueiris]

Maybe they have stock setting, no harm asking, right?

True! I will ask.

 

[yssie]

I would do palladium over plat.

it's hypoallergenic, it's cheaper, it's non-reactive to environmental factors you may have to consider with wg, and I don't see any point in adding even the tiniest bit more weight to an earring than necessary - lighter is *always* better in this case..

 

[Rae~]

blueiris, I hope you don't mind me asking a related question in your thread...

I am also looking at buying studs, probably martinis, at some point (although not for another year or so, probably). I love platinum so was considering that for the metal but I also plan, over time, to have several dangles made to wear with the studs. The dangles would more likely be made in white gold, partly for weight and partly because I live far from any main city and jewellers here don't work with platinum very often if at all.

Do people think the mixing of metals will be a bad thing? Overly noticeable? Would it cause faster wear on the WG, being in contact with the platinum posts?

 

[blueiris]

I would do palladium over plat.

it's hypoallergenic, it's cheaper, it's non-reactive to environmental factors you may have to consider with wg, and I don't see any point in adding even the tiniest bit more weight to an earring than necessary - lighter is *always* better in this case..

I know nothing about palladium but Stone also mentioned it, but as a part of white gold. Can palladium be used by itself, as well? I'm intrigued by it, especially the hypoallergenic part and that it's not as heavy as platinum. I do want the lightest earrings possible because I hate that droopy look. Thanks, Yssie!

 

[blueiris]

blueiris, I hope you don't mind me asking a related question in your thread...

I am also looking at buying studs, probably martinis, at some point (although not for another year or so, probably). I love platinum so was considering that for the metal but I also plan, over time, to have several dangles made to wear with the studs. The dangles would more likely be made in white gold, partly for weight and partly because I live far from any main city and jewellers here don't work with platinum very often if at all.

Do people think the mixing of metals will be a bad thing? Overly noticeable? Would it cause faster wear on the WG, being in contact with the platinum posts?

I don't mind at all. I can't answer your question but hopefully someone else can!

 

[yssie]

I would do palladium over plat.

it's hypoallergenic, it's cheaper, it's non-reactive to environmental factors you may have to consider with wg, and I don't see any point in adding even the tiniest bit more weight to an earring than necessary - lighter is *always* better in this case..

I know nothing about palladium but Stone also mentioned it, but as a part of white gold. Can palladium be used by itself, as well? I'm intrigued by it, especially the hypoallergenic part and that it's not as heavy as platinum. I do want the lightest earrings possible because I hate that droopy look. Thanks, Yssie!

definitely and it's usually cheaper than wg

But, you say you have trouble finding jewellers who work in pt where you are and jewellers who work (well) in pd are even rarer so that might be an obstacle

 

[Fly Girl]

I hate heavy earrings, but I have no problems with the weight from my platinum martini studs. There just isn't that much metal. BTW, my studs are 0.85 ctw, so they are on the smaller side. I purchased platinum because I didn't want to deal with any potential allergy issues.

 

[geckodani]

Palladium is very light (my wedding set is palladium), so it might be ideal. I believe adwar has martini settings in palladium, and I'm sure Whiteflash or Brian Gavin Diamonds (other vendors as well) would be able to order the settings for you. It IS hard to find anyone local with experience working with palladium. That said, earrings don't need to be resized etc. so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

ETA: I'm still of the opinion that for the amount of metal we're talking about here, platinum wouldn't be noticeably heavier.

 

[risingsun]

I have martini settings, which are 18k wg/palladium. I have very sensitive ears and these have not given me any problems. The wg/nickel caused my ears no end of difficulties.

 

[blueiris]

Many thanks to Yssie, Fly Girl, Geckodani, and risingsun for your input and suggestions! Everyone has been so helpful.

I sounds like it might be fine to have platinum - as some of you said the weight isn't much. I think I'll still look into the possibility of palladium or wg/palladium. risingsun, may I ask where you got your wg/palladium martini settings?

Now I need to figure out what size I want!