WF studs - martini or custom crown?

[WindyCitySparkle]

I’ve seen people posting studs with the low set flat back custom crown setting. What are people’s thoughts on whether that is the best choice? I am thinking a modest size - 1.3 or so ctw so .6-.7 per stud. I don’t usually have issues with earrings drooping, but I do like for the stones to look fairly flat against the ear. Thank you!!!

 

[LLJsmom]

My WF six prong martini settings - the point where the earring is attached to the post dug into my piercing over time. So my new studs will be larger flat backs. But not everyone has that problem. Just sharing my experience.

 

[lucida818]

My current 4-prong of 2.01ctw have low set flat backs, they stay flushed & flat on my ears. They were set in martini previously which I really dislike. The current setting looks better in jackets too.

Just my personal preference

 

[Missy]

I heard from friends that the martini setting could stretch one's piercings out. I never had a martini setting so I cannot speak from experience. However I do prefer larger flatter backs like @LLJsmom and @lucida818. My studs don't sit totally flush but I don't want my piercings stretched out so it's a compromise I make.

I use different backs than what is pictured below. I use flat disc backs.






I use this.



This is the best I can do to illustrate how it sticks out from my ear. IRL it isn't noticeable enough to bother me. If you zoom in you can see what I mean.



I think for the size studs you are interested in a flat large back will work beautifully and the earring should sit just where you want it to sit on the ear.

 

[Lookinagain]

I have 8 prong martinis and those don’t sink into my piercings because the bottom is fairly rounded. Any martinis with fewer prongs seem to have a more pointed bottom and do. Also for the standard 3 prong martinis because they sunk more into my piercings, one of which is a bit slanted front to back, the earring tilted up a bit which I didn’t like. So I’d say get something with a flat back or look at the 8 prong martinis.

 

[yssie]

If you want the stones to sit as flat against the ear as possible then a mount that does allow the stones to dig into the piercing will best achieve that. You might widen your piercing over time, but if you consistently appreciate a flat-to-the-eat look that might not be a bad thing...

I personally want my piercings to stay as small as possible, so I use only flat-backed earring heads and I avoid heavy dangles.

 

[munchee]

If price difference is not in equation then I’ll prefer flat back. But if its cost so much more I’ll have more things to consider, if I’ll ever upgrade? which means I’ll need to get a new setting later on. Or if I have upgrade in mind but still so many years away, I might still can justify it. But let’s say it costs almost twice and I’ll get an upgrade in the next year or two, I’ll get the custom later.

 

[Mreader]

I am bumping this thread to ask a different but related question - between martini and crown setting, do you think that one makes the diamond look larger than the other? Because I was considering changing my martinis to crowns. My studs are 1.5 each so 3 ctw. I wish I could bump to 4ct but it's not possible. When I set my 3ct I was advised that martinis are best to make the earrings look bigger because you see more of the diamond. But I wonder what you guys think. It seems that the crown setting, which makes the earring stick out from the ear a bit, may give it more "oompf". I had baskets when I had 2ctw and I liked them fine. But I did a tester pair with baskets - I tested with 4ct czs and they just stuck out way too much. I should have tested with 3ct but at the time I thought I was going to be able to get 4ct (but nope haha!).

 

[yssie]

I think multi-prong white metal mounts frame the diamond to look bigger from afar, because what your eyes notice is the outline the earring makes on the lobe, not the outline of diamond within the setting. Same reason bezels “add size” at longer viewing distances.

Prongs aside, I don’t think the exact style of the gallery makes much of a difference (ignoring special needs stones - body colour, leaky, etc). But the amount of protrusion off the ear definitely makes a huge difference!! From face-up diamonds are varying depths off the ear subtend very differently! I think a 1.5ct diamond is quite large, for an earring - I would personally prefer a setting that keeps the stone as low to the ear as possible…

 

[heididdl]

I have always had 3 prong martini. I also thought long and hard when I got my 3 carats. Diamond seeker has low baskets and several other PS ears have low baskets. but I decided to go with 3 prong martinis and I am happy with them They are too large for jackets so I don't have to worry about that. I love the earrings sitting against my ear.