a couple earring questions

[KaeKae]

I'm not sure exactly which forum this thread should be in, forgive me if I'm in the wrong place. I read and occasionally respond to many, many more threads than I start.

I have proudly worn my diamond stud earring for...24 years now. A college graduation gift from my favorite aunt and uncle, I treasure them. They are beautiful stones, VS2, G .65 tcw. in a four prong wg basket setting with screw backs. I don't know the cut quality, but believe me, they sparkle more than any other diamond I have, and knowing this aunt and uncle, they went for very well cut stones.

So, my first question: if you own and wear screw back earrings, have you had to replace the posts at some point? Just this week, I've realized that I am pushing the back onto the post further than I used to, before having to start twisting. I still have to twist 9 or 10 times, before I feel they are comfortably in place, but I'm thinking that's less than it used to be. When should this become a concern for safety?

The second question is PS oriented. Or, maybe, PS inspired? As I'm wondering if I will have to replace the posts, the thought has crossed my mind that it may be reasonable, moneywise, to go ahead and change the whole setting to a bezel. I love that look, and believe it will give a better coverage on my ear. If I were to consider this idea, who would you suggest to do this for me?

Thanks so much for any insight or advice you can give me!

 

[woofmama]

Hi KaeKae. I have three prong martini settings not bezel, but it seems that all the bezel set studs posted here are done by BGD. Did you see Hospatogis thread? Gorgeous bezels just crafted by BGD.

BTW-I think you may get more feedback on this in Rockytalk. Maybe ask the mods to move it?

 

[yennyfire]

I can't answer the question about needing to replace posts after years of wear, but if you are considering resetting in bezels, I'd go with either BGD or IDJ....I think BJD has more of a "reputation" for doing migrain bezels, but I've seen IDJs work multiple times and they'd also do a fine job (and probably be less expensive)....

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yes, I have read that screw back posts wear down over time and that is why I always do push backs for mine. So yes, I think resetting is a great idea! I think the highest quality custom made bezels I have seen are done by Brian Gavin. That is who I would have make mine because they are the closest to the classic Tiffany bezel earrings of any I have seen. I do have one of his bezel pendants.

 

[Fly Girl]

I'm sure your screwbacks have worn down. I think you have gotten quite a few years of wear out of yours, so replacing them now makes a lot of sense.

I'd have my local jeweler do the job, but that's just me. Replacing the posts should not be difficult or very expensive. Of course, a whole new setting sounds like fun. My son recently purchased a diamond ring from BGD, and the quality of their workmanship is very nice.

 

[Treenbean]

I would also use BGD. I have a pair of their milgrain bezels set with orange zircons, in unplated white gold. I wear them almost every day. The quality of their work is fantastic. I don't think you will be disappointed. Good luck.

My screw backs have worn down as well and must be replaced, so I too am thinking about a re-set, but with friction backs this time.

 

[marcy]

I am not a fan of screw back earrings so I change them out as soon as I get them. I think since you are going to have them reset anyway you may as well get them done in bezel setting since that is the style you like. I am sure many of the popular PS vendors would do a lovely job for you.

 

[mdmc]

I guess I am in the minority here. I have had a pair of .50 tcw studs for 28 years. I have never had a problem and wear them often. I like the idea that I really don't have to worry about losing them. I have never had to replace them because they are stripped and don't find the time it takes to take them off a hassle. I actually like them so much I had them put only new James Allen .90 tcw set.

 

[KaeKae]

Thank you everyone for the input. I appreciate your taking the time to answer my questions.

Woofmama, Treenbean, and Yennyfire, I'd thought about IDJ, but not BGD, I'll contact both if I decide to reset, which would probably happen late spring/early summer for my anniversary.

Diamondseeker, Fly Girl, Marcy, Treenbean, and MDMC I asked about the screw backs wearing down, because it's one complaint I have not heard about them, and honestly, it surprised me when I realized it was happening. I haven't minded them, either, feeling that the few seconds it takes to put then on is worth it for my piece of mind that my little diamonds are safe. I don't know if I would like them as much should I make a change to bezel, though. It sort of seems that spinning around the four prong basket would be easier than the round bezel, but maybe I'm over thinking that.

Fly Girl, I will also speak to my local jeweler. I should have thought of that. He reset my ering, and did a beautiful job. Would save time and money on the shipping to IDJ or BGD, too. Again, over thinking, I guess. I also think that as you become a PSer, it gets harder to trust the local guy, when we hear so many great things about certain trusted jewelers here.

 

[Hospatogi]

Hi KaeKae,

I just got my bezels from BGD and am very happy with mine! It gives my ear much more coverage than if I had gone with a martini setting. As far as screw vs tension backs I think it's a matter of preference. Screwbacks felt uncomfortable for me and once or twice I have lost an earring towel drying my hair. It just somehow unscrewed itself!
My tension backs that I got from BGD feel great and so far have been very secure for me. I got jumbo tension backs and I don't know if its just me but it makes it feel a bit more secure than traditional tension backs to me at least.
BGD was great to work with and I'm sure they would be able to answer any of your design concerns . Cant wait to see your earrings!

 

[KaeKae]

Hospatogi,
Glad to see you are happy with your BGD bezels. I think I'm leery of the tension backs, only because I've had the screw backs for so long. Every other pair of studs I own have regular backs, and I have lost a couple of them. Thankfully, not many, and never lost the front of a good earring. I think that some of the clutch backs are made too small now, to save money on the gold. Are the tension backs different than the usual clutch back? How big are the jumbo backs?

 

[KaeKae]

Hospatogi,
I just found your thread on your beautiful earrings! That's the look I'm going for. My stones aren't nearly as big as yours, but I do think the bezel will give the look an 'oomph' in size. If you don't mind, may I print out a picture of your earrings to show my local jeweler? Because your bezels are exactly what I'm thinking about. I don't know how the IDJ bezels compare to BGD. Hmm, I think I'm going to have to talk to all three.

Is it wrong to REALLY hope my husband does well in Vegas this weekend, so I can feel great about going ahead with this idea sooner, rather than later

 

[Hospatogi]

Hospatogi,
I just found your thread on your beautiful earrings! That's the look I'm going for. My stones aren't nearly as big as yours, but I do think the bezel will give the look an 'oomph' in size. If you don't mind, may I print out a picture of your earrings to show my local jeweler? Because your bezels are exactly what I'm thinking about. I don't know how the IDJ bezels compare to BGD. Hmm, I think I'm going to have to talk to all three.

Is it wrong to REALLY hope my husband does well in Vegas this weekend, so I can feel great about going ahead with this idea sooner, rather than later

I certainly do not think you can go wrong with bezels. It's such a classic look. I am usually pretty picky about millegrain and I really like that BGD made it thin, even, and delicate. The setting really showcases the diamond because the bezel isn't bulky. I haven't worked with IDJ so can't comment but I know some PSers have been happy with their work. My backing is a bit diifferent than a clutch back as there is a small knotch on the post for the backing to sit on. I find this and the larger back to feel more snug and secure on my ear.
However if you haven't had issues with your screw backs then stick with those unless you would like to try something new
Sending your husband dust so that you can get earrings soon!

 

[KaeKae]

I decided to have the local jeweler, who made my ering reset do the bezel earrings and dropped them off yesterday. Now the wait!

 

[WillyDiamond]

I bought some diamond stud earring for my daughter with the push backs, she lost one, I sold the other. I bought her new ones at BGD but this time with LaPousette backs, those don't off!

 

[KaeKae]

My earrings were done today, they look great. I've take some pictures, before and after, with my android phone. How do I go about posting them? I'll work on that later, I have to go pick up my daughter from school.