Anyone with bezel-set studs?

[alene]

I left my diamond studs on the kitchen counter meaning to put them in the cleaning solution and the dogs got to them before I did, apparently, while counter-surfing. So I found both on the floor and one of the posts completely broke off while the other is pretty bent out of the shape. Since I'll need to replace at least one setting, I think it may be a good opportunity to go with something different. The current settings are plain four-prong baskets and I'm thinking of going with milgrain bezels this time. Since my stones are from BGD, I was looking into these: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d.../handmade-milgrain-bezel-studs-platinum-5566p

The questions I have are mainly about their appearance on the ear and cleaning. Martini settings look awful in my ears and don't sit straight. Would I likely have the same issue with the u-shaped bar in the back or would it sit straight and low? Also, do these tend to get dirtier than baskets? Any cleaning issues I should be aware of? Finally, any other similar settings I should be looking at? Thanks!

 

[VRBeauty]

How large are your diamonds? Smaller diamonds are tricky to set - the bezels have to be low or they could block a large proportion of the light coming into the diamond. With larger diamonds, there's more diamond to catch the light, so it's less likely that the height of the bezel will interfere with the stone's performance. (BTW I learned this less on with a .5 ctw pair of studs that was originally set in custom bezels by BGD. The each bezel rose high enough above the girdle that it impeded the diamond's performance. Having Whiteflash re-set them in 8-prong martinis brought the diamonds back to life!)

 

[alene]

Thanks VRBeauty! This is something I definitely did not consider, was thinking that handmade would mean make specifically to fit the stones and optimize performance. Mine are a little under 1 ctw, exactly 5 mm each, so not that big. Definitely don't want the setting impeding performance.

 

[rubybeth]

I have basically those same settings, without the milgrain. I can try to take photos to help answer any questions you have, alene! I usually wear mine pretty "tight" and can't feel them at all, the little u-shaped part sits very comfortably against my ear, so the stones are basically flush. Mine about about 1 ctw. As for sitting "straight," do you mean so that the stones are visible from the front view? That may just depend on the angle of your ears from your head, if that's what you mean. Let me know what kinds of views you want, and I can take some photos.

 

[alene]

I have basically those same settings, without the milgrain. I can try to take photos to help answer any questions you have, alene! I usually wear mine pretty "tight" and can't feel them at all, the little u-shaped part sits very comfortably against my ear, so the stones are basically flush. Mine about about 1 ctw. As for sitting "straight," do you mean so that the stones are visible from the front view? That may just depend on the angle of your ears from your head, if that's what you mean. Let me know what kinds of views you want, and I can take some photos.

Rubybeth, that's so awesome of you to offer! I'd love to see pictures! Particularly ear shots, the profile on the ear and straight on facing the stone. Thanks so much! I had a problem with martini bezels before (v-shaped back) where they just drooped in the ears no matter how much I tightened them, which drove me nuts, just hoping that the u-shaped back solves that problem. Also, do you find they get dirty quickly oven that the back a so open?

 

[rubybeth]

Will do, alene! I'll have to ask my husband to help me take some photos of those angles, should be able to do that soon. I don't really have a problem with them getting dirty. I don't clean them very often, but I sometimes forget to take them out when I shower. They are very easy to clean with a soft toothbrush/some dishsoap since they are so open on all sides. They are 18kt white gold, if that helps.

 

[alene]

Will do, alene! I'll have to ask my husband to help me take some photos of those angles, should be able to do that soon. I don't really have a problem with them getting dirty. I don't clean them very often, but I sometimes forget to take them out when I shower. They are very easy to clean with a soft toothbrush/some dishsoap since they are so open on all sides. They are 18kt white gold, if that helps.

That's good to know, they do look like they shouldn't be hard to clean! Thank you!

 

[peonyinlove]

i have 1cttw earrings in double milgrain bezel settings from IDJ. i LOVE them - i don't find that they get terribly dirty (i clean them about once a week) and i don't think the setting overwhelms the stones at all. here are mine.my stones are also 5 mm each and they sit nice and flush with my ear, never any drooping.

 

[peonyinlove]

hmm don't know why the photo won't add!

 

[alene]

Peonylove, I found your recent thread and I love your double milgrain studs! Are they handmade or stock settings? Do you by chance have any photos from the side? I think someone else recently got these settings from IDJ and was concerned about the bezels/migrain looking uneven. IDJ are local for me and did my old settings, so it would be really convenient to use them.

 

[rubybeth]

Hope this works, I think inserting photos has changed on PS since I last posted!

 

[rubybeth]

If for some reason, those photos don't show up, I tried making an "album" of photos here: https://www.pricescope.com/community/gallery/albums/my-photos.33/

 

[alene]

Oh wow, thanks so much, Rubybeth! They really do sit flat against the ear, love them on your! Sending an email to BGD now!

 

[sln]

hmm don't know why the photo won't add!

After seeing @peonyinlove photos in March, I purchased a pair from IDJ. They were so fabulous to work with, I thought I found stones on Blue Nile but after ID looked at them he found me better stones. Photo isn't the best, but I get compliments all of the time. I am terrible at cleaning them, maybe every other week.

 

[rubybeth]

You can certainly wear them tighter or looser, but I wear mine fairly tight and so they are pretty flat looking. The other thing I really like is how they feel very secure--the backings "click" when you put them on, and I've never had a worry about losing them. Also, I once lost a backing (not while I was wearing them) and BGD sent me a new set for a very nominal fee.

 

[Winks_Elf]

I have hand made 18kwg princess cut bezel studs, and they have a bar going behind them that the post is attached to. Cleaning them is a nightmare if I don't use my ultrasonic cleaner. They do sit nice and low to the ear though, and I honestly forget I'm wearing them. They're not big, only about .32ct each princess cut, but the bezels are nice and beefy, and they were made by a friend who's no longer with us, so I couldn't bring myself to change them out.

 

[alene]

Sln - thank you for the photo! They're gorgeous! Have looked around and it looks like the IDJ's are stock settings, not sure if they make handmade bezels as well.

Rubybeth - thanks again! I tend to wear mine pretty tight also, the flatter the better!

Winks_Elf - I guess the bar would make it a bit hard to clean the pavilion? It seems the u in the back would make the cleaning easier.

 

[hathalove]

I have the BGD handmade bezels with BGD signature diamonds. I almost sold them not to long ago but then pulled them from selling because they are really the perfect studs for me. I knew I would regret it. So easy to wear and I never take them off except for cleaning. Mine are .46 each and are 5mm stones. Not sure how big with the bezel. They also sit flat! They don't poke out which I love. I have la pousette backs. I don't even feel them. Oh and I do get lots of compliments and they sparkle like crazy. The bezel doesn't take away from performance in my opinion.

 

[kalmen22]

Peonylove, I found your recent thread and I love your double milgrain studs! Are they handmade or stock settings? Do you by chance have any photos from the side? I think someone else recently got these settings from IDJ and was concerned about the bezels/migrain looking uneven. IDJ are local for me and did my old settings, so it would be really convenient to use them.

Hi I was the one who was worried about uneveness. But in the end, I kept it coz I love the earrings too much. They are perfect size and sparkle like crazy. Mine are 1.4ctw.
I did speak to Yekutiel and he told me that the double bezel milgrain are handmade. Check in with him and see what he says.
Best thing about idj. They aim to make you happy. I'm an international customer and I feel safe and assured buying from them. And you are near them. Pop in for a look and show us pics of what u find!

 

[alene]

Hathalove, thanks for chiming in! Mine are also 46-pointers! So glad to hear you enjoy them and find them comfortable!

Kalmen22 - its great that you decided to keep them! They really look fantastic on you! I'll probably check with IDJ as well.

 

[peonyinlove]

Peonylove, I found your recent thread and I love your double milgrain studs! Are they handmade or stock settings? Do you by chance have any photos from the side? I think someone else recently got these settings from IDJ and was concerned about the bezels/migrain looking uneven. IDJ are local for me and did my old settings, so it would be really convenient to use them.

i LOVE them - id was amazing to deal with and i don't notice any unevenness in the milgrain. they're handmade - here's an instagram video that show the settings from the side. they are slightly angled so that you see only diamond from the front, but the style of setting means they never droop like a martini might.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIEToosgyCJ/?taken-at=656307591

 

[peonyinlove]

also, they sparkle like mad and i don't find cleaning them a problem at all. i sit them in the liquid for a few minutes, quickly brush them and rinse.

 

[alene]

i LOVE them - id was amazing to deal with and i don't notice any unevenness in the milgrain. they're handmade - here's an instagram video that show the settings from the side. they are slightly angled so that you see only diamond from the front, but the style of setting means they never droop like a martini might.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIEToosgyCJ/?taken-at=656307591

Thanks for the video link! IDJ did my old settings, they're definitely great to work with!

 

[e2the3rd]

@alene hi, I see this is from 2017 but did you ever get your bezel studs, and if so who did you end up going with? I was considering bezel martini settings until I saw this post, now I love the idea of the u-shaped back instead and am looking to get some made for a reset

 

[alene]

@alene hi, I see this is from 2017 but did you ever get your bezel studs, and if so who did you end up going with? I was considering bezel martini settings until I saw this post, now I love the idea of the u-shaped back instead and am looking to get some made for a reset

Hi there, never got them bezeled, sorry! IDJ were able to fix the broken stud for me, so I didn’t end up resetting.