Hello all! I've been reading this forum for awhile but never had a need to post until now! My DH and I went to our local jeweler today for what I thought was just an appraisal on my wedding set for insurance purposes. However my DH surprised me by asking to look at some diamond studs as a special treat for me! I fell in love with a gorgeous pair of 1 ctw round studs set in white gold tiffany basket. My questions are...Currently they are not screw backs, the jeweler didn't feel it was necessary for me to convert them, but what do you think? Also, I thought martini setting would be best but the basket looked great on. Our jeweler said some ladies have trouble getting the basket to sit nice and the martini setting is the way to go then, but since I didn't have to worry about that, he said it was a personal choice. What do you feel are pros or cons to either of these settings? I know I am asking for a great deal of advice, but I had just started talking about diamond earrings when my DH shocked me with wanting to get them for me now! I feel I have not done my proper homework yet! Thanks in advance for your help!
Sweet surprise but I need your advice!
- Thread starter xolvxo
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congrats! i have screw backs in my .5 ctw earrings and wouldn't think about wearing non-screw backs just because of the sense of security it gives me. i wear the earrings 24/7 unless i'm swimming laps in the pool. i've known too many people who've lost their earrings because the back fell off.
I agree with to_the_nines. I got a nice pair of diamond earrings about a year ago w/ screw backs and as annoying as they can be at times I cannot even imagine not having them. I know they aren't going anywhere and I don't have to touch my ear every minute to make sure they are still on. I guess it's more of a personal choice, but I would say it's crazy to spend so much on nice earrings and not have that added sense of security! Post pics once you have them!
I would go with the setting that you like. If you like the basket then go for it. I concur regarding screwbacks, they are better. I have even lost an earring with a screwback, but it was not a great quality diamond. I have a 1 ctw set now and the jewelry store converted them with no charge.
I definitely prefer the screwback for the security and piece of mind. Mine turn so many times that they could never fall off, and that is so reassuring to me.
Mine are also the martini setting, which I like bc I have small earlobes and they sit closer to the lobe and look more centered.
Just a personal choice, though, and I am sure that more traditional settings, ie basket, are still more popular than martini.
Mine are also the martini setting, which I like bc I have small earlobes and they sit closer to the lobe and look more centered.
Just a personal choice, though, and I am sure that more traditional settings, ie basket, are still more popular than martini.
I am a fan of the Martini. I wear 1.5ct in each ear with a 3 prong Martini and I love the way they look.
There is another alternative back. Ask your jeweler about Protektor backs. They have two push-in levers on the side that you squeeze to slide it on. Releasing the pins locks the back into place. They are very secure. I, too, hate thick screw back posts so the round Protektor discs are the way to go.
There is another alternative back. Ask your jeweler about Protektor backs. They have two push-in levers on the side that you squeeze to slide it on. Releasing the pins locks the back into place. They are very secure. I, too, hate thick screw back posts so the round Protektor discs are the way to go.
Thank you all for your advice! I am so excited about this piece and I just want to make the right decision! The only thing thats leading me away from the screw backs is that I like my earrings to sit snug in my ear and I'm worried I won't be able to get the back as tight as I usually wear them. Also, the basket setting didn't droop in my ears so I'm thinking I'm going to stick with that. And of course I know if I change my mind my wonderful jeweler will adjust them for me.
My diamond studs came with screw backs, but I had to have them removed b/c they made my ears bleed and swell. 
They were *just* thick enough that they REALLY hurt! I have regular backs that are tight and almost "snap" on, and they have never come loose and I feel very secure.
They were *just* thick enough that they REALLY hurt! I have regular backs that are tight and almost "snap" on, and they have never come loose and I feel very secure.I have these non-screw backs that are different, they have two things you have to push in to get them off and a safety indent on the post so they catch there first before they fall off. Safer than traditional nonscrew, but not the hassle or pain of screw backs.
These are the Protektor backs I was talking about above. They are far more comfortable and reliable than friction backs and they don't have the thick post that screw backs require.
Protektor backs, girls....check them out!
I have one pair of 1ct diamond studs with screw backs and one pair slightly over 1ct without..... The ones without have a kind of safety snap on them so I feel pretty secure that they won't come out unexpectedly, I don't think it's absolutely necessary to have screw backs. As for the setting, if the basket works on your ear stick with it, the reason many venture into martini and other settings like that is because they may sit better on their ear.....
Congratulations on your new earrings! How thrilling!!
Earring security has been discussed many times in this forum, so you'll find many opinions. As a former jeweler, I heard horror stories about women losing their studs because the screw backs failed in the shower, spinning off!! I personally believe in a larger, very firm butterfly back that's hard to push on (and will be hard to pull off!). Also sits the earring up on the ear because of the support behind it.
Martini settings are a nice option, but your earring will get dirtier faster due to the closeness to the ear and wax/skin buildup. I prefer a basket setting as it also lets in more light for more sparkle.
I didn't know they had a special name, but now that it's mentioned, "Protector backs" are what Chopard, Cartier and Hermes use in my earrings. These little flat discs can be a little difficult to use with fingernails. Takes practice.
The thing that is absolutely necessary for your diamond earrings, is insurance coverage. And don't work with your jewelery anywhere near an open sink.
Earring security has been discussed many times in this forum, so you'll find many opinions. As a former jeweler, I heard horror stories about women losing their studs because the screw backs failed in the shower, spinning off!! I personally believe in a larger, very firm butterfly back that's hard to push on (and will be hard to pull off!). Also sits the earring up on the ear because of the support behind it.
Martini settings are a nice option, but your earring will get dirtier faster due to the closeness to the ear and wax/skin buildup. I prefer a basket setting as it also lets in more light for more sparkle.
I didn't know they had a special name, but now that it's mentioned, "Protector backs" are what Chopard, Cartier and Hermes use in my earrings. These little flat discs can be a little difficult to use with fingernails. Takes practice.
The thing that is absolutely necessary for your diamond earrings, is insurance coverage. And don't work with your jewelery anywhere near an open sink.