Whiteflash Studs Questions

[Blinky]

Hello all, longtime lurker here.

I am in Cambridge Mass and don''t know of any B & M where I could buy ideal cut studs so
I''m thinking of buying the Expert Selection pre-set studs from Whiteflash, between 0.25 to 0.50 tcw, white gold setting.

It''s my first time buying diamonds online so I''m here for some hand holding!

My questions are as follows:

1) Do I get a choice of backings? I can''t see them on the site. Which are most secure?

2) Also I like the two martini choices but I can''t figure out which is better and what the differences are between the two.

3) Is FedEx really the only way to have it sent to me? And I have to meet the package at the depot?

Thanks in advance!

 

[belle]

welcome out of lurkdome blinky!

it''s good to have you here.

Date: 9/15/2006 2:14:10 PM
Author:Blinky

1) Do I get a choice of backings? I can''t see them on the site. Which are most secure?

yes, you can order any type of backings you wish. they don''t show them all but if there is a particular type you want, they can order them for you. i prefer the heavy friction backs that are standard. they are easy to use and very secure.

Date: 9/15/2006 2:14:10 PM
Author:Blinky

2) Also I like the two martini choices but I can''t figure out which is better and what the differences are between the two.

i have the regular martini setting and love it. i haven''t seen the handmade martini setting in person but it looks to me like it is more ''rounded'' at the botton whereas the regular martini setting is more pointed. either is a fine choice.

Date: 9/15/2006 2:14:10 PM
Author:Blinky

3) Is FedEx really the only way to have it sent to me? And I have to meet the package at the depot?

fedex is the only way. they overnight the packages to the closest fedex station to you and you can pick it up there at your convenience. there is no rush (unless you count wanting to get there asap to rip open the package!) fedex holds all packages for 5days.

you are going to love them!

 

[aussiegirl23]

Blinky,

I can''t answer all of your questions, but here''s answers to a few...

With WhiteFlash, they send your package overnight FedEx to the closest drop-off depot. At that point they hold it for you for a few days (maybe 5?) until you pick it up with your ID. I think most people are excited enough to be there at like 9:01am on the morning it comes in, but I suppose you could wait a few hours or days if you needed to! However, your 10 day "inspection" period would start as soon as it reached FedEx in your town... so you might not want to wait forever.

In terms of ideal-cut studs in Cambridge? Well, it''s a few stops on the T, but Long''s Jewelers at Downtown Crossing (red/orange lines) carries these I believe... it might be worth giving them a call if you''re totally opposed to online shopping.

But, why not give WhiteFlash a call in the morning? I''m sure they can answer your questions regarding the settings/backings for the studs - they''re incredibly helpful and would be happy to help!

Aussie

 

[Kaleigh]

Hi Binky, glad you decided to come out of lurkerdome

I got diamond studs from WF this summer. I chose the hand made martini setting and am thrilled with this setting. I like belle also use the heavy friction backs. The martini setting really shows off the diamonds well. All you see is bling. Fedex, is the only way they ship, and I like that I can get there at my convenience. I am one who rips open the package in the parking lot. LOL!!!

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 9/15/2006 6:21:38 PM
Author: Kaleigh
I am one who rips open the package in the parking lot. LOL!!!

You WAIT till the parking lot?!

I do it right there at the counter!!!

 

[Blinky]

Thank you all for the warm welcome! Great advice and of course I would be tearing that package open as soon as it was in my hot little hands!

I keep thinking that I would prefer the first martini setting because it seems it would have more "profile":

I will go to Long''s and check it out but I get the feeling they won''t have the amazing prices WF does. Will report back.

I really need nerve to get this done. But it''s been driving me nuts for TWO YEARS now! Hey, I also discovered this site two years ago! Coincidence?

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

Hi Blinky:

FYI...I bought this sweet little pair last Christmas for Regina. They are the 4-prong instead of the martini style, and Regina prefers the screw backs for security. WhiteFlash is top notch with excellent prices. Here's a pic of Regina's studs. About .30 carats each.

 

[aussiegirl23]

Blinky --

No, Long''s will certainly NOT have the same amazing prices WhiteFlash has...

And they probably won''t have the great customer service either

I simply suggested the name as another place to look in town if you didn''t want to go the online route...

Should have stipulated that my experience with them was not stellar - but that they do have the product you were looking for.

I was trying to be useful without being judgemental... but they come up a tad bit pathetic in comparison to WhiteFlash

Sorry it all that was less than helpful!

Aussie

 

[Blinky]

Oooh, those four prongs are nice, Colored Gemstone Nut! Lucky Regina!

I have more thinking and research to do about the backing. I''m pretty fidgety so I don''t think I''d forget to check in on the screw backs which I''ve read here some have had unravel on them with time. I had trouble wrangling this other type of backing once, you push in these teeeny tiny levers on the sides and snap it on. Never tried the heavy frictions, though.

aussie, no problem. Long''s was one store I have yet to go to so it''s an excuse.

 

[gailrmv]

I hope you will post some pics when you get your earrings! Sounds lovely. I''m crossing my fingers for studs for the holidays, myself and I plan to get them - excuse me, have my husband get them - from Whiteflash also!

 

[kcoursolle]

I''ve never tried whiteflash''s version, but I like heavy friction backs with studs. They don''t unscrew, are easy to put in, and seem very secure to me. I''ve never had a problem.

 

[piccolascimmia]

I''ve been planting seeds with my fiancee for these as a Christmas present, and these questions are pretty close to my own!

One thing I haven''t quite seen is why do some prefer the martini/3 prongs vs 4 prong? Is it more of a style preference, or are there other reasons? Does one style flatter smaller/larger stones more?

 

[Kaleigh]

I prefer the 3 prong martini style because you see more of the diamond and less metal. Plus they sit on your ear nicely, no droop what so ever. Can't go wrong with either...

 

[Stone Hunter]

I have screw backs and love them. I feel that they are secure. I''ve had them 13 years without any problems.

The posts seem thicker than others but my ears do fine with that, at the beginning I was gentle putting them in.

HTH

 

[Ellen]

Date: 9/16/2006 11:49:20 AM
Author: Blinky
Oooh, those four prongs are nice, Colored Gemstone Nut! Lucky Regina!

I have more thinking and research to do about the backing. I''m pretty fidgety so I don''t think I''d forget to check in on the screw backs which I''ve read here some have had unravel on them with time. I had trouble wrangling this other type of backing once, you push in these teeeny tiny levers on the sides and snap it on. Never tried the heavy frictions, though.

aussie, no problem. Long''s was one store I have yet to go to so it''s an excuse.

Hi Blinky.

I recently bought studs from WF. I too couldn''t decide on the backs (got the 3 prong Martini) as my old set was screw in. Talked it over with my sales person there, and decided to try the friction back. She said they had never had anyone lose an earring with them.

They have a slight groove near the end of the post, so that if the back does work its way down/back , it will click in that groove. I have slept in them a couple times, and they haven''t come undone.

Hope this helps. And you won''t be dissapointed in their studs.