Yet another diamond stud question!

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creme fraiche

creme fraiche

O.G.
Jan 20, 2007
777
1,074
#1
Sorry to start another diamons stud thread, but I did check out the other ones and my specific questions weren't answered.

I am shopping around now for a pair of diamond studs for everyday wear. I am petite with small ear-lobes and am not really a jewellery wearer (except my engagement ring). I am looking at studs about 2.6 tcw (absolute max size my ears can take), F-G colour, VS2 clarity. My questions:

- is it worth the premium to purchase the earrings at Tiffany's?
- would the difference between Signature Ideal and Ideal (on blue nile) be really noticible?
- some of the stones (on blue nile) show faint fluorescence. I instinctively want to discount these stones (for no reason!) just because of some things I heard about it interfering with perceived clarity - is this wrong? Why exactly am I being advised to avoid fluorescence?
-I have only tried on the 4 prong setting, but am curious about the martini setting. Does this setting mean that the ear-ring will "droop" less?

Thanks in advance!
 
#2
creme fraiche said:
Sorry to start another diamons stud thread, but I did check out the other ones and my specific questions weren't answered.

I am shopping around now for a pair of diamond studs for everyday wear. I am petite with small ear-lobes and am not really a jewellery wearer (except my engagement ring). I am looking at studs about 2.6 tcw (absolute max size my ears can take), F-G colour, VS2 clarity. My questions:

- is it worth the premium to purchase the earrings at Tiffany's? Absolutely not.
- would the difference between Signature Ideal and Ideal (on blue nile) be really noticible? Not at all
- some of the stones (on blue nile) show faint fluorescence. I instinctively want to discount these stones (for no reason!) just because of some things I heard about it interfering with perceived clarity - is this wrong? Why exactly am I being advised to avoid fluorescence? Fluorescense will not affect the clarity of the stone. People avoid fluorescense because they feel it will affect the value of the stone, while others think it reflects more light and prefer it. The nicest stones I have seen for earrings had an overall dynamite cut.
-I have only tried on the 4 prong setting, but am curious about the martini setting. Does this setting mean that the ear-ring will "droop" less? Martini's tend to droop more because they come to more of a point, while four prong will be more evenly distributed.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Bottom line, stones for earrings need to be cut best to distribute the light and fire you want. They cannot be too deep. But should be perfectly matched. The best earrings I ever laid eyes on, and through a loop, had good color (don't skimp, but don't go crazy) good clarity, but an amazing cut. I have all GIA cert stones for hand rings, but you do not need this type of quality for earrings, regardless of what others might say (JMO from years of experience) Good luck!
 
#3
1} no, not worth it to me to pay a Tiffany's premium, especially in your ears.

2} no, not IMO

3} flourescence is great unless it's heavy flourescense in an already white stone. The lower in color you slide the more faint flourescence can help.

4} martini's droop less because they sit closer/deeper in your ears.
 
#4
^^I totally agree with everything Winston said except for the martini setting. True the back of the head does come to a point however this mounting is designed to set flush to the ear therefore avoiding a droop-effect and will allow the diamond to 'face out'. I have 4 ct twt studs and have them in 3-prong martini setting and mine do not droop at all - ever.
 
#5
^^I agree! My studs are G SI1 but excellent cut...and they sparkle!!! I like the martini setting because I feel more light gets through, not as much metal...more sparkle. The 3 prong martini setting looks fabulous!!! Also get the elephant (large) backs.
How exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
#6
I feel like I should chime in because I have been one of the people posting diamond stud questions lately. Re: the setting - I was initially leaning towards the 4 prong basket style. However, I then went to a jewelry store and actually tried them on and I MUCH prefer the 3 prong martini setting. I also found a 4 prong martini setting which I liked as well. I think the fact that the martini sits more flush with the ear makes it look way better. I was looking at much smaller studs than you and I still found this the case. I think the size you are looking at may droop a bit otherwise. The martini setting allows the diamond to face forward the best. HTH!
 
#7
Thank you for all the help. I think I'll bypass Tiffany's and put the extra money into the tuition piggy bank (better use there anyways!). I think I need to try on a pair of martinis in this size to see what the difference is. Sounds like they'd be a better option for my naturally droopy lobes.

Interesting about fluorescence - these are not going to purchased for investment or heirlooms (no daughters :crybaby:), so the only value is to myself and thus I will not overlook those stones which list a faint fluorescence.

Just one other question - is sales tax charged if one orders from blue nile? I have never purchased a valuable item via the internet in the US and not know if State sales tax is charged. I remember with my engagement ring (purchased in NYC and shipped to PA), that doing it this way avoided paying sales tax.
 
#8
Creme--- those a great questions. Thank you for posting! I got my 2.5 ctw studs 6 months ago and now I am considering to reset from 4 prongs basket into martini as well.

Could someone post pics of the martini setting on lobes? I like to see how its sit. I bought 4ctw CZ matini to test out, but it droops. I think because it has a push in back.
 
#9
^^ There are already pictures in a few different threads of the martini setting. You also want to make sure you have elephant backs (large gold disks). That will further help with your studs 'facing out'.
 
#10
Just to clarify a point on the martini setting: Love the look, but for me, and maybe others, the point tends to add stretch to my ear hole. I do wear them with plastic discs in the back, but alas, the front issue still remains. Just another cosideration...
 
#11
I guess it's easy enough to switch stones out into a different setting in the future, but I got the standard 4-prong setting because I find the martini setting a little trendy. Seems like everyone here looooves the martini though! :)
 
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