Welcome to The Purse Forum.

PurpleRose · May 24th, 2009, 11:18 AM

I've just graduated with my bachelor's degree and I want to splurge on my first pair of diamond studs.

I'm not really sure where to look other than my local jeweler and a few online sites. Any suggestions? My limit is about $1,000.

I like these bezel-set studs from Blue Nile, which would match a necklace I already have:

But these prong-set earrings are less expensive:

Please help!

Lady V · May 24th, 2009, 11:39 AM

IMO Bezel set is a bit more modern vs. prong set, as prong set studs are classics!!! In the end it's up to you, but I personally would prefer the prong set, especially since they are your first pair!!

nooch · May 24th, 2009, 01:30 PM

I'm in love with bezel set diamonds!

originalheather · May 24th, 2009, 01:45 PM

On smaller diamonds I prefer a bezel set for earrings (that's what I have from my .66 ctw studs)

. Have fun shopping!!

Junkenpo · May 24th, 2009, 03:47 PM

i love prong set diamonds, but you won't be sorry if you get the bezels... clean lines & the added bonus of making the earring look larger/more sparkly.

are you getting their ready built or doing the "build your own"? if you save a little bit more, you could concievably get close to a 1ctw stud pair. I paid about $1800 for them. They've got okay clarity, and look white in the light, and are an ideal cut, so sparkle great. I have pics in the reference forum ( post #29 )

grats on your BA!!

Cate14 · May 24th, 2009, 08:17 PM

I like both the prong and the bezel, though I recently purchased a pair of 3 prong, martini studs from BN and I LOVE them. I built them myself, and they were worth every penny! If you are building yourself, make sure you go for the best cut within your budget, as they will sparkle like crazy! My experience with BN was fabulous.

Congrats. on your Bachelor's! HUGE accomplishment!

dec5 · May 24th, 2009, 08:27 PM

i have diamond earrings in both settings.

imo bezel setting makes the stones look bigger.

you really cant go wrong with either setting.

ps: with all other things being equal, bezel can be a little more expensive because it needs more gold.

Anna R. · May 24th, 2009, 10:37 PM

I would choose the prong-set earrings. I love that they are just classy and that they are not -held together- by the silver part.
Still, both are really nice finds.

frick&frack · May 24th, 2009, 10:44 PM

I think that the prong set are more classic. I have prong set studs, & a bezel set solitaire pendant. I have no problem wearing them together.

butterfly36029 · May 25th, 2009, 01:08 AM

a little bit off topic here from the original question...how come bezel makes the diamond look bigger? I thought that since the diamond was "caged" it would make it look smaller..?

I have no experience with diamond studs but I'd like a pair too and from what I've seen, so far I like prong settings better.

Junkenpo · May 25th, 2009, 04:13 PM

^^it's becuase the metal reflects light too, so at a glance, all a person thinking is "ooo! shiny!" and becuase the metal adds to the diameter, it gives an initial impression of "bigger".

PurpleRose · May 25th, 2009, 08:10 PM

Thank you all for the advice! I think I'm really leaning toward the bezel-set. I tried on similar pairs at a local store yesterday, and I think that I'd be happy with the size of the 1/2 ctw bezel-set pair (and in fact, wouldn't want them much bigger) while I'd prefer a little larger size of prong-set earrings.

So, now that I think I have my heart set on the bezel-set earrings, is there any place else I should be looking for a good buy? I'm familiar with Blue Nile, but not many other jewelry sites.

Junkenpo, if I go with Blue Nile, I'd be going with the ready-made pair rather than build-your-own. I am buying the earrings with money I received for graduation, and because of the economy I'd prefer to save most of it while still treating myself. While a larger pair would be lovely, I think I'd get a lot of wear out of a smaller pair now (and have something to save for in the future).

butterfly36029 · May 25th, 2009, 08:27 PM

thanks Junkenpo!

PurpleRose · Jun 5th, 2009, 02:51 AM

Just a quick update: I changed my mind & purchased a pair of prong-set earrings from a local jewelry store! I went a wee bit over my budget, but I'm in love with the size (3/4 ctw) and how sparkly they are.

Thank you all so much for your help!

elle tee · Jun 5th, 2009, 03:46 PM

I would go for prong-set for the following reasons
- more versatile, style-wise- bezel is a modern look
- could get away with wearing them with gold jewelry, too
- easier to wear as formal or casual
Don't get me wrong, I love bezels- but if you're only getting one pair of studs, I would pick prong set.

May 24th, 2009, 11:18 AM	#1
PurpleRose OP Member Joined: May 2008 Location: Summa Cum Laude! Posts: 634	Help me find my first pair of diamond earrings! I've just graduated with my bachelor's degree and I want to splurge on my first pair of diamond studs. I'm not really sure where to look other than my local jeweler and a few online sites. Any suggestions? My limit is about $1,000. I like these bezel-set studs from Blue Nile, which would match a necklace I already have: But these prong-set earrings are less expensive: Please help!
	__________________ I believe in beauty in unexpected places... Banned 'til fall, thanks to my new babies: Treesje Electric Blue Asher, Treesje Divino in Berry Luxe, and Rebecca Minkoff Tie Dye MAM!

May 24th, 2009, 01:30 PM	#3
nooch bubblehead Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,890	I'm in love with bezel set diamonds!
nooch bubblehead Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,890	__________________ Come cheer me on at my weight loss thread - http://forum.purseblog.com/health-an...re-488893.html

May 24th, 2009, 03:47 PM	#5
Junkenpo LVoebird! Joined: Jan 2007 Location: 2500 miles from any continental landmass Posts: 3,058	i love prong set diamonds, but you won't be sorry if you get the bezels... clean lines & the added bonus of making the earring look larger/more sparkly. are you getting their ready built or doing the "build your own"? if you save a little bit more, you could concievably get close to a 1ctw stud pair. I paid about $1800 for them. They've got okay clarity, and look white in the light, and are an ideal cut, so sparkle great. I have pics in the reference forum ( post #29 ) grats on your BA!!
	__________________

May 24th, 2009, 08:17 PM	#6
Cate14 I Need More Cowbell Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,543	I like both the prong and the bezel, though I recently purchased a pair of 3 prong, martini studs from BN and I LOVE them. I built them myself, and they were worth every penny! If you are building yourself, make sure you go for the best cut within your budget, as they will sparkle like crazy! My experience with BN was fabulous. Congrats. on your Bachelor's! HUGE accomplishment!
Cate14 I Need More Cowbell Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,543

May 24th, 2009, 08:27 PM	#7
dec5 Member Joined: Mar 2006 Location: 92604 Posts: 160	i have diamond earrings in both settings. imo bezel setting makes the stones look bigger. you really cant go wrong with either setting. ps: with all other things being equal, bezel can be a little more expensive because it needs more gold.
dec5 Member Joined: Mar 2006 Location: 92604 Posts: 160	Last edited by dec5; May 24th, 2009 at 08:31 PM.

May 24th, 2009, 11:39 AM	#2
Lady V Member Joined: May 2009 Location: CA/CO~ Posts: 179	IMO Bezel set is a bit more modern vs. prong set, as prong set studs are classics!!! In the end it's up to you, but I personally would prefer the prong set, especially since they are your first pair!!

May 24th, 2009, 01:45 PM	#4
originalheather Member Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 99	On smaller diamonds I prefer a bezel set for earrings (that's what I have from my .66 ctw studs) . Have fun shopping!!

May 24th, 2009, 10:37 PM	#8
Anna R. Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 22	I would choose the prong-set earrings. I love that they are just classy and that they are not -held together- by the silver part. Still, both are really nice finds.
Anna R. Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 22

May 24th, 2009, 10:44 PM	#9
frick&frack happy thanksgiving! $frick&frack's Avatar$ Joined: Jan 2009 Location: SoFla (Ft Lauderdale) Posts: 8,314	I think that the prong set are more classic. I have prong set studs, & a bezel set solitaire pendant. I have no problem wearing them together.
	__________________ "Tis the gift to be simple, Tis the gift to be free..." 1848 Shaker hymn (Joseph Brackett - Simple Gifts)
$frick&frack is offline$

May 25th, 2009, 01:08 AM	#10
butterfly36029 Miu Miu addict Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Miu Miu heaven Posts: 3,499	a little bit off topic here from the original question...how come bezel makes the diamond look bigger? I thought that since the diamond was "caged" it would make it look smaller..? I have no experience with diamond studs but I'd like a pair too and from what I've seen, so far I like prong settings better.
	__________________ Just dance

May 25th, 2009, 04:13 PM	#11
Junkenpo LVoebird! Joined: Jan 2007 Location: 2500 miles from any continental landmass Posts: 3,058	^^it's becuase the metal reflects light too, so at a glance, all a person thinking is "ooo! shiny!" and becuase the metal adds to the diameter, it gives an initial impression of "bigger".
	__________________

May 25th, 2009, 08:10 PM	#12
PurpleRose OP Member Joined: May 2008 Location: Summa Cum Laude! Posts: 634	Thank you all for the advice! I think I'm really leaning toward the bezel-set. I tried on similar pairs at a local store yesterday, and I think that I'd be happy with the size of the 1/2 ctw bezel-set pair (and in fact, wouldn't want them much bigger) while I'd prefer a little larger size of prong-set earrings. So, now that I think I have my heart set on the bezel-set earrings, is there any place else I should be looking for a good buy? I'm familiar with Blue Nile, but not many other jewelry sites. Junkenpo, if I go with Blue Nile, I'd be going with the ready-made pair rather than build-your-own. I am buying the earrings with money I received for graduation, and because of the economy I'd prefer to save most of it while still treating myself. While a larger pair would be lovely, I think I'd get a lot of wear out of a smaller pair now (and have something to save for in the future).
	__________________ I believe in beauty in unexpected places... Banned 'til fall, thanks to my new babies: Treesje Electric Blue Asher, Treesje Divino in Berry Luxe, and Rebecca Minkoff Tie Dye MAM!

May 25th, 2009, 08:27 PM	#13
butterfly36029 Miu Miu addict Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Miu Miu heaven Posts: 3,499	thanks Junkenpo!
	__________________ Just dance

Jun 5th, 2009, 02:51 AM	#14
PurpleRose OP Member Joined: May 2008 Location: Summa Cum Laude! Posts: 634	Just a quick update: I changed my mind & purchased a pair of prong-set earrings from a local jewelry store! I went a wee bit over my budget, but I'm in love with the size (3/4 ctw) and how sparkly they are. Thank you all so much for your help!
	__________________ I believe in beauty in unexpected places... Banned 'til fall, thanks to my new babies: Treesje Electric Blue Asher, Treesje Divino in Berry Luxe, and Rebecca Minkoff Tie Dye MAM!

Jun 5th, 2009, 03:46 PM	#15
elle tee Member Joined: Dec 2006 Location: nyc Posts: 3,456	I would go for prong-set for the following reasons - more versatile, style-wise- bezel is a modern look - could get away with wearing them with gold jewelry, too - easier to wear as formal or casual Don't get me wrong, I love bezels- but if you're only getting one pair of studs, I would pick prong set.

Welcome to The Purse Forum.

Our Purse Forum, or TPF, is the #1 online social network for everything designer handbag related. Join over 200,000 enthusiastic members in this friendly community and start engaging in the discussion today.